First Presbyterian Church of Utica, MN

     History & Our Pastors – 1892 to the Present

      Presbyterians have been a long time fixture in Utica, Minnesota since about 1860 when a church was organized by Rev. H. L. Craven. Craven resided in La Crescent, and traveled to this church charge once every three weeks. According to a 1913 Winona County History Book the first members of the congregation were L. W. Rowley, Thomas Sloan and John Boyd and their respective wives. Rowley served as church elder, and previous to 1892 services were held at the District 21 Schoolhouse and in private homes.

     A formal organization of a Presbyterian Church at Utica began on April 24, 1892 when Rev. R. K. Tweed held services at the schoolhouse in Utica, and the community requested a petition go to the Presbytery in Winona to organize a church. Union Presbyterian Church of Utica was organized on May 1, 1892 by synodical missionary Dr. R.N. Adams. The Presbytery officially approved that organization on May 24, 1892. Some 100 years later on Sunday May 24, 1992, that action was celebrated by the current Utica congregation as the Centennial anniversary of the church. The event was marked by a special worship service, dinner, choir music, history display and program.

     Eight people were the initial membership of Union Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Tweed was the first pastor from May 24, 1892 until June 25, 1893. Those members were Mrs. C.F. Blair, A. Warner, Mrs. E. H. Earsley, Mrs. D.W. Brown, Mrs. J. Ludwick, Mrs. S. Stebbins, Mrs. S. Morey and R. Peterman.

      The first elder elected and ordained for the newly organized congregation was Augustus Warner, who served the congregation in that capacity from May 24, 1892 until his death in 1911. Warner is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Utica across from the current church building. The first written church records are dated December 4, 1892, and at that meeting Rev. Tweed and Elder Warner examined and received 30 members into the fellowship of the church. On December 17, 1892, a board of directors was elected that included Warner, W. H. Earsley and Mrs. J. C. Woodworth.

     Under the leadership of the second pastor, Rev. Llewllyn Nash (1893-1894), a building to house the church became a reality. Ground was broken on September 22, 1893, and the first church service/dedication was held on Easter Sunday March 25, 1894. A worship program of that service still exists in church historical files.

     The building committee for that project included Nash (chairman), W.G. Earsley (clerk), Mrs. J. Stebbins, Webster Stebbins, Mrs. Emma Woodworth, I.O. Brown, Grant Blanchard, Augustus Warner, J. Ludwick and Samuel Brown. The total cost to build the church was $1,891.57. In a letter written by Rev. Nash in 1914, the 20^th anniversary of the church dedication, Nash notes that the project “cost so much work, prayers, tears and hard solicited cash”.

     More that 115 years later that building still stands on South Center St. in Utica. Since the original construction, a small entry was added to the street side of the church. In 1963 a basement dining room/kitchen, restroom facilities and main floor Sunday School rooms were added. A photograph of the church dated 1894 shows a steeple above the bell tower, but in the mid-1940’s when the church celebrated a 50^th anniversary, photos show this part of the architecture had been removed.

     Over the years, congregations have kept the Utica church in good repair. During the 1980’s for example, the sanctuary and basement were painted and new carpet installed. In 1992 the exterior of the building was sided and the bell tower enclosed.

     From 2001 until 2008, the roof was re-shingled, the old furnaces replaced, central air-condition installed and new main entrance steps purchased. Flooding on August 18 & 19, 2007, made for a “messy” clean up for the Utica church when sewers in the City of Utica backed up due to a 14 inch rainfall in less than 24 hours. Members pulled up sodden carpet, scrubbed and painted walls and cleaned and moved furniture in the basement dining room and kitchen area. On March 9, 2008, the congregation celebrated the completion of this project which included new dining room carpet and kitchen flooring.

     The established name of the Utica church was changed to First Presbyterian Church of Utica, MN on January 8, 1962. A year later on January 27, 1963, the board of elders and board of trustees were combined into one body (session), to handle both membership and financial matters.

&nnbsp; The building committee for that project included Nash (chairman), W.G. Earsley (clerk), Mrs. J. Stebbins, Webster Stebbins, Mrs. Emma Woodworth, I.O. Brown, Grant Blanchard, Augustus Warner, J. Ludwick and Samuel Brown. The total cost to build the church was $1,891.57. In a letter written by Rev. Nash in 1914, the 20^th anniversary of the church dedication, Nash notes that the project “cost so much work, prayers, tears and hard solicited cash”.

     More that 115 years later that building still stands on South Center St. in Utica. Since the original construction, a small entry was added to the street side of the church. In 1963 a basement dining room/kitchen, restroom facilities and main floor Sunday School rooms were added. A photograph of the church dated 1894 shows a steeple above the bell tower, but in the mid-1940’s when the church celebrated a 50^th anniversary, photos show this part of the architecture had been removed.

     Over the years, congregations have kept the Utica church in good repair. During the 1980’s for example, the sanctuary and basement were painted and new carpet installed. In 1992 the exterior of the building was sided and the bell tower enclosed.

     From 2001 until 2008, the roof was re-shingled, the old furnaces replaced, central air-condition installed and new main entrance steps purchased. Flooding on August 18 & 19, bsp;

     From 2001 until 2008, the roof was re-shingled, the old furnaces replaced, central air-condition installed and new main entrance steps purchased. Flooding on August 18 & 19,

     The Utica congregation has had a long tradition of pastoral sharing arrangements with other churches. Session records indicate a link with the Fremont Scottish Church as far back as 1894, and a yoke to First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston can be traced to about 1900.

     Since 1973, Utica and Lewiston have been part of a parish that includes Pioneer Presbyterian Church of Chatfield. Known as the Trinity Presbyterian Parish, the three churches share a pastor and also join together for special worship events and fellowship activities. Beginning in 1996, Utica and Lewiston started to join together on alternating Sunday for worship and Sunday School. This has been a successful arrangement, and requires the pastor to conduct only two services on Sunday morning.

     For Trinity Parish pastors, Sunday morning means a journey from Chatfield to the Utica/Lewiston area. Modern transportation allow this to be accomplished in a matter of a few hours, but this was not so for early pastors of the Utica church. Rev. W. Randall Spurlock (1913 to 1914) described his typical Sunday in a letter to the Utica congregation in 1942:

     The request of your Golden Jubilee Committee for a message from a former pastor of yours brings back a flood of memories of the year I served you in connection with the Fremont and Lewiston churches. Memories area both sweet and not so sweet as is always the case in life in general. Now that I am privileged to live in this next-to-paradise country (Miami, Florida), and have seen no snow for almost 12 years, I think of the trips I used to make over the mud roads to and from Fremont in Mr. Bole’s buggy and with his fine team aiding in the Master’s service.

     How I remember the one early Sunday morning when the one good wife near the Utica church came running out as she saw me leave Bole’s residence to hand me a sandwich to eat on the way because  I had to hold services in the morning in Utica and afternoon in Fremont. I did not have time to eat any noon meal nor an evening meal before the evening service in Lewiston, so that ever so often after eating at 8:00 a.m.  I never got anything more until around 11 or 11:30 PM that night. It took all the time outside of services to do the driving in the buggy. Maybe now you have good roads and autos and things are a lot easier. 

     Activities and fellowship have always been an important part of the life of the Utica church. During the 1950’s a highlight was the Lord’s Portion Sale. One could purchase garden produce or baked goods at the auction. The event was also complete with a talent show, parade and a delicious dinner. Thingsian Parish, the three churches share a pastor and also join together for special worship events and fellowship activities. Beginning in 1996, Utica and Lewiston started to join together on alternating Sunday for worship and Sunday School. This has been a successful arrangement, and requires the pastor to conduct only two services on Sunday morning.

     For Trinity Parish pastors, Sunday morning means a journey from Chatfield to the Utica/Lewiston area. Modern transportation allow this to be accomplished in a matter of a few hours, but this was not so for early pastors of the Utica church. Rev. W. Randall Spurlock (1913 to 1914) described his typical Sunday in a letter to the Utica congregation in 1942:

     The request of your Golden Jubilee Committee for a message from a former pastor of yours brings back a flood of memories of the year I served you in connection with the Fremont and Lewiston churches. Memories area both sweet and not so sweet as is always the case in life in general. Now that I am privileged to live in this next-to-paradise country (Miami, Florida), and have seen no snow for almost 12 years, I think of the trips I used to make over the mud roads to and from Fremont in Mr. Bole’s buggy and with his fine team aiding in the Master’s service.

Trinity Parish churches for Sunday School, choir and adult study programs.

     Over a 115 year history the Utica church has been served by 36 different pastors, and they include:

 1.  Robert Tweed                May 24, 1892 to June 25, 1893

2.  Llewellyn V. Nash          June 25, 1893 to October 28, 1894

3.  Henry Kremers              December 1894 to November 8, 1896

4.  G. L. Guichard                October 1, 1897 to May 1898

5.  R. K. Ross                       June 15, 1890 to May 14, 1899

6.  Barend H. Kroeze          May 14, 1899 to February 10, 1901

7.  Charles. H. Fleming        March 3, 1901 to December 16, 1901

8.  J. D. Stouse                   1902 to 1903

9.  Robert Horne                 September 30, 1903 to June 11, 1907

10.Theodore Hunter           September 25, 1907 to June 1908

11. Donald J. MacLeod         December 1908 to January 1912

12. L. D. Newland                 April 1912 to September 1912

13. George S. Morgan          June 15, 1913 to September 30, 1913

14. W. Randall Spurlock       October 5, 1913 to July 29, 1914

15. W. B. Auger                   September 6, 1914 to October 31, 1915

16. M. H. McMillen    &nbsly: Comic Sans MS; color: navy"> 10.Theodore Hunter           September 25, 1907 to June 1908

11. p;          May 14, 1916 to February 15, 1920

17. Walter Rothwell             May 1, 1920 to October 3, 1921

18. Roy L. Laurin                  June 1, 1923 to October 31, 1926

19. Charles R. Lawrence       December 19, 1926 to August 31, 1929

20. Robert Horne                 November 2, 1929 to July 26, 1930

21. J. S. Goering                  November 1930 to January 2, 1934

22. L. Harold Lundquist       April 29, 1934 to ?? 1934

23. R. V. Jones                     November 31, 1934 to February 1, 1937

24. J. F. Souders                 May 2, 1937 to May 2, 1948

25. Otto Fillinger                 October 1948 to February 1952

26. Robert Alexander          November 9, 1952 to October 1, 1953

27. Elbert T. Larvick           July 1, 1954 to January 27, 1957

28. John T. Eastman            July 28, 1957 to November 18, 1960

29. John J. Munchoff          June 18, 1961 to June 15, 1964

30. Leslie Gehring                January 1965 to April 15, 1969

31. Samuel Waring               October 1969 to August 1, 1972

32. Donald L. Drury              June 17, 1973 to October 15, 1982

33. Marilyn Sandin       &nElbert T. Larvick           July 1, 1954 to January 27, 1957

28. bsp;       September 25, 1983 to October 31, 1987

34. Neale L. Miller  Laurin                  June 1, 1923 to October 31, 1926

19. Charles R. Lawrence       December 19, 1926 to August 31, 1929

20. Robert Horne                 November 2, 1929 to July 26, 1930

21. J. S. Goering                  November 1930 to January 2, 1934

22. L. Harold Lundquist       April 29, 1934 to ?? 1934

23. R. V. Jones                     November 31, 1934 to February 1, 1937

24. J. F. Souders                 May 2, 1937 to May 2, 1948

25. Otto Fillinger                 October 1948 to February 1952

26. Robert Alexander          November 9, 1952 to October 1, 1953

27. Elbert T. Larvick           July 1, 1954 to January 27, 1957

28. John T. Eastman            July 28, 1957 to November 18, 1960

;               January 1, 1989 to June 30, 1996

35. Richard G. Jones            September 16, 1996 to July 16, 2000

36. Timothy J. Gerarden      January 1, 2001 to Present                 

                 . R. V. Jones                     November 31, 1934 to February 1, 1937

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                                       Utica, MN Railroad Station in 1909. The steeple of the Union Presbyterian

                                        Church of Utica is seen on the right, top of the photo.

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 Facts about the City of Utica, Minnesota

The City of Utica is located in the western portion of Utica Township, in the County of Winona, in Southeastern Minnesota. Utica is on Hwy 14, approximately 15 miles from Winona and 30 miles from Rochester. The population of the City of Utica is 212 as of the 2000 census figures.  The population has been stable over the past 100 years. Utica Township primarily consists of agricultural land. The area of the City is approximately one square mile. While it contains some agricultural land, it is primarily made up of residential, light industrial and commercial properties.

The City of Utica was incorporated in 1858.  It completed a new water tower in 2002; the sewer system and water lines were installed in 1971.

Utica contracts with the City of Lewiston for fire protection and ambulance.  The Winona County Sheriff Department provides law enforcement.

City government consists of a Mayor, elected semi-annually and four Council members who serve for 4-year terms.  The Clerk and Treasurer are appointed by the city council.

2008:

Alexander Henry             Mayor                          

Alanna Keiffer     Council

Gary Sanders                 Council

Steve Welscher               Council

Penny Weis                     Council

Kay Muschler                  Treasurer

Cindy Timm                     Clerk

Additional city information:

Alanna Keiffer     Council

The City once housed a grocery store, bank, gas station, and other small businesses. Like many small towns most of the small businesses have moved or closed. There are now 3 grain elevators, although only one of them does business with the general public, a lumber yard, Bed & Breakfast and a small medical manufacturing business in Utica. Utica is home to one full service restaurant/lounge, 2 bar & grills, a number of home-daycare businesses and 2 construction business have there offices in town.  There is also a post office and a church.

The City is part of a wellhead protection plan. Karst topography is typical in this area. There is concern about excess nitrates in the water so water is tested monthly, and there also some sink holes around and in town.

DM & E Railroad runs through town, and is parallel to Highway 14, through the center of Utica City. County Road 33 is perpendicular to Hwy 14 and the railroad and bisects the town.

Information Courtesy of the City of Utica, MN,  P.O. Box 431, Utica, MN   55979

Comprehensive Plan – 2004

History of Utica Village - Beginning in 1858

Utica village was laid out by Benjamin Ellsworth almost 150 years ago. It is platted at right angles to the railroad.

The first building on the site of the village was a grain warehouse, erected by Mr. Ellsworth on the advent of the railroad in 1863. For some years a portion of this building was also occupied by the train depot of the railway company. The plat of the town had 70 lots. On those lots were built a store by Gideon Peterman, another general store erected by L.C.Bates and a hotel was built by A.D. Ellwworth.

As of 1883, Utica had two warehouses, a general store, hotel, drugstore, tin shop harness shop, shoe shop, saloon and a blacksmith shop. In 1883 the village was not yet incorporated. During 1893 the Union Presbyterian Church of Utica was built, and the structure was dedicated in March of 1894.

Information from Winona, MN County History Book of 1883

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