History of Robins Church of the Brethren – 1856-2016

Compiled by Tim Button-Harrison for Closing Service on September 10, 2016

The history of the Robins Church of the Brethren goes back to Germany where the Brethren movement started in 1708.  Yet within twenty years, due to persecution, most of the Brethren had migrated to Pennsylvania searching for a place they could practice their faith without being harassed by authorities.  

When the middle and western states opened for settlement, some Brethren who were descendants of these 18th century German immigrants were among the first pioneers in Iowa.  In 1854, Brethren Elder Thomas Snyder and his family moved from Blair County, Pennsylvania and settled two miles west of Robins.  They were followed in 1856 by Elder Jacob Waters and his family from Cambria County, Pennsylvania.  Many other Brethren were also settling in Iowa at this time.   

In 1856, in the home of Elder Waters, Brethren from Linn, Cedar, Delaware and parts of Benton came together and organized the First Dry Creek Church of the German Baptist Brethren with ten charter members.  That fall they held their first love feast in Elder Snyder’s barn and elected Thomas Snyder to the ministry.  Within a few years, other Brethren families were locating in this vicinity: Stamys, Mentzers, Millers, Holsingers, Hoovers, Albaughs, and Heefners.  

In 1858 they built their first meetinghouse just north of the Dunkard cemetery in Monroe Township.  It was made from native lumber; a 30 x 40 foot structure, 12 feet high, with a 16 by 18 foot kitchen.  For 25 years they worshipped in this church house.  Ministers serving in that period, besides Thomas G. Snyder and Jacob O. Waters, already mentioned, were Jonathan Rees, J. C. Miller, Soloman Stamy, Martin Boyd, John Filmore, Moses Rogers, John Voach, Daniel Holsinger and Abraham Stamy.  During this period, within the wider Brethren church there were disagreements and debates concerning missions, Sunday Schools, and education.  In 1881, the Old Order Brethren, opposing these innovations, separated and formed their own church.  About half of the congregation broke away and went to the Old Order Brethren.  

A second church house, to replace the first, was built in 1883 in a place called Sand Ridge.  This new building served the congregation for 32 years.  Ministers serving at Sand Ridge were T. G. Snyder, S. C. Miller, D.W. Miller, L. D. Bosserman, J. Kurtz Miller, George Hagerman and S. B. Miller.

A third church house was built in Cedar Rapids in 1892 at 4th Avenue and 12th Street and it became a separate congregation in 1905.  

In 1914 the old church property was sold and in 1915 the Sand Ridge Church was torn down and its materials were used to build this church building we are now in.  It was built by Morris Eikenberry of Dallas Center and it was dedicated in December of 1915 with Galen Royer preaching.  Ministers serving at this location from 1915 until the purchase of the first parsonage in 1932 were Jonathan Meyers, G. S. Nickey, S. B. Miller, Claire Miller, D. W. Miller, A. T. Olinger, U. H. Hoefle.  

During that period, in 1920, the Sisters Aid Society was started “to render such aid to the needy, financially and otherwise as may be needful, to develop the missionary and Devotional spirit of its members, to assist the church, home and foreign missions and other worthy causes.”  From 1920 forward the Ladies Aid helped with the finances by holding suppers, cooked for farm sales, and had ice cream socials.  Many quilts were made, and given away or sold.  Ladies Aid also helped with Vacation Bible School and wherever they were needed.

When the parsonage was purchased in 1932, the first minister to occupy it was D. C. Snider (1932-1934) followed by O. A. Myers (1934-1943), Leland Emrick (1944-1945), Earl Snader (1945-1946), Ben Buckingham (1946-1951) and Russell Jarboe (1951-1953).

During that period, in 1939, the church’s name changed from Dry Creek to Robins Church of the Brethren.  

From 1953 to 1966, the Robins Church yoked with the Cedar Rapids Church and four pastors were shared during those 13 years: John Wieand (1953-1954), Russell Burris (1954-1960), Robert Faus (1960-1963), David Hykes (1963-1966).  From 1966 to 1978 the Robins Church yoked with the Garrison Church and three pastors were shared during those 12 years: Elmer West (1966-1972), Harold Justice (1972-1974), Gene Burry (1974-1978).  Rex and Joyce Barber then served Robins (1979-1986) followed by Nick Shrope (1987-1999) and Eileene Sauer who served as a lay minister up to the present time.  

Three young men of the church were licensed into the ministry.  Warren Hoover (1944), James H. Hoover (1948) and James Benedict (1977).