The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-01-31
IS FIFTY YEARS OLD.
Columbus Church Arrives at Halt
Century Mark.
CELEBRATE OCCASION.
Pastors Representing All Denomina-
tions Attend the Exercises
MIR. Titsworth's Address.

Columbus, Wis. Jan. 26.-[ Special -
| Today occurred the fiftieth anniversary
of the organization Of q church society in
what is now the city of Columbus. This
original organization was under the Con-
gregational form of government, although
it would appear that the members in
Guided Congregationalists and Presbyte-
rians.
On January 26, 1850, this council was
called at which Rev. A. Montgomery was
chairman and John Q. Adams clerk
Those who joined in the organization by
| letter were James Campbell. Richard
| Stratton, Mrs. Polly Stratton, Emily
Stratton, Mrs. Asenath Stratton. Mrs.
Helen 5. Rosenkrans Ellen Hagerman,
Maria Hagernan and Mrs. Hayden.
The church was made q member of the
Madison district convention. Lewis Lud-
lngton having donated to the organiza ton
the lot on the corner of Broadway and
Mill street, a church edifice was erected
which still stands at the same spot as a
portion of the buildings known as the
thomson property.
Adopts Presbyterian Government.
In November of 1862 the Presbyterian
form of church government was adopted
| the relations of the church having been
the Fox River presbytery. In 1864 an
addition was made to the church edi-
flee, extensive improvements being made
at that time.
In 1866 there was a division Of the
church, Il majority Of the members with
drawing, and forming new Presbyteri-
an society, which built for itself the
building on Broadway now owned by st.
john Lutheran society.
The members left with the old church
returned to the Congregational form of
government, continuing services in the
old church until the year 1874, when Il
union of the Presbyterian and Congre-
gational churches was by mutual effort
effected, and it was agreed that the two
churches should become united and con
solidated into one church, to be thence
forward known and designated as the
Olivet Church of Columbus, and shall be
enthusiastically connected with the Pres
byterian and Congregational general con-
vention of Wisconsin" This organiza-
ton was perfected on September II,
1874. Up TO this time the following pas
tors had been in charge since the or
ganization i'll 1850: Rey. G. L. Rosen-
krans, ter, years; t. c. Melvin, four
years; l.. M. Gates, one year.. A. T.. 2.
Loomis, one year; E. 2. Salmon. eighteen
months; M. w. Reed. eighteen months:
J. G. Schaeffer, nine months; H. A.
Miner, two years and four months; Rev.
w. A. Hendrickson, who had been the
pastor of the Presbyterian church since
1863, remained with the reunited church.
Con.regationa1ists Locked Out.
This union did not last long however.
The Presbyterians as such locked their
church doors against the CONGREGATIONAL
lists in July Of 1876. This led to imrle-
date action on the part of the latter. 1t
was decided to build church edifce at
once, the site was secured and work on
the present handsome Olivet church was
pushed, the congregation occupying the
Sunday school room for worship on De
cember "A of that year The
building was completed and dedicated
early in the year 1877 The cost was
about $4,000 Rev. NJ. e. Eversz. who
had come to Columbus in July of 1876.
about the time of the division, remained
in charge until 1884, when he resigned
to take charge Of German church work.
and Rev. w. HI. Chamberlain became
the pastor, to remain until 1886, when. on
account Of ill-health, he gave place to
Rev. III. ]. Ferris, the present pastor
The only person now. living in Column
bus who was present at the time of the
organzat ton of the Congregational socie-
ty in 1850, is Mrs. J. S. Manning. who
was not then a member. Mrs W. X.
Ledyard of Wauwatosa is the only living
member of the old organization
Many Attended Exercises
AS fitting prelude to the exercises, a
dinner was served by the ladies of Olivet
society, to which were invited the pas
tors of ali denominations in the city.
Also all the former members of the con
gregation now removed from the city,
and whose whereabouts could be found :;
with delegations attending from the Con-
gregational churches of the vicinity, and
from Beloit, Ripon and Milwaukee,
Downer colleges. The afternoon was de-
voted to devotional exercises, to the read
ing of the church history. collated by
Harvey LOOMS, who has had charge Of
the church records for many years, re-
counting of "reminiscences of olden times,
and a general fellowship meeting. The
evening programme is as follows:
Organ Voluntary.
Hymn.
Scripture FL. A. Miner.
Song-Miss Claudia McPheeters.
Prayer-Rev- Ell. w. Carter.
Song-Mrs. Luther Davies.
Greeting-Miss e. c. Sabin.
Song-Miss Claudia McPheeters.
Address--Rev. Judson Ellsworth.
HymE.