A recognition service and council was called for March 27, 1887, in which Rev. J. J. Keeler, district missionary, Rev. J. A. Osborne, general missionary, and Rev. E. A. Russell; State Sunday School secretary, participated ; (the latter still living at Ord, Nebraska) and the church was duly recognized as a regular Baptist church.

A part of the present church building, with the parsonage was constructed in the spring of 1888, and the building dedicated June 24, of that year. The total membership since its organization

reaches 488, its present membership being one hundred forty-three. There have been fourteen pastors during this time. During the pastorate of Rev. F. L. Roselle. March, 1899, to January, 1890, the church edifice was enlarged to its present size. The next pastor, F. M. Sturdevant, came to the church December 28, 1913, and during the year 1912 the church building was remodeled on the inside, and improvements made costing about $500.00. C. E. Hamilton followed him.

Thi

Congregational Church vas the first religious organization

formed in the city of Chadron, and was effected September 13. 1885, with Rev. H. Bross, then general missionary, as the acting pastor.

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

A church building was erected on the present site at a total cost of $1,775, and dedicated December 21, 1885. For the first year this building was occupied in common with the Methodist organization. The church received considerable help from the missionary societies of the church of the East in the support of the pastor during the early years of its existence. In the thirty-six years of its history the church has had the following pastors: Revs. Bross, Crane, Powell, Power, Ferguson, Ricker, Andress, Mitchell, Dungan, and then Rev. J. H. Stough and lastly A. T. Davi-es. These men have built well, and they have left the impress of their work and spirit on the church both here and elsewhere, in this west.