Church

United Brethren Church, Lisbon
First U.B. Church west of the Mississippi River.
(1911 History, p. 344)
(click image to enlarge)

Historical Souvenir of the Church
of the
United Brethren in Christ
at
Lisbon, Iowa

1836 - 1904

United Brethren Church, Lisbon
(1911 History, p. 108)
(click image to enlarge)

1. The Church-at-Large

The church of the United Brethren in Christ had its origin in the evangelistic labors of Philip William Otterbein, Martin Boehm, George Adam Guething, Christian Newcomer, and others associated with them.

Mr. Otterbein came to this country from Germany in 1752 as a missionary of the Reformed church. His method of evangelism at length proved not agreeable to his co-laborers, and he formed closer fellowship with others who were of kindred spirit.

Martin Boehm was of the Mennonite church, and being objectionable to that body on account of his evangelistic spirit, he found the fellowship he desired with Otterbein, whom he first met in 1766, and with his co-workers.

In 1789, fifteen years after Otterbein became pastor of an independent congregation in Baltimore, Maryland, the first formal conference of these independent ministers met in Otterbein's study in Baltimore. Eleven years later at a conference at Frederick, Maryland, the name "United Brethren in Christ" was adopted, fourteen ministers being present. Otterbein and Boehm were elected bishops.

Through the influence of the Mennonite element the organization of societies, and the counting of members was opposed. Christian Newcomer, who afterwards became bishop, seeing its necessity, began the organizing of societies about 1812. As late as 1819 he was arraigned by the Muskingum conference for so doing. This opposition continued till near the middle of the last century, and, along with preaching only in the German language, greatly impeded the growth of the church.

In government the church is a federated body, having a written constitution, and is under the supervision of bishops who are elected for four years, their authority being limited to that of presiding officers and superintendents. The supreme legislative authority is in the General Conference, composed of an equal number of ministerial and lay delegates, all elected by the church. The supreme administrative authority is, as to the laity, in the local society; as to the ministry, in the annual conferences; as to general institutions, in the annual conferences and the General Conference, as they may respectively have jurisdiction.

Otterbein died Nov. 17, 1813. His funeral was conducted by Dr. J. D. Kurtz of the Lutheran church. Rev. Wm. Ryland of the Methodist, and Rev. George Dashiels of the Protestant Episcopal. Four months later, during a session of the Methodist conference at Baltimore, Bishop Asbury, who had long been a warm friend of Otterbein, preached in Otterbein's church a sermon in his memory, whom he named "the holy, the great Otterbein."

Martin Boehm died March 23, 1812. Bishop Asbury also preached his funeral.

2. The Beginning of the United Brethren Church in Iowa

The work of the United Brethren in Christ in lowa began, so far as known, with the labors of Rev. Christian Troup, a member of the Wabash Conference, who came to lowa as a missionary in 1836, and settled upon what is now a part of the site of Mt. Vernon. He afterwards traded his 160 acre claim for a yoke of oxen, and settled near the Cedar River, on what is now known as the Horn farm. Here he passed through all the privations of a frontier life. His daughter, Mrs. Pate, states that for a considerable time he and his family ground the corn for their bread on an old-fashioned coffee mill nailed to the side of a tree.

Rev. Troup's field as a missionary extended from the city of Dubuque to Henry county. His preaching places were wherever he could find an opportunity to speak to the people. Thus he sowed the seed that afterward ripened into many an active Chistian life.

One of his appointments was near Ivanhoe, in a log house of only two rooms. Here standing in the low doorway he would speak first to those gathered in one room, then stooping, for he was a tall man, he would pass his head into the other room and speak to those there.

He died in 1850 and was buried in the cemetery that then occupied the lot where the house of Mrs. Mary Hoover now stands in Lisbon. When the cemetery was changed his remains were removed to the present Lisbon Cemetery.

On Aug. 23, 1849 the lowa annual conference was held here. Lisbon had just been platted and homes were scarce. To meet the difficulty occasioned by the coming of so many ministers, a camp-meeting was planned; tents were built on the camp ground, and the conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting. There were a number of conversions, and at the close of the camp-meeting twenty-five persons were baptized in the Cedar River near Ivanhoe, by Rev. Josiah Lindsey.

Rev. Christian Hershey and Rev. D. Wenrich were received into the conference at this session upon their transfers. Rev. John De Moss, assistant pastor of Yankee Grove circuit reported $26.55 received as salary and presents for the year.

The Lisbon class proper, at first called North Yankee Grove class, was organized Sept. 5th, 1850, by Rev. S. W. Kern, pastor. The original record shows 36 members of this class, many of whom belonged to the "United Brethren Class in the Pennsylvania Settlement in Linn county, lowa," and several were new members. That there existed some difficulty in connection with the work at this place at that time is manifest from the following from Rev. D. Wenrich in an article in the Telescope relative to the conference session of 1850: "On account of a peculiar state of things on Yankee Grove circuit it was asked that a good disciplinarian be appointed to the charge. The selection of Rev. S. W. Kern and the adjustment of the difficulty proved the wisdom of the choice." Just what the difficulty was, whether it was among members of the church of a personal character, or whether it was something in connection with the administration of the affairs of the church, there is no record to show.

The annual conference of 1852 chose Lisbon as the place of meeting for the next annual session. Rev. Christian Hershey, who had been in an important sense the father of the Lisbon church, looked forward to its coming with great expectations. When the time arrived for making necessary local preparation, he joined most heartily in the work. After cleaning the church and putting everything in readiness, he proposed to a friend who was with him to go into the church and offer prayer for the conference. He was in great joy. But on August 3rd, the day before the assembling of conference, very suddenly the death angel called, and Father Hershey passed away. His death cast a gloom over the entire session. Rev. George Miller was chosen to preach the funeral sermon. The conference in a body marched before his corpse to the church and to the grave. His remains were buried in the cemetery beside the church and afterwards were removed to the present Lisbon Cemetery, where they now rest. His tombstone bears the inscription:

REV. CHRISTIAN HERSHEY
DIED Aug. 3, 1858
AGED 76 yrs. 6 mos. 3ds.

The growth of the church following the year 1849 was quite rapid. But it is impossible to determine what the total membership has been, on account of the mutilation of the early records. So far as we can learn the number of persons received between 1840 and 1870 was fully five hundred. Since 1870 the accessions have been quite numerous. A number of very successful revivals have been held. From 1870 to the present time, as nearly as can be determined. the number of accessions has been about 790, thus showing a membership of nearly 1300 since the organization of the church in 1849.

The Lisbon charge has been favored with a number of most excellent pastors. Space does not permit particular reference to the work of each one. So far as the records show, the largest increase of membership was during the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Cunningham. During his service of eighteen months there were eighty-four additions to the church. Other pastors no doubt labored as faithfully, but he was especially sucessful in in-gathering.

Among those who have assisted largely to the development and growth of the church, the following seem to deserve special mention: Christian Hershey, Michael Hoover, Sr., D. Runkle, John Neidig, Jacob Kettering, A. A. Sweet, Samuel Long, John Eby, Lawrence Easterly, J. E. Kurtz, D. Dorwart, Henry Meyers, John Ringer, Sr., Elias Hahn, D. Buck, John Turner, George Graul, D. G. Zeigenfus, Thomas Runkle, C. H. Neidig, Abram Runkle, Adam Runkle, Amos Runkle, W. S. Furnas, Elizabeth Perry, Nancy Neidig, Sr., Mother Bressler, Anna Bitzer and Elizabeth N. Runkle. The list could be greatly enlarged with perfect truthfulness. But these are among the number who seem to have stood out with special prominence in the work of the church.

Of these charter members, two are yet members of the church. Mr. Michael Blessing, and Mrs. Nancy Neidig. The portraits of quite a number more appear in the "Group of Early Members."

We would make special mention of Rev. S. E. Long, Rev. A. B. Statton, and Rev. M. S. Runkle, who were raised as members of our church and have gone into the ministry of the gospel. Also Mrs. G. K. Little, daughter of Bro. J. Bittinger, whose sweet voice and loving life are living epistles for Christ, greatly assisting in the evangelistic work of her husband, Rev. G. K. Little who for years was a faithful member here.

Rev. I. L. Buchwalter and his devoted wife, who have made Lisbon their home since he retired from the active ministry, have been active and liberal in their devotion to the interests and work of the church.

Church Buildings

In 1850 Rev. Christian Hershey built in Lisbon, chiefly at his own expense, the first United Brethren church west of the Mississippi River. This church, which still stands just north of Mrs. Mary Hoover's residence and of which we give a view as it appears at present, was soon out-grown. In 1855 it was sold, and the proceeds were used in building the second church on the site occupied by the present edifice. This building served the church for twenty-six years.

During the pastorate of Rev. T. D. Adams and the early part of the first pastorate of Rev. I. K. Statton, the need of a more modern church became apparent. At the session of the quarterly conference on April 7, 1880, the first official steps were taken toward the erection of a new building. During the following summer the old church was torn down, and the present structure begun. It was completed at a cost of $9,200.00, and on January 23, 1881 was dedicated by Bishop Milton Wright. Great credit is due to the ever earnest and faithful labors of the pastor, Dr. I. K. Statton.

During the building of the new church, the congregation was favored in being granted the use of the Methodist Episcopal church for all its services.

MEMBERSHIP ROLL, 1903-1904

(A)
Achenbach, Edison; Alexander, Nora J.; Anson, Sarah; Arbingast, Mrs. Elmer; Auracher, John; Auracher, Alice; Auracher, Charles; Auracher, Jennie; Auracher, Verna.

(B)
Bates, Nora Walmer; Bear, Effie; Beese, Maria; Beese, Otis; Blessing, Michael; Blessing, Elizabeth; Blinks, Mrs. Thomas; Blinks, Clara; Bovey, Amanda; Bovey, James; Bovey, Sarah Richard; Bradd, Mrs. Elsie; Briggs, Chas.; Briggs, Eva; Brokaw, John; Brokaw, Ida; Bucher, Henry; Bucher, Ethel M.; Bucher, Howard; Buchwalter, Rev. I. L.; Buchwalter, Phebe; Burd, Chas.; Burd, Daisy S.; Burge, Caroline; Burge, Kate Heller.

(C)
Crain, Andrew; Crain, Mary; Crain, Eval; Cummins, Mabel B.

(D)
Dorcas, Levi; Dorcas, S. E.; Doubenmier, Albert A.; Doubenmier, Anna; Downing, Emma.

(E)
Eastlack, Clara; Elliott, B. F.; Elliott, Mrs. B. F.; Elliott, Ertle May; Elliott, De Leo; Ellison, Mary Kramer; Ellison, Ottis.

(F)
Filloon, L. F.; Filloon, Anetta; Filloon, Floy; Frutchey, Albert; Frutchey, C. B.; Frutchey, Laura; Frutchey, Bessie; Furnas, W. S.; Furnas, Etta B.; Furnas, Lucile; Furnas, Leonard.

(G)
Gamble, W. S.; Gamble, Mrs. W. S.; Gamble, Margaret A.; Gauby, Benjamin; Gish, Chris; Gish, Amanda; Gish, Lucien.

(H)
Haak, Simon B.; Haak, Mrs. Simon; Haeseler, Georgia Wilcox; Hahn, Elias; Hahn, Frank; Hahn, Christa; Hahn, J. W.; Hahn, Ida V.; Hahn, Minnie; Handley, Abigail; Handley, Pliny A.; Handley, Sadie J.; Handley, Gladys; Handley, E. S.; Handley, Otho N.; Handley, Maggie; Handley, Myrtle; Hoover, Mary; Hoover, Nancy; Hoover, Clyde; Hoover, Freeman; Hoover, Frank; Hoover, W. H.; Hoover, Edgar; Hoover, Emma; Hoover, Mary Jr.; Hoover, Mrs. John; Hoover, Maude E.; Hoover, May Daisy; Hoover, Estel; Hoover, Dora; Hoover, Lucretia; Hubler, Effie; Hunter, T. J.; Hunter, Amanda; Hunter, Katie.

(J)
Jones, S. H.; Jones, Mrs. S. H.

(K)
Kephart, Rev. C. J.; Kephart, Sallie P.; Kephart, A. Perry; Kephart, V. Mabel; Kephart, C. Jesse; Kephart, Ethel L.; Kettering, Ira; Kettering, Stella May; Kirkpatrick, John; Kirkpatrick, Mary Long; Klice, Jane; Kohl, Daniel F.; Kohl, Elizabeth; Kohl, Catherine; Kohl, Michael; Kohl, Mrs. Michael; Kramer, Jesse; Kurtz, Hannah G.; Kurtz, Ruth; Kurtz, Harry L.; Kurtz, Hope; Kurtz, Zoe; Kurtz, Lewis; Kurtz, Mrs. Ada.

(L)
Leyh, Mary; Leyh, Mabel; Lichtenwalter, John A.; Lichtenwalter, Caroline; Lichtenwalter, May.

(M)
McFarland, E. W.; McFarland, Mrs. E. W.; McFarland, Grace; McElhinney, Leta M.; Mackey, Myra; Meyers, Jacob E.; Meyers, Amanda; Meyers, J. Frank; Meyers, Stella; Meyers, John B.; Meyers, Ruth; Meyers, Henry C.; Meyers, Mattie J.; Meyers, Elizabeth; Meyers, Ora G.; Meyers, Hazel; Meyers, George; Meyers, Emma; Meyers, Laura; Meyers, Ada; Meyers, Bertha; Meyers, John A.; Meyers, Sarah; Meyers, Blanche; Meyers, Vern; Meyers, Ralph; Meyers, Abram L.; Miller, Emma; Miller, Pearl; Miller, Mrs. Milton; Miller, Bert; Miller, Ellsworth; Moore, Daniel; Moore, Mary W.; Moore, Jas. E.; Moore, Laura; Morrison, Addie M.

(N)
Neesley, Fred; Neesley, Anna E.; Neesley, Fern; Neidig, Nancy A.

(P)
Plattenberger, A. L.; Plattenberger, Philip; Plattenberger, Anna; Plattenberger, R. C.; Plattenberger, Mrs. R. C.; Plattenberger, Earl; Plattenberger, Myrtle; Reichert, Lydia; Platner, Henry; Platner, Mrs. Henry.

(R)
Reid, Anna L.; Reid, Marion; Reid, Don C.; Richard, Henry; Richard, Anna; Riley, Geo. W.; Riley, Anna R.; Rinkle, Abram; Runkle, Mrs. Clarissa; Runkle, Adam; Runkle, Melinda; Runkle, Carrie M.; Runkle, Herman; Runkle, Kate; Runkle, Amos K.; Runkle, Lizzie S.; Runkle, Hazel; Runkle, Lois M.; Runkle, Lucile; Runkle, Caroline; Runkle, Frank; Runkle, Geo. O.; Runkle, Maggie E.; Runkle, Milo; Runkle, Genevieve; Runkle, Elizabeth N.; Runkle, W. H.; Runkle, Lizzie H.; Runkle, Chas.; Runkle, Karl H.; Runkle, W. W.; Runkle, Louisa Bittinger; Runkle, Clarissa .

(S)
Sailor, Ira F.; Schottle, Mrs. M.; Schottle, Carrie; Shaler, Henry; Shaler, Mary; Shaler, Geo. B.; Shope, Emanuel; Shrope, Esther; Smith, Millie B.; Smith, Wesley; Smith, Emma; Smith, Maud; Stark, Maggie; Sibcy, Winfield.

(T)
Tyson, Mrs. J.; Tyson, Charlotte; Tyson, Emma; Tyson, Rachael G.; Turner, Ellen.

(V)
Van Meter, Mary.

(W)
Walmer, Emerson; Walmer, Elizabeth; Walmer, Elden; Walmer, Delmar; Warner, Sarah; Warner, Carrie E.; Warner, Bert; Warner, Gertrude; Wenger, Catharine; Wenger, Bertha C.; Wenger, Edith F.; Wenger, Katie B.; Wenger, Emma; Wenger, Beulah; Wickham, J. C.; Wickham, Mary; Wickham, Chas.; Wickham, Frank; Wilcox, Flo B.

(Y)
Yeisley, Bessie Hoover; York, Ethel H.; York, Alton M.; York, Everett L.; Yost, Clara F.; Young, Katheryne

(Z)
Zalesky, John S.; Zalesky, Tillie; Zalesky, Beatrice; Zalesky, Irene M.; Zalesky, Clara; Zalesky, Daisy; Zerbe, Mabel C.

(Source: A small booklet in Methodist files on Family Search website; Transcribed by a volunteer)