Moscow Township near Austin in Freeborn County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Religious Service in Freeborn County

May 20, 2025

1. First Religious Service in Freeborn County Marker

Inscription.
First religious service in Freeborn Co. held here by Rev. Sylvester N. Phelps July 31, 1856.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 31, 1856.

Location. 43° 41.748′ N, 93° 7.198′ W. Marker is near Austin, Minnesota, in Freeborn County. It is in Moscow Township. It is on 235th Street (County Road 102) half a mile west of 880th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albert Lea MN 56007, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Everyone's Country Estate (approx. 2.4 miles away); Hormel (approx. 7.1 miles away);

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William Baudler (approx. 7.1 miles away); Oakwood Cemetery W.R.C. Memorial (approx. 7.2 miles away); Frank W. Bridges (approx. 7.4 miles away); Miguel Garate (approx. 7.4 miles away); Michael C. Ruzek (approx. 7.4 miles away); Dr. Olav H. Hegge (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Also see . . . Freeborn County Minnesota Genealogy and History - Genealogy Trails History Group.

Excerpt: "The first to dawn upon the scene was 'Elder' Phelps, a young man fresh from the discipline of the theological college, who had located at Austin. He first preached in Rufus K. Crum's house, in section twenty-eight, in 1856, and he occasionally preached in this vicinity until March, 1857; but no society was formed."

(Submitted on June 1, 2025.)

First Religious Service in Freeborn County Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

May 20, 2025

2. First Religious Service in Freeborn County Marker, from the west

First Religious Service in Freeborn County Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

May 20, 2025

3. First Religious Service in Freeborn County Marker, from the east

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2025.