History

Early Identity

Many Germans emigrated to the Dakota plains from Russia in the 1800's where they gathered together to worship in accordance with their Reformed faith. The Odessa Reformed Charge was formed on August 1, 1903 of five churches in northern central South Dakota and southern central North Dakota. Over the years, ten churches have belonged to this charge. The First Reformed Church of Herried joined the Odessa group of churches on April 2, 1904.

A Firm Foundation

In 1921, the Herreid congregation purchased a former Baptist Church building and moved it to a lot east of the old show hall in Herreid. Services were held at this church until 1959, when a new building was erected. The cornerstone on the southwest corner of the new building was presented to the church by Watertown Monument Works. Total cost of the building, which was completed and dedicated October 11, 1959, was $19,184.41. Speaking at the dedication, Rev. Norman C. Hoeflinger stated, "For a congregation of but fifteen families to undertake to build a church may have seemed like folly to the world. But the zeal and enthusiasm of these members was based on solid faith and backed up with sacrificial giving and plenty of hard work." A Mortgage Burning Service was held on May 1, 1966 when the mortgage was paid off.

Unrest in the RCUS

During a ten-year period from 1942-1952, pastors were not available to serve due to war times and other issues. A major issue for the church was the merger of many Reformed churches with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of North America. Only a few churches, including First Reformed of Herreid, declined to merge and remained faithful to the RCUS. These churches called themselves "The Eureka Classis of the Reformed Church of the United States of America."

The Church Today

Since that time, the RCUS has continued to grow and expand until it now reaches from California to Pennsylvania and includes four classes. The congregation of First Reformed of Herreid looks forward to continuing to minister the Word of God and to spreading the message of Jesus Christ into our next hundred years of service in the RCUS.