The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1904-12-15
Farewell Services at the
Old Methodist Church
Last Sunday Marked Another Epoch in the History of Brook
inqs.-.Taking Leave of the First Church in the City

As previously announced the morn
services at the NJ. +. church consisted
mainly of farewell remarks by laymen
in commemoration of the event which
the day represented-that OF leave TAX
ing OF the first church edifice estab-
lished in this city preparatory to the
dedication of the new church which
is mentioned elsewhere.
The church was filled with an inter
ested audience. The choir sang as
it never sang before seemingly to I'M
press upon the old building the appre-
citation of its sheltering walls and the
pleasant memories it held Tor them.
There was, it was plain to be seen, an
, impressiveness on the features Oh
everyone present.
Rev. Geo. F. Hopkins briefly stated
what the trend of the service would be
and first called on Geo. \. Breed, one
of the pioneers of the church, who
briefly went over the history OF the
society and events connected herewith.
Owing to limited time Mr.. Breed did
not attempt to give complete history,
but confined his remarks to the period
since he came to Bookings: His
words were as follows:
pioneers!-Thats sounds old, does 1t
not? Yet, when | look back over the
twenty-four years Of my life, last past,
that have been spent in BrooklnSs
and note the many changes that have
taken place during that period; when
| recall what little insignificant
hamlet this now prosperous city was
when / first saw it; when its growth
is measured year by year; when l look
about and see young men and young
women now married who were but
babes in arms twenty-fOur years ago
and realize that have witnessed their
growth from babyhood to manhood
and womanhood; with these and
manv other reminders which might be
mentioned coming before me, makes
one feel rather antique-a pioneer II
you please.
He must be old hear someone say.
If this be your verdict you will over
look any imperfection in my brle1 re-
view of the incidents pertaining to this
church and its history.
Arriving in Brookings Oct. 70, 1851,
had the pleasure OF attending an
oyster supper the same evening, gwen
by the ladies for the benefit OF the Nj.
F.. church. You see | did not say the
Ladies Aid society Of the NJ. +. church,
although there no doubt was one, Tor
rs | now recall it there were Baptists,
Presbyterians, Methodists and Epis-
copalians and those who had no
church affiliation among the ladies
who were assisting in preparing ana
serving supper, among whom we recall
Mrs. Horace Fishback, Mrs. George
Morehouse. Mrs. Geo. w. Pierce and
daughter Ettie and Birdie, now OF
Minneapolis, Mrs. l.. l.. Jones and
daughter George, the former having
since died and the daughter now Mrs.
Frank Preston living in Sioux City,
Miss Eva Thomas, now Mrs. Breed,
Mrs. G.. w. Higgins and Mrs. &. "A.
KELSEY, now residents of Minneapolis,
and Mrs. A. II. Wellman and daugh-
ter Lulu who moved east many years
ago and have been lost track OF.
There were perhaps others, but MEM
ory fails US in our attempt to recall
their names.
/ must give little description OF
this, the 'frst church festivaF' as
they called it. 1t was fine affair, no
doubt, as those who were acquainted
said they had jolly time.
The supper or festival was held in
Olds & Fishback's hall in the build
ing now occupied by the Model cloth
ing house. This hall was something
like hugh dry goods box with win
dows only in front.
The stables" Q quote tables for in
reality there were none) were placed in
V shape across the hall-presumably
TO keep the men folks from getting a
chance at the eatables before the sup
per was served. The tables consisted
OF wide boards placed upon empty
barrels and those beautiful white
table clothes were conspicuous by
their absence. But the ladies were
lust as nice as any you can find to-
day and, begging pardon, will say
that some of the ladies looked more
handsome than they do now though
they might not have been half as
good. OF course if there is any ex-
ception to this suggestion we will
rescind the motion.
o, yes, the supper! 1t was splendid
lust such supper as Brookings
ladies have always known how to
serve-and at the well known price
25c per plate.
Most of the men had two suppers in
order, they said, to help swell the pro-
ceeds. That, we presume, is why
Brookings people are known every