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from August 1, 1912, to February 13, 1921; Reverend P. O. Spehr from August 1, 1921, to November 30, 1924; Reverend P. M. Lobsien from March 1, 1925, to May 31, 1931; Reverend W. Strunk from August 1, 1931, to April 1, 1934; Reverend W. J. Goemmel from August 1, 1934, to December 1, 1936; Reverend C. H. Goede from November 7, 1937, to June 30, 1941.

Reverend Herman Goede of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbus, and Reverend Edgar Dorner of the United Lutheran Church of Columbus supplied the congregation from June 30, 1941, to November, 1941; Reverend Milton G. Moore and other supply pastors from November, 1941, to January, 1944, and Reverend Fred Ollendorf served the church January 1, 1944 to 1949.

EARLY CHURCH STATISTICS

The church records through the years reveal a long list of "firsts" including baptisms, confirmations, births, and marriages.

Baptisms: The first baptisms of the congregation were Elizabeth Zumbrum and Freida Zumbrum, cousins, both baptized on September 11, 1887. The first baptism in the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church by the first residential pastor, Reverend Karl Gerathewohl, was Albert Phillip Croisant on October 1, 1893.

Births: The first child born in the congregation after the church constitution was drafted was Emma Gehring on November 2, 1891. The first child born after the church building was started was Wilhelm Michelsen on October 24, 1892.

Confirmations: Members of the first confirmation class were Karl Schure and William Schure, who were instructed at their home, and confirmed in the new church on Palm Sunday, 1893. The first confirmation class instructed in the church after the installation of the first pastor included Louie Gehring, Sebastian Hosely, Rose Luchsinger, and John Maurer.

Marriages: The first marriage in the congregation was that of John Luchsinger and Miss Rose Maurer which was performed at the home of the bride on April 5, 1894. The first marriage celebrated in the church was that of Leopold Siebler and Miss Elizabeth Gehring on January 3

CHANGES RECORDED

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was incorporated on January 8, 1928. From 1885 until the early 1920's, the services were held in German. From the 1920's to 1941, both German and English services were held in the church. On August 16, 1941, by a vote of the congregation, an English constitution was adopted, modeled after the United Lutheran Church in America, and from that time all of the services were held in English.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED

In October, 1942, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran congregation celebrated the fiftieth year of its final organization. 1942 also marked the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the mission group which met in the Spoerry Schoolhouse in 1882.

MEMBERSHIP RECORD

During the fifty-year period ending in 1942, the church records listed three hundred thirty-three baptisms, one hundred ninety-six confirmees, sixty-eight marriages and eighty-one funerals.

The only voting membership record of the church recorded up to the year 1935. included the fathers or widows as the heads of the households.

In 1942, the confirmed membership was one hundred; the baptized membership one hundred twenty-six; the communicant membership eighty-two; the adult membership one hundred; and the child membership thirty.

ORGANIZATIONAL REPORT

The Sunday school of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran church is over sixty-six years old having met continuously since 1882. The 1948 membership was approximately thirty-six.

The Luther League, organized September 24, 1924, among the young people of the church, was disbanded in 1936, and reorganized in 1941 with an approximate membership of twenty.

The Ladies Aid, oldest and largest adult church organization, was organized in 1925. The 1948 records listed twenty-two members under the following officers: Mrs. Arthur Lutjens, President; Mrs. Carl Gehring, Secretary; and Mrs. Ervin Lichtenfeld, Treasurer.

The Brotherhood of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1942 with fourteen charter members and five honorary members in the United States Armed Forces. In that year, it also became a member of the state organization. The membership for 1948 included twelve members and the following officers: Reuben Schmitt, President; Carl Christensen, Vice-President; George Kallweit, Secretary; and Carl Gehring, Treasurer.

CHARITIES

For a period of fifty years ending in 1942, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church gave one hundred dollars for each year of its life, or five thousand dollars, for mission work to the National United Lutheran Church in America and its synods in Nebraska. A large share of this contribution went to the Tabitha Orphan and Old Folks Home in Lincoln, Nebraska.

CHURCH CHOIR

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church has had congregational singing at its services throughout the years. The first organ used at its church services was a portable one brought by Pastor John Gutleben in the early 1890's. A boy used to grind it while Pastor Gutleben played the hymns.

A church choir was organized on September 14, 1934, by Pastor W. J. Goemmel, and later disbanded. On December 25, 1941, the church choir was reorganized with a membership of fifteen.

1948 CHURCH COUNCIL

The 1948 church membership included the following council members: Elmer Christensen, Ervin Lichtenfeld, Johnny Gehring, and Carl Gehring.

ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at Creston, Nebraska, in Creston Township. The church is affiliated with the United Lutheran Church in America, and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the Midwest of Nebraska.

HISTORY OF CONGREGATION

This group was organized in the early 1900's when its members met for worship in the William Engelbart home. During this time, they were served successively by Reverend R. P. Schimmelpfennig and Reverend J. T. Koehler, supply pastors from the Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Prairie Township.

Late in 1908, Reverend Fricke, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska, was called to supply the group. During his pastorate, a meeting was held on February 4, 1909, to perfect the organization of St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, and to establish a church embodying the tenets of the United Lutheran Church in America under a Nebraska Synod at Creston.

EARLY PARISHIONERS

The records of charter members and early parishioners of this congregation included many family names long prominent in the history of that section of Platte County. They were: Jacob Bachman, Louis Bade, Henry Brockman, William Claussen, William B. Engelbart, John Goetz, Henry Gohl, Marcus Hoesly, Samuel Hoesly, Diedrich Hollman, Gerhard Korfhage, Henry Leffers, Ernst Marx, John Oeltjen, William Oeltjen, John Rosendahl, Louis Sander, Henry Walter, and Henry Wendt.

CHURCH DEDICATED 1917

St. Peter's congregation met for services at the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches in Creston from 1908 to 1917. In 1916, a new church was built and dedicated for worship the following year.

NINE PASTORS SERVED CHURCH

Before 1908, the church was supplied by Reverend K. P. Schimmelpfennig and Reverend J. T. Koehler. In 1908, Reverend Fricke came to supply the pastorate. He was succeeded as supply pastor by Reverend Martin Koolen, D.D., of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Sherman Township. The first regular residential pastor was Reverend Chris Rautenstraus. His successors were Reverend W. Strunk, Reverend Martin Korbitz, Reverend Richard Jobman, and Reverend Otto Spehr.

CHURCH INCORPORATED

On September 20, 1927, the formal articles of incorporation were filed in the Platte County Court House in Columbus. These articles record a meeting held on July 31, 1927, at which Henry Leffers was elected clerk, and Sam Hoesly presided as chairman. Besides the minister, Reverend Chris Rautenstraus, the following were present: Ernest Gigax, Marcus Hoesly, Peter Hoesly, Sam Hoesly, Henry Leffers, Charles E. Marx, Ernest Marx, William Oeltjen, Herman Sander, Carl Schutte, Fred Walter, Henry Walter, Otto Wenck, and Otto R. Wendt. The six trustees elected at this meeting were: Sam Hoesly, Henry Leffers, Charles E. Marx, William Oeltjen, Henry Walter, and Otto R. Wendt.

Others on the 1947 church roll were Jacob Bachman Jr., Herbert Dasenbrock, Henry Durkop and Herman Muhle. William Engelbart, at whose home the first church services were held, was still active in church work in 1948.

CHURCH OFFICERS

The 1947-1948 church officers were: Sam Hoesly, President; Herbert Dasenbrock, Treasurer; and Henry Durkop, Secretary. The church trustees were: P. M. Hoesly Henry Durkop, and Jacob Bachman.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday school was organized in 1918. Fred Walter was the first superintendent of the Sunday school, and served continuously for thirty years in-that capacity. Stanley Bachman was secretary for 1947-48

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS

The oldest church organization is the Frauen Verien, organized in 1910. Mrs. Marcus Hoesly served as president for twenty-five years, until 1935. The 1947-1948 officers were: Mrs. William Oeltjen, President; Mrs. August Wegner, Vice-president; Mrs. August Wiemer, Secretary; and Mrs. Alfred Sander, Treasurer.

The 1947-1948 officers of the Brotherhood of the church were: Alfred Sander, President; Jacob Bachman, Vice-President; Fred Walter, Secretary; and Henry Durkop, Treasurer.

A Mission Society was organized in 1940, of which Mrs. Jacob Bachman was the 1948 President; Mrs. P. M. Hoesly, Vice-President; Mrs: Harold Ogan, Secretary; and Mrs. Fred Walter, Treasurer.

The young people of St. Peter's Church have a Luther League of which Stanley Bachman was 1948 President; Patricia Sander, Vice-President; and Mary Ann Pieper, Secretary; Marian Muhle, Treasurer; and Lenora Pieper, Corresponding Secretary.

CHURCH CHOIR

St. Peter's Church maintained a choir of twelve to eighteen members under the direction of Mrs. Otto Spehr as choir director and church organist in 1948.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Presbyterian Church was located at 2722 Fourteenth Street in Columbus, Nebraska.

EARLY HISTORY

The organization of the Presbyterian Congregation was effected on January 30, 1870, as the result of a series of meetings which began in 1869.

The Presbytery of Missouri River in session at Sioux City, Iowa, April 29, 1869, appointed Reverend Sheldon Jackson Superintendent of Missions for Nebraska, and in neighboring states.

In the summer of that year monthly meetings were started in Columbus and later semi-monthly services were held at the residences of George W. Brown and Mrs. A. J Arnold by Reverend J. M. Hutchinson and Reverend Sheldon Jackson.

At the January 30, 1870, meeting George W. Brown was installed as elder.

Others who served in that position were Marshall Smith and E. A. Gerrard. Trustees elected included George W. Brown, Leander Gerrard and Peter Becker.

The original members were Mr. and Mrs. George W. Brown, Mrs. A. J. Arnold (Amanda Polly), Mrs. Josephine Compton, Mrs. Joseph Gerrard, Miss Avis and Miss Emma Gerrard.

The Church building, now the American Legion Hall, was erected in 1878 by Marshall Smith. The contract was let for eighteen hundred and fifty dollars. In September, 1884, the building was remodeled at a cost of fourteen hundred dollars. At that time the church was enlarged and a bell tower built. Dedicatory services took place soon after the church was completed.

CHURCH INCORPORATED

The Presbyterian Society of Columbus filed articles of incorporation at the Platte County Court House on June 22, 1874. Herein is a copy of the record as filed:

"At a meeting of the Presbyterian Church and congregation held May 17, 1874, the church was incorporated. The Reverend A. S. Foster was elected President and Marshal Smith was elected vice president. E. J. Baker was elected clerk. Doctor S. A. Pinkney, M. Whitmoyer, E. J. Baker, John M. Kelley, and Abner Turner were elected as Trustees.

The articles of incorporation were issued on July 27, 1874. The papers were signed by: William Lewis, David A. Joseph, Robert Lewis, Clark Cooncey, and Robert Jones."

On February 13, 1896, the following record was filed at the Platte County Court House:

Columbus, Nebraska
January 19, 1896

"This is to certify that the following named persons were duly elected Trustees by the members of the Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Nebraska, on the above named place and date: W. A, McAllister, A. M. Covert, C. J. Garlow, William Lockhart, W. H. Van Alstine. Moderator: N. G. Lacey. Clerk: H. B. Reed."

PASTORS OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1869, Reverend J. N. Hutchinson; 1869-1873, Reverend Joseph Wilson; 1873-1875, Reverend A. S. Foster; 1875-1878, Reverend J. A. Hood; 1878-1879, Reverend Robert Christensen; 1879-1882, Reverend C. N. Gate; 1882-1887, Reverend John Little; 1887-1891, Reverend J. V. Griswold; 1891-1896, Reverend O. A. Elliott; 1896-1897, Reverend W. G. Lacey; 1897-1900, Reverend R. E. L. Hayes; 1900-1901, Reverend C. N. Weyer; 1901-1903, Reverend D. J. Becker; 1903-1906, Reverend W. N. Halsey; 1906-1908, Reverend R. B. L. Hayes; 1908-1912, Reverend S. D. Harkness; 1912-1914, Reverend George Williams.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MERGES WITH CONGREGATIONAL

In July, 1914, the Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Church were united as the Federated Church of Columbus.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The first Congregational Church building in Columbus was located at 960 Twenty-second Avenue. The building was dedicated February 3, 1867, and was used for worship until the fall of 1879 when the second building was completed. The location of the second church was at 2506 Thirteenth Street. Around 1890 many new business houses opened on Thirteenth Street and at that time a third site was chosen for the church at the southeast corner of the intersection of Twenty-sixth Avenue and Fourteenth Street. This last site of the Congregational Church served this congregation from the dedication of the church on August 30, 1891, to the dedication of the Federated Church on April 9, 1922.

HISTORY OF THE EARLY ORGANIZATION

In 1865 the Congregational Society was organized, and at that time began its efforts to organize a church. Its early members were W. C. Sutton, Loretto Sutton, Mrs. J. B. Wells (Rosina C. Bauer Baker), Samuel C. and Clara A. Smith, Theda M. Coolidge (Mrs. H. P. Coolidge), Mary A. Elliott, C. A. Speice, Michael Weaver, George W. Stevens, Vincent Kummer, Doctor C. B. Stillman, I. N. Taylor and Julius A. Reed. Others mentioned in the Incorporation Records of the Society were Joseph A. Baker, Johanna Bauer, H. M: Barnes, Sarah E. Taylor and Eliza G. Platt. In 1922 only one of the charter members, Mrs. H. P. Coolidge, was living when the Federated Church was dedicated. She died that year.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

The Articles of Incorporation of the Congregational Church as filed at the Platte County Court House read in part:

"This Society was organized and incorporated on September 4, 1865. Its purpose was to act in the approximate capacity of a church until such time as a church could be organized.

The following officers were then elected:

Reverend Reuben Gaylord, President
Isaac N. Taylor, Clerk
George W. Stevens, Joseph A. Baker and Michael Weaver, Trustees."

In October, 1866, the church organization was perfected and completed by the Reverend Reuben Gaylord of Omaha and on February 3, 1867, the church building, later used for a high school, was dedicated.

FIRST FREIGHT

The lumber that went into the construction of the first church building was the first consignment of freight transported by the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha to Columbus, and because it was to be used for the erection of a church, the railroad donated the freight charges. In the Dedication History of April 9, 1922, an explanation of the organization of the church was made.

"Within the Congregational Society was formed a Congregational Church with six members. This was formerly organized October 14, 1866. These two organizations, or an organization within an organization -- the Congregational Society and the Congregational Church -- existed for a number of years. Discussions on the matter of merging the two were held apparent from the minute books of those years, but it was not actually done until April, 1887."

RECORDS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

"Statistics from the annual report of the church in October, 1879, showed that the membership numbered forty-two; Sunday school, sixty. Four hundred ninety-two dollars were raised for home expenses. The pastor received seven hundred dollars salary, but half of the salary was paid by a missionary society. The average congregation was sixty persons."

"A meeting was held at the Congregational Church in Columbus on March 30, 1887, for the purpose of electing five trustees and one clerk from the congregation of said church. The trustees elected were J. H. Reed, A. Luth, A. M. Covert, C. G. Hickock and E. M. Sparhawk. J. C. Fillman was elected clerk. The trustees were to acquire and hold property in the name of and for the use of said congregation."

Filed for record at the Platte County Court house on April 12, 1887.

"The annual meeting of the Congregational Church was held on September 27, 1888, and the following persons were elected to the Board of Trustees: E. M. Sparhawk, A. Luth, A. C. Pickett, C. J. Gleason and C. G. Hickock."

Filed for record at the Platte County Court House on August 12, 1890.

"Five of the 1922 membership were identified with the first church located on Twenty-second Avenue near Ninth Street --- Mrs. Theda Coolidge, Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Hickock, Mrs. Anna McCray and Mrs. Emma Whitmoyer."

PASTORS OF THE CHURCH 1867-1914

Reverend Henry E. Brown, 1867-1868; Reverend James B. Chase, 1868-1869; Reverend John E. Elliott, 1870-1874; Reverend Charles Starbuck, 1875-1876; Reverend Thomas Bayne, 1876-1878; Reverend E. L. Sherman, 1878-1881 (December) ; Reverend John Gray, 1882-1884; Reverend O. V. Rice, 1884-1889; Reverend George Morton, 1889-1890; Reverend W. S. Hunt, 1890-1892; Reverend T. W. Cole, 1892-1893; Reverend O. D. Crawford, 1893-1894; Reverend, A. J. Rogers, 1894-1900; Reverend George A. Monroe, 1900-1908; Reverend William L. Dibble, 1908-1912; and Reverend George A. Monroe, 1912-1914

The last services in the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches were held by their respective groups preceding the dedication of the Federated Church on April 9, 1922.

CHURCH MERGES WITH PRESBYTERIAN

In October, 1913, Reverend Munro took a leave of absence. During this time, Reverend George Williams, of the Presbyterian Church held services for the Congregational parish, alternating between the two churches.

A commission was appointed and Articles of Federation were entered into in July, 1914.

Thus, the Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church became known as the Federated Church of Columbus.

FEDERATED CHURCH

The Federated Church is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Fifteenth Street at Twenty-seventh Avenue in Columbus.

EARLY HISTORY

The Federated Church had its inception in the federation of the Congregational and the Presbyterian Churches. This Federation is composed of two separate units within the larger organization. It has been the aim of the Presbyterian and the Congregational groups to retain their individual characteristics in their denominational affiliations and at the same time gain strength by accepting the responsibilities for undivided benevolence through their larger membership.

The Articles of Federation were compiled in July, 1914. For a number of years, at various times, the possibility of a union of the two churches had been discussed, but no action was taken until 1914.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED

A decade ago the Federated Church of Columbus held a week's celebration to commemorate the Twenty-fifth anniversary of the federation of the local Congregational and Presbyterian congregations which closed October 1, 1939.

The culmination of the years of service to the community by two of its historic institutions was attested in the Federated Church of Columbus which had reached its quarter century mark of being in that year.

An article from the Columbus Daily Telegram dated October 2, 1939, read in part:

"The Congregational side of the union goes back to October 14, 1866, when it was organized under the auspices of Nebraska Congregationalism. The Presbyterian body came into being in a like manner on January 30, 1870, after which the two faiths, for they were

under earlier joint home Missionary enterprise, continued in service, coming closer together each year in actuality as well as spiritually. The Presbyterian Church occupied only the one location at 2722 Fourteenth Street. The Congregational group began its ministry while the city was still centered on the south side of the railroad, with its frame structure on Twenty-second Avenue. In the ensuing years it migrated constantly closer to its sister church, pausing first on Thirteenth Street near Twenty-fifth Avenue and again on the corner of Fourteenth Street and Twenty-sixth Avenue, coming, as it did, within two blocks of its goal. Physically, and much nearer also in its faith, spiritually. In October, 1913, the two ministries began their merger when one of the pastors was taken from his work by illness, while the other pastor led his congregation forth and assumed under proper agreement the active ministry of both churches, worshipping as they did, first in one church one Sunday and then in the other.

The illness of Reverend George A. Monroe of the Congregational Church was the life giving sacrifice, lending to further steps toward unification. The union service proved so successful that a permanent federation was suggested, and by July 2, 1914, a final agreement was entered upon after a joint commission had arranged for Articles of Confederation."

CHURCH BUILT IN 1922

The first real incentive toward the building of the new church was the receipt of a letter by the Federated Congregation from C. H. Sheldon under the date of September 19, 1917. The letter conveyed to the congregation Mr. Sheldon's desire of seeing the Church make a move to secure a new home, and closed with the statement that when the Church had raised ten thousand dollars he would contribute a like sum.

On January 13, 1922, a supper meeting was held by the Federated Congregation and also a discussion of the forthcoming dedication of the new building. On April 10, 1922, the members of the congregation pledged over thirty thousand dollars in thirty minutes. At this meeting C. C. Sheldon and R. M. Campbell were among the largest donors.

PASTORS OF THE FEDERATED CHURCH

Reverend George Williams, 1914-1915; Reverend Thomas Grifflths, 1915-1922; Reverend Walter Riley, 1922-1934; Reverend Ray Turner, D.D., 1934-1939; Reverend Elmer G. Brinkmeyer, 1939-1945; Reverend G. N. Porter, 1945-1949; Reverend D. Lee Grace, Supply Pastor, 1949; Reverend Franklin Wales from August, 1949.

MONROE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The Monroe Congregational Church was located in Monroe, Nebraska.

EARLY HISTORY

The first meeting for the organization of this church congregation was held on October 4, 1880. Those present at the meeting were William J. Thurston, Hariette A. Thurston, Jehiel J. Judd, John Zeigler, Mary Jane Zeigler, Solomon A. Dickinson; Sarah R. Judd, Melissa A. Dickinson, Sarah H. Anderson, E. B. Hall, Ezra Hall, Harriet E. Day and J. J. Dickinson.

The following trustees were elected: Sarah H. Anderson, John A. Zeigler, Solomon Dickinson, Ezra Fellers and Hariette Thurston.

The records of the meeting were filed at the Platte County Court House on September 13, 1881.

A second meeting of the congregation took place on April 11, 1882. Trustees elected at this meeting were: Jehiel Judd, William J. Thurston, Solomon A. Dickinson and John A. Zeigler. E. B. Hall was elected church clerk.

A third meeting for the reorganization of the group was held on February 18, 1886, at the District 6 school house.

The following persons were present: C. C. Starbuck, L. Anderson, D. Jones, William Matson, W. J. Thurston, J. A. Zeigler, S. A. Dickinson, J. J. Judd, Mrs. E. G. Platt, Mrs. L. Jones, Mrs. H. A. Thurston, Mrs. M. E. Dickinson, Mrs. S. R. Judd, Mrs. M. J. Zeigler and Mrs. M. Matson.

The trustees elected at this meeting were: Lafayette Anderson, William Jason Thurston and William Watson.

Reverend Charles C. Starbuck was the pastor of the church in 1886.

WESLEY H. WELLS MEMORIAL
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Methodist Episcopal Church was located at Monroe, Nebraska.

EARLY HISTORY

The first meeting for the incorporation and organization of this church was held at Monroe, Nebraska, On March 17, 1904. At this meeting H. Hirst Millard was the presiding elder and acted as chairman; John Gibbons, secretary. Other signers of the articles included J. S. Lenon, E. Dillon and Reverend J. A. Hutchins, Pastor of the church.

The articles of incorporation were fixed for record at the Platte County Court House on March 18, 1904

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