Early History of the Reformed Church in SD This history appears in Chapter C of "History of South Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904), pages 588-592 and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Joy Fisher, sdgenweb@yahoo.com This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm CHAPTER C THE REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTH DAKOTA. REV. HENRY STRAKS. Rev. E. T. Corwin, D. D., in his Manual of the Reformed Church in America (1628-1902), gives a very concise sketch of the history of said church in his book, issued A. D. 1902, from which book most of our information is obtained. Introducing his history, he says of the Reformed church in general, that "It is the technical name of that division of Protestantism which had its rise in Switzerland, in 1516, under Zwingli. It was contemporary with, but independent of, the Lutheran Reformation. It was subsequently more fully developed and organized under Calvin, with a distinct type of doctrine and policy. While the name, The Reformed Church, was chiefly confined to churches on the continent, this term also embraced Protestantism under all its forms in the the British isles. Cranmer gave doctrinal shape to English Protestantism in the Anglican communion, in the days of Edward VI, 1547-53, being the principal compiler of the Thirty-nine Articles and the Prayer-book. The persecutions under Mary drove the best of the English reformers to Switzerland, whence some of them brought back the principles which developed into Puritanism, while John Knox carried back to Scotland with him the principles of Presbyterianism." The fundamental thought of the doctrine of the Reformed church is the divine sovereignty. The Doctrines of Grace, as they are called, are emphasized. These doctrines are exhibited in the confessions of faith of each country where the Reformed church prevailed. In Switzerland, in the Helvetic confession; in France, in the Gallician; in Holland, in the Belgic; in England, in the seventeenth article of the "Thirty-nine Articles," and in the Westminster confession and finally these doctrines were revised and formulated in the Canons of the Synod of Dort (1618-19), by representatives of all the churches above alluded to, besides some churches from the European states. Calvin also brought order out of confusion by thoroughly formulating the system of government of the Reformed church. He distinguished the extraordinary offices of the church in Apostolic times, from the ordinary in later times and divided them into four classes, viz: Ministers, teachers (or professors), elders, and deacons. Yet he did not insist on this as the only possible polity. Nor was he inflexible as to the mode of election of these officers. So, also, the several grades of ecclesiastical bodies which he proposed, such as consistories, classes, local synods, and a general synod, were not necessarily binding, but were matters of expediency. It is generally conceded that the faith of the Reformed church as originally formulated, together with the democratic polity, did more for the development of our modern civilization, including republican institutions, than any other system. In the Netherland the reformation received the most hearty welcome. Entering from Germany, it afterward received its chief impetus from Switzerland and France; hence its distinctive type of the Reformed doctrine and more democratic polity. After much persecution and opposition from Charles V and Philip II, who thought they could stem the tide, it flourished under its defender and deliverer, William of Orange, and was in the next century (1628) carried with the emigrants to our shores, and planted with the first colonists along the shores of the Hudson and the Raritan rivers in New York and New jersey and on Staten and Long Islands. While congregations left the Netherlands in a body, taking with them their pastors, elders and deacons, as well as schoolmasters, and so entered, organized our county and locality in settlements, built at once their church and school as well as their homes. The Reformed church in America is the oldest body of Presbyterians on the western hemisphere. As the pioneer of those doctrines and forms of government believed to be most in harmony with scripture and the American constitution, she occupies a place unique in the history of our beloved land. The Reformed church of Holland may boast the privilege of having first planted Presbyterianism upon our eastern shores. As the different nationalities, belonging to the same Reformed faith, kept their distinctive name they bore in their Fatherland, so our church in this country bore the name of Dutch Reformed church; but fearing that, after the descendants of these Dutch ancestors had all become English-speaking churches, the name "Dutch" might deter some friends of the Reformed faith from staying with, or joining our church, the appellation "Dutch" was dropped in 1867. Since 1846 there had been a constant stream of new emigrants from Holland and the principal points of destination were western Michigan, eastern Wisconsin, western New York and northern Illinois, as well as southwestern Iowa. The center of ecclesiastical operations was Holland, Michigan, in which vicinity again whole congregations settled together in one body as the first pilgrims had done in New York and New Jersey. Soon, through the good offices of their leader, Rev. A. C. Van Raalte D D., connections were desired and sought with the old mother church in this country. A sort of classis of all the churches settled in Michigan was called and delegates appointed to effect the above named union. Soon other churches were organized in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa that joined this classis of Holland, Michigan. In 1854 the general synod of said church authorized the establishing of a classical academy at Holland, Michigan, and aided it forthwith with financial and moral support. In 1862 it was organized as Hope College, now a flourishing institution, fully up to date and conducted in the American tongue. In 1866 the first class of eight students graduated, which same class having requested to be allowed to begin their theological studies under special arrangement with the professors in the college, formed the first class of the theological seminary, now prosperous in the same city and which has supplied most of the pastors for our churches in the central and western states. When, about the years 1870-80, these several settlements had become densely settled, many of the sons of these emigrants, as well as emigrants direct from the Netherlands and parts of Germany, settled in northwestern Iowa, South and North Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska, and in various states from Minnesota to the western coast. It is very singular that a board of domestic missions in the east which had been making many fruitless endeavors to induce the people to contribute liberally for the extension of our church in our own land, was by the opening of these many new fields inspired to more earnest and successful effort. Had it not been for the generous aid this board could lend, much of the pioneer work would have been left undone and the immigrants moving into these new regions would have found themselves sadly lacking in opportunities to hear the gospel in their own tongue or to get their children instructed in the Bible class and the Sunday-school, as is now so freely enjoyed. Nearly every one of the fifteen churches in South Dakota has a parsonage built or church furnished or painted by the aid of our Woman's Board of Domestic Missions, which was instrumental during the present year in raising the sum of forty-four thousand dollars for all the missionary departments of the church. After having given something about the history of the Reformed church in America in general, we now append a short history of the individual churches- located mostly in the southwestern portion of our state. BETHEL REFORMED CHURCH. The Bethel church is located in the village of Davis, in Turner county, South Dakota, on the Great Northern Railroad. The people that make up the church are mostly East Friesians, speaking the German language. The church was organized in 1896. Their first pastor was Henry Teichrieb, who served them for two years in connection with the church of Delaware, about eight miles away. Rev. Ernest F. Koerlin served the same two churches from 1897 to 1902. At present they are without a pastor. The people constituting the membership are mostly German East Friesians and number about fifteen to twenty families. DELAWARE CHURCH. The church of Delaware is located near Davis, Turner county, South Dakota. It was organized in 1890, and was served by Rev. J. H. Schoon, 1890-93 by Rev. Henry Teichrieb, 1894-96, and by Rev. E. F. Koerlin from 1896 to 1902, in combination with the church at the village of Davis. A heavy tornado doing damage from Chamberlain, South Dakota. to Rolfe, Iowa, leveled their church to the ground in 1902, but they rebuilt the same year and secured the services of Rev. Boehler in 1903. They have about twenty-five or thirty families, mostly East Friesians. CHARLES MIX. The Reformed church of Charles Mix was organized in 1884. The northeastern portion of Charles Mix county was settled mostly by Holland people in 1882-3. The Rev. Frederick J. Zwemer had been appointed as missionary of the churches in the territory of Dakota. He drove with his team of ponies from Springfield, in Bon Homme county, to Westfield, Edmonds county, North Dakota, visiting his various charges and preaching to them on Sunday and sometimes during week days. He made his home about two miles from the present village of Platte, South Dakota, and in 1884 had succeeded to effect an organization here. His church consisted of two flocks, about eleven miles apart (Castalia and Platte). In 1885 he became their pastor and served them till 1892. Then they were served by Rev. B. Molema from 1893 to 1902. In 1902 they sold the old Platte church and moved the Castalia church to the new town of Platte, where the two churches serve together under the efficient services of Prof. D. B. Dykstra, as stated supply. The church numbers about twenty-five families. Services are conducted in the Dutch language. EBENEZER REFORMED CHURCH. The church of Ebenezer is located four miles south of Scotland, Bon Homme county, South Dakota. It was organized in 1893 through the untiring efforts of Rev. S. J. Harmelink, of Marion, South Dakota, classical missionary for North and South Dakota, who served the church occasionally until 1897; by Rev. C. J. Dw Witz, 1897-1901, and by Rev. E. F. Koerlin, 1902. They have recently completed a new church and also a commodious parsonage. They number about twenty-five families, mostly East Friesians and German Russians. Services are conducted in German and English. The people are well-to-do and prosperous. GRAND VIEW. Before the city of Armour was located at the terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in Douglas county, South Dakota, Grand View was the county seat, but when the village moved bodily to Armour only the school, church and parsonage remained. Here a church was organized in 1885 as the result of the faithful labors of the missionary, Rev. F. J. Zwemer, who served it until 1889 as missionary pastor. Then they secured the services of Rev. William Pool, who served them until 1890. Then again the classical missionary, Rev. F. J. Zwemer, served them until 1892, when they secured the services of Rev. William Stegeman. During his term the church was leveled to the ground by a cyclone. They built up again the same year and enjoyed the services of their pastor in the new building until 1896. From this time until 1900 they were served by the classical missionary, Rev. S. J. Harmelink. In 1900 they secured the services of their present pastor. Rev. Jacob Brimmel. They number about thirty-five families and their services are mostly in the Holland language. The church is of course made up mostly of people direct from that country. DEMPSTER. This is a church recently organized among German people near Watertown, South Dakota. They number about twelve families and are served by the classical missionary, Rev. E. Aeilts, of Sioux Falls, recently appointed as classical missionary for the German-speaking churches of South Dakota. HARRISON. The church of Harrison, South Dakota, was organized by the Illinois classis as the First Reformed church of Douglas county, South Dakota, on June 28, 1883, with forty-five members in full communion. As elders were elected Messrs. F. Le Cocq, Sr., A. Van Arendouk and A. Knyper, and for deacons Messrs. Jacob Muilenberg, P. Ernisse and C. Beukelman. As their pastor they called the candidate Abram Stegeman, who served them very successfully until 1892. Then they called Rev. A. C. Ziegler, who served them from 1894 till 1900. Henry Straks was called as their pastor in 1901, and is still in charge. In the years 1894-5 this colony lost manv settlers on account of the continued drought, and consequently the church lost many members. At present the church numbers about eighty families. In 1902 the church was remodeled and in the lecture room rooms have have been provided where a classical academy was organized, beginning the first year with twenty-six students enrolled. Rev. B. D. Dykstra became principal and under his efficient management is doing good work. Efforts are being made to build an academy building. The church services are conducted in both the Dutch and English languages. IMMANUEL REF0RMED CHURCH. This church was organized at Perkins, near Springfield, Hon Homme county, South Dakota, in 1888, during the incumbency of Rev. F. J. Zwemer, as classical missionary, who supplied them from time to time until 1889. Then Rev. S. J. Harmelink served them in a similar way till 1894. In 1894 they called as their first permanent pastor the candidate, J. F. Heemstra, who stayed with them for nearly two years. Their present pastor is Rev. William Stegeman. The services are conducted in the Dutch and English languages. They have a congregation of about forty families and are preparing to build a new church this summer. The people are mostly of Dutch extraction. LIVINGSTON MEMORIAL CHURCH, SIOUX FALLS. This church was organized in 1883 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Their first pastor was Rev. E. P. Livingston, who, coming west, served them for two years and died. Afterward the relatives living east gave money to build this church as a memorial of his personal labors. Rev. W. J. Skillman was their pastor from 1885 to 1893; Rev. S. J. Harmelink, as classical missionary, 1893-5; Rev. L. Kingsbury, 1895-9; Rev. S. J. Harmelink, 1899-1900. Then they called the candidate, J. Reuich, now missionary to China, who served them for two years. In 1902 they obtained the services of their present pastor, Rev. H. J. Schipper, who was favored with the presence in a Sunday evening service of President Roosevelt in 1903, while on a trip through the west. The services are in English. The church is growing under the watchful care of their present pastor and numbers about twenty-five families. LENNOX FIRST REFORMED CHURCH This church was organized about six miles from the present town of Chancellor in the year 1883, under the auspices of the classis of Illinois. The people are mostly East Friesians and their descendants, who came from Illinois to their present location in Lincoln county, South Dakota. Their first pastor, Rev. Weiland, served them until 1885; Rev. Mollenbeck, 1887-91; Rev. L. Watermulder, 1891-93; Rev. R. Jansen, 1894-95. Their present pastor, Rev. G. Haken, began his successful career in 1896. The people are Germans of the East Friesian type, prosperous and industrious. During the past year a portion of this congregation was organized into a separate congregation at the station Chancellor, which is also served by the same pastor. They still have a congregation of about thirty-five families and a mempership of about sixty. The services are conducted in the German language. LENNOX SECOND REFORMED CHURCH. This church was organized in the village of Lennox, at the juncture of the St. Paul and Great Northern Railways, in 1889. Their first pastor was Rev. J. H. Schoon, who served them until 1895. Then Rev. L. Watermulder served them for two years, after which they obtained their former pastor again, who is still serving them successfully. They have just finished a very elegant church and their services are in the German language. They number about sixty families. VOLGA REFORMED CHURCH. This church was organized in Miner county, South Dakota, in 1902, with a membership of about fifteen families. The people are mostly immigrants from northwestern Iowa. The Dutch language is used. They have no pastor, but they have classical supplies every month. SALEM REFORMED CHURCH. The Reformed church of Salem, McCook county, South Dakota, was organized in 1884. Their first pastor was Rev. Cotton, who served them until 1887; Rev. F. J. Zwemer, 1891-92; Rev. W. F. Barney, 1896-1899. Their present pastor is Rev. Jacob Christ, who began his work in 1902. This church is not large and has not prospered because they were most of the time without stated preaching of the gospel. Their services are in the German language and they number about twenty- five families. SANDHAM MEMORIAL CHURCH. This was at first organized as the Reformed church of Marion in 1883. Later when a church was built the money was sent in memory of a family by the name of Sandham. Rev. S. J. Harmelink served them as missionary pastor from 1883 to 1894; Rev. Reeverts, 1895-7; Rev. Harmelink, again as missionary, 1897 to 1900, and Rev. J. E. Winter is their present pastor since 1901. The services are in Dutch and English and the number of families is about twenty. There is another Reformed church in this place composed of German people and numbering about thirty-five families. WORTHING REFORMED CHURCH. Worthing, South Dakota, Reformed church was organized in 1900 as a branch of the Second Lennox church. Their services are conducted in the German language. They number about fifteen families and are served by the Rev. J. H. Schoon as stated supply. MONROE REFORMED CHURCH (GERMAN). This church was organized about 1885 from the German population in and about Monroe, South Dakota. At present they number about thirty-five families and they are constantly growing under the faithful labors of Rev. D. Siemsen, their present pastor. CHANCELLOR REFORMED CHURCH. This church was organized in 1903 from people formerly belonging to the First Lennox Reformed church. They number about twenty-five families. Rev. G. Haken, of the First Lennox church, serves them as stated supply. The services are conducted in the German language. They completed a very handsome church in the village of Chancellor early in 1903.