Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1903-09-02


both of which were becoming thriving
little towns. A successful revival
was also held the same year. as we'll
as the first camp meeting for this Sec
tion, which was held on the farm OF
Mr. Fsnnon, north of Freeport. In
September 1856 Rev. Geo. Larkins
came here and during his stay held a
revival meeting in the wheel wright
stop Of Geo. Phelps, resulting in
many conversions. During this year
the new church was also completed
and dedicated, and everything went
we'll until the financial crash fell up.
on the country, and it was hard pull.
ling for some little time. In 1858
Rev. H. s. Bronson was appointed
pastor here and Rev E. Skinner Pre-.
siding Elder. Rev. Bronson remained
only part of year, and was followed
by Rev. Smith of Waukon and Rev.
j. Whittemore the same year. Rev.
w. W. Bailey was then pastor from
September 1859 to 1861, under whose
pastorate the first church bell was
purchased and suspended. The first
Sunday school was organized in De.
corah about this time. and met in the
old school house, with Mr.. Butler 81
Superintendent. After the dedication
of the church it was moved thither,
and for some time was the only Sun.
day school here. In the spring Of 1851
Rev. J. w. Stone came here from
Ohio and supplied this charge from
Sept. 1861 to Sept. 1862. Rev. W. e.
McC cCormac was then appointed here
and served until Sept. 1866, during
which time the church Jared poorly
on account of the war of the rebel
lion. Rev. B. f. Taylor followed
him in 1868. and he was followed BY
Rev. Richard Swearingen. who wa
pastor from the fall Of 1854 to 1866
from which time the church took on I
new lease Of life. During this pas
torate the church debt was paid.
Ladies' Aid Society formed, ant
money raised for remodeling TIN
church preparatory to the coming o
the Upper Iowa Conference, which
had been invited to hold it's session o
1866 here, and lis ministers were pre-
sent OIL the occasion. Rev. Swearing
en- also succeeded in raising funds AM
building parsonage while here, oc
cupying it in 1865. At this conferenc
Rev. G. W. Brindle was assigned t.
Decorah, and the rest is more recen
history. each year experiencing it
trials with it's successes. some passin
away and leaving town, their place
being taken by new faces. Rev
Brindle was followed in Sept. 1869 b.
Rev. H. H. Fairall, who in turn wa
succeeded by Rev. J. B. Casebee
1871, Rev. E. T.. Miller 1878 (durin
whose pastorate the present churc
structure was erected at a cost Q
$13, ,OOO) Rev. s. H. Henderson 1876
Rev. s. G.. Smith 1877, Rev. f. E
Brush 1879, Rev. Wilmot Whitfield
1881. Rev. H. 8. Church 1882, Rev. g
W. Pratt 1883. Rev. j. NJ. Ferris 1884
Rev. f. X. Miller 1887, Rev. W. +
Pitner 1888, Shortly after whose al
rival the church caught fire an
damaged so that repairs to the exten
Of $500 were necessary, Rev. F. T
Shaffer 1898. Rev. L. L. Lockard 1896
Rev. A. w. Smith 1899, Rev. X. "
Robbins, 1901.
There is much of recent history tina
might he written, bur the crowde
condition of our space this week vii
not permit it. The above is intende
more especially as a sketch of the cal
\ ly history Of tho church, and thos
who were connected with it's establish
ment. II is today in excellent cond
tion under the faithful and able pa'