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THE LAND OF THE FOX
ventists. In the Town of Maine missions
existed at Stinson Post Office as early as
1854. At Leeman in the early nineties
camp meetings" were held at the time
when 'Miner Camps'' were popular.
The Maine missions for a time had
charge of services also in the village of
Nichols, where a church building, more
or less inter-denominational, has existed
since 1924. In the Town of Maple Creek,
Baptist, Methodist, Congregational and
United Brethren missionaries held serv-
ices in various homes and school houses.
This work began about 1853 and con-
tinued up to 1880. In 1870 a Christian
Church, built by William Steward ab-
sorbed most elements of the Protestant
population.
           PRESBYTERIANS
  As we have seen, the Presbyterian
Church was organized in Appleton on
December 18, 1850, by the four Presby-
terians, James Gilmore, Mrs. Catharine
T. Gilmore, Frederick Packard, Miss Julia
C. Smith, one Congregationalist and one
Methodist. The seventh member of the
founding group was Alexander Edgar,
admitted on profession of faith. However,
in January, 1852, it was voted to change
from the Presbyterian form of government
to the Congregational and the fortunes of
the Presbyterians were merged, at least
officially, with the Congregational Church.
In 1866 the Crescent reports that ''A Presby-
terian Church and a synagogue are being
talked of."
  In 1870 the Rev. W. P. Gibson held
services during the month of November
in the Central School (on the site of the
present Masonic Temple) in view of form-
ing a Presbyterian congregation. In 1871,
15 members are recorded but Rev. Gibson
was replaced by a student pastor, George
Spinning, during the summer of 1871.
The Rev. Dickinson of the Congregational
Church was in ill health and Mr. Spinning
accepted the invitation of the Congre-
gationalists to bring his flock and hold
union services in the Congregational
Church. Apparently the Presbyterians re-
mained in the Congregational Church
until in 1878 without a pastor of their
own denomination.
   In 1876, however, David Smith died and
 left a sum of $6,000 to help build a Pres-
 byterian Church. The Rev. J. D. Andrews
 came to Appleton to undertake the build-
 ing of a church and to reorganize the
 congregation. In December of 1879 the
 cornerstone was laid by Rev. Banks of
 Marquette, Michigan. The church was
 dedicated on February 15, 1880, 'with
 stately ceremony and splendid music.''
 The sermon of the day was given by the
 Rev. Dr. Gregory, President of Lake
 Forest College. The name Memorial Pres-
 byterian Church is in memory of David
 Smith.
 The- Rev. Andrews was succeeded in
 1883 by Rev. Banks who remained until
 1885, when Rev. Gardner came. Among
 the pastors of the Presbyterian Church the
 Rev. John McCoy served the church for
 the longest period, 1893 to 1907; the Rev.
 Leo Burrows was pastor from 1913 to
 1921; Virgil B. Scott, from 1924 to 1928;
 the Rev. Robert Bell from 1935 to 1943.
 The Rev. Clifford Pierson has been min-
 ister since 1944. It is interesting to note
 that the church building is one of the few
 original church buildings in the city of
 Appleton or even in the county. It has been
 in use for nearly 70 years.
   Because the Presbyterian Church was a
 part of the Congregational Church in
 Appleton for so many years, all early
 missionary work was carried on in the
 name of the Congregational group. Hence,
 there is but one other Presbyterian church
 in the county, a small congregation in
 Kimberly, organized in 1906, but existing
 as a mission until 1929.
             LUTHERANS
  The Lutherans of various types did not
come with the purpose of missionary
work among the Indians. They came after
the arrival of German settlers in the
various parts of the county and generally