The first church service was held in the L. F. Lyon home, with Rev. Jim Roach as the first minister of the Christian Church.  There was no musical instrument in those days, and he also led the singing.

The first church was said to have been built in 1870.  The first Christmas tree and program held in St Charles was held in this church.

In 1882 a storm hit the church and completely demolished it.  The lumber was then sold.  Then services were held in the old school Presbyterian Church.  A minister came from Winterset on horseback and held services on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

In 1890 the present church was built by a few who remained loyal to their faith in the Church of Christ.

St. Charles Christian Church

Photo Courtesy of 1915 Madison County History

In 1893 Rev. Weaver and Lewis called a meeting to organize a Sunday School and elect officers.  Five classes were set up.

Rev. Randel’s encouragement in 1930 started a program of modernization.  A new baptistery was installed.  A complete basement was put under the church and furnace and electric lights were added.  The chairs were replaced with pews and a new pulpit was put in.

During the past years many more improvements have been made to beautify our church.  We now have a resident minister (1951), Rev. Joe King.  His love for the Kingdom building led him to minister our congregation.

The first missionary organization was formed under Rev. Schmidt in the fall of 1925 and was called W.C.M.S.  Hazel Cheek was the first president and the members numbered about twelve.  The woman’s work was carried on through the years by the Ladies’ Aid and the Ruth Circle.  In 1942 these organizations were combined, and the women all worked together in a new organization called the Women’s Council.  In 1950, in order to follow along with the new state program, the Women’s Council changed its name to Christian Women’s Fellowship.  A traditional project of this group of serving homemade ice cream and cake at the annual Old Settler’s celebration.

Some of the ministers serving this church were:  Rev. Elder, Rev. Hedges, Rev. Briggs, Rev. I. G. Randels, Rev. Rector, Rev. Shepards; Students from Drake—Smith, Cook, Moore, Coffee, Morris, Lowe, Vere Rogers, Herman Olmstead, Bailey, Primes, Showalter, Titus, P. G. Dennis, C. F. Schmidt, Loren Gans, Burns, Leroy Kinser, Baker, C. L. McKim, Leo Purcell, Warren Hile, Jr., Fred Evans, Marlin Love, James Farrell, and the present minister Rev. Tom Foglesong.

From the September 5, 1979 Winterset Madisonian, "The St. Charles Christian Church was sold in July to Dale Brown of St. Charles who plans to tear it down and use the lumber to build a new home.

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