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Fairview Presbyterian Church Centennial Booklet

 
This is the text taken from the centennial booklet in 1974.

 
History of the Fairview Presbyterian Church

100th Anniversary
1874 - 1974


In the year of 1869, a number of German Presbyterian families moved from Illinois and Iowa to Riley Center, Kansas. They earnestly desired to have a Presbyterian Church organized in their settlement.

Only a partial organization was effected about the middle of December, 1872.

On the 27th day of October, 1874, Rev. J.H. Reid of Manhattan and Rev. Levi Sternberg, of Ellsworth, who had been appointed by the Presbytery of Topeka, helped organize a Presbyterian Church to be called Riley Center (German).

The following persons, on examination, were received as members: Frederick Krause, Augusta Krause, Albert Schurman, Mrs.Albert Schurman, Henerick Jahnke, Ursula Jahnke, Martin Gravenstein, Mrs. Schenck, Frederick Stadel, Albert Pollman, Manno Greenwold, Lucas Buss, Reinerd Nanninga, Frederick Uhlenhop, John Beninga, Herman Toelle, Mrs. Toelle, Henry Meyer, John Arents, Caspar W. Hassebroek and Klass Tuetyer. (21 members).

The following named persons were elected and ordained elders: Caspar W. Hassebroek, Reinard Nanninga and Lucas Buss.

The following were elected trustees: Albert Schurman, Albert Pollman, Fred Krause and Fred Uhlenhop.

Rev. Fred Schmidt was the first Moderator. Services were held in the school house located 2 1/2 miles North of Riley Center.

On March 20th, 1882, which was 6 1/2 years following its organization, the membership had grown to 59 members. The congregation unanimously resolved to build a "House of Worship" that year.

The following persons were elected for trustees: Fred Stadel, Fred Uhlenhop, Henry Jahnke, Albert Pollman and C.W. Hassebroek.

The church was built and paid for during that year.

Two years later, in the year 1884, the Parsonage was built. The cost of the Parsonage and the money received for its purpose was $341.41.

Rev. Whittenberger became Moderator and Pastor in 1883 and served until April, 1887, when his health failed, and because of this circumstance, dissolution of his pastoral relation was granted.

Rev. Fred Lippe became Pastor and Moderator early in 1888 and served until 1890.

Rev. H. Bentz began to serve the Church in 1891. During the summer of 1893, he declared before the Session that he had to resign on account of his health. The congregation accepted the resignation of their Pastor with the condition that he should not leave before the first of July to give the Church time to call another minister and the Pastor time to prepare for his going to California to his children.

Rev. B.F. Boell became Pastor and Moderator during the year of 1894 and served the Church 25 years, which was the longest period that any one pastor has served.

The first Mission Fest was observed during the year of 1901. The proceeds, amounting to $90.OO, were divided among the various Mission Boards.

On May 16th, 1917, the women of the Church met to organize a Women's Missionary Society. Mrs. Rudolph Baer was elected President; Esther Boell, Secretary, and Mrs. John Fosha, Treasurer. The roll consisted of 42 members.

On November 9, 1919, Rev. Boell's resignation was voted upon and accepted by the congregation.

On January 23rd, 1920, an invitation was sent to Rev. H.W. Apel of Chicago, Illinois, to preach a trial sermon. The Session was composed of these three members: Rudolph Baer as Clerk, Fred Uhlenhop and Nan Greenfield. The Deacon Board consisted of John Fosha, John Jahnke and Charles Strauss. Groun Arents, Ebo Remmers, Fred Leipersberger, John Stadel and Charles Strauss acted as trustees.

On February 19, 1920, a call was issued to Rev. Apel which was accepted.

A few months later the matter was brought up concerning the language question and after some discussion, it was decided to alternate the English and the German language during the Sunday morning services and conduct all Sunday evening services in the English language. New Westminister Hymnals were purchased and regular Choir rehearsals were well attended.

On August 2, 1920, the Pastor-elect brought up the matter concerning the new lighting system for the Church and Manse. It was agreed upon to an electric lighting system by connecting with the High Tension Line.

The Mission Fest was held on September 2 of that year and the Mission offering of $235.78 was divided among 4 different boards.

During the year 1921, the Budget and Envelope System was introduced and an every member canvass was taken.

Rev. Apel's resignation was accepted February 1st, 1924.

On April 22, 1924, the session met with Rev. C.H. Harrell, of the Riley Church acting as Moderator. After careful considerations they voted an unanimous call to Rev. John M. Klosterboer of the Presbytery of Dubuque, Synod of Iowa, to be Stated Supply of this church.

October 22, 1924, was set as the date to hold the annual Mission Fest and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the organization of the church.

Rev. J.G. Kessler was invited to come to conduct special Evangelistic Meetings in the fall of 1925, and the meetings closed with the annual Mission Fest.

Rev. Klosterboer served the church as Stated Supply until May, 1926.

On July 27, 1926, the congregation unanimously voted to extend call to Rev. John Roos, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, to become pastor of this church.

The call was accepted and church work flourished under his leadership. The Young People's Christian Endeavor Society grew to its largest membership with Rev. and Mrs. Roos as Advisor and Sponsor.

During 1926 and 1927, it was decided to make several needed improvements. A new windmill was erected; the old coal sheds and corn cribs were wrecked and the usable lumber was used in building a 12 x 20 structure with concrete floor; a railing was placed on the steps at the entrance of the church; new hymn books, entitled "Hymns of Praise, Nos. 1 & 2," were purchased with the name of the church printed on the cover.

The new Pension Plan was explained and accepted by the officers.

During 1930 the barn was repaired, the belfry roof repaired, the exterior of the church painted, and part of the church roof reshingled.

In December, 1930, Rev. Raos accepted a call from the Hope Church in Solomon Presbytery, thus leaving this pulpit again vacant.

In March, 1932, the congregation called Rev. J. Russell Jones as Pastor and Moderator. Rev. and Mrs. Jones served the church very faithfully until April 30, 1939, when they moved to their home in Springfield, Missouri, and Rev. Jones retired from active Pastoral duties. The Bible Study classes which he conducted on Sunday evenings were very interesting and highly commendable.

Rev. E. L. Brandner was called to fill the vacancy as Pastor on December 18, 1939. Rev. and Mrs. Brandner and their two children Silas and Viola, had formerly resided near Leoti, Kansas. Rev. Brandner's services ceased when he accepted a call to the Carlton Church on September 1, 1941.

(Continued in the right column.)

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Fairview Presbyterian Church & Parsonage

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(Continued from the left column.)

Rev. V. Dean Stephens of the Riley Church became our Moderator. During the year of 1942 several candidates presented trial sermons but were not accepted by the congregation.

Samuel Barr, a student Evangelist, conducted the Sabbath morning Worship Service during the fore-part of 1943. He also conducted personal Soul-Winning classes during his stay in the community.

In September, 1944, installation services were held for Rev. E.C. Wolters, who with his wife came from Burlingame, Kansas, where he had served the church for many years. Although troubled with poor health, Rev. Wolters served his people well as long as his health permitted him to do so. In October, 1945, Rev. Wolters' resignation was accepted by the congregation and again the church was without a pastors and Rev. Frank L. Rearick, of Clay Center, became our Moderator.

In December of that years a terrible tragedy occurred, when the Manse, which was occupied by the Art Burgman family was destroyed by fire and the life of one child was lost.

In June, 1946, the Fairview school district decided to close and consolidate with the Riley district. On the 30th of that month, a public sale was held, at which time the building and property was purchased by the church.

Rev. Rearick served the church very graciously by giving us Sunday afternoon services at least once a month.

On June 29, 1947, Donald Hammerli, a student at Kansas State College, who had been taken under the care of the Topeka Presbytery, came each Sabbath morning to conduct services. This arrangement lasted until September 1, 1948, when Don left to begin his Seminary training at McCormick Seminary in Chicago.

Rev. Rearick again became the "Good Shepherd." On September 4, 1949, a larger Parish was organized, consisting of the Riley, Bala and Fairview churches. A call was issued to Rev. Fred Dawson to begin his work with the church, to which we were all looking forward.

Rev. Dawson became Pastor and Moderator at the Riley County Larger Parish in the fall of 1949, serving the churches of Riley, Bala, Fairview and a new era of our church was begun. Many changes took place and new interest was created.

The school house was sold and moved to the Fairview School district in Clay County. The money along with new money was used to redecorate the interior of the church. First, the old seats were removed, floors refinished, walls and woodwork painted, rostrum lowered, new pews were purchased, the dossel curtain and the choir area placed in the front of the sanctuary. The pulpit was refinished, a new communion table and pulpit chairs were added and the rostrum and center aisle carpeted. The two acres of land to the east of the church were sold, more new money raised and a modern gas heating system was installed. Other improvements also took place during these years to show that the congregation was moving with increased spirit to improve the House of God.

In January of 1958, the people of the Parish were shocked when Rev. Dawson asked them to accept his resignation so that he could take up a Parish charge in Winnebago, Nebraska.

The Churches were then without a regular Pastor for nearly a year but regular services were conducted by various guest ministers and laymen along with Scott Heil, a student from the College of Emporia. During this time the Pulpit Committee were searching for a new Shepherd and when on a beautiful Sabbath morning in October 1958, the Rev. Carter McKemy came as a candidate. Everyone felt sure that the hunting had ended and we would again soon have a Pastor.

The first of December, 1958, Rev. and Mrs. Carter McKemy and their two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, moved from Westwego, Louisiana, and Rev. McKemy was installed as Pastor and Moderator.

Then with the installation of Rev. McKemy the church embarked on what could well be called the McKemy era.

Our 85th anniversary was observed June 21, 1959.

A new Hammond electric organ was purchased in the spring of 1962 and additional hymnals and folding chairs were secured.

During the last decade improvements have been made. Memorials have played an important part in the total project. Memorial plates state the name and gift. Dedication of memorials were conducted by by Rev. McKemy during the final program of the centennial.

One hundred years have passed since the Presbyterian Church was founded at Fairview. Space does not permit detailed report of all the events in the passing parade. Perhaps many things which should have been said have been omitted.

The past has given us a wonderful heritage and we are proud of it. Now we face a new age and a new challenge. We cannot rest on past laurels, for new opportunities and problems beckon us. With the courage and fortitude of the pioneers of our Church, let us press forward, for Christ and His Church.
--- Compiled by Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jahnke, October 6, 1974.
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Fairview Centennial U.P.W.


The Women's Missionary Society was organized May 16, 1917 by Rev. Boell. The President was Mrs. Rudolph Baer and Esther Boell as Secretary-Treasurer.

It was voted to call the organization the "Ladies Missionary Society of the Fairview Presbyterian Church," Riley, Kansas. The object was to promote an interest in missionary work in cooperation with the Boards of the church. Pledge was 10¢ per month; thirty-six members signed the roll.

The first real meeting of the society was at the home of Mrs. John Fosha. Members voted to make a constitution and order the Mission magazine. Mrs. Fosha was voted to take the office of Secretary-Treasurer because Esther Boell married and moved away. The society members increased until in 1952 there were 52 members. Even though the roads were almost impossible to travel at times, as many as 34 members would be present.

The society book was lost from 1920-1959. In 1959 the membership dropped to 26 members. The name of the association was changed to "United Presbyterian Women."

Although the number of members today is not very large, we are all active in the work of the Presbyterial. We feel we are doing the Lord's work for and in our church.
--- Compiled by Mrs. Bessie Hageman, October, 1974.
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