River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-12-04
held in the church.

| jubilee, held in the church.
On this occasion Joseph Stephens,
who was the only living member of the
church as it was first organized, re-
counted events of the church's early
history. The church, founded when
River Falls was only a very small
hamlet known as. Greenwood, figures
prominently in the largest annals of
the community.
The First Quarterly Meeting
In 1855 this part of Wisconsin be-
Ionged to the Minnesota Conference
Of the Methodist Episcopal church, be-
ing in the ST. Paul District. There
was then no organized Methodist
church in River Falls, but the Rev. Mr..
Van Slyke, Missionary, came over
from Minnesota occasionally and held
meetings where convenient.
In 1856 the Rev. Silas Boles, Pre-
siding Elder of the ST. Paul district,
came over and held quarterly meeting
in the Mann Valley school house, and
during the same year the Rev. Mr.
Wells of Lake Pepin District came ov-
er and held services in the little log
school house known as the Tidd school
house in Kinnickinnic.
Miles Lewis Appointed
In 1857 Miles Lewis, farmer and
a local preacher of the Methodist
church, was appointed to supply this
section of the country, and Rev. Chan
|cy Hobert, Of Minnesota, Presiding
Elder.
In the winter Of 1857 Rev. Mr. Lew
is organized a class in the village of
River Falls at the home of MILAN A.
Tozer, Esq. The house stood on the
lot now occupied by DR.. Mack's house,
corner of Main and Pine streets.
The First Class
The class consisted of seven mem
bers: VIM. A. Tozer. Hannah Eliza
beth Tozer, afterwards Mrs. Joseph
Stephens, James NJ. Tozer, George w.
Chaplin, Sarah M. Chaplin, Philip
Saline and Mrs. Saline. Joseph Steph-
ems joined the class Immediately after
this occasion. George w. Chaplin was
appointed leader.
This class held their meetings at
different houses until Samuel H. Rol-
| Inns and family moved to town fro1i
the East and built house at the cor
ner of Maple and Second streets. He
invited us to hold our prayer and
class meetings at his house. The offer
was accepted and the meetings We're
held every Sunday afternoon. Mr.
Rollins and family joined the class al
that time. Rev. Mr. Lewis conducted
preaching services alternate Sunday
afternoons in the old school house
which stood on the site of Professor
Clark's (former) residence on Fourth
street, between Maple and Elm streets
This school house was afterwards
used for the River Falls Institute, IN
der the management of Martin E.
Cady, and then Henry S. Baker.
Rev. Silas Boles
During the summer Of 1857 Rev
silas Boles. Presiding Elder Of the ST
aul District, came over and held
quarterly meeting in Joh:al Lewis
new barn at what is now known as
Britton Corners. This meeting was
largely attended. In 1858 Mr.. Lewis
was reappointed and Rev. CLANCY Ho-
bert Presiding Elder.
Camp Meeting
During the summer Rev. Mr.. Lewis
and several others who came from II.
linois and Indiana, thought they couid
not get along without camp meeting
so large camp meeting was held in
the woods southwest of Brittons Cor
ners. 1t was. largely attended and
good results followed.
About this time Rev. Mr.. Lewis or
ganized class at the Tidd school
house with the following members
Mr.. and Mrs George Fuller, Mr.. ano
Mrs. Louis Perrin, Mr.. and Mrs. Jas
Perrin, Mrs. Clinton Williams, Mr.
and Mrs. c. D. Smith and Mr.. Frank
lin Nye. George Fuller was appoint.
ed leader. This class was taken into
the Hammond Circuit and called the
Kinnickinnic class.
Rev. Hamilton--Rev Shelley
In the Spring of 1859 Rev. William
Hamilton was appointed to the River
Falls Circuit as preacher in charge
and served until Fall, when the terri
tory was taken from Minnesota AND
became part of the Northwest Wis
consin Conference and was called the
Prescott District. The date of hold
| ing the Conference was changed from
Spring to Fall, and the Rev. Lew
Shelley was appointed to this Circuit
and lived in RIVER Falls, with Rev
CLANCY Hobert as Presiding Elder.
New Church
In the Fall of 1860 the Rev. w. 1
w. L 4 i L.