A group of Christians dedicated to the service of the Lord met at the home of W.A. Chapman on April 15, 1890 for the purpose of establishing a Christian (Disciples of Christ) Church in Rosendale.

Mr. J.W. Gardner was elected chairman of the meeting and W.A. Chapman clerk. This group also elected E.M. Ward, W.A. Gardner, and W.A. Chapman for a building committee. Chosen as a board of trustees were: J.W. Gardner, J.L. Roberts and H.B. Watson.

At this meeting the group made plans to erect a frame structure thirty-two by fifty feet with sixteen foot ceilings to be located at the Northwest corner of block nine.

This building was erected at a cost of $1,287.80 and was dedicated on September 24, 1890. The dedication service was conducted by Reverend W.C. Rogers. There were thirty-three charter members. J.W. Gardner was appointed Elder and W.A. Gardner and Nathaniel Kellogg were appointed to serve as Deacons.

W.A. Chapman was the first minister. He served four different periods. Another minister, A.R. Hunt, served three different times. Twenty-four other ministers have served the church since its dedication.

The congregation started with quater time preaching. The minister served Fairview, a country church south of town and Bethel located northwest of town. In 1930 the preaching program was extended to three Sundays a month, and in 1932 to the present the congregation has had a full time ministerial program.

In 1904 an addition was built on the east. At the same time the pulpit was moved from the south to the east and the enterance from the north to the northwest.

Major improvements have been made through the years. The building has been raised, seven rooms have been added which includes a fellowship hall, Sunday School rooms, a mordern kitchen, and two rest rooms. A trailer sets on the east side of the building which serves as a nursery. Four memorial stain glass windows have also been added.

In 1949 the R.S. Mickey family added a new baptistry in honor of World War II veterans.

Many memorial gifts have been given that have added beauty both to the church and its services.

Active groups in the congregation are the Christian Women's Fellowship which was organized in 1931, the Christian Youth Fellowship, the Chi Rho group and a Bible study group. On the last Saturday morning of each month a prayer breakfast is held for men of the community.

During the past ninety years many generations have worshiped in the Rosendale Christian Church. May it stand as a "Beacon for Christ" for many future generations.

Submitted by Leota Alkire

 

 

Ministers who served this church:

W.A. Chapam 1890-1895,

Harris 1896-1897,
Ferrell 1897-1898,

W.A. Chapam 1898-1907,
T.W. Cottingham 1907-1908,

A.R. Hunt 1909-1910,
J.N. Cole 1910-1911,

W.A. Chapam 1911-1912
Augustine 1913-1914,

A.R. Hunt 1914-1916,
J.R. Orrinson 1917-1918

W.A. Chapam 1918-1919,
A.R. Hunt 1919-1920,

W.A. Chapman 1921-1923
W.A. McDonald 1923-1924,

E.F. Hagee 1924-1927,
W.W. Marvin 1928-1929,

James Van Lear 1930-1936,
B.H. Harmon 1936-1938,

H.L. Barr 1938-1939
D.C. Dick 1940-1945,

Donald Newland 1945-1946,
Charles E. Chandler 1946-1951,

Harold V. Day 1952-1957,
Fred Gee 1957,

Garner D.Noland 1957,
Carlyle Barnard 1957-1960,

Walter Bartholf Sr. 1960-1964,
Robert Hoffman 1964-1967,

Jim Tucker 1967,
Byron Paxton 1967-1971

Oscar Jenkins 1972-1977,
Jim Offenbacker 1977,

Daryl Donovan 1978-1984,
Ray Ewing 1984- 1988

Corval Lile (interim) 1988-1990,
Greg Thogmartin 1990-1997,

Herb Lambert (interim) 1998,

Terry Carlson -1999-2004,

Steve Churchill (interim) 2005-2006

Kent Klundt 2006-present

Rich Atkins -Associate Pastor 2003-present

 

 1942 Congregation

 

 

 

 I Remember:

The other morning as I sat in my office my mind wandered back to my childhood, more specifically back to the big white church in the middle of Rosendale. In my mind I took a tour of that place that I can no longer do in the flesh. The colors, the smells, the feelings came back to me as I closed my eyes and imagined. Go on that tour with me and try to remember. The entry with the long rope, which hung down just out of the reach of small children, which led to the bell that let the town know it was time to worship. Then there was the coat closet that was always congested with people because it was so small, but it helped keep us close. Then into the fellowship hall, a place that lived up to its name, with its stained-glass windows and paneling. It's green folding doors that were home to "Nemo Labrinski." I remember the kitchen, I can still smell the bacon of the men's prayer breakfast or the garlic bread of the spaghetti supper being cooked. I remember the Sanctuary with its tall, tall ceilings that had ceiling fans that seemed too far away to do any good. So in the summer, I remember the box of hand-held fans that we used to stay cool, as the sermon got long. I remember the huge windows, especially the one that I liked to get to church early to turn on before anyone else had the chance. I remember the alter, Its green carpet that tears of joy and tears of sorrow were shed on by people kneeling there. I remember going to that alter and asking Christ to save me, and meaning it. I remember the baptistery, the beautiful river scene painted on the background, the green curtains that opened to reveal the next person that was taking the plunge for Christ (even if the water was never quite warm enough). I remember the Sunday school classrooms that were designated bt their pastel colors. I remember learning the stories of Jesus and David and Paul and Moses with paper puppets and felt boards. But, as I went on this tour in my mind, I not only recalled the things and places, I remembered the people. I remembered caring people that were always there when the doors of the church were opened. I know now that these were people that didn't have to be there, but chose to be there to pass on to me and many others like me the beliefs and traditions that they also had grown up with. They were there to show me the way to Christ. Thank God for them. As I sit here and remember these things, I get a greater sense of exactly what it is that we are to be doing today. Someday, one of those little balls of energy that light up the church today will sit back and remember this place and these people. Are you teaching them? Are you passing along a heritage? Are you one of the loving faces that they will remember? As we fill out the rosters of teachers and leaders for the kids this year, would you please consider passing the wisdom, knowledge, experiences, and love that Christ has placed in you. I know personally, that it will be worthwhile and can make a difference in someone's life.
Love in Christ,
Rich

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it".-Proverbs 22:6

 

                   

 

 

The Disaster of July 1993

 

 In 1993 during the great flood of 93 water had risen to a all time high. The flood had severely damaged the church. The water had damage the floors, the walls and the foundation the cost of the repairs would have been enormous. So the church members decided to build a new church 2 mile's west of town were it would be out of the floodplain.

In 1994 the new church was finished so the Rosendale Christian Church can continue to minister to the community and worship God in spirit and in truth.