Emmanuel Episcopal Church Archival Collection
Our Goal
Preserving Our Heritage for Future Generations
This project was funded through a generous donation from the John T. Vucurevich Grant Committee of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church (EEC).
EEC was founded in 1887 in Rapid City, SD and these digital archival materials span over 130 years of history shaping our church community.
Please explore the collection of multimedia materials which include videos, photos, and documents. There is a timeline below and a searchable subject page. Future reserach is planned for blog postings.
Timeline
A Walk Through Our History
Journey through the history of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, where events are digitally preserved in our timeline. Here, you'll find a rich tapestry of videos, photos, and documents that explore the past and the milestones that have defined our church since 1887.
1880-1900
1881 - 1st Service Lewis Hall (next to Firehouse restaurant)
1883 - North and South Dakota Divided
1887 - Little Church Building Cornerstone
1888 - Crown Cross Palm Stain Glass & Emmanuel Guild
1889-1892 - Rev. George Ware
1890-1913 - Progress Era
1891 - Parish Status
1891 - Rev. Bagnell
1893 - First U.S. Automobile
1893-1895 - Rev. Gooddale
1896-1899 - Rev. Lutton
1898 - Spanish-American War & 1st U.S. Motorcycle
1898 - Spanish-American War & 1st U.S. Motorcycle
1900-1910
1900-1907 - Rev. W.H. Sparling
1905 - Debt Free Church Dedication
1908-1910 - Rev. George S. Keller
1860-1880
1871 - Niobrara Missionary Jurisdiction
The earliest Episcopal Church missions to the Native Americans of note occurred under the direction of Bishop John Henry Hobart, who began missionary outreach in the early 19th century to the...
Here is a summary about the design of the Niobrara Cross, given to those who are confirmed in South Dakota: Certificates of Baptism and Confirmation meant...
1876 - Rapid City Founded with name as "Hay Camp"
1877 - Phonograph Invented
1878 - Rev. Ashley
1910-1920
1911-1917 - Rev. Fulweiler
1914 - 1st U.S. Commercial Airline Flight
1914-1919 - World War I
1918-1919 - Rev. Clark
1919-1921 - Rev. Campbill
1920-1930
1921-1923 - Rev. Creasley
1924 - Independent Parish Status
1921-1923 - Rev. Todd
1928-1932/1934 - Rev. Prosser
1929-1940 - Great Depression
1930-1940
1933-1960 - Rev. Jerome Pipes
1935 - Mortgage Paid
1936 - Franklin Roosevelt Attended Church
1940-1950
1941-1945 - World War II
1945 - 1st U.S. Computer ENIAC
1950-1960
1950-1953 - Korean War
1954 - Education Building Cornerstone Dedication
1956 - Interstate Highway Act
1957 - Rectory Updates
1990-2000
1990 - Construction Campaign
1990-1991 - Gulf War
2010-2020
2013-2018 - Rev. Chris Rousell
2020-2030
2020-Current - Rev. J.D. Barnes
2022 - Lower Level Remodeling
1970-1980
1970 - Women Elected to Vestries
1971 - Walter H. Jones becomes 1st South Dakota Bishop
1972-1977 - Rev. Hewes Phillips
1973 - Wounded Knee Occupation
1974 - 11 Women Ordained as Episcopal Priests
1975 - Reformatted Newsletter
1978 - Rectory Sold
1978-1987 - Rev. David C. Anderson
1979 - Mission Statement Adopted
2000-2010
2001 - Construction Campaign
2001-2021 - War in Afghanistan
2004 - Facebook Created
2007 - Kindle E-Book Created
2008-2013 - Rev. Rich Ressler
1980-1990
1983 - Public Cell Phones
1987 - 100 Year EEC Anniversary
1987-2006 - Rev. David Cameron