During
the 1870s some familiar names were added to
the church roll. Among them were those of William and Deborah
Fleming in 1872 and Mr. and Mrs. James Brown in 1875.
The
next twenty years found other well-loved members added. Joseph
Ledlie joined the congregation in 1882; Mr. and Mrs. James L.
Junkin in 1884; and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kail in 1891.
Among
the present members, Jennie Fleming Junkin, who was admitted to
membership May 7, 1881, has the longest record of activity in the
congregation. She has attended the church continuously for over 60
years. Five others have been members for almost 50 years. They are
Nellie Fleming Hill, 1893; Mr. and Mrs Clement Godby, 1894; and J.
H, and Frank Junkin, 1895.
Mr.
Godby was elected a deacon in 1895 and has served continuously on
the church board ever since. It was in 1894 that Joseph Stockton
Roddy became pastor. This aggressive and beloved young minister
did much to further the work of the church and enlarge its
membership. In less than a year’s time, 36 new members were
added.
In
1895 the church celebrated its 25th anniversary. At a
congregational meeting August 29, 1896, it was decided to become
and independent charge and procure the services of a full time
minister.
Rev.
William Mc Clung, Margaret Kail, and Luther Alexander were
appointed by the session October 31, 1897, as a music committee.
The group was to organize a choir.
In
1905, thirty-five years after the building of the church, it was
enlarged and improved at a cost of $675. Special services were
held to re-dedicate the church. Improvements included an enlarged
vestibule and tower, redecoration of the interior of the church,
and enlarged choir loft and platform, new Florentine glass
windows, and the installation of a furnace.
![](church_images/earlham_presby_2.jpg)
First
Presbyterian Church - Earlham (Built 1915) Photo
courtesy of Google Maps
This
building served the congregation until 1915, when work on our
present church was begun during the pastorate of Rev. Victor B.
Demaree. Services were held at the old academy building during the
construction of the church. Formal dedication of the new building
was held June 11, 1916, with Rev. James P. Linn of Marshalltown
giving the address.
Three
hundred sixty-two persons attended the morning service and a large
crowd was also present in the evening. Music for the occasion was
under the direction of Ralph Cook. Rev. C. H. Purmort of Des
Moines was in charge of raising funds, and donations totaled over
$6000. Previous subscriptions had exceeded that amount, so the
church indebtedness was cleared during the day. The total cost of
the building was $13,000. Members of the building committee who
carefully planned and supervised the work were: Harry Palmer, Clem
Godby, J. H. Junkin, H. M. Thomson, and W. J. Eisele. The women of
the church held an informal “at home” June 15 in the church
parlors.
Pastors
since the completion of the church besides Rev. Demaree include
Rev. J. B. Howard, Rev. Walter P. Fink, Rev. Peter Brock, Rev.
Porter, Rev. J. B. Coleman, Rev. James Miller, Rev. Arch Conde,
and Rev. Silas. R. Overholser (through
1941).
____________________
Source:
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Program - Dedication
of Second Church,
Earlham Presbyterian Church, 1941 |
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