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

when Rev. Smith came to the field,
which was a hindrance to the work,
as church debts always prove to be.
The pulpit was vacant from Octo-
Der, 1901, until May. 1902. when
Rev. John P. Engstrom was called as
pastor and was installed June 3, 1902,
and remained with the church until
October l, 1905. The members of
the church at this time We're two hun
dred and seven.
Rev. Alexander Corkey was en-
ployed as stated supply November l,
1905, and remained with the congre
cation until November l, 1906. The
pulpit was vacant until January, 1907,
when Rev. e. w. Il. EIoller was en-
ployed as temporary supply and re-
NAMED with the church until April,
1867. The membership at this time
was one hundred and eighty-one.
Present Pastor Called.
Tie pulpit was vacant until Sep
tember, 1907, when the church gave
q unanimous can to Rev. Alexander
McFerran, the present pastor, who
commenced his labors September s.,
1897, and was installed as pastor
September &c, 1907 The member
ship has been gradually increasing,
and now numbers two hundred and
fifty eight.
From this sketch Of the church's
history, you will notice that it has
come through many trials, especially
as to the financial department; yet
been gathered into the church, from
the first until this time, near TWO
thousand members, and the congre-
cation have contributed thousands OF
dollars to the benevolent boards OF
the church and other benevolent OBJ
jects, and have stood for the best in
terests of the community, both moral
and civic.
Church Destroyed by Fire.
On the morning of March 16, 1916
the fire alarm was sounded, and word
was conveyed through the city that
the Presbyterian church was burn
| ing. The fire was very destructive
burning and destroying the whole
1 interior Of the church, together with
the pipe organ and furniture, and the
pastors fine library. AS the people
went around viewing the ruins the
| the question in the minds OF
| all was what would be the outcome
of what was termed calamity, which
the sequel will prove was not a ca
lamity but blessing.
While the church was burning
there were many offers by the differ
ent churches for the congregation tt
| worship in their church, or will
them. Among them was the St.Jame'
Episcopal church, who were withou
a Rector, kindly invited the churcl
to occupy their church, which wa!
thankfully accepted, and the congre-
CATION worshipped in this church TO
two months, until their new Recto
came. Through the courtesy OF thu
Directors of the Y. NJ. c. A., the con
! gregation worshiped in their build
ing for six months.
In May, 1916, at a congregations
meeting, the matter OF rebuilding o
; remodeling the church was taken u
and after some discussion the trus
tees were authorized to proceed a
once to remodel and enlarge tn
church building, and to take steps t
procure the funds for that purpose
The trustees with remarkable en-
thusiasm took the task up at one
with untiring energy and with tn
liberal aid from the congregation an
community, have made it possible t
have this beautiful, commodious, an
up-to-date building While not S
large as some, it is fully equipped TO
service. ..,. ..
Even so meager sketch of tn
years that lie behind, must prompt t
praise and gratitude. This that ha
been done stands as a challenge t
the church to undertake create
works for the advancement of tn
Kingdom. w. R. Cowan.