FIRST GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SIBLEY.

About a quarter of a century ago Germans from eastern United States began to move westward and settle in the northwestern portion of Iowa and South Dakota. Among these early settlers missionaries were very active. Rev. J. E. Drake, the official missionary, Rev. H. Wortmann and other local pastors of the German Presbyterian church, through their unabating activity and the Grace of God, were instrumental in organizing churches among the German speaking people of the Northwest.

During the year of 1892 missionary work was begun among the Germans of Sibley and vicinity. At first preaching services were conducted in the court house; later in the Baptist and the old St. John's Episcopal church. In 1896 the present church building was purchased from the Methodists. Two lots, 11 and 12, in block 30, in the town of Sibley, were secured from the Iowa Land Company on which the present church building is situated. The congregation also owns a seven-room manse, situated on lots 5 and 6, in block 9, in Chase's addition to Sibley. The entire valuation of the church property is eight thousand dollars, free from debt. Last year the entire church building was equipped with a spacious basement and a new heating system. The church on the inside has lately been decorated by the Ladies' Aid Society.

After the organization had been effected in 1895 and incorporated under the laws of Iowa, it was received under the care of the presbytery of Sioux City and synod of Iowa, and so remained until it was transferred to the presbytery of George and the German synod of the Northwest. Names prominent among the charter members are: Oscar Schmidt, Krine Deuth, Cornelius Jensen, Min Schouhoven and Claas Huffmann. Ruling elders, deacons and a board of trustees constitute the official staff. Rev. Aiken Kruse served as the first local pastor of the newly organized church. He was succeeded by Rev. L. Figge, Rev. E. B. Grancko and Rev. J. Schaelde. For a while during the year of 1904 the church was without a pastor. Missionary E. Boell had charge of the field for a while until Rev. A. Proett became its regular pastor in the year 1905. About thirty new members were added to the church during his pastorate of five years. In the spring of 1910 the present pastor, Rev. Oltman B. Oltmans, was called and is still serving the church.

The church now has a total membership of forty communicants. About fifty families are associated with the church, representing about three hundred individuals. The Ladies' Aid, missionary societies and the Sunday school are the only organizations connected with the church. The Ladies' Aid Society has a membership of eighteen and the Sunday school an enrollment of eighty members.


THE HOPE CHURCH.

About eighteen years ago there was quite a prosperous settlement of Presbyterian Germans in West Holman township, a few miles west of Sibley. Gerd de Vries was the principal moving spirit in the agitation which led up to the establishment of Hope church. A church society was organized and a church and parsonage erected, which flourished and sustained a pastor several years. The first pastor was Rev. Isaac Kruse. The second Rev. Figge and the third was Rev. Groncke. The present pastor is Rev. L. Henenga, who has this church and a church in the east end of Lyon county, a few miles from George. He resides at the Lyon county church. Of late years many of the supporters of this church have moved away, leaving it in rather a weak condition. However, they are keeping tip the organization and are living in the hope of better times.

From the 1914 Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties

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