CHURCH RECORDS: Historical notes and Pastors list from the First Congregational Church, Hayward, Sawyer Co, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson 21 June 2000 ==================================================================== The following is a short history of the First Congregational Church of Hayward, Sawyer Co., WI, which may be helpful to those researching for ancestors in the Sawyer Co. area. They also may reveal why there are years when no records were kept (ie. fire, etc.). Also included here is a listing of the pastors that served this church, along with their background. This is my attempt to help you determine if the person you are looking for could have possibly lived in the Sawyer Co. area. ~~~~I HAVE NO FURTHER INFORMATION OTHER THAN WHAT IS LISTED HERE.~~~~ HISTORICAL NOTES OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HAYWARD The church began June 12, 1883 with a meeting in the local school. The rough logging town needed a stable Christian influence, so fifteen charter members took on the task. At the head of the list was a familiar name in our town, Mrs. A. J. Hayward. That same month a convenant and church constitution were drawn up and accepted. It stands nearly the same today as when it was drafted. The first building was completed Feb. 12, 1885 and was in service for slightly over four years, when a fire on the morning of Feb. 28, 1889 burned it to the ground. By this time, the church had grown and the strong pioneer spirit of the people took this mishap in their stride. On Aug. 4, 1889 just five months after the fire, the first service was held in our current building. It is interesting to note the total cost of $5,125.38 reported by the building committee. The church was built according to a set of plans used for a church in Wabasha, Minnesota. A review of the old records reveals how the church touches our lives. The list of baptisms, weddings and funerals follow through the families year after year. Occasionally evidence of tragedy or sorrow is reported within the old record. A young person drowns or an unknown couple dies in a strange town maybe thousands of miles from home. Our church is still writing its story on the lives of the residents of Hayward or the frequent visitor to the area. The words may be modern but the text is still the same. A beautiful youth educational wing was added to the original 1889 building that had since become a landmark on the streets of Hayward. Because of the place the church building held in the hearts of the congregation, the architect was told to match the educational wing as closely as he could to the original design. NOTE- Scroll page to the right to view all information available from the pastors histories. ~~~~PASTORS OF THE CHURCH~~~~ NAME BIRTH PLACE DATE OF BIRTH THEOLOGICAL ED. ORDINATION & INSTALLATION DATE & MODE OF REMOVAL SAFFORD, Albert A. Lake Co., Ohio 1839 21 June 1877 & 24 June 1883 1 Oct. 1887 - resigned BLAKESLEE, Allen D. Chagrin Falls, Ohio 1847 Lane 30 June 1875 & 7 Mar. 1888 11 Dec. 1894 - called STRIEMER, Alexander Germany June 1891 June 1892 - resigned HEYWARD, James W. Aldershot, Kent, Eng. 1861 Oberlin 13 Aug. 1889 10 Mar. 1896 - resigned WINSLOW, Lyman W. Liverpool, NY 1840 Beloit/Andover 11 Aug. 1869 9 Aug. 1903 - resigned RICHARDSON, David A. Arabkir, Turkey 1859 Beloit/Chicago 3 May 1898 & 1903 11 Jan. 1905 - resigned TRACY, Isaac B. Chicago 1887 & 1905 1 Apr. 1905 - called BARNES, Robert J. Milwaukee, WI 10 Dec. 1879 Chicago 15 June 1905 7 Feb. 1911 - called