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Previous Section | Next Section   Church work in the new
settlement was somewhat sterile, a want that was sadly felt. Mr.
Rupe says in his "Early Recollections," "We find even Hagaman,
who considers himself the leading infidel in the country,
judging from what he says in his own paper, deploring the fact
that Mrs. Mentz in her burial had neither singing nor prayer."
Even after religious services had been instigated its progress
was slow. It was over three years before public worship was held
and very near seven years before a church was established in the
county, dating from the first settlement. It is doubtful if a
parallel case can be found.  The late Reverend R.P. West enjoyed
not only the distinction of establishing the first place of
worship in the county, but delivered the first sermon, organized
the first church and Sabbath school, and on down to a later date
he preached the first sermon in Concordia. His work at one time
embraced all of Cloud, R