Church in a distant view of Montpelier

Sociologically religion might be defined as beliefs about one's existence that are shared with and by others. One of those beliefs is that life has both extension and purpose and shapes communal and personal integration. I think the experiences in the church gave direction, certainly assurance and provided emotional security and comfort to members of the family.

We began attending the Presbyterian church in Montpelier in 1929-1930. There was not very much involvement in any church activity before this time. At home, Sunday was always a day of rest and special events. If we were in Edgeley on a Sunday we might attend the services at the Methodist Church. One such Sunday was the day that brother Eugene was baptized in the Methodist Church in Edgeley. I was sent to Sunday school class in a basement room. The memory of that class is a story the teacher told us about the baby Moses in the bulrushes and how he was saved after that terrible king gave the awful order to kill all boy babies. It was my first lesson in religion. (And I think a very good one, I remembered it.) I recall becoming quite upset at the time and I have never liked that king. I may have personalized the story and after all Eugene was a boy baby. I wasn't so old myself.

Joining the Presbyterian church came about because Miss Mortenson, my fourth grade teacher, had asked my father to stop at the school whenever he was in town. He came in one day and they talked in the hallway and I can remember my father laughing and agreeing with the teacher about something. I believe my father was a little nervous and expected that something was going on with one of his children, namely me. It was very shortly after that we were bundled up on a Sunday morning and driven to church. The Stutsman County Record has an item stating that sixteen new members joined the Presbyterian church in 1930. I believe we were among those new members. We were about five miles from town and we attended occasionally. I remember a visit by Reverend Adams. He was a student pastor at that time sent out from Jamestown College minister training program. I also remember Rev. Jordan and also A. Way Huey.

The activities in the Montpelier Presbyterian church centered mostly around the Sunday school. We did not have a resident minister. We had Sunday school every Sunday. Mrs. F.A.Ward was the superintendent. The Minister came every other Sunday or perhaps every third Sunday. Rev. Jordan drove out from Fargo, North Dakota to conduct services.

There are many Sunday school and church related items reported in the Stutsman County Record regarding the activities of the Presbyterians in the Montpelier congregation. Our involvement is revealed in some of the following items and are included as a short record of our family participation. There are many items not included in the compilation. These are sample items of our family participation. The first item in which our name is mentioned appears in 1935. It is also the year that we moved into the section house in Montpelier.

"A Thanksgiving program was given at the Presbyterian church during the Sunday school hour. It consisted of music by the school; readings, Donald Askerman and Wm. Cofell; Origin of Thanksgiving, Mrs. R. Getty; A Pilgrim Boy, Marvin and Arthur Cofell; What We Are Thankful For, eight children; dialogue, intermediate and senior classes; reading, Fred Nichols; music, school; sermon, Rev. Jordan. The next service will be Jan. 5. Sunday school every Sunday at 10:30. Leola Trowbridge and Mildred Gullickson of Mrs. Ward's teacher training class took examinations, the former receiving a mark of 93.5 and the latter 92." (SCR., Vol. 32, No. 16, Thurs. Nov. 28, 1935.)

"Frances Stott and Mrs. Robert Getty had a party for the primary children at the Getty home Friday afternoon. Those present were Orlin Ingraham, Shirley Roscoe, George McNally, Marvin, Arthur and Elizabeth Cofell, Donna Mae and Lorna Fae Carley and Harold Schwartz. Supper was served, covers being laid for 10. Games were played, one of which was a treasure hunt, each child receiving a gift." (SCR., Vol. 32, No. 18, Thurs, December 12, 1935.p. 7.)

"The Presbyterian Sunday school had its Christmas program Sunday in the primary class. Readings were given by Marvin Cofell, Orlin Ingraham and Donna Mae Carley; also two group number entitled "Last Years Christmas Gifts" and "A Wreath Around the World" followed by a song "Away in a Manger", sung by Myrtle Winkler. The intermediate boys told of "Christmas in Other lands". The senior girls gave a song and dialogue "What Christmas Means to Me". The adult class was represented by Mrs. F. Cofell and Mrs. H. Gullickson who gave readings. Hymns were sung by the congregation." (SCR., Vol. 32, No. 20, Thurs. December 26, 1935.)

"Montpelier, N.D. ---Over 50 attended the farewell dinner given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Casey Vanderpol and family Sunday after services by the Presbyterian Church. A silk bed spread was presented them. Several group pictures were taken. The family will leave by car for Eugene, Oregon in a few days. A bounteous lunch was served and gift of silver was presented." (SCR., Vol. 32 No. 34, April 2, 1936.)

"A short program was given by the Presbyterian Sunday school before Rev. Jordan of Fargo preached. Recitations were given by the primary class, Elizabeth, Arthur, Marvin Coffell, Bobby and Shirley Roscoe, Richard Larson and Lorna Fay Carley; two solos by Jean Bengston and Donna Mae Carley. Intermediate was represented by four boys; senior girls sang accompanied by Mrs. Ward and Frances Stott at the organ. Mrs. Roscoe and Mrs. Fred Nichols gave readings. Four were united with the church and one was baptized. Offerings were for the missions." (SCR., Vol. 32, No. 36, April 16, 1936, p. 2)

Memorial service held for Mrs. Ivar Ytreeide held at the Lutheran Church. The service was held Sunday April 19, 1936. (SCR Vol. 32, No. 37, April 23, 1936. p. 3.) This item is mentioned because mother attended this service. The Ytreeides and the Wahls were active community people.

Item: "The teacher training class under Mrs. F.A. Ward, took examination Friday. Mildred Gullickson and Leola Trowbridge each received a grade of 96, and Lois Coffel, 86. Sunday, eight pupils, four seniors and four intermediates, who have been studying the state Bible reading course, took examinations, all passing. Winifred Johnston has been in charge of this department." (SCR., Vol. 32, No. 37, April 23, 1936.)

EASTER SERVICES
"The Catholic and Lutheran churches held services Good Friday. The Lutherans had an Easter service on Sunday Afternoon. The Presbyterian Sunday school conducted the service Sunday morning, each class having a parts. The primary class, Mrs. S. Stott, teacher, Lorraine, Donna Mae and Lorna Fae Carley, Bobby Roscoe, and Alpha Manns gave readings. Ethel Manns, Arthur and Marvin Cofell represented the juniors with readings; Virgina Hanson, Gordon and Eugene Cofell, Ted Trowbridge and Donald Askerman, the intermediates, and Lois Cofell and Leola Trowbridge, the seniors. For the adult's part incidents of Passion Week were told in story and song with Fred Nichols as reader, Joseph Sensecall, soloist and Mrs. Sensecall, accompanist. Mrs. F. Ward, Mr. Nichols, and Mr. Sensecall also sang a number. A chalk talk on the Resurrection was given by Mrs. W. Trowbridge. There were also songs by the school, a trio by Mmes. J. Clancy, Ward and G. Monson, with lone Clancy as organist; Duet by Mrs. S. Stott and Mrs. Ward; Duet, Mrs. Ward and Mr. Sensecall. The offering will be given to the missions." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 34, Thur. April 1, 1937. p.2)

"Leola, and Teddy Trowbridge, Lois and Eugene Cofell and Donald Askerman took an examination on the Bible Reading campaign recently. The test included the principal incidents in the lives of Moses, Joseph, Ruth and Joshua. All passed with good grades." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 35, Thurs. April 8, 1937. p. 5.) .

"The Presbyterian aid met at church Thursday with Mrs. F.A. Ward and Mrs. Jack Manns as hostesses. About $12.00 was realized. (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 35, April 8, 1937.")

"At the Presbyterian church the Sunday school gave a short temperance program for open exercises. There were two readings by Virginia Monson and Mrs. F. Cofell; solo, Joseph Sensecall, accompanied by Mrs. Sensecall; Chalk talk by Mrs. W. Trowbridge. Lois and Eugene Cofell, Donald Askerman, Leola and Teddy Trowbridge received their diplomas in Bible reading. Rev. Mr. Jordan, Fargo, preached the sermon. At the congregational meeting Mrs. F. Ward was chosen clerk; Mrs. Carl Kaim, treasurer, and Walter Johnson, trustee for three years. All were re-elected. Mmes. Ward, Clancy and Monson sang with Mrs. S. Stott, organist." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 37, Thur. April 22, 1937, p.2.)

"Father's Day was observed Sunday at the Presbyterian church. Services were followed by a father and son banquet attended by forty. Rev. Jordan gave the welcoming address; Fred Nichols responded for the fathers; Leola Trowbridge, for the daughters, read a poem; Virginia Monson sang a solo, "Angry Words." Response for the sons was given by William Cofell; short talks were given by Walter Johnson and Ellis Clancy and a solo, "My Father Knows" by Joseph Sensecall. Present from out of town were; Eunice Clancy, Devils Lake, Rev. and Mrs. Jordan, Fargo; Ione and Mildred Clancy and Mrs. John Puth, Jamestown; Ellis Clancy, CCC camp, Wyoming;; Mrs. F. Whitney, Fort Peck." (SCR., Vol. 33, No. 46, June 24, 1937.)

"Sunday school was held at the schoolhouse and in the homes until 1915 when the church was dedicated, with Rev. Mr. Colvin as its first resident pastor. In 1917 the Cradle Roll was organized having a membership of 15 at the close of the year. From time to time others were put on the roll until 55 had joined. The Cradle Roll members at present are Edith Cofell, Neal Roscoe, Lorraine Carley, Albert Mitchell, Manus and Wilmer Ingraham. Mrs. R. A. Getty was the first superintendent. Mrs. F. Ward is cradle roll superintendent now. The primary and junior classes gave a program of readings and songs, with Mrs. S. S. Stott at the organ. A thanksgiving sermon was preached by Rev. Jordan." (SCR., Vol. 34, No. 16, November 25, 1937, p. 5.)

"The Presbyterian Sunday school gave a Christmas program Sunday Program follows: Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; Scripture reading, Ted Trowbridge; prayer, Rev. Jordan; welcome, Harold Schwartz, Junior; primary class, Mrs. Stott, teacher, gave readings; solo, Joseph Sensecall, with Mrs. Sensecall accompanist; readings, junior intermediate and senior classes; Mrs. Wm. Trowbridge, representing the adult class gave a chalk talk, and Mrs. Floyd Cofell gave the history of the first Christmas tree. The program was interspersed with carols, Mrs. S. S. Stott organist. Rev. Jordan gave the sermon. The offering will be given to the missions." (SCR., Vol. 34, No. 20, December 23, 1937.)

The following four items from 1939 show continued participation during the period of especial hardship of our family. "At the Presbyterian Sunday school session Sunday, diplomas were presented by Joseph Sensecall, leader to the following who have completed three months Bible study: Lois and Gordon Cofell, Ted and Leola Trowbridge, Dorothea Manns and John Clancy Jr." (SCR, March 9, 1939)

"At the Presbyterian Sunday school hour Sunday a report of the Jamestown conference was given by Mrs. W. H. Trowbridges, Lois Cofell and Leola Trowbridge. Monday evening a Halloween party was given, 40 attended. The church parlors were decorated in yellow and black: window panes coated with white and stenciled with forms of cats, bats, witches and pumpkins. Tall candles were on the organ. Games were played. The party was planned and lunch served by senior girls class and Beth Dada, intermediate teacher." (SCR., November 2, 1939.)

"After the service Sunday in the Presbyterian church the young people met with their pastor, Rev. Jordans, to organize a Christian Endeavor. Lois Cofell was elected president; Ethel Manns, vice president; Ted Trowbridge, secretary - treasurer. Meetings will be held each Wednesday night at the church." (SCR., November 16, 1939)

"At the meeting of the Presbyterian aid held Thursday, officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs. Olive Manns; vice president, Mrs. Floyd Cofell; secretary, Mrs. Jack Manns, and treasurer, Mrs. Jack Roscoe. Hostesses were chosen for the next year. There will be no aid meeting in January. The first will be in February with Mmes. J. Schwartz and John Clancy hostesses." (SCR., December 14, 1939.)

All the evidence points to intensification of church membership and participation beginning the year we moved to town. Certainly proximity to church functions made a great difference. It is noted that moving back to the Millspaugh farm and thereafter that participation and activity continued. Church attendance and participation became a very meaningful activity to our family when an opportunity was offered.

We had very little that we could contribute in offerings to the church during those years. At most the children might have a penny and a dime for others. The salary paid to the pastor must have been minimum. As a church body we were not in debt. I do not remember any discussion about financial problems as a church, if so it was kept from us youngsters. However, where there were debts and obligations churches and related institutions were in difficulty which caused the Governor of North Dakota to issue the following:

WHEREAS: The prevailing financial conditions in this state are such that our citizens find their churches, church property and schools in connection therewith and hospitals threatened with foreclosure; and
WHEREAS: North Dakota has been outstanding in its religious and humanitarian activities, of which our churches, hospitals and schools in connection with these institutions are the bulwarks; and
WHEREAS: This emergency is such that public health, wealth and the morals of our citizens are greatly endangered by these conditions, the forced sale of churches, church property, schools in connection therewith and hospitals leading only to disorder and disrespect for laws affording no adequate protection thereto in such emergencies;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, William Langer, Governor of the State of North Dakota, under the power and authority vested in me by law and the Constitution of the State of North Dakota, do hereby proclaim and declare that hereafter, and until this Proclamation is by me revoked no mortgage foreclosure or execution sale of churches, church property, schools in connection therewith or hospitals shall be held unless the owner or owners of such property consent in writing thereto; i the general purpose and object of the Proclamation being to preserve in status quo the churches, church property, schools in connection therewith and hospitals of this state, until a change in the financial conditions shall release our people from a helpless situation.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND and the Great Seal of the State of North Dakotas, at Bismarck, this 14th day of December, 1937.

William Langer
(photo courtesy of North Dakota Historical Society)

"In a proclamation issued by Governor Wm. Langer, the chief executive asks the people of the state to back up the "Open Your Heart Drive" of the American Legion, and he recommends a "charity ball ticket sale as a worth-while undertaking on behalf of the poor children of our state." (SCR., Vol. 34, No. 20, December 23, 1937.)

All members of our family were in someway involved in church activities and participation increased tremendously after we moved from the farm to Montpelier. After we moved back to the farm participation continued. In general members of our family were not allowed in the chief place of recreation and idleness, the town bar. Our chief socializing was through the 4-H club, Homemaker's Club, the Farmers Union, the school and the church. While our family was dependent upon WPA and relief, we were active participants in these activities in some way. We were all participating and even if it was only one person they had the support of the rest of us. I think this says something about the people in our community as well as something about our family.

In regard to church I think my father was of a somewhat skeptical persuasion at this time although he attended services with us. I don't really know much about his religious experiences nor his convictions. As a child he had been baptized in the Lutheran Church. However the family mainly attended the Methodist Church in Edgeley. He seemed to enjoy conversation (arguing) with Jehovah's Witnesses. He displayed a dislike of those who he thought were a little too enthusiastic about religion. He sometimes ended discussions with a statement about belonging to the Round Church where the devil couldn't corner him. I sensed some change in his basic attitude after I returned from military service. I would assess his stance as one of leaving us free to make our own choices.

One must be careful of making assessments of religious beliefs and sentiments of other persons and in particular of parents. Some of the poetry that Dad saved indicate something of his sentiment. Why did these poems appeal to him? It was because they appealed in some sense of what he thought.

The first poem "FAITH" indicates to me something about Dad's sense of hope and that it would not be found in the showy, the loud and the gawdy. There is something quieter in life and that love shows the way. The second poem says something about the appeal of the paradoxical about his attachment to the church.

Mother had been reared in the Methodist Episcopal church. I think she had a practical approach to religion. She certainly showed her faith through her treatment of people. She was sympathetic and compassionate toward people. I remember a meeting at which a Black person was present and was being ignored that mother sat and visited with her. I saw her offer aid to a man who became ill from intoxication on a hot day.

During the summer of 1936, one Sunday we were coming back from church and mother told us children to go on home and fix dinner. In church it had been announced that Mrs. Henry (Lulu) Gullickson was dying and mother stopped off at their house and went in and stayed with Mrs. Gullickson until she passed away that afternoon.

After we moved to Montpelier, Mother became actively involved in the Presbyterian Church affairs eventually being made a deacon. She was a loyal member and supporter until her death. She was always admired and loved by the members of the church. There was a reciprocal of this for mother often spoke of various ministers and members with love, reverence and admiration. In the 1960's a special church celebration was held in her honor. Brother Gordon also became an elder and continued to be a participating member of the church of choice.

I was sixteen the fall we moved to Montpelier. No one made me or urged me to go to church. I participated in Sunday school and listened to the Sunday sermon when we had a minister present. Sunday school was often frustrating for me at least. We had been placed in the adult group due to lack of sufficient numbers to make up our own teenage boys class. It seemed to me futile to discuss important teenage questions or problems with some of the older members. As a result I kind of drifted away and my Presbyterian religious observance became less frequent. As I look back I was very much more interested in what was going on in Society and felt somehow the importance of questions we would now label as "Social Justice Issues," were of importance. I found it hard to understand the "Other worldly attitude" when there was so much that seemed wrong with the present. Some of the adult members objected to this interpretation and sometimes gave a lecture on something about being predestined which somehow didn't seem fair and then would settle arguments by a phrase I heard numerous times, "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." It sufficed to put a young upstart in his place. I may have been obnoxious as well in my ignorance but I was trying. It did not greatly help my religious understanding. I never caught on in regard to a return answer: "A teen-ager convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." Now I'm not certain will had anything to do with it.

Involvement in Church was a good thing for me and for our family. It at least kept us somewhat alive in faith and I think it was a salvation for our mother. I have never given up the practice of Bible reading a result of those early experiences. Most of us are still involved in Church activity. We are faithful members various churches in our communities. One of the things present is a high degree of tolerance and respect for the religious development and choice of each other member of the family.

There has been a great change in most of the churches since the 1930's. A kind of an awakening that a new day is dawning and that Christians have not blessed the world with a good message as long as they manifested intolerance or even hatred of each other's manner of worship. There has grown a greater respect of members of most church bodies to respect the conscience and beliefs of each other.

Religious interest and ideas fostered at this time must have influenced later decisions and behavior. An idea of the preciousness of the person was somehow instilled. Another idea was the importance of community, both spiritual and social. An idea that religious organization must support the community with a core belief that we need each other in many different ways.

It was a talk given by Monsignor Ligutti in 1935 at the North Dakota Farmers Union Convention in Dickinson, North Dakota that the above themes first made good sense to me. He spoke about the communities that was being developed in Granger, Iowa the purpose of which was to help people be self-sustaining on the land by part-time gardening and farming but with a job off the farm.

There were those who seemed to have a vision of people united with one another and enjoying one another as friends rather than as competitors. Monsignior Ligutti was certainly one of these with his exuberant love for people with whom he associated. To me this made sense of being raised in a family supported and in harmony with neighbors and being willing to alter or give up an individual desire for the common good. This idea made a lot of sense to me. This I think was something of the vision of Monsignior Ligutti in that speech in 1935. The emphasis being given to the cooperative movement and the Credit Union movement as means of reducing exploitation and to return profit to the producer and consumer patron in the form of a patronage dividend on purchases or sales.

To make a cooperative or a credit union work people who are members must have a community attitude based on common interest and good. We still have a great need to learn or to be reminded that no matter how society is formed or how we think it is formed we serve each other and we are served in return. Every society must have a realization how we serve each other, that we are never alone, that there is purpose beyond ourselves. We must confront in one way or another the fact of our conscious existence.

The experiment at Granger, Iowa as described by the Monsignior was an effort to keep people on the land and in community.

The experiences cited in this chapter had something to do with my choice of course work in college and graduate school. I am not certain about how it all came about, but the development of religious interests and interest in cooperatives were deciding factors in my decision to study rural sociology with emphasis on community. Today there appears to be little demand for rural sociologists and it seems to me that rural community has been in difficulty for some time.