Smithtown Church

The Church's Story

The Smithtown Church building is the only surviving landmark of the Sharon Township village of Burgess. Sharon Township, located in the northwest corner of Clinton County, was one of the last areas to become populated in the county. This was primarily due to the lack of abundant water resources located in the area. Settlers banded together and established the first village of the township, Burgess.

Burgess centered around the four corners located two miles west and two mile north of present day Lost Nation. The town was served by a post office from 1854 to 1888. The land surrounding the four corners was platted and records speak of a general store, blacksmith shop, Good Templars Lodge and schoolhouse. The east-west road running through the village and passing in front of the existing Smithtown Church building is a section of the old Camanche to Anamosa territorial road. Soon after the establishment of the village it was give the nickname of Smithtown and became better known by this colloquialism, given in recognition of one of its prominent first citizens, David Smith. Smith was a blacksmith, preacher and also served as the town's second postmaster.

In 1865, a Sharon Methodist Church Incorporation was made. George Read, trustee and area landowner, donated the land for the church and cemetery. The cemetery was put to use in short time, but the church structure was not completed until 1874. For these nine years, Burgess residents gave of their time, money and labor in order to construct a place of worship.

In 1875, the Sharon Methodist Church Incorporation agreed to allow the St. John's Congregation of the German Reformed Church of Sharon Township use of the church building for their services for the sum equivalent to one-fourth of the cost of the structure. In consideration of this sum, the German Reformed Congregation could use the Sharon M.E. Church one-fourth of the time.The Reformed congregation was an affiliate of the St. Paul's Reformed Church at Wheatland and was served by ministers from that church. The Methodists were affiliated with the Monmouth Circuit of the Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Church and were served by ministers from Monmouth.

In 1871, plans were first made for the Sabula, Ackley and Dakota Railroad to pass through the township. It was decided that the tracks would miss Burgess by two miles to the south. When the tracks were built, it was the beginning of the end for the little village, particularly in terms of a business center. Eventually, the general store in Burgess moved nearer to the railroad, prompting the development of Lost Nation. Life in Burgess continued for some time though. The Good Templar Sharon Valley Lodge, a benevolent and charitable organization promoting the cause of temperance, held regular meetings and remained active until 1900.With special recognition and appreciation going to Mrs. Milton Edleman and Mrs. Florence Machande, both of rural Lost Nation.

Brochure

Location

Go west of Lost Nation on Hwy. 136, turn north of 120th Ave., turn east on 125th St., located on the south side of the road.