Hickory Grove 5

The original name of our church was Union
Christian Church on the Rattlesnake, an
organization that came into being in 1868. The
cemetery just south of the present church building
was 50 years old when the church was erected in
1875.
A 1913 acetylene light plant explosion set the church
on fire and in 1915 the church remodeled - a
basement was placed under most of the building and
a large Sunday school room was added.
The Union Christian Church on the Rattlesnake
evolved into a New Light Christian Church. In
1931, with the merger of the Congregational
Churches, we became Hickory Grove
Congregational Christian Church.

The parsonage was built in 1947 and the first full-time pastor was called. In 1951 Wilber Crowell
willed the church an 80 acre farm. In 1957 the church added a modern kitchen, additional
classrooms, and restrooms. Stained-glass windows and carpet were added in 1960.
The Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and the Reformed Church merged in 1957
to form the United Church of Christ, thus we became Hickory Grove United Church of Christ in
1961.
The park located behind the present building includes a shelter house, basketball court, playground,
footbridges and a dam to convert the Rattlesnake Creek into a baptismal pool. Outdoor services,
family reunions and various church activities make use of this area. We have recently purchased an
indoor baptismal to accomodate those not able or wanting to use the creek.
A handicapped ramp and parking lot were constructed in 1989 and in 1995 the church basement was
remodeled.
On October 7th, 2004 we withdrew from the United Church of Christ and became Hickory Grove
Church, non-denominational.

We have recently been blessed with growth, both spiritually and in our membership. We hope that
you can experience this piece of history with us as part of our church family.