LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Source: Morning Sun Herald, March 28, 1895
Transcribed by Sheryl, July 31, 2022

HISTORY OF THE OAKLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The following was written and presented by Joseph T. Cowles at the 1895 congregational meeting of this church:

"In preparing a brief history of the Oakland Presbyterian church, perhaps it would be well to review the cause that led up to the organization. There are still some of the men living who were actors in the very early settlement of the country. But the brief space of time alloted me in which to prepare this history prevents an extended consulting of such persons. Our fathers who first settled in this vicinity, thought their religion good enough to pay the freight on, and therefore brought it with them. The first account we have is an old subscription paper for the ministerial services of the Rev. A. Leonard. The paper has no date affixed to it, but the internal as as well as the external evidence, is that it was produced at a very early date in the history of this people. Early in the 40's money in Iowa was so scarce that almost everything but taxes to be paid in the produce of the field. This subscription paper obligates the subscribers to pay in money or wheat. We learn from very trust-worthy sources that the early settlers of this vicinity, although Presbyterians where they came from, in the absence of any church of their own choice within reach, united with a Congregational organization at Columbus City, with the Rev. A. Leonard as their pastor. In the course of time there were quite a number of Presbyterians settled in the vicinity of what is now Morning Sun. These persons, in connection with the Oakland people united in a petition to the Presbytery of Iowa to be organized into a church, which was done by the Rev. L. G. Bell, (Father Bell as he was called by those who knew him) May 28th, 1849. The following are the names of petitioners: Mrs. Rebecca Nichols, Anna M. Nichols, Mrs. Ellen Nichols, John N. Baldridge, Eliza J. Baldridge, James Coulter, Jane Coulter and Margaret E. Benton. Mr. James Coulter was elected Elder. The organization was called Unity Church. These people secured supplies as best they could, until September 30th, 1850, when Rev. S. Cowles was installed their first pastor. In September 1853, Mr. Cowles was called to the Presidency of Des Moines College, at West Point. On January 14, 1854, Rev. F. B. Dinsmore was installed pastor of Unity church. This pastorate continued until June 6th, 1857.

As the church grew and increased in numbers and the impediments in the way of passing from one part of the congregation to the other, it thought best to petition Presbytery to make a division of the church, forming a new church out of the north part. Presbytery appointed the Rev. J. B. McBride chairman of a committee to perform this duty, which he performed June 6th, 1857. The Elders elected were James Coulter, Joseph S. Benton, John N. Baldridge and Hugh Fulton; and as trustees, Robt. Coulter, J. B. Nichols and J. T. Cowles. The first pastor, the Rev. O. H. Miller was employed as stated supply for Wapello and Oakland, for one year, April 1st, 1858. He continued with us until September 1st, 1860. April 1st, 1861, the Rev. D. T. Campbell, a licenciate, ministered to us at Winfield and Oakland for four years, closing his ministry with us April 1st, 1865. The Rev. Jacob Bany was then chosen pastor of Wapello and Oakland, April 1st, 1866, continuing as such for four years, until April 1st, 1870. The Rev. Corbett was then employed as supply for six months. Rev. John Glass was then employed for one year, closing April, 1872. Rev. James Brown was supply for nine months in 1872 in connection with Winfield. Mr. A. Ringland a licentiate six months in 1873. Rev. George Hays, supply for one year, 1874 R. A M. Heizer, supply from November 1874 to September 1879. Rev. Colver supply for one year. Rev. J. E. Kearns pastor December, 1880. Resigned September 1st, 1886. M. M. Cooper supply April 1st, 1887. Resigned October 16th, 1889. Rev. A. Willard Cooper supply May 1890. Removed September 1890 as a Missionary to Siam. Roy J. H. Condit supply 1891, who is still with us, March 19th, 1895.

About the year 1855 the Oakland people began to erect the church building, which was some years in being completed. The number of members when organized, was forty-three.

Mr. Joseph T. Cowles and Mrs. Martha Newell are the only living charter members of the organization who still retain their membership at the Oakland church.

The following persons who were charter members of the church are still living: Joseph T. Cowles, Rebecca J. Nichols, Ellen J. Nichols, Benj. F. Coe, Mary A. Cowles, Joseph B. Nichols, Susan R. Benton, Joseph S. Denton, Martha Fulton, Drusila Coulter, Mary Dodd, Rachel Fulton, John N. Baldridge, Mary J. Coulter.

The following persons have passed over the river to the Church Triumphant: James Coulter, Elizabeth Cowles, Robert Nichols, Anna M. Nichols, Catharine Ristine, Mary Gilchrist, Ann E. Benton, Hugh Fulton, Hannah Betts, Elizabeth Newell, Parkus Woodruff, Sarah Smith, Jane Coulter, Noah M. Cowles, Rebecca Nichols, Eliza J. Bunnell, Abram Fulton, Eliza J. Baldridge, Margaret E. Benton, Robert Coulter, Jane Lakin, James Smith, Maria Fulton, Wm. Newell."