LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Pg 145
CONCORD METHODIST & CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Concord, Iowa

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 20, 2016

        The Concord Church, School and Cemetery were located in Section 18 of Morning Sun Township, approximately two miles north and one mile east of the town of Morning Sun. Only the cemetery remains at this location. The following information regarding the early church was taken from microfilm of an article in the Morning Sun News Herald issue of August 8, 1907.

        The Concord Church building that has been standing for several years as a habitude for owls and bats was re-opened for services last Sabbath. Theodore Hewitt made a canvass of the neighborhood last spring to feel the pulse, so to speak, about organizing a Sunday School. The meeting was called for May 12 at 3:00 P. M. at which time Rev. C. R. Zimmerman preached a splendid sermon and a Sunday School was organized with Theodore Hewitt as Superintendent.

        The church building was in awful condition, it was swept out and the good work started. Soon a movement was underway to repair and beautify the place. A committee of two, C. F. Winters and Senneca Finn were appointed to solicit funds. Mr. Winters promptly headed the subscription list with a donation of $5.00. Workmen soon started the repairs. When all of the work had been completed an invitation was made to the public to worship with the congregation on August 4, 1907 a 3:00 P. M. to reopen the church and revive the fond memories of 38 years ago (1869) when the church was opened and dedicated to the used of all God’s people.

        After a song service by the choir which consisted of Rose Thompson, Maggie Sloan, Nina Hewitt, Susie Beck, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith and Leonard Owens, accompanied by Mrs. Lou Lyman, organist. A historical review of the place was read by Rev. J. A. Smith as follows: The Concord Church was built by popular subscription and is intended for use by all denominations as a house of worship. It was dedicated on December 27, 1869.The Rev. J. J. Kiner preached the dedication sermon. Other minister present were the Rev. Josiah Vertrees and Rev. S. S. Murphy. The three represented the denominational organization at the time. All three are now dead(1907). As far as is known Dennis Gregory of Morning Sun and Robert Owens of Kiowa, Kansas are the only living representatives of the Methodist Sunday School who were present at his dedication and are living as of this date (1907).

        The first Sunday School was organized in the spring of 1870 with C. W. Downs as superintendent, it was Union Sunday School. All units worked with one accord for its success. It was a large school and each room was filled for each session. The school soon took front rank as to numbers and was famous for its music and these walls were made to resound with rich melodies to the lord.

        Of a total of twenty-seven heads of families in this community, sixteen have had both parents pass to their reward. In the remaining eleven families death has claimed on of the parents. Among the old residents of this district when the building was built, only five remain. Of the total of over fifty persons all by five have answered the final summons. Two old residents still live where they did at the time of construction of the church. They are William Delzell and Harvey Harris.

        Rev. J. A. Smith opened the service with scripture and the opening prayer was by Rev. T. T. Campbell. Later an illustrated Sunday school lesson on the blackboard was conducted by Thomas McClement. Closing prayer was by Rev. Thomas Younger, Rev. J. M. Lute also participated in the service.

Picture: Concord Church near Morning Sun, IA.