ADDITIONAL HISTORY

1881 – A New Church in Hebron

Rev. George Goodale was sent by the Presbytery in 1883 to organize a church in Hebron. He preached his first sermon in June, and the congregation formally organized in October, 1883, meeting at the Opera House a block south of the church, and sometimes in the school across thealley south of the church, until the present building was finished.

1891 – The Dedication

At the building’s dedication on February 22, 1891, the doors were locked following morning worship and not reopened until 3:00 in the afternoon, after enough money had been donated or pledged to pay for the building.

A.G. Collins, banker and major supporter of the church, advertised in Eastern newspapers for Presbyterians in good health, of good moral character, and financially sound, to move to Hebron as part of the wave of immigrants during the 1880s and 1890s. Mr. Collins and C.L. Richards, who owned the lots where the church stands, sold the lots to the congregation. Mr. Collins built his residence adjacent to the church on the south. He is believed to have donated the windows.

The west half of the block where the church stands had originally been the location of the Hebron schools, with the high school in the southwest quarter and an elementary school in the northwest quarter. The church acquired the elementary building with the lot and converted it into a manse. Later, it was moved from the church lot and sold by the church. Still used as a private residence, it is the second house east of the church on Olive Avenue.

1986 – Music for Worship

Music for worship was originally provided by a Vocalion, a large reed organ which required pumping by boys who also served as janitors and stokers for the church’s two furnaces. The church once had an orchestra of about 12 members, and a variety of choirs, ensembles, and soloists, several of whom were professionally trained. Since 1986, music has been provided by a 1955 Kilgen pipe organ purchased from the College of St. Mary in Omaha and installed by members of the congregation.

With the exception of the tower, the exterior of the church remains largely as constructed. A fire in 1918 in the chancel area resulted in the loss of the Vocalion, but the chancel was restored to its original appearance. The interior was extensively modernized and refurnished in a 1966 remodel, some of which was reversed in a second remodel and redecoration in 1996. At the time of the 1966 remodel, several of the church’s chancel furnishings were given to the Deshler Presbyterian church; however, the original maple-and-ash pews remain in use since their 1890 installation.