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Local Religious Organization: Community Churches

KIRKWOOD CHURCH

The Kirkwood church was built in June, 1882. It is located 9 miles north of Newport, Nebraska. Originally the church was built under sponsorship of the Presbyterians. In 1898, however, it was purchased by the Methodists. The sills and studding of the church were hand hewn from native logs hauled from Pine Creek. The Presbyterian church agreed to purchase the doors, windows and other items Nebraskaeded in the building.

Carpenters on the job were paid $1.50 per day, but much of the work was done by persons in the community. Families who helped included Reinoehl, Van Epps, Hovey, Stannard, Randall, White, Brubaker, Woods, Green, Webber and Lane. The building was erected on land given by Webber. It was also used as a schoolhouse for five or six years.

BASSETT METHODIST CHURCH

Bassett Methodist church had its early beginning in 1884 when Rev. J.L. Dawson of Kirkwood preached as often as possible. It was not until 1887, however, that official steps were taken to form a church. Rev. J. L. Robinson, who resided in what is now Harrison precinct, had been preaching regularly and as Bassett had shown a steady growth it was decided to organize.

Charter members of the church were F. G. Coleman, Mrs. Mattie Coleman, Mrs. S.F. Church, Mrs. Mary Pierce and C. F. Stockwell.

In 1889 Rev. S. L. Anderson became the first resident pastor. He was a young man and, a lot having been purchased, he secured a loan of $250 and a gift of $250 from the church extension board and construction was begun.

In 1890 Rev. H. B. Fleharty became pastor, and it also marked the beginning of a drought of several years, which brought construction to a halt. In 1893 the Ladies' Aid, undiscouraged, borrowed $300 to partly finish the building to make it suitable for services. As the drought grew worse the lot of the members also grew worse, until it seemed that the church could not pay its debt. At this point Carl Stenby, a merchant, loaned the money that enabled the trustees to save the church.

In 1897 Bassett and Newport were made one charge and with Rev. J. W. Taylor as resident pastor at Newport.

NEWPORT METHODIST CHURCH

Services in 1890 were being held in the Hydrek Hall. Catholic services were held in the same building. Later Newport's first schoolhouse was used for church services.

A new church was built in 1893. The main part is still in use, but it was remodeled and an addition made about 1946.

EVANGELICAL MISSION

Work in the Rock county mission was begun in 1888 as a part of the Atkinson mission, in what was called Bloody Valley, later changed to Duff. Rev. H. Sohl from Atkinson held the first religious and baptismal services in October and November, 1988.

At the same time classes were meeting in the Ehrsam community, which was later organized into the Rose congregation under Rev. C.F. Schmidt. Later the name was changed to Rosehill.

In a mutual agreement with the Methodist church of Nebraska, the Evangelical association gave them the Atkinson charge in exchange for the mission charges in southern Rock County, Sybrant church was originally organized as a Methodist Church but became EUB in this agreement.

The Rosehill church was built in 1927. The class at Sybrant was begun in 1922.

ROSE CHURCH

The work in the Rose community began in 1907 with what was known as the Ehrsam Appointment. The first Sunday school met in the Ehrsam home. The roll recorded in 1907 was: Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Ehrsam, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ehrsam, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Swinney and Mrs. Emma Peterson. In 1910, the name of the appointment was changed to Rose Hill.

On August 8, 1921 Barbara Gorball gave a parcel of land to the association. A parsonage was constructed on part of the land by W.A. Sanger and volunteers.

In 1927 a new church was built by gilbert Richards along with many neighborhood volunteers.

In June of 1962 the Duff church was officially closed and the congregation merged with Rose Hill.

SYBRANT CHURCH

The Sybrant church was organized as a branch of the Rose-Duff group. In 1917 Rev. Migot, who had been the organizer of Sunday school and church services held in the Sybrant school house, inspirted the community of Sybrant to start a church building. It was several years before it was completed. In 1920, the first appointed minister was Rev. Frank Fenton, a lay preacher. In 1921 Rev. F.f. cook was assigned to the field.

The original church stood 2 miles south of where it now stands. In 1963 the congregation deceided to move and remodel the church to better serve the community.

VALLEY GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH

Valley Grove Union Sunday school was meeting during 1919. Services were held in the Valley Grove school house, mcCullough school house, Glenwood school house and finally back to Valley Grove.

In October of 1951 Fred Fender, Merle Eberhart, A.O. Gurnsey and Paul Hallgrimson acting for the church purchased an old road house called Min's Place, 3 1/2 miles west of Bassett. First services were held in this building on October 21, 1951.

ST. MICHAEL's CATHOLIC, NEWPORT

The village of Newport raised $510 in donations to purchase from St. Boniface church of Stuart the building they were replacing. In the winter of 1913-1914, it was moved to Newport by horse and capstan.

St. Michael's parish was established in 1917. Early members of its congregation were the Anton and Fritz families, the Francis Seberg, the Joseph Bernt, the Thomas Higgins, the Thomas Kelly, Adolph Jilg and Lackaff families.

In 1928 the church was remodeled. As the wind rocked the church due to the tall tower the greater part of which was removed.

The last service was held in the church in 1973. In 1978 The church was donated to the Rock County Historical Society and was moved to its present location at the Bassett City Park to become part of the Historical Society Museum.

BASSETT CHURCH OF GOD

The Bassett Church of God, 7th Day, was organized in the fall of 1923 under Elder Milton Grotz and Elder A.N. Dugger, with a membership of 128. A tract of land was purchased and a building erected during the spring of 1924.

Labor and money were generously donated. Elder Hugh Miller was a heavy donor of both time and money. Honorable mention is due to the late C.L. Carpenter and Henry Miller, and also A.F. Dugger for their untiring labors.

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

The Assembly of God church in Bassett had its beginning in a series of revival services conducted by a neighboring pastor in the fall of 1931. Sunday school and regular services were held in various locations until a lot was purchased in the spring of 1934 and the first church building was erected later that same year.

First resident pastor was Mrs. Max Johnson. She was followed by Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Baker in 1936, and Mrs. H.W. Lebsack in 1938. During these years the first parsonage was built. Members of the first board of trustees were Berger Hallgrimson, Loyd Goodwin and Oliver Sumpter.

In 1982, the 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated. In 1983 the front the church was remodeled.

The list of pastors: Mrs. Max Johnson, Rev. Kenneth Baker, Rev. H.W. Lebsack, Rev. Fred Stading, Rev. Herman Rohde, Rev. Lynn Nichols, Rev. George Rohde, Rev. Wayne Hall, Rev. Joseph Kisser, Rev. Jerry Hackett, Rev. Charles Davis, Rev. Gerald Veicht and Rev. Paul Wilton.

ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN

For man years Lutheran services had been held in Rock county in the Church of God, private homes, rural school houses and the Episcopal church. On Sept. 1, 1938 Pastor F.J. Rath announced that services would be discontinued. On Sept. 8, 1938, the Leader carried the announcement that Rev. Wm Vahle of Atkinson had consented to conduct the Luthern Services. Three weeks later the organization of St. Peter's mission was announced with Earl Little and Carl Carell as elders, and Clarence Coleman as secretary-treasurer.

Formal organization came on January 12, 1947.

GENERAL BAPTIST

The New Hope Association of General Baptists consisted of churches in three counties. A large tent was purchased to have their meetings in when there were 6 or 7 churches.

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH

In 1966 the First Catholic church building ever constructed in Bassett was blessed. Members of the building committee were Bernard T. Buell, Father John Cook, Harold Coash, Richard Lackaff, Sr., George Ruder, Cyril Fritz, Joe Theisen, Frank Cosgrove and Alfred Stec.

The church was originally constructed as a mission church to be attended by the pastor of Long Pine. On July 1, 1979, Father Frederick N. Snyder was appointed to be the first resident Pastor.

SAINT MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Espicopal services hqave been held in Bassett in a schoolhouse and in private homes since the late 1800's.

The late J.J. Crawford served this same territory (300 miles) for a time, traveling from O'Neill to the Nebr./Wyo. border by train.

In 1904 property was purchased in Bassett for a chapel. The people of Bassett built a Community Church which was shared by Episcopalians and Methodists.

The small church in use today was built on Main Street in 1926. It was constructed by a local contractor, Shell Kelly, whose wife was a member of the congregation. He told her if the people would purchase the materials, he would build the church with no charge for labor. This was done by the congregation.

EUREKA VALLEY CHURCH

The Eureka Valley church was established as a mission of the Methodist Espicopal church of Newport, Nebraska. It was located one mile west and seven miles south of Newport.

It was built between 1905 & 1907. The church was used for Methodist services until the late 1930's.

PLEASANT VALLEY CHURCH (CUBA)

On August 7, 1889, a group of Christians met to organize a church. They met on the J. H. Putnam place on Long Pine Creek. Elder H. C. Clinton, a missionary of the Liberty Association of General Baptists of Indiana, acted as the organizer.

It was christened the Niobrara church. Their meeting place was to be at the Pleasant Valley School house, hence the name change to Pleasant Valley Church. They elected A. C. Barton moderator and pastor, Melissa Wheeler, clerk and J. C. Rupert, treasurer.