Congregational
Church of Amenia Records, 1886-1916 (Mss 97)
History
On
June 22, 1886, a meeting was held in the office of E. W. Chaffee, and after
that a paper was presented to each citizen who was known to be a church
member of any church asking if they would join a Congregational Church
if such should be organized. There was enthusiasm, and when pledges
were taken for such, practically every person in the community donated
something. When pledges reached $2,5000, Mr. Chaffee donated land
for the church and a parsonage.
The
church was organized August 15, 1886 at a meeting held in Sargent's Grove
on Section 27, and 28. Lots were laid out for the church property
on September 18, and construction was begun on October 6.
The
first service held in the church was a funeral on June 24, 1887.
The first church service held, in the not quite completed church, had 110
people present on June 26, 1887. The church was formally dedicated on July
14, 1887.
The
cellar wall was put under the building in September 1899. The beautiful
stained glass windows are a gift from H. F. Chaffee given in 1910.
The
Lutherans first held church services in the building during June of 1937,
less than a year after the Congregational Church had its 50th anniversary.
The Trinity Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, was organized in the spring
of 1938 in Amenia and was held in the Congregational Church by Reverend
A. H. Grumm of Fargo.
In
October, 1941, the Trinity Congregation purchased the Congregational Church
and parsonage for $3,000. Today the church building remains vacant.
(From: Rural Cass County, the Land and People, by Cass County Historical
Society, Inc., 1976).
Congregational
Church of Amenia Records | Religion |