Sterling Church

(1908 - 1942)

 The Gospel Messenger Jan. 9, 1909 page 28

Sterling church met in council Dec. 26,.  Much business came before the meeting.  Eld. Love of Denver, and Eld. Fitz, of Longmount, Colo., were present to divide this congregation and organize this part of the church into a separate congregation.  We have thirty-three members enrolled, among then an elder. Bro. D. B. Miller, one minister in second degree, Bro. W. H. Greenawalt, and two deacons, Brethren John Bushong and Daniel Ikenberry, Sterling was chosen as the name of this church.  All new church officers were elected.  Bro. D. B. Miller was chosen elder for two years, Bro. John Bushong, clerk; Bro. R. J. Patterson, Treasurer; Bro. Lawrence Miller, Messenger agent; the writer, Messenger correspondent; Brethren J. Bushong, D. Ikenberry and L. Miller church trustees.  The Sunday-school officers were elected for the following year: Bro. Charles Ullery, superintended; Jacob Miller, secretary and treasurer. One letter of membership was received. We would be glad to have members move among us who are looking for a different location.  We have a good climate and town and would be glad to answer all questions. – Ada Sphor, Sterling, Colo., Dec. 28

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 9, 1909 page 28

Goodhope. – Upon agreement of both the Sterling and Haxtum congregations. The Sterling congregation was organized into a separate church, by the cooperation of a committee from the late district meeting and the Goodhope church, in regular council. The Goodhope church, in its changed condition, met in council, three miles west of Haxtum, in Logan County, Colo., Dec. 28, with our elder, D. B. Miller, of Sterling, present.  Elders Fitz and Love were also with us. This church now includes all of the old territory east of the Range line, dividing Townships fifty and fifty-one, sunning north and south through the old territory.  There are twenty-one members, with two letters pending.  The officers are as follows: minister, Bro. Joel H. Kinzie, second degree, and Bro. Lewis J. Hulse, advanced to the second degree at this meeting; deacons, Brethren John Murray and Henry J. Hulse; Clerk, Bro. J. H. Kinzie; treasurer, L. J. Hulse. Sister Maud Kinzie was chosen president of Christian Worker’s Meetings; Sister J. H. Kinzie, Sunday school superintended, and Sister Altha M. Hulse, Messenger correspondent.  Eld. D. B. Miller was reelected elder in chare for two years. – H. J. Hulse, Haxtum, Colo., Dec. 29

The Gospel Messenger  March 27, 1909 page 206

From the Good Hope Church

 Haxtum is located in the northeastern part of Colorado, abut thirty miles form the east line, and twenty-five miles from the north line, on the B. & M. R. R., 170 mils northeast of Denver. 

  One year ago, the last of January, wife and I came to Haxtum. At that time there were eight members living here, holding their membership in what is now the Sterling church.  The first of February we organized a Sunday school, or rather reorganized, as the few members living here at that time were holding Sunday school during the summer months; and Bro. Kinzie was preaching for the people once every two weeks.

  We are glad to say, that, during the year, the work has prospered at this place, as our Sunday school has not stopped, as hereto fore. A series of meetings was held in September, and seventeen sermons delivered. Two young sisters were added to the fold. On the 12th we held a most enjoyable feast. Seven letters have been received during the year, and three members are with us who have not yet handed in their letters, making, in all, twenty-two members.

  Dec. 26, 1908, the Sterling church was organized, to be known, hereafter, by that name, while we retained the name “Good Hope church.”  We were reorganized Dec. 28, 1908, and now have preaching every Sunday, both morning and evening, Sunday school and Christian Workers’ meetings.

  The prospects here are very encouraging, and we should like to have earnest workers move among us.  We have a good, healthful climate and the best of soft water; land is cheap, and those living in the East, where rents and lands are high, would do well to look this county over. It is also a farming country, producing wheat, oats, Corn, barley, rye, potatoes, etc.

  I am not interested in the real estate business, and have no land to sell, but will do what I can to help members wishing to locate with us.   Lewis J. Hulse, Haxtum, Colo., March 10.