The First Congregational church is one of the pioneer churches in Brainerd, dating its organization from Aug. 13, 1872. The first house of worship, a gift to the congregation by Gov. J. Gregory Smith, president of the Northern Pacific, was erected in the summer of 1872 and dedicated Jan. 22, 1873. This building burned on Jan. 7, 1881. The present building was erected that summer, and was not much changed until 1922, when $18,000 was expended in substantial improvements.
The first minister of the church was Samuel Ingham, who stayed 10 months. (The average term of service for the first 21 pastors was a year and six months.) Then came Rev. Sheridan, who was born in England, and who stayed seven years and seven months, followed by Rev. Errington who stayed four years and nine months.
In 1915, the city paved North Fifth Street and the entire corner area of the church was landscaped, along with Gregory Park across the street.
Forty years later, in 1921, plans were made to solicit funds for remodeling. The basement was rebuilt, Sunday School rooms were partitioned off, a new furnace and heating system was installed. Upstairs, the ceiling and walls were sound proofed, many stained glass windows were put in to commemorate former members and workers, and in 1922, an electric pipe organ replaced the small hand-pumped organ. It was a gift shared by three members of the congregation and the Ladies Aid at a cost of $4,500. A Boy Scout troop was sponsored by the church for the first time this year.
The Rev. Nirum P. Olmsted came in 1944 and served 18 years and two months. During this time, 202 people joined the church, and many organizations functioned within the church. He retired in 1942, and in 1946, was elected Pastor Emeritus of the church.
The Ladies Aid was begun in 1878. On Sept. 12, 1933, the name was changed to The Women's Federation.
In 1930 the church was re-roofed, floors repaired, inside wood work was repainted and the furnace repaired again. Later aisle carpets were added, and other remodeling programs followed in later years.
The successor pastor, here only a little over a year, was the Rev. Lawrence M. Upton. In his one year and three months' service, he added 35 new members.
In January of 1944, Dr. Howard A. Vernon answered the call of the church. The area was not new to him as he had been coming to a lake near Merrifield during the summer months for years. He was pastor at the 75th anniversary of the church in 1947.
In 1942, the national organizations of the Congregational church and the Evangelical and Reformed church were debating the benefits of a merger. The merger did not become effective until 1965.
In the spring of 1950, the owners of a newly-built outdoor theatre, located on U. S. Highway No. 371 some eight miles north of Brainerd, offered Dr. Vernon the use of the theatre for Sunday morning outdoor church services. Dr. Vernon accepted, and the first Church of the Open Air in Minnesota came into being. Dr. Vernon continued these services for the next five years until the time of his death, and now the Open Air church has just completed its 20th year.
The Rev. Merton B. McKendry began his ministry here in September, 1955, serving until 1958. During this time, the New Testament was handwritten by members and friends of the church and dedicated in memory of Dr. Vernon.
The pulpit was filled with supply ministers until January, 1959, when the Rev. Gerald E. Huff was hired. His wife, Alice, was also an ordained minister, and they served until 1966.
In 1960, the church had its first candidate for the ministry in its history, Wayne Olmsted, grandson of a former minister and a pre-law student, entered Andover Newton Theological seminary.
The candle lighting services in the church began in September, 1959, with the younger Sunday School children participating under the direction of Miss Hildur Finney.
The restoration of the organ, costing some $9,000, was in 1961. This instrument is now valued at $30,000. Three years later plans were drawn for a Christian Education department.
In 1965, a merger joined the church with the United Church of Christ. Also in 1965, the new Christian Education addition was started. Sunday School classes were held during the construction period at the Y.M.C.A. and several members' homes.
In June of 1967, the Rev. George F. Steffen arrived as the church's 29th pastor.
The biggest project for 1967 was for refurbishing of the church, and a service of dedication for the new addition was held Sept. 24, 1967.
In 1968, a new constitution for the First Congregational church was presented and accepted to be voted on in the following year.
Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).
