History Info
1869
Sheldon Jackson journeyed all over this western country, on foot, on horseback, by stage coach, and by boat. Before his death in 1909 he had traveled over a million miles, preaching the gospel. As a result of his work there were organized five Synods, twenty-seven Presbyteries, five hundred seventy churches, with 68,650 communicant members. The historical significance of this man who came to the Presbytery meeting in Sioux City on April 29, 1869, swelled into a movement that is considered today by the Presbyterian Church as one of the greatest missionary ventures of modern times. We here in Northeast Nebraska became a part of this great missionary movement.
1887
Our congregation enjoys the distinction of being the first to organize and build a church in South Sioux City. First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1887. The building was erected with funding provided by E. L. Wilbur (one of the town's founding fathers) on land donated by local real estate agents Moan, Hunt and Palmer, real estate dealers in South Sioux City at the time. The original building was a frame structure constructed by Elian Stamm, for approximately $4,000. Mr. Stamm was the father of the late Lulu Stamm Eimers of South Sioux City and Grace Stamm Teter of Sioux City, Iowa.
The building was not only used as a church, but for two years was used as a school, until the Board of Education could float a bond issue for $5,000 and build a school building which stood southeast of the present high school building.
1913
In 1913 the Presbyterian Church erected a monument on Prospect Hill to the three ministers who held the prayer meeting on the hill in 1869. The plaque, now torn off and lost, read:
"To commemorate the Prospect Hill Prayer Meeting by Sheldon Jackson, Thomas H. Cleland, and John Elliot, Ministers of the Gospel, on this hilltop April 29, 1869, which inaugurated the movement for the evangelization of the Great Northwest and the regions beyond."
"Prayer availeth much."
Erected by the Presbyterian Church A.D. 1913
1924
Photo from the 75th anniversary program.
In March of 1924, the congregation voted to remodel the church building which was approaching 40 years of use. Before any work was completed, however, the building was destroyed by fire on July 6th. The old church burned to the ground. Much of the church furniture was saved, along with most of the church records. However, the records of the church membership lists, the lists of officers and pastors, and proceedings of the church board were burned. This made it impossible to give a complete history of the old church. Turning to our good relationship with the City, we were given permission to use the school building for worship.
In 1924 the school building built in 1888 was left vacant after the building of the present high school building. The Board of Education gave permission to the Presbyterian congregation to use the old school building as a meeting place. It is interesting to note that this old school building was the one that was built in 1888, at which time the then new Presbyterian Church was used as a school until the school building could be finished.
Three days after the fire Reverend Samuel N. Horton, pastor, called the official church board together and they decided to rebuild as soon as possible, and committees were appointed to carry out the board's decision. Beuttler and Arnold, architects of Sioux City, Iowa, were re-tained to draw complete plans for a church edifice, to cost approximately $30,000.
In 1926 the plans were completed and accepted by the congregation. It was decided that the building program would be divided into two projects - first, the basement, and then the superstructure - and separate bids be made on each.
1928
Construction for a new church building was begun in 1928, but only the basement portion was completed at a cost of about $11,000 before the hard economic times of the Great depression in 1929 forced construction to stop prior to building the sanctuary. We existed as a "basement church" for 23 years until the current east half of the building was completed in 1952.
1929
Photo from the 75th anniversary program.
The church board, realizing that the church structure could not be completed under the circumstances, decided to roof over the basement, install heating and plumbing, and use the basement as a church until economic conditions improved.
This turned out to be twenty-five years.
1950
In 1950 the congregation began planning for the completion of the church. Much preliminary work had to be done and on January 3, 1951, a building committee for the completion iof the church was elected. The committee consisted of: Dr. L. T. Gathman, chairman, Lyle Johnson, Mrs. Charles Scribner, Charles Rusk, C. R. Savidge, Roy Collier, James Fegley and Dr. A. A. Larsen.
1952
In 1952 the church building was completed on the same site occupied by the old frame church built seventy-five years ago. The cost of the new building and equipment was approximately $60,000. As memorials and integral parts of the church edifice Mrs. Blanche Kryger Savidge gave the beautiful stained glass windows in the nave, and Miss Ada Frum gave the stained glass windows in the chancel rooms.
1956
In 1956 the congregation purchased a modern three-bedroom manse at a cost of $16,500.
The completed building is now one of the most beautiful and modern in Northeast Nebraska. The First Presbyterian Church of South Sioux City is now seventy-five years old and down through the years has continued to be a spiritual power in the community. In these years it has grown from a small mission church to a strong, well equipped, self-supporting institution. Let us prayerfully hope that in future years the First Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City will continue to grow in strength and spiritual influence.
1962
Photo from the cover 75th anniversary program.
1972
Photo from the 75th anniversary program.
In October of 1972, ground was broken for the educational and administrative wing of our church. Remodeling of the sanctuary and fellowship hail was also authorized as part of the project. The work was completed in 1974 at a cost of approximately $123,000.
1981
In December of 1981, a special service was held to burn the mortgages for the church, signaling the end of indebtedness for the first time in over 50 years.
1992
On 1992 and again in 1994, major repairs and remodeling of the buildings was authorized and completed at an approximate cost of $25,000.
