Keystone church marks 130 years

A rich legacy of faith, perseverance and community will be celebrated this month as the First Congregational Church of Keystone marks its 130th anniversary.

The history of the First Congregational Church of Keystone is tightly woven with the fabric of Keystone’s early development. 

Out for a hike June 28, 1894, Cora Stone, step-daughter of William Franklin, discovered a quartz rock laced with gold near the foot of Mt. Aetna, which led to the founding of the Holy Terror Mine, named humorously after Franklin’s wife, Jenny. The Keystone mine led to the further development and prosperity of the town and the eventual establishment of the church.

In 1895, the Keystone Congregational Church Society was officially formed during a meeting held at the log schoolhouse in Keystone. It was later voted to proceed at once to build the church with construction completed the same year. 

This was no small feat as the railroad didn’t reach Keystone until 1900. Materials arrived by wagon, including the theatre-style seats that are still in use in the sanctuary to this day. 

The building of the church wouldn’t be the only hardship that it would face. 

When the Holy Terror Mine closed in 1903, members sought jobs elsewhere, leaving the church in financial struggle for the next two decades. Historical records show large gaps in the meeting minutes from 1903-27, reflecting the difficulties of the time. Electricity was not always affordable, so the church purchased graphite and oil for lamps from the Keystone Trading Co. to make do. Even with requests from outside help to the Church Missionary Society, funds for the pastoral salary often fell short. 

The church found relief between 1919-22 when it became yoked with the Hill City Congregational Church, sharing resources and ministry under Pastor F.A. Wooden. 

In 1925 the Rushmore Peak Dedication and subsequent carving of Mount Rushmore National Memorial by Gutzon Borglum brought increased tourism that revitalized the town of Keystone and subsequently the church. 

The church suffered a fire in 1985 that left the basement badly charred and the upstairs sanctuary riddled with smoke damage. The fire was determined to have been caused by arson, though no arrest was made. Services were held at the Masonic Lodge for eight months until restoration was completed. 

Throughout the history of the church, a cardboard envelope containing records has been safeguarded and passed down from predecessor to predecessor, including Carrie Ingalls Swanzey, who was responsible for the envelope in 1935. 

Lois Halley held the contents of the envelope for 15 years. During that time, in 2006, a question arose about the repayment of the original $1,000 grant mortgage. It was discovered that there was still an outstanding balance unbeknownst to the current congregation. The grant mortgage was finally repaid May 10, 2006, 110 years later. 

Interesting features of the church include the church bell, presented in 1928 by Lewis T. Byron of Hagerstown, Md., who purchased the bell from the Methodist Church that burned in 1921. The bell was finally hung in the belfry in 1958 at a cost of $75 to hang the bell and a $20 doctor bill to have Darrel Street’s injured foot casted. The bell can still be heard ringing out Sunday mornings, announcing the end of church. 

The sanctuary has become a mosaic of memory, adorned with stained glass windows designed by artist Wayne Warvi and dedicated in remembrance of church members and loved ones.

A name closely associated with both Keystone and the church’s modern history is that of Lois Halley, who served faithfully as the church organist from 1949-2001—a remarkable 72 years.

The church turned 125 in 2020. The celebration was postponed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrated the following year with the rebranding of 125 + 1.

Today, the church remains a beacon in the Keystone community both spiritually and historically.

The 130th anniversary will be recognized July 20, with a humble celebration after an outdoor service at Watson Park that will include music by the Halley sisters starting at 10 a.m. followed by a pulled pork luncheon. The congregation would like to invite the community to join them for lunch and fellowship in the park.

The history information in this story is courtesy of First Congregational Church of Keystone, compiled by church historian Eileen Roggenthen.