SRHS
Steamboat Rock Historical Society
THE 1880’S IMMIGRATION AND OUTLAWS
CHURCH GROWTH
The Methodist Episcopal church building built in 1893, and remodeled in 1897.
With all that had happened in the early 1880’s one might think that the churches in Steamboat Rock had all closed. This was not the case at all. It seems however that some changes did come about during this time.
Hard times following the Civil War brought a hardship on the United Presbyterian Church in Steamboat Rock. For three years the young church was filled by ministers who stayed for only a year or less.
The church that had continued from the town’s very beginning struggled along and evidently lost considerable membership in the ‘80’s. If the lawlessness of this decade was at fault is not known.
It could also be due to the tremendous influx of Germans into the community. Many of the earliest citizens moved on during this decade and this in fact could have had the greatest influence on Presbyterian membership.
The Presbyterian Church disbanded in 1897 and a Congregational Church was organized, This group purchased the former Presbyterian building.
The third week of May 1897, the Presbyterian Church disbanded and the necessary steps were being taken to organize a Congregational Church. A paper is being circulated for the names of those who desire to become members of the new organization. Rev. E. Kent of Eldora agreed to fill the pulpit for a time at least.
On May 26, 1897 a new Congregational Church was organized, and they bought the vacated Presbyterian Church building that same year.
The Congregational Church flourished, and membership grew as the new century came.
In 1882, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Steamboat Rock, was part of the Abbott circuit, which included five churches. Steamboat Rock, Fairfax, Abbott, Pleasant Hill, and Eagle City, with a membership of one hundred and eleven. Rev. Charles M. Halbert was appointed as minister in the fall of 1881.
In 1893, the church erected a new frame building at a cost of about two thousand dollars.
The church evidently continued to see growth or at least hold its own. In 1897, they completely remodeled their building. The Church was rededicated after the remodeling on Oct. 29, 1897.
An inside view of the new Methodist Episcopal Church in Steamboat Rock. Built in 1983.
News references from the year 1897 showed the church to be thriving.
The German Baptist Church had called Rev. P.J. De Neui as pastor in 1878, 147 at a salary of $200 a year. It was understood that he would also conduct services at regular intervals at both Buck Grove and Schneiderman’s school house. Albert Van Dornum continued to serve the church during this period, preaching on the Sundays when Rev. De Neui was at the other stations.
In 1885 it was decided that Rev. De Neui should give full-time to the Buck Grove group and Brother Van Dornum should serve the Steamboat Rock Church. As the membership grew, efforts were begun to raise funds for a church building. They were at present meeting in the schoolhouse and the Methodist Church.
In the fall of 1887, Rev. Henry Dallman was called as pastor and on June 24, 1888 he was ordained by the church. His salary was $300 per year plus a horse and buggy.
On January 21, 1888, a Ladies’ Aid Society was organized.
German Baptist Church, built in 1889.
After gathering materials for several years, a lot was purchased for $60, and construction of a building began in the spring of 1889. This original building was on the present sight, and was dedicated on July 7 and 8, 1889. The total cost of the building including the lot was $2,409.10. On completion of the building, a Sunday School was established.
That fall the Buck Grove Church organized as an independent church, and approximately 36 members withdrew to form the church.
Failing health brought Rev. Dallman’s 3-year ministry to a close. During his ministry 32 members were added to the church, bringing the total to 85.
With Rev. Dallman’s leaving for health reasons the church was served by an interim pastor, Rev. W Fashing, for a bit more than a year. Rev. J. De Weerdt came as pastor in January of 1892. Internal difficulties in the church made his ministry of about 8 years a trying time.
It was also during this time that the original parsonage was given to the church by Christian Schmidt.
Even through difficulty the church saw growth as it was going into the new century.