First Presbyterian Church of Galesburg

​Galesburg, Traill County, North Dakota​

The Galesburg Presbyterian Church was organized in the spring of 1887 by the Reverend Mr. Baldwin of Tower City.

​The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, Mr. and Mrs. Haughton, Mr. and Mrs. Ashford, Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. J.S. Kemp and Mr. Tom Leach.

The first trustees were P.S. Haughton, J.S. Kemp and Robert Morris.

Services were held in the schoolhouse.

Prior to this time there had been a Sabbath School, established in the summer of 1884.

In 1889 it was decided to build a parsonage and a barn. Members pledged either money and or work. Isaac Wood donated one hundred fifty dollars in lots, and various members pledged in various amounts from four dollars to fifty dollars. The Presbyterian Board was asked for seven hundred dollars, for which a mortgage was given. The Ladies Aid supplied seven hundred dollars. Ice Cream Socials, suppers, etc. were money making projects.

Estimated cost for a thirty by thirty building was nine hundred dollars. To complete the lower story was estimated seven to eight hundred dollars. It was decided to complete the lower story unless, "funds be on hand to complete the whole."

In 1893 the plastering on the parsonage was falling off and the builder was asked to make it good. Insurance on the parsonage at that time was nine dollars for three years. The certificate of incorporation was six dollars.

At various times, Galesburg shared ministers with Erie, Broadlawn, Colgate, Blanchard, Clifford, Hunter, and Grandin. Most board meetings were held in homes.

In 1899 thirteen trees at fifty cents per tree were purchased and a fund started to build a church. November 24, 1899, the ladies of the Galesburg Presbyterian Church gave a sociable supper consisting of oysters and other delicacies of the season, also a bazaar and a good musical and literary entertainment "Dat Water Million" by Mrs. Welsh and attendant and a darkey song by Ralph and Lawrence Whittemore was rendered. 

Ministers were hired by the year and most ministers served a year or two and were granted a four or five week vacation each year. Sometimes students were secured for four or more months.

The committee: Messrs. Dengart, Stewart, McPherson, Morris and Mrs. Miller were elected to make plans for building a church. The building committee voted to leave the building site to the Ladies Aid, but the Ladies Aid decided to leave it to the building committee: Money and work were secured by sub scription. In 1904 furnishings were selected for the new church. In 1906 a "bee" was called to tear down the church barn. Members Nimock, Ole Lande, Taylor and others are mentioned in the records of about this time.

In 1915, Anna Morris was organist and Mrs. E.C. Green was Secretary. In 1916, a committee of Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Green, and Mr. Lande was to confer with Clifford and Broad lawn in regards to retaining Reverend Haas, hours of service, and if the church could support a minister. The Clifford Com mittee was: Mrs. Van Duyn, Mrs. Elgar Cox, Mr. Hauser, and Mr. Bristol. The Broadlawn Committee was: Mr. Dresher, Mr. Plain, and Mr. Henderson. Mr. Haas was retained for another year, and he was to decide the time of services. Each congregation took four months of evening service.

In May of 1916, a minister was given a call for a year, but on August 20 was dismissed by Dr. Hunter at the request of all three congregations. Reverend Mr. C. A.L. Johnson was sent to fill out the year. The Sunday School, the only one in the community at that time, was quite active. Mrs. Lande and Mrs. Green were in charge. In 1922 the average Sunday School attendance was thirty-seven, largest fifty-five. The average collection was $ 2.10 — largest $3.10. 

A Christian Endeavor Society was organized during the summer of 1921. During these years the church saw fit to make more donations to worthy causes, such as, Pt. Barrow, China Famine Fund, and S. Humane Society.

n 1922, first mention seems to be of Reverend and Mrs. Doty, and they continued to visit and conduct a service now and then for many years. Reverend Johnson left in 1923 and received a hearty vote of thanks for their faithful and loving work for six and one-half years, and "Be it further resolved that the goodwill of all will go with them to Mapleton where they go to continue the Work in His Name''.

This year a motion was made and carried that a disposition be made of the old church lamps to various members of the church. We wonder — are there any left in the community?

In April 1924, a man rented the Manse for fifteen dollars a month payable in advance. In November he moved out owing twenty dollars. James Arnett rented the Manse for ten dollars a month and the Ladies Aid reserved one room upstairs for storage. In October 1924, a committee from Hunter, Clifford and Galesburg gave a call to Reverend Black. Hunter offered to assume one-half of his eighteen hundred dollar salary and the minister to reside in Hunter. In January of 1929, Reverend Black left our field to accept a church in Wessington. South Dakota.

In 1929, Reverend Taylor came as minister for the church year. B.C. Bollman, student pastor, gave his first sermon on May 11, and remained for seventeen Sundays. That year the Galesburg Church was combined with Clifford, Hunter, and Blanchard. Doris Armstrong and Ethel Bring were organists.

During the summer of 1931, a furnace room was built in the church, the inside of the church redecorated and later a furnace was installed by the Ladies Aid. At that time the electric charge was five dollars a month.

Reverend Colvin came some time prior to March 1937. Delegates regularly attended Presbytery. During the 1930's services were not held regular due to the shortage of money.

When H.T. Andersons were leaving town, the church wanted to give her a gift of appreciation for her many services for the past several years. The gift was to cost two dollars and fifty cents to five dollars and the Sunday School was asked to help with a contribution.

Reverend Roy served as pastor for a few years and left in 1954. Reverend Donald Taylor was the moderator and could be called and students filled in. During these years the Ladies Aid was very active. Meetings were held at the parsonage or individual homes. Little ones accompanied their mothers and others with their friends came after school. The men often came for supper. Bazaars and suppers were held, sometimes in the town hall.

In 1961, some members had moved away, some had joined either Stordahl or Elm River Churches, and there were few children for Sunday School and the matter of disbanding was considered. The move was put before the ministeral committee. Some members transferred to Hunter Presbyterian Church, but most joined either Elm River or Stordahl Lutheran Church where their children were already attending Sunday School.

​Reverend Elkin recommended that the Ladies Aid donate some of their money to the community, consequently, among the donations, Elm River and Stordahl Sunday School were given one hundred and fifty dollars in appreciation of our children attending their Sunday School. The school library was given one hundred dollars for reference books, twenty-five dollars was given for a tree on the Memorial Hall grounds and a check was given to the Galesburg Fire Department and one hundred dollars to the Elm River Cemetery Association. The Presbyterian Church building later became the Faith Lutheran Church.

Info from - Footprints Across the Prairie Galesburg Centennial 1882-1982 (pages 74 & 75)