South Loup Church

(1895-1962)

 The Gospel Messenger Feb. 19, 1895 page 124 Vol. 33 No. 8

South Loup Church, Nebr. – Bro. J. Y. Heckler come to us Jan. 22 and was with us two weeks and two days.  We had good meetings. There was a deep interest manifested both by members and neighbors.  We had very cold weather which retarded the meetings some, but we had good congregations most of the time. Feb. 1, Bro. S. M. Forney came to us and organized the South Loup Church, Bro. Heckler presiding. The church feeling the need of ministers, choice was held and the lot fell on Bro. A. W. Sanders and Bro. W. P. McLellan.  Choice was also held for one deacon. The lot fell on Bro. L. Royle, who, with the ministers, was duly installed.  Bro. S. M. Forney was chosen as our elder. – Susie McLellan, Litchfield, Nebr., Feb. 7.

The Gospel Messenger May 27, 1916 page 344 Vol. 65 No. 22

South Loup church, at Litchifield, Nebr., will dedicate her new church building on Sunday, June 18. Bro. M. R. Weaver, of Omaha, is to deliver the dedicatory address in the morning. Evangelistic, service will be held in the afternoon and evening.

The Gospel Messenger July 8, 1916 page 448 Vol. 65 No. 28

THE DEDICATION OF THE LITCHFIELD, NEBR., HOUSE

Sunday, June 18, the writer met with the little band of members near Litchfield, Nebr., for the dedicatory services of their new church building. They have a building 25x38, well built, and finished both inside and out. It was a day of rejoicing among the members who for years have had to worship in an old schoolhouse, poorly equipped and located for their work.

  All the money for the new building has been raised except $350, which, in order that the building might be dedicated free of all indebtedness, Brother and Sister McLellan assumed. This I consider entirely too much for them to do, having previously given large cash donations and much time and labor, so I hope that other members of the District will remember them with donations, that they may be reimbursed. Brother and Sister McLellan have labored faithfully in this territory for years, without financial assistance of any kind, and are held in high esteem by all the people, both in town and country.

  There is a splendid opening for the Brethren here, as this is the only church for miles around, and the entire community is interested, and contributed half or more of the money and labor, and came in such numbers to this first service that many were compelled to remain on the outside. Some placed their automobiles and carriages near the open windows, in order to hear, while others crowded the platform outside the door.

  At the close of the sermon an invitation was given for the members to dedicate their lives, along with the new building, to a larger service to the community, and as far as we know, all stood.  Then an invitation was given to other Christian people to dedicate their lives, to work in unison with the brethren, and many stood. Finally, in an appeal to the unsaved, to dedicate their lives to Christ, two young ladies responded, after which an offering of some $60 was lifted, and the service concluded with a short, responsive, dedicatory service and prayer. A basket dinner was served to all present. An afternoon service was still more largely attended than the morning service. Many came in after the noon hour. It was a day full of inspiration, rejoicing, and sociability,— one that will long be remembered by the writer and, we believe, by the community as well. M. R. Weaver.