From 1896 until 1902 the church of the Brethren was just one large church with two mission points, one in Wells County where Elders George Clapper and William McCann served the group. Elder D.H. Niccum would drive out to Haven No. 1 schoolhouse to preach for a group until 1902. He moved to a farm in Bucephalia Township. In 1902 the members of Carrington church and mission points decided to circulate a petition to see if a church should be organized at both mission points. John W. Schlotman circulated the petition in the east district, the Bordulac Road being the dividing line between Carrington and James River Church. It was decided by all members to organize three churches. In 1902 the James River church was organized with Elder D.H. Niccum, the first pastor. Christian Blocher and Daniel Leey were deacons. Mr. Alfred Kreps was elected to the ministry in 1903 and John N. Whipple and Alfred Whipple were elected deacons at the same time.
Daniel Leedy was the first Sunday school superintendent. The group continued to meet in Haven school No. 1 until about 1905 or 1906 when a church was built and dedicated August 25, 1907 on Section 20 Haven township. Elder S.N. McCann preached the dedication sermon. He was a missionary to India.
Charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leedy, daughters, Effie and Florence
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kreps
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Settle
Mr. and Mrs. John N. Whipple
Alfred and Gertrude Whipple
Mr. and Mrs. William Boyd
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Blocher and sons, Clinton, and Chris
Alfred Pratt
Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Graham
Elder and Mrs. Niccum
Services were held continually until about 1940. In 1917 this Sunday school and church was the second largest in Foster County - the Methodist in Carrington being larger.
Many members of other churches attended this church. In 1943 the church was wrecked by a tornado. A new fence was put around the cemetery in 1969.
This Brethren church merged with the one in Carrington from then on. That church was sold to the Calvary Baptist congregation.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 304