between the Congregational Church and Presbyterian Church was on the horizon. In his book, In Such Harmony, this description is found.

As the year 1913 opened, there was no indication that it was to be an extraordinary one for either the Presbyterian or the Congregational Church of Columbus. Each had called a new pastor early the previous year, the Presbyterians the Rev. Dr. George F. Williams of North Platte, Nebraska, and the Congregationalists the Rev. George A. Munro of Grand Junction, Colorado, who had served the Columbus church, from 1900 to 1908. Both churches were apparently happy with their choices, and the work was going forward satisfactorily.

The Congregational Church was in its forty-seventh year, the Presbyterian Church just beginning its forty-fourth. Each had grown slowly from its beginning and numbered its membership well above the hundred mark. In both cases the increasing membership created growing pains, and the church buildings which had been large enough when first erected were proving inadequate for the enlarged congregations.

Relations between the two churches and with other denominations were cordial, although there had been no concerted attempt to organize interdenominational work. And yet, if one browses through the records over the years, there is a long tradition of close cooperation between churches for specific purposes. It has already been noted that prior to the erection of their own church building in 1878, the Presbyterians met in the Congregational Church, the Methodist Church, the German Reformed Church, and elsewhere. The Congregationalists, in turn, having sold their old building in 1891, asked permission to worship in the Presbyterian building until their new church was completed.

This sharing of buildings often extended to the sharing of pastors, and a congregation that found itself without a minister for a time would usually solve the problem by worshipping at another church. Some of the early members recall that it was the accepted practice of a Sunday morning to “go where there is preaching,” without too great a concern for denominational affiliations.

Other interdenominational ventures included special prayer week plans and revival meetings where several churches in Columbus joined together. When the Congregational pastor suffered an illness that necessitated his absence, pastors from the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal Churches each held a Sunday morning service in the church. Stated in the Congregational minutes this “makes us feel that we are drawing nearer to Christ and forgetting the slight differences that separate us here on earth.”

A recurring illness suffered by Rev. George A. Munro left the Congregational Church temporarily without his services in October of 1913. Subsequently, Rev. Dr. George F. Williams, Presbyterian pastor, suggested that the two churches meet jointly until Rev. Munro’s return. Both congregations immediately approved the suggestion and it was agreed Dr. Williams would undertake the task. The plan included seven provisions:

  1) that the congregations worship together as long as it is mutually agreeable,

  2) that the services be held in the two churches alternately,

  3) that the offerings in envelopes go to the church indicated,

  4) that the loose offering be divided each day equally between the two churches,

  5) that the Christian Endeavor Societies hold union prayer service each Sunday
       evening in that church in which an evening preaching service is to be held,

  6) that music be led by a union choir, and

  7) that the first services be held both morning and evening in the Congregational
       Church on November 9th, 1913, and in the Presbyterian Church on November 16th
       and subsequently alternate as long as agreeable.

With a plan in place, the two churches went forward. After three months of joint services and Rev. Munro’s health seeing no improvement, discussions began to arise concerning a permanent union between the churches. The “mutually agreeable” conditions set forth led to interest for making an “enduring basis” in the effort.

Several factors favored a merger of the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. First, greater efficiency in solving normal church-related problems would result with a larger organization. Second, youth would benefit in larger Sunday school classes and, jointly, they would build a better “school spirit.” Third, continuing problems of teacher shortages would best be relieved by uniting. Fourth, the ability to attract new ministers of greater training and experience would be possible. Finally, both congregations were addressing a need for more space, and the appeal to provide fully adequate building facilities favored joining together.

Work to accomplish these efforts was set into motion, and less than a year after serious discussions began, The Federated Church of Columbus was born on July 2, 1914. Steps had been taken during many meetings held jointly and separately in the preceding months to draw up Articles of Federation, work out details of governance, and elect committee structures. By a large majority both congregations had voted in favor of the federation.

Initially, it was reported there was some concern at the state levels of both denominations, “neither of which particularly favored the move to unite.” Their opposition was soon put to rest when the federation was functioning smoothly and “was here to stay.” By fall of that year, both state offices supported and adopted the plan.

Credit is given to Rev. George A. Munro and Rev. Dr. George F. Williams, the two pastors serving the Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church, respectively, at the time of federation. Rev. Munro’s unfortunate illness led to an opportunity to explore unification. Although his condition rendered that he was not actively involved in the process, his service provided the congregation he served with the preparation of interdenominational cooperation. His sermons had “stressed spiritual values of universal significance rather than a strictly sectarian outlook.” Dr. Williams provided unselfish leadership. His role in leading the congregations step by step toward federation was significant, yet “there is no indication that he sought to better his own position” by his actions.