Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd Collection

Collection

Identifier: GRHC 074

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd Collection consists of two items: two German-language Bibles that were found in Zion United Methodist Church, Wishek, North Dakota.

Die Bibel oder die ganze Heilige Schrift des alten und neues Testaments is bound in black embossed leather, the pages are edged with gold leaf. It was published in New York City, New York in 1886. According to a note from Rev. Toepke: “Small Bible (German) 1886. Found in Zion Church.”

Die Heilige Schrift nach der Uebersetzung der Dr. Martin Luther enthaltend das Alte und Neue Testament, Apokryphen, der Condordanz, und Randparallelen is a large pulpit Bible, published in 1904. It is heavily bound with black leather. According to a note from Rev. Toepke: “Possibly used at Zion Evangelical Church (founded in 1918) or at Ebenezer Evangelical Church (rural McIntosh County- closed 1964).”

Dates

1886 - 1904

Creator

Toepke-Floyd, Martin. (Person)

Access

Access to the physical collection is available upon request. Request must be made at least three (3) business days prior to ndsu.grhc@ndsu.edu.

Copyright

Copyrights to items in this collection remain with original copyright holders or are in the public domain.

History

The history of the Zion United Methodist Church in Wishek, North Dakota, dates back to 1905. At that time, Zion Congregation (Rural) and the Ebenezer Congregation were founded. In 1915, services were held at the home of Wishek resident Martin Miller, with Pastor E.C. Suchow as minister. Within the first decade, several families settled near Wishek and the need for a church and regular services became apparent. A memo to the 1917 Annual Conference reported (in part): “We have nine families living in Wishek. This town is growing a freight division point on the Soo Railroad and serves as something of an Evangelical Center. More of our people will move there in time to come due to facilities offered and excellent water. A church is needed!” A congregation was organized at Wishek and the first church building was erected and dedicated in May 1918.

In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church joined to become the United Methodist Church, thereby necessitating the renaming of the Evangelical United Brethern Church, Wishek, into the Zion United Methodist Church. In 2011, after more than 90 years of ministry, Zion held its last service on July 31, and completely disbanded. (Sources: Spirit of Wishek: Golden Jubilee, pp. 24-25; Wishek Diamond Jubilee: 1898-1973, p.204)