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Church History
Overview
The Pierre/Fort Pierre
area is steeped in rich historical Christian happenings. The
Presbyterian Church has been, and continues to be, part of that
history even though there have been gaps in a Presbyterian Church
presence in the area.
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Early
History
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| 1882 or 1883: |
Pierre
Presbyterian Church organized. |
| 1883: |
On September 26th,
Presbyterian University opened in Pierre. When Pierre was named the state
capitol, Presbyterian University moved to Huron where there was a greater
population base for students. There seems to have been some political
maneuvering in the moving of the university and Pierre becoming the
capitol of South Dakota. |
| 1898 or 1899: |
Original
Presbyterian Church was gradually disbanded. |
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History
of Oahe Presbyterian Church
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| 1962: |
December. Rev. J.
Elbert Nash, a retired pastor, held service in Pierre to determine the
need for a church presence. |
| 1963: |
Following Rev.
Nash's departure the Presbytery continued to send pastors to conduct
services. |
| 1963: |
April: Rev.
Kenneth Newell was the first full-time pastor of the Pierre Presbyterian
Church.
- Became the organizing pastor in August.
- The Seventh Day
Adventist building was rented for Sunday services for a few months.
- In
August, Faith Lutheran Church moved to a new facility and we used their
old building. When that building became unavailable the Presbyterians used
the Holiday Inn for services.
- The National Mission Branches of the
Presbyterian Church then purchased a five-acre site where Oahe
Presbyterian Church is presently located.
- The Board of National Missions
began to support the Pierre Church on August 1st. Their support included
the pastor's salary, travel and the manse payment.
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| 1964: |
October 4th the
name of Oahe United Presbyterian Church was adopted. OPC formally
organized on November 22nd. Fifty-eight people became charter members at
that time. |
| 1965: |
Pairs and Spares
group and the first adult choir were organized. |
| 1967: |
Church
construction begun at a cost of $79,608. |
| 1968: |
Oahe Presbyterian
Church construction was completed. |
| 1974: |
Prayer Chain was
organized. |
| 1975: |
Presbyterian Women
organized and still is a vital part of the church. |
| 1975-77: |
A resettlr(hrt
committee helped the church support two Vietnamese families. |
| 1978: |
In October, Rev.
Newell left Oahe Church.
- During these years a variety of Lenten
observances and adult studies were held.
- Repeated efforts were made to
hold programs for junior and senior high youth.
- Following Rev. Newell's
ministry, the congregation voted to change its by-laws by removing the
Board of Trustees and establishing a unicameral system.
- Rev. David
Sedziol and Rev. Frank Thom provided pastoral leadership between pastors.
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| 1980: |
OPC became a
self-supporting (non-aid receiving) church.
- In October, Rev. Howard
(Skip) Smith began as full-time pastor.
- Buchanan Elementary School
lodged its third grade classrooms in the fellowship hall of OPC.
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| 1987: |
Congregation paid
off the church mortgages and celebrated the event. |
| 1989: |
In February, Skip
Smith left Oahe Presbyterian Church.
- Rev. Rolly Kemink, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church in Onida, provided pastoral care and leadership
for Oahe.
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| 1991: |
Rev. Joseph
Sheader arrived.
- By-Laws changed to include a Board of Deacons.
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| 1993: |
In October Rev.
Sheader resigned and left OPC.
- OPC has continued ecumenical Lenten
services, Easter sunrise service and Vacation Bible School to the current
time.
- OPC hosts the Banquet (a meal for low-income and the lonely) on an
annual basis.
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| 1994: |
January, Rev. Jeff
Porter, stated supply pastor, began at OPC
- Through Rev. Porter's
involvement in the Pierre-Fort Pierre Ministerium he provides worship
services at the two Pierre nursing homes and is frequently accompanied by
our choir.
- The first of two five-year plans with its goals and
objectives was developed and adopted.
- Elders and deacons (in teams of
two) visited congregation members and friends every other year. This is
ongoing.
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| 1996: |
A task force was
created to assess our current building and future needs.
- The By-Laws
were changed to reduce the size of the session from nine to six elders.
- Session committees began to meet on an as needed basis, rather than every
month.
- The congregation decided we needed to build
an addition to the
church and to remodel the sanctuary and fellowship hall.
- Through the
assistance from Resource Services Incorporated, a fundraising firm, we
obtained commitments for $180,000 for the building bond.
- Our building
campaign theme was "find us faithful". We used the challenge:
"not equal gifts, but equal sacrifices".
- Mid-week evening
workshops for adults on "Caring for Aging Parents" were attended
by the congregation and the community.
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| 1997-98: |
Block parties were
held to help us be more open to the community. |
| 1998: |
Presbyterian Women
started a secret sister program, including all the women in the church.
- On October 4, construction on the new facility began.
- OPC obtained loans
from Synod ($75,000) and General Assembly ($179,600).
- As construction
progressed work parties helped complete projects (such as insulating,
sanding, painting, landscaping, etc.)
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| 1999: |
On October 3 the
building was dedicated.
- Sunday school began the year with teachers and
students in separate and private classrooms.
- The pastor and church
secretary have their own private offices and we have a meeting room and
restrooms on the upper level.
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| 2000: |
OPC began studying
the Alpha series. |
| 2001: |
The new kitchen
was completed.
- The $75,000 Synod loan was paid off and payments for the
General Assembly loan are being paid at more than the monthly payment
requirement.
- The Thursday morning coffee, an opportunity for fellowship
with the older members of the congregation, began.
- First Year of 2nd
Capital Campaign. Five percent of building fund money received is directed
toward mission (one-half to Charles and Diane Wonnenberg of Mozambique,
Africa and one-half to Eastside Neighborhood Center) and five percent of
the money has been directed towards the completion and furnishing of the
kitchen.
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| 2002: |
In January, Pastor
Jeff Porter left.
- Lay pastor Ardeth Kocourek came as a part time pastor
to assist OPC while we are looking for a full-time pastor.
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Recent Community Events
of the Pierre/Ft. Pierre Area
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Latchkey program opens at McKinley
Elementary School; soon moves to two sites: SE United Methodist
Community Center and Oahe Church. |
| 1994: |
William Janklow
was elected and re-elected as Governor (1998) Habitat for Humanity began
in Pierre. |
| 1997: |
Christian Radio
Station began broadcasting. |
| 1998 to present: |
Rural water project began.
Housing development near airport and in outlying areas has increased
tremendously. Women's Prison opened (The church of Hope was established by
the American Baptist Convention under the direction of Congregations within
Prison Walls). Eastside Neighborhood Center (providing services for women,
children and youth) began. Ice rink was built in Fort Pierre. Hockey program
expands rapidly. Soccer program has expanded. YMCA added an aquatic center
through a cooperative venture with the City of Pierre. Pierre/Ft Pierre
Ministerium involved in bringing a cable local access channel with broadcast
of some local church services on Sunday. |
