The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1917-02-08

March, 1855, at "a cost of $3,025.00. |
and was dedicated free of debt.
On Monday, the 3rd day OF June,
1865. the pew sittings were sold foc
tho purpose of paying the minister
and church expenses; this was
custom among churches at that time
and perhaps may be the method III
some churches today.
During the year of 1870 to 1851
Rev. d. s. McCombe was a stated
supply of the church, which at that
tine consisted of thirty-seyen niece
bcrs
The First Regular Pastor.
Rev. George M. Swan was called
and installed as the first pastor OF
the church in January, 1852, and
served the congregation as pastor for
two years, at which time the church
had grown to a membership of sew
enty-five.
Rev. Irwin Carson was called as
pastor OF the church in the month OF
February, 1856, but did not accept
as pastor, but continued as stated
supply for three years.
Rev. w. M. Stryker was called as
pastor January 1st, 1863, was install
/ ed and remained with the church one
year
Rev. Irwin Carson again supplied
the church from 1860 to 1861. The
church membership at this time was
one hundred and three.
Rev. H. A. Barclay supplied the
pulpit for few months in 1861.
War Crippies Church. D.,
The civil war being now in pro-
gress, the country was greatly agi-
tated, and unfortunately worked its
way into the churches of the country,
this church was not an exception; in
view of this fact the church was
greatly crippled, both spiritually and
' financially, and owing to the dilapi-
dated condition of the church build
ing end lack of funds to repair the
same. Through the courtesy of the
New School Presbyterian Church,
which was located on the lot where
the Catholic church is now located,
/ the congregation worshipped in this
church for several months; notwith-
standing these conditions, Rev. Silas
Johnson was called as a minister to
the church on January /, 1862, and
stately supplied the church and
congregation for three years, and was
then called and installed as pastor
in May, 1865, and remained with the
congregation until the first day of
| May, 1867, Notwithstanding the
disturbed conditions existing in the
/ church and community, Rev. Johnson
who was man of faith, loyable dis
position and sterling christian char
/ acter, worked faithfully and accept
ably with the congregation and there
were one hundred members added to
the church, making the membership
one hundred and thirty. (,
| In the year 1866, the church build
/ ing was repaired and remodeled at a
cost of several hundred dollars, and
the ladies of the church purchased
J anu Hdu IH5ldllGu III DClAlJ ~ INC
church bell, which is now used by
! the Baptists to call the people to
/, worship.
On the first of June, 1867, Rev. ID.
| III. Mitchell was called as pastor and
installed and remained for two years.
During this pastorate the bitterness
of the War having somewhat subsid-
ed, there was peace and harmony in
the congregation at which sine the
membership was one hundred and
twenty-six.
Dark Hour in History.
Rev s. G. McCune was called as
pastor on May 1st, 1869, was installed
May, 1871, and remained until May
/ 1, 1873 During this time the church
became financially embarrassed, and
the members became very much dis
couraged during the summer Of 1873,
and some became very pessimistic in
regard to the church, and it was sug-
gested that the church might as well
dissolve, but in October 1873, the
Des Moines Presbytery sent COM
mittee OF three ministers to visit the
members and by counsel and PRAYER
resulted In getting the members In q
more hopeful frame Of mind, faith In
themselves and the Church, AT this