A Bit of History of the First Church of God and Cemetery - Marion, SD                     

The First Church of God in Marion had its beginnings in 1896 when Henry Goossen picked up a tract on healing and gave it to Benjamin Ratzlaff,
who followed up on it by asking that a minister come and administer to his ill wife.  Her health recovered and subsequently other ministers visited
the community conducting services in private homes as was the case with all early churches in the rural farming communities.

In 1901 a permanent minister was chosen and by 1905 land for a church and cemetery was given by the Karl Arbeiter's.  The original church build-
ing was erected that same year.  Remodeling took place at various times and in 1957 a new building was erected in Marion.  A major remodeling
and expansion was done to this facility in 1978.

The cemetery land accompanied the church grounds and one member who died in 1904 was moved to the congregation cemetery in 1905.  Other
burials were made starting in 1909 and the cemetery continues to be used and very well maintained on a regular basis by the active church.

***************************************************************************************************************

***************************************************************************************************************