April 2008 Newsletter

A History of Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church, part 6

Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Adapted from a Historical Treatise Written by Charlotte Stelcik

The Second Church

In 1906, when plans were formulated for a new church, a building fund was created. Eight years later, in 1914, a total of $5,000 was on hand. On June 23, 1915, the old church building was sold and moved away to make room for the new structure. On July 6th, Jan Hus Day, ground was broken for the new Bohemian Presbyterian Church.

On July 15, 1915, the elders met in the German Evangelical Church where the congregation held services while the new church was being built. The corner stone was laid on August 21, 1915. The building, complete with furnishings, was to cost $24,000 but actually the final total reached $30,000. On Sunday, January 9, 1916, Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church was dedicated free from debt. Dr. J. Bren preached the dedicatory sermon assisted by visiting ministers from Cedar Rapids and vicinity, and other Czech churches in the Middle West.

The following article appeared in the January 11, 1916 edition of the Cedar Rapids Republican”

“The dedication services of the Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church were celebrated Sunday to the satisfaction of all participating. It was a day long to be remembered by those who were in attendance.

Short services at 10 o’clock in the morning were held before the opening of the gates of the edifice. Many persons from adjoining towns, Center Point, Walker, Vinton, Fairfax, Luzerne, and Mt. Vernon, were present. The meeting was opened with the signing of the Hundredth Psalm after which Rev. A. Paulu of Vining offered up a prayer and Rev. Pokorny of Ely, gave a short address. Miss Marie Pudil presented the keys of the church to its pastor, Rev. V. Hlavaty, the articles being laid on a platter bordered with roses. Rev. Hlavaty, with suitable remarks, opened the doors in the name of God.

The regular service began by the singing of ‘How Amiable are Thy Dwellings, O God,’ and in a short time the auditorium was filled by its congregation. Rev. Hlavaty offered a dedicatory prayer and Rev. Bren, of Hopkins, Minnesota, preached the dedication sermon. Rev. Pokorny read a poem, composed by himself, especially for the occasion. A collection of $1,500 was taken up which leaves but a very small debt. Thirty new members joined the church.

In the afternoon at three o’clock, services continued, this time in the English tongue. After the opening hymn, Rev. F. H. Shedd conducted a session of scripture reading and Rev. Dr. Ferguson followed this with prayer. Two quartets form the Sinclair Memorial Chapel rendered two songs. Rev. R. B. A. McBride spoke at length on ‘The Church of Today’ and Rev. E. R. Burkhalter spoke on ‘What the World Owes Bohemia from the Religious and Historical Standpoint.’

A second hymn by the congregation followed the close of this address. Rev. A. M. Jayne spoke on behalf of the Ministerial Union and with singing of America and the benediction by Rev. E. R. Burkhalter, the services were closed.

In the evening the third service consecrated. Short addresses were given by Rev. Paulu, Rev. Dudycha, and Rev. Bren. Rev. M. Spinka, pastor of the Reformed Bohemian Church, extended greetings. Several songs by the choir, under the direction of Joseph A. Popelka, were thoroughly enjoyed. Rev. Hlavaty brought the celebration to a close by his speech of thanks to the contractors, the building committees and the ladies who so generously prepared and served dinner and supper to the guests.”

The church was a brick structure (which is still standing and being used for worship by another congregation) which measures thirty-six by thirty-six feet. It was divided in the middle by a door which could be raised or lowered. The auditorium seated five hundred people. Above the main sanctuary, on the balcony, were four rooms used for Sunday School. In the basement there was a large hall in which dinners were served, meetings held, programs given, and plays presented. Adjoining this room was an adequately equipped kitchen. On the other side of the large hall there was a smaller room which was used for recreation, and half of the room served as the nursery for the youngest group in the church.

On December 12, 1916, an interesting meeting of the Czech people was held in the church which was filled to capacity. Dr. Bohumil Simek, a professor at the University of Iowa, was the speaker. The purpose of the meeting was the liberation of the Czech people from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The people of the church always try to help in the old country’s freedom—morally, politically, and financially. A collection of $379 was taken.

In the winter of 1917 the church installed a new organ at the cost of $2,100. It was finished on December 15th and dedicated at a special program on December 24th of that same year.

In October, 1916, the girls decided to organize a society. Thirteen girls then established a club which they called Esther. Their purpose was to help needy families. This organization, like several others, faded away in time. The Boy Scouts undertook their first organization under the auspices of the church in 1916.

The Christian Endeavor organization can be traced back through the minutes almost to the very beginning of the church. In addition to their program of religious education and fellowship, they sponsored ice cream socials, presented plays, and presided over booths at the bazaars. In the late 1940’s the group changed their name to the Westminster Youth Fellowship. This group also faded away in time.

An annual event of the church is the Christmas program which was given on the Sunday evening preceding Christmas. All age groups form the Sunday School took part. The church platform in the main sanctuary was decorated and in the afternoon of the day of the program two Christmas trees were decorated by the young people. The program, which was directed by the superintendent of the Sunday School, consisted of recitations given by individuals, and usually exercises were offered by various age groups. Each Sunday School group had something to offer. The choir also took part in the program. It was customary for several children each to recite a poem or some small selection in Czech.

In 1918 a number of Sunday evening programs were held by the congregation. These were not necessarily religious in nature but consisted of lectures of educational nature. Various speakers came to talk to the people on these evenings.

Because of Him ~ Terry

¹⁹This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: "The special days when you fast in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become good, joyful, happy feasts in Judah. But you must love truth and peace." Zechariah 8:19 (NCV)