The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-11-17

break for about eight years. About the
year 1865 the families of William Har.
ris, Daniel Harris, Hugh Williams,
Evan Bowen, Owen Pritchard, Robert H.
Hughes ana others, all of the Congre-
gational faith, had located near the
center of the present town of Cambria,
and about 1866 the Sunday school which
had been suspended since the church had
left its original home in Judson, was re-
organized with David r. Davis as SUI
perintendent, at the home of Evan Bow
Ell.
The preaching service, however, con-
tinued for some months in the old log
school house on Deacon John Z. Davis
place.
Toward the latter part of 1866, or
the spring of 1867, the Sunday school
was removed to the school house near
the residence of Robert HI. Hughes, but
this proved to be too far on one side
of the parish, and in a short time it
was removed with the preaching service
to the home of William Harris. Mr..
and Mrs. William Harris gave the
church most cordial welcome and did
everything that hospitality could pos
! sibly render to make the church feel
at home, and it was here that the
church first assumed all its various
branches of work-the preaching service
| the Sabbath school, and the midweek
meetings were regularly conducted here,
and the church began to prosper.
In the early history of Congregational
ism in this state its home missions was
united with that of the Presbyterian
church. and Rev. Jenkin Jenkins had
with the Presbyterian Synod of Min
| nesota from the start.
| About 1867 the Presbyterians made
overtures to the Salem church to join
the Presbyterian body, and in view
thereof offered to help build church
building; but this church was not will
ing to change it's denomination, though
some of its members We're tempted to
accept the offer because they were anx-
ions to secure church building.
| This let to considerable discussion
and little ill-will on the part of few
in the church; and Rev. Ruliffson, Sy-
medical Missionary of the Presbyterian
church and Rev. Thomas Marshall, pas
tor of the Presbyterian church at Man
kato, paid the church visit in the fall
of 1867 with view to try to induce
it to become Presbyterian church.
But the Congregational spirit was too
strong for them to succeed, and their
offer was rejected by an overwhelming
vote. About this time Rev. Jen
kin jenkins retired from the pastorate
of the church, and for few months the
church had to struggle without preach
now passed to a very critical period,
being much discouraged.
During this dark period, when few
members were gathered at mid-week
meeting at Mr.. Harris home, having
much the same experience as the dis
ciples of old after the crucifxion of their
Lord.
To their great surprise a stranger
came to the door to ask about the well
fare of the church. 1t proved to be that
true Christian and faithful servant of
the Congregationalists of Minnesota, the
Rev. Richard Hall of st. Paul, the home
missionary of the denomination. After
learning the situation of the church he
encouraged the members to 60 on the
best they could and he would do his best
to get a pastor for them, and that as
he fulfilled his promise by getting Rev.
Phillip Peregrine of Pennsylvania to
come and take charge of the church in
connection with Hebron church in Mic
ollet county. Mr.. Peregrine arrived to
assume his duties in May, 1868, and prov
ed very efficient in his ministry. In 1867
Mr.. David Pugh and wife settled in the
church by letter. Deacon John E. Davis
having died during this year Mr.. Pugh
succeeded him as one of the deacons of
the church. He also was leader 0f song
in the church and served the church
faithfully in both capacities during all
the years up to the present time.
Through Rev. Peregrine's efforts,
means were secured to build this church
home. Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin Thomas
contributed the acre of ground on which
the building stands and the Congrega-
tional Building society granted aid in
money so at least the house was COM
pleted in the summer of 1871. Mr.. John
i. Evans one of our faithful MEMBERS
did the carpenter work upon it.
Since the Rev. Peregrine took charge
of the work in 1868 and especially
since it had occupied this house in 1871,
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