He has taken an active part in increasing the membership of both the church and Sunday School ; is a man who works for the interest of church and community, and with the other auxiliaries of the congregation the Methodist church is taking a place of importance in the affairs of Chappell.

The Methodist church was also the pioneer religious organization at Big Springs, for Elder Stephens preached his faith all over the western part of Nebraska and the people there gathered for services at an early day. A church

organization was perfected there and it is the strongest denomination in the town, with an extended influence for good. The Presbyterian church also has an organization in Big Springs, the only one of that denomination in Deuel county.

At an early day Catholic priests held services in old Cheyenne county, that portion which is now Deuel county, when a number of its members could gather together, but there was no organization in the early days, a visiting priest having to cover a large territory. Today, however, the Catholics are second strongest in the county, in membership and activities, although until 1915, there was no church building. The meetings up to the time the church was built were held whenever a visiting priest came. However, at the present time the Catholics have a fine commodious church with Father Keller as resident priest. This church serves the town and a large contributing parish and today is a great influence in Deuel county.