AUGUST 11, 2022 | South Central News & Media After 30 Years On Field, Bode Plays with Three Sons Photos Page 3
Lafayette Night to Unite, Summer Sports Report, Aloha Camp and SCC Dean’s List on Page 4
Nicollet Night Out on Page 5
Cambria Church Worships on a Bus By Ruth Klossner It was a sight to see—a huge Lake Crystal coach bus, slowly traveling the tar and gravel roads in the rural area south of Cambria Sunday morning. It was a special experience for the 35 people on board. “Worship on the bus” was just one part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the roots of the Cambria Presbyterian Church. So why go out into the country? And exactly where did the bus go on its 26-mile trip? The mobile church service c elebrated the past churches and the members that contributed to the formation of the Cambria church. The road trip visited the sites of the former Horeb, Salem, Bethel, Salem Townline, and Jerusalem Churches—and would have visited the Carmel Church site, except for road construction—before returning to Cambria. The “100th anniversary” celebration was planned to recognize 100 years since Cambria Presbyterian came into being. Following a COVID pause in the anniversary celebration, the congregation re-started its historical celebration and exploration of the roots of the church in October 2021. Historical worship services were held each month from November 2021 through July 2022—with seven Sundays dedicated to the story of each of the churches that contributed to the formation of one church. The churches date back to 1855 when the first was formed. (See sidebar.) During Sunday’s bus ride, Pastor Penny Johnson opened the service with a reading from Matthew 18, noting that we are one body in Christ. The group sang several familiar hymns along the way, stopped at the location of each former church, and the older participants shared memories of the days they attended those churches—as members or as visitors, often for “June Meetings.” Sunday school children from all the area churches
gathered at those conventions. Some recalled the days when three churches shared a pastor and confirmation classes rotated between the churches. Others had memories of the churches being closed and the buildings taken away. The contributions of the many small churches that contributed to the church of today were remembered in prayer by Pastor Penny Johnson at each stop. She noted that it does not matter where we worship, that the faithfulness of the people of all the churches contributed to the present church, and that having a place to worship was especially important to early settlers. The Horeb church, the first stop on the tour, stood next to District 11 country school, where the mother of one bus rider taught. Another person remembered that the bell and outhouse from the church were moved to an area farm—and still exist. At the Salem church, memories included having Sunday School outdoors on hot days—sitting on the running boards of cars. Another person mentioned that the property abstract showed the transfer of the land to the congregation for the church—and its transfer back when the church closed. There were fewer memories of the Bethel church, but one woman remembered attending Sunday School conventions there. Another commented that part of the church was moved to another building site. A white stake in the road ditch marked the approximate location of the Salem Townline Church, formed by a small group of families. That church was literally on the township line, hence it’s name. While at the Salem site, the question of cemeteries came up, as none had been seen. It’s believed that graves from the Horeb cemetery were moved to Cambria. Members of the other churches may have been buried at Lake Crystal or at the Jerusalem cemetery.
Tracing the Roots of the Cambria church
The present Cambria Presbyterian Church was built in 1955, after the previous church was destroyed by fire just days before Christmas 1954.
It was worship on the bus for this group from Cambria Presbyterian Church Sunday morning.
Cambria Presbyterian’s “Family Tree” is a complex one, with seven rural churches contributing to the present church. • Salem Welsh Congregational Church was organized October 14, 1855 with 13 charter members, and was the first Welsh Congregational church in the state. • Horeb Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized July 2, 1856 with 22 members. It joined with Salem in 1928, holding joint services. • Jerusalem Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized July 11, 1858 with 13 charter members and a total of 15 children. It dissolved in 1974. • Bethel Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized in May 1867; it closed its doors in 1953. • Salem Townline Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized as a branch of the Jerusalem Church in 1869. It dissolved in 1974. • Carmel Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized in 1869; it dissolved in 1969. • Cambria Presbyterian Church was organized December 2, 1919. The first pastor served the three-point field of Bethel, Cambria, and Horeb. That was the same year that all Welsh Calvinistic Methodist churches merged with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. In 1922, the Salem congregation joined Bethel, Cambria, and Horeb in a four-church circuit. Salem was the first of the antecedent churches from which Cambria traces its roots. On December 4, 1941, the Horeb, Salem, and Cambria Churches voted to unite to become Federated Church of Cambria. It was decided to remodel and enlarge the church in Cambria, with the Salem and Horeb churches to be razed and the building materials used to erect the new federated church. The new church was dedicated September 2, 1942, with a membership of 192. That church building—and all of its venerated furnishings from the parent churches—was completely destroyed by fire, December 22, 1954. The one serving platter that survived the devastating fire was the one that Alice Ann Jones had taken home to clean and return later. Members immediately vowed to rebuild, and the new brick structure, built at a cost of nearly $60,000, was ready for the first service on January 29, 1956 and dedicated April 29, 1956. The Cambria Federated Church became Cambria Presbyterian Church July 1, 1965, with the pastor serving the Cambria, Jerusalem, and Carmel congregations.
The only remaining cemetery from the rural churches is the Jerusalem cemetery. Communion ware from the old Jerusalem church is part of the historical display. The individual glasses had heavy bases so they don’t tip.
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Nicollet County Fair is on Now 30-Year Kin Legacy on Field By Ruth Klossner
The Nicollet County Fair opened yesterday (Wednesday) and continues through Sunday. While grandstand events are always a big draw, there are lots of other things to do at the fair, some new this year. Paintball in an inflatable dome is new this year. Annandale Paintball is at the fair today (Thursday) and tomorrow from noon to 8:45 p.m. They supply all the gear and supplies. Local fire and law enforcement will do special programs for kids. The St. Peter Fire Department will do an escape demonstration for daycare kids at 10:00 a.m. Friday and the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office will do a demonstration about calling 911 Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., under the big tent.
Other kids’ activities include power wheel derbies and races for kids 11 and under. There will be kids’ derbies Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6:00 p.m., before the demo derbies and a kids’ race Sunday before the auto races at noon. Chainsaw artist Curtis Ingvoldstad will create six different carvings in three shows Friday and Saturday—1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 p.m. each day. The annual open talent show will take place Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Johnson Hall. The winners in each category win a prize and qualify to compete at the Minnesota State Fair. Featured grandstand shows are the truck and tractor pull tonight, demolition derbies Friday and Saturday, and auto races Sunday at noon. As always, there will be a
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carnival, senior citizens and farm program Friday at 1:00 p.m., a petting zoo, music, and plenty of “fair food” to enjoy. 4-H activities are a big part of any county fair and Nicollet County is no different. On the schedule today are the sheep and meat goat show at 9:00 a.m., beef show at 1:00 p.m., and rabbits at 4:30 p.m. Friday’s shows are horses at 8:00 a.m., dairy at 8:30 a.m., pets at 11:00 a.m., and poultry at 3:00 p.m. The swine show is Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and a 4-H Talent Showcase will begin at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, the champion senior show people from each of the 4-H shows will compete in the premier showmanship contest, followed by alumni showmanship. Non-livestock 4-H exhibits and open class exhibits are on display each day in Johnson Hall. 119th Year • Number 27 ©2022 Nicollet County Ledger
By Ruth Klossner
Thursday, August 4 was a special day for Courtland’s Ryan Bode. After 30 years of playing the game he loves, Ryan finally had the chance to play it with his three sons. Since players in the Courtland Men’s League must be at least 16 years old, this is the first year that the youngest of the three, Gavin, was old enough to be on the team. In recognition of having all four Bodes at the game, Woodies team manager Jake Meyer started them all—Ryan at first base and sons Dustin, Collin, and Gavin at right field, second base, and catcher, respectively. He also had them bat at the top of the order. Continued on Page 3
After 30 years of playing men’s softball, Ryan Bode, third from left, had the chance to play with all three of his sons last week. From left: Gavin, 16; Dustin, 22; and Collin, 19.
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