THE REPUBLICAN

October 28, 1898

 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Dedication of the New Edifice – A Debt of $1300 Wiped Out

 

            The newly reconstructed First Baptist church edifice, which has been undergoing remodeling and repairs for the past three months, having been completed, the dedication of the building to God’s service occurred Sunday, Oct. 23.  It was a day long to be remembered by the Baptist people here, and the results were so enthusiastic and encouraging to them that they will start in with a new lease of life.

            For a long time after 1887, the Baptist society were without a pastor, but they kept up their Sunday school work and hoped and prayed for better days to come again.  Their prayers were answered when Rev. R. H. Colby took up the work and was the means of giving new lie to the society, and which was taken up after his resignation by Rev. Henry Robinson with renewed zeal and Christian energy, the consummation to the present time being a practically new church edifice, which, as was stated by Secretary Hurlburt on the day of dedication, had cost a little over $1300, all of which had been provided for by the Baptist workers, except about $500 and the REPUBLICAN is glad to note that the whole debt was wiped out through contributions from the members and friends of the church before the prayer of dedication, which was so fervently offered by the pastor at the close of the Sunday evening services.

            The day was religiously remembered by the Baptists with morning devotionals at 6:30, preaching at 10:30, with an excellent sermon by Rev. Hurlburt of Milwaukee, general board, assisted by the pastor, Rev. Robinson, and Rev. Edmunds of Beaver Dam, State Sunday School Missionary.

            There was also an afternoon service at 3 o’clock, with a sermon by the venerable Rev. Edmunds.  Rev. Christensen of this city offered the prayer, and Rev. Fridell pronounced the benediction.

            In the evening the church was crowded.  Rev. J. R. Reynolds, pastor of the M. E. church, delivered a most excellent sermon, suitable for the occasion. 

            In each of the services of the day there was excellent singing by the choir.

            The society can congratulate themselves on the building, such a pretty and commodious house of worship, at such reasonable figures, and having it dedicated without a debt hanging over it.  They were obliged to borrow some chairs for the occasion, but they are having made at the factory some nice opera chairs, which were not ready, but they expect them very soon.  They also have a private acteyline gas plant, the light of which is very good.

            Rev. Henry Robinson prepared the following brief historical sketch of the First Baptist church of Waupaca, which will be of interest to many of our readers:

            The First Baptist church of Waupaca was organized January 21, 1854.  Rev. D. A. Peck was the first pastor; I. N. West first clerk, and Alonzo Vaughn the first deacon.  From that time the pastors were Rev. W. Levisee, one year; Rev. John Post, five years.  During the pastorates of Revs. Levisee and Post, the church was built on its present site.  The building committee was E. L. Browne, E. N. Churchill, James Vaughn, A. Chandler and others.  The trustees were J. M. Vaughn, J. Post, I. N. West, J. S. Stratton and J. R. Vaughn.  In 1870 Rev. T. Bright became pastor; 1872 Rev. S. Sale; 1877 Rev. J. W. Fish; 1878 Rev. H. L. Kutchen; 1880 Rev. E. Jones; 1883 Rev. MacLeod; 1886 Rev. Chas. T. Roe.  From 1887 to 1892 the church had no pastor, and during that time the church lost many of its members by death and removals.  Among the names of the departed during the last ten years are:  James Vaughn, deacon; Alonzo Vaughn, Mrs. James Vaughn, Mrs. Wm. Fish, Miss Ellen Willit, Miss Mary J. Nickle, Mrs. Mary Whiting, Mrs. Royal Green, A. H. Chandler, Mrs. E. B. Davis, P. A. House, Mrs. Geo. Winkler, Mrs. Diana Vaughn, S. W. Thompson, Mrs. Peck, Dr. Manchester, Geo. Winkler, Mrs. Wm. James, and Mrs. James Hutton.  These and a great many others have passed on to the great eternity.  During these years the church lost many of its members by removals to other parts of the country.  In 1892 Rev. R. H. Colby became pastor of the church till December 1897.  In January 1898 Rev. H. Robinson came to Waupaca, and is at present the pastor.