First Presbyterian Church
14 3rd Ave NE
Lamoure, LaMoure County, North Dakota 58458

The following items are taken from Their Yesterdays, a column running in the La Moure Chronicle for a number of years: "September 25, 1885. The new Presbyterian church is to be completed by December 1st. Contractor Aitkens has the work in hand. The cost of the structure exclusive of the furniture is about $2,500." (This was the very first church building in the county. It was destroyed in a windstorm and the present building erected.)

"April 16, 1886: Pursuant to a unanimous call, Rev. R. W. Ely has been installed as pastor of the LaMoure Presbyterian church."

​Info from - In the Valley of the Jim (page 23)

LaMoure – First Presbyterian Church

• Location: Town of LaMoure
• Church Records as of 13 September 2007
• Information provided by Joan Swanson
• Baptism Register 1883-present
• Confirmation Register 1883-present
• Marriage Register 1883-present
• Death Register 1883-present
• Records located at the church. A fire and a "theft" of records required a reconstruction of records
• Photo Available: La-LaMoure First Presbyterian Church-1 [4083]
• Photo Available: La-LaMoure First Presbyterian Church-2 [4083]

 

• Community History: The History of LaMoure – History of Organizations, The First Presbyterian church of LaMoure (also known as the Federated church) was begun in 1882 autumn when Rev F M Wood began services in Grand Rapids, first service in LaMoure being May 20, 1883 in Mattison's boarding house, later at other buildings with the pastor standing on a wooden box, and pews made of boards over nail kegs. One of the congregation's first acts was to establish a Sunday school with F M Kinter as supt. Oct. 7, 1883, formal organization of the church was affected with Kinter, Mrs. Martha J Wood, Addie L Wood, Master Clinton Wood, Mrs. M E Button and Harry L Lloyd charter members. In August 1884 ground was broken for a church, which was dedicated May 10, 1885, destroyed by cyclone in August 1886. In 1887 a new church was built on the site of the present church with Rev R W Ely pastor, followed by Revs. J J Thompson, A A Zabriskie, Willard C Lyon, Byron Fahl, John Davis, J G Nordewier, M S Riddle, D L Jones. The choir was organized in 1889. The church was remodeled and a basement added when Rev Jones was here. Then ministers were Rev Dugald McIntyre, Rev R H Myers, Rev D A Martens, Rev Roy M Smith, Rev Chas F Bole. After the close of Rev Bole's ministry, the congregation joined with the Methodist church, Rev L R Burgum. Then pastors were Rev M D Bone, Rev Douglas Carhart, 1941-4 Rev W W Smith served Methodist and Presbyterians operating under federation. In 1944 fire destroyed the church. Rev J P Baker became pastor in 1945, and the Methodist church was used until in 1950. The present beautiful brick building was dedicated on Sept. 24, 1950. In June 1952, Rev. Raymond Saunders became pastor and continues yet. Dec. 6, 1953, a new Baldwin orgasonic organ was dedicated. A 20-voice choir directed successively by Burton Green and Miss Gladys Helmers accompanies worship. Additions to church facilities have included mimeograph machine, floor tile. Membership is now 230 corporate members. There is a church school for all ages from 3 through adult, 125 enrolled. The program of the church includes faith and life curriculum, and women’s ass'n. daily vacation church school, youth fellowship, adult study groups, church membership classes, Junior choir was added in 1957, Mrs. Marvin Kautz director, Sharon Kaftan organist. Excused time religious education was affected in 1956-57 with cooperation of the local school.

 

• Community History: LaMoure, ND – A History of LaMoure 1882-1982, p.195. The First Presbyterian Church of LaMoure was begun in the autumn of 1882, when F.M. Wood began services in Grand Rapids. The Rev. Wood, a graduate of Princeton College and Seminary, began services in LaMoure as the first church in the community on May 20, 1883, in Mattison's boarding house and later at other buildings, with the pastor standing on a wooden box and the pews made of boards over nail kegs. One of the congregation's first acts was to establish a Sunday School with F.M. Kinter as superintendent. October 7, 1883, formal organization of the church was affected with Kinter, Mrs. Martha J. Wood, Addie L. Wood, Master Clinton Wood, Mrs. M.D. Button and Harry L. Lloyd as charter members. Also, that fall the first child was baptized in LaMoure, Laura Alberta Button, by Rev. Wood. In August 1884, ground was broken for a $3,000 church building, which was dedicated May 10, 1885. Samuel Glover donated a bell so big that the congregation had to rebuild the bell tower. This building was destroyed by fire in 1944. The present brick building stands on the original site and was dedicated September 24, 1950. It was rededicated in special services twenty-five years later on September 28, 1975. On December 6, 1953, a Baldwin organ, paid for by the choir, was dedicated, and this organ was replaced in 1976. The choir was organized in 1889. Ministers who have served, beginning in 1887, when the church was built, are the Rev. R.W. Ely, 42 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – LaMoure County, ND followed by Revs. J.J. Thompson, A.A. Zabriskie, D.L. Jones. The church was remodeled and a basement added when Rev. Jones was here. The ministers who served were Rev. Dugald McIntyre, Rev. R.H. Byers, Rev. D.A. Martens, Rev. Roy M. Smith, Rev. Charles F. Bole. After the close of Rev. Bole's ministry, the congregation joined the Methodist Church, and pastors were Rev. L.R. Burgum, W.W. Smith, and Douglas Carhart. In 1944, when the fire destroyed the church, the Methodist church was used until 1950. During the building of the present brick building, the pastor was the Rev. John P. Baker, followed in 1952 by Rev. Raymond Saunders. Rev. Robert McFarlane served when Grand Rapids congregation joined the LaMoure congregation and the church mortgage was burned in 1959. Rev. Harold Rambo served eight years and was minister when Cottonwood congregation also joined LaMoure. Rev. Robert Schurr served 11 years, and the present minister is Rev. Richard Kargard, who was installed November 2, 1980. Membership is now 172.

 
Info from - Churches_LaMoure County, North Dakota (Pages 42 and 43)
Compiled by Allen E. Konrad – October 2007; Revised January 2015
P.O. Box 157 – Rowley, IA 52329