First Presbyterian Church, Casselton, Dakota Territory, was organized December 7, 1879, by The Rev. D.C. Lyon, a synodical missionary of the Red River Presbytery and the first Presbyterian missionary in Dakota Territory, with the assistance of The Rev. J. H. Baldwin who had "taken up land at Tower City" according to the historical sketch given at the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration in 1929.

Baldwin was the only Presbyterian preacher between Fargo and Jamestown in those days. H. J. Rowe, M.D., a charter member, wrote that "Baldwin used to preach at Wheatland in the morning, come to us (Casselton) in the afternoon, walk to Mapleton and give them a going over in the evening."

Twelve charter members were listed in the 50 year anniversary program:

• Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Hackett
• Mr. William McIntyre
• Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Bannard
• Mr. Robert Morrison
• Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Norish
• Mr. James W. Malette
• Mrs. Minnie Lawrence
• Miss N. C. Winchester
• Dr. H. J. Rowe.

The first elders were Ephraim Hackett, Dr. H. J. Rowe and H. F. Bannard.

The first church services were held upstairs in the old Knight building in a large hall where, according to Mrs. R. M. Pollock, her husband had his lawyer's desk and books in one end and Mr. Knight his real estate office in the other. "Our church services were all inspirational and we had some fine ministers who preached the gospel" said Mrs. Pollock. She went on to say, "An outside stairway led to the hall. There were no sidewalks and when there was a great deal of water, we were forced to wear rubber boots. I remember distinctly one Sunday morning going to church in a new outfit including a very nice hat trimmed in peacock feathers and wearing rubber boots. However, Mr. Pollock had my slippers in his pocket and I put them on before entering the hall."

The first male quartet sang December 7, 1879. W. H. Best, H. J. Rowe, and R. M. Pollock were three of the four. Mrs. W. Grosvenor was the first organist. Mrs. R. M. Pollock was the first Ladies Aid President. W. H. Best and. his wife Abbie were active church workers, although not on the membership rolls, since they retained connections with their Minneapolis church. Mr. Best organized the first choir, was the first treasurer, and served as Sunday school superintendent. Mrs. Best was the second president of the Ladies Aid and taught Sunday school.

In June, 1880, Mrs. Best said everyone was hungry for ice cream so the Ladies

Aid had a social. The ice at ten cents a pound came from Fargo by express. All of the ice cream was frozen in a four quart freezer, after which it was packed in lard pails…an all day job. There was a big crowd and there was enough.

The first pastor called was The Rev. E. J. Thompson whose family arrived about September 1, 1880. An August 1880 item in the Casselton Reporter noted: "Mr. Isaac Wood has rented his residence to Rev. Thompson who is now permanently located at this place." A diary kept by Thompson’s daughter said there were thirty people at his first Sunday morning service and a full congregation at the evening service. On December 12, 1880, twenty joined the church. The Thompsons with their three children left for Oregon in 1884.

At a special meeting on October 25, 1880, E. Hackett, F. S. Turner, and W. H. Best were chosen trustees.

Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State Department of Dakota Territory on January 8, 1881 and a Certificate of Corporate Existence issued the same date and was signed by the following: E. Hackett, F. S. Turner, J. W. Malette, Isaac Wood, Philip S. Houghton, George Naylor, and W. H. Best. These Articles of Incorporation were sworn to before R. M. Pollock, Notary Public, and witnessed by E. J. Thompson and E. I. Hackett. It was recorded by George H. Hand, Secretary of Dakota Territory.

A Cassel ton Reporter item in August 1880 said: "We understand that the Presbyterian Society contemplates using brick to build their church if they can be procured. At present, there is no brick building in town and if the Presbyterians erect a brick church, they will set an example in building that will probably be followed, greatly to the benefit of our town." The church building was started in 1881 and dedicated in June 1882 and was built of wood. The manse was built in 1883. Mr. A. F. Neyhart and Dr. Rowe were instrumental in the building of both Church and manse, giving of their time in overseeing the project.

The Rev. Henry M. Dyckman, a bachelor, was the next pastor. He came in the fall of 1884 and stayed for two years, but was obliged to leave because of ill health. When Dyckman was here the Casselton Bible Society was organized in 1886 with H. H. Walters, president; N. M. Young, secretary; and Louis Taubert, treasurer.

The Rev. J. H. Stewart cane in 1887 and went from here to Redlands, California. He had a wife and daughter.

Mrs. Charlotte O. VanCleve organized the Missionary Society about 1837.

The Rev. G. Sumner Baskervill and wife came next and later went into a school in Ashville, N. C. In a letter to the fiftieth anniversary committee, Baskervill recalled among others the J. C. Whites. Mr. White was known as the Father of Prohibition in North Dakota.

The Rev. George H. Whiteman and wife and three boys arrived in 1892 leaving in 1893 to go to the west coast. In his letter to the 1929 committee Whiteman remembered many Casselton church names: Rowe, R. M. Pollock, Goodrich, Morrison, Shinn, Ritter, Newton, Bartlett, Hunter, Rutledge, Fitch, Nelson. On the lighter side he wrote, I do not forget the cow you good people and I kept together and the hard time I had learning to milk her; she was certainly a patient beast or she would never have put up with my awkwardness in trying to get the lacteal fluid to flow!" Whiteman continued, "My pleasure would be great could I come out of that little classroom and ascend the pulpit and once more conduct service in the church of the long ago and look into the faces of old time friends and new who love and serve one Lord and Master Jesus Christ and who are bound by the common tie of Christian love and fellowship.

The Rev. G. A. Hutchison was in Casselton in 1894 and 1895, going from here to Salem, Oregon. Mrs. Hutchison organized the first Christian Endeavor Society.

In May, 1896, The Rev. E. D. Gallagher, a bachelor, came to Casselton, his first pastorate. That year a foundation was put under the church at a cost of $600-$800. In 1897, Gallagher married Elma Pool of Wisconsin. In July, 1900, the Gallagher’s left for Wahpeton to serve a Congregational church. Later Gallagher wrote he spent over four happy years at Casselton. Membership in 1898 was 64.

The Rev. Arthur B. Miller came in 1901 and stayed until June, 1903.

The Rev. Willard Crosby Lyon served from September, 1903, until November, 1908. The church celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1904. An addition to the church was built. Lyon later wrote, "Our relations during all of the period were friendly, and the spirit of cooperation on the part of the people left nothing to be desired." At that time the manse was sadly in need of paint, and the trustees had to decide whether to raise the pastor's salary $100 or paint the manse. The minister suggested the manse be painted; there was not a dissenting vote. Later when he "came to", Mr. Lyon realized he, the minister, had really painted the manse! Riding in a horseless carriage eight to ten miles an hour was quite a thrill in the very early days of the automobile, Lyon recalled. The Lyons and their two children went from Casselton to Valley City to serve the First Congregational Church.

In November, 1904, the Casselton Reporter reported that the Presbyterian and Methodist churches sponsored a two week series of union evangelistic meetings in the Opera House with Robert L. Jones of Jamestown, New York, leader. Jones had been with Dwight Moody, evangelist. The meetings in Casselton attracted as many as 500. These were not the clap trap type of gatherings that aroused emotional excitement which some early evangelists encouraged.

In April, 1905, Casselton Reporter readers were advised: "Don' t forget the sale and supper by the Ladies Aid of the Presbyterian Church next Friday in the room in the Knight block formerly occupied by M. G. Straus. Sale opens at 5 o'clock and supper (fish fry) will be served from 5:30 on." The next week a profit of "about $100" was reported.

The Reporter also published an extensive account of a party Mrs. Rowe and Miss Dyer gave for their Sunday school classes in February using a patriotic theme.

In April, 1905, there was a Union Temperance meeting at the Presbyterian Church under the auspices of the local W. C. T. U.

The Rev. Edwin Percy Lawrence who served from April, 1909, to January, 1912, is remembered by Edward L. Holt as being especially good with young people. There were two Boys' Clubs organized according to age. They made use of the gymnastic equipment (weights, parallel bars, trapeze, dumb bells, etc.) in the recently built addition to the church. Mr. Lawrence had all sorts of ideas to keep youngsters busy, alert, and entertained; for example, he would send a team with a message to the railroad telegrapher to be signed and returned. The game was to get to your destination and return without being seen or caught by another team. Dr. Rowe remembered Lawrence as being a fine singer.

Miss Blanche I. Stevens, a teacher in the high school, offered to go to Korea as a missionary and she was appointed principal of a girls' school there.

The Lawrence’s left North Dakota when the weather was 40^o below zero. They had five children (two were delivered by Dr. Rowe), one a babe in arms. Mr. Lawrence wrote: "Two women were waiting at the manse in Roswell, Idaho, to meet a tired out, faded, worn looking minister's wife with five children tagging at her apron strings. Instead they met a bright faced, happy, plump looking woman."

Federation of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches began in February, 1912, and ended October, 1917. The Rev. H. P. Cooper, Methodist minister in Casselton since 1907, was pastor. The Coopers had one son and five daughters. Three of the daughters were graduates of Cassel ton High School and three of them later taught school in Casselton. The four older Cooper girls were much in demand as singers. Wanda Cooper married Roy Johnson, a young Casselton farmer and Harry Cooper married Roy's sister,

Ruth. The Roy Johnsons were active church workers. Dr. Cooper had an extensive library that was available to and often used by Casselton students. W. P. Davies of the Grand Forks Herald often told Dr. Cooper he ought to have been a newspaper man, for he was intensely interested in everything that went on about him and he noticed many interesting things which others would not have observed. One of Dr. Cooper's hobbies was raising bantam chickens. The Cooper girls had fun together and sometimes had trouble concealing their mirth in church, it has been said. The Methodist organ was moved to the Presbyterian Church and the youngsters enjoyed pumping the bel1ows.

The Rev. R. C. Crouch was called and came in February, 1918, and left in November, 1920, going to Bottineau. Allan Watt said that Crouch preached in Chaffee Sunday afternoon; after Crouch left the Chaffee church closed. When Rev. Crouch returned to Casselton to speak at the 50 year celebration, he urged church members to take more time, responsibility, and interest in young people. He was serving the Moorhead church in 1929. The Crouches had a large family. Their son, Archie, went into missionary work and served in China.

Dallas M. Walters, son of H. H. Walters, graduated from McCormick Seminary, Chicago, in April, 1920, and in August went to Ilio on the island of Panay in the Philippines as a Presbyterian missionary. Walters married Anne Buck of Starkweather there in 1921. They went to Dumaguete on Negros in 1923 when they worked in Silliman Institute. They had four children.

Dr. W. E. Roe of Jamestown College acted as our supply pastor from December, 1920, to July, 1924, and again from December, 1925, to May, 1926. He came on the train Saturday night and returned to Jamestown early Monday morning in time to teach his classes. The church people took turns entertaining him at meals, and he remembered many good dinners. Dr. Roe gave the 50th anniversary sermon emphasizing the importance of the church in the community.

The Rev. P. M. McCormack with his wife and daughter came from Manitoba, Canada, in July, 1924, and left in December, 1925, for Anacortes, Washington.

The Rev. J. McRoberts Lilley was called in May, 1926, and left in September, 1927, for Hudson, Wisconsin. He married while here.

Miss Helen Gallagher, who was born in the manse while her father was pastor in Casse1ton, went to China as a missionary of the Congregational church. Commissioned in July, 1924, in her father's church, she sailed in August of that year. Whi1e studying language, Miss Gallagher became ill with encephalitis and meningitis and resumed her work the fo11owihg March when she was sent to Fenchow, teaching the first co-educationa1 class in north China. In 1927 Miss Gallagher became assistant principal at Bridgman Academy at Peking and taught until her death in February, 1929, from appendicitis. She is buried in Martyrs Cemetery of Boxer days.

The two memorial windows in the first church building were given in memory of Evelyn Pollock, mother of the late R. M. Pollock, by her family, and the other window was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. White by their friends.

The Rev. C. A. L. Johnson served our church from 1927 to 1935. He was our pastor during the Fiftieth Anniversary celebrated on December 8, 1929. We were fortunate to have a person of his capabilities as our pastor during those "lean years." Both he and his wife were tireless workers.

During these years the ladies of the Auxiliary worked very hard to help the trustees meet the expenses of the church. In reading the minutes of the Auxiliary one often reads such statements as "Paid $100 to the trustees to apply on note so that we may close the year free of debt" or "We will give $50 to the trustees, as soon as we get it!" Rev. Johnson spoke of the loyalty of the women and how much their help was appreciated. The women responded by saying they were only doing what they saw as their duty. One year the church balance on December 31 was $4.10. Rev. Johnson cautioned them not to be discouraged, that better times were coming.

On March 20, 1931, the Joint Boards of our church sent to all the members the budget adopted for the following year:

• Salary of minister $2000
• Retirement Fund 150
• Benevolence 250
• Presbytery Dues 25
• Janitor 120
• Fuel 100
• Light 25
• Insurance 36
• Taxes 40
• Repairs and Upkeep 100
• Miscellaneous 50

The closing paragraph read: "It is our earnest prayer that you will have the interest of your church at heart and assist in raising the Budget as set up for the coming year. In order to reach this goal, it is absolutely necessary that we get back of our Church and consecrate a real portion to His work."

In April, 1935, Rev. Johnson tendered his resignation.

The Rev. A. W. Ratz was appointed moderator of the session. The Rev. Simon C. Jepson was called. He served the Mapleton church and ours until 1938.

Dr. Boyd was appointed moderator. In 1939 The Rev. H. R. Senecal, Wilton, N.D. was called. In 1941 he asked to be relieved of his duties here, explaining the need of the reorganizing of the presbytery field and his feeling that it could not be done without the dislocation of one of the ministers in the present arrangement. So, to facilitate matters, he had decided to accept a church at Ellendale, N. D.

He suggested that the Casselton officers try to work out arrangements with Mapleton and Rev. Hull. In December, 1941, the Casselton elders and trustees met with the Mapleton and West Fargo officers. All seemed in favor of uniting the three churches under the ministry of Rev. Hull. Rev. Hull was to continue living Mapleton until the end of the school year, then take up residence in Casselton. Rev. Hull consented and was duly installed in the spring of 1942. This was the year Mr. S. S. West formally resigned his position as usher after years and years of faithful work.

The economy was gradually improving. In 1942, the church building was re-shingled. In 1943, an electric stove was installed in the kitchen. The Sunday School rooms were redecorated and linoleum was laid on the dining room floor. In the fall of 1946, an oil furnace was installed in the church and a stoker in the manse.

After 20 years Mr. John Beattie resigned as treasurer.

In 1946 Rev. Hull resigned; ill health forced the decision.

The Rev. George McDonald came in 1947. This was the year the church year was changed from April 1 to January 1. The year 1947 found a special drive conducted to take care of remodeling and redecorating the manse. The outside bulletin board was erected this year, too. Mrs. Helen Byram assumed the duties of treasurer.

In 1948, the Auxiliary was given authority to have water piped to the church kitchen. In 1949, the Auxiliary bought two electric ranges, kitchen supplies, and had the tables and shelves in the kitchen covered with linoleum. Mrs. Helen Byram was elected clerk of the Joint Boards.

In June, 1949, Rev. McDonald resigned because of his wife's poor health. Rev. Rostad of Moorhead was contacted and agreed to occupy the pulpit for a year, but didn't serve the entire time.

The Rev. Edward Shanks, Almont; N.D., was installed as pastor in 1951. This same year a Baldwin electric organ was presented to the church. It was a gift from the William Watt children in memory of their parents. On October 21, 1951, Mrs. Hugh Wright (Ruth Zimmerman) presided at the organ for its dedication.

During this time the presbyteries of Fargo and Oakes merged.

After serving a year and a half, Rev. Shanks asked to be relieved of his responsibilities. For the next two years, Dr. Stafford S. Studer of Fargo acted as our substitute pastor.

On June 6, 1954, The Rev. William Rieker gave his first sermon. On December 5, 1954, the church celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Rev. Rieker served until 1956.

THE MISSION SOCIETY

The first record we have of the work of the ladies of the Mission Society of our church is the minutes of the April 28, 1925 meeting written by Mrs. Franklin Potter. The minutes reveal, however, that this kind of work had been going on for a long time. The first meetings were held in the members' homes. They worked and supplied funds for both home and foreign missions. One of the members, Mrs. H. H. Walters, had a son in the Philippines doing missionary work. At almost every meeting, the mother gave a first-hand report of conditions in the mission field. The records show that the 30’s were strenuous years for the ladies, too: On November 21, 1932, their bank balance was $.04. "Women and Missions" was their study magazine. They used the Yearbook of Prayer then as we do now. For years their home project was to help the Indians at Wolf Point, Montana.

Names that appear from the first records are Mesdames Franklin Potter, J. B. Cummins, S. S. West, Wm. Lockhart, G. Sorenson, H. H. Walters, F. G. Johnson, D.S, Smith, P. McCormack, Roy Johnson, Geo. Stanley, and Florence Bullard. Throughout the 30's and well into the 40's one notes that Mrs. Roy Johnson and Mrs. West were constant workers.

A joint meeting of the Mission Society and the Ladies Aid was held on May 10, 1938. In 1939, the meetings were held together. The missionary society furnished the devotions and program.

In February, 1944, World Day of Prayer was held in our church with about 25 attending. This year we started receiving the Today magazine.

By 1947, the two groups (Mission Society and Ladies Aid) were as one and the missionary group closed their books on December 31, 1947.

The Rev. Alwin S. TenPas and his family arrived the last Saturday in November, 1957, and his first service was the first Sunday in December. Rev. and Mrs. TenPas quickly became a vital part of the church and community and the church grew in interest and enthusiasm. Thirty-five new members were added in 1958. Mrs. TenPas was a leader in United Presbyterian Women (UPW) activities and directed both an adult and a youth choir. New choir robes were purchased by the UPW and were first worn for the Easter service in 1958. A Christian Education Committee was formed.

At the annual meeting, January, 1959, Lloyd Roden, chairman of the remodeling committee, reported that they considered remodeling the present church a hopeless undertaking. It was decided to explore building possibilities and to ask for building pledges in 1959. By December, 1959, pledges totalled $62,100. Lloyd Roden and Allan Watt were appointed co-chairmen of the building committee and under their supervision building plans progressed. The old church was razed in April, 1962.

Services were held at West's Chapel from April to December 30th and Sunday School was held in the Methodist Church. The new building was dedicated on July 23, 1963, with Dr. Cornelius DeBoe giving the sermon. It combined a sanctuary, Sunday School rooms, pastor's study, kitchen, and large fellowship dining room. Memorials and gifts added much to the function and beauty of the church: a piano in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John Cummins, a pulpit and communion table for Mr. Roy Johnson, baptismal font for Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Zimmerman, flower stands and kneeling bench for Mrs. D. A. Griffeth and Mrs. George Griffeth, and gifts of the pulpit chairs by Grant Mattsons, the public address system by Lloyd Rodens, and the sign in the front yard by Donald McIntyres. Added later was a communion service in memory of Mrs. Roy Johnson, pulpit Bible for Mr. George McIntyre, pulpit and communion runners for Mr. Floyd Poyzer, shutters in the study for Mr. Frank English, and new front doors for Mr. Earl Carley.

In 1959 it was decided to give Bibles to the members of the Communicant’s class and the youth budget was adopted. In 1961, we joined the Methodists, the Moravians, and the Mennonites for Lenten services. This practice continues today.

In 1964, the custom of serving a family Thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before Thanksgiving was started. Church members shared their travel experiences at many of these.

After nine years of sharing their talents and leadership, the TenPas family left in April, 1966. A family supper and a gift was given to show our appreciation for their untiring efforts on the behalf of all.

The UPW has always been ready to support the church and its activities. In the 1950's and 1960's several suppers were held each year and even at fifty cents several hundred dollars were cleared each year. Rummage sales have continued through all the years.

In 1972 a cookbook project was undertaken with Evy Holt and Alice Johnson as coordinators…gathering recipes, arranging them and getting the pages printed. The loose pages were put together and bound by members under their supervision. In 1974, 1600 books had been printed and all sold.

The UPW has provided Easter lilies for the church which are then given to shut-ins, a special coffee hour on Palm Sunday honoring the Confirmation Class, a coffee hour in May honoring school graduates, expenses to youth camps, Christmas plates to shut-ins, and Christmas boxes to men in service. It also has assumed much of the cost of necessary manse improvements.

The UPW had their first meeting in the new church in January, 1963. They had paid for the kitchen and dining room furnishings including dishes, tables, chairs, draperies for the whole church and the furniture in the chapel. Memorials have provided silver serving pieces, including two silver coffee and tea services for Ethel Watt and Wanda Johnson.

In October, 1966, a new manse was purchased at 131 12th Avenue North .The old manse was sold and moved from the church lot.

The Rev. and Mrs. Forrest Smithson and family arrived in October, 1966 and moved into the new manse. Mrs. Smithson was an accomplished musician and directed the youth and adult choirs. Twenty new robes were purchased for the youth choir. Under Mrs. Smithson's direction, our youth choir, joined by children from all the other churches, presented the cantata "100% Chance of Rain" at a United Lenten service.

Cooperative church school with the Methodists was begun in 1970 and continues.

The Smithson family left in August, 1974.

On October 15, 1974, the first payment from a generous bequest to our church from the Helen Knight Durwood estate was received. It has made possible the carpeting of our sanctuary and some needed manse improvements. From it the last payment of $2044.26 on our church and manse debt was paid. Each year, $1,000 from the interest is given to Creative benevolence.

The Rev. Richard D. Raum had his first service in our church on June 15, 1975. He was ordained and installed on June 22, 1975. After a year without a regular minister his arrival brought new life to the church. The Newsletter was started and is now the Grapevine, the Couples' Club was begun and continued as the Adult Fellowship, the Evening Circle was formed, and a committee on Church Renewal began. As a part of Church Renewal, study groups were formed and the men put on a Chuck Wagon supper and the UPW a style show to finance a retreat. Rev. Raum left in June, 1978, to take over a church near Washington, D. C.

In 1978 Elder Lucille Kingsley attended the 189th General Assembly in Philadelphia as a delegate for the Northern Plains Presbytery.

The Sunday School is now and always has been a most important part of our church history. It is an essential function in carrying out the congregation's vows taken every time there is an infant baptism. More lay people have devoted their time and talents for this worthy activity than any other of the church's responsibilities. Throughout the church history there has always been a Sunday School for grade school children. There have also been periods with high school and adult classes. Many Sunday School activities have generated life-long memories: who can forget the cute little girl at the Christmas program reciting her piece or the boy dressed up as a King and acting like an Angel? There have also been times of joy watching the high school class on a canoe or skiing trip fellowshipping together.

The Centennial year, 1979, started on a joyous note with the ordination of Lorna Hempstead Kuyk and the installation of the Rev. Gerard and the Rev. Lorna Kuyk as co-pastors.

The year has been filled with centennial activities as the city of Casselton as well as the church observed its 100th anniversary. The church had a float in the city’s centennial parade and shared in the joint worship of all Casselton churches at Tinta Tawa Park on July 1.

On September 9, the church had its centennial kick-off and on the 16th an outdoor worship service and picnic at Tinta Tawa Park. The Fiftieth Anniversary service was recreated on September 30 and the Seventy-fifth Anniversary service on October 21. A historical display of souvenirs, pictures and documents was created using the doors from the old church as a table.

On October l4, the high school class served a centennial breakfast. After the morning service, a Centennial tree (oak tree) was planted in the front yard south of the sign.

November 11 was Memory Night with reminiscing about past church activities and showing of slides and pictures. A lunch of pie and coffee was served to remember the pies always served and enjoyed at Annual Meetings. November 25th was a service of music. December 2nd was Commemorative Sunday, acknowledging services performed.

December 9, 1979, was Centennial Sunday with morning worship praising God for 100 years of ministry, followed by a dinner for church families. The Centennial program was at 3 o’clock and included the dedication of the TenPas Room. The day concluded with an open house with anniversary cake served.

The youth of the church had a rededication program on December 30th. The future of our church depends on them.

THE CHURCH PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MANY FAITHFUL WORKERS…TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SESSION, TO THE ORGANISTS, TO THE CHOIRS, TO THE UPW, TO THE WORKERS IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL…MEN AND WOMEN WITHOUT WHOSE GUIDANCE IT COULD NOT HAVE ENDURED THIS 100 YEARS.

THE NEW BUILDING

During the mid 1950's the congregation and especially the trustees became aware that the church building was deteriorating at an increasing rate. Years of harsh, windy weather and extremes of heat and cold had taken their toll. At a joint meeting of the elders and trustees in March, 1957, Don McIntyre, Chairman of the Trustees, was asked to appoint two committees. According to the trustees' minutes, one committee was to "investigate the possibility and cost of building a new church and manse, the other to gather information on the practicability and cost of remodeling the present church building and manse." But at this time the church was without a pastor and there ctidn't seem to be the drive to follow through.

Near the end of November, 1957, The Rev. Alwin and Kay TenPas arrived with their family. The two committees began to work on their assignments. At a joint meeting of elders and trustees on March 2, 1958, the church remodeling committee reported that remodeling was a "hopeless undertaking." The new church committee reported that three sub-committees were working on new church plans. A building fund item was to be included on the 1959 pledge cards, but the planning for the new church building somehow reached an impasse. At a joint session and trustees meeting on November 23, 1958, this issue was raised. The minutes show that "a long discussion of why we were not getting anywhere followed. No one seemed to have the answer, but it was obvious that there were "too many Indians and no Chiefs." A previous action authorizing architects to appraise new church possibilities was delayed indefinitely. In the separate meeting of the trustees which followed, the trustees decided to contact contractor Marvel Wennas of Hunter. At the annual corporation meeting on January 4, 1959, a turning point was reached with the motion to appoint a building committee composed of elders, trustees, and members of the congregation. This committee was given authority to "handle all matters pertaining to the construction of a new church building." The issue of whether or not to build was finally settled as well as who should carry the task forward.

Those elected to the building committee were: Floyd Poyzer, Lloyd Roden, Ruth Opperman, Wayne West, Donald McIntyre, Andrew Watt (Session members); Jack English, Ralph Johnson, Dick Carley, Ed Nesemeier, Alex Watt, William Guy (Trustees); and Allan Watt, Fred Cederberg, Maxine Mattson, Ogden Rose, Ed Holt, Ethel Watt (Members from the congregation).

The building committee had quite a task. Where should the building be located? How much could the church afford? What kind of facility did the church need? Who should be hired to do the job?

The committee began its task by electing officers: Allan Watt, Chairman; Lloyd Roden, Vice-Chairman; and Ethel Watt, Secretary. Helen Holt, church treasurer, was asked to serve as building committee treasurer. Ed Nesemeier was selected as site development chairman, assisted by Doris West (chancel and nave arrangement), Ruth Opperman (Christian Education needs), and Ethel Watt (fellowship room and kitchen), The finance committee was chaired by Dick Carley, assisted by Donald McIntyre and Floyd Poyzer. Other members were added to the committee later and Allan Watt and Lloyd Roden became Co-Chairmen. On the first page of the committee’s records, Secretary Ethel Watt recorded these words: "As stated by Mr. TenPas, the ultimate aim in building a new church is to have a modern functional building with excellent facilities for worship, music, education, fellowship, recreation, and administration."

On March 18, 1959, the first of many meetings with the firm of Swanson and Davenport of Milbank, South Dakota, took place. This firm specialized in church buildings and was able to carry through the whole job of designing and building the building. After determining the general needs of the church, preliminary plans were submitted. During the rest of 1959 and 1960, the committee struggled with church plans 1 and 2, along with revisions and refinements of each. Different new churches were visited and a number of contractors consulted. Building cost estimates reached $87,000 which would provide what the committee felt the church really needed, but $60,000 seemed to be what the committee felt the church could afford. Building fund pledges reached $57,000, but cash in the bank lagged far behind. In November, 1959, the congregation voted to limit the amount borrowed to 10% of the money available. Some committee members felt that if the church built the facilities needed, the money to pay for it would be there. Others wondered about building just a fellowship hall, kitchen, and classroom wing onto the old sanctuary.

Another issue was the site. While most of the committee favored a new location, a site acceptable to the committee was not found. On April 9, 1961, the issue of cost versus building need was raised at a meeting of the congregation. The 10% debt limit was raised to 20%. The congregation voted to begin construction and proceed as far as funds permitted. At this time the congregation also seemed content with demolition of the old building in order to build on the old site.

Near the end of 1961 Swanson and. Davenport presented a new plan, referred to as "Plan 3." This plan, with some changes, was accepted by the congregation instead of "Plan 2" which had previously been approved. A split-leve1 design submitted by another builder was later rejected. The financial picture had brightened with $57,000 in the bank and another $7800 pledged for 1962. After modifications to "Plan 3," cost was estimated at about $75,000, without pulpit furniture, floor coverings, chairs, tables, drapes, loud speaker system, or painting.

Construction was to begin with the demolition of the old church in the spring of 1962. Arrangements were made for the Sunday School to be held in the Methodist Church and worship to be held in West's Funeral Chapel during the construction period. Church furnishings were to be stored at West' s also.

An unfortunate accident occurred when the church furnishings were being moved. The heavily-loaded freight elevator gave way and crashed into the basement with Gordy Zimmerman, Joe Roden, and Bob Runck aboard. All three were injured. The church's insurance did not cover the accident and this led to some hardships for those involved. Insurance coverage was later increased to include church-related activities away from church property.

The building committee moved into a new phase: supervising construction and selecting finishing materials. Red brick on the interior was replaced by the contractor. The pulpit was installed off-center and had to be moved. The communion table wouldn't fit between the chancel steps, so the concrete steps had to be chipped back.

The congregation moved into the new building in January, 1963, with minor work left to be done. The building was dedicated on July 23, 1963. Total cost was $84,772.40 including all furnishings. Pledges, gifts, memorials, and interest on building funds left only $11,200 to be borrowed. This debt was completely paid off in 1974.

The following people have served our church through the years as elders. The list is complete up until 1922 and after 1958, but the years in between are incomplete. We would particularly appreciate information to fill in the gaps. The names are listed with dates of ordination or election.