Elk River Church

(1904-16?)

The Gospel Messenger May 21, 1904 page 325 Vol. 43 No. 21

FROM THE WISCONSIN MISSION FIELD.

May 7 I met with the little band of members living near Phillips. Wis.; commenced meeting the same evening. May 11 Eld. S. H. Baker, of Ludington. Wis., met with us, and the members now composing the Elk River district, located in Price county. Wisconsin, met at the home of Bro. John Wallace and were organized as the Elk River church, by electing John H. Wallace and wife to the deacon's office; Jesse Wallace clerk; James Sutton treasurer, and George Wallace, Jesse Wallace and John H. Wallace as a hoard of trustees, and Eld. C. C. Price, of Polo. Ill., as presiding elder. Bro. T. D. Van Buren, of Hannibal. Wis., has been appointed by the mission board to preach for them every two weeks.

  Thus we have a new district added to the great mission work of Wisconsin. This organization consists of fourteen members. May this plant he of our heavenly Father's planting, and may it prosper, under the blessings of our divine Father. The day following the organization the members met again al the home of Bro. Wallace, and in the evening they surrounded the Lord's table (some for the first time), where we had a very spiritual communion meeting. After the communion meeting Bro. Baker returned home. T remaining and continuing the meeting, closing the evening of May 15.

  We trust that during this meeting the members may have gathered spiritual food and spiritual strength, and may go on in the work of the Master that much good may result from their labors. God's name be glorified and souls saved by the blood of Christ. C. P. Rowland. Phillips, Wis.. May 15.

The Gospel Messenger May 20, 1905 page 315 Vol. 44 No. 20

FROM NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN.

Report from the different mission points, where work is done by the district mission board. The Ashridge, Wis., mission, with Bro. D. A. Rowland at the helm, is moving on quite encouragingly. Bro. Rowland is retained another six months, at which time it is expected that the work will be carried on by Bro. G. L. Fruit, a young and promising minister elected within the past year. However, additional help will be given them by a minister assisting Bro. Fruit once each month. In the past year two new organizations have been effected. May 15, 1904, the members, fifteen in number, of Phillips, Wisconsin, were organized into a separate body from the Barron church, nearly one hundred miles distant, to the northeast. Brethren S. H. Baker (then of Wisconsin, but now in Spokane, Washington)  and C. P. Rowland presided at the organization. An election for deacon resulted in electing Bro. John H. Wallace.

   Bro. T. D. Van Buren, of Hannibal, Wis., was secured as their pastor, whose services are much appreciated. The outlook is encouraging. The members are building a house of worship four miles from Phillips in the country, where the members reside. The name given to the new organization is Elk River.

  Worden church was organized Oct. 29, 1904, presided over by brethren H. C. Baker and John Heckman. The new organization is the east part of Maple Grove church. The Wolf River dividing the counties of Chippewa and Clark, the new body is in Clark county, now known as the Worden church. In this new organization there are fifty-three members, two of them being ministers, brethren John Patten and Joseph Gearhart, with several deacons. The west congregation retains the old name, Maple Grove. About twenty-five members remain in this place, two deacons, no minister. The mission board have secured the services of Bro. James M. Moore, of Elgin, III., as a pastor. Bro. John Heckman has the oversight as elder of each of these churches.