That year a nice church was built and dedicated, during Rev. Clark Powell's pastorate. They join with the church at ( >>hk<>4i in hiring a minister, who has resided in Oshkosh until 1920. Rev. R. A. Helms, the present pastor, lives in Lewellen.

In 1911 a Baptist church was built. Rev. Elkins was pastor. The organization has steadily been growing. They have decided to build a parsonage this year. The present pastor is A. J. Coffey.

The first church organization in ( tshkosh was the Methodist Episcopal. It was a branch of the Methodist church at Lewellen, and helped in the support of the Lewellen pastor, who came to Oshkosh for services every other Sunday. Services were held in the schoolhouse or hall until the Lutheran church was built in 1909. Then services were held in that every other week, alternating with the Lutheran pastor who went to Lewellen every week until 1912, when they built a church home. The Methodist church was dedicated July. 1913, while Rev. McAbee was pastor. A revival was held by Evangelist Flowers, thereby adding many more members. The church organization was perfected at this time with about sixty members. Among them were the Bowers, Twifords, Sherleys, Sterlings, McCords. Duttons, Henrys and Aufdengartens. Both the Lewellen and Oshkosh churches were growing stronger and able to stand alone. In the spring of 1916 each decided to hire a pastor alone. Rev. McGill staved at Lewellen and the Osh-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

kosh church hired a young man, Rev. Cummins, until fall.