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CHURCHES
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Grace Lutheran Church - Wisconsin Synod
Presbyterian Church of Oronoco
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Grace Lutheran Church - Wisconsin Synod
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The early beginning, which led to the founding of this congregation is, lost to our generation, but apparently a group of German imigrants that homsteaded the area along the south branch of the Zumbro River, now known as "White Bridge" in the mid 1800's. Reverend William Lange is the first known pastor to serve these settlers along with St. Peters church in Pine Island, MN. Pastor Lange turned this congregation of settlers over to Pastor Schaaf of the Missouri Synod. They formed St. John's Lutheran Church on January 11, 1879 and worshiped in the "Coon Grove School".
In 1900, about half of the St. John's congregation left the church and formed another church in Oronoco, it was named "St Pauls".
The St John's congregation continued to meet at the Coon Grove School until the building became too small for worship (in about 1908), so they moved temporarily to the Presbyterian Church in Oronoco and held Sunday afternoon services. On February 25, 1908, a meeting was held where it was decided to erect a new church building of their own in Oronoco. This new building served the congregation well and continued with various improvements. On February 12, 1941 a special joint meeting of St Paul and St John's congregations was held with the purpose of reuniting the two congregation. With Pastor Lenz representing St Paul and Pastor Koch representing St John's, they decided to reunite. The combined congregation chose "Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church" as the new name (it's entire budget in the early years was about $3300.00 per year.). After the two churches joined, St Paul's building was used for fellowship and St John's (Grace Lutheran) for Worship and Education.
Information here is from "Oronoco Past and Present" written by Elsie Boutelle.
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Presbyterian Church of Oronoco
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The first service was held June 30, 1869 by Rev. Thomas Burnet, a newcomer from New York. He was assisted by Rev. George Ainslie of First Presbyterian Church in Rochester and by Mr. J.A. Leonard, an active Christian and editor of the Rochester Post.
On July 3, 1869, after four consecutive days of service, it was decided to form an Oronoco Presbyterian Church. In October of 1869, land was purchased for the new church and construction was begun in May of 1871. The new church consisted of a white wooden church building with steeple and a sanctuary to seat 130 people. In 1902, a bell tuned to "C" was purchased for the steeple. The cost of the church building was $3500. A wood manse was built northeast of the church at a cost of $500.
On November 26, 1880, Rev. W.C. Beebe succeeded Rev. Burnet. On November 16, 1898, a Ladies Aid Society was formed. To be a member, one had to attend meetings and give an offering of 5 cents each meeting (This group changed it's name to the Women of the Church in 1992. They are active in the support of many outreach and mission projects.)
By April of 1899, Robert Glasby was Pastor, with a salary of $3.00 paid monthly by the Ladies Aid. At the end of the year 1900, the church accounts showed $49.96 as income and $43.97 as expense, leaving a balance of $5.99. The Ladies Aid Society is credited with keeping the church doors open and continuing the Pastor's pay, then $3.50 per month.
The Ladies Aid meetings opened with devotion. Lunches were served at the meetings, consisting of sandwiches, coffee and dessert. Members adhered to the rules or were fined 25 cents.
By 1948, an education wing was built and the sanctuary was remodeled. A restroom addition was made in 1977. The sanctuary was restored and air conditioned in 2003.
A new manse was constructed in 1961 as the older 1872 manse had deteriorated. In 2004, the manse was sold.
In 1907 and 1908, the Lutherans of the community used the Presbyterian Church for their worship on Sunday afternoons. Other connections to the community include the gift of a United States flag from the V.F.W. in 1944, and the sponsorship of a Boy Scout troop in 1958. Other groups used the church building in the 1970s. These included: the Jaycees, Y.M.C.A., Boy Scouts, and the Republican Political Party for a caucus.
On March 5, 1989, Pastor "Kitty" Burbo was called to serve the congregation and remained through August 2005 when she was succeeded by Interim Minister John Guttermann. Pastor Guttermann shares his time between the Presbyterian Church of Oronoco and the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Zumbrota, MN as the two churches agreed in 1967 to "yoke" in order to share pastoral expenses.
In 2005, a 135th Anniversary Celebration was held at the Presbyterian Church of Oronoco.
Information here is from "Oronoco Past and Present" written by Elsie Boutelle and from Linda Sorensen, a member of the church.
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