| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
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OF COLUMBUS
Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 5, 2016
Celebrating the 100TH anniversary of the incorporation of Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction the congregation commemorates the lives of devoted servants who have witnessed for Christ and worked toward the growth of His church.
Twenty-eight members on June 16, 1874 signed the articles of incorporation for Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus, the name chosen because of the church’s planned location between Columbus City and The Junction. The articles, notarized by A. Gamble and filed with Louisa County Recorder N.W. McKay June18, designated as trustees for the first year beginning June 1, Matthew MacLean, George W. Merrill, David J. Brown, Abram Fulton and Benjamin F. Coe. Members signing along with these trustees were P. Slater, E. C. Haskell, Mrs. E. C. Haskell, N. S. MacLean, John Owen, Mrs. J. Owen, Ella M. Robbins, Alice Reiner, D.A. Robbins, M.S. Flack, P. Rasley, Mrs. S.W. True, Mrs. Samantha Bell, Hannah Spencer, Elmira Spencer, Rachel Fulton, Elmira J. Breneman, Annie G. Roth, Bell Shearer, A. Gamble, H. C. Worthan, G.W. Breneman and Lizzie K. Beane.
Prior to incorporation the church had been organized in Columbus City May 16,1869 with nine charter members: Abram Fulton, Mrs. Rachel Fulton, Samuel McCullogh, Mrs. Eliza McCullogh, Mrs. Mary Griffin, B. F. Coe, Mrs. Margaret McCullogh, Mrs. Mary J. Marsden and Mrs. Mary E. Robbins. Conducting the organizational service was a Commission from Presbytery composed of the Rev. H. M. Corbett, Winfield, the Rev. Jacob Baay, Wapello and Elder William Jay.
The first elder and clerk of session was Abram Fulton. He and his wife were proprietors of “Fulton House” in Columbus City. In 1871 he became the first mayor of Columbus City. During the Civil War Mrs. Fulton accompanied her husband to the battlefields and ministered to the wounded and dying.
Mr. B. F. Coe was elected elder September 24,1870. He was affectionately called Father Coe because of his years of devotion to the Church and to the children in the Sabbath school. He farmed at Elm grove and for many years walked to church every Sunday to teach and led the singing. Iowa City Presbytery delegated him to the General Assembly held in Saratoga in 1889. In his early years in the county, he had been elected county treasurer and county supervisor.
Until the present building was erected, the congregation customarily worshiped in the Columbus City Methodist Episcopal Church. April 3,1875 Trustees B. F. Coe, Ebb Bell, D. J Brown and G. W. Merrill met in a room over G. W. Merrill’s store to consider building a house of worship in Columbus Junction. A Committee from the German Reformed Church of Clifton, consisting of J. K. Duncan and Dr. J. C. Brown, met with the Presbyterians, offering a $600 loan “on condition that the Reformed Church have the privilege of occupying said house of worship every alternate Sabbath for one service, they paying their portion of the expenses for fuel, lights, and janitors salary and that at any time either of the parties so desiring: that is, if the Reformed congregation desired to build a church edifice of their own or the Presbyterians wanted to use the house all the time, then the Presbyterians to pay back to said Reformed congregation whatever amount was contributed by the Reformed Church in connection with building of the Central Presbyterian Church.” Accepted by the Presbyterians, the arrangement was in effect until February 27, 1887 when the Reformed Church discontinued use of the Presbyterian Church. The $600 difficult to raise, was repaid later largely through the efforts of the Ladies Mite Society.
George W. Merrill, given authority by the trustees, reported April 17,1875, he had instructed the George Glasgow Co. to draw up plans and specifications for a brick building 53 by 38 feet with a tower 10 feet by 10 feet in the center of the West end of the church, entrance to be through the tower with the tower projecting 5 feet, with sidewalls 20 feet high. Glasgow presented a plan for 20 foot walls and 4 dormer windows on each side of the roof. The plan finally adopted was for 18 foot walls with no dormer windows.
The Board of Trustees employed Thomas Miller July 6, “to make and burn in the Wheelock yard 100,000 good merchantable brick, two thirds of said brick to be good hard brick to be counted out of the kiln by said Miller at $4 per thousand brick, for making, burning and counting out the brick. The trustees to pay Marvel Wheelock 25 cents per thousand for the clay and yard rent, furnish 1,000 bushel of coal, 6 cord of wood, a wheeling plank and 2,000 feet of lumber to cover the kiln.” The trustees were to contract for the rock for the foundation.
July 19 the proposal of the George Glasgow Co. to do all work and furnish material, except the stonework, for $2,825 was accepted. Henry Alburn’s proposal to furnish the necessary rock for the foundation from Aurouker Quarry and lay the same for $4.15 per perch was also excepted.
Work on the church building proceeded under George Glasgow co. until December 1, the contract deadline, when the contract was reassigned because Glasgow Company was “financially embarrassed”. James M. Bell and James Woodrow received the unpaid balance of $742.23 to finish the church.
May 1, 1876 members gathered for the first service in Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus, although services alternated with Columbus City apparently until August when the structure which had cost $5,000 to erect, was dedicated to the Glory of God. Furniture was secured from the Congressional Church of Columbus …
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... City which had disbanded, many of its members uniting with the Presbyterian Church. In 1877 the structure was insured for $2,000: the same building today is insured for $80,000.
In order to improve the acoustics in the sanctuary some elaborate woodwork designed buy an architect from Pennsylvania was installed in the ceiling area about the year 1900.
To care for the new church, the trustees, January 1,1879, hired Sam Boke as sexton. For $36 a year he was “to take care of the Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction for the regular services in the church, preaching on the Sabbath, for Sabbath school, prayer meetings, communion services and the week for prayer. He agreed to chop the wood, sweep the house, make the fires and trim the lamps and keep everything in good order.” For many years during the early 1900’s John Hoover, served as sexton.
The Presbyterian church has been served by the following pastors and supply ministers:
| 1869-70 | W. F. Kean |
| 1871-72 | A. W. Haines |
| 1872-73 | A. M. Heizer |
| 1874-76 | E. C. Haskell |
| 1876 | A. W. Haines (Served 3 months) |
| 1877 | H. Bishop (Died April 11,1877-buried in Columbus City) |
| 1878-79 | D. T. Campbell |
| 1880 | J. S. Dickey (Served six months) |
| 1881-1888 | J. E. Eggert |
| 1889-1891 | C. S. McElhinney |
| 1892-1895 | W. Roland Williams |
| 1895-1898 | A. B. Cooper |
| 1898-1902 | Monroe Drew |
| 1902-07 | John R. Vance |
| 1907-10 | G. W. Wickwire |
| 1910-16 | Theodore Balcoff |
| 1916-29 | W. E. Ruston |
| 1931-32 | Norris Dickey |
| 1932-35 | Theodore Balcoff (Died April 30,1935) |
| 1936-39 | Robert Chord |
| 1939-47 | E. R. Mitchell |
| 1947-48 | Harley Henderson |
| 1949 | Myron Olson |
| 1962-68 | Hurbert Sunderman |
| 1969-1984 | Denley H Ganfield (15 yrs. Retired 1984) |
| 1985 | Brian Jensen |
| June 1991- Feb. 1992 | Interim Pastor, Rev. Wesley R. Harker |
| 1992 | Lynn Smith |
Throughout Central’s growth pastors often served other churches including those at Oakland, Bethel, Oakville, Haskins and Ononwa (Letts)…The Rev. J. E. Eggert, who also supplied Bethel for a few years while pastor at Central, received an annual salary of $300 in 1885. During his pastorate he became editor of the SAFEGUARD, an early Columbus City- Columbus Junction newspaper. For several years he felt that because of his editorial position he should resign as pastor but his resignation was not accepted. When he did resign in 1888, he stated that his editorial position “stirred up enmity and animosity which hindered his usefulness.”
During the pastorate of the Rev. J. E. Eggert, evangelistic serviced were conducted by the Rev. Aura Smith and the Rev. Will Smith and more then 120 persons in the community were converted, a goodly number joining the Presbyterian Church.
At least three men, Ralph D. Kerns, E. G. Williams and John Gabriel, who grew up in the church, later became Presbyterian ministers. The first woman trustee, Mrs. Ellen Gamble, wife of Andrew Gamble, was elected in 1886. The first woman elder, Mrs. Margaret Huston, was ordained in 1932. Margaret was the daughter of W. S. Huston who was first a trustee and then for more than 40 year an elder.
Sabbath School was recorded as being a union school as long as the church met in Columbus City, with 105 members in 1873. During the early years in Columbus Junction the annual reports showed around 100 scholars. Mr. B. F. Coe was a long time Song and Bible Study leader of the school with Mr. Forbes being elected superintendent in 1884. The Marthena Class was organized by Cora McWilliams in 1924. It was the largest class with 34 members and was extremely active in all church work. It contributed generously to the church budget and was widely known for delicious chicken suppers. Monthly meetings were much enjoyed by the members, and especially the Halloween Party.
Other organizations active in the church’s growth include the Women’s Mite Society, Christian Endeavor, begun by Rev. Mr. McElhinney between 1881-1891, Junior Christian Endeavor, Dorcus Society, Women’s Bible Class, Women’s Missionary Society, W. B. M., Men’s Brotherhood, Light Bearers, Calendar, King’s Daughters and U.P.W.(Untied Presbyterian Women).
Choristers in the early years were elected at the annual meetings of the congregation. In the early nineteen hundreds Mrs. Walter Hall directed a choir which often consisted of only Walter Hall, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Sprague, Mrs. Robert Owen and Mrs. Hall herself.
Later J. Fred Moore, Carl Giffey, Norma Giffey and Mr. Fedderson were familiar names in the music department. Miss Effie Kelly served as pianist and music director for many years and at the same time she served…
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…as church treasurer, trustee and Sunday School teacher.
Jean May organized and directed the Junior Choir, later it was directed by June Fulton and is presently under the direction of Dorothy Drinkall. Darlene Meineke organized and directed the Cherub Choir which is now directed by Marian Cecil. Until recently Mr. Warren May served as director of music and director of the Senior Choir. During his 17 years he promoted and directed many cantatas for the church and community.
Over the years various grants and loans were arranged with the Board of Erection or the Board of National Missions to help with the building of the original structure and with various ministers’ salaries or just ordinary expenses. One time Mr. B. F. Coe went back to his native state, Pennsylvania, and asked some churches there in the Western part of the state for help. It is recorded that on March 20,1894 the Ladies Missionary Society of the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Chester, in eastern Pennsylvania, sent $6.41 which went towards repairs of the church. Chester was the boyhood home of Joseph Reaney. From the organizations of the church the various Boards and Agencies of the Presbyterian Church U.S. A. were supported although the amounts to us seem so small. In 1870 the contributions were as follows: Foreign Missions $11.00, Board of Home Missions $12.00, Education $5.00, Publications $5.00, Erection $7.50.
The elders regularly attended Presbytery, were delegated to Synod and several were commissioned to General Assembly.
The Women’s Home Missionary Society and Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of Iowa City Presbyterial (to which the local Presbyterian church belonged) usually held their meetings in April on consecutive days (the Home one day and the Foreign the following day) and at the same church. The same delegates attended both meetings by the officers were not the same for the Home and Foreign Society. In early days the delegates would stay overnight and were entertained in the homes of the members of the hosting church.
On April 7 and 8, 1915, these annual Presbyterial meetings were held in Columbus Junction with 50 delegates in attendance. Mrs. Walter Hall of Columbus Junction sang several solos. A resolution was passed to “extend hearty thanks to the pastor and members of the Presbyterian Church for their hospitality, their music and beautiful floral decorations. To the ladies of Columbus Junction for their cordial welcome, their thoughtful and splendid hospitality and entertainment during our stay in their midst.” (Quote from the minutes of the Women’s Home Missionary Society of Iowa City Presbyterial).
In 1955 the Presbyterians and the United Presbyterians shared a minister, the Reverend Edwin Emmel. Plans for uniting the two congregations were drawn up in the spring of 1957. On Nov. 3, 1957 the worship services were combined and held in the Central Church building at 11 a.m. Sunday School continued separately for some time. The Incorporation papers were signed January 27, 1958, just prior to the merger of the two denominations nationally.
Members of the Columbus City church recalled their history in a centennial celebration on a snowy day in December 1944, honoring the organization of the Associate Presbyterian Church in the fall of 1844 by the Rev. William Smith, pastor of the Crawfordsville Church. The Associate Presbyterian denomination united with the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1858 to become the United Presbyterian Church of North America. In 1889 a building was erected and in 1914 this building was moved to one block east of the Columbus City business district ad remodeled. The manse built about the same time is the one presently used.
Rev. Alexander Story was pastor when the Associate and Reformed Churches united to become the United Presbyterian Church and served the longest continuous pastorate, 22 years during which time the church was often spoken of as “Story’s Church.” The First Sabbath School classes were begun in 1868.
In the early days of the church a musical instrument was not used. The organ was bought into the church in the early 1890’s, although there were some who bitterly opposed its use. The Psalms were sung for many years, the 23rd and Old Hundredth being two favorites. Later the Psalter was replaced by a book containing both Psalms and hymns. The organ was replaced by a piano and in the 1950’s another organ was installed which was brought to the Columbus Junction church and is still in use.
Ministers who served in the Associate and later in the United Presbyterian Church were the following:
| 1853-1875 | Alexander Story |
| 1876-1883 | James Brown |
| 1884-1889 | Milford Tidball |
| 1890-1898 | J. A. Greer |
| 1898-1904 | J. S. Tussey |
| 1904-1910 | J. C. Marshall |
| 1910-1913 | W. R. Lawrence |
| 1914-1920 | S. B. Johnston |
| 1920-1924 | W. R. Jamieson |
| 1924-1929 | John T. Aikin |
| 1930-1938 | C. S. Ramsdale |
| 1939-1943 | Harold C. Irwin |
| 1944-1946 | Robert Galloway |
| 1946-1947 | Cassius McKnight |
| 1947-1950 | Alfred E. Parsons |
| 1951-1954 | Dr. D. H. Brush |
| 1955-1958 | Edwin Emmel |
The Women’s Missionary Society was organized around 1880 and about that time a new version of the Psalms was introduced. The U.P.C.U was organized about 1885.
Rev. Tussey, who served the church in the early 1900’s was the promoter and planner of the Columbus …
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…Chautauqua which flourished for many years.
Study of the Bible was introduced in Columbus High School under the Rev. R.W. Jamieson.
During the pastorate of Rev. Parsons, The Martha Glass Missionary Society was organized and named for Martha Glass, whose family were former members of the church and who served as a teacher in Luxor, Egypt for many years.
In later years, the “Others First” was a women’s organization which helped to strengthen the church. One of their yearly projects after the establishment of the Untied Presbyterian Home at Washington, was canning many quarts of applesauce which were donated to the home.
The following members of the congregation have engaged in full time Christian work: Mr. J. J. Duncan, Miss Ella Barnes, Miss Martha Glass, Miss Mary Baird, Rev. John Baird and Miss Alma Johnston.
Today the Untied Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction worships in the former Central church building. The Columbus City church building was sold to the Free Methodist.
An educational building was built in 1967 east of the church at a cost of over $60,000. It serves as church school building and for many other purposes. The church office is in this building. The church sanctuary was completely remodeled in 1973 and the church basement in 1974.
Many of the ruling elders had been ordained prior to the 1958 merger and continued serving in the merged church.
Elders who have served from 1958 until today: Glen Cummings, E. W. Fullerton, Sheldon Hawkins, Paul Howell, Tom Turner, Dr. E. W. McWilliams, Harold Orr, John Coon, F. D. Smylie, Clyde Crawford, Don Howell, Dr. Kenneth Carrell, Marian Cecil, Carl Lee, Robert Smylie, Warren May, June Fulton, Margaret Quigley, Ralph Crawford, Hoyt Barrick, John Currie, John Morris, Alice Huston, Betty Boulton, Roberta Bell, Arthur Pugh, Dorothy Swain, Don Williams, Jack Dill, Dorothy Drinkall, Chloe Danielson and James Crawford.
Deacons who have served from 1979 until presently in 1993: Bea Rohret, Donna Hughes, Carl Lee, Henry Swailes, Dallas Duncan, Kathy Bell, Sue Reid, Dottie Pugh, Virginia Houseal, Dorothy Swain, Darlene Oak, Shari Bell, Katherine Dill, Julie Boulton, Chad Beals, Lorraine Smylie, Ronda Redlinger, Becky Quigley, Darlene Schweitzer, Paul Duncan, Ron Farrier, Terry Pugh, Andy Leonard, Bud Leonhard, Chad Shearer.
The compiling of this history was very difficult as many people who gave so much of their lives in service could not be mentioned because of the limitations of printing. The church could not have survived without each taking personal responsibility and thus witnessing to faith in Jesus Christ.
| 100th Anniversary of the Incorporation of Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus |
| PROGRAM |
| The United Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction Celebrates the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Central Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Iowa. Events of the Celebration of June 29th and 30th, 1974 |
| Saturday, June 29th 11:00 to 3:00 |
| Quilt and Antique show- Education Building |
| Saturday, June 29th, 8:00 P.M. |
| Hymn Sing |
| Well known hymns and old favorites |
| Special Groups |
| Welsh Singers |
| Junior Choir |
| Cherub Choir |
| Historical Movie |
| Fellowship Hour |
| Sunday Worship Service- 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. |
| Festival of Banners |
| Holy Communion |
| 12:00 Noon-Dinner- Church Social Rooms |
| 1:30 p.m. Fellowship and Sharing- Sanctuary |
| Greetings from former pastors and members |
| Historical Movie-Church Basement |
Picture: United Presbyterian Church Columbus Junction, IA
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Pictures: Two views of United Presbyterian Church Columbus Junction, IA
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Picture: Junior Choir Rehearsal. Left to right: Samantha Cecil, Kristin Everett, Rayan Morgan, Alanna Colthurst, Eric Farrier, Sam Jay, Eric Hauenstein, Jeremy Schweitzer, Nathan Farrier and Todd Pugh. Director Kristie Cummings not shown
Picture: Preschool. Robin Winters. Matt Pugh, Margo Colthurst, Katie Farrier, Denise Ball, teacher, Brandan Ball, Emily Hauenstein, Brian McConahay, Rihana Morgan.
Picture: Kindergarten & 1st Grade. Erin Redlinger, Dustin Patterson, Duncan Bell, Ann Utter, Darlene Schweitzer and Pam Pugh, teachers, Meghan McConahay.
Picture: 2nd Grade Class. Amanda Schweitzer, Donna Belle Hughes, teacher, Greg Bell, Wade Patterson, Derick Ball.
Picture: 3rd & 4th Grade Class. Alanna Colthurst, Nathan Farrier, Jeremy Schweitzer, Candy Pugh, teacher, Eric Haunstein, Sam Jay, Todd Pugh
Picture: 5th and 6th Grade Class: Samantha Cecil, Jason Utter, Eric Farrier, Tammy Morgan, teacher, Rayan Morgan, Kristin Everett.
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Picture: Junior High Sunday School Class: Shawn Shearer, Tim Farrier, Nick Bell, Megan Everett, Alissa Cummings, Kathy Bell, teacher
Adult Sunday School Class: L-R: Jan Faler, Esther Timmons, Geri Leonhard, Marjorie Fullerton, Rev. Lynn Smith (teacher).
Picture: Organist: Dorothy Drinkall
Picture: Interior of Columbus Jct. U.P. Church
Picture: Denley Ganfield. (1969-Retired in 1984)
Picture: The Rev. Lynn W. Smith 1991-