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Historical Sketch – On invitation sent to Oakland by Bro. Chas. Brookhart, Rev. R. Boyce, a minister of the Christian Church, came and began a series of meetings April 9, 1894 in the Sand Prairie school house which resulted in the establishment of the Christian Church at this place.

The church was organized on the evening of April 19, 1894, and the following covenant was read and adopted.

Thankful for God’s everlasting mercy, and for his a real gift of salvation through Jesus Christ Our Lord. In covenant and agree together to seek, to know, and to do His holy will, and to promote, so far as in us lies the triumph of our Savior, King, over a wicked world.

Heartily believing that the Holy Scripture were given by inspiration of God, and that they are profitable for doctrine; for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness, and also that Christian freedom requires that there be interpreted by individual Judgment we covenant together to accept the bible as our guide supreme standard of faith and duty and to recognize as Christian piety as taught in the world of God, anxiously desiring that all differences which separate Christ’s people many be removed and that there may be one flock and one shepard, we covenant together to lay aside all distinctive and party names; and, taking our title from the great head of the church, …

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… to be known simply and only as Christian and further more realizing that the success of each church depends upon the consecration of its individual membership we covenant together to attend the service of the church to contribute according to our means for its support to labor together to maintain its peace and harmony and so far as possible in every way to promote its temporal and spiritual welfare looking for our reward to the peace of God which posseth all understanding and to the crown of rejoicing laid up for all who love Christ – appearing by this covenant was signed by Bro. and Sister Snyder, Sister Hankins and Bro. Boggs.

Bro. Boyce continued as pastor and the roll of membership grew to number fifteen, where D. W. Helfinstein of LeGrand, Iowa came on Feb. 3, 1895, to assist Bro. Boyce in a revival which resulted in about fifty conversions and nearly as many accessions to the church. Two deacons were then ordained Bros. Wm. Epperly and Chester Coder.

It was then decided to build a house of worship, but in owing to adverse circumstances it was thought best to wait.

Feb. 23rd 1895 the following named members were chosen as class officers: Steward: S. B. Snyder, Will Coder, John Nolin; Treasurer: Will. Idle. P. Brookhart was chosen Clerk and C. Brookhart Leader.

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Bro. Geo Milne was chosen Pastor in October of this year and the immediately commenced to agitate the question of building a new church and on Oct. 25th 1895 a meeting was held for the purpose of choosing a site a large majority of the members present were in favor of the site at what is known as the Jeans Cemetery, Bro. S. B. Snyder was chosen to solicit subscriptions.

Oct 25th a meeting was held and the following named members were chosen as a building committee P. Brookhart, E. E. Shellebarger, Frank Hanks, J. W. Brookhart & Bro. Geo. Milne.

Nov. 6, 1895 The Building committee awarded the contract for the erection of a new church to Messrs Shellebarger & Mason of Letts, Iowa.

Nov. 10th 1895 - The following named members were chosen as trustees; S. B. Snyder, M. Verink, E. E. Shellabarger, R. Epperly and P. Brookhart. It was agreed at this meeting that the new church should be call the Oak Grove Christian Church and on Jan. 19th 1896 it was dedicated by Rev. D. M. Helfenstine of LeGrand, Iowa.

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July 3, 1917 - A business meeting was called to consider hiring a pastor for the coming year also plan for building a parsonage.

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April 16, 1961 – Was the day set to have the “Constitution and By Laws of the United Church of Christ” explained and discussed. After much discussion on both sides of the subject a written ballot was taken. The results being 5 no, 14 yes and 2 blank ballots, we will now be called “United Church of Christ”.

Sept 10, 1961 to March 5, 1962 pastor was Rev. Walter Kieker, minister of United Church of Christ on Muscatine. June 18, 1962 Rev. Kleffmann of Faith Parish, the United Church of Christ of Muscatine preached his first sermon.

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May 5, 1963 – A meeting was called by Marvin Coder of all regular members and regular attenders of the church for the purposes of discussing a merger with the “United Church of Christ” of Muscatine. Marvin presided over the meeting, explaining he had previously discussed such a merger with Rev. Fiebiger of the association and the Rev. Klefftman of the Muscatine Church. Marvin suggested that we might disassemble our church and sell the materials turning over proceeds, then assuming that our beloved church building would never fall into hands that would not respect it, and erasing the possibility of it being used as a cattle shed or hey barn.

Also a factor discussed was that although the association has no lein upon our property, an Iowa Law states that if church services have not been held in a church building within 2 years it becomes extinct and the property then reverts back to the association. This became quite a heated discussion with various…

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…suggestions as to withdrawing from the conference and being a free church, holding church occasionally in order to preserve our church, also that our protection might be in the way our deed is worded.

One big issue is of cause, that we are too few anymore to hold regular meetings and keep the church going as a working church. Two or three familiar have been attending the Muscatine Church, with others scattered to Letts, High Prairie and other Muscatine churches.

The meeting was adjourned with mixed emotions and no definite steps were taken at present.           Secty Pro tem Ethel Townsley.

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May 22, 1963 - Our little church burned to the ground May 22, 1963. The Letts fire department was summoned by Esther Turner about 4 o’clock when the fire was discovered however nothing was recovered. (The reason this record book remains today is because it had been held by the Church secretary, at her home.)

The ladies had cleaned the church and had heat in the church furnace. Seemingly the fire started near the chimney so it was assumed the chimney may have burned out and a spark started the fire. However the furnace had been shut off and was cold when the ladies left the church with no one aware of any trouble brewing. The Church book which had been left there was picked up after it was suggested by the ladies that whoever took the book would act as clerk temporarily until one was elected.           Sec. Pro tem Ethel Townsley.

June 24, 1963- The insurance company payed $12,000 the full amount in check to the trustees of the Oak Grove church and Oak Harvey, agent, today. Sec’ty or Clerk Ethel Townsley

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Feb 9, 1964 - Meeting was called and all members present discussed the possibility of rebuilding a church. The location for the same and other possibilities of placing the $12,000 from the insurance on the old church. Discussion followed: Money should be put back into church to hold it. This met opposition, that if the church couldn’t go before, it cannot now.

Other ideas - Give money for scholarships for ministers, to other churches to which old membership might go, or erect a memorial of church with recognition of charter members. This to be put on cemetery grounds.

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After a meeting on May 30, 1964, the idea of rebuilding a church was financially dropped.

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July 6, 1972 – A meeting of the members of the Oak Grove Church was called at the home of M. & Mrs. Forest Townsley for the purpose of transaction business.

A motion was made by Forrest Townsley we sell the 20 acres, more or less, to the highest bidder and be appraised and the 1 acre where the church stood to be deeded to the township trustees for parking at the cemetery. All bids to be accepted or rejected, second by Marvin Coder. All in favor 17. Opposed 1.

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A motion was made by Virgil Fuhlman, second by Richard Turner, we check into the cost of labor and material for a permanent chain link fence all the way around the cemetery. Gate and all. All were in favor, 13. Nays none. A committee was appointed. They also were to see about a stone to be placed at the cemetery.           Esther Turner, Clerk.

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August 3, 1972 - A meeting was held at the home of Blanch Harvey for the members of the Oak Grove Church.

Harlan told about him and Oak Harvey going to see a lawyer, Harvey Allbee of Muscatine. He told them of the majority of the members wanted to withdraw from the conference they should.

A motion was made by Richard Turner second by Virgil Fulhman that we withdraw from the conference and have attorney Harvey Albee write the letter. All in favor 15 nays, none.

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May 7, 1973 – A meeting was called for members of the Oak Grove Church at Cedar Grange Hall in Cranston at 7 o’clock.

The meeting was brought to order by Richard Turner. The minutes of last meeting was read. Richard told about going to see attorney Allbee if we could go ahead and sell the land. He said we could go ahead and sell the land and put a permanent chain link fence around church ground.

Motion was made by Art a permanent chain link fence around all three sides. Motion second by Virgil Fulhman. All in favor 14. Opposed none.

A motion was made by Ward the Trustee of the Oak Grove Church about selling the ground by auction as sealed bids. Marvin Coder second. All in favor. Nays none.

A motion was made by Uncle Oak the one ace where the church stood be deeded to the township cemetery trustee for the cemetery parking. Ward second. All in favor. Nays none.           Esther Turner Clerk

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March 8, 1974 – the board of trustee set a date of March 8, 1974 for the selling the real estate of the Oak Grove property. The property to be sold to the highest bidder with 10% down the day of the sale and rest on delivery of contract or deed. The deed to be a quick claim deed. The delivery date to be 10 days after sale.

Harlan Harvey acted as the auctioneer with Harvey Allbee attorney at Law as Clerk. There was around 50 people attending the sale. Charlie Snyder was the highest bidder with a bid of $9,225.           Esther Turner, Clerk.

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This church book remained in the possession of Esther Turner until she died. It was then passed on to her son, Richard Turner of Cranston, Iowa.

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