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The Baptist Church owes a special tribute to three of its former pastors: Reverend Lewis, who, with a vision of a new church, started the building fund; Reverend Forssell, who carried the task forward to the laying of the cornerstone; and to Reverend Waltz, who brought the task to completion.

PASTORS OF CHURCH

The seven pastors who served the church from 1880 until 1911 included: Reverend Franklin Pierce, Reverend J. D. Pulis, Reverend Elwell, Reverend Rasmussen, Reverend Roach, Reverend E. J. Ulmer, and Reverend R. W. Reinhart.

The nine pastors who served the church from 1916 to 1947 were: 1911-1916 (church closed) ; 1916, Reverend Fred G. Arnold; 1918-1925, Reverend T. M. Pyle; 1926-1931, Reverend R. M. Lewis; 1932-1937, Reverend G. E. Forssell; 1937-1942, Reverend A. Pierce Waltz; 1942-1943, Reverend Don Shidler, Omaha; 1943-1944, Reverend Paul Lempke; and 1944-1950, Reverend J. Melvin Elving.

Copies of the Articles of Incorporation of the First Regular Baptist Church of Columbus. Obtained from Articles of Incorporation, Platte County Court House.

"At a meeting held in Columbus on April 4, 1880 at the Presbyterian Church, a religious society to hold and manage property for the benefit of the First Regular Baptist Church of Columbus, Nebraska was organized.

At a regular meeting held April 3rd, 1884, at their regular place of worship, three trustees were elected. They were: I. D. Gates, W. A. Way, and Mrs. T. B. Gerrard.

Z. C. Rush, Chairman
J. N. Heater, Clerk

Filed for record October 27, 1884."

"Articles of Incorporation, First Baptist Church of Columbus, Nebraska.

Corporation to begin on the last day of the publication of these articles and after filing these articles, and shall continue for fifty years.

Incorporators:
W. C. Rector
William R. Siems Sr.
Everett E. Eschilman
Edward J. Jelden
Lon D. Eddy

Filed for record March 2, 1936."

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The First Baptist Church is located at Platte Center, Nebraska, in Lost Creek Township.

HISTORY OF CHURCH

The beginning of the German Baptist Society in Platte Center dates back to late 1889. At a meeting of this Society held on March 24, 1890, the First Baptist Church was formally incorporated. Reverend A. Henrich was elected moderator, Mrs. Martin Bloedorn, Clerk, and William Bloedorn, Ferdinand Seefeld, and Henry Loswer, church trustees. The articles of incorporation were filed for record in the Platte County Court House on March 29, 1890.

Among the early members of the Baptist Society in Platte Center were: Reverend A. Henrich, the first pastor, William Bloedorn, William Kent, and Doctor Benthack.

PASTORS OF CHURCH

The first pastor of the church was Reverend A. Henrich. He was followed by Reverend Armbruster, who remained one year. Reverend G. Pertsch was the third pastor; and Reverend B. Heide, the fourth pastor. He was followed by Reverend H. Hilzinger, who remained for nine and one-half years. For a time after 1915, the church did not have a pastor. Other pastors who served the church since 1915 were: Reverend Walters, Reverend J. M. Cornelius, Reverend William Overturf, Reverend King, Reverend E. West, Reverend Powell, Reverend Walsch, and Reverend W. E. Tharp. From September, 1944, to 1949, Reverend D. Lee Grace, Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in Columbus, served the church as its pastor.

PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

The principles of faith adopted in 1890 by the First Baptist Church were the same as the so-called New Hampshire Confession of Faith.

CHURCH PROPERTY

Lots 5 and 6, First Addition of Platte Center, were bought April 1, 1895, from Andrew Henrich; ten years later, on February 20, 1905, they were sold to Sophia Schuler.

On December 6, 1904, the present Baptist Church building was purchased from the Methodist Church. This building is located on Lot in Block 3, Platte Center.

1948 CHURCH OFFICERS

In 1948, the deacons of the church were: William Schoen, Nick Kamm, and Herman Mindrup. The trustees were: William Schoen, Nick Kamm, and Herman Mindrup. The deaconesses were: Mrs. Dorothea Hoare, Mrs. A. A. Bald, and Mrs. A. C. Jenney. Mrs. William Blessen was the church clerk.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The First Baptist Church is located at Humphrey, Nebraska, in Granville Township.

EARLY HISTORY

According to tradition, a Baptist Society was organized in the Humphrey community as early as 1892.

However, several months passed before the organization was perfected and a minister called. Reverend Berthold Matzke served as the first Baptist minister of the Society.

Some of the early Baptist Society members were: Andrew Kamm, Carl Baumgart, Fred Settje, Fred Baumgart, Herman Peters, Ed. Steinhaus, August Cloeters, Carl Sheffler.

CHURCH INCORPORATED

The first written record of the organization was that of a meeting held May , 1894, at which time the Baptist Society in Humphrey was formally incorporated. At this meeting, Reverend Berthold Matzke presided

as chairman, and Herman Prang was elected secretary. The trustees elected were Edward Steinhaus, H. Peters, and August Rahlke. These articles of incorporation were filed for record at the Platte County Court House on July 5, 1894.

PASTORS OF CHURCH

According to Phillips History of Platte County Reverend Matzke served as pastor of this Society until 1897. Then for a period of two years, the Society was without a minister. In 1899, Reverend G. Peitsch became the pastor. Other pastors before 1915 included Reverend Ehrhorn, Reverend Transchel, and Reverend A. Boelter. The pastor in 1948 was Reverend D. Lee Grace.

MEMBERSHIP

Under the pastorate of Reverend G. Peitsch in 1899, according to the 1947 treasurer of the church, Charles Baumgart, the church had a membership of sixty-one. The church membership in 1947 was thirty-one, more Baptist Church groups having been organized in nearby communities.

Among the members on the church roll were: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Baumgart, Fern Mintken, Clara Miller, Arla Harper, Mr. and Mrs. David Peterson, and Clarence Baumgart.

WEST HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

The West Hill Baptist Church is located in the West Hill community in Woodville Township, in School District 68.

HISTORY OF CHURCH

The church was organized in the early 1900's to establish a Baptist Society in the West Hill community.

The present church building was built in 1905. In 1920, the church was raised, and a basement added. During the next quarter of a century, this group was inactive. In 1944, the congregation was reorganized with a membership of seventy, and an average attendance of from sixty to seventy at the Sunday services.

CHURCH MEMBERS

On the 1947-1948 church rolls were six people who have been members of this church through the years. They included: Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Irwin, Mr. and Mrs. Aibin Pearson, and Mr. and Mrs. George Thomazin. Reverend Dale F. Kamrath was the pastor.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The First Baptist Church is located at Creston, Nebraska, in Creston Township. This church has a supply pastor.

EARLY HISTORY OF CHURCH

The German Baptist Society at Creston was organized in the summer of 1910. In the articles of incorporation filed for record at the Platte County Court House on October 27, 1910, is the record of a meeting held in Creston, Nebraska, on August of that year. At this meeting, Gerharde Huseman, Frederick Settje, and Wilhelm Brunken were elected church trustees. Reverend A. Transchel was chosen chairman, and Herman Schutte, secretary.

Among the first church members were: G. Huseman, J. F. Settje, William Brunken, F. Sheffler, Herman Schulte, Julius Strelow, Leopold Bitter, Fred Huseman, Henry Huesman, Reverend A. Transchel, Mrs. C. Behrens, Mrs. Martha Reitz, and William Brunken Jr. and their families.

CHURCH BUILDINGS

Soon after its organization, the Baptist Society bought the small frame building which had been erected for worship by the United Brethren Society. The present church, the former Methodist Episcopal Church, was bought from the Methodist congregation and moved to the site it now occupies on Main Street,

PASTORS OF CHURCH

The pastors who served the First Baptist Church at Creston are: Reverend A. Transchel, Reverend W. F. Socolofski, Reverend J. J. Renz, Reverend J. Frey, and Reverend W. Klempel.

CHURCH REINCORPORATED 1923

On January 1, 1923, a formal meeting of the congregation of the German Baptist Church of Creston, Nebraska, was held. At this meeting, the following trustees were elected: Charles Baumgart, John F. Settje, and Fred Meyer. Herman Schulte was elected clerk. The congregation was organized as a religious sect or denomination under the name of the First Baptist Church of Creston, Nebraska.

The following resolution was offered and unanimously adopted: "Resolved that the trustees execute and deliver a warranty deed to Jacob R. Heintz con-

veying unto him Lot 18, Block 6, of the Village of Creston, situated in Platte County, Nebraska, in consideration of two hundred dollars, which has heretofore been paid to the said church, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged." These articles of incorporation were filed for record in the Platte County Court House on June 25, 1923. -

1947-1948 CHURCH OFFICERS

The 1947-1948 church officers were: William Brunken Jr., Clerk; William Brunken and Adolf Prang, Trustees; and A. Prang and J. Huseman, Deacons.

MORMONS

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS

In 1846, Florence, Nebraska, now a part of the city of Omaha, was made the Winter Quarters of the Mormons, who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

This church was organized in 1830 at Fayette, New York, when Joseph Smith published the Book of Mormon, which he assertedly translated from gold tablets upon which an Israelitish people had recorded their history in Reformed Egyptian. Joseph Smith claimed the tablets were revealed to him in a vision. The revolutionary doctrines of the Mormons aroused much opposition among more orthodox communities whose citizens gathered together and wielded economic and political power to force them to move. Thus, for many years they led a migrant existence.

The Mormons settled successively at Kirkland, Ohio, (where they erected a temple) ; Independence, Missouri; Far West, Missouri; Quincy and Nauvoo, Illinois. At Nauvoo, they built a city of twenty thousand and an impressive temple.

In 1844, however, an armed mob assassinated Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, in Carthage. Under the leadership of Brigham Young, president of the twelve apostles, the Mormons were forced to leave their homes and possessions and flee westward to build their Zion and practice their faith unmolested.

They left Nauvoo on February 4, 1846, and began their trek from Illinois in covered wagon trains. En route they made settlements at Garden Grove, Mount Pisgah, and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Many of the group died from plagues and fever during their trek through Iowa.

In the middle of June, with Brigham Young in charge, they camped at Council Bluffs and began building boats in which to cross the Missouri River. The first section to cross the Missouri River stopped at Florence, Nebraska. They decided that this should be their Winter Quarters, and built cabins arid dugouts, and planted crops. Later a flour mill and a council house were put up by the four thousand Mormons in camp at Florence at that time.

The Mormons demonstrated their patriotism when the United States Government asked them to provide five hundred men to fight Mexico and thus delayed their westward journey. The Mormon battalion of five hundred thirty-six men began its march of two thousand miles in July of 1846, traveling by way of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to San Diego, California. They turned west from the established route and blazed a new trail across the mountains in one of the longest and hardest marches ever made by infantry. After their discharge, the soldiers joined their families in Utah.

In the meantime, through sickness and hardships, many of the Mormons had died in Florence and were buried in the Mormon cemetery there. While at Florence, on April 6, 1847, the flock celebrated the Seventeenth Anniversary of Mormonism. Shortly afterward, Brigham Young started the wagon train westward toward Utah.

In August, Brigham Young returned to Florence to escort the next group. This was the second section of the Mormons who migrated in three sections along the old historical Mormon Trail on the north side of the Platte River through the Platte Valley. The trail passed directly through Columbus, Nebraska.

After the death of Joseph Smith, some of the members of the church wished to have Smith's son succeed him as leader. They left the Organized Church in 1860 in Amboy, Illinois, and started the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Organized Church has its succession from president to first apostle, which was Brigham Young, while the Reorganizzed (sic) Church followed a lineage from father to son. Thus the group that sought reorganization did not go on to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Along the route through the West are many descendants of the Mormons who started west with this train, but decided to stop enroute and settle on the land. Others went on, but returned later to some of the settlements where they joined friends. The early Mormon families in and near Columbus included the Galleys, Brindleys, Watts, Watkins, Mormeys, Frestons, Wakes, Hudsons, Muries, Moses Welch, and others. All were members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF
THE LATTER DAY SAINTS

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints for many years was located at the south-east corner of Tenth Street and Twenty-fifth Avenue.

EARLY HISTORY

The Church of the Latter Day Saints was organized at Columbus in July, 1865. At that time, the members included Henry J. Hudson, Mrs. Hudson, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Galley, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brindley, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Murie, Mr. and Mrs. James Warner,! and Mr. and Mrs. James Freston. Henry J. Hudson was the elder.

Elder Hudson had come to the United States in an early day from England, with a colony of Mormon followers, and they settled near St. Louis. However, Mr. Hudson opposed the doctrine of the Mormons as ex-

pounded by Pratt and Brigham Young, and was one of the instigators of the reorganization of that church.

In 1871, in Columbus, a little frame building, the first one erected by the Board of Education for school purposes, was purchased from the town authorities, who had been using it for a city hall. The church paid three hundred and fifty dollars for the property. The building was later remodeled and used as a meeting place for the congregation up to 1915, when they finally disbanded. At that time most of their living members had become members of other churches.

In 1879, Elder Hudson retired as the elder and Charles Brindley became elder. Another active elder, George Galley, was for many years president of the Central Nebraska District, which was made up of Cedar, Clear Water, and Deer Creek Branches.

During the summer of 1887, under Elder George Galley, the church was enlarged and remodeled. The denomination continued for many years, but around 1915, it had gradually become inactive.

In 1935, services were held in Columbus.

Headquarters for this branch of the church were in Independence, Missouri.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH

The United Brethren in Christ Church was located in Columbus, Nebraska, on the south side of Seventh Street east of Washington Avenue.

EARLY HISTORY

In the 1890's, Reverend Henry Lohr, who had been holding religious meetings in Columbus, made some twenty-six converts to the tenets of the Brethren Church and organized a society under that name.

Early parishioners were George Cleveland, the Nelson family, Mr. and Mrs. William Lohr, Minnie Lohr, Pearl Lohr, Jeff Lohr and family.

Meetings were first held at the William Lohr home. Then the old Episcopal Church building was purchased and moved to its site on Seventh Street in the block east of Washington Avenue.

In 1915, there was a membership of eighteen persons. The pastor was Reverend F. Lohr. Other pastors who served the church were Reverend Campbell, Reverend Stebbins, and Reverend Lincoln Lohr, the son of Reverend Henry Lohr.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH --- CERTIFICATE OF
ELECTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

At a meeting, the Third Quarterly Conference of the Columbus Mission of the Church of United Brethren in Christ, W. G. Lohr, Solomon Rickner, and George Cleveland were elected to the Board of Trustees.

N. B. Moore,
Corresponding Secretary

C. W. Baker, Chairman

Filed for record June 30, 1894 at the Platte County Court House.

The United Brethren Church was in existence until the Reverend Lohr discontinued as its pastor previous to 1920.

EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH

The Monroe Evangelical United Brethren Church is located at Monroe, Nebraska.

EARLY HISTORY

This church was organized in the autumn of 1919, at the Wattsville School, in Monroe, and services were held at the school house until 1927, when the church was erected. Some of the early parishioners were: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gertsch, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hill, Mr. and Mrs. William Weber, Mr. and Mrs. George Weber, Mr. and Mrs. John Weber, Sr., Father Weber, and Reverend H. A. Hagemeier. At that time, the church was known as the Monroe Evangelical Church.

However, on November 16, 1946, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, there was a merger between the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren Church. This merger included the entire denomination of both churches.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

A meeting of the church was held with the pastor of the church, Reverend H. A. Hagemeier, presiding. March 30, 1927. The following members were present: John Weber, Ed Hoare, Harry Weber, Harry Hill, Mrs. George Weber, Harry Nicholson, Edward Hill, Mrs. Edward Hill, Leonard Weber, Caroline Weber, Verna Hill, Mrs. H. A. Hagemeier, Mrs. Harry Hill, Edward Weber, Lucille Hill, Mrs. S. Lennon, George Weber and Elvin Hill.

George Hill was elected clerk. The first Board of Trustees as shown in the Articles were: Harry Hill, Edward Hill, John Weber, and George Hill.

Signed by:

Reverend H. A. Hagemeier, president
George Weber, clerk

Filed for record May 3, 1927.

NEW CHURCH BUILT IN 1927

In 1927, the Monroe Evangelical United Brethren Church was built, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. The committee at that time consisted of George Weber, E. M. Hill, John Weber, Harry Hill, and Reverend H. A. Hagemeier. The church was dedicated on Sunday, October 30, 1927, with Doctor Charles A. Mock, president of the Western Union College of LeMars, Iowa, officiating.

PASTORS 1927-1949

The following ministers have served as pastors of the church: 1927-1929, Reverend H. A. Hagemeier, now of Pueblo, Colorado; 1930-1934, Reverend H. E. Kramer, now of West Point, Nebraska; 1935-1938, Reverend F. H. Stevens, now of Taylor, Nebraska; 1939-1942, Reverend Ray M. Baker, now of Audubon, Iowa; and Reverend B. Hillier, from June, 19421949. In 1949, Reverend W. G. Rembolt was the District Superintendent.

PARISHIONERS IN 1947

In 1947, the Board of Trustees consisted of: F. J. Potter, chairman; G. C. Larimore, vice chairman; Harold Pearson, secretary; Edward Schmidt, Harry Hill, Paul Gertsch, and Victor Swanson.

Officers of the Brotherhood were: S. E. Pearson, president; Victor Swanson, vice president; G. C. Larimore, secretary; and J. M. Bible, treasurer.

Officers of the Council of Administration were Reverend Benjamin Hillier, chairman; Mrs. Harry Hill, vice chairman; Mrs. John Weber, Jr., secretary; Mrs. Charles Nunnally, Mrs. G. C. Larimore, Miss Mattie Potter, S. E. Pearson, Helen Hillier, and Donald Nunnally.

The officers of the Ladies Aid Society were: Miss Mattie Potter, president; Miss Mable Nickolson, vice president; Mrs. Henry Penhollow, secretary; and Mrs. Ernest Hurner, treasurer.

Officers and teachers for the Bible School in 1947 were: Mrs. John Weber, Jr., superintendent; Mrs. Victor Swanson, assistant superintendent; Miss Anna Potter, secretary; J. M. Bible, Unified treasurer; Mrs. Charles Nunnally, superintendent of the Children's Division; Mrs. Charles Lightner, pianist for the Adult Division; Mrs. Ernest Hurner, Cradle Roll superintendent; Benjamin Hillier, Home Department superintendent; Mrs. Ernest Hurner, teacher of beginners; Mrs. G. C. Larimore, primary teacher; Miss Mattie Potter, junior teacher; Mrs. Theodore Hutchinson, intermediate boys; Mrs. Paul Gertsch, younger adults; Mrs. Harry Hill, adult class; and J. M. Bible, assistant to Mrs. Hill.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS

Among the church groups in existence in Columbus for many years is the Seventh Day Adventists. Although they never built a church of their own they had frequent meetings. In 1946, their Saturday services were held by the Seventh Day Adventists at the Odd Fellows Hall. The services then were under the direction of Reverend R. Curtis, district pastor.

THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus, holds regular scheduled services in the I.O.O..F. Hall, in Columbus.

Several years ago, a group of members of the Christian Science Church organized and met for regular services at the Columbus Library. In August, 1934, the membership was reorganized for worship.

Mrs. Seth Braun was the first reader and Mrs. Henry Ragatz, the second reader. In 1948, Mrs. Ragatz was the first reader, and Mrs. Vivian Stuart, the second reader.

CHURCH OF NAZARENE

The Church of Nazarene is located at the west corner of the intersection of Eighteenth Street and Thirtieth Avenue, in Columbus.

This church group was organized in Columbus in 1941 and for two years before the church was built, they held services in temporary quarters which were located at the corner of Twenty-eighth Avenue and Fourteenth Street.

Later, they built the new building in their present location.

Reverend Winston Ketchum was the pastor of the church in 1947-1948.

CHURCH OF GOD

The Church of God is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Thirteenth Street and Thirty-second Avenue, in Columbus.

In December, 1945, a group of members of this Mission Congregation from the surrounding territory met and made plans to construct a chapel here for worship. The building was ready for use in May, 1946. Much of the labor used in its construction was donated.

Regular services are held in the church, which also draws its new members from a large surrounding field.

Since February, 1945, it has been a Mission of the Church of God at Albion, Nebraska, and during that time Reverend Hugh Corliss Walkow has been its minister.

Mr. and Mrs. Homer Cuddleford were the first members of the local congregation, and it was largely through their efforts that the church was established in Columbus.

© 2005 for the NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller