Nebraska history

Contents

Nebraska

Omaha, NE

Late 1890’s: Omaha Gospel Mission, Omaha, NE

The assembly known today as Keystone Bible Chapel in Omaha began in perhaps the late 1890s or early 1900s. It was likely started by one or more of the traveling evangelists of the time, possibly Alexander Broadfoot, who was then working in western Iowa. The parents of Arthur B. Rodgers, Sr. were among the first in the assembly, as was a Mrs. Olbert. Don Charles was in the assembly in the period around 1909.

Known in the earliest days as Omaha Gospel Mission on 26th Street between Douglas and Farnham Streets, the assembly moved in about 1915 to 813 North 40th Street. In 1920 the Christians moved into their new building at 45th and Hamilton Street and changed the name to Omaha Gospel Hall (but it was often called the Hamilton Street Gospel Hall).

Omaha Gospel Chapel, Omaha, NE

At some point, the designation Omaha Gospel Chapel came into use.

1970: Keystone Bible Chapel, Omaha, NE

In 1970, the assembly moved to 7840 Maple Street, calling their new meeting place Keystone Bible Chapel.

By 1920, the assembly was well established with about 60 in fellowship. At that time, it was the only assembly in the city, and even in the state except for small works in farming communities in the western part of the state. However, the Omaha assembly had frequent fellowship with assemblies in Iowa and Kansas City, and was visited regularly by the itinerant preachers. Legal documents show that W.A. Bradford, I.M. Roman, and J.A. Shopen were among the leaders in the 1920s.

The assembly did not have designated elders in the 1920s, but leadership was provided by O.M. Nelson and Price Patterson in addition to the three just mentioned. It would appear that Arthur B. Rodgers Sr. was the most influential man in the assembly for many years. After service in the army during World War I, he became an itinerant preacher but lived in Omaha most of the time and considered the Omaha Gospel Hall as his home assembly. Despite his travels, he maintained a strong voice in the affairs of the assembly until his passing in 1961.

In the mid-1920s, Ken Baird moved to Omaha from Greenfield, IA and his gifts were used. Willard Rodgers began taking an active part by about 1930 when in his late twenties. In 1932, Glen Plowman arrived and developed into a good preacher. James Gilbert came into the assembly at about the same time and became a definite leader. Others in the assembly in its early days include the familes of Phil Olbert, Harry Hamilton, Bill Jones, Don Flat, Henry Peterson, Les Kent, Waldron Scott, Floyd Weaver, Wes Fox, Lyle Rockhold, and Earnie Rockhold.

In the decades of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, the assembly was very active. Besides a full slate of Sunday and week-night activities at the Hall, the assembly did hospital visitation every Sunday afternoon and held street meetings on Saturday nights in nearby towns. They held annual Bible Conferences almost every year from 1909. In the early days, the conference had an open platform, with as many as 20 speakers participating.

Keystone has commended a worker to Burundi. About 120 adults and children attend Keystone Bible Chapel today.

1962: Grandview Gospel Chapel, Omaha, NE

In about 1962, the Grandview Gospel Chapel in Omaha began as a friendly hive-off from the Omaha Gospel Chapel and resulted from children’s meetings being held in the neighborhood. The family of Willard Rodgers was instrumental in its founding. The assembly had an effective children’s work during its short lifetime. In the late 1960s, leadership conflicts caused the Grandview Assembly to disband and sell its building.

1980: Council Bluffs Bible Chapel, Council Bluffs, IA

Another hive-off of the Keystone Bible Chapel is the Council Bluffs Bible Chapel in Council Bluffs, IA, established in about 1980 (see Iowa).

1980: Northwest Bible Fellowship, Omaha, NE

Northwest Bible Fellowship in Omaha was established around 1980, and purchased the building formerly occupied by the Grandview Gospel Chapel. William Fear is one of the leading men at Northwest.

Lincoln, NE

1950’s: Hollywood Heights Chapel, Lincoln, NE

Hollywood Heights Chapel in Lincoln was established in the 1950s. Although a few assembly people lived in Lincoln prior to that, not until Ralph Swanson from Sioux City, IA moved there and built a chapel did the assembly begin. Andy Joye moved to Lincoln from Omaha and helped in the work, which continues today.

Central NE

The brethren were active in central Nebraska in the late 1800s, but information is sparse. A family history relates that J.A. Dahlgren and a Mr. Wahlstrom preached in the area. We quote: “These two men were real Bible scholars and held meetings wherever they went. They had spring and fall conferences and would have one certain place to meet. Folk would come from far and wide to hear the word of God. J.A. Dahlgren spent many a day and night in the Maline home. Mr. Dahlgren was a painter and paper hanger by trade. . . Mr. Dahlgren was a very kind man. He was a man that was a true friend and was respected and loved by many friends.”

The Gustaf Malines and others were converted under the ministry of these men and an assembly was likely begun, but its location in the early days is not known, likely the Maline home or a rural schoolhouse near Gothenburg or Cozad. Gustaf Maline is remembered to have preached at the Gothenburg Free Mission church when its pastor was unavailable. There is no ‘open’ assembly in the area at this time.

1920’s: Imperial Gospel Hall, Imperial, NE

In about the 1920s, John Horn moved to Imperial, a small town in the southwestern corner of Nebraska, where he was instrumental in starting the Imperial Gospel Hall. Don and Harold McCormick farmed near Imperial and with their families joined that fellowship, along with the families of Floyd Miller, George Long, and Ken Hayward. Several of these families moved many years later to Colorado and joined the assemblies there. This assembly has since disbanded.

1920’s: Palisade Gospel Hall, Palisade, NE

The Palisade Gospel Hall developed at about the same time in the small town of Palisade not far away. Dan McCormick was the leader for many years, followed by Ray D. Ridlen. The Palisade Gospel Hall continues to meet though small.

Sources

Conversations with Christians