CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION. (CONT'D)
From History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915)
by H. F. Andrews
BAPTISTS.
The First Baptist church of Audubon was organized on April 1, 1881, at a meeting presided over by Rev. D. D. Proper. The charter members were E. F. Fales, Mrs. C. A. Fales, H. M. Talbot, Mrs. M. Scott, Mrs. E. J. Ford, Mrs. V. Sands, Mrs. S. Davis, Rev. H. F. Sharpmack and wife, F. M. Van Pelt, Mrs. Mary J. Van Pelt, Mrs. Elnora Howald, V. Sands, Isabel Harris and Mrs. E. M. Funk. The first deacons were E. F. Fales and F. M. Van Pelt; the first clerk and treasurer was H. M. Talbot. Rev. A. F. Sharpnack was engaged to preach once in two weeks for the first year. The first covenant meeting was held on April 27, 1881. The church did not advance rapidly. Some removed, while others seemed for a time to slacken their former zeal for the cause they had once espoused. Hence, the society has but little history to record until October, 1887, when it was reorganized, embracing some few of the remaining charter members. In September, 1888, plans were matured for the erection of a church. Lots were purchased of the railroad company, directly opposite the court house. During the winter of 1888-9 a good-sized edifice was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. Rev. A. C. Zollhoffer was pastor when the plans for the building were made, but, in October, 1888, he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Richmond A. Smith, under whose pastoral labors the work prospered for a time. The church was completed and dedicated. After Reverend Smith, came Rev. Mr. Parsons. A number of active and influential members moved away, the services finally ceased and, after some years in 1909, the church was bought by the Danish Lutheran, who still own and occupy it. After the discontinuance of the services, some of the remaining members joined the Christian church, some the Methodist and others the Evangelical church.
OAKFIELD DANISH BAPTIST CHURCHES.
The Danish Baptist church in Oakfield township belongs to the Danish Baptist denomination, or church, affiliated with the Danish Baptist general conference and the various connections of the Baptist denomination of America and the world. It is located five miles west and two miles north of Brayton, section 5, Oakfield township. It was organized in 1888, with twenty-four charter members. Among the old members yet belonging to the church are Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Kragelund, Mr. and Mrs. Jens Christensen, Messrs. O. H. Jacobson, Nels Hansen, Chris Jorgensen and others. The church grew for some years, had large congregations and exerted a good influence. Later, some of the members moved away and others live at some distance from the church, necessitating the taking up of an outstation, eight miles southeast, in Cass county, where many attend the meetings. The present membership is fifty-five. The church edifice was erected in 1893, its seating capacity being about three hundred.
One quarter of a mile west of the church the parsonage, a six-room house, with barn and other buildings, and five acres of land, is located. The value of the property is about three thousand five hundred dollars and is free from debt.
The pastors who have served are Revs. F. M. Andersen, C. Pedersen, C. L. A. Christensen, A. P. Nielsen, C. Andersen and the present pastor, Rev. P. C. Larsen, who serves the church, together with an American church in Shelby county. Besides these pastors, other men who have done good work are Revs. A. C. Nasby, F. Olsen, H. A. Richenbach, M. A. Wesgaard, C. H. Bobirg and M. U. Sorensen. The present pastor has been on the field about two years, coming from Cuppy Grove Baptist church in Shelby county. He uses the English language in his services, not only in the American church, but also in his two out-stations. He has held rural pastorates in Iowa for the past thirteen years; is vice-president of the Danish conference; a member of the Iowa Baptist board and of the Baptist state commission.
The majority of the Oakfield church members are quiet, devoted, industrious people, who are some of the best citizens of the community, and, as this church is located in a good field, it is undoubtedly doing a good work for the saving of souls.
The Union Baptist church of Greeley township, located on section 23, was organized in 1882 by the following charter members: Rev. and Mrs. Charles Berry, S. S. Berry, Hugh McClaren and wife, Henry Mapes and wife, Adolphus Burtt, Mrs. Harriet Burtt, Mrs. Hannah Cox, Mrs. Margaret Huston, Henry Snowgoose and Maggie McClaren, thirteen in all. For several years, meetings were held in the school house, but in 1891 the present church, a comfortable frame building, was erected, at a cost of two thousand dollars. The following have served as pastors: Revs. A. F. Sharpnack, Charles Berry, Reverend and Mrs. Mackey, F. Reed, D. D. Downs, George Hickok, C. V. Bentley, Charles Sloan, H. H. Cross, L. L. Smith and Eli Loney, who is the present pastor. The present membership is forty-one. A very interesting Sunday school is maintained. Also a Baptist Young Peoples Mission, with a good membership, is in a flourishing condition.
|
Previous <=== Continue Reading ===> Next
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2018, from History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915), by H. F. Andrews, pp. 231-233.
|
|
