1915 Eaton Plat Map Showing Rutger Chapel in Section 26. 

Eaton Center School is to the northwest, in Section 23.

 

Rev. A. S. Covert served this Presbyterian Chapel.  It was dismantled in the 1930's and part of it was moved to the Vilas Emerson home (just south of Wuethich's Cheese Factory) and remains part of that structure today. Officers for Rutger Chapel were Emma Syth, President; Mrs. Borgers, vice-president; Mrs. Kalhoten, secretary; Clara Huntziker, treasurer. 

 

*Prior to 1900, the Twenty-six Road only ran west to the Black River bridge on the dividing line between sec 20 & 29 in Eaton township and then east thru first part of Loyal township.  It is about 3-4 miles south of Greenwood.  Currently, as it runs to the west from hwy 73 it is OO to the bridge, then 26 mile road again.  As it runs east from 73 it is 26 road, goes into Loyal township and crosses K.

 

The Presbyterian Chapel History

On the Twenty-six Road, on a lot given by Maxwell Hazlett/ Haslett, a neat litttle chapel has been built, capable of seating 100 or 125 persons. The money has been raised by private donations and sociables, and a good deal of work has been given. In the first place, a "logging bee" was formed, which went up into the woods and got out the logs which had been donated, and hauled them to the mill; then a "shingling bee," after the building was ready, nailed the shingles on the roof and partly lathed the audience room. Many willing hands did this work. Then another "bee" put up horsesbeds forty feet long, with five stalls. All this has been done cheerfully and quietly, and neighborhood now has a place of worship which we hope will stand for Christ and the gospel for many a year.

Almost everybody in the neighborhood within a radius of two or three miles has helped, either by donations of money or lumber or work, or by aid at sociables, and a few friends in Greenwood have helped materially. This general interest is the most gratifying feature to be recorded in writing of the building.

The building committee, Maxwell Hazelett, Joe Bibby and Freeman Waterbury, have pushed the work, and to them belongs the chief praise. They have taken time from their own farm work and stood by the project and seen that the work went ahead, and have done a good deal of it themselves. Mr. Hazelett especially has been active during every spare hour and rainy day, in fact has been a "bee" all by himself.

The ladies have raised money by sociables and helped a good deal. Rev. Joseph Brown promised a gift of $100 which some large hearted benefactor or church had entrusted to him for such a use, and with this aid which he has forwarded, the little chapel, as far as it has been completed, is without debt. It is seated with chairs. After the dedication a tower will probably be added, as nearly enough material is on hand to make it. This will add much to its comfort and appearance. The dedication takes place next Sunday, the 24th inst., the program for which will be found elsewhere in this paper. Jas. T. Ford.  Source: Greenwood Gleaner, 1897

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1896 News: A large and enthusiastic sociable group held a meeting at Frank Zetche’s home, near Greenwood to determine the site for a church building.  It is to be erected in the neighborhood of the Huntzicker (AKA Eaton Center) and Lyons schoolhouses.  Lots were also offered by Messrs. Heaslett and Waterbury; however Mr. Mabie’s lot was selected as a choice, which is a short distance west of the Iron Bridge.

 

First Presbyterian minister preached in the Chapel of the area as well as the Methodist and Baptist, went to the Rutger and the Eaton Center Chapel and the Shank town chapels and the schools in the area were all preached at by different traveling ministers.