LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

HISTORICAL RECORD OF BETHEL CHURCH
CAIRO CHARGE, MARCH 18, 1947


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Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, June 24, 2021

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1. Commonly called Cairo, but officially know as Bethel.

2. No other name except United Evangelical at first, then Evangelical, and now Evangelical United Brethren.

3. The church is part of the Cairo Charge.

4. It has never been a part of any other charge or circuit.

5. First work was in January, 1915, when J. O. Hall, of Spring Run, held a revival in the Cairo Church of God, at which time 66 souls were saved.

6. The date of organization was that same year 1915.

7. Before organization, J. O. Hall, Rev. M. C. Miller of Grandview, and Dist. Supt. J. G. Walz, worked out the plans and effected its union with Spring Run, which was a part of the Grandview charge.

8. Families in the early beginning of the work:

Dave Partington R. Paxton Geo. McGraw
J. S. Marshall Chas. Bretz John Tindall
    J. A. Long    

9. Prominent families in following years:

Wm. Johnansmier J. O. Hall Boyd Boyson
Betty Tieman Gale Smith Paul Wiley
Weaver Briggs Thede Boyson    

10. Charter members:

Glen Bretz J. A. Miller David McGraw
Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Bretz Nancy Miller Sarah McGraw
Russell & Priscilla Bretz C. A. Hull Mr. & Mrs. John Tindall
M. M. Smith I. F. Marshall Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Partington
J. B. Murray Eva Jones Mary Sellers
    Mr. & Mrs. Wm. Sellers    

11. The place of worship, before building church, was an old schoolhouse.

12. In 1915 the present location was purchased in the west part of Cairo.

13. The Cairo Church was begun in 1915 and dedicated on July 9, 1916 by Rev. B. H. Niebel. The pastor was Rev. G. A. Stauffacher. It was a very attractive building of the Colonial Chapel building, made of hollow concrete building blocks, with plaster on the inside and stucco on the outside. The main auditorium faces the west, and is seated with solid oak circular pews. The Bible room is in the rear, which can be opened to increase the seating capacity of the main room. There is a basement under the entire church, that is used for Sunday School and social purposes.

14. The debt on this building was $3,010 and was cleared the day of dedication.

15. No succeeding buildings or major improvements.

16. The first parsonage, purchased in 1915, is a six room building facing the east. There are four ...

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... rooms downstairs and two upstairs. There is a small basement under part of the building. R. E. A lines supply electricity.

17. Cost of the parsonage was $800, and was paid right away.

18. No succeeding parsonages.

19. Total present value of all property is $16,000.

20.

21.

22.

23. Membership in 1915 was 21; in 1935 it was 67 members; at present, 1947, it is 75.

24.

25. Outstanding contribution of the church to the community and county was to help change Cairo from what was known as the "toughest hole" in south-east Iowa to a well mannered respectable community. It is said that when a real-estate agent mentioned the land for sale was around Cairo, that the deal was immediately canceled. Now it is practically the wealthiest section of the county, especially when you include Spring Run.

26. Pastors serving Cairo:

M. C. Miller Jan. 1915 - April, 1915
G. A. Stauffacher 1915 - 1918
L. H. Wood 1918 - 1920
G. J. Roths 1920 - 1923
G. H. Bamford 1923 - 1927
Chas. S. Lang 1927 - 1928
H. W. Hendricks 1928 - 1935
L. B. Deedrick 1935 - 1947 (present date)

      Dist. Supt. serving Cairo:

J. G. Walz 1914 - 1918
C. H. Stauffacher 1918 - 1922
A. A. Couser 1922 - 1926
F. R. Blakely 1926 - 1930
J. A. Haehlen 1930 - 1935
I. L. Baumgartner 1935 - 1947 (present date)

SUNDAY SCHOOL.

27. Organized in 1915.

28. No record

29. Prominent leaders:

Dave Partington Weaver Briggs Gale Smith
J. S. Marshall Wm. Johnansmier Thede Boyson
Chas. Bretz Betty Tieman Boyd Boyson
John Tindall J. O. Hall Paul Wiley

30. No early record. Present membership is 75.

31. Cairo Church helped in the beginning of the County Leadership Training School in 1935. The pastor, Rev. L. B. Deedrick, was the Supt. of the School, in 1935. Four of our members got credit in it.

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32.

33.

34.

YOUNG PEOPE’S WORK.

35. C. E. organized in 1916. None at present.

36.

37. No record.

38. Prominent leaders were

39. No records

40.

41.

W. M. S.

42. None here

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

LADIES AID.

48. Organized in 1915.

49. Prominent leaders in the Aid have been:

50. Types of work done: quilting; serving sales; financing; church projects

51. No record. Membership in 1946 was 25

52.

BROTHERHOOD.
53-53-55. No Organization.

MUSIC.

56. Instruments used - organ and piano.

57. No record.

58. Leaders in music:

D. Owens Betty Tieman Wm. Johnansmier

Complied by Rev. L. B. Deedrick, March 18, 1947.

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