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Centennial History Book
Religion was important to the people, there were CHURCHES
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The first Episcopal Church service was held in Farnam in the summer of 1888, by Bishop A. R. Graves. He was the first missionary Bishop of western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. He came by train on the new railroad for this first meeting.
The first Rector was Rev. S. A. Potter and he came for services once in every two months. He served all towns from Haigler, Red Cloud and Oconto.
The first Episcopal Sunday School was held in the Burlington depot and was organized by Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Reese. Mr. Reese was station agent at that time. Services were held in various churches and the hall until 1934 when the present church was purchased.
Episcopal Guild was first held in the summer of 1893 with Mrs. Catherine Taylor as president. It continued on for many years.
Bishop Graves retired because of failing health in 1910 and was succeeded by Geo. A. Beecher, who was elected the Bishop of western Nebraska and for about 25 years he faithfully served the people.
Dora Johnston was secretary and treasurer for many, many years. She would tuck money away in the bank in different funds where it would accumulate interest. One example of that was through the efforts of two elderly ladies, working with a younger group in the summer of 1917 they held an apron sale, which netted $60.00. Through the accumulation of the interest being applied to the principal $274.00 resulted and was used in the purchase of the church in 1934.
Many bazaars were held during the thirty years. These bazaars were the work of the Taylor family, the Tufts family, the Reese family, the Crampton family, the Ceder family, the Hinkley family, the Tonne family, the Parker family, the Ainlay family and the Johnston family. Again Dora put the money in the bank to accumulate interest.
The present Episcopal Church was purchased in August, 1934, from the committee which represented the Congregational Church. The church, repairs, necessary furniture or fixtures, insurance and etc. amounted to $669.44 which was all paid for by time of purchase. This was all possible by the savings kept throughout the years.
Mrs. Catherine Taylor and Mrs. Dora Johnston were the only communicants in 1886. The following were confirmed later. They were Mrs. M. J. Tufts, Mrs. S. F. Parker, Mrs. Sarah Tonne, Mrs. Kathleen Crampton, Mrs. Agnes Whitacre, Mrs. Dygert and Mrs. Thomas Reese.
In the 45 years of existence of the Episcopal Church many changes in pastors and members have come and gone.
The church at closing time was being served by Father Moorhead from Arapahoe. He came every two weeks to hold services. In 1978 due to the church membership becoming smaller in number, services were discontinued.
The present members of the Church in Farnam are Jeannette Parker, Lillian Donner, Gerald Thompson, Evelyn Hazen, Valerie and Lynn Messersmith.
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