April 24, 1875

The first organized religious activity of the present church was the founding of the Sunday School. It was named Brule Union Sunday School, located in a sod claim hut two miles west of Alcester.

February 1877

The church is organized following a series of revival meetings held by William S. Bell, a missionary from the American Sunday School Union. It was named ‘Antioch’ after the Biblical city where the disciples were first called Christians. There were 18 charter members.

March 4, 1877

The church re-organized as "Grove Hill Congregational Church", the eighth Congregational church in the State of South Dakota.

September 6, 1877

The first wedding uniting Arthur Disbrow and Mary Hoard (left) was held at the Grove Hill Congregational Church, officiated by Reverend Bridgman.

1880

Grove Hill Church sponsored Mr. Bell , the missionary founder, for a ministerial license.

Fall, 1880

The first church building, a 16 by 20 foot frame structure, was formally dedicated. It was located approximately a mile south and two miles west of present day Alcester.

1885

The church building was moved to Alcester, now a thriving town since the arrival of the railroad in 1883. The building was enlarged to 16 by 32.

1886

Membership at the Grove Hill Congregational Church was recorded at 44.

November 1, 1890

W.S. Washburn (left) was called to the pastorate. He was the first married pastor. Furthermore, he had a family that needed a home. The church was converted into a parsonage.

August 2, 1891

A newly erected church building was dedicated. (The picture at left was taken in 1897.)

1892

Membership grew to 58. The minister’s salary was $250 a year from the Alcester church, but he did receive a salary from two other churches as well.

July 3, 1894

Two members were expelled from the church for "irregular conduct" and their "crime" announced from the pulpit.

November 9, 1898

Three more members were expelled in a like manner. This was apparently the last "trial."

Summer 1903

A new parsonage (pictured at left) was completed. The home still stands at 312 Iowa Street in Alcester, owned by Virginia and the late Ivan Erickson for many years.

1912

The first Church Bazaar was sponsored by the Ladies’ Aid.

1914

Membership stood at 74.

1916

Stained glass windows were added when the church was remodeled, enlarged and a basement was constructed (pictured left). During World War I, the basement was used by the American Red Cross for making surgical dressings and supplies.

1922

The minister’s annual salary grew to $1,500 plus $75 for doing the janitorial work.

March 6, 1927

The church’s Golden Anniversary (50 year) Celebration was held. Membership was recorded at 86.

April 1929

The Alcester church had its first full-time resident minister. All previous ministers worked a circuit.

1938

The Ladies Aid membership was divided into three groups called "Circles".

April 1, 1948

A new parsonage was completed in the spring of 1948. The home, which remains at 105 East 4th Street in Alcester, was sold by the church to a private buyer in 2002 after the new church was constructed on the east edge of town. (Photo taken in 1962).

October 1950

A special dedication ceremony was held for the newly remodeled and renovated church.

October 5, 1952

A Diamond Jubilee Celebration was held – 75 years in God’s Service.

February 19, 1961

A unanimous vote was cast in favor of the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church with the Congregational Christian Church to form the United Church of Christ.

1965

Church member Ida Cooper (pictured left) hand-made new Paraments for the church, which are still in use today.

October 28, 1966

The Alcester United Church of Christ and the First Congregational Church of Hudson were officially yoked.

October 1975

Alcester UCC Rev. Milo Sheldon received Yankton College’s "Young Alumnus of the Year" award during Pioneer Days homecoming festivities in Yankton.

March 6, 1977

An Alcester UCC Centennial Worship Service was held. Membership in the church stood at 142.

June 26, 1977

An extensive Centennial Celebration was held complete with a joint service with Hudson, a dinner at noon, a program, and a social hour in the afternoon.

July 1, 1978