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In 1934 Chester and Lura Anderson and their young family left their farm at Mariaville, NE and moved to Anoka, NE to begin their ministry of preaching the salvation message to towns in northern Nebraska and southern South Dakota. In 1936 Rev. Chester Anderson designed and built a portable tabernacle measuring 24ft by 60ft when set up, which could be erected in a single day. The tabernacle was first set up in Butte for services, then later taken to Lynch, O’Neill, Spencer, Clearwater, Jamison, Amelia, Bloomfield, and finally in 1960 at Niobrara where it was used as a church until a permanent building was purchased. Chester Anderson also built a truck bed designed for the plywood panels to slide in for secure transport – the roof was canvas. In 1937, Chester designed plans to build a church building in Butte. The lumber was brought to the site from the Black Hills by Raymond Davis. All the construction was don by volunteer work from the members of the congregation and completed construction dept free. An addition, consisting of a wing on the North was made in 1949 and in 1961 a fellowships hall was added. In 1967 a wing to the West that included a basement was added. Satellite churches were built in Ewing and Jamison, NE. The interior of all the churches used native cedar from the Missouri River area for trim and partial sidewall. Chester Anderson made a sawmill to saw the lumber for the churches. Music and singing have always been an important part of the church. Many instruments were used, consisting of: piano, organ, trumpets, trombones, accordions, saxophones, vibra harp, violin, bass guitar, and bass viol. A quartet called the Gospel Reporters, consisting of: Garlen and Loris Anderson, Alvin and Loren Jons, with Darlene Anderson Jons as accompanist. They ministered over KCOM and KMNS radio stations in Sioux City, Iowa for ten (10) years. Later they ministered over KBRX in O’Neill, NE for many years. Chester Anderson retired from the Butte pulpit in 1956. His son Vance became the pastor until his retirement in 1988. Pastors that followed in ministry are, Rev. Doug Overly, Rev. Fred Moore and Rev. Timothy Hazen. Many wonderful saints that were part of the congregation of the Butte Full Gospel Church have gone to be with the Lord. Our hearts rejoice for having known them through the years. Our prayer is that this church body will continue to be a lighthouse to those who need Jesus in their hearts. Written By Darlene Jons |
