The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-25
ILL sApTIsT cAuRcA. FAReo

FIRST BAPTIST cHuRcH, FARGO
organization. the First Baptist church
Of this city has shown a remarkable
development which is paralleled with
any other Of the denominations II
liable work.
Sketch 81 chmrch's History.
The history OF the FIRST Baptist
church Of Fargo. ike that OF the other
denominations. Is largely q record Of
the various ministers that have serv-
&c as it's pastors and OF the buildings
Ia which the congregation has wor-
shipped.
AS early as there was a FARCE there
were BaptistE in the town, but ii was
some years after the Northern Pa
cif1c railroad crossed the Red river and
Fargo had developed to quite a VIZ
1age that Baptisr history proper starts.
So far as Is known there were no
Baptist missionaries 20 visit Fargo al
the time OF it's Genesis. At that time
practically all OF the christians. re-
gardless OF denomination. banded to-
getber and attended the services Of
whatever missionary happedend to
visit the settlement
However, az the town grew, the
number OF people belonging to or ad-
herring 70 this particular church null
tiplied and in 1879 enough Baptists
were in the community to warrant the
formation Of q separate church or
/ gznizatsOn. This was accomplished
with twenty members
| During the first year uf existence
services were held in several places.
The very first service was held IN
what was known as Chaplin hall, and
later in McHench hall For almost
two years services were continued
4 here although there was nc resident
preacher in the city. Early ia 1881
the congregation decided TO build a
place Of worship. The lots where the
present church stands were purchased
and active building commenced.
! While the construction OF the build
ing was in progress the services were
held In 8 sch0oIhouse, which then
stood on the site OF the Unitarian
church building at the corner OF Ninth
/ street and Second avenue south. This
was the FIRST school building ever
erected in Fargo. II was little frame
/ structure on the scale Of some OF the
small district schooIhouses one see
in the rural districts.
About this time the Rev. Geo. B.
vosbergh came to Fargo and held
services for three months although be
was not regularly appointed 70 this
congregation. A short time after he
completed his series OF services the
! FIRST pastor was sent to the Fargo
/ Baptists. he was Rev. e. B. Has
kelI and Il Is largely TO his efforts that
the church owes its start
Along In the summer Of 1881 the
first church was completed and the
congregation formally occupied IL with
/ hitting dedicat0ry services. On July
20 the society was incorporated and
began its legal existence. Reverend
| Haskell remained for three years and
was succeeded by Rev c. #. Hop
kfns. who stayed one year and was
/ followed by Rev. w. ID. Holt who hIled
the pulpit during the summer OF 1884
when he resigned and the work was
taken up by Rev. s. w. Stevens.
/ Reverend Stevens administered to
/ little nock for three years. resigning
/ IN 1857 and being succeeded by Rev.
NJ Barker. who remained one year.
Following Reverend Barker came the
Rev. ]. w. Davies. who also remained
only a year and was succeeded by
Rev. W. l. Van Horn. His services
extended over period Of three years
and the work was taken up by Rev.
RI. M. Cook. who also spent three
years OF beneficial labors IN the
church.
After the departure of Reverend
Cook the pulpit was taken over by
Rev. w. L. Blanchard who did much
Tor fne church during the two and
half years be served as pastor. aft
err his resignation the work was as
eumed by Rev. w. w. Reed, who re-
manned three years.
Building of Present Church.
After Reverend Reed resigned the
Rev. r. A Hayward was called to
preside over the congregation, which
bv this time mad outgrown all ex-
pectatfons. including the church build
Ing. II was seen in the early part OF
Reverend Heyward's passionate that
another building would be necessary IL
the church was going to make any
Announcements. 1t was accordingly
decided that q fine modern edifice
should be constructed that would be
able to take care OF the church for
many years to come Reverend Hey
ward was active In this work He
remained to see the present church
about finished. having served for three