NOTE: The following history was taken from Shell Creek Baptist's centennial book (1873 - 1973). A special thanks to Doris Hilmer, a member of the committee which compiled the information, for granting permission for its use on this page.

This name was changed in 1887 to "Shell Creek Baptist Church." The first elected to serve this new church were -- Chairman: Brother F. Luebker; Secretary: Brother G. Krause; Treasurer: Brother D. Brunken.

Although the church was organized in 1873, recognition was not given until 1883 at a special meeting under the direction of Rev. A. Frietag of Fremont, Nebr. and Rev. A. Pierce of Columbus, Nebr. It was at this time that this new church was accepted into the fellowship of the Southwestern Conference.

The first messenger of the Gospel who came to this small group on the lonely prairie to preach the Word of God and observe the Lord’s supper was Rev. Kohrs of Dillion, Kansas, who was then pastor of the church at Burlington, Iowa.

During this time between organization and recognition, this small group of Christian folk had no definite meeting place, but would gather in homes or school houses, wherever most convenient. Means of travel and road conditions during these years caused much hardship to these faithful few as they endeavored to congregate regularly to receive strength from each other and their Heavenly Father for the task that lay ahead.

On October 16th, of 1875, Brother A. Heinrich along with his son and daughter were received by the church. Brother Heinrich was elected moderator and on December 3, 1876, it was decided to hold meetings on the second and fourth Sundays and that a Sunday School be started. Diedrich Brunken and William Lange, Sr. were chosen as Superintendent and Secretary-Librarian. "Uncle" Lange as he was affectionately known, served as Sunday School Superintendent, deacon and moderator for as many years as his health allowed.

Brother H. P. Benthack and ten other members arrived here in 1878. Brother Benthack was authorized on June 16 to conduct the Lord’s Supper in the absence of Brother Heinrich. It was further decided that he be asked to preach. It was in 1879 that the church dismissed Brother Heinrich by transfer of membership, and Brother Benthack was recognized as elder of the church.

An old time pastor wrote that "someday on wintry evenings, Grandpas and Grandmas will sit with their loved ones, in comfortable homes and tell of horse and buggy days, of muddy roads, of ice and snow, and all this only increased the desire to seek a common place of worship--not only once a week, but as often as two and three times a week. Nothing in the future will ever match that hunger for spiritual fellowship." How true that prophesy has already proved to be.

It was on July 12th of 1882, that Brother Benthack was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in the home of Brother H. P. Mohrman. Thus he was unanimously elected to be pastor and elder of the church. His salary was set (by the church) at $125.00 annually.

The first chapel was built upon a piece of ground donated by Diedrich Behlen, it was 22 x 40 in size at a total cost of $1,338.00. The church had a baptismal tank, water was hauled in barrels, and was not heated. It is recorded that the burial ground was laid out about this same time. Thus, February 18, 1883, proved to be a day of great thanksgiving, a dream had come true; this congregation of early Christians gathered together to dedicate their church. They offered the Thanksgiving song of thanks as found in the 84th Psalm. From a report of this festive occasion, we find the words, "Today our chapel is dedicated. Our specially invited guests for this occasion, the Reverends, Kohrs, Fenske, and Genrus were not with us. Their absence might have been due to unfavorable weather, but the day was filled with joy and blessing. A morning service, an afternoon service followed by baptism, and an evening fellowship meal completed a most blessed day for Pastor H. P. Benthack, his thankful congregation, and the many friends that had joined them.

It was in 1882 that the church was incorporated with a membership of 49. In 1884, this growing and thankful congregation became mission minded and in 1885, they decided to have a missionary service and offering. This was to be held on the fourth Sunday of each month with Brother Peters in charge.

It was in 1889, the decision was made to divide the Sunday School into Classes. 1) A class for Bible Study; 2) A class for reading German and 3) A class for spelling German. Following the class period, the attention of the scholars was to be directed toward a personal relationship with the Lord.

In 1891, further progress was evidenced by a decision to have prayer service on Wednesday evenings. It was this same year that 40 members were granted membership transfers in order that the Humphrey station might become self sustaining. This group in later years organized a self-supporting church, and out of this congregation came the present Creston Baptist Church. A rather sad situation developed in 1898 in connection with lodge membership. The danger of a split in the congregation became apparent. Only under wise leadership was the problem met. Those that wanted to go to the left were given dismissals. This brought about the founding of the Baptist Church in Platte Center, Nebr.

In April of 1893, Brother and Pastor Benthack completed the course of his life on earth. Consequently the church needed a new undershepherd. It was in May of 1893, that it was decided to build a parsonage. (Pastor Benthack had furnished his own housing). This parsonage was completed the year following at a cost of $900.00.

It was during the pastorate of Rev. Otto Schroeder that the old church building was torn down and a new church building (our present building) measuring 34 x 50 was erected, at a cost of $2,122.00. Fred Behlen and his wife, Ella (nee Benthack), now retired and living in Columbus have many memories of this time. We only wish that we could put all these in print. Dedication services were held on August 5th, 1900, with Brother Stracke of Lorraine, Kansas as guest speaker. He spoke on I Kings 8:10-11, emphasizing the outer appearance of the house of God and the exceeding glory within. In 1887, a church clock was purchased, and in 1888, at the express wish of the pastor, a new organ was placed in the church. It is to be noted, however, that this organ, though placed in the church to accompany the singing, could not actually be used until six years later when the congregation granted permission. Rev. Koch, now in glory, describes the situation quite well, by the use of the old German phrase: "Oh, du gute alte Zeit!" (O, those good old times.) Since that time, piano as well as many other musical instruments have been and are being used to glorify our Saviours name.

We do not know when the steeple was added to our church building, but it was donated by two non-members--August Wetjen and Fred Simms.

The first male quartet was organized about 1900 with Fred Mindrup, William Behlen, Fred Behlen and John Kamm singing, "Going Down the Valley One by One" as their first song. It was also during this time that our first choir was organized as was the first Ladies Aid. Our choir had a membership of sixteen and eight ladies started the Ladies Aid.

By 1894, membership in the Shell Creek Church had totaled 274, and between the years of 1895 and 1913, membership had risen to 436, only to drop back to 114, by 1913, when the Fortieth Anniversary was celebrated.

In 1909, the parsonage was enlarged and remodeled.