Congregational
  "In Septemeber, 1887, they had their first meeting which was held after Sunday School, they held the first meeting to organize a Congregational Church. Mr. G. B. Dunton, Byrd Dunton, J. W. Voodry, W. H. Rolph, J. H. Holderman, W. L. Declow and Fred H. Aldin were the principal ones at the meeting. Mr. Dunton had written to the Congregational Society for a young man by the name of Mr. Snyder, who came as a student and as the pastor he conducted a few services through the summer and helped with organizing the "Articles of Incorporation," which were later filed in September and were signed by G. B. Dunton, Byrd B. Dunton, V. T. Rolph, Mary R. Dunton, Mary J. Voodry, W. H. Rolph, J. H. Holderman, F. H. Aldin and J. W. Voodry.
At the next meeting that was called Rev. Woolman, who was then preaching at Naponee, was called as pastor for the church here. At that time there was a Congregational church at Naponee, Indianola, McCook and Bertrand, these being the only Congregational churches in southwest Nebraska.
The amount of money received from the Trustees of the Farnam Congregational church from the time of organization to the 1st of January, 1888 is as follows:
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On April 23, 1888, Rev. Woolman, G. B. Dunton and F. H. Aldin were appointed to build a church. Mr. Woolman, who at one time was a contractor submitted plans for the church. $308.00 was pledged in cash and $90.00 in labor. The contract was let for $750.00 cash and labor donated. The difference between the $750.00 and $308.00 was furnished by the Congregational Society. The church was finished, but I could find no record when it was finished or when the dedication services were held.
In April, 1890, Rev. J. B. Doolittle became the pastor, Mr. Doolittle made it a part of his contract to build the parsonage. Mr. Doolittle was here until the Spring of 1893 when Mr. Sprague was called, who remained here until January, 1898. Mr. Sprague was hired at a salary of $400.00 per year and a pretty fair share of that was never paid. He rented a small patch of ground and raised pigs, in this way he practically kept himself and his family.
Mr. Sprague was followed by Rev. Grupe, after him Rev. G. H. Rice, George J. Batley, Rev. J. E. Craig, who remained here for three years, then Rev. Bennett, who was here for two years, during the last summer he took sick and died here. After Rev. Bennett came Rev. Reed Bayne, Rev. J. E. McKieh, Rev. Pysche, Rev. Griffin and Rev. J. E. Craig, who was our last pastor.
I cannot remember Mr. Rice very well. I have had the privilege of personally knowing all of the pastors of the Congregational Church. I believe that is all.
Deceased Mr. George B. Dunton
Mrs. Harriet M. Dunton
Mary R. Dunton
Mr. J. W. Voodry
Mrs. M. J. Voodry
Mrs. Helen M. Bradshaw
Mr. W. H. Rolph
Mrs. Victoria Rolph
Mrs. Charity Dawson
Mr. James H. Holderman
Byrd R. Dunton
Fredericka Rolph
Laura J. Moore
1886
1936
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