LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

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THE LONE TREE CHAPEL
Port Louisa Township, Louisa County, Iowa

Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 21, 2016

        The Lone Tree Chapel which was located four miles south of Grandview no longer stands as a testimonial to the faith of the early settlers of the area around Port Louisa. The land on which this old country church stood was sold and the building torn down by the new owner in the summer of 1970.

        The Lone Tee Chapel, the first Church of God in Iowa west of a the Mississippi River, was built and financed by a hardy group of people who realized the need for place to worship for themselves and those to come. Jacob Beik, a well known Louisa County farmer, donated the land for the church with the stipulation that when services were no longer held, the land would be returned to his estate. John Jacob (Jake) Sulzberger donated the lumber which was cut from his timber by men of the neighborhood. George Sulzberger often told about the many trips by horse and wagon his father, Jake, made to the Hershey sawmill in Muscatine to have the logs sawed into boards. After much hard labor and many picnic-work gatherings, the church was completed and dedicated, debt free, in August of 1897. It was named Lone Tree Chapel in recognition of the Lone pine tree standing majestically across the road.

        The first minister of the church was Rev. I. Osmon, and Mrs. Jacob (Alverda) Beik was the first Sunday School Superintendent. Many had memories of Mrs. Beik, who wore her hair in a French roll, directing the Sunday school programs and leading the congregational singing. Others recalled how a floor-to-ceiling decorated pine tree was a Christmas tradition in the Church and how all sang around the tree at the annual Christmas service.

        John Jacob Sulzberger served as custodian of the church and also as Sunday School Superintendent. Another Sunday School leader remembered for his faithful service was Aaron Kemp. Other early members of the congregation who were ardent supporters were the George Beiks, Lewis Beiks, Jacob Beiks, Aaron Kemps, and A. J. Matsons. In later years Clyde and Jessie Torode of Wapello helped Mrs. Beik keep the work going.

        Ministers serving the church in later years were the Rev. C.L Wilson, Rev. E. E. Hiltebridle, Rev. A. L. Shuey and Rev. C. F. Perron. The later Rev. Jesse Huddle of Wapello was the last minister to serve the Lone Tree Chapel.

        In 1946, a committee composed of Mr. & Mrs. Guy Hardman, Paul Beik, Mrs. Cal Beik, and Mrs. Gertrude Collins, made arrangements for the Lone Tree Aid Society to purchase the building and it was then converted into a community center. Extensive repairs were made and the pews removed and used by the Church of God in Cairo, Iowa.

        As the Lone Tree Chapel bell was rung every Sunday morning by John Jacob (Jake) Sulzberger to call the members to worship, George Sulzberger sought out and purchased this bell some years later when he learned it had been taken from the church. The bell will be cherished forever and the Sulzberger family are proud to own a part of this historical Lone Tree Chapel which their ancestors helped to build and in which they played and active role until 1908 when they moved to Muscatine.

Picture: Dedication Sunday, August 22, 1897 at Lone Tee Chapel Church of God

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Picture: Bell from the Lone Tree Church of God is now owned by Lonnie Sulzberger, Muscatine, Iowa

Picture: John Jacob Sulzberger and wife, custodians and Sunday school superintendent

Picture: Church of God Lone Tree Chapel