The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1932-10-13
TIRE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF REDWOOD FALLS

VI SlAAo .NadiSA SAS OOoAo Va
Church Erection helped, also FRIENDS
in the east. Much OF the material
had to ee hauled by oX-team from
Mankato. We today would doubtless
feel building under such conditions
almost impossible. The cost was
$1,000. 5,.5'...
After Mr.. Westfall resigned, Rev
w. 3. Chamberlain preached as
stated supply for two years. In
1875 Rev. Il. A. Dodge became past
er and was here I'VE years. Follow
ing him Rev. William Marsh was
pastor, and then Rev. M. Loba sup
piled for a time.
When the church building burned
in 1882 Rev. R. E.. Anderson was
pastor. The $4,000 insurance made
it possible to begin Immediately to
plan for a new building one
now standing; and in the meantime
services were held in the old court
house, wooden structure on the
southwest corner of the court house
block.
The original cost of our present
building was about $1,000. In 1886
DR.. j. G. Riheldaffer accepted call
and the church soon became self
supporting.
In passing from DR.. Riheldaffer's
passionate to that of DR.. Sinclair, we
seem to be passing from the old to
the new, from the unknown to the
co. of
after, so many more of us knew DR..
Sinclair.
During his six years stay here the
church work fourished, the improve
ment in the Christian Endeavor So
ciety being specially marked. The
church bell which we still hear every
Sunday was installed during his
passionate, the money for it being
raised in great part by the ladies of
the church editing one issue of the
Redwood Gazette. We quote the last
sentence in the first editorial in that
special issue. Referring to the bell,
the writer says. "And we hope it will
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring out the false, ring in the true
Tor many years to come"
The bell was first used on a Christ
mas morning, and this was very fit
ting, for part of the inscription on it
is the well-known Christmas message
Peace on earth, good will to men,"
Following DIR. Sinclair, the church
has had as pastors: the Reverends F.
j. Barackman, L. F. Badger, R. F.
Chamberlain, j. j. Ehrstein, William
Jobusch, B. P. Holt. Albert Torbet,
DR.. A. M. Ross and DIR. j. P. Linn,
the present pastor.
During this interval a manse has
been built at cost of about $4,000;
and later, garage; also the west
addition to the church, at an appro-
ximate cost of $4,000. The basement
has been fitted up, later remodelled,
and during the past year, still furth-
er improved, the Mite Society fur
nishing the necessary $3.50 and men,
bers of the church donating the main
part of the work. A new church
chimney has also peen built recently,
and pew have been installed.
AS regards other phases of church !
Improvement, the Missionary Socie-
~ Of earlier days has been reorgan-
lied, and a Country Mite Society has
been started, which together with
the town Mite Society, organized in
earlier years, has: proved efficient !
both socially and financially.
During this same interval-that !
which has elapsed since the pastorate
of DR.. S:nclair-still other organiza-
tons have been effected, making the |
church power for good in the COM
4lunity. At present the list of or
CARNATIONS comprises the Mite,
Country Mite and Home and Foreign |
Missionary Societies, the Westmin-
ster Auxiliary, Christian Endeavor,
Sunday school, Good VIII Circle and
Daily Bible school.
during the past year an aggregate |
sum Of S. 700 has been raised. The
church membership totals ass; the
Sunday school membership, 500
cong back now TO the passionate OF
Rev. B. P. Holt, the church celebrat-
ed in 1917 the Gftieth anniversary of
its inception. Several former pastors
were present and a number Of form
er members and friends.
history Of the church is its incorpor-