| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
Pg 138
Morning Sun, Iowa
Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 20, 2016
This organization was first known as the Unity Presbyterian Church of Virginia Grove, being formed in 1849 by the Rev. L. T. Bell of Fairfield. While the address of Virginia Grove was used since the community of Morning Sun was not in existence at the time, the location of the first church was actually within the present city limits of Morning Sun. The first services were held in a brick school house that was located on a lot where Eugene and Frances Wilson now live.
The first installed pastor was the Rev. Salmon Cowles, grandfather of Mrs. Alice Lagel and Miss Mary Cowles. The Henry Cowles family are also descendants of Rev. Cowles.
The “old” church was built in the year 1854-1855 on the corner of the lot just east of Elmwood Cemetery. Foundation stones from this property were visible many years later. The rather rigid protocol demanded that the men and women of the congregation set on opposite sides of the sanctuary. This church, for its’ time, was a very suitable structure and was still in good condition when the congregation and was still in good condition when the congregation discontinued services there. The bell that was added in 1876 was transferred to the east church at the time of its construction and was used there from 1892 until the early 1960’s and is at present mounted outside the First United Presbyterian Church. The building was later used by the Christian Church congregation for some time before it was dismantled. Planning for a new church building on the lots on East Division Street were started at a meeting held in February 1892. Lots were donated for the project by Mr. John Nichols. The property at this time had a rail fence that enclosed an orchard. When Mr. Nichols attended the services he sat in a rocking chair at the front of the building.
At a congregational meeting held in March 1882 it was decided to build and a canvass committee was appointed. By September adequate funds had been raised and a building committee with A. S. Yohe as Chairman, Thomas Williams, W. J. Hewitt, J. H. Nichols, J. A. Swan and D. H. Morrison, Treasurer , started their work. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on September 12,1892 and for the following 14 months a lot of activities and hard labor, much of which was donated, took place at this location.
The workers were under the direction of Mr. J. C. E. Yohe who staked out the building dimensions. The hauling for the excavation of the basement for the lumber, rock and sand was donated by members who were equipped for such duties. The rock for the Foundation came from the Honey Creek Quarries. Abrahamson Bros. were the stone masons. The lumber was obtained from the Thomas Williams Lumber Yard. The head carpenter was James Bergen. William Jamison did the plastering. The cost of the project was $8, 902.16 and was paid in full at the time of the dedication. The final service in the old church was held in Nov 12 1893 and the dedication service in the new church was held one week later Nov. 19, 1893.
The program for the dedication is as follows:
| Organ Voluntary | Mrs. E. Lyman |
| Doxology | |
| Invocation | Rev. J. B. Jackson |
| Scripture | Rev. Alexander |
| Anthem | Choir |
| Sermon | Rev. E. S. Ely Jr. |
| Theme | "The Purpose of the Church's Existence" |
| Prayer | Rev. D. T. Campbell |
| Response | Choir |
| Thank Offering | Benediction |
Services in the afternoon included talks by several visiting minister, former residents and visitors. There was an overflow crowd of 600 people at the morning service and 500 at both the afternoon and evening services.
There were two verses of scripture painted on the front wall of the auditorium on either side of the pulpit. Mrs. Myers Jarvis and Miss Mary Yohe were able to recall them many years later at an anniversary program. They were:” This house shall be a house of prayer for all people” and “ For one is your Master, even Christ, and ye are all brethren.”
The first lighting system was a large chandelier in the center of the room. It contained 12 oil lamps with two burners in each lamp. They were lighted with a torch by a person standing on a board that was laid over the pews. Later the fixture was converted to gas after Morning Sun acquired a gas plant. Pipes from the old gas installation were visible in the church for many years after electricity had been installed.
The heating system was on or more furnaces that were replaced from time as more space was being heated and better systems became available. Some of the janitors who cared for the property were: Solomon Johnson, A. C. Swan, H. H. Beck, Ed Steiknfeldt, Jesse Kerr, Adolph Mecklenberg, W. T. Ogle.
The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in 1887 by Rev. M. M. Cooper. This organization was dedicated to the religious education of its 50 or so members but also provided structural social activities as well. They also contributed to the large stained glass window at the back of the auditorium and purchased the first communion set and started a fund to purchase the first piano.
The board of Trustees were a very active group whose activities were very important and well documented in their minute books. This group being charged with many of the physical and maintenance requirements of the congregation were often taken for granted….
Pg 139
… and their activities were not as well publicized. One major project was the removal of the large windows and sending them to Chicago for renovation. The cost of this repair job was $55.00. An early Chairman of the Trustees was Mr. Levi Wolfe. Mr. Fred Kurz was a member of the Trustees for over 25 years.
During the first 95 years of the congregation’s operation there was at least one member of the official board whose last name was Swan.
With the advent of the automobile it was believed that it would be easier for people to attend church, not having to drive horses to town and tie them at the hitching racks that were located at he back of the church lot. This proved to be correct but it also made it easier for people to drive to other towns to worship and the net result may not have been positive.
The church always had a strong musical group that furnished special number for most regular and special services.
This congregation was active from 1849 until 1961 when it merged with the United Presbyterians. The merged congregation used both buildings on an alternating basis for a few years. In the mid 1960’s however, the activities were transferred to the newer west building and the east church was sold and dismantled.
Pastors who have served the congregation:
| Salmon Cowles | 1850-1853 |
| F. B. Dinsmore | 1854-1860 |
| David T. Campbell | 1861-1877 |
| J. E. Kerns | 1879-1896 |
| M. M. Cooper | 1877-1889 |
| H. E. Keeley | 1889-1890 |
| J. H. Alexander | 1891-1899 |
| S. H. Parvin | 1899-1903 |
| William MacKay | 1903-1909 |
| A. E. Cameron | 1909-1918 |
| W. P. Nichols | 1919-1926 |
| T. H. Schock | 1926-1928 |
| J. A. Spiker | 1929-1930 |
| William J. Griddin | 1930-1936 |
| O. L Byrns | 1937-1950 |
| Z. Floyd Bowerman | 1951-1960 |
Pastors who have served the merged congregation:
| Edward C.Fish | 1961-1967 |
| Lewis E. Simmem | 1968-1973 |
| Wedell C. Wright | 1973-1978 |
| Diane G. Bishop | 1980-1991 |
| Reuben Tjaden | 1991-1992 |
| Jack Edmission Jr | 1992 |
Picture: Rev. Jack Edmisson Jr.
Picture: Rev. A. E. Camermon, First United Presbyterian Church Morning Sun 1909-1918
Picture: Rev. Floyd Bowerman First Presbyterian Church, Morning Sun
Pg 140
Picture: United Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun 1898-1928
Picture: United Presbyterian Church erected in 1856. This church was built one year after the Bethel Church and the material and architecture resemble Bethel. Some of the craftsmen worked on both the buildings.
Picture: Interior of the First Presbyterian Church Morning Sun, Iowa 1898-1928
Picture: Rev. Wendell C Wright 1973-1978
Picture: This church was erected in 1937. This is the 3rd church building to be built on this lot.
Picture: Pamela Butler – Organist
Pg 141
Picture: Loyal Workers Sunday School Class
Front row, left to right: Freeda Beck, Dorothea Moore, Rev. Reuben Tjaden, Imogene Chrissinger, Virginia Jack.
Second row: Charles Beck, Harold Chrissinger, Cornelia Brown, Dr. F. Dale Wilson, Leroy Pierce.
Picture: Lawrence Delzell Family L to R: Philip Delzell, Craig Delzell, Roger Delzell, Darla Delzell Lane. Seated: Mrs. Verlee (Mrs. Lawrence) Delzell
Picture: Sunday School Class 1993
Front row L to R: Lisa Cooley, Danielle Hewitt, Ruth Ann beard.
Back row: Jane Carlson, teacher, Ariel Ebbers, Michelle Todd.