Details of Church

http://www.panesu.org/subject/markers/Congregational-Church-of-Blair

"Rev. D. P. Chase preached the first sermon to the Congregationalists on February 12, 1870. Their church was organized in the same year, with Rev. M. Tingley as first regular minister. Their present church edifice was dedicated on November 22, 1874, is a neat, frame building, costing nearly $2000, and the membership of their church is thirty five." -- Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, 1882

Church was marked on the 1908 Washington County Plat Book, Blair Map

from Washington County Nebraska History: Compiled by the People of Washington County. 1980
Page 34.

The Congregational Church of Blair was organized February 10, 1870 when the town had not quite reached its first birthday and the state only three sort years before had been Nebraska Territory.  Eight persons, including the Rev. Marshall Tingley and his wife Cornelia, signed the constitution and the confession of faith and thus became the first members.  For more than four years meetings were held in homes but on November 22, 1874 a one-room building of combined New England Colonial and semi-Gothic style architecture was built at a cost of $2,070.00.  This original room is still the sanctuary but during the years the building has outgrown its 29' x 40' size, having added a lecture room, choir loft, front entry, full basement, dining room and kitchen area and an educational wing to meet the growing needs of the Sunday School and congregation.

At one time, construction of a new building was considered but it seemed more sensible to wait until the present one "overflows" with members.

The following are excerpts from old news items found in early Blair newspaper:  June 1873 -- The women of the Congregational Church held a strawberry festival, the $25.00 proceeds going to help furnish the new building being erected.  July 1876 -- The Congregational Church women announced that they would serve a prairie chicken dinner to the general public.  Tables will be set up in downtown Blair.

At Easter services in 1915, two beautiful new stained glass windows were dedicated, and are still a part of the church building.  That year also brought the great tabernacle revival meetings to Blair;  Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian and Congregational Churches combined in bring to town the famed Asher-Moody revival team.

The church noted its seventy-fifth anniversary in 1945, but because of wartime restrictions, the celebration was not as ample as first planned.  In 1961 the church accepted the constitution of the United Church of Christ, adding U.C.C. after the original name.

In 1969 the church yoked with Grace Methodist Church of Kennard when dwindling congregations and high cost threatened their survival.  By this partnership both churches have enjoyed financial and social benefits.

Two centennials have been celebrated by the church. In 1970, in observance of its organization, activites such as an ice cream social, a bridal fashion show, pageant, "sings,' and other special programs were held during the summer and fall months.  Then in November 1974 special services remembered the 100th anniversary of the church building.

Because it may be the oldest church building in use in Washington County, it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and as such is open to visitors who are charmed by the New England atmosphere wisely retained in each remodeling.  Public dedication services of the historic market were held in September 1975.

A new roof, which must be of wooden shingles like the original building, proved too costly for the congregation so an appeal went out to the community and former members living elsewhere in 1980.

Proof that the little church on the corner is as dear to others as to those who worship there was the response of more than $8,000.00 With matching funds from the Federal Government, the building should be kept for posterity for a long to come.  Submitted by Mary Stricklet and Shirley Jipp.