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Jim McKee: Methodists make mark on city

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Jim McKee: Methodists make mark on city


It’s at all times a problem to try itemizing Nebraska’s “firsts.”

In looking for Omaha Metropolis’s first Methodist church buildings or sermons, how far ought to one look geographically? Bellevue, for instance, is older as a group however is now nearly a seamless a part of Omaha and a few may even embrace Fort Atkinson, simply to the north.

With out a lot in the best way of written information present earlier than the Nebraska Territory fashioned in 1854, many “firsts” are mere hypothesis. To that finish, let’s ignore potential and unrecorded Methodist sermons which may have been preached by missionaries alongside the assorted trails or at Fort Atkinson as early as 1819.

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A continuously quoted first Methodist sermon was delivered by Harrison Presson, undoubtedly outdoor and probably from the again of a wagon at what would finally be twelfth and Jackson streets on April 20 or 21, 1850, whereas he was on his approach to the Pacific coast.

It’s sure that Presson later returned, changing into a member of the Nebraska Methodist Convention, and died at 96 in 1912. Point out can be product of Rev. Wm. Simpson, with the Iowa Methodist Convention, who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1851 and reportedly crossed the Missouri River into what was then known as Indian Territory to evangelise to settlers.

That is troublesome to substantiate because it was truly unlawful to “settle” on the west aspect of the Missouri River till the formation of Nebraska as an official territory in 1854. Methodist minister Rev. Moses F. Shinn, who figured in Nebraska historical past from its earliest days, can be famous by some to have “arrived in Omaha from Council Bluffs, Iowa” in 1853 however Omaha didn’t exist in any type in 1853.

On June 3, 1854, Rev. W. H. Goode was appointed as Methodist missionary to the Kansas-Nebraska Territory and in flip appointed Rev. Wm. Gage to the Nebraska Mission, who had given a sermon at Outdated Fort Kearny, later changing into Nebraska Metropolis, in January or February of 1853, and turns into integral to Omaha Metropolis when he was appointed the primary chaplain of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature.

In the summertime of 1854, most likely at 2 p.m. on Aug. 13, what’s often known as the primary true sermon in Omaha Metropolis, occurred when Methodist Rev. Peter Cooper of Council Bluffs, held a service for about 20 within the William Snowden home which additionally served because the St. Nicholas Lodge and was known as the Ferry Firm’s Declare Home.

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Though Rev. Cooper’s service was recorded within the Omaha Arrow, one other Methodist service and sermon, which can be known as the one sermon preached in 1854 and the primary in Omaha Metropolis, was held in October of 1854 by Methodist minister Isaac F. Collins, additionally of Council Bluffs.

Collins, who was additionally working at “Jones Quarry,” held his service on the residence of Alexander Davis at Seventh (or seventeenth) and Jones streets. About 20, together with A. D. Jones, Omaha Metropolis’s first postmaster and A. J. Poppleton, attended the service which included a hymn and sermon however “no assortment was taken up.”

In September of 1855 the First Methodist Church, which was assembly within the short-term territorial capitol on Ninth Road, was formally organized with six constitution members by Rev. Isaac Collins.

The “City Firm,” most likely the ferry firm, gave the Methodist church two tons at thirteenth and Dodge which had been bought to finance the First Methodist Church’s $4,500 constructing which was devoted in December of 1856 on seventeenth Road between Dodge and Capitol Avenue with Rev. Moses Shinn officiating.

The Methodists thus might have been the primary organized church in Omaha Metropolis, however the Roman Catholic Church accomplished the very first church constructing earlier than the Methodists.

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On July 13, 1856, a Methodist Sunday College was organized within the Byer’s/McCoy home on the southwest nook of tenth and Farnam. When the membership reached 15 that December, the Sunday College was moved and merged into the brand new church constructing.

The second Methodist Church established in Omaha Metropolis was First German Methodist Episcopal Church which was organized by Rev. Jacob Feisel in 1858.

Their first church constructing, which value a reported $3,000, was devoted a number of years later. Through the 1860s the African Methodist Church, fashioned with 5 members first in a house close to Ninth and Capitol, transferring to a $1,000 constructing at 18th and Webster in 1867. In 1868 Moses Shinn established the 18th Road Methodist Episcopal Church at twenty third and Izard whereas First Methodist constructed on seventeenth Road between Dodge and Capitol nearly instantly saying plans for a brand new “costly constructing.”

In 1888 the Omaha Metropolis Listing confirmed seven Methodist church buildings, although one other supply lists 12, both method the most important variety of congregations of any denomination belonged to the Methodists at that time in historical past.

At the moment, in 2022, there are 21 Omaha Methodist church buildings listed by one supply whereas one other, which incorporates 4 congregations in close by communities, exhibits solely 12 Methodist church buildings inside the metropolis correct. Nonetheless, all in all, the Methodists had been undoubtedly the primary to carry a service in and later type a church within the fledgling Omaha Metropolis.

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Historian Jim McKee, who nonetheless writes with a fountain pen, invitations feedback or questions. Write to him at P.O. Field 5575, Lincoln, NE, 68505 or at jim@leebooksellers.com.

 



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Nebraska

Nebraska dad fatally stabs wife, 2 kids and himself in apparent murder-suicide hours before son’s high school graduation

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Nebraska dad fatally stabs wife, 2 kids and himself in apparent murder-suicide hours before son’s high school graduation


A Nebraska father stabbed his entire family to death and then turned the knife on himself the same day as his oldest son’s high school graduation, authorities said – and just three days after he was released from a mental health hospital.

Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, and sons Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, in a sickening stabbing spree Saturday before taking his own life in a rural part of Dawson County, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

The gruesome scene of the apparent murder-suicide was discovered by Bailey’s parents around 9:45 a.m. All four family members suffered from fatal knife wounds, police said.

All four family members were killed in the apparent murder-suicide. Bailey Koch/Facebook

“I found our two grandsons, Hudson 18, and Asher 16, and our daughter Bailey, and our son-in-law Jeremy, dead laying in their beds,” Lane and Peggy Kugler, the father and mother of Bailey and grandparents of the two boys, said in a Facebook post, according to News Channel Nebraska.

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“What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life.”

The tragedy comes amid Jeremy’s longtime struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, which was chronicled by Bailey, a teacher, on a dedicated Facebook page.

She wrote on the “Anchoring Hope for Mental Health” page Wednesday that Jeremy had wrapped up a five-day stint receiving mental health care at a hospital with a photo of the couple smiling in a car.

“What a difference five days, some hydration and nutrition, med adjustments, therapies, and a safety plan can make!!!” Bailey Koch eerily wrote.

“Thank you for praying and for your unwavering support as I take Hottie Hubby HOME in time for our son’s high school graduation! We still need lots of prayers as we try and carry on with life and find our new ‘normal.’”

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Still, in the days leading up to the suspected murder-suicide, the father of two continued to struggle, according to his wife’s recent social media posts.

Hudson was set to receive his diploma at Cozad High School’s graduation — which went on without the teen Saturday afternoon, just hours after the horrific slaughter.


The couple chronicled Jeremy Koch's mental health struggles online.
The couple chronicled Jeremy Koch’s mental health struggles online. Bailey Koch/Facebook

“Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community,” the school district wrote. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”

Bailey Koch was remembered as a “passionate educator, caring colleague and bright presence in the school community,” by Holdrege Public Schools, where she worked, according to NTV.

Jeremy and Bailey were high school sweethearts and together for at least 25 years, according to the Facebook page.

In a since-deleted GoFundMe page, Bailey said her husband this month had survived numerous suicide attempts that included a car crash that nearly killed him.

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“When he awoke,” she wrote, according to News Channel Nebraska, “he was destroyed his attempt hadn’t worked.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.



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Former Nebraska tight end commits to North Carolina State

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Former Nebraska tight end commits to North Carolina State


Former Nebraska football tight end Ian Flynt committed to the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday. He made the announcement on social media Saturday afternoon.

Flynt was a member of the Nebraska football 2024 recruiting class. He originally came to Nebraska as a tight end, but was moved to the defensive end position. He played in one game in the 2024 season, making his debut against UTEP.

According to Rivals, Flynt was recognized as one of the top tight ends in Texas as a recruit. He will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at North Carolina State.

This marks a busy spring for Huskers in terms of roster movement. It comes as the House settlement regarding roster limits hangs in the balance.

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Flynt will have an opportunity to make an impact in a premier conference. The Huskers’ tight end room appears to be in decent shape, with Luke Lindenmeyer and Heinrich Haarberg looking to take on bigger roles in the room.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.





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Nebraska holds off Michigan Friday night to open conference series with a 3-2 victory

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Nebraska holds off Michigan Friday night to open conference series with a 3-2 victory


The Huskers (25-25, 12-13) opened their conference against Michigan (31-18, 14-11) on Friday night. After allowing one run, Nebraska shut down the Wolverines and outscored them 3-1 en route to a 3-2 victory.

The Huskers fell behind 1-0 in the first after Michigan got a runner around the base off a walk, a steal, a sacrificial grounder and an RBI single.

Nebraska jumped ahead in the second, going up 2-1 before scoring once again in the sixth. The Wolverines didn’t add another run until the eighth but failed to get a runner on base for the rest of the night.

Both teams finished with seven hits and two RBIs, with Nebraska earning a score off a wild pitch in the second.

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Hogan Helligso and Riley Silva earned the Huskers’ RBIs, with Helligso hitting a sacrificial grounder while Silva finished 1-for-2 with an RBI double.

Case Sanderson hit 3-for-4 to lead the team at the plate. Robby Bolin, Cayden Brumbaugh and Joshua Overbeek rounded out Nebraska’s performance in the batter’s box, each delivering one hit.

Tucker Timmerman (2-1) grabbed the win at the mound after pitching a career-high 7.0 innings. He allowed one run off five hits and a walk while earning five strikeouts. Drew Christo recorded an out but allowed a run on a pair of hits after opening up the eighth.

Luke Broderick got the save for the Huskers in the ninth, his 10th of the season, becoming the 12th Husker reliever in program history to reach that mark. He pitched the final 1.2 innings, shutting out Michigan and throwing a pair of strikeouts.

Nebraska continues the series with the Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. CT on B1G+.

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Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.





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