| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA |  |
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| LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA | |
Pg 175
Wapello, Iowa
Transcribed by Sharon Elijah, September 20, 2016
The first Church of the Nazarene services in Wapello were held in 1944 when Reverend Burton started holding meetings in a tent at 838 Isett Street. Reverend Burton and Reverend Remis Rayfeldt, Iowa District Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene, then organized the Church of the Nazarene in Wapello.
The new Church had eight charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Champman, Mr. and Mrs. Alvie Tisor, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Allison, and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kreiner. Those charter members, and others who attended the early tent meetings, sat on “pews” made of boards stretched across stumps or blocks, with straw scattered on the ground around them.
Before building a Church, the congregation began meeting in a hall in downtown Wapello that was owned by Fred Beilke. That building was later destroyed by fire. Services were held three times each week; on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and on Wednesday evening.
During this period the Reverend Harold Volk became the first evangelist to hold services in the Church of the Nazarene in Wapello. Reverend Volk was active as an evangelist despite the fact that he had no legs.
In 1946 the first Church building of the Church of the Nazarene in Wapello was constructed at 838 Isett Street. The New Church building was small, with a basement where Sunday School classes were held.
In 1961 a new 40 foot by 60 foot Church building was constructed under the leadership of Reverend Lamar. Charles Innis, associate pastor of the Church and a building contractor, donated his time and labor to build the Church. Mr. Innis would work all day on his job, and then work late at night on the Church. Many other members and friends of the Church also donated their time to help build the new Church.
The new building was erected around the old Church building. As the work progressed, the old building was torn down. For a few weeks while this work was underway services were held in the Wapello High School auditorium. The members expressed great appreciation to the people who permitted them to use the school facilities for about one month.
The new Church consisted of four Sunday School rooms, two restrooms, and a furnace and storage room. It was built with a very unique altar, made entirely of brick, with cushions for knees. A lighted brick Church sign was also constructed at this time.
The inside of the Church was completely remodeled in 1987, with new carpeting, oak furniture, padded pews, and white plaster that replaced the old wood paneling. The color scheme included apricot and rust colors.
In 1991 work began on a new 30 foot by 40 foot Fellowship Hall and additional parking space was added in the back of the lot. The new building occupied part of what was originally intended for parking, but left room to ease parking congestion around the Church.
The sanctuary (original building) was constructed with cement blocks and wooden materials were used to build the new annex. When completed, the enlarged church housed several more Sunday School classrooms, two spacious restrooms, a furnace-storage room, and a modern kitchen work and storage area. Air conditioning was installed to take the heat out of the warm Iowa summers.
The new Fellowship Hall was financed entirely by donations of money and labor, with the work performed under the supervision of Church member Scott Woodruff, of Woodruff Construction, Morning Sun, Iowa. A dedication service for the new Fellowship Hall was held on July 19th, 1992, with District Superintendent Reverend Gene Phillips officiating.
In early 1993 there were 44 members of the Church of the Nazarene in Wapello, with a total of 75 adults and children enrolled in Sunday school. There were also many people who attended services who were not officially members of the Church.
Young people have been involved in a number of activities in the Church of the Nazarene over the years. Many of the children and young people have participated in talent contests and quiz programs. The Young People’s Choir has entertained the Louisa County Historical Society with Christmas Carols. A Christmas program is held each year, usually on the last Sunday before Christmas, with children, young people, and adults participating. Many children attended the annual summer Bible School that was offered until the mid 1980’s.
Many of the young people have attended the Mid-America Nazarene Church of College at Olathe, Kansas. Young people of the Church have worked to earn money to provide scholarships for those attending college. The church members have also assisted the students by giving “showers” of items needed by young people who are away from home.
Young people who attended the college were: Don Swanson, Larry Walker, Carolyn Swanson, Lane Walker, Lee Staats, Doug Staats, Kirk Swanson, Steve Haunbaum, Robin Staats, and Cindy Grim. Several of the young people have gone into full-time service for the Lord.
Since the early years the church has had an active Missionary Society, with meetings of the group held monthly. At one time the ladies held all-day meetings; making bandages, and enjoying lunch and a good social time. Later the Missionary Society began meeting on the second Wednesday night of the month. The Missionary Society has won awards from the Iowa District of the Nazarene Church for various achievements involving giving, and for Missions involvement.
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The Wapello Church has been awarded a position on the Evangelistic Honor Roll for new member growth given by the Church of the Nazarene. Many awards have also been given to the Sunday School, including: “Aspiring Sunday school of the Year”, honors for a 5 per cent gain in attendance, membership in the “Chairman’s Club” for a 40 percent gain in membership, and designation as one of the “Top Ten” Nazarene Sunday Schools.
The Church of the Nazarene is host to a revival twice each year; usually in March and September. Talented and dedicated people are credited with having made those revivals successful. They include:
- Reverend Jim Tooley and family who have come to Wapello several times to lead and participate in revivals. Reverend Tooley, who was blind, had two teenage sons who sang with the family group.
- Reverend Carl Amos, a private pilot, flew into Wapello several times to lead the revivals.
- Reverend Buford Barnes, a former pastor of the Wapello Church of the Nazarene, held several meetings with the congregation that enjoyed seeing him come “home”. All ages, from the youngest to the oldest, enjoyed being with him.
- Reverend and Mrs. Lee Gamblin brought a mix of talents to the meetings they led. They both sang. She played the piano, using songs and music that she had written. He preached and did chalk drawings that he gave away each evening.
- Richard and Lillie Foster, who lived in the State of Washington, assisted with music during several of the revivals.
Wapello Church of the Nazarene members have always taken an active interest in their community. 1991 marked the first year in which the Church had an entry in the Wapello Homecoming Parade. That float took third place honors in its class, as did the 1992 entry. Pastor Wilson and his wife, Linda, rode on the 1992 float, accompanied by Adult Sunday School teacher Oleta Schaper and a number of teenagers and children who threw candy to the people who lined the parade route.
The congregation has been actively involved in compassionate ministries in the community. For example; they have worked in, and donated items to the Food Pantry; they have helped to deliver Meals on Wheels; they have conducted services at the local nursing home and at the county home; and they have done mending for the people at the nursing home.
The Church of the Nazarene was originally founded in 1908 in Pilot Point, Texas. To note that historic event, the Wapello Church of the Nazarene celebrated the 75th Anniversary of their “Holiness Heritage” in the fall of 1983. Reverend Davis led special services on that day, followed by a dinner that was enjoyed by the congregation. The people who came to Church that day received a certificate to commemorate the occasion, and all the children received balloons.
Services are held three times each week, on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and on Wednesday evening.
| Reverend Cecil Gieselman |
| Reverend Harold Keeney |
| Reverend W. A. Menneke |
| Reverend Claude Luff |
| Reverend W. F. Mays |
| Reverend Leroy Boston (1950-1952) |
| Reverend Dennis Kiper (1953-1956) |
| Reverend W. A. Conway (1957- ) |
| Reverend Jack Paschal |
| Reverend Clinton Lamar |
| Reverend Charles Innis (1962-1963) |
| Reverend Hoyt Cargill |
| Reverend Buford Barnes (1965-1968) |
| Reverend Harris Knox (1968-1969) |
| Reverend Kenneth Fields (1970-1971) |
| Reverend Gerald Hald (1973-1979) |
| Reverend Walter King (1980-1982) |
| Reverend Max Gaffield (1982-1985) |
| Reverend Dan Weibeseik (1985-1989) |
| Reverend Fred Wilson (1989- ) |
Picture: Church of the Nazarene, 851 Isett Ave., Wapello, Iowa, 1993
Picture: Singing for Father’s Day program, June 21, 1992 Marty, Brandee, David, Parker & Ryan Murguia.
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Picture: Nazarene Ladies Aid Hat Style Show L-R: Carol Kobbs, Cindy Whitaker, Sandy Huxley, Leona Cross, Dorothy Woodruff, Joyce Staats, Lois Snyder, Oleta Schaper. (1991)
Picture: Standing in front of old church, L-R: Ruby Swanson, Lucinda Pearl, Mary Stanley, Ramona Conway, Mrs. W. A. Conway, Rev. W. A. Conway. 1957.
Picture: Ladies group singing at Father’s Day program June 21, 1992.
Picture: Congregation in old church
L-R, Front row: Patty Swanson,
2nd row: Diane Staats, Alta Kiper, Irma Milligan, Effie and Dave Allison.
3rd row: Bud and Orleatha Robertson, Jackie and Jean Robertson.
Picture: Teen Class L-R: Dee Dee Peck, Lane Walker, Faith Williams, Marti Murguia, Kevin Goffield, Brian Goffield, Cindy Grim, Amanda Williams, Kirk Swanson. (1990s)
Picture: Rev. Hoyt Cargill and wife Judy with children, Marinell, Julie and Carl.
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Picture: Rev. Charles Innis and wife, June with children, Howard, Marvin, Virginia and Sam
Picture: L-R: Rev. Leroy Boston, Rev. Dennis Kiper
Picture: Rev. Dennis Kiper and wife, Vera, James & Kenneth
Picture: Rev. Leroy Boston and wife, Alta
Picture: Rev. Max Gaffield and wife, Nora with Bryan, Jennifer and Kevin
Picture: Rev. Clinton Lamar family.
Front row L-R: Mrs. Lamar (Dorothy), Rocky, Scotty, Rev. Lamar
Back row: Clint, Zandra, Daniel
Pg 179
Picture: Rev. Dan and Debra Wiebeseik (1987)
Picture: Rev. and Mrs. Fred Wilson (1992)