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An Abbreviated History of
The New London Presbyterian Church
1856-Present
The New London Presbyterian Church was organized on February 16, 1856, under the supervision of the Reverend T.M. Moviott, who was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Burlington. There were 17 charter members. Fourteen of these transferred their membership from other churches, and three entered on profession of faith. At the time of the Civil War, the membership dwindled and services were discontinued, there being no regular house of worship. The congregation maintained only a bare existence until 1868 when Presbytery appointed a committee to inquire into the expediency of having it dissolved. The visitation and conference of Presbytery’s committee resulted in the reorganization of the church with a membership of thirteen. From that time until 1871, the Reverend E.E. Belden, who was pastor at Mt. Pleasant, supplied the church every alternate Sabbath. Services after this were very sporadic, being conducted by the pastors of neighboring churches until the spring of 1874. Over the years, the membership of the church has ranged from less than 20 members to a high of 259 members in 1968. 1905 was the year with the largest growth. In February of that year, 45 people joined the church and there were 70 new communicants.
In the spring of 1874 the congregation decided that its main trouble was the lack of a place to worship. The main sanctuary of the present building was erected. The total cost was about $6,000. This included 102,900 bricks which cost $791, including hauling. The total lumber cost was just under $53 and the day laborers received $2.50 to $2.75 per day. Six plain chairs for the church cost a total of $5.50 and there was considerable volunteer labor. The building of the original church was supervised by the local Methodist minister, The Reverend Mr. Reasoner. He also plastered the building free of charge. The Presbyterians rewarded him for these services with a pound party, a horse and sulkey, $60 and a bonnet for Mrs. Reasoner. Since 1875 the original building has undergone many additions and remodeling projects. In 1903 the steeple of the church was declared to be “much decayed” and in need of repair. Mr. Antone Totemeier made a gift to the church of the bell tower and of the thousand pound bell that is still in use today. The cost of the bell was $275. In 1915 the eastern extension for the sanctuary was built. At this time a basement was dug and a kitchen and dinning room were added and the sanctuary was updated. The cost was about $5,000 and was dedicated free from debt on February 6, 1916. In 1957 the basement was enlarged and a modern kitchen was installed. At this time the first church telephone was installed. In 1962 work started on the addition a of a study and choir room to the north of the original building. The redecoration of the sanctuary was planned and completed in 1964. The front of the church was rearranged, the choir loft being placed at one side of the pulpit instead of directly behind it. In 1973 the main entrance of the church was moved to the southeast corner of the building. A large foyer, new basement entrance, rest rooms and a ladies’ lounge were added. In 1990 plans were set in motion for a large addition of an all purpose room adjoining a new modern kitchen and two Sunday school rooms. A commemorative corner stone, containing a time capsule, was placed at the northeast corner of this building. The building, named “Friendship Hall”, was debt free in September 1992. In 1995 central air conditioning was installed in the parts of the building erected prior to 1990. In 2006 an energy efficient boiler was installed, replacing the 50 year old heating system of the sanctuary and basement.
To date we have had 27 regularly installed pastors. Also Sunday services have been conducted by many interim and stated supply ministers and more frequently by visiting pulpit supply, students and other speakers. The minister with the longest service in New London was the Reverend James Edwards who came in January 1966, leaving in August 1983.
During 1888 the church was behind $16.84 in the minister’s salary. With considerable effort the debt was reduced until the unpaid balance was $2.40. A committee was appointed to raise this amount and The Reverend Mr. Tappan consented to preach until the end of the year. By that time he was due more back salary. By March 1889 Mr. Tappan had not been paid, so seven parishioners and the missionary society raised the remaining $17.
The youth Sunday School was organized in 1856 with about 50 pupils. The Sunday School has always been a vital part of our church. The highest enrollment was in 1968 when there were 199 students enrolled in 11 classes. At one time the adult Sunday School had several classes known as organized classes. These groups enjoyed both social activities and the furthering of the church’s welfare by sponsoring many projects. These included acquisitions of physical properties for the church as well as missionary activities. In February 1896 five ladies met to organize “The Mite Society”. Dues were five cents a month. Years later this society became the “Ladies Aid”, and raised funds by quilting, holding bazaars, food sales, waffle suppers, cooking for threshers and publishing a cookbook. This group continued until 1931; however, several other women’s groups kept up the good work of the church helping financially and socially. In 1952 the women’s organizations reorganized as the “Association of Presbyterian Women”. Smaller groups, or circles, were formed within this group to meet socially and to further the work of the church.
In 1991 a day care center was opened in the church basement. "Under the Rainbow" served the families of our community until September 2004. This same area housed the New London Community Day Center until the Fall of 2007, when their new facility was ready for occupancy.
Originally the Presbyterian Church owned just the property at the corner of Elm and Jefferson Streets. Starting in 1961 they began to acquire other properties within that block. By 1974 the church owned the entire city block. The first acquisition was the gift of Helen and Florence Campbell. They were killed in an auto accident in 1961, and their will left their home, the northwest portion of the block, to the church. The church has had three manses, the first on North Walnut Street, a gift in 1905 from Mrs. Samuel Coates. In 1946 Mrs. G.W. VanAusdall gave her Main Street home to the church. In 1976 a new ranch style manse was built just northeast of the church building.
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