At first these Victor people gathered for services in their homes. On March 26,
1876, the Rev. Jacob Meier of Muscatine helped organize the German Baptist Church of Victor, Iowa. He came to the Victor church once each six weeks and received $100 per year. On other Sundays men of the church took charge in alphabetical order. All services were in the German language. To solicit funds for the new church one of the brethren would visit each member. The new congregation elected Heinrich Steen, deacon, and Claus Neveln, clerk. A week later a Sunday School was started with C.H.F. Bohstedt, superintendent. That winter, on New Year's Eve, a "Love Feast" or "Watch Night" began. It was a time of testimony, singing and Christian fellowship followed by lunch and concluding with prayers as the new year came in. This service has continued throughout many years, kindling the flame of enthusiasm to go forward with Christ each succeeding year. At one period in Sunday School history, John C. Mueller served as Sunday School treasurer for 42 years for which he was given a Bible.
In 1877 the congregation met in the Farrell rural school, or Lincoln Town ship No. 2. It is still being used as a machine shed on the Oliver Calvert farm. In 1880 prayer meetings started. Also that year each member was to pay five cents per month dues, unless unable to do so. Special needs were still met by individual collection. In 1881 as more people settled in and around Victor, Hartford No. 3 School was used as a meeting place. It was located three miles southeast of Victor on the H. Art Schwiebert farm.
The Sunday School picnic held July 4, 1881, was the beginning of a tradition still carried on today, being held on members' farms or on school lawns. In later years Lake Iowa or the present church grounds were used. In very early times occasional joint picnics were held with the German Methodist people living near by. The abundance of good food to eat, the reunion with friends, relatives and former members, the short patriotic program, the rivalry in sports and contests, and the ever-important baseball game still bring young and old together for a time of fun and fellowship.
The "church of the future", the young people, is a very important segment of any church. In 1891 the young people began having their own meetings once a month, changed later to once a week. The group was financed by paying five or ten cents each month. Most of the money was used for mission projects. Special collections were made if money was needed for social activities. The present youth group meets each Sunday before the evening service. They also conduct the opening service on the last Sunday evening of the month and receive the offering taken at that time.
Early meetings were conducted by members. Some of the topics discussed were -- Church Privileges, Church Obligations, How to Support a Local Church, and Bible Verses that Help. Today's youth are presently studying Campus Cru sade's "Ten Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity". The young people also have a youth choir which meets on Thursday evening. Once a month, follow ing the evening service, they are involved in a "singspiration" with several other churches in the area. The singspiration group also sponsors a "Watch Night"
service on New Year's Eve.
1900-1930
As the new century began the people gave of their means and the Lord prospered. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Muller donated an acre of land across the road west of Hartford No. 3 meeting place and thus the first step toward building a church was realized. The lumber was purchased, shipped to Carnforth, Iowa, and haul ed to the church site with teams and wagons. Much of the building was done by church members with some help from neighboring farmers, and with Mclnteer
and Frieze as contractors.
The state of Iowa granted the church its first 50 year charter as an independent unit of 58 members. The Muscatine pastor was to come once a month. On October 11, 1903, when the church was dedicated, the entire cost of
$3,630.24 was paid in full and $60.00 was left in the bank. "Oh that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 106:15) Physical improvements that came with the new building were the woodburning furnace in the one basement room and gas lamps. The lamps were lighted with a wick soaked in denatured alcohol and fastened to a long slender pole. A new organ was purchased for $100.00 at this
time.
This was to be a beloved house of the Lord, a "Lighthouse on the Corner" for many people. The church's beautiful stained glass windows were an inspira tion for worship. Interwoven with love into church history, is the work of faithful pastors and their wives who were instrumental in bringing the word of God to their people. Then those who received the living gospel message wexe empowered by the Holy Spirit to prove that "Jesus Christ saves, keeps, and satisfies".
Also treasured in the memory of present older members is the church Christ mas season. At the close of the Sunday School program by the children, the candles on the large Christmas tree were lighted one by one and their warmth brought out the pine fragrance. In the dim flickering light the congregation would sit in quiet anticipation, then slowly and softly sing "Silent Night, Holy Night" with voices blending and hearts full of love and praise for the King of" Kings on His birthday. To this day the service is much the same, with electric
lights replacing the candles.
Early meetings were conducted by members. Some of the topics discussed were -- Church Privileges, Church Obligations, How to Support a Local Church, and Bible Verses that Help. Today's youth are presently studying Campus Crusade's "Ten Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity". The young people also have a youth choir which meets on Thursday evening. Once a month, follow ing the evening service, they are involved in a "singspiration" with several other churches in the area. The singspiration group also sponsors a "Watch Night"
service on New Year's Eve.
Throughout the first 40 years and more, in the horse and buggy days, travel was understandably difficult. Roads were not well graded so they were either dusty or very muddy in summer and often very rough or filled with deep snow in winter. Long trips to church might mean an hour or more on the road in below zero weather. Heated soapstones or bricks helped to keep feet warm. Much walking was done if members lived near the church or if roads or weather prevented any other mode of travel. Cars were few and far between and the first ones really frightened the horses. In 1912, the possibility of putting up sheds on the church grounds to shelter the horses in winter was discussed but never materialized. Individual drivers blanketed their faithful animals.
People took lunches along to church and had an afternoon service so they could reach home before chore time and dark. When roads improved somewhat, an occasional meeting was held at night when the moon was shining to help light the way. Horses with a good sense of direction, and the use of lighted dash board lanterns or side carriage lamps aided night travel.
In 1906 the dues were raised to ten cents per month and the next year the first offering plate was purchased. Before then the few offerings actually taken, were collected in a man's hat. Dues were increased over the years as the Lord blessed and as the need arose. By the late twenties they were $10.00 a year for each member. Student pastors came from Chicago by train and received $20.00 for each trip.
In 1907 the women of the church organized a missionary society for the pur pose of serving the Lord by helping missionaries at home and abroad with their prayers and financial support. Named first president of the society was Mrs. Henry (Adelaide) Muller who served 20 years, and Mrs. John (Edna) Blome who was treasurer 35 years. In a later period, Mrs. Herman (Emma) Muller served as secretary 25 years.
The work of the group reached many countries. In addition to the church's missionaries, support was given to Bertha Lang and native Bible women in China and Margaret Lang in Nigeria. Home mission work was carried on in Childrens' and Old Peoples' Homes, among Indians in Arizona, and the hill people of Ken tucky. Later, offerings were sent to the Paul Friederichsen 's in the Philippines and the Elmer Hutchisons in the Belgian Congo.
During the early years, the monthly Thursday afternoon meetings were held regularly in members' homes. Visiting missionaries were welcomed to share their experiences and correspondence kept them in touch with the society over many years. The 25th anniversary program in 1932 included a song by the charter members, plays and several readings.
In 1911 the church joined with the German Baptist Convention of Forest Park, Illinois. This later became the North American Baptist General Confer ence with offices now being built in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.
A full basement was completed in 1918 in order to have more classroom space, also kitchen and dining areas. At this time a new furnace was installed. This was all put to good use as the Victor ChurcQ. was host to the Young People's State Convention that fall. The churches of the Iowa Association met annually for a convention, Victor taking its turn with the others. Because of limited facilities, the meetings were held a few times in the Victor Methodist Church, as was the Young People's Convention in 1933.
In January, 1922, it was voted to have all future business meetings conducted in English and an English pulpit Bible was purchased. As with all foreign language churches, the break with the mother tongue was a deeply moving experience for the older members whose whole spiritual life was associated with the language. During World War I the state governors requested all German-speak ing churches to conduct their meetings in English. However, after the war, German was used again to some extent. Since children and younger people could not understand the German, and most families were speaking English in their homes, the complete transition to English was accomplished by the mid-twenties.
In 1925 George Lang of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and in 1929 and 1930
Paul Friederichsen of Chicago, ministerial students, spent their summer vacations with relatives in the Victor Church and took over the midweek services and Sun day meetings except when the Muscatine pastor came.
1930-1960
In August, 1930, the Victor congregation discontinued its pastor supply arrangement with the Muscatine Baptist Church on the once monthly basis, a common bond which had united them so many years. Now the people realized that they must actually step out in faith with vision and purpose to seek God's will.
Paul Friederichsen, student pastor who had been with the church for two previous summers, was engaged to come from Chicago twice a month, beginning in the fall of 1930 for one year. He was given a license to preach and to preside at the Lord's supper. Revival services were held during the winter with Torrey Johnson, and several families and others in the area came to know the Lord. There were many evidences of the working of the Holy Spirit and members found new joy in witnessing to others and studying the word of God. This is true of evangelistic efforts to the present time
In August, 1931, special meetings with Torrey Johnson, Paul Friederichsen, and Tom Robinson were held at the Victor American Legion Hall where many found salvation and lives were dedicated to the Lord. A successful daily vacation Bible school was held in the daytime.
From September, 1931, to May, 1932, Torrey Johnson served as Victor pastor, coming twice a month. He was followed by Ray Schulenburg who spent the summer pastoring the church. He continued coming from Chicago the first and third Sundays each month, serving from 1932 to 1933. Then the Rev. and Mrs. Elmer J. Hutchison arrived in Victor. He became the first full time resi dent pastor for six months on a free will offering basis. This call was extended for another six months and then for a year. The 1934 offerings amounted to
$612.60, a small amount for so great a service.
During continued hard times, in 1935, the parsonage was purchased for
$1,500.00 with a down payment of $300.00. The Rev. and Mrs. William Scho bert and family were its first occupants, receiving $60.00 per month. A second offering plate was purchased that year and the first regular morning and evening offerings were taken.
The John Walkup family took up the Victor pastorate in 1938. In June of
1939 electricity was installed in the church and in September there was an or dination service for Pastor Walkup. The rewriting of the constitution was com pleted and adopted in January, 1940. During 1941-1944 the Rev. and Mrs. H.W. Wedel spent the final years of his active ministry in Victor, after which Pastor and Mrs. John Broeder and family served from 1945-1948.
After many years of using a single cup and plate for serving the Lord's supper, another set was added as the church membership grew. In the mid-forties the change was made to individual cups with the presentation of a communion set to the church by the Women's Missionary Union. Another set was given as a memorial in the sixties. Beginning in 1946 a janitor was hired for $240.00 an nually.
White Cross work began in 1945 and continues in the making and sending of complete layettes for the maternity centers in the Cameroon, West Africa, also rolling bandages and supplying other hospital needs. At the present time there are some 35 women involved in the group. Most of the income goes to the work and projects of the church conference in Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Japan, and the United States.
Pastor and Mrs. Dale Chaddock accepted a call to Victor from 1948 through 1951, during which time he also served as Iowa County Youth for Christ direc tor. In 1950 serious discussion centered on the possibility of moving the church to town. At about the same time an offer to purchase an available church build ing in Victor was investigated but was declined. In December, 1951, a new auto matic oil heating system was installed in the church for $1,339.00. By way of comparison, in 1931 the new furnace purchased then, cost $170.00.
Pastor and Mrs. Alvin Wetter and family served the church from 1952-1956. The church name was changed to Victor Baptist Church in September, 1953, and the state charter was renewed for another 50 years. Special Thanksgiving week services honored the 50th anniversary of the building of the church with a Christian Life Conference conducted by Dr. Thorwald Bender of Chicago. In June, 1954, the church put in new florescent light fixtures. At a communion service March, 1955, a new pulpit, a communion table and two pulpit pews were presented to the church and dedicated to the Lord's work, as memorials and gifts, which added to the beauty of the sanctuary. The church exterior was painted the same year.
In the fall and winter of 1956-1957, $6,000.00 was raised to enlarge and re model the parsonage. With volunteer labor, two bedrooms and basement area were added. Among materials given, a complete floor and some lumber were moved in from the Blome farm. The kitchen was remodeled and a wall removed to form a larger living room. New windows and storms were put in some of the other rooms. The parsonage was ready for Pastor and Mrs. Fred Schmidt and family who came in April, 1957. The 55th church building anniversary was cele brated October, 1958, with Dr. George A. Lang speaking at two special services. The possibility of building onto the west side of the church reached the planning stage but went no further.
1960-1976
In the early 1960's the constitution was again brought up to date. A plan to purchase the school house across from the church and move it near the church for supplementary classrooms did not receive a majority vote. Pastor and Mrs. Glenn Fink and family came in September, 1963. He was ordained March, 1964. A new piano and organ were purchased for the church. For two long years the congregation failed to reach a decision on whether to remodel, build in the country, or build in town,
never quite reaching the necessary two-thirds majority vote, while continually searching for God's will in the matter. However, realizing anew the imminent need for bigger and better facilities, a ballot taken on December 3, 1964, resulted in an overwhelming "yes" vote to build in town. (See the new church building proposal booklet)
The following committees were appointed immediately: Building and site committee: Don McAdam, Chairman; Melvin Smith, Darrel Cordes, Roscoe Jordan, Elmer Eggert; Finance: Ed McAdam, Chairman; Louis Muller, Erwin Bohstedt; Special Architectural Advisor: Bob Goodman.
On December 19, 1964, it was decided to use the professional services of the Evangelical Church Building Corp., South Bend, Indiana, for consulting and architecture with Lester 0. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, as architect and H. Ray Dubois of Rochelle, Illinois, as building supervisor. The excavating was done by Lawrence Guehrn of Ladora. Jay Maudlin and Don McAdam of Williamsburg and Victor did the painting and seamless flooring. Other local companies involved in the building were: Concrete Work, Manatts Concrete Co.; Masonry Contractor, George Weiss; Mechanical Contractor, Montgomery Plumbing and Heating; and Electric Contractor, Jack Electric.
Plans were drawn, examined, changed, and finally accepted by the congregation. In the search for a church site, several places were investigated and on June 3, 1965, the John Doran property in southeast Victor was purchased at a cost of $3,600.00 for the three acre tract. To complete financial arrangements for building the church, $60,000.00 was borrowed through the Victor State Bank at six percent interest for ten years. The remainder of the more than $121,000.00 required to finish the project proved a great challenge, but through faith, prayer, labor and sacrifice, the money was raised by the time it was needed. Construction began in May, 1966, and with much labor donated, continued throughout the year until those involved felt as though they were "eating, sleeping and living the project".
From events of the past 100 years it can be seen that "The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad" (Psalm 126:3). And not the least of these is the way He helped His people here at Victor Baptist to retire their church debt. In November of 197 5, about one and one-half years before the note was due, the last payment was made. "Many, 0 Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." (Psalm 40:5)
On Christmas Eve the program was held in the new church and shortly after the beginning of the new year the move was completed. An open house was held at the church on the afternoon of January 22 with some 500 people attending. The following Sunday afternoon, January 29, 1967, the church was dedicated to the Lord in an inspirational service glorifying the Lord for what He had done.
Much more could be told of the joy that present members of Victor Baptist Church had in working together, claiming the promises of God, sharing the Lord Jesus Christ through sermons inspired by the Holy Spirit, beautiful music and dedicated leadership. These all help growth, individually and corporately, in love for the Savior, in love for each other and in love for those who do not yet know Him.
Then came the problem of what to do with the former church. In May, 1967, it was sold for $350.00, to be removed from the premises. The land reverted to the owner of the farm from which it had come.
In 1968 the church participated in the Victor Centennial, erecting a tent for the showing of Moody Science films. At church they had an "Old Fashioned Sunday", using kerosene lamps and a pump organ. People were dressed in old fashioned clothes. Men were seated on one side of the auditorium and the women and children on the other. In the centennial parade the young people won a first place trophy for their float which pictured the "old and new" churches. Later that summer the float won a first place trophy at the Ladora Centennial.
Pastor and Mrs. Robert Bunnell and family served the new church from 1968-1972. God's Volunteers spent a week at Victor in 1972 and, accompanied by church members, witnessed for the Lord from house to house in the community. Each evening the six young people presented a program of music and testimony. A similar group came in 1973.
In 1973 Pastor and Mrs. David Hornok and family started their ministry at Victor. He was ordained in November at his home church in Utah. He has assisted with the camp ministry at East Iowa Bible Camp, Deep River, Iowa, and Central Baptist Camp, Lansing, Iowa.
A physical improvement accomplished in 1975 was the air conditioning of the church auditorium. A new piano was purchased the same year.
However, each new achievement presents a new challenge for the present and succeeding generations. "That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord that it is mighty." (Joshua 4:24)
The hope and desire of the Victor Baptist Church is that in the years to come the Spirit of God will lead the church as He has led in the past toward dedicated, fruitful service and ministry in His name.
With these challenges the Victor Baptists close their story but even more it is "His"-story!
