Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

hall are on the top floor.
Music has always played an important part in our
church life. Baptists are noted for their singing. None,
however, have been more productive than the present
choir under the excellent direction of Gertrude Rogers.
We estimate that Wilma Remley. has been the organist
for over 30 years.
Ethel Barker has been a Sunday School teacher for
over 50 years. It would be fitting to give special
recognition to her. She has also assumed leadership in
all areas, such as President of the Missionary Society,
financial secretary. Sunday School Superintendent,
choir member, unofficial chuch secretary. typing.
making bulletins and monthly newsletter, Area 11
officer, President of United Church Women. She helped
start Mobile Meal delivery in Anamosa and originated
the Friendship Club.
Pastors who have served and their years of service
are: Daniel Browley. 1858-1868: N.B. Homan. 1858-
1868; M.C. Kempsey. 1868-1869; M.T. Lamb. 1869-
1870; Robert Leslie, 1870-1871; C.J.B. Jackson, 1872-
1876; H.W. Shiele, 1876-1877; C.F. Tucker, 1877-
1879; J.C. Burkhilde, 1881-1882: C.L. Morrill, 1882-
1884; C.C. Smith. 1884-1890: A.H. Ballard. 1890-1895;
W.E. Glanville. 1895-1904: J.M. Deschamp, 1904-
1907, E.K. Masterson. 1907-1908; John Haerage. 1908-
1910; Charles Scheik,1910-1912; Milton Whisler,
1912-1913: E.A. Schlaman, 1913-1916: B.O. Phillpotts.
1916-1918: J.M. Wilson, 1918-1920; Charles Weber,
1920-1921: George W. Derbyshire, 1920-1921; Fred
White, 1921-1924; M.L. Dilley, 1924-1927; E.A.
Schlaman, 1927-1944; B.H. Shaw, 1944-1945: Walter
Wigger, 1945-1952; Stuart Brightweil. 1952-1954:
W.D. Carter, 1954-1955; Gail Patterson, 1956-1957;
David Yeend, 1957-1960: Lee Hobel, 1960-1963:
Charles Landon, 1963-1966: Supply Pastors. 1966-
1968: James lmlay, 1968-1971; Donald Wells, 1971-
1977, Mark Riggins, 1977-1982; Rohn Petersen, 1983-
1986: Marion McCoy, 1986.
The present Sunday School Superintendent is
Darwin Coleman and the Secretary-Treasurers are
Donald Brink and Barney Barnes.
During Rev. Peterson's pastorate the church
purchased land across from the Anamosa Care Center.
A new church facility will be erected in the very near
future on this site.
The officers now serving are: Moderator, Gene
Covington; Vice-Moderator, Donald Brink: Clerk, Nelda
Barnes: Assistant Clerk, Lois Terrell; Treasurer, Carol
Perkins: Financial Secretary. Ethel Barker:
Benevolence Treasurer, Alice Covington.
Deacons are William Ferguson, Samuel Tarbox.
Wilbur Behnke and Keith Terrell.
Deaconesses are Judy Eden. Jeanne Jensen.
Jeanette Hale and Delphia McCoy.
Serving on the Board of Christian Education are
Shirley Ferguson, Jolene Biebrodt, Florence Brink and
Lois Terrell.
First Congregational Church of Anamosa
submitted by Mrs. Ethel Stanaway
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The flrst Congregational Church in Anamosa was
located on West Main Street. It was called the
"Church of the Big Woods". (Submitted by the
Anamosa Historical Society)
The First Congregational Church had its beginning in
this community 44 days before Iowa became a state in
1846. Seven devout persons met in a little log cabin
school house located mid-way between Main St. and
the site of the present Riverside Cemetery. The persons
who met were: Rev. Alfred Wright. A Home Missionary,
from Missouri. with his wife and son: Mr. and Mrs.
Samuel Hillis; Mr. and Mrs. Soloman Hester, and
Margaret Hester. The majority of those present were
Presbyterians who felt that if they fonned a Congregational
church lt would give them a closer fellowship
with other churches in the territory. The First Con-
First Congregational Church parsonage was located
on the street going to the cemetery. on the east side of
the street. (Anamosa Historical Society)
gregational Church was organized Nov. 14, 1846; the
first church in Jones County.
Services were held in the log school house for several
years, with sawdust on the fioor, seats with no backs,
and a few tallow candles for illumination.
In 1851, a neat, white, frame church was built on
West Main St.. on the north side, just before the turn on
Elm St. This was the first frame church in the county.
With the railroad depot located in the east section of
Anamosa. and business was beginning to move in that
direction, plans for a new church building were begun.
Edmund Booth, editor of the Eureka, offered to
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