The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-12-07
SKETCH OF BAPTIST CHURCH
A Historical Review Of the Organic
alton For a Quarter of a Cen
fury by Deacon Morse.

OF the celebration OF the founding
of the Baptist chulch twenty-five
yers ago was held. The ermon of
the evening was delivered by DIR. o.
A. Williams, Of Minneapolis, who
discourSed in an interesting and
helpful manner on the great breadth
OF religion.
The most interesting session Of the
twenty-tifth anniversary services of
the Baptist church was that OF
Wednesday afternoon, when the
roll call of the church was held
the service being in charge Of Pastor
Burton, and Mrs. Ira Loomer. AS
the names were called the members
responded In person, ii present, and
in a great many instances letters
were read from absent members and
former pastors Of the church, all Of
which contained words of good cheer
for the society.
A luncheon was Served in the
prayer meeting room. which was par
taken Of by a large number.
In the evening the services we're
continued. when Pastor Burton read
an interesting letter from Rev. j. r.
Rairden, of Upton, Kan. DR.. W.
G. King, the Baptist missionary Of
the state, delivered a splendid SER
mon. This was the first time that
DR.. King has appeared before a
Mitchell audience since his recent
appointment and all were very much
impressed and pleased with his effort.
Previous to the sermon Pastor Bur-
ton read a historical sketch of the
church organization, which was pre-
pared by Benjamin Morse, who now
resides at Wabash, Ind. The sketch
is given in full as follows:
In July, 1881, Rev. Edward Ellis
having been appointed general mis-
sionary for Dakota territory by the
american Baptist Home Missionary
Society, be requested Rev. D.. P.
Coffman, who was then living on his
homestead lei Parker, Turner
county, to visit Mitchell and ascer-
tain what prospect there vas Of Or
ganizing a Baptist church. Accord
inglv on July II, 1881, Rev. j. P.
Goldman preached IN Mitchell the
first Baptist sermon in a little Pres
byterian chapel, located on the
corner of Main and First streets, the
only place Of worship in the town,
except n owned by the Catholics.
At this visit the preacher found
that there we're from Is to 20 Baptists
Ein4the town and vicinity, and left
an appointment for two weeks FROM
that date. When he came to fill that
appointment, he found the interest
had increased so that he announced
that he would preach. every two
weeks. In the meantime the Epis-
copalians had completed their house
OF worship, and the Baptist meet
ings were held in the west side school
house. and from that on the services
were held in the morning instead of
the afternoon, every other Sunday,
until the following May, when the
school house was SECURED for service
every Sunday.
AT a called Meeting Of all the
Baptists of the town on the 18th
day Of November, 1881. the general
missionary was present and preached.
It. was decided that there were
enough Baptists i'm the town and
vicinity to justify the organization
of a Baptist church. Accordingly on
the 9th day Of November, 1881, the
meeting for organization was held in
the west side school house. Rev. j..
J.. Coffman took the chair and called
the meeting to order. George Watson
was chosen as clerk. The following
persons being present consented to
have their mt enrolled as members
of the organization: Benjamin
Morse, Sarah E. Morse, Anna
Roberts, Addie Miles, James +.
Morse, john Parker, Jane Parker,
Mary Parker. Mark Halphide, Mrs.
Mark III lphlde, v. s. Clark, Mrs.
V. S. Clark. Mary Abernethy and
George Watson. After adopting the
usual articles Of faith and church
covenant, as found in the Baptist
church manual, the following officers
were elected: Benjamin Morse and
John Parker as deacons, George
Watson CLERK, Mark Halphide trea-
sure, Mark Halphide, John Parker
and b. Morse trustees. Rev. j. p.
Coffman was made the missionary
pastor Of the church, which officials
were confirmed by the Home Mis-
%sionary Society on Dec 3, 1881.
Gu the Goth of January, 1882, Mrs.
Addie Miles entered into rest, the
first to go from the church militant
to the church triumphant.
On February IL, 1882. articles Of
incorporation were adopted by the
churcsh and duly recorded.
Through the generosity of John