| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
Pg 147
Sharon, Iowa
Transcribed by Beverly Gerdts, August 21, 2016
The origin of the reformed Presbyterian Church in North America was in Scotland, in the rough and tumble of historical events of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Its principles and point of view developed in response to the political and religious issues of that time. After those principles had crystallized into a definite body of belief- emphasizing the Bible as the inspired Word of God, trusting and atoning work of Christ alone for Salvation, and the LORDSHIP OF CHRIST over all areas of life- they were carried to America by individuals who migrated to the New World.
During the persecution time many Scots migrated to Ireland for religious and economic reasons, and from there many sought a life in America.
To the Scot-Irish, the land on the American frontier was a magnet for them. Even those who had not been farmers remembered the social status which land-owning conferred in European society, and chose to try farming.
After their arrival in Pennsylvania and New York, many of the immigrants joined the westward movement. Some Covenanter families settled in southeastern Iowa,….
Pg 148
…and this was the beginning of what is now the Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church. It has a history of men and women of wisdom who expected God’s blessing on their homes, their land, and their church. The church was organized early, even as they opened up the virgin land.
Two families of Irish descent, the Robert McElhinneys and the John Bairds, arrived in the Iowa Territory from Philadelphia early in May, 1840. Their trip, mostly by boat, was down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi. They made their home on Honey Creek. A brother, Samuel McElhinney, and Thomas Cummings, a brother-in-law, joined the first families in November, 1840, and others of their Covenanter faith were drawn to settle near their fellow believers.
There was a steady flow of immigrants to this locality and those living near to each other gathered together to conduct worship services themselves, seeking to maintain a faithful testimony. Preaching was held in houses, barns, school houses , and in the summer season in the grove. The old barn on property know as the Finn McElhinney farm, was the scene of many solemn services, baptisms and Lord’s suppers.
After a few yeas, the number of Covenanters had so increased that no house was large enough to hold them, and they also felt the need for a minister.
On September 26, 1846 a congregation was organized in Iowa, with the meeting in the house of Samuel McElhinney. Under the name of Lind Grove and Cedar the congregation was organized with 18 members.
In July, 1850, the congregation, then numbering 71 members, called Rev. J. M. McDonald to be their minister. He accepted and was installed as pastor in September, 1851. He preached his first sermon in a little brick schoolhouse near Morning Sun.
Early in his ministry a church building was completed on November 2, 1852. The frame building was 48 by 38 feet with four windows in each side, two doors in the east, a 12 foot ceiling and a self-supporting roof.
In first record in the minutes of a change of the congregation’s name was February 16, 1854, when the congregational meeting was held under the name of “Sharon,” meaning “ a plain”. There had been two branches of the church, but at this time the Cedar branch was separated and the name changed to Sharon.
There was rapid growth and in ten years the first church building was too small. Plans were made for a 76 by 47 foot building with two aisles, a vestibule in the front, and a gallery over it. In 1863 that building was completed at a cost of $3,617. There was seating for 700 persons, and 92 families and ten individuals were assigned seats in the new church.
In 1867 there were 261 members of the congregation, the largest membership recorded for any year.
Since that there have been two major remodeling projects, the first in 1896. The larger one, in which a full basement was added, was completed in October, 1950, with modern kitchen, dining room and meeting rooms. The sanctuary and other parts of the church also were remodeled at this time, and a beautiful stained glass window was added above the entrance. The words, “For Christ’s Crown and Covenant” are set in gold on blue glass. This window is lighted at night and shines forth as a testimony of faith.
As of 1992, in the 146 years since it was founded, Sharon had had only 11 pastors. The ministry has emphasized the Bible as God’s Word, and this continues to be a get source of strength. Many of the young people have gone to other places of Christian service and responsibility, but some have remained to continue the work. This rural church has regular Lord’s Day services at 10:00 a.m. and at 7:00p.m. as well as morning church school and youth study groups in the evening.
| James M McDonald | 1851-1872 |
| T. P. Robb | 1874-1904 |
| J. S. McGaw | 1904-1910 |
| E. L. McKnight | 1911-1920 |
| D. B. Martin | 1921-1929 |
| M. W. Dougherty | 1930-1950 |
| J. O. Edgar | 1951-1964 |
| G. M. Robb | 1965-1974 |
| Ducnan Lowe | 1974-1979 |
| Randy Van Osdol | 1980-1984 |
| Robert Schmidtberger | 1985- |
Picture: Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church, rural Morning Sun.
Pg 149
Picture: Members of Sharon Deacon Board (1971) Back row: Ernest McElhinney, Bruce W. Baird, Phillip Lotz, Front row: Robert McClure, Ralph McDonald, Rodman Baird, Paul Robb
Picture: Members of Sharon Session (1971)
Back row: James Robertson, Milford Hays, Bruce Baird, Maurice Hutcheson.
Front row: Paul McElhinney, Maurice McDonald, Dr. G. M. Robb, T. E. Cummings, Wylie Kilpatrick.
Picture: Sharon Reformed Presbyterian, rural Morning Sun. First building was erected in 1852.Second building was erected in 1863. Remodeled to present form in 1896.
Picture: Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church
Back row L-R Sarah Schmidtberger, Samantha McElhinney, Marshall McElhinney, Daniel Pilling, Julie Pilling, Molly Pilling (on knee), Mike McElhinney, Missy McElhinney, Jessie Hutcheson.
On floor: Caleb Robb, Robbie Schmidtberger, Levi Robb, Noah Robb, Jeff Baird, Saundra Schmidtberger.
Picture: Back row L-R: Keith McElhinney, Julie Pilling, Jim Pilling holding Emily, Chris Robb holding Noah, Sandy McElhinney.
Sitting: Mark McElhinney, Roger Robb, Bob Schmidtberger (pastor), Marie Woodrow, Virginia Johnson.
Picture: Front row: John Smith
2nd row L-R: Eleanor Cummings, Betty Harsh
Back row: Alice Pilling
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Picture: Front row L-R: Arlene McDonald, Ralph McDonald, Ellen Armstrong 2nd row: L-R Bob Harsh, Ruth Kilpatrick, Maurice McDonald Back row L-R: Lillian Gregory, Ola Lambert
Picture: Rev. J. M. McDonald, D. D. 1851-1872
Picture: Rev. T. P. Robb, D. D. 1874-1904
Picture: Rev. D. B. Martin 1921-
Picture: Rev. J. S. McGaw, D. D. 1904-1910
Picture: Rev. E. L. McKnight 1911-1920