Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

When Zearing was founded in 1881, it was decided that a church should be built in the new town. Charles Hurst donated the land for the church site.

The church was enclosed and plastered in November, 1883. Judge William M. Zearing donated the church bell in November, 1883. The new church was dedicated on Sunday, January 6, 1884. Rev. D. P. Ellenberger and Rev. D. H. Kooker were in charge of the dedication. A sum of $560 was raised to clear the society of all debt.

Rev. J. M. Johnston succeeded Rev. Wilkins as the pastor in 1882. Because the church was not completed until 1883, Rev. Johnston held meetings in the furniture store owned by William A. Bowman. Rev. Johnston served for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. D. P. Ellenberger.

Rev. Noah B. Nieble was appointed the pastor of the new church in the spring of 1885. He served the church alternating with B. H. Nieble of the Story City mission. Rev. Noah B. Nieble was the first pastor of the church to live in Zearing.

Rev. W. J. Hahn was appointed pastor in the spring of 1886. On February 23, 1887, articles of incorporation were drawn for the Bethel Church of the Evangelical Association of North America. The incorporation meant that the union church idea had been abandoned. Nathaniel R. Clift, James Burns Couser, and Charles N. Thatcher were the first trustees under the incorporation.

Rev. B. H. Nieble succeeded Hahn in the spring of 1888. He served until the spring of 1890. Rev. C. W. Anthony served 1890-1891. Rev. S. A. Walton was the pastor, 1891-94. In the spring of 1894, Rev. S. Skogsberg came to Zearing. He served until the spring of 1898.

In March of 1896, Zearing was detached from the Colo circuit. On February 17, 1897, articles of incorporation for the Bethel United Evangelical Church of Zearing were drawn. The new articles were signed by James Burns Couser, Charles N. Thatcher, J. S. Bartley, and William F. Young.

Rev. H. C. Aroh served 1898-99. Rev. Charles S. Lang served from the spring of 1899 until the spring of 1901. During the service of Rev. Lang, in 1899, a church parsonage was constructed.

Rev. William M. Force served 1901-04. In February of 1902, the construction of a new church building was under way. The new building caught fire and burned to the ground.

The church bell, donated by Judge William M. Zearing, was ruined in the fire. Lulu Wickham Cerka said that many members felt badly about the loss of the bell. Because of the bell's connection with the naming of Zearing, Iowa, it had great sentimental value. It is possible that the bell was kept by some church member as a souvenir. However, the evidence points in another direction. The evidence indicates that it was so completely ruined it was discarded immediately.