| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
Pg 60
Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 6, 2016
The origin of the first Salem Calvinistic Methodist Church dates back to the spring of 1859 when the following families: Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Griffith; Mr. and Mrs. William Jones and step-son, John Thomas; Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur; and Mr. and Mrs. Evan H. Davis left the Congregational Church on account of difference in doctrine and other reasons. Their choice was Calvinistic Methodist and Presbyterian in doctrine.
The worship services were held in a log cabin which stood on the south side of the road opposite the Cambrian Cemetery, located one mile north and one- half mile west of the present Salem Church. In this log cabin they worshiped for one year, with no pulpit, and very few seats that had no backs or cushions. Consequently this church was a poor and dangerous place to nap. With twenty-four members and no minister they held class meetings and prayer meetings for over one year.
The members were faithful to their church, walking two or more miles to attend services, often three times on Sunday.
As the membership increased, it became necessary to build a new church in 1860. The site chosen was the southwestern corner of the Cambrian Cemetery. This little church was often referred to by the Welsh people as “Capel Bach”, meaning Little Church.
During Reverend Hugh Davis’ pastorate (1860-1866) the Society, which had been an independent organization, became a Calvinistic Methodist Church.
The third Salem Church building was constructed in 1875. It was located at the crossroads in the northeast corner of the John A. Rees old homestead, which is presently owned by Eugene Rees and occupied by his son Allen. This land, which was given to the use of the church, is on the southwest corner of the intersection of X Avenue and 120th Street.
The church had 120 members at this time. Preaching services were held at 10:00 A.M., Sunday School was held at 2:00 P.M., with preaching and Christian Endeavor in the evening.
The first officers of the church were Arthur Griffith, William Jones, and H. D. Davis, who were Deacons, later officers were Evan E. Davis, Robert H. Evans, Joseph Davis, David E. Davis (Clerk), and H. J. Davis (Treasurer).
Reverend J. R. Johns (1891-1897) was a very active leader who took a great interest with the children of the church, organizing the “Band of Hope” that met on Saturday afternoon. He also organized “Young People’s Christian Endeavor” which later played an important part in the evening service and was well attended.
| Reverend Hugh Davis | 1860-1866 |
| Reverend Griffith Roberts | 1866-1874 |
| Reverend Richard Hughes | 1874-1885 |
| Reverend Thomas H. Jones | 1885-1887 |
| Reverend J. Michael Hughes | 1887-1889 |
| Reverend J. R. Johns | 1891-1897 |
| Reverend J. F. Morris | 1898-1900 |
| Revernd W. Machno Jones | 1901-1907 |
| Reverend Hugh E. Jones | 1909-1913 |
| Reverend Humphrey W. Owens | 1917-1923 |
| Reverend W. Trevor Williams | 1924-1933 |
| Reverend David C. Davis | 1936-1942 |
| Reverend H. N. Poston | 1942-1945 |
| Reverend Robert Spencer | 1946-1948 |
| Reverend Thomas Nelson | 1949-1952 |
| Reverend Everet O. Dirks | 1953-1957 |
| Reverend James S. Rila | 1958-1965 |
| Reverend Hensman Smidt | 19*66-1969 |
| Reverend Burl Richards | 1970-1976 |
| Reverend Darrel M. Robertson | 1977-1983 |
| Reverend Karolee Wirt | 1985-1987 |
| Reverend Gail Mitchell | 1987-1988 |
| Reverend Linda Shatzer | 1988- |
| THE WELSH AT CHURH |
| By Edgar A. Guest |
| I like the way of the Welsh at Church. |
| After the service they linger about |
| Happily making for friends a search. |
| Eager to chat with them, in or out; |
| Sharing the news of the week or year. |
| So much to tell and so much to hear. |
| God has been told of their love in prayer; |
| Hailed by them all with a burst of song. |
| Now they have time with their friends to share |
| And the Sabbath is short and a week so long. |
| Are the old folks happy? The children well? |
| So much to learn and so much to tell. |
| “We’re a chatter-box group,” said a friend to me |
| As we stood outside on crowded walk, |
| And never in haste to leave are we, |
| For after the service we like to talk |
| And always an hour or more we stay. |
| So much to hear and so much to say! |
Picture: Salem Welsh Presbyterian 2nd Church, 1875-1910
Pg 62
Picture: Salem Sunday School
Back row L to R: Ryan Rees, Brittany Temple, Marilyn Rees (teacher), Lena Davis, Austin Vincent.
2nd row: Kelsey Vincent, Morgan Vincent, Travis Temple.
Front row: Megan Davis, Emery Davis
Picture: Welsh Congregational Church 1938
Front row L –R: _,_,_, Evelyn Williams, Frieda Rees, Wilma Rees, Audrey Rees, Leila Williams ,_,_,_,Alice Orris, Don Orris, Mike Orris, Cleo Orris, Margaret Hinderman, Jennie Jones, David Williams, Jim Edwards.
Back row L-R: Hugh Roberts, Evan (Dutch) Rees, W. P. Roberts, Luther Williams, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas, Blanch Williams, Rosina Hawkins, Mrs. Chord. Others mixed in may be Nellie Hughes, Roll and Maggie Rees.
Picture: Salem –Welsh Sunday School
Teacher: Donna Rees and Sandra Rees. Asst. Pianist, Kay Davis. L-R Austin Vincent, Brittany Temple, Lena Davis, Travis Temple, Emery Davis, Megan Davis.
Pg 63
Picture: Men’s English Class
L-R: Howell Rees, Alfred Davis, Romie Davis, Roll Davis, Emrys Davis, Kenneth Fuller, Luther Davis
Picture: Christmas 1990 L-R: Dallas Davis, Randy Vincent, Mark Rees, Jim Rees, Shirley Temple, Gary Rees, Michelle Rees, DeeAnne Vincent, Kay Davis, Marilyn Rees(pianist).
Picture: Alfred Davis
Picture: Howell and Elizabeth Rees
Picture: The Salem Presbyterian and Cotter Presbyterian share a common board.
L-R: Harold Rees (Salem Church ),Gomer Owen (Cotter), Elmer Thomas (Cotter), Roland Rees (Salem).
Picture: Salem Welsh Untied Presbyterian Church
Pg 64
Picture: Rev. Kitch Shatzer
Picture: Salem Welsh United Presbyterian Church
Picture: Salem session.
L to R: Farrel Rees, Randy Vincent, Rowland Rees, Harold Rees, Rev. Kitch Shatzer. Picture taken by Gene Rees.
Picture: Salem Welsh and Cotter Session Meeting
L-R: Farrel Rees, Harriet Jones, Dorothy Plett, Rowland Rees, Rev. Kitch Shatzer, Susan Pretz, Elmer Thomas, Harold Rees.
Picture: Salem Congregation
L-R: Donna Rees, Dee Ann Vincent, Evan Rees, Eleanor Davis, Dorothy Humphreys, Gary Rees, Jeff Temple, Randy Vincent. Seated: Kay Davis.
Picture: Salem Congregation
L-R: Michelle Rees, Shirley Temple, Marion Jones, Lester Jones, John Harold Jones, Eugene Rees.