Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1892 — Church History. [ARTICLE]

Church History.

As the church was growing and prospering under the faithful and efficient labors of Rer. Chestnut they began to think and talk about erecting an edifice, as there was no suitable place for holding their meetings. So in order to go to work properly and legally a meeting of the congregation was c<dl°d to elect trustees, to be he d on the 18th of Deceml er, 1849, at which meeting the following persons were duly elected: Hr. John S. Lawer Benjamin Henkle and James J Porter. And on January 8, 1850 they met again to decide as to the size of the proposed building, <fcc. After due consultation it was decided that the building should be 60x36 in the clear, that it be 16 ft. to ceiling and that a cupalo and belfrey be placed on the front end of the building. At the same meeting James J. Portei as-ied to be excused from serving as trus* tee. He was accordingly excused and Ezra Wright was selected to fill the position. June 15, 1850, John S. Lawer having moved from the bounds of this church, and he being the clerk of the congregation, Ezra Wright was chosen to the vacancy. On motion the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted: Whereas, JoDn C. Vanßensselaer, Esq., of the city of New York, has heretofore tendered to this congregation as a donation upon which to erect a church edifice, Lots No. 1 and 2, in Block No. 8, in the Town of Rensselaer, which donation has been heretofore informally accepted by the church, and preparations Have been made for the creation of a church; And Whereas, Mr. Van Rensselaer being now prese t and wisning to furnish a more eligible site for said church, proposes to change said donation from lets 1 a nd 2 to lots No. 4, 5 and 6, in block 8, be accepted, and the trustees be instructed to receive a conveyanie of the same. ResolvedJ That the thanks of the congregation be tender d to Mr. Yanßensselaer for the very liberal don ition above mentioned, and that the clerk forward to him a eopy of this preamble and resolution. On motion the congregation proceed to the eln Hon of a trustee to fill the vacancy occasioned by removal of John 8. Lawer from our bounds, Joshua Clark, M. D., was elected. December 1861. At a meeting called for the purpose, they proceeded to elect a board of trustees for the ensuing year, and the following persons were elected: John D. Work, Ezra Wright and Benjamin Henkle On motion the trustees made a report of their doihgs in regard to the church, and it appeared that when the church should be finished there would be a balance aaainst the church over all available means of near two hundred dollar, when an additional subscription was taken to meet said balance. A. Membeb. IfSLiKS