Zearing, Iowa 1956 History

J. W. Beck—1921—Newspaper item listed Beck as the pastor in 1921.

H. E. Trimble—1922—According to Armstrong's church diary, Trimble arrived in. Zearing on January 13, 1922. Newspaper item stated that Trimble resigned on April 24, 1927.

C. A. Burkhart—1927—Newspaper item stated that Burkhart was the pastor in 1927. Another newspaper item listed him as the pastor in 1929.

Charles H. Showalter—1930—Newspaper item listed Showalter as the pastor in 1930.

N. M. Underwood—1933—An announcement of church services in 1933 listed Underwood as the pastor.

Kenneth Tuttle—1934—Newspaper item stated that Tuttle preached his first sermon on June 3, 1934. Tuttle resigned in 1935.

Clarence Weitemeier—1936—An announcement of church services in 1936 listed Weitemeier as the pastor.

George Biersborn—1936—Newspaper item stated that Biersborn was the minister in December, 1936.

The following list of ministers and dates was furnished by Russell L. Golly and DeLos H. Dakins.

George Manning—1937-41

Mark Scott—1942

Richard S. Anthens—1943-44

Noel Francisco—1945-46

Carlyle Smith—1947-50

Richard S. Anthens—1951-52

LeRoy Cronkhite—1953-54

John L. Bartlett—September, 1954, to date. (1956) .

The Christian Church was remodeled twice. Once when Hougham was the minister. The second time when Trimble was the minister. There have been improvements in recent years.

Leona Armstrong Perry and Mabel Armstrong Johnson helped with the history of the Christian Church.

The church at Illinois Grove was founded on May 1, 1894. The first services were held at the Illinois Grove school house. Rev. Thomas C. Perisho of New Providence, Iowa, was the first pastor. The church was built in 1898 according to Claude Reed, Illinois Grove pioneer.

We do not know who followed Rev. Perisho as the pastor. Rev. Fred Comfort came in either 1904 or 1905. Rev. Bessie Collins followed Rev. Comfort. Rev. William K. Pruitt was serving in 1912. Rev. Pruitt served until June, 1914. He was followed by Rev. Leslie McCarger.

In 1917, Rev. McCarger was succeeded by Rev. Clinton L.