Verdel Presbyterian Church History
The Little White church in Verdel got its nickname from the song, "Little Brown Church in the Vale". Instead, in years gone by we sang 'The Little White Church in Verdel".
The first Presbyterian service was held in Lownes Hall in Verdel led by Rev. Samuel Sharples in March, 1903.
On January 16, 1906, 33 people signed a petition for Presbytery of Niobrara to organize a church in Verdel. Seventy-three people pledged a total of $883.00 and Ladies' Aid pledged $100 to erect a church. The church was erected during late 1906 and early 1907 at a cost of $2,257.28. The bell alone cost about $78.00.
On February 17, 1907, the church was organized. All twenty-three member were baptized. The first communion service was held April 19, 1907. Eighteen members were present.
Since 1903, fifty-one ministers have served the church. A total of forty-eight members have served as Elders. Many served several terms.
In April of 1952, the churches in Verdel, Niobrara, and Dorsey formed the Ni-Ve-Do Parish which was served by one pastor for six years.
In 1954, major repairs were made to the exterior of the church. Among other jobs, the bell tower was lowered and the bell was moved to the front yard of the church. See photo below.
In 1957, the church was incorporated and by-laws were adopted. Also on May 19, 1957, the church's 50th Anniversary was celebrated.
In 1958, "The Lord's Herd" was formed by men of the church. The program was successful in raising funds for the church treasury.
In October of 1962, the interior of the church was refurbished. The ceiling was lowered, walls insulated and new lighting was installed with both church and community members providing the labor.
On April 2, 1970, after being served by stated supply, the congregation voted to enter into a yoking arrangement with the Niobrara Presbyterian and the Methodist Churches in Lynch, Bristow, and Spencer. This was called the Boyd-Knox Parish. This parish lasted for forty years. When the parish dissolved, the Niobrara and Verdel Chuches continued worshiping together.
In 2007, we celebrated our 100th anniversary. T-shirts were designed, a history book was printed, and the church was full for our celebration!
In 2014, it became evident that the Verdel church, the Niobrara Presbyterian Church, and the Niobrara Lutheran church needed each other in order to maintain a full-time pastor, carry on mission projects, and serve our communities. Unfortunately, this merger was not enough to keep the Verdel church "alive" with an aging population of members, decreasing population of the town itself, and the condition of the building. Having worked together for so many years, the First Presbyterian Church of Niobrara and the Verdel Presbyterian Church both agreed to dissolve and form a new church, The Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church. This new church retained the property of both former churches but unfortunately it was no longer feasible to hold services at the Verdel church and we had to close our doors. The last worship service was held in November of 2014. We are proud to have held services in our little church for 107 years.
In May of 2015, the Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church and the Niobrara Evangelical Lutheran Church formed the Faiths United Parsh. At this time we alternate Sunday worship services between the two buildings.
The Little White church in Verdel got its nickname from the song, "Little Brown Church in the Vale". Instead, in years gone by we sang 'The Little White Church in Verdel".
The first Presbyterian service was held in Lownes Hall in Verdel led by Rev. Samuel Sharples in March, 1903.
On January 16, 1906, 33 people signed a petition for Presbytery of Niobrara to organize a church in Verdel. Seventy-three people pledged a total of $883.00 and Ladies' Aid pledged $100 to erect a church. The church was erected during late 1906 and early 1907 at a cost of $2,257.28. The bell alone cost about $78.00.
On February 17, 1907, the church was organized. All twenty-three member were baptized. The first communion service was held April 19, 1907. Eighteen members were present.
Since 1903, fifty-one ministers have served the church. A total of forty-eight members have served as Elders. Many served several terms.
In April of 1952, the churches in Verdel, Niobrara, and Dorsey formed the Ni-Ve-Do Parish which was served by one pastor for six years.
In 1954, major repairs were made to the exterior of the church. Among other jobs, the bell tower was lowered and the bell was moved to the front yard of the church. See photo below.
In 1957, the church was incorporated and by-laws were adopted. Also on May 19, 1957, the church's 50th Anniversary was celebrated.
In 1958, "The Lord's Herd" was formed by men of the church. The program was successful in raising funds for the church treasury.
In October of 1962, the interior of the church was refurbished. The ceiling was lowered, walls insulated and new lighting was installed with both church and community members providing the labor.
On April 2, 1970, after being served by stated supply, the congregation voted to enter into a yoking arrangement with the Niobrara Presbyterian and the Methodist Churches in Lynch, Bristow, and Spencer. This was called the Boyd-Knox Parish. This parish lasted for forty years. When the parish dissolved, the Niobrara and Verdel Chuches continued worshiping together.
In 2007, we celebrated our 100th anniversary. T-shirts were designed, a history book was printed, and the church was full for our celebration!
In 2014, it became evident that the Verdel church, the Niobrara Presbyterian Church, and the Niobrara Lutheran church needed each other in order to maintain a full-time pastor, carry on mission projects, and serve our communities. Unfortunately, this merger was not enough to keep the Verdel church "alive" with an aging population of members, decreasing population of the town itself, and the condition of the building. Having worked together for so many years, the First Presbyterian Church of Niobrara and the Verdel Presbyterian Church both agreed to dissolve and form a new church, The Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church. This new church retained the property of both former churches but unfortunately it was no longer feasible to hold services at the Verdel church and we had to close our doors. The last worship service was held in November of 2014. We are proud to have held services in our little church for 107 years.
In May of 2015, the Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church and the Niobrara Evangelical Lutheran Church formed the Faiths United Parsh. At this time we alternate Sunday worship services between the two buildings.