Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-06-11
HISTORICAL SKETCH :
Of GOLDEN CHURCH
MRS. FRANK L. CLARK WRITES vi.
vID ACCOUNT OF EARLY DAYS
IN HAZEL GREEN.
PIONEER CONDITIONS DESCRIBED
How the Local Church was Organized
Fifty Years Ago, and Attained
to Present Prosperity.

That we may understand why this
building in which we worship today
was possible, let me take you back to
the year of our Lord 1869" AT that
time these broad rolling prairies dot
ted with wild flowers, were mainly in
their native state-beautiful to the
eye, wild birds swayed on the tall
slough grass and caroled their sweet
songs. Each summer morning the
prairie chickens called to each other
in notes loud and clear. The Trav-
eler wandered over the prairies at his
own sweet will, unrestricted by fences
but sometimes delayed by the treach-
erous sloughs. There were also few
homes scattered about, families who
were accustomed to the sound OF the
church bell, most OF them had come
from New Engfand--the home of Con-
gregationalists-and it was their wish
to plant Congregational church here.
Accordingly they met by appointment
in the building known as the Guthrie
school house and decided to call the
Rev. Charles Guernsey, Supt. Of Home
Missions for Iowa, and the Rev. A. A.
Baker Jasper, of the Congregational
ist church at Manchester to conduct
the services which should establish
the first Congregational church at
Golden Prairie, and on the 2Sth day OF
March 1869 ten earnest men and No
men pledged themselves to Gods work
in this new church and community.
They we're: Mrs. Charlotte Taylor,
Mrs. Catherine Dickey, Mrs. NJ. G.
Church, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Link
ham. Mr.. and Mrs. r. L. Taylor, MI
and Mrs. O. E. Taylor and Miss Abbie
Taylor. All but two Of these have
passed on to the better Country, one
being with US today, and aid was
promised by the Iowa Congregational
Home Missionary Society and Rev.
A. A. Baker and Rev E. R. Stiles dur
ing their pastorate at Manchester
supplied this little church. preaching
each Sabbath afternoon, often accom-
panied by NJ. H. A. Grenger or Mr.
A. B. Terril, who were generous Win
their gift Of song. A tribute IS Que
these men, who with sufficient Work
in their own church took time to min
ister to little struggling church ten
miles away. Rev. Mr.. Stiles especi-
ally lives in memory as a man OF rare
courtesy and for the pleasant smiles
with which he greeted the children.
The Rev. Aloah Day and Rev. 3. NJ
Amsden who also resided in Manches-
ter served this church for a time driv-
ing to their appointment and preach
ing once in two weeks, services Delng
held in the forenoon. Earnest, faith
full men were they and we cnerlsn
their memory. The first deacon and
Sunday school superintndent and Lead
er in song was 0. e. Taylor. or his
fine voice and his means he gave iree-
lv and those who knew him have not
forgotten how he gathered the chill
dren into the front seats and how
they sang. The first clerk was
Charles Linkham, which position ne
held faithfully and acceptably for nj
teen years, until his removal to Mil
ford, Iowa. The summer foiloWin6
the organizing Of this church, Mrs. J.
A. Thomas was added to the number
and remained an active member until
the time of her death. AS sunday
school teacher and president OF the
Aid Society she was a tireless worker
and every one found in her a friend.
Her ministries to both the sick ana
needy were unfailing. A sweet ana
gracious woman was Mrs. Thomas,
whose name is written in the hearts
Of the people more indelibly than on
the beautiful monument which marks,
her last resting place in our pretty
cemetery. In little more tnan> Two
wears nineteen more were addeu 10
our number. So Paul planted, Apol-
los watered and God gave the In
crease. The first settled pastor was
Rev. I. M. Frey. The house known as
the Atkins home was rented for his
use and was afterward purchaser LOT
a parsonage and used as such until
the summer Of 1889, when it was sold
to Mrs. Atkins and a new parsonage
erected where our present parsonage
stands. For seven years services were
held in the little school house, The
workers had grown in numbers ana
like David of old, felt the need and
possibility of house set apart ior
the worship of God, which should be
a heritage to their children, ana
should say to the passing stranger,
this is a christian community. Julie
5th, 1875, meeting was called to con-
slider this matter, and Z. Taylor,
William Thomas and James Dunlap
were appointed to secure funds for
the building. The present location
was selected as the most central ard
beautiful spot. Mr.. j. A. Thomas
gave the land and was one OF tie
building committee, the other two
were William Thomas and Charles
Stillwell. The fact that this church
has stood for fifty years with little
needed repairs, tells the story OF work
well done. AS in the time OF Nehe-
miah, the people worked unitedly and
with a will. The summr of 1875 was
a busy one. AT last the new church
was completed its spires pointing
heavenward, pulpit furniture and an
organ were secured and on the 18th
day of January 1876 this church was
dedicated free from debt. Rev, l. NJ.
Frey was pastor The dedication SER