Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-12-14
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

AT an adjourned meeting OF the
Pr sbytery Of Council Bluffs held
in that city Nov. II, 1878, com.
mittee consisting Of Rev. John
Heron and elder J. G. Cotton,
both IT Atlantic, WAS appointed to inves-
tigate the ACCESSIBILITY of organizing II
church in the new town of Audubon,
and if the way be found clear 10 effect
such an organization. Services were
held as occasion would permit during
the winter following by Rev. Mr.. Heron,
and later, stately, by Rev. E. B.
Cousins just fresh from school. 1t soon
became manifest that the people wanted
a Presbyterian church, and due notice
Of effecting such organization was given.
This meeting was held in the school
house April 14th, 1879, at 3 p. m Rev.
John Heron conducting the service. 1t
was found that only six persons were
ready at that time to become members
Of the organization, though others said
they would send for letters and join at
later date. These six are E. G. Brown,
Mr.. and Mrs. Alex Campbell, Mrs. Mag
gle Ross, Evan Davis and Mrs Jeanette
Griffin. None of these are now living in
Audubon.
E. @. Brown and Alex. Campbell were
the first elders and Wilson Burnside
Robert Henderson, John L.Dynes, Evan
Davis, and Gen. W Newcomer were the
first trustees. At the first meeting a
call was extended to the Rev. e B.
Cousins, of Clarence, Iowa, TO become
the pastor of the church. 1t WIS also
decided to erect a church edifice as soon
as possible. The Session and Board
of Trustees in addition to Capt Chas.
Stuart were constituted a building
committee.
This work was pushed as fast as
would permit. In June
1879 the building, forty feet by sixty
feet was raised, partly enclosed, when
severe storm leveled it to the ground.
After long delay the work was taken
hold OF again and pushed to completion.
The first service was held in the struc-
ture january 18th 1880, the pastor
preaching from this appropriate text:
II was glad when they said unite me;
let us 60 into the house of the Lord"
It must have been a joyous occasion
for ii was the first church building in
the town. The house was used but one
more Sabbath and was then closed that
it might be completed. 1t was again
opened for services March !2Sth 1880
and was not formally dedicated till May
9th 1880. The sermon was preached by
Rev. T. II. Cleland d. d. of Council Bluffs,
a relative OF the Rev. Dr. w. G. Craig ID.
D., who preached the dedication sermon
OF the present church. The cost of the
first structure was little more than
S450000. To this must b. added the
cost Of fine new bell secured through
Captain Charles Stuart at a cost Of $4O0.
In the evening of the dedication Of the
first church Rev. E. b. Cousins was
duly installed as Its first pastor by
of the Presbytery consisting of
Rev. Il. II. Cleland ID. D., OF Council
Bluffs, Rev. s. l.. McAfee, of Red Oak,
and Rev. John Heron of Atlantic.
The Sabbath school was organized
April 4th., 1880 with membership Of
fifty. During the twenty years of this
church's life it has had live different
ministers to serve it, viz: Revs. L. b.
d. d. Blose, ]. FL. Bartlett
Edward Dickinson, J. A. Cahill and the
present pastor, j. +. Hinkhouse. But
three Of these were duly installed as
pastors, viz: Revs. e. b. Cousins, ID. ID.
Blose and j. F. Hinkhouse. Mr.. Cousins
served the church from its organization |
till May 23rd, 1883; Mr.. Blose for one
year from October 25th., 1883; Mr.. Bart
EFT for one year from the spring of 1885;
Mr.. Dickinson has the honor of serving
The church not only longer than any one
Else but longer than all the rest com
oined. He began his labors September
1886 and continued till September 1896.
lie was followed by Mr.. Cahill, whose
Itay was OF one years duration. Mr..
began his labors November
'th.. 1897 and was installed May 23rd
1893.