Bijou Hills Church

Brule Co., South Dakota

(1885 - after 1900)

There is very little known about the Bijou Hills church. No known history of the church exists as far as we can tell. Below is a article out of the Gospel Messenger telling of the organization of the church. There was Forty members in 1892. After 1896 no more article were found for the Bijou Hills church in The Gospel Messenger. It is thought that sometime after this the church disbanded.

The Bijou Hills congregation did not have a church house. Some of places meet at are Kilngerman School-house3 miles south of Kimball, school house No. 5 , near the Hills and later in 1892 rent the Grand Army Hall for the summer. The Bijou Hills church did not have a church cemetery. Most of the members of the Bijou Hills church are buried in the Union cemetery.

Jan. 19, 1886 page 44, The Gospel Messenger

From Bijou Hills Church, Brule Co., Dak. T’y.
We, the brethren and sister of Brule Co., Southern Dakota, met at the Klingerman school-house, three miles south of the town of Kimball, Dec. 12, 1885, for the purpose of trying to effect a church organization. It being the coldest morning we have had here this winter, not as many were present as there would have been, as the majority that were present, had nearly twenty miles to go. Despite the cold, there were a goodly number present. The meeting was opened by singing hymn No. 253; exhortation and prayer by the writer; reading seventieth chapter of St. John, and appropriate remarks by Eld. J. A. Murray. The writer was chosen secretary. The object of the meeting being plainly stated by Bro. Murray, the unanimous voice of those present was to prefect an organization that we might better advance the cause of Christ here upon the frontier. There were quite a number of the Progressive Brethren present, who were very kind to all of us. The Organization was finally completed with sixteen members present, with a good, confidential feeling for the cause here. One dear sister, lately identified with the Progressive Brethren, came back and united with us, which made this little band rejoice. Hope other may do likewise. Bro. Jacob A. Murray, the senior elder, by request of writer, has the oversight of the church. His address is Kimball, Brule Co., Dak. There are other members residing in this country, who were not present. The exact number is not definitely known at present. Bro. Murray has regular meetings near Kimball every two weeks, while we, at Bijou Hills, have regular meetings every Sabbath. By ballot the name of Bijou Hills was selected for our local church, that by this name we may be identified among the many church organizations of our blessed Brotherhood.
In the future I may give a pen description of the noted Bijou Hills. The local organization was completed by electing Bro. Wm. Lightly clerk, and Bro. Charles Baltman treasurer. We decided to have quarterly church meeting, beginning the first Saturday in May, 1866, at school-house No. 5, near the Hills.
There are two ministers belonging to this church, and one deacon, with a good, working membership, and by the help of God we hope to do a little good in defense of the cause of Christ. Four accessions to the church already, three by baptism and one reclaimed. We need ministerial help, and would be thankful to minister desiring a good home, to come see our country before locating elsewhere.
Brethren and sister, do remember us in your prayers that the little vine planted here may grow and bear much fruit, to the glory and honor of our Heavenly Father. Weather very fine; mercury has not been down to zero, as indicated by the thermometer, this winter, here at the hills. God bless the Brotherhood. Pray for us.
Wm. G. Cook. Dec. 20, 1885

Known members of this church are as follows.

In 1892 there was forty members so we know there are more members than listed below.

For more information about the member please E-mail me (Dennis) at orwahist@aol.com

John M Albright & wife Marguerite (Minister), moved to Iowa

John Alstott & wife Annie, moved to near Polo in Caldwell County, MO

Ezekiel H Ames & wife Iown, formerly of Fort Wayne, Ind

Charles Battman & wife Lilla (Deacon), moved to Clearwater Co., ID

Moses Brumbaugh & wife Anna

William Cook & wife Margaret (Minister), formerly of Plymouth Church Marshall Co., Ind. moved to Olk.

Sidney M Covert & wife Mary E, moved to Wenatchee, WA.

Jonathan Heath & wife Ellen

J Edwin Hoover

Joseph Henderson Huffman & Wife Caroline, formerly of Ind. moved to the Fairview church in Canada

Mrs. Kauffman

John Lyter

William Lightly

A. A Myers, lived at Chamberlain, S. Dak, formerly from Somerset county, Pennsylvania

John McLean (Minister)

Jacob A Murray & wife Sarah (Elder) formerly from Waterloo, Iowa

Charles Peterson & wife Samantha J, formerly of Richland County, Ohio

Solomon Peterson & wife Mary S (Deacon), formerly of Richland County, Ohio

William E Root & wife Sarah (Minister), formerly from Iowa

Daniel L. Shock & wife Hannah (Deacon), formerly from Syracuse, Ind

Marion Ellsworth Stair & wife Laura (Deacon), moved to near Polo in Caldwell County, MO

Augustus I Troth, formerly from Preble Co., OH

Return to Churches Page