Ravenna Congregational Church
The Congregational Church of Ravenna was started in the summer of 1886 when a student named Brastow, sent by the Congregational Home Missionary Board, did some preaching in the community. His preaching services were held in store buildings, a tent and in the first school house of Ravenna. His short stay proved fruitful enough to justify the board in sending a regular pastor to establish a church with ten regular members pledged to join the church. The church received $150 from the Home Missionary Society in order to operate for the first six months. They also received a loan grant of $1500 to begin construction of a permanent church building and the loan was later increased to $3000 which was the total cost of the construction.
Construction began in the fall of 1886 with Eratus Smith, James Clark and Albert Mawhinney taking an active part in the establishment of the first church in the town of Ravenna. Construction was mainly under the direction of Rev. Travers, an amateur architect. The building that was erected still stands as the main part of the present church edifice. The Church was organized on November 3, 1886 with a group of 40 people and the Rev. Robert M. Tavers as the first ordained pastor.
The church was legally incorporated on November 31, 1887 under Nebraska state law. The construction loan was renewed several times and an additional grant loan of $500 was secured in the first few years of operation until the church became self-supporting in 1905. The church has called her own pastors, conducted church business and managed their own affairs under congregational rule (all members have a voice) since its inception. The source of all doctrine and custom remains the initial written doctrine of the Christian faith, the Holy Bible.
Construction began in the fall of 1886 with Eratus Smith, James Clark and Albert Mawhinney taking an active part in the establishment of the first church in the town of Ravenna. Construction was mainly under the direction of Rev. Travers, an amateur architect. The building that was erected still stands as the main part of the present church edifice. The Church was organized on November 3, 1886 with a group of 40 people and the Rev. Robert M. Tavers as the first ordained pastor.
The church was legally incorporated on November 31, 1887 under Nebraska state law. The construction loan was renewed several times and an additional grant loan of $500 was secured in the first few years of operation until the church became self-supporting in 1905. The church has called her own pastors, conducted church business and managed their own affairs under congregational rule (all members have a voice) since its inception. The source of all doctrine and custom remains the initial written doctrine of the Christian faith, the Holy Bible.