Hickory Grove Church

The people in this area felt the need for a church where they could go and worship.  So in 1870 the people met in a country schoolhouse for religious services.  Their dream of a church to worship in began in 1873 when William Burroughs purchased three acres of land for $22.00.  One acre was designated to be the building site for the church and two acres for the cemetery. The church and the cemetery got their name from the grove of hickory nut trees that were across the road to the west., it is also how the township got its name.  The original church faced the grove of trees.

The church sits on top of a hill overlooking the countryside.  When one stands on the front steps and looks out over the rolling landscape, you can see for miles and miles.  The majestic view simply takes our breath away.  Imagine years ago when the church bell rang on Sunday morning, the sound would call one and all for miles around to come and worship.

The original church building was soon dedicated and the first Hickory Grove United Brethren Church in Hickory Grove Township came to be. The building was remodeled in 1900 when a coal furnace and light plant were installed and the inside was completely redecorated.

In 1925, the congregation had dwindled and in January a fire destroyed the church.  It literally kindled a flame among the folks in the area.  They gathered their forces and before the summer was over the present building was built. Part of the lumber for the building came from a closed United Brethren Church in Collins, Iowa and purchased for $500.  It was then dismantled and shipped by railroad to Newburg, Iowa; from there it was hauled on a hayrack to the present location. It was rebuilt with volunteer labor, and dedicated.  At the dedication Susan Burroughs Child presented to the church a Bible that now sits at the front of the sanctuary which reads "Presented to the United Brethren Church at Hickory Grove Township on August 30, 1925.  When electricity became available, an automatic oil furnace and electric lights were installed.

In November 1946, the United Brethren merged with the Evangelical Church and became known as the Hickory Grove Evangelical United Brethren or the E.U.B. Church.  The parsonage was located in Newburg, Iowa and in 1961 was sold to Rex and Maryann Kirby.  The Hickory Grove Church celebrated its 75th anniversary in April 1948 with a basket dinner and an afternoon program.

The church went through some discouraging times when attendance was low and the people began to wonder if they should keep the doors open.  It was thought to discontinue services in the winter months which they did a few times, but with the return of spring, it always started up again.

In May 1951, Rev. Ralph S. Hindman became pastor of Hickory Grove E.U. B.  He also pastored Zion E.U.B. in Laurel and the Zoar Evangelical and Reformed Church.  By this time there were 32 members.  Before Hindman, a supply pastor served the church.  The supply pastor traveled a considerable distance to get to the churches he serviced and in bad weather church would be cancelled. During Rev. Hindman's first winter serving Hickory Grove, the church had to be cancelled at least 13 times due to bad weather.  In 1953, the interior of the church was made more attractive by covering the walls with Nu-Wood, refinished the floors, furniture and woodwork, new steps were added and a new roof put on.  In 1958, the interior was redecorated, new steps were added and a new roof was put on. 

Also, in 1951 Morris Hay asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.  One day while he, Le Roy Brown, Loren Elliott and other farmers were working the threshing machine, he said he wanted to be a minister.  Most didn't think he could do it, but LeRoy said he thought he might make a better preacher than a farmer! He continued to read his Bible and went to every church service around.  He would also help at the county home on Sunday for services, never satisfied to just warm a bench.  He then became an ordained minister and preached at Ashton Chapel for two years.  In March 1959, he preached Fred Hammer's funeral, Le Roy Brown heard him and asked if he would take the Hickory Grove E.U.B. Church.  Le Roy told Rev. Hay that the building needed some repairs, but was in fair condition.  Rev Hay accepted the position and became the new pastor of the church, along with his wife Margaret and their daughter June.  The congregation consisted of Mr. & Mrs. Le ROy Brown, Mrs. Glenna Stovers, Mr. & Mrs. Sherm Reichet, Rev. & Mrs. Morris Hay and June.  Lester Adkins after hearing Rev. Hay preach at a different funeral started attending and from then on became a great worker in the church.