1915 Eaton Plat Map Showing Rutger Chapel in Section 26.
Eaton Center School is to the northwest, in Section 23.
Rev. A. S. Covert served this Presbyterian Chapel. It was dismantled in the 1930's and part of it was moved to the Vilas Emerson home (just south of Wuethich's Cheese Factory) and remains part of that structure today. Officers for Rutger Chapel were Emma Syth, President; Mrs. Borgers, vice-president; Mrs. Kalhoten, secretary; Clara Huntziker, treasurer.
*Prior to 1900, the Twenty-six Road only ran west to the Black River bridge on the dividing line between sec 20 & 29 in Eaton township and then east thru first part of Loyal township. It is about 3-4 miles south of Greenwood. Currently, as it runs to the west from hwy 73 it is OO to the bridge, then 26 mile road again. As it runs east from 73 it is 26 road, goes into Loyal township and crosses K.
The Presbyterian
Chapel History
On the Twenty-six Road, on a lot given by
Maxwell Hazlett/
Haslett, a neat litttle
chapel has been built, capable of seating 100 or 125 persons. The money has
been raised by private donations and sociables, and a good deal of work has
been given. In the first place, a "logging bee" was formed, which went up
into the woods and got out the logs which had been donated, and hauled them
to the mill; then a "shingling bee," after the building was ready, nailed
the shingles on the roof and partly lathed the audience room. Many willing
hands did this work. Then another "bee" put up horsesbeds forty feet long,
with five stalls. All this has been done cheerfully and quietly, and
neighborhood now has a place of worship which we hope will stand for Christ
and the gospel for many a year.
Almost everybody in the neighborhood within a radius of two or three miles
has helped, either by donations of money or lumber or work, or by aid at
sociables, and a few friends in Greenwood have helped materially. This
general interest is the most gratifying feature to be recorded in writing of
the building.
The building committee, Maxwell Hazelett, Joe Bibby and Freeman Waterbury,
have pushed the work, and to them belongs the chief praise. They have taken
time from their own farm work and stood by the project and seen that the
work went ahead, and have done a good deal of it themselves. Mr. Hazelett
especially has been active during every spare hour and rainy day, in fact
has been a "bee" all by himself.
The ladies have raised money by sociables and helped a good deal. Rev.
Joseph Brown promised a gift of $100 which some large hearted benefactor or
church had entrusted to him for such a use, and with this aid which he has
forwarded, the little chapel, as far as it has been completed, is without
debt. It is seated with chairs. After the dedication a tower will probably
be added, as nearly enough material is on hand to make it. This will add
much to its comfort and appearance. The dedication takes place next Sunday,
the 24th inst., the program for which will be found elsewhere in this paper.
Jas. T. Ford. Source: Greenwood Gleaner, 1897
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1896 News: A large and enthusiastic sociable group held a meeting at Frank Zetche’s home, near Greenwood to determine the site for a church building. It is to be erected in the neighborhood of the Huntzicker (AKA Eaton Center) and Lyons schoolhouses. Lots were also offered by Messrs. Heaslett and Waterbury; however Mr. Mabie’s lot was selected as a choice, which is a short distance west of the Iron Bridge.
First Presbyterian minister preached in the Chapel of the area as well as the Methodist and Baptist, went to the Rutger and the Eaton Center Chapel and the Shank town chapels and the schools in the area were all preached at by different traveling ministers.
Excerpt--"At the organization of the Presbyterian Church, of Greenwood, he was transferred from the Neillsville Church, and along with Robert McCalvy, Henry Huntzicker and A. F. Waterbury was elected a Ruling Elder of this church, worshipping most of the time at Rutger Chapel, on the Twenty-Six Road."
Excerpt--"A numbers of years ago, in his early manhood, Mr. Bostwick made a profession of faith in Christ and became a member of the Methodist Church, and afterward united with the Rutger chapel Presbyterian church were he held his membership at the time of his death. Of late years he was not able to attend the public services of the church largely on the account of the bodily infirmity, but he held to his faith in his Savoir and lived in hope of eternal life thru Him. Mr. Bostwick was well and favorably known to a large concourse of friends throughout the county in which he lived, was highly respected by his neighbors. It was said that the last rites in connection with his funeral was one of the largest in attendance ever held in his vicinity."
Excerpt--"Having had her early religious training in the Lutheran Church, the church of her father, in later years Mrs. Huntzicker did a living and faithful part for about twenty years as a member of the Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, where she usually attended services at Rutger’s Chapel. Thus the hospitable home of the Huntzicker family came to be a sort of “Bond of Union” between the congregation of Greenwood and the equally efficient congregation of Rutger’s Chapel."
Excerpt--"Mr. McCalvy removed to Clark county with his family in 1868, and lived on a farm near Greenwood a number of years. After he left the farm he made Neillsville his home for about 20 years."
The deceased was for many years a consistent member of the Presbyterian church at Neillsville, having professed faith in Christ and connected himself with that church about 30 years ago. For many years he was one of the ruling elders of his church, and in his earlier life was very active in all that pertained to the church. After the Rutger Chapel was established, he was in constant attendance on its services, the church being located not far from his residence. He lived a consistent Christian, and his bereaved friends sorrow not as those who have no hope, for he gave evidence of the faith that was in him. When the summons came so suddenly he was ready to enter into his rest through the Redeemer whose blood was shed for the remission of sin.
"Rev. A. S. Covert was unable to be here last Sunday on account of sickness. His appointment at Rutger chapel was filled by Rev. W. T. Hendren."
"Next Sunday is the regular day for Rev. A. S. Covert to be in Greenwood at Rutger chapel on Twenty-six road."
