Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-12-21
Nekoosa Church Services.

A part of the early religious history
Of the new village of Nekoosa was
formed Sunday December 18th, by the
holding of the first services in the first
church building erected there for the
exclusive service of God and his
righteousness. A large number from
the Twin Cities drove down to attend
the services even though the weather
was cold. We append list of those
whom we noticed:
Rev. VIM. Kilburne, pastor of the
Congregational church; Mr.. and Mrs.
I. E. Nash; Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. H.
Brown; Mr.. and Mrs. Ed. ketchum
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Rablin and
daughter; Mrs. Geo. R. Gardner and
two daughters; Mr.. and Mrs. F. J
Wood and son Guy; Laura Reeves, Cora
Pratt, Esther Thorn, Laura and Rena
Houston, Lima Hasbrouck, Ella Perry,
Esther Lyon, Maude Pulver, Julia
Smith and sister, Laura Canning, Ella
McRaith, Matthew McRaith, Minnie
Brown, L. H. Read, Roy Parrish, Claud
Ratelle, Rube Lyons and Geo. N. Wood.
Also Mr.. L. NJ. Alexander and Mrs.
John Edwards, of Port Edwards; Rev.
II. w. Carter, secretary of the Home
Missionary board, from Beloit; Rev. G.
{. Hann and wife, of Madison.
The services commenced at 5 o'clock
p. m. The audience room was filled
with many people who had come for
many miles. The choir consisted of
Messrs. L. M. Alexander and F.
Wood, Misses Laura Reeves and Esther
Thorn. Miss Cora Pratt presided at
the organ. The ushers were William
Hooper and Malcolm Young.
The sermon delivered by Rev. Carter
was excellent and in keeping with the
demands of the mixed audience
present. Revs. Kilburne and Haun
assisted in the services.
The church building is perfect little
Gem" capable Of seating about 800
people and provided with all necessary
furniture and fixtures 1t is lighted by
eight large Rochester lamps and is
heated by furnace. An ingram carpet
covers the floor and the organ is one of
the best. Mr.. Patten, the donor of the
church and everything connected with
1t, would have been delighted had he
been present to see the smiles of
appreciation on every face. This gift to
the people of Nekoosa will be of lasting
benefit and profit which we believe is
greatly appreciated. The following
resolutions were passed unanimously:
WHEREAS, Mr.. A. W. Patten of
Appleton, Wisconsin, has builded and
furnished in elegant manner this
beautiful church, in which the people
OF Nekoosa and vicinage may listen to
the preaching of "the simple doctrine
OF Christ and "the plain teachings of
the Bible,"
AND, WHEREAS, we, that people, are
gathered for the first time here to
worship God, and to open this House
for religious purposes;
AND, WHEREAS, We highly value Mr..
Patten's generous gift and the blessings
1t confers upon us as community;
BE 1T RESOLVED, that we do now here
express our appreciation of his kind
ness and our thankfulness to him for
his munificent gift.
Be it further resolved that copy of
these resolutions be spread upon the
proper records, and a copy of them
be forwarded to Mr.. Patten in token of
our gratitude.
In the evening temporary Sunday
school wastserganized for period of
three months by the election of Mr..
Wlthers, as superintendent, Mrs.
Lapham as assistant ntsuperintehden and
Malcolm Young as secretary and
treasurer.