The Sauk Centre herald., 1903-04-23

/ ~ L
broken for the new church within
week, and the old structure will
be moved very soon TO the fair
grounds to make room for the IL
brary building.
Now that the Congregational church
edifice is to go out of existence as a
place of worship it may be interesting
to look back tits history.
In1863, before the Indian outbreak,
Rev. @. s. Harrison, a Congregations
al Clergyman, came to Sauk Centre,
but did not organize church. He
remained here however, until after
the close of the war. *
In 1866 the Superintendent Of the
Congregational Mission, sent Rev. S.
K. Fox, and the,Presbyterian Mission,
at the same time, sent Rev. Evans, to
this city, then small village.
Services were held in small shanty
formerly used for hospital for sold
iers. This building was neither pIast-
cred or painted but was repaired from
time to time as means and necessity
permitted. 1t was situated on the site
now occupied by the W oodbury school
building and was used both as school
house and church, all denominations
holding services there. Mrs. C. G.
Tobey taught as assistant to Mr..
Tuhbs there seme years agosaad this
was the school house till the old part
of the present building was ready.
During the year 1867 two churches
were built on Main-st. nearly oppo-
tite each other. The Presbyterian
church still stands on its original site.
bnt is occupied by the Congregation
alists. 49, s.."
Rev. A. j. Pike came here in the
fall of 1868, and found membership
of twenty-four and congregation of
some sixty. At this time the pictur-
esque Indian in his blanket and feath-
ers came often to the village. Game
Of all kinds was plentiful, deer some
time even running through the streets.
Those extinct vehicles, Red River
carts, made wholly of wood and green
hide and drawn by a single oxen,
came in long trains to the village.
This mode of teaming was the only
means of obtaining or disposing of
goods. The teams would come from
Abercombie, rading with Indians and
trappers, taking furs in exchange,
then return to dispose of these goods
and buy other supplies to bring back
to the frontier. The danger frem at
tacks by the hostile Indians made il
necessary to go in large numbers. At
this time the nearest rail road was
at St. Cloud.
In 1872 the village having been
found to small too support two
churches, the Congreg ational-
lists bought the present building
from the Prusbyterians for the
sum of one thousand dollars. A brick
foundation was put in and the church
Ireplastered. The money was raised
by scription at home and abroad, in
sums ranging from few cents to fifty
dollars, the latter being very rare.
The repairs at this time amounted to
nine hundred dollars and also included
new pews.
A bell was also purchased and the
church was dedicate on December 18,
1872. The sermon was by Il. A. Stin.
son, D. D. of Minneapolis, now pastor
of the Manhattan church in New York
City.
Shortly after this 1t was discovered
that Judgment lien had been filed
upon the lots before they were pur-
chased by the Congregatiinalists
After a seven-year controversy, a
clear title was secured by paying six
teen hundred dollars, leaving a debt
OF one thousand dollars on the proper
ty.
When Rev. Pike came here he found
small Sunday school in charge Of
Mr.. Dean Stabler, of which he took
charge in 1866. During that wear
there was membership offorty to fifty
and this increased to one hundred ano
twenty-five by che year 1877. Rev.