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Rocky Ford Church (1898 - ) The Gospel Messenger, July 9, 1898 page 430
From Rocky Ford, Colo.
On Saturday, June 4, Eld. G. E. Studebaker of McPherson, Kans., and Bro. Daniel Gordon, of Oklahoma, came to us. On the same day the Brethren met and set up our tabernacle, 61x45 feet in size, which will comfortably seat 450 persons. Its cost, including seats, lights, etc., was $212. It has six-foot walls, and is well made. All are well pleased with it. That evening and over Sunday, also during the week following, meetings were held with good interest and attendance each evening, until Saturday, June 11, when we met in council. Eld. Studebaker presided. A vote was taken, resulting in favor of organizing. Twenty members handed in their letters. Eld. G. E. Studebaker was chosen as our elder. Brethren I. N. Crosswait and H. P. Talhelm, being already in the office of deacon, were received as such. Sister S. Gockley was elected as church clerk, and the writer as corresponding secretary. The new organization will be known as “Rocky Ford”. We met at 6 o’clock for Communion services. The tabernacle was filled to overflowing, and many could not gain admittance. The Word was held forth by the Brethren in its simplicity. Though the attendance was so large the order was the best, and good impressions were made. This was the first time for many to see the ordinances observed as given by Christ n the night of his betrayal. Tears were seen to flow from the eyes of a number of the onlookers, as they watched the of observance of the solemn ordinances. They were impressed with the solemnity of the occasion by the words of Eld. Studebaker and Bro. Gordon. The next day, as the writer was walking along the street, he was stopped by a lady, who desired to say something about the feast of the previous evening. Among other things she said, “if those professing Christianity cannot and do not live together in bonds of Christian love and forbearance as you do, how can they ever live in Heaven?” Then she added, “I was much impressed while attending your services.” I could see the eyes of that conscientious lady began to fill with tears. Meetings were held each evening during the following week. On Sunday, June 19, three dear souls signified their intention of becoming followers of Christ, and asked to be received into the church by baptism. This was also something new to many of the people, and the crowd that repaired to the lakeside, to see this rite performed, was estimated to be nearly 600. Among the number present were three saloonkeeper. We felt that if we were arousing an interest even with the saloonkeepers it certainly was good for us to be here.. Our attendance has been good and the order, praiseworthy until within the last week, when the attendance decreased. This was due, probably, to a press of work, and also a quarantine against all children under fourteen years of age appearing upon the streets or at public gatherings, on account of a disease called “rosaola.” A mild form of scarlet fever. It is contagious, but only a few deaths have occurred from it. This alone prevented many from coming, but on Saturday evening and Sundays our congregations are good, and considerable interest is being manifested at all times. Bro. W. G. Cook, of North Dakota, is with us at present, and will peach for us this evening. He will lee for Longmont to-morrow. The members seem to be much encouraged by the meetings and the accessions. June 12 and election was held for a minister. The lot fell on Bro. J. C. Funderburgh, we ask the prayers of the church in his behalf. O. B. Stauffer
The Gospel Messenger April 20, 1901 page 252 Rocky Ford church convened in regular quarterly council April 6. One more was added to our number by letter. Bro. G. E. Studabaker was chosen delegate to Annual Meeting. Bro. J. V. Felthouse, from Elkhart, Ind., was with us and preached three excellent sermons. Our new meetinghouse will be dedicated April 21. Bro. Edward Frantz, from McPherson, Kans., is expected to preach the dedicatory sermon. – Minnie C. Gockley, April 8.
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