Roswell History

1922-1927

Pastor Adolph Rodel, July 23,1923
Three different spellings appear in the records for his name, "Rodel" "Roedel" "Rodell"
Ministers: Rev. Hutchinson, Rev. Cooper, Rev. Crawford, and Rev. Roedel (July 1922)
In 1922, after six years of silence, some incidental information was once more
recorded in the Church Record Book. During the previous six years of silence one
could only sunrise that many morning worship, evening and prayer meetings were
held with a minister present. It would seem unlikely that all of a sudden in the year
1922, four ministers would suddenly appear to help this struggling church. Each of
these men helped as their health and schedule would allow. During the first seven
months of 1922, four different ministers spoke at the services. They are as follows:
Rev. Hutchinson: January 15,22, February 5.
Rev. Cooper: February 19
Rev. Crawford: February 26, March 12. March 26 and April 23
Rev. Cooper: July 9 and July 16
On July 23, 1922, Rev. Rodel was introduced to Roswell. The Rodels were very
interested and concerned about the church. In their care, the church came to life.
Even though an older couple of retirement age and retired from the ministry of
another denomination, they served the church for five years. Regular services
were held and the church began to stabilize. His salary was salary "$1.00 per week if
the offering would support it." This was not always the case. On August 6, 1922, he
was paid fifty cents. On other occasions he received 67 cents, 90 cents, and 92 cents

Rev. Rodel cared about this little church. He prayed, visited, and helped the church in every way as a pastor. this level of concern and effort was something the church had not experience in many years, if ever. Mrs. P. H. Edwards, S. S. treasurer, indicated in her records that Sunday school was held on a regular basis. The Janitor was paid 35 cents each week to clean the church. the Sunday school continued to support the Near East Relief and established a flower fund. On September 10, Dorothy Matthews received a pant from the Sunday School while in the hospital. The children were active with special programs in celebration of Easter, Children's Day and Christmas. The Sunday school began 1922 and $16.13 in the treasury and ended 1922 with $33.03. 
In October 1922, the Roswell Union Church Sunday school sent $17.76 to Near East Relief and #20.40 additional offering on December 26, 1922. This was a missionary related activity for "relief of starving children and other sufferers in the Near East." Rev. Rodel supported missions and orphans' homes. Records state: "Rev. Rosel made up the rest." this was written in response to an offering being short the goal. Bro. Rodel contributed more than his salary on several occasions. 


"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)