Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-26
Dedicat0ry Exercises
DRAW Large Gathering
All Day Services and Dinner Mark Open
ing of the Mem Wilson Presbyterian
Church.

a song service. The principal feature
of this session was the letter read
from Mr.. McElroy on preparation for
and Organization of Wilson Presby-
terrain church" This letter was of
particular interest to the congregation
as it contained a brief history of the
church and many Of those instrumental
in it's formation. Following is the let
ter:
Rev. McEIroy's Letter.
I'm 1855 | was ordained and INSTALL
ed as pastor of the Ottumwa Presby-
terrain church with the understanding
that, as temporary arrangement, one
third of my time was to be given to
the church of Kirkville Travelling
back and forth between Ottumwa and
Kirkville, regularly passed for two
years through this neighborhood
where we now have the Salem and
Wilson churches, but there were no
religious services here at that time.
For six or seven years it was my
custom to held only the morning SER
vice at Ottumwa and preach in the
in the other towns or schoolhouses Of
the county. We had, at first, only 4
members nOttumwa; nine more on
the south side Of the river bridge. 1
to a miles away; members s miles
south in Green township and 6 mem
bers s miles north, near what is now
called Highland Center. During these
years | preached occasionally in Dab
lonega, Agency and Ashland and in
about 80 schoolhouses; also at Mars
Hill Baptist church; in Madson's saw
mill on Big Soap Creek; at Heokart's
Grove near Point Isabel; at Ford's
saw mill, miles west of Ottumwa,
an in the newly opened Ottumwa
cemetery.
"In Highland township | held SER
vices quite frequently in Browns
school house and also in Gray's school
house.
First Church Organized.
Sin 1862 church of - members
was organized with Allen Wilson as
ruling elder, called Spring Greek
church, and worshipping for the most
part at the Robertson school house be-
tween and 3 miles east of our pres
ent Wilson church. About that time
/ preached occasionally in the Hallow.
way neighborhood, 8 or a miles west
from here. Then upon invitation of
my good friend Harvey Tisdale, held
service in his neighborhood 2 or 3
times in his new barn, with large
attendance.
"In the spring of 1869 was releas-
ed from my pastoral charge
at Qttumwa on account Of
broken health and impaired hear.
ing, but at the same time on petition
of John M, Wilson ana others, was
appointed to do such mission work as
/ might be able in the Wilson neigh
borhood, six miles north of Ottumwa
This brings us to where we are today
For one year and Until April, 1870
| held service regularly in the Wall
school house, named later the White
school house. John NJ Wilson had
already organized a Sabbath school
which he superintendent faithfully and
successfully. Spring Creek church had
by this time gone out of existence or
account of its members moving away
Father Allen Wilson going to Ottum
wa; his younger brother. John M. Will
son, and family, his brother-in-law
George Daugherty, and family and his
nephew, Wilson T. Murray, and fam
lily. were among my chief helpers ant
| friends. There were others whose at
tendance and helpful sympathy were
appreciated-Mrs Peck and family
VIM. Shepherd and family, Mr.. ant
Mrs. Mast, Mr., and Mrs. Tyler, ant
that interesting and oddly gifted man
Mr. Gahesba.
i Organization of Richland Church.
In the spring of 1870, March rs