website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown,
Wisconsin
First Congregational Church
Former: 504 S Fourth, Now home of First Brigade Band
and D/JCGS
New:
PC_125
1845 Established
1855
11 01 We learn that this church, last week,
renewed the call which they gave a year ago to Rev. W. A. Niles to become their
pastor. We cannot say whether this
gentleman has yet returned a favorable answer to this expression of high esteem
and regard in which he is held by the members of his congregation, but we
believe the wish is so general and earnest that he should do so, that he will
not decline an invitation that is not the less complimentary because it was
made in his absence, and without his knowledge. WD
1858
07 22 Ladies Festival, effort towards payment of
the small remaining debt WD
10 28 Annual renting of
pews will take place at the Church on the 1st of November at 2 o'clock p.m.
11 25 A donation visit paid to Rev. W. A.
Niles at his residence WD
1859
01
12 Children of the Sabbath School held a
festival in Cole’s Block WTranscript
04
28 Wooden sidewalk,
constructed in front of, Wisconsin St WD
05
26 Mr. Holdrege, music teacher,
children WG
12 22 The children belonging to the
Congregational Sunday School are to have a Christmas Festival tomorrow evening
at the Council Rooms. We hope the tree
around which a hundred smiling faces gather will be loaded with just such
presents as they most desire, and as will be sure to encourage them to get
their lessons better during the year that will intervene before another festive
season shall arrive. WD
1860
05
24 Membership increase, due to Rev. Charles Boynton,
successor of Rev. Niles WG
07
19 Rev. Boynton
voted pastor WD
08
09 Sabbath School Pic Nic to Pine Lake WD
08
16 Discourse on
progress of religious truth in SW states WD
10
12 Installation
On Monday evening last,
Rev. Charles Boynton was installed as pastor of the First Congregational Church
of this city. The exercises were
conducted by Revs. D. C. Noyes, of Sauk City, C. D. Helmer, of Milwaukee, H. M.
Parmelee, of Oak Grove, J. J. Mitre, of Beaver Dam and N. C. Chapin of La
Crosse, and were of an impressive and interesting character. Mr. Boynton has been laboring for nearly a
year past in the church over which he has just been installed, and by his
admirable qualities as a man and a Christian, has become justly endeared to his
people as a minister of the gospel. WR
11
30 Ladies Festival
The
ladies of the First Congregational Church in this city propose to give a
festival at Cole’s Hall on Thursday evening next, for the benefit of that
church. There will be a good supper, of
course, for we believe the ladies having the matter in charge have never yet
been known to get up any other, in all the enterprises of that character with
which they have been connected. The committee, we believe, have adopted a little different plan
from that generally in vogue on such occasions and propose to leave it to the
liberality of their guests to make such payment as they may see fit for
entertainment provided for them, instead of charging them a fixed price. It is to be hoped that the attendance will be
large, and the contributions liberal.
The public generally are invited to attend. WR
12
06 Social Re-Union
The Ladies of the
Congregational Church hold their Social Re-Union this evening. They extended a cordial invitation to the
public generally to attend and contribute to an object that must be admitted to
be worthy the aid and liberality of all who have been favored with means to
spare for the noblest of objects. One of
our strongest safeguards is the Christian religion. Here it is sustained voluntarily for the
blessings it confers on the race. Let
all do what they can to render it a more efficient instrumentality
for good in our midst, for it is that which exalts alike individuals and
nations, makes them happier and better, even if we narrow our considerations
down to its temporal results, and say nothing of those infinitely higher
influences which it exerts, when we look at the future, and the destiny that
awaits us. WR
1861
01 11 A Double Surprise — A few evenings since a
party of ladies took it into their heads to pay the family of Rev. C. Boynton a
surprise visit and leave their husbands at home. A few of the latter got an inkling of what
was going on and determined not to be outwitted in that way and thought that
they would try their hands at “surprising” also, and accordingly repaired to
the reverend gentleman’s residence, arriving at a very opportune moment, for
the ladies were just serving their refreshment.
It was difficult deciding who were the most surprised—Mr. and Mrs.
Boynton at the unexpected arrival of the ladies, or the latter at that of their
husbands. Taking it all around, the
affair was a very pleasant one. We think
the ladies had better get up another. WR
1866
View from distance
1872
08 08 Extensive
repairs having become necessary, it has been decided to improve and enlarge
the whole edifice WD
1883
In 1883 a cozy
parsonage was built, which is still the home of the minister attending the
charge. 07 16 1909
story
It is thought that this parsonage
was replaced so after 1909 when the church was replaced.
1903
Orlena and Anna Moak funerals
1904
10 10 The matter of a Men's Sunday Evening club at the Congregational Church is
being broached. These organizations are becoming very popular, and wherever
they exist have proved to be conducive to interesting young men especially in
church attendance. That there is ample fuel for such movement in our midst is a
fact not to be denied and it is hoped something may materialize of this
project.
1905
Church
minister, Thomas B. Thompson, beneficiary, Fannie Lewis' will
1908
10 02 New Woodcraft Indians club met and
elected officers
1908
1909
01 01 Men's Club hosted Schildkret
Hungarian orchestra at Turner Opera House
WG
01 01 Special Christmas musical program
prepared by the choir; sermon WG
01 15 Decision made to build a new church,
dimensions; $7500 has been subscribed; Clover Club promises generous
donation WG
04 02 Turner opera house dramatic show, given under the auspices of the Clover
Club WG
04 02 Edward Racek purchased church building
and removed it to his lots in Second St, where he will have it fitted up as a
double flat residence building WG
06 11 Rev.
Henry Rehm’s song set to music WG
1909
07
09 Will Lay Corner Stone
The corner stone of
the new Congregational Church will be laid next Sunday. An elaborate program will be prepared,
including music and addresses. Rev.
Charles Parker Connolly, pastor of Plymouth Church, Milwaukee, will deliver the
chief address. Mr. Connolly is a new man
in the state but comes from Kansas with a fine reputation as an orator. Superintendent Carter of the Home Missionary
Society will lay the corner stone and will also preach at the Masonic Temple in
the morning at the regular services. A
platform will be erected at the front of the church and seats provided. The services will be held at 4 o’clock in the
afternoon. WG
07 16 Corner Stone of New Congregation Church
Laid
Last Sunday
afternoon the corner stone of the new Congregational Church, corner of Fourth
and Wisconsin streets, was laid with impressive ceremonies. There was a large
number of people present to take part in the proceedings, including the various
church societies, people of other denominations and quite a number from out of
town. The weather was ideal for the
services and everything passed off in a most excellent manner.
The
corner stone was laid at the southeast corner of the building, it is of Bedford
sandstone and has inscribed on it "1909." A brief history of the church, copies of the
local newspapers and a number of other documents were placed in the stone. Rev. H. W. Carter, D. D., of Beloit,
superintendent of the missionary department, Congregational societies of
Wisconsin, laid the stone, and Rev. Charles Parker Connolly, pastor of Plymouth
Church, Milwaukee, delivered the principal address. His remarks were eloquent and interesting,
and thoroughly appreciated by all present.
The program in full was as follows:
Sentences from Scripture ........Rev. H. C. Rehm
Doxology ........................Congregation and
Choir
Invocation ......................Rev. H. C. Rehm
Vocal Quartette
.................Mr. and Mrs. Wm Sproesser, Edw. L.
Schempf, Mrs.
C. R. Feld,
Reading of report ...............C. A. Skinner
Address .........................Rev. P. C.
Connolly, Milwaukee
Song ............................Choir
Reading of contents of stone ....Rev. H. C. Rehm
Laying of corner stone ..........Rev. H. W. Carter,
Beloit
Hymn,
Blest Be
the Tie That Binds ..Congregation and Choir
Benediction
The initial step in the movement
leading to the building of the new Congregational Church was taken in January
1908, at meeting of the Clover Club. It
was voted at that time that the club pledged itself to raise $1000 for a church
building fund. This action and the
heroic way in which the members and officers of the club at once went to work
encouraged the church to look forward to larger things. It has long been realized that this church
was in need of extensive repairs. It was also felt that this would at least
require a complete remodeling of the building.
At a
meeting of the church and congregation held June 22, 1908, the sentiment seemed
to be in favor of a remodeled church, but a committee consisting of Mrs. L. L.
Parks, Mr. R. Achtenhagen and Mr. Rehm was appointed to canvass the situation
and ascertain whether it would not be expedient to plan for a new church.
This
committee was empowered to decide for a remodeled or a new church. After
considering the matter all summer this committee decided to submit the question
to the trustees, the Sunday school superintendent and the president of the
Clover Club, which organized itself as a joint committee with the original
committee. This joint committee decided
to recommend building a new church on condition that $7000 including the Clover
club pledge be raised.
It was also voted to build according to plans drawn by Van Ryn &
DeGelleke of Milwaukee, for the Two Rivers Congregational church.
The
$7000 was soon pledged and at the annual meeting of the church and congregation
on January 11, 1909, it was decided to build a new edifice costing about
$11,000. In March the old building was sold and contracts let to Ferd. Behlke, carpenter; Mallow & Kaddatz, masons; William Schiebel,
plumber; Schmutzler & Heismann, painters.
The
building committee consists of the Rev. H. C. Rehm, chairman, R. Achtenhagen,
E. A. Pratt, A. D. Platz, Mrs. L. L. Parks, and Chas. A. Skinner. The cost of the building will be about
$12,300 which includes price of the memorial windows donated by C. A. Skinner,
Mrs. W. C. Stone, Mrs. C. Berrymann, Lee Skinner for the late C. B. Skinner and
wife, and also by Mrs. G. B. Lewis for the late G. B. Lewis, by Mrs. H. Donner
for a Bennett memorial, by Mrs. Jesse Stone for former Lieut. Gov. Jesse Stone,
by Mrs. F. M. Piper for a Piper Memorial.
Mrs.
Katherine and Lucy Hall have also contributed $400 each which will be used in
payment on the $2,150 Kimball pipe organ purchased for the new church. This instrument will be a Hall memorial.
The
First Congregational Church in Watertown was organized by Rev. Stephen Peet,
agent of the home missionary society, July 13, 1845, or just sixty-four years
ago. The first meeting was held in the only schoolhouse up to that time within
the city limits of Watertown. The
society was composed chiefly of Presbyterians, but an organization was effected
in accordance with the Congregational faith.
The first communicants were George Breakenridge, Wm. Dunlavey, O. K.
Coe, Nancy Breakenridge, Jane A. Dunlavey, Mary J. Scott, Paulina S. Coe, Maria
Shears, Harriet Montgomery.
A
church edifice was erected in 1850 on the site of the proposed new church at a
cost of $1500. It was enlarged twice
since, the first time in 1858 and again in 1872.
The
first pastor was the Rev. B. F. Parsons, and during his pastorate services were
held in the old Cramer block, 113-115 West Main Street. The succeeding pastors were: Revs. J. C.
Craighead, N. C. Chapin, W. A. Niles, Charles Boynton, W. H. Ryder, Charles C. Craigin, W. A.
Hendrickson. R. C. Bedford, James M.
Campbell, G. C. Weiss, W. T. Ream, Wm. Fritzemeier, Thos. B. Thompson and
the present pastor, H. C. Rehm.
In
1883 a cozy parsonage was built, which is still the home of the minister
attending the charge.
The
present church now under construction is being built at a cost of $12,500, and
with an organ costing $2,100, will cost the congregation the sum of $14,600.
The
pastor, Rev. H. C. Rehm, is entitled to the credit of initiating the move for the
building of the new church, and he has labored incessantly and hard to bring
about the success of the movement, and every member of his congregation gave
him encouragement in his good work.
10 01 First Services
The
first services in the new Congregational Church will be held on October
10. The afternoon meeting at the
Methodist Church will be continued next Sunday.
Arrangements have been made to have the Sunday school room completed so
that it can be used both for the school and the regular services which will be
held at the usual hour in the morning.
This has been done in order to get the routine of church activities on a
working basis before dedication. It has
been practically decided that the date for dedication will be October 24. At that time it is expected to have the
church completed, including the memorial windows and a pipe organ. WG
10 15 Dedication of Congregational Church
The
building of the new Congregational Church has been an unusually successful
enterprise and plans are now being made to dedicate on October 31 with two
elaborate services. Prominent speakers
from out of the city will be on the program, while a choir of about thirty
voices will contribute the music. All
the details of the occasion will be announced later. Contrary to the general impression the
building will be completed in October, which means that it has taken less than
six months to erect this church. The
weather has been exceptionally favorable and there have been no delays in
securing material. The contractors have
pushed the work and there was no conflict in the arrangements.
Another
feature deserving mention is the comparatively low cost at which the building
was erected. The total outlay, including
all fixtures, pews, lighting, etc., will not exceed $13,000.
It
is to be regretted that the new two manual pipe organ which
represents an expenditure of over $2000 will not be in place on
dedication day and will not arrive until about Christmas time. However, a fine two manual pipe organ will be
installed temporarily by the Kimball Organ Company at once and will be used at
the dedication.
All
the windows with the possible exception of the largest will be installed next
week. It is hoped that these windows,
made of the finest Tiffany or drapery glass, will prove one of the features of
the edifice. The pews are all of oak
with quartered sawed ends. A new pulpit
donated by the Wilder family is a beautiful piece of furniture and together
with a new American Revised Bible will harmonize with the surroundings. All who have seen the tinting of the walls
and the wood work stain are delighted with the color harmony that has been
secured.
It
is certain that everything has
been done to make this new church homelike and restful as well as thoroughly
modern in all its equipment. WG
10 29 Dedication
Postponed
The dedication of the
new Congregational Church has again been postponed and the plans are now to
hold the service incident thereto on November 21st. A delay in filling the order for the church
pews is the cause, as the church is in readiness for occupancy. WG
11 19 Dedication of New Congregational Church
Beginning
with Sunday next the Congregational Church has arranged for a week of
celebration and jubilee in the new church.
Two big services on Sunday will be of unusual interest, as marking the
opening of an epoch of larger usefulness for the congregation and because of
the presence of two speakers of exceptional ability and reputation. Pres. E. D. Eaton of Beloit College will
preach the regular dedication sermon in the morning, while Dr. C. H. Beale of
Milwaukee Grand Avenue Church will deliver the address in the evening. Dr. Homer W. Carter, Home Missionary of the
state, will be at both services and take part in the program.
The
senior and junior choirs have been consolidated for the occasion and will sing
two anthems at each meeting. There are
to be three soloists, Edward Schempf, Mr. and Mrs. William Sproesser, and a quartette
consisting of Mr. and Mrs. William Sproesser, Mrs. C. R. Feld and John Schempf.
Because
of the delay in securing the pews it has been possible to perfect all
arrangements and to make far better preparation for the occasion.
On
Monday there will be a homecoming meeting for all those who have in the past
been in any way connected with the church, the choir or the Sunday school. This has been arranged purely for the purpose
of giving expression to our interest in and affection for the old church. Rev. T. B Thompson of Rockford, Ill., and J.
T. Moak of Ft. Atkinson will speak on behalf of the home comers, while Mayor
Mulberger will give the word of greeting.
Entertainment and refreshments will be provided, but no
charge or collection of any kind will be made.
During the week there will be a house-warming for the boys and one for
the girls. An outside speaker will be
secured for the mid-week service and there will be a union vesper service with
the Methodist Church on Thanksgiving day. WG
11 19 A Fine Musical Treat /
First of the Series of Artist Recitals
Music
lovers of Watertown and vicinity will be pleased to learn that the first of the
series of artist recitals arranged for the coming season will be given at the
new Congregational Church, Friday evening, November
26th.
The
artists who will appear at this concert are:
Marion Greene, the eminent Basso Cantante, whose rise to the high rank
which he has attained among American artists has been phenomenal. He is constantly filling the most desirable
engagements with prominent choral and orchestral organizations throughout the
country. In connection with Mr. Greene,
Harry Karl Gillman, an American violinist who has studied abroad with some of
the leading masters and who has created a sensation in European as well
American cities wherever he has played, will be heard. In addition, Manson Orsay, the superb lady
harpist, will appear in several solo numbers.
Those
of our musical people who have arranged the recital series for Watertown guarantee
that the artists who will appear at the recitals are all artists of the first
rank and no lover of music should miss hearing them. Over 200 tickets for the coarse have already
been sold on subscription to leading Watertown people. The price of course tickets—3 concerts—is
only $2.00, and they will be ready within a few days.
The
second concert will include the well-known Steindel trio (possibly during
Christmas week), and at the third concert, Jessie Lynde Hopkins, the well-known
Chicago contralto, will be the leading artist. Further particulars
regarding this series of concerts can be obtained at the store of the Schempf
Co. WG
11 26 Congregational Church Dedicated WG
Last Sunday the new
Congregational Church was dedicated, dedication services being held at 11
o'clock in the morning, at which Dr. Edward Dwight Eaton, president of the
Beloit College, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The program carried out at this service was
as follows:
Organ Prelude
Doxology
Invocation
Chorus—God Hath
Appointed a Day Tours
Reading of the
Scriptures
Solo—Lord God of
Abraham Mendelssohn
Mr. William Sproesser
Prayer of Consecration
Hymn 131
Dedicatory Sermon
Dr. Edward Dwight
Eaton
Quartet—Seek Ye the
Lord Roberts
Edward Schempf, tenor soloist,
Mrs. William Sproesser, Mrs. C. R. Feld, William Sproesser, J. W. Schempf
Offering
Chorus—The Heavens Are Telling
Haydn
Dedication Services
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. O. L. Robinson
Dedication Hymn
Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude
The evening services
were held at 7:30 o'clock, the Rev. C. H. Beale, D. D., of Milwaukee delivering
an able sermon. The program was as
follows:
Organ Prelude
Doxology
Invocation
Chorus—God Hath
Appointed a Day Tours
Reading of the
Scriptures
Solo—Arm, Arm Ye
Brave Handel
Mr. William Sproesser
Prayer
Hymn
Sermon
Rev C. H. Beale, D. D.
Solo—With Verture
Clad Haydn
Mrs. William Sproesser
Offering
Hymn
Benediction
Silent Prayer
Organ Postlude
The organist at both services
was Mrs. A. Speer of Milwaukee, a most excellent musician, her playing being
one of the pleasing features of the day's program.
The attendance at both
services was very large, many former members of the church being present from
other places. Rev. O. L. Robinson of
Madison, state Sunday school superintendent, delivered the dedication prayer,
and Dr. Eaton delivered an eloquent dedicatory sermon, among other things
saying:
The more perfect and beautiful life may be, the more
distressing is its brevity and the more paralyzing is the effect of that
brevity upon the life itself. Here is
the crowning triumph of the power of the endless life. Christ draws the eye beyond the perishable to
the indissoluble, beyond the mortal to immortality.
As business men regard the longest investments as the
best, so the interests of life which have in them the absoluteness of eternity
are the worthiest of us.
The speaker described
at some length an incident of the setting free of a young homing pigeon far out
in the open Atlantic, and its flight back to the dove cot which was its home,
and compared this instinct to the human soul for the larger life which the
church reveals as the gift of its Master.
Well may we rejoice
then in our life with all its varied, wholesome activities as interpreted and
energized by Christian faith. No shadow
of time can eclipse our exultation in it.
The earth is its present sphere, and the here
and the now grip it about; but thus it grows strong and faithful. It bides its tune and is sure of the larger
manifestation; for at its heart is the power of the endless life.
The homecoming week of jubilee
program which began last Monday is as follows:
Monday
evening—Homecoming meeting—A reunion of all members
and friends of the church, the choir and the Sunday school, in the
parlors. Addresses by
the Rev. Thomas Barney Thompson and Mr. J. T. Moak on the part of the
home-comers. Mayor Arthur
Mulberger will give the word of welcome.
Music and refreshments and no offering is to be
taken or charge of any kind made as this gathering is simply to renew old
interests under a new roof. Everyone
invited.
Tuesday evening, 8 o'clock—Girls housewarming—Gathering of all girls in
Sunday school and choir under the auspices of the Junior Clover club. Different
organizations are to be formed.
Wednesday afternoon,
2:30 o'clock —Clover club meeting
Wednesday evening,
7:30 o'clock—Midweek service—Plans will be made to organize the Beecher club.
Thursday evening, 7:30
o'clock—Union Thanksgiving service—The Rev. Robert Barnes of Milwaukee will
deliver the sermon.
Saturday evening, 8
o'clock—Boys housewarming—This meeting is intended to
get the different classes of boys together for the purpose of organization.
Mayor Mulberger
delivered the address of welcome Monday evening; Rev Thos. B. Thompson, former
pastor of the Congregational Church, also delivered an interesting address,
followed by a reminiscent address by J. T. Moak
of Ft. Atkinson, for over 50 years a resident of Watertown and for many years
its postmaster. His address is of
unusual interest, and will be published in full in The Gazette next week, lack of space forbidding it this week.
The new Congregational
Church is a credit and ornament to our city, and speaks well for the zeal of
its communicants. To Rev. H. C. Rehm,
its pastor, special praise should be given.
He has successfully carried out the work of erecting this fine edifice,
in the face of obstacles that would prevent many from undertaking the task.
12 03 Resolutions
Whereas, The splendid success of our dedication day program was due
to those who so generously offered their services.
Be It Resolved, That
the Board of Trustees of the Congregational Church, of Watertown, herewith desire to express their appreciation and gratitude.
To Dr. Edw. Dwight
Eaton of Beloit College, for his scholarly and eloquent sermon.
To Dr. O. H. Beale of
Milwaukee, for his stirring and effective address.
To Mr. O. L. Robinson
for the helpful part he took in the program.
To Mrs. Speer of
Milwaukee, for the efficient way in which she presided at the organ, under
considerable difficulties, and for her perfect success in giving the music an
attractive and beautiful setting.
To Mr. Edw. Schempf,
for his tenor solo, which was one of the features of the
program, and which was greatly appreciated by all.
To Mr. and Mrs.
Sproesser for enriching the services by solo work which was beautiful and
finished to an unusual degree.
To Mrs. O. R. Feld for
the effective manner in which the whole musical program was prepared and
conducted.
To the entire choir,
each member of which gave so much time and talent and succeeded so thoroughly
in doing justice of the music and the occasion.
And Be It Further
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to each person mentioned
above and that they be published in the newspapers.
— W. C. Stone,
President Board of Trustees. WG
12 03 Address by J. T. Moak / Above reunion of
former members of the Congregational Church
WG
1910
1910
05 27 Milwaukee
district convention of Congregational churches held at church WG
06 10 Dedicatory organ recital WG
07 08 Young
ladies of Junior Clover Club, left for Lake Mills to enjoy a week's
outing WG
1911
02 09 Rev. H. C. Rehm
Resigns
On Saturday last Rev.
H. C. Rehm, pastor of the Congregational Church for
the past four years, handed in his resignation to take effect April 1st
next. In his resignation he says:
To the trustees and to
the society of the First Congregational Church of Watertown, Wis.:
Dear Friends: Pursuant to an agreement that there be a two
months notice for the termination of this pastorate, I herewith submit my
resignation as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Watertown, to take
effect April 1st.
May I be permitted to
add that my relationships with this church have been in every way delightful. These
four years in Watertown have been the pleasantest and happiest of my life and I
cannot be too grateful to the friends whose good will and generous spirit has
helped me over difficulties. I leave
with not the least sense of grievance or disappointment except that it has not
been given me to serve you more effectively in the distinctly spiritual life.
I have the greatest
confidence in the future of this church, equipped and supported as it is. I am sure you will have little difficulty in
finding another pastor who with fresh confidence and fine enthusiasm will lead
you far into the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Yours very faithfully,
H. C. Rehm
Rev. Mr. Rehm intends going to the Pacific slope to practice law and
may decide to locate in either Salem or Eugene, Oregon. Before coming to Watertown four years ago he
practiced law for two years. In leaving
Watertown Rev. Rehm will carry with him the best
wishes of all our people. He was not
only popular with his own congregation but with the people of Watertown in
general, and all will regret the departure of himself and family very much. WG
1919
1919 [may be a couple yrs earlier]
1920
Rev.
George C. Weis, formerly pastor of the Congregational Church in this city, died
at Firewater, Oregon, on Dec. 6, where he was pastor of the Congregational
Church. He is survived by his wife and
two daughters, also by one son by a former marriage. His many Watertown friends learned of his
death with much sorrow. After leaving
Watertown he published a newspaper for a time at Waukesha, and then went to Alaska,
where he did well in gold mining, and then located in Washington. WDT
1924
01 28 Last Saturday afternoon Rev. N. Carter
Daniell the esteemed pastor of the First Congregational church of this city for
the past 13 years, passed
to his eternal reward at his home, 500 S. Fourth Street. Rev. Daniell had been in poor health for many
months, still the news of his death was received by our people with great
surprise, for all had hoped and prayed for his ultimate recovery. WDT
1926 FINAL SERVICE BY REV. FOSTER
Watertown Daily Times 08
1926, (Picture)
Next
Sunday, August 22, will mark the last service to be conducted here by the Rev.
Earl Ware Foster, pastor of the Congregational Church, before he leaves to
assume the pastorate of the Olivet Congregational church at Merriam Park, St.
Paul, Minn.
Rev.
Foster has chosen for his subject “The Last Call”. There will be special music with Mrs. Inez
Mansfield, soprano, and the Buell instrumental trio on the program. The public is invited.
Rev.
Foster’s leaving is much regretted, not only by members of his parish, but my
many acquaintances and friends in every walk of life in this city. He had his
family have made many friends here. His services to his congregation and to the community has been
great and his influence for the best in the community has been a factor in
local circles. Rev. Foster and his family have the best wishes of their fellow
citizens of Watertown.
1956
04 05 The first of two church mergers affecting
four of the city's present Protestant congregations, first announced in the Times in 1955, will take effect on June
1, 1957, when Watertown will have only
one Methodist Church. Announcement
of this date was made here today by the Rev. William V. Stevens, minister of First Methodist and Wesley Methodist
Churches. WDT
The
other merger, which is also scheduled for next year, will involve the First Congregational Church and the First Evangelical and Reformed Church. Details on the merger are still pending.
Today 
Home of the First
Brigade Band and Dodge/Jefferson
Counties Genealogical Society
Image Slide Show
