History of
The First Presbyterian Church
of
Holdrege, Nebraska
Established June 19, 1887

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

"At a meeting of the Presbyterian of Holdrege held at the court house June 19th, 1887, W. M. Rank was chosen Clerk, the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege was regularly organized by Rev. Thomas L. Sexton, Synodical Missionary, and the following named persons were duly elected as Trustees: W. M. Rank, N. Duff, F. D. Travis, John Ledlie. R. T. McGrew was elected Treasurer and James N. Clarke and Chas. M. Sheldon were elected to serve as Elders. The church was thus organized to secure and hold property both real and personal for the benefit of the membership of the Presbyterian Church of Holdrege according to the rules and regulations of the Presbyterian Church and the laws of the State of Nebraska. W. M. Rank, Clerk." Recorded June 25, 1887 in office of County Clerk of Phelps county, Nebraska, in Miscellaneous Record Book B, page 197.

 

The original, or first, Presbyterian church of Holdrege (see left) was located on the northeast corner of Fifth and Tilden Streets in Holdrege. The picture was taken between January 10 and February 28, 1889. It will be noticed that there is a pile of dirt near the door at the left and a carpenter's bench near the door at the right. This picture is taken from the southwest.

This picture of the original church (on right) was taken perhaps in 1898, and it will be noticed that the door at the south right of the other picture has been moved to the east of the vestibule and a window substituted in its place. Also the church has received a coat of paint and the color scheme changed. The picture is taken form the southeast.

 

 

In this building, the Phelps County Courthouse (on left), the church services and Sunday School were held during the period of the construction of the [new brick] church, that is, from approximately August 31, 1924 to June 28, 1925. The first services in the new church were held July 5, 1925. The old building was raized so as to build the new brick building.

 

 

The following is taken from the 50th Anniversary Book written in 1937:

The building of this present church edifice [see right] was commenced about August 25, 1924 and completed so that it was occupied on July 5, 1925. It was not dedicated until February 21, 1926. In building this church all of the frame work of the original church was used. The building was set back from the corner where it formerly stood close to the sidewalk. The rostrum and pulpit in the first church were in the north. The portion now used for the rostrum, pulpit and choir was originally used for a "lecture room", as it was called, and was separated from the main church by a large sliding door. When the remodeling was done an addition was made on the west in order to provide more room. The original church had no basement except room for a furnace. The total cost of the remodeling was $19,468 of which amount $7,000 was borrowed from the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. The furnishings were contributed by the Social Circle at a cost of approximately $7,000.

At a special congregational meeting on July 19, 1954, the congregation voted to purchase the property at Eleventh and Sheridan and directed the building committee "to contract and the secure plans for" a new Church and Sunday School building, then to submit those plans to the congregation for approval. By March 20, 1955 this was done, and the building committee reported, as ordered, to the congregation. The congregation approved construction plans estimated at $137,000 plus architects fees. They further voted to purchase one hundred feet of land north of the lots purchased by the church for building, for a total of four hundred feet, or the half block between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues on Sheridan Street. On  May 8, 1956 the congregation voted to instruct the building committee to secure final construction plans from the architect and to advertise for bids. The plans, by Hellbery of Kearney, were for church assembly room, recreation hall, class rooms and kitchen.

The bid to construct the new church was let to Chris Lien Construction of Holdrege for $200,000. The ground-breaking ceremony was held in the spring of 1956. The building was completed in January of 1958, with the first church services held there on February 9, 1958. The dedication service was May 4, 1958. For that service, Rev. Bean wrote:

"Throughout the years the members of this church have built for the future. Again we have a church building which is adequate for our needs. This House of the Lord is a beautiful edifice within whose hallowed walls and reverent atmosphere, we cannot help but feel closer to God. You the members and friends of this church have built well. Now let us help to make this work done in Christ's name become fruitful! God has helped us build this church. Now let us help to establish his Throne forever."

The Sanctuary (see left) was remodeled in 1980 by the Melroy Construction Company of Holdrege at a cost of $69,620, plus $12,000 for pews. The stained glass windows which add so much to the beauty of our Sanctuary were paid for by donations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Our church today located at 1103 Sheridan Street, Holdrege, Nebraska.