Round Grove United Church of Christ

The Foundation (1901)

The Duetchen Evangelischen Friedens Gemeinde (German Evangelical Friedens [Peace] Congregation) near Lewisville, under the leadership of the Rev. Theo Tanner, was formally organized in the year 1901, with William Barfknecht, Fred Wolters, Sr., and Carl Uecker as officers.

At the organizational meeting it was decided:

• To build a church during the year 1901
• That the President was to buy two acres of land within three months on which to build the church
• That the minister (Rev. Tanner), who lived in Dallas, was to preach at least twelve times a year
• His salary would be $100 a year

Seven months later the church was completed. Henry Uecker, Sr., gave two acres of land on which to build the church and locate the cemetery.

Charter Members (1901)

• William Barfknecht
• Fred Wolters
• William Thiede
• William Dollgener
• Carl Uecker
• Henry Uecker, Sr.
• Henry Uecker, Jr.
• Will Lunow
• August Barfknecht
• Frederick Barfknecht
• Paul Berndt
• Carl Dollgener
• Frederick Duwe
• Julius Dollgener
• Herman Uecker

The Name and the Building

The community was called "Round Grove" because of a round clump of trees near the Ihnfeldt and Dollgener farms.

The church building was built by members. The interior of the church was of beaded ceiling, and the outside was of narrow weatherboard. The inside was painted white; so were the windows, inside and out, so one could not see in or out.

Between each group of windows there were brackets for a kerosene lamp. Each lamp had a reflector between the chimney and wall. These lights were used for Christmas Eve programs as well as meetings at night.

The building was heated with a pot-bellied stove, using wood for fuel. It stood in the center of the building. The stove was tall and small enough that people could pass by. The stove pipe looked a mile long, for it extended straight upward through the ceiling.

There was a rather low organ, which had some ornate carving on the shelf or "rest" which held the song books. It had to be peddled. The seats were homemade, with slatted backs and seats and were very uncomfortable. They were varnished or stained red. In the summertime, the men especially, always came home with red paint on their nice white shirts. There was always a pillow on one of the front seats where Grandma Uecker sat. All the men sat on the right, and the women on the left side. At the entrance of the church was a landing or porch, without roof, and a few steps to the north and south.

Early Years of Growth (1907–1937)

In 1907 it was decided to buy an organ. In 1909, Rev. Tanner resigned due to ill health. Rev. A. Romanowski was asked to serve the church. The salary was raised to $170. In 1911 it was agreed that a tenth anniversary be held in conjunction with the Mission Festival. Also, it was decided that two church services a month were to be held at the same salary.

In March 1913, Pastor Romanowski asked to be released because the work at his Dallas church demanded his full time. Pastor C. Wolff was accepted and came once a month, or twelve times a year, at a salary of $180.

In 1916 the platform and steps in front of the church were replaced. In January 1919 it was decided that both languages, German and English, were to be used in church services. A new robe was presented to the pastor. In 1921 it was voted to have individual membership, not just families. The pastor's salary was raised to $200 in 1923. The services were to be held in German in the afternoons and English in the evenings. The first Sunday School class held in English was in 1925 and a raise of $50 was voted for the pastor. It was also voted that November to buy a piano.

Pastor Wolff tendered his resignation at the January 1926 annual meeting effective within three months. The 25th Anniversary Celebration was held on September 26, 1926 in connection with the Mission Festival.

The Rev. T.L. Boesch came to serve the church on October 31, 1926. At the January 1928 meeting, a motion was made that male and female could hold office. Pastor Boesch tendered his resignation on December 2, 1928.

At the January 1929 meeting it was decided to pay the pastor $800 and lodging, with the help of the Mission Board. The Rev. Wm. Wuerz came to serve the church. He resigned effective April 30, 1931. Pastor Wolff agreed to serve the church through 1931. On April 17, 1933 the Rev. R. Uhlhorn agreed to serve the church. A youth group was organized, and the council decided to haul gravel to the church property.

Reformation and Reorganization (1934–1948)

Prior to 1934 the Lewisville congregation was a member of the Evangelical Synod of North America. On June 26, 1934, the denomination was merged with the Reformed Church of the U.S., and for a number of years the congregation was known as the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

At a special meeting in August 1936 it was voted to hold services at 8:30 on Sunday mornings through the summer months. During the annual meeting in January 1937 it was decided to reorganize, revise, and translate the constitution into the English language. Members of the congregation expressed themselves to the effect that if the congregation was to grow, it would be necessary to have Sunday School and church services every Sunday.

During the congregational meeting on January 1, 1938, whether or not the congregation might be able to finance a full-time minister was discussed. In March 1938 the need of a parsonage was discussed. Rev. O. Massinger, a student at the Dallas Theological Seminary, came to serve as full-time minister the latter part of 1938.

A committee was appointed in 1939 to investigate the cost and possibility of getting a loan to repair and remodel the church building. At the congregational meeting in March 1939, it was decided to go ahead with the building program. A new entrance-way was added to the front of the church. An Altar was built and placed in the center at the back of the chancel, and a brass rail with velvet curtains was placed in front of the chancel. The re-dedication of the church was held on Sunday, August 27, 1939.

"Uncle Henry" Uecker donated the land across the road from the church for the parsonage. It was decided to build a four-room building at a cost of approximately $600. The men of the church did the work.

Two members were added to the church council at the annual meeting in January 1943. Rev. Glenn Rorie, a student at the Perkins School of Theology, S.M.U., came during June of 1947 to serve the church. In May 1948 plans were made for new seating arrangements. It was voted to have individual chairs instead of pews.

Expansion and the Parish Hall (1949–1960)

Rev. G.B. Ames, also a student at Perkins, came during June of 1949. During the monthly meeting in July 1949, plans were discussed for a new Sunday School building, or Parish Hall. The building was erected during that year. It was originally an Army Barracks, which was torn down and moved to the Round Grove Church property and reassembled by members of the church.

Rev. Jewel Johnson, also a student at Perkins, reported as pastor during June 1951. A movie projector was purchased during the year. Rev. Duane Hutchinson, a student at S.M.U., started serving the church in May of 1953. On September 13, 1953, it was voted to build an addition to the front of the church and a door on the south side of the church. Two pulpit chairs were given by a member of the church. An addition of two classrooms was added to the Parish Hall in October 1953.

In June 1957, in Cleveland, Ohio, the Evangelical and Reformed Church united with the Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ. At an annual meeting in January 1958, the Lewisville congregation voted to change the name of the local church from Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church to the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Don Guynes (Perkins student) was elected as Pastor in June 1957. Installation services for Rev. Walter Simpson, newly ordained minister from Eden Seminary, were held on September 14, 1958. Rev. Simpson tendered his resignation to be effective December 6, 1959.

The Rev. R.F. Buck started serving the church during December 1959 as interim pastor. At the annual congregational meeting in January 1959, it was voted that a new constitution be drawn up, with the help of Rev. Buck.

Dr. Curl of Perkins School of Theology, on November 22, 1960, advised that he had a student, Rev. David Stephens, who would be interested in serving the church. The congregation voted to accept Rev. Stephens' offer on Sunday, December 18, 1960.

Modern Era (1961–1989)

The papers for the incorporation of the church were finalized in December 1960. In January 1961 Hannah Uecker met with the council for the purpose of discussing obtaining land adjoining the church property as an addition to the cemetery. Mrs. Uecker offered to donate up to two acres, a portion to be taken along the east side and the south side of the church property.

The revised constitution was accepted at the annual meeting held on January 22, 1961, calling for nine council members. During the council meeting that February, plans were discussed concerning needed improvements to the Parish Hall, such as additional rooms, modern rest rooms, etc. A Baptismal Font was given by children of a family in memory of their parents. Also, altar cloths were given by members of the church. The Memorial Fund Committee purchased a pastor's communion set.

The rededication of the building was held on August 8, 1963, with an open house during the afternoon with a host of visitors inspecting the church sanctuary. In October 1964 Rev. Stephens tendered his resignation effective December 1, 1964. In May 1965 Rev. Darrel Rundus was requested to come for a trial sermon. Rev. Rundus terminated his ministry in June 1966. Rev. Kenneth Pheiffer was installed as minister on September 25, 1966.

During a congregational meeting held on May 26, 1968, it was voted to change the name of the church to Round Grove United Church. Out of the discussion of the annual meeting in 1970 came the decision to expand the education and fellowship facilities of the congregation. Remodeling included four new classrooms, an enlarged pastor's office, and an enlarged and modernized kitchen. In the fall of 1971 the new facilities were dedicated, free and clear of all debt.

In 1978, Rev. Bob Coleman, a Disciples of Christ Ordained Minister, began serving as the Part-time Pastor of Round Grove United Church. He left in 1983 to serve a Disciples of Christ congregation.

The Renewal Era (1984–2022)

In May of 1983, Freddie Barfknecht wrote a letter to the Church Council, which the members of the Council signed and sent to the Congregation. This letter called for the church to pull together and raise the funds needed to call a full time, qualified and dedicated minister. The congregation agreed to do so and on January 1, 1984, Rev. Byron S. Wells preached his Trial Sermon and was presented to the church for a vote on calling him to be that new Pastor.

Prior to Rev. Wells starting his ministry at Round Grove on April 1st of 1984, there were about 45 active members and 25 persons per Sunday on average in Worship. The congregation became a Renewal Church of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ and received funds from the Conference Church Development Program. A Renewal Plan was developed with the adoption of a Mission Statement and the modification of the church government. The By-Law changes created five boards with many more positions of leadership, so much more work could be done with many more members involved in the process. Membership and attendance grew rapidly.

When it became clear that larger and more modern facilities were needed to continue the rebirth of the congregation, a Building Committee was appointed, a Building Fund Committee was created and an architect was selected. On June 25, 1989, a Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on the church property on the north side of Round Grove Road.

A New Building and Continued Growth (1990–2022)

In May of 1990, the congregation moved into the new and beautiful facility. Several Building Fund Drive Campaigns were held, each with two year giving periods. A member of the congregation, Frank Schreiber, donated a large amount prior to his death and also willed a large amount of his and his late wife's, Ruby's, estate to the congregation which was used along with utility easement income to pay off the debt in less than five years after the building was completed. In recent years the church renovated the Main Facility and added on to the Fellowship Hall which is currently the Youth Room for the Youth of the church.

Round Grove United Church continued to grow in membership and activities following the entry into the new building. The Christian Education and Youth Ministry has also grown. The last Building Fund, which ended in 1997, was used in connection with enlarging the Fellowship Hall and the construction of the new Christian Education Building, which in addition to our use for Sunday School is also leased from us by Childtime Child Care.

A sizeable number of children, youth and adults have participated in church camping programs. There are two active youth groups. The Fellowship programs have grown through the Women's and Men's Fellowship groups as well as the Adult and Family Fellowship activities. The Stewardship focus of Round Grove has been on the need of the giver to give of finances, skills, time and energy, instead of on the need of the church to receive those gifts. The financial giving and level of volunteer service in the church has grown dramatically since 1984.

Each year, Round Grove has increased her involvement in supporting the ministries of Christian Community Action. The congregation has been able to give more financially to the South Central Conference, to the wider church and to spend more on Evangelism.

In April 2009 the Congregation celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Byron S. Wells as Pastor of Round Grove, and of Margaret Wells, Choir Director!

Round Grove United Church UCC celebrated the 110th Anniversary of the congregation on Epiphany, January 6, 2011, with an Anniversary Celebration and catered meal followed by special music from the Chancel Voices on Sunday, May 15, 2011.

The 115th Anniversary Celebration and Catered Meal was held on April 10, 2016.

Unfortunately, the 120th Anniversary of the congregation fell during the Covid 19 Pandemic, so a big celebration was not held. In-person events were put on hold during the Pandemic. Worship Celebrations were held online. Once it was safe, the congregation began to Worship in-person again and Sunday School restarted. In 2024, a significant number of members and participants moved out of state and attendance suffered. Round Grove United Church is Celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year and seeking a Resurrection – a Rebirth. The 125th Anniversary is being celebrated throughout 2026. The congregation is putting additional emphasis on investing in Mission Projects and more internet advertising and other Evangelism efforts to encourage its Renewal.

Our Heritage and Future

From the dedication of our founders to the faith of our current members, Round Grove Church represents generations of commitment to the Christian faith. Our history is one of perseverance, community, and God's grace working through His people.

As we move forward into the future, we are grateful for those who came before us and honored to carry forward the legacy of faith that has been entrusted to us.