THE FIRST CHURCH IN CHADRON - Nebraska Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Marker is on the 4th street side of the church.

Marker reads as follows:

Shortly after the townsite of Chadron was selected on August 1, 1885, the Reverend Harmon Bross, a Congregational missionary, conducted the first worship service in the fledgling community. For a time services were held in the open air or in tents. On August 23, 1885, it was decided to organize a Congregational Church.

Chadron's first church was built on this site in the fall of 1885. The total cost of the building and lot was $1775. The Congregational Church of Chadron was dedicated on Sunday, December 20, 1885, and stood here until 1959 when the new church was completed. The original building still serves another denomination as a chapel.

The church's first regular minister was the Reverend G. J. Powell, who began his ministry in 2887. It was the Reverend Powell who led the effort to establish a Congregational academy in Chadron. The Chadron Academy operated from 1889-1910 when the land was acquired by the State of Nebraska for use as a normal school, today's Chadron State College.


First Congregational, U.C.C.
Nebraska State Historical Society

Marker is located at the church at the corner of
Chadron Ave. & 4th Street, Chadron

Dawes County
Marker 301

Marker Name: THE FIRST CHURCH IN CHADRON City: yes Roadside: Not Listed Other: Not Listed Web Address if available:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!

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