Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/745

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 649 including dormitories, class rooms and lasl year a beautiful music hall was built. The whole output in buildings and equipment already represents an investment of thousands of dollars. The school is thriving and it offers exceptional opportunities for young ladies in its literary art, music and domestic courses. Both of these institutions occupy commanding sights on bluffs overlooking the city and the Mississippi river. Supplementing these schools, public and private, are the Carnegie, Lawther public library, with its reference department, growing year by year increasingly valuable; an historical society and flourishing ladies' art club. Red Wing is a city of churches. They represent many de- nominations, but all are in accord in their attitude of worship and reverence for all that is good and worthy. There are many beautiful church structures and. under able pastors, the work of the different societies is flourishing. The Swedish Lutheran Church has over one thousand communicants, while other Lutheran churches. St. Paul's Norwegian, Trinity Evangelical, St. John's German. SI. Pa id's English, have strong parishes. The First Methodist Church is now building a very beautiful edifice to cost $35,000, and the Swedish and German Methodists have distinel organizations. The Presbyterians — the first religious or- ganization in the city — are prosperous, and Christ Episcopal Church, with its graceful gothic structure occupying one of the beauty spots of the city, is thriving. Several other smaller but no less earnest parishes are doing excellent work, among them the Swedish mission Society, with its tasteful new church and par- sonage. Red Wing was one of the earliest settlements in Minnesota. Swiss missionaries came among the Sioux Indians in 18.'/S7. The first man to permanently settle here was Rev. J. W. Hancock, first a preacher to the Indians, then first pastor of the Presby- terian Church. He exerted a benignant influence over the city, Living until 1907, when he passed away like a ripened shock of wheat, beloved by little children, revered by all. Red Wing was the first home of Ha inline College, and here for long years it flourished. The city owes much to the honored men who founded and those who afterwards maintained its business and social life. Among those of recent years who have done much to stimulate civic pride and give character to the beauty and tone of life here by their gifts are Theodore B. Sheldon, who bequeathed over $80,000 to build the auditorium — the finest municipal auditorium in the United States; Mrs. Margaret Betcher, $20,000 for a memorial chapel to her husband. Charles Betcher. at Oakwood cemetery; E. II. Blodgett, a gateway to Oakwood cemetery cost- ing several thousands; a site for the public library and more re-