The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1933-12-14
Building Operations
Commenced in 1868
Interesting Facts in Article Writ
ten by First Episcopal Rector,
George Stewart
(By Ed L. Rathe)

With the approach of the Yule-
tide comes period of Renaissance
for the members of Good Samari-
tan Episcopal Church, of this city.
AS a matter of history it has been
recorded that on Christmas Eve,
"a years ago, the pioneer founders
enjoyed their first service in the
new church-the structure having
been completed but a short time be-
fore that memorable event.
Although "a years have elapsed
since the completion of the church,
it still maintains that simplicity
and beauty of structure and stands
unchanged through the time as a
monument to that Missionary
Rector, George Stewart, who was
responsible for the plan of the
building. Some of the older resi-
dents maintain that Mr.. Stewart
copied his plans from an old
church in England.
While rummaging through the
early files of the Herald, the writ
er found several articles of news
which should be of interest to the
members of the church, hence, this
effort to convey. to the public an
accurate account Of the earliest
history of the Good Samaritan
Parish.
The Herald of December IL, 1867,
stated that the Episcopalians of
Sank Centre had taken steps to
erect a new church. This was the
first year that the Herald was pub
lished, hence, we may assume that
services were held for quite some
time before that announcement.
The next mention of activity on
the part of the Episcopalians in
Sank Centre was made on May 81,
1868, when it was announced that
work on the church building and
parsonage was well under way. The
article stated that the church
when completed would be splen-
did building, constructed of con-
crete, 22x56 feet, with chancel 16
feet 6 inches by IS feet 8 inches,
and to be heated by furnace. R.
Edgar was the contractor and it
was hoped to- have it complet-
ed sometime during the month of
July, 1858. The estimated cost Of
the church was to be between ST.
600 and $4,000. Future events add
ed several hundred dollars to the
latter amount before the actual
completion of the edifice.
On June II, 1868, the first church
notice appeared. At that time SER
vices were conducted in the Pres
byterian Church every other Sun
day morning by the first Rector,
George Stewart. The earliest re-
cords state that before that time
services were held in a vacant store
building.
On June 18th, 1868, report was
published that work on the edifice
was progressing satisfactorily, and
on Aug. 8, 1858, the walls were up
to about one-half the height they
were intended to be.
The main roof timbers were up
81, 1858, and workmen were
busy putting the small rafters in
place. On January A, 1859, the
church was still unfinished, with a
cost thus far Of $500.
It was the hope and ambition of
those early pioneers to have their
new house of worship completed
some time during the summer Of
1859, but a terrible catastrophe de-
layed the completion of the church
for several months. A terrific storm
which broke on July 10, 1859, tore
the roof from the partially finish
ed structure and the walls were
badly damaged by rain. One Of
the gable ends had been left open
and it was through this part that
the wind lifted the roof. The dam
age was estimated at five or six
hundred dollars. This was a great
loss to the congregation financially
and their cherished hopes and am
billions Of a new church to be
theirs for worship in the near fu-
ture were shattered.
The people of that day and age
were not easily discouraged and
on Aug. 10, 1859. the roof was again
in place and it was decided to
push the work to completion as
as possible. AT this time
CONTINUED on Page Four)