CHURCH SOCIETIES IN NEENAH.4


of Maine. Steps were soon taken to secure the services of the
Rev. H. G. Mecrthur. He came in January, 1862, and was in-
stalled February 18. There were indications of revival at this
time. It was during this year that Mr. Elbridge Williams, Mrs.
Gleason, Miss Helen Cummings and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
Murray were received. Mr. McArthur resigned at the close of
the year and the pulpit was again vacant. After leaving here
he became the pastor of the Congregational Church at Oshkosh,
then retired from the ministry awhile, engaging in business, but
has since returned to the work. He was a bold and active man.
He insisted on being free from home missionary aid, and this
was the first year the attempt was made by this church. It was
a hard struggle, though the salary was but $600. In March,
1863, the Rev. James Bassett was called at a salary of $600. In
September of this year the church was received by the Fox
River Presbytery (N. S.) at its meeting at Omro. In the string
and summer of 1864 a beautiful house of worship was built on
this spot, a part of that in which we now worship. The cost
was in round numbers $5,000. It was a great venture for the
church at that time, but a remarkable unity of purpose and skill
in management, together with some donations from abroad, one
of special liberality by Mr. Phelps, of Lewistown, Illinois, of
$500, and a loan of $500 from the board of church erection, the
work was brought to completion without a debt. The dedica-
tion took place August 12, 1864. The scriptures were read by
the Rev. Mr. Phelps; invocation by Rev. Mr. Brooks; sermon
by the pastor; dedication prayer by the Rev. A. Bassett, now a
professor in Wabash College, Indiana; benediction by the Rev.
H. Miner. In December of this year (1864) Mr. Bassett resigned
his charge of the church. He was especially efficient in pushing
forward the church building and was regarded as a good
preacher. He married Miss Abby Jones, of the First Presby-
terian Church, and they are now engaged in the foreign mission-
ary work at Teheran, Persia. Mr. and Mrs. John Ford were
among those added under this pastorate. The brick church was
sold to the Methodist brethren in the spring for $700, and pos-
session being given before the new church was ready, the con-
gregation worshipped for a time in Leaven's Hall. The Rev. A.
A. Dinsmore appeared in the summer of 1864. The Rev. Dr.
Paxton, of New York City, preached his ordination sermon as
well as several others during his stay in the place, and left a
deep impression upon the minds of the people. The church seems

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