Presbyterian Church of Rolla
101 1st St NE
Rolla, Rolette County, North Dakota 58316
101 1st St NE
Rolla, Rolette County, North Dakota 58316
Presbyterian Church-Rolla
Rolla, North Dakota
1889-1989
The First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, founded in 1889, first held service in the commercial hotel and later in the hoe of the pastor. During 1899, the congregation erected its first building where the present building, constructed in 1952, now stands. From 918=1933 the church shared operations with the Rolla Methodist Church. In 1933 the Rolla Presbyterians ceased to share services with the Methodists and instead shared a pastor with St. Andrews Presbyterian in St. John. This agreement worked so well that in 1961 a merger was made to form the Presbyterian Church of Rolla and St. John.
Info from - back of Presbyterian Church plate
Rolla, North Dakota
1889-1989
The First Presbyterian Church of Rolla, founded in 1889, first held service in the commercial hotel and later in the hoe of the pastor. During 1899, the congregation erected its first building where the present building, constructed in 1952, now stands. From 918=1933 the church shared operations with the Rolla Methodist Church. In 1933 the Rolla Presbyterians ceased to share services with the Methodists and instead shared a pastor with St. Andrews Presbyterian in St. John. This agreement worked so well that in 1961 a merger was made to form the Presbyterian Church of Rolla and St. John.
Info from - back of Presbyterian Church plate
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY
In 1886 interest was developing for the formation of a Presbyterian church in Rolla. Although no Presbyterian church was formally organized in Rolla during 1886, three elders, John Stewart, John Markell, and William Millar were ordained, laying the groundwork for formal organization three years later in 1889. At that time missionary W.D. Reese was retained as pastor and the Presbyterian Synod of North Dakota formally reorganized the Rolla Presbyterian church as an active church.
The first elderly elected to office after organization in 1889 was W.A. Duncan.
Early meetings were commonly held in the Commercial Hotel and later in the home of the pastor with the ground floor being used as a meeting area and the upstairs being used as living quarters. Sometime during 1899 or 1900 the congregation constructed its first building on the northwest corner of First Street NE and First Avenue NE in Rolla.
Rev. Reese resigned in Rolla in 1891. He was followed by Rev. D.G. McKay 1892-94, Rev. R.G. Creswell 1894-97, Rev. Dugal Mclntyre 1897-1904, student pastor Hyden August - October 1904, Rev. C.W. Dade 1905-06, Rev. J.P. Schell 1907-09, student pastor Riddle May - November 1909, Rev. I.I. Gor- by 1909-10, student pastor Kunkle June - August 1910, student pastor Mowry May - September 1912, Rev. Robertson McFaden September - December 1912, Rev. McClung 1912-1913, Rev. W.A. Hoon 1914, Rev. Rostock 1915, Rev. Lark 1915, Rev. N.E. Koehler 1915-1918.
In 1918 the Rolla Presbyterian church and Methodist church of Rolla decided to work as a loosely organized union church using the Methodist church building for active services. The Presbyterians did maintain separate roles and in November 1933 decided to resume separate services and facilities.
During the calendar year of 1933 the pastor and session of the St. John Presbyterian Church were charged by the Presbytery with oversight of the Rolla congregation until reorganization was completed in 1934.
Pastors during the period of union with the Methodist include Rev. Lugg 1919, Rev. Chester 1920, Rev. McVey 1921-24, Rev. Place 1924-26, Rev. George Clark 1926-32, student pastors Parker and Parr were here for three months each in 1924 and 1925, respectively.
After the union was dissolved, we were served by Pastor Raymond Johnson 1932-35, L.A. Anderson 1935-58, and Clayton Parcels 1958-63.
Sometime during the year of 1929, Rev. Clark of the Methodist-Presbyterian union in Rolla began sharing in the duties of the St. John Presbyterian church also. With the dissolution of the union the Rolla and St. John Presbyterians consistently issued joint calls to their clergy. This worked well during the 30s, 40s, 50s and into the 60s when it was decided to join the two congregations into one congregational unit. So, on September 22, 1961, a merger was made to form what is now the Presbyterian Church at Rolla and St. John. Since that time two services were held weekly: one in the St. John building, and one in the current Rolla church building which was constructed in 1952.
Since the merger during the call of Rev. Clayton Parcels, the Presbyterian church has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Floyd Martin 1963-67, Rev. David McGinnis 1968-77, Rev. Rodger Pettichord 1978-84 and currently Rev. Patrick Montgomery.
PRESBYTERIAN LADIES AID
The Presbyterian Ladies Aid was organized around 1935 with Mrs. James H. Penny as president. In 1936 Mrs. L.A. Anderson and Mrs. John Kyle organized the younger church women into the Presbyterian Guild. In 1964 the Ladies Aid and Guild united and became the United Presbyterian Women. The first president of the combined aid and guild was Mrs. Wesley (Martha) Juntunen. This organization put on many things such as suppers, bake sales and etc. to make money for the church and is still very active in contributing to whatever they can for the benefit of the church.
In the 1960s there was a Men's Club, and they also sponsored things for the benefit of the church.
A young people’s group was organized some years ago and is still active as is the PM's Club which consists of young couples and singles.
We, like the other churches in Rolla, have a Sunday School program for the young.
Info from - A history of Rolla, North Dakota (page 68 & 67)
In 1886 interest was developing for the formation of a Presbyterian church in Rolla. Although no Presbyterian church was formally organized in Rolla during 1886, three elders, John Stewart, John Markell, and William Millar were ordained, laying the groundwork for formal organization three years later in 1889. At that time missionary W.D. Reese was retained as pastor and the Presbyterian Synod of North Dakota formally reorganized the Rolla Presbyterian church as an active church.
The first elderly elected to office after organization in 1889 was W.A. Duncan.
Early meetings were commonly held in the Commercial Hotel and later in the home of the pastor with the ground floor being used as a meeting area and the upstairs being used as living quarters. Sometime during 1899 or 1900 the congregation constructed its first building on the northwest corner of First Street NE and First Avenue NE in Rolla.
Rev. Reese resigned in Rolla in 1891. He was followed by Rev. D.G. McKay 1892-94, Rev. R.G. Creswell 1894-97, Rev. Dugal Mclntyre 1897-1904, student pastor Hyden August - October 1904, Rev. C.W. Dade 1905-06, Rev. J.P. Schell 1907-09, student pastor Riddle May - November 1909, Rev. I.I. Gor- by 1909-10, student pastor Kunkle June - August 1910, student pastor Mowry May - September 1912, Rev. Robertson McFaden September - December 1912, Rev. McClung 1912-1913, Rev. W.A. Hoon 1914, Rev. Rostock 1915, Rev. Lark 1915, Rev. N.E. Koehler 1915-1918.
In 1918 the Rolla Presbyterian church and Methodist church of Rolla decided to work as a loosely organized union church using the Methodist church building for active services. The Presbyterians did maintain separate roles and in November 1933 decided to resume separate services and facilities.
During the calendar year of 1933 the pastor and session of the St. John Presbyterian Church were charged by the Presbytery with oversight of the Rolla congregation until reorganization was completed in 1934.
Pastors during the period of union with the Methodist include Rev. Lugg 1919, Rev. Chester 1920, Rev. McVey 1921-24, Rev. Place 1924-26, Rev. George Clark 1926-32, student pastors Parker and Parr were here for three months each in 1924 and 1925, respectively.
After the union was dissolved, we were served by Pastor Raymond Johnson 1932-35, L.A. Anderson 1935-58, and Clayton Parcels 1958-63.
Sometime during the year of 1929, Rev. Clark of the Methodist-Presbyterian union in Rolla began sharing in the duties of the St. John Presbyterian church also. With the dissolution of the union the Rolla and St. John Presbyterians consistently issued joint calls to their clergy. This worked well during the 30s, 40s, 50s and into the 60s when it was decided to join the two congregations into one congregational unit. So, on September 22, 1961, a merger was made to form what is now the Presbyterian Church at Rolla and St. John. Since that time two services were held weekly: one in the St. John building, and one in the current Rolla church building which was constructed in 1952.
Since the merger during the call of Rev. Clayton Parcels, the Presbyterian church has been served by the following pastors: Rev. Floyd Martin 1963-67, Rev. David McGinnis 1968-77, Rev. Rodger Pettichord 1978-84 and currently Rev. Patrick Montgomery.
PRESBYTERIAN LADIES AID
The Presbyterian Ladies Aid was organized around 1935 with Mrs. James H. Penny as president. In 1936 Mrs. L.A. Anderson and Mrs. John Kyle organized the younger church women into the Presbyterian Guild. In 1964 the Ladies Aid and Guild united and became the United Presbyterian Women. The first president of the combined aid and guild was Mrs. Wesley (Martha) Juntunen. This organization put on many things such as suppers, bake sales and etc. to make money for the church and is still very active in contributing to whatever they can for the benefit of the church.
In the 1960s there was a Men's Club, and they also sponsored things for the benefit of the church.
A young people’s group was organized some years ago and is still active as is the PM's Club which consists of young couples and singles.
We, like the other churches in Rolla, have a Sunday School program for the young.
Info from - A history of Rolla, North Dakota (page 68 & 67)