updated 5/8/2020
updated 5/8/2020
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The First Presbyterian church in Volga, the only one in Clayton county, was started about 1884. The exact date of the church's organization is not known, since fire destroyed the congregation's original records a few years after it was started. Volga's Presbyterian church was formed from a union of two other early churches in this vicinity. One of them was established by a number of Scotchmen who came to Highland township in 1850's from Pittsburgh. They started what was known as the United Presbyterian church. A few years later another church was founded at Volga, known as the American branch of the Presbyterian church. This congregation held services in the old Union church, later occupied by the Perkins blacksmith shop. During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Campbell, the United and American churches formed the first church, which became part of the Dubuque Presbytery. The present church building was erected in 1900 during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. McClusky. It was host church to the Dubuque presbytery at a meeting in 1912. The Rev. Richard Roberts followed Mr. McClusky as pastor of the then new church. Under his pastorate the church thrived, adding many new members to the congregation. Church elders during Mr. Roberts' leadership were William Probert, Thomas Duff, William P. White, Fred Kneeling and Morris Blake. Deacons were John Probert, William Smith, Albert Duff and Elmer Sorg. Under this leadership the church had 128 children in Sunday school, probably the largest number at one single time in the church's history. Mrs. Morris Blake was Sunday school superintendent. The First church also had lively Christian Endeavor and Ladies aid societies. Volga Presbyterian's present pastor is Gerald Wilson, a student at the University of Dubuque. He also serves as pastor of the Presbyterian church at Wadena, a village seven miles northwest of Volga. Mr. Wilson lives in the parsonage at Wadena. There is also a parsonage at Volga, but it was rented to a local family because the church has been without a resident minister for the last several years. Although the Volga congregation's membership has been cut by death and members moving away, the remaining group still takes an active interest in the church. This point is emphasized by the fact that only recently new cement steps and a landing were installed at the church's front door. Other improvements made include a shingling job on the roof and repair of the church's windows. ~Cedar Rapids Gazette, July 30,
1949; from the series Iowa Churches. The article included
the photo that appears at the top of this page. Notes: ~*~*~ Miscellaneous Information
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