The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1856, by Rev. James Gordon, now residing in Tecumseh, Kansas. There were ten members, Archibald Alison was one of the first Elders, and has ever since held that place. Mr. Gordon remained in charge for five years. At the close of his ministrations there were thirty members on the rolls.
In 1861, the Church was changed from Presbyterian to Lutheran, with Rev. A. M. Geiger in charge, who was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Shafer. At this time the Seminary was in the hands of the Lutherans, and Messrs. Geiger and Shafer were at the head of the institute during their respective pastorates. In 1865, Dr. L. Sternburg succeeded Mr. Shafer in his dual office. In 1868, the Church was re-organized by Rev. H. H. Kellogg, then of Marshalltown. Dr. Sternburg remained in charge for some months after the latter change, and then removed to Ft. Harker, Kansas, where he is still residing, Pastor of the resbyterian Church at that place. Rev. John Summers next took the lead of the Albion society, and remained there for four years, when he died. Rev. Isaiah Reed next was Pastor, for eighteen months, when Rev. W. R. Smith took the place vacated by him, and retained his pastoral relations for one and a half years. He was instrumental in building a church edifice which cost $8,000. The present Pastor, Rev. David Chapman, late of Philadelphia, moved to Albion in the Winter of 1877-8. Sixty five members were added that Winter, by a revival.

The Disciple Church.—In 1871, the Disciples living in and about Albion thought it best to organize a church in town rather than to go out three miles into the country and meet at Bethel, as they had hitherto done. Elder H. A. McConnell was preaching at Bethel and it was under his ministrations that the Albion Church was organized. At first only about twenty members of the old Bethel Church went into this organization. Subsequently others moved their membership to the town Church. Bethel lost in the first " swarm " some thirty or forty members. These were, however, faithful workers in their new field and have grown up to a present membership of about one hundred. In 1872 the Church built a neat frame meeting house 36x48. The Church had as their preacher in 1872-3, a young man of the name of John L. Needham. In 1873, he died. In 1873-4, Elder J. G. Enull was their preacher. He was followed by Elder A. Hickey, who preached one year. The Church enjoyed monthly visits from Elder F. M. Bruner, President of Oskaloosa College, in 1876. With the beginning of 1877, Elder F. Walden began his labors as Pastor, and continues in that capacity to the present. Since their present Pastor began his labors, about fifty have been added to the Church. The present membership is about one hundred. The officers are: Ira R. Arney, A. T. Hall and M. McLelland, Elders ; J. M. Burkhart and D. G. Bishop, Deacons. Elder F. Walden, Pastor.

Society of Friends.—The original settlement of Friends was made in Bangor Township at an early date. The post office was called Western Plain, and was established long before the town of Bangor was planned. The Society goes back to 1854, at which time James Owens, Abijah Hodjins, Jacob Kinser and John Hockett were leading members. The first marriage celebrated under the rites of the Church was that of Enoch Lewis and wife, August 21, 1856. The latter couple moved to Albion and are now among the leading members of the Society of which we write. In 1873-4, meetings were held in Albion, with Mrs. Hannah Lewis as the prime mover. Abram Stanley and wife were the first Friends to locate in the vicinity of Albion, and with Enoch Lewis and wife, William T. Adell and. wife, Elijah Stanley and wife, Milton J. Hussey and wife, and Hannah, Elizabeth G. and Hannah N. Lewis, formed a society in that town. Meetings were held at various places -until October, 1877, when the Society purchased the school house vacated upon the completion of the new school building, and converted it into a house of worship. The present Trustees ees are Lancaster Bell and Enoch Lewis. The Society is in a prosperous condition.

Methodist Episcopal Ohurch.—Father Solomon Dunton, the pioneer missionary, held service after the forms of this Church at the house of Mr. Dawson, in 1858. The place of meeting was a log house. There were but six or eight members, among whom were. Mr. and Mrs. Burch, Mr. and Mrs. Payne and Solomon Denbow and wife. The first church edifice was built in 1858, under the administration of Rev. John Montgomery. The society was four years in building the small church. The first Trustees were Addison White, Adam Louck, Solomon Denbow and Emmanuel Long. The church was dedicated by Rev. John Bowman, of Waterloo. The regular Pastors after Mr. Dunton, were Mr. Pettifish, Solomon Dunton, Mr. Babcock, C. G. Truesdell, John Mont- fornery, W. Bell, John Dudley, Thomas Thompson, J. Eberhart, 0. B. Bowles, >. N. Mallory, U. Eberhart, J. Ward, W. B. Frazell, and the present Pastor, J. M. Hedges. The Church is in a very satisfactory condition, and has a membership of 165.

Transcribed by Dawn Minard