The following Pasters served the church while worshipping at the Dryden School House: Revs. OTIS, FUNK, TILLBERRY, OTIS (2nd time), and Rev. ANDREWS. After the church built a house of worship in Delphos, costing the congregation $800 in 1883, the church was moved to town in 1884, but was not reorganized. The name was changed from the Goshen Baptist Church to the "Delphos" Baptist Church, with Rev. P. ANDREWS as pastor.

Transcriber's Note: The 2005 Record-News article stated that Reverend William GOLDING of Redding served as the pastor with services held every two weeks.

The following pastors served the church after moving to Delphos: Revs. Wm. GOLDING, Hiram THARP, Orr CAMPBELL, E. B. OSBORNE, W. DAILY, S. P. SHAW, E. B. OSBORNE (2nd time), Orr CAMPBELL (2nd time), T[homas]. H[oward]. BOGGESS, C. C. MARRIOT, J. P. THOMAS, E. F. THOMPSON, Jas. K. SKWAR, Fred WHITE, W. J. DIEGLEMAN, and Rev. Orr CAMPBELL (3rd time).

For a time, the Evangelical Church was held in the Baptist Church, this occurring around the turn of the century. Sunday School was held all together, with the Baptists preaching ever two weeks and the Evangelical preaching on the Sundays in-between. Rev. LOVELL was probably the Evangelist who started the Evangelical in Delphos. There was also Rev. THOMPSON, whose sister, Lenore THOMPSON, taught one term of school in Delphos.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 15, 1915

DELPHOS - Newly elected officers of the Baptist Young People's Union for the next six months are: President, Warren S. WRIGHT; vice-president, O. C. VARNER; secretary, Mrs. B. F. SEATON; and treasurer, Hugh SEATON.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2015

It was decided by vote that a new church should be built, and this occurred on September 10, 1921. The new church was erected at a cost of $11,000.

The Baptist Church at Maloy was torn down at this time, and part of the material was used in the new church. The bell, which hangs in the metal tower, was originally in the Maloy Baptist Church. The cornerstone was laid Nov. 7th, 1921 and it was donated by Mt. Monument Works. Sunday, May 14, was Dedication Day for the beautiful new church, just completed at a cost of $11,000. The exterior was finished in Kellastone, with a rug-brick foundation and a high basement. It was said that the acoustics were perfect, and it had a seating capacity of 250. The successful completion of this building is more remarkable when considering the size of the population - about 100, with a church membership of sixty.

On the day of dedication there remained an indebtedness of $2,100 with $900 added for a lighting system and other possible expenses. This amount was joyfully over-subscribed by several hundred dollars.

The committee that faithfully directed construction of the building was composed of B. F. SEATON, chairman; C. O. DEIBERT, Sec.; J. L. STEPHENS, and A. Z. STEPHENS. Much labor was donated by members and friends, labor which represented a deflected cost of hundreds of dollars. The church was pastorless during its construction. The Christian Church and the Baptist Church held services on alternate Sundays.

Rev. Norman NOBLE came in 1959 to serve as the pastor and has remained since then, except for two of three years when he was in Bethany, MO. During this time, Rev. Eldon BOESE and Rev. Jack MERRITT served as pastors in his stead.

Delphos Baptist Church Sunday School Parade, circa 1910

 

Delphos Baptist Class, 1924

Back Row, left to right: Omer VARNER - teacher, Charles VARNER, Hagan FERRELL, Floyd LINK, Paul SEATON, Louie SEFRIT, Orville POLLEY, Linn, STEPHENS, Orr SEATON, Roy DEIBERT, John KING - Minister

Front Row, left to right: Helen HILLHOUSE, Cleo POLLEY, Lela STEPHENS, Vera SEFRIT, Audrey SEFRIT, Gladys DEIBERT, unknown, Louise BLUNCK, Frances HILLHOUSE, Opal LINK

 

Delphos Baptist Primary Class, 1925

Back Row, left to right: Sam McPHERSON, M. POLLEY, M. STEPHENS, Lee POLLEY, O. LINK - teacher, M. STEPHENS, unknown, Pauline McPHERSON, K. STEPHENS, unknown, Paul McPHERSON

Front Row, left to right: D. FOX, Mildred SEATON, Mary SEATON, C. STEPHENS, G. McPHERSON, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, A. VARNER, unknown

 

Delphos Baptist Class, 1935

Back Row: Marilyn PRITCHETT, Sharon CONGDON, Junior PRITCHETT. Middle Row: Edith, Wilma, and Betty CONGDON. Front Row: Ben and Fannie SEATON

 

Delphos Baptist Class, 1935

Thelma HILL, Kathleen GARRETT, Lee POLLEY, Mildred SEATON, Mary SEATON

 

Baptist Youth Fellowship, 1956

Back Row, left to right: Rev. BEARDSLEY, Junior PRITCHETT, Richard BELL, Roger BELL, Marvin BEEDE, Melvin BEEDE
Front Row, left to right: Cheryl MINNICK, Doris STAATS, Carolyn PRITCHARD, Clarice MINNICK

 

Sadly, there hasn't been services at the Baptist Church for some time. Marilyn JOHNSON and Viriginia STEPHENSON are working to turn the church into a museum. They have applied for a grant which was denied. Marilyn and Virginia work with what they have and would appreciate donations of Delphos items.

Contact Marilyn JOHNSON at (641) 785-2358, or Virginia STEPHENSON at (641) 785-2317

SOURCES:
Delphos Centennial Book: 1880-1980

Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County. July 7, 2005

AVITT, Mike. Pages and Pictures from the Past . . . Ringgold County, Iowa: 1885-2005 p. 36. Paragon Publications, Inc. Mount Ayr, Iowa. 2009.

Photographs by Sharon R. Becker, May 22 & August 6, 2009
Compiled by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009; updated September of 2015