Historic Nebraska church preserves memory of Okay Township

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 19:08 · Archive

A church built in 1881 in Platte County preserves the memory of a farming settlement called Okay Township.

A historic church built in 1881 stands about 4.5 miles north and 2.5 miles west of Monroe, Nebraska, preserving the memory of Okay Township, a farming settlement in Platte County. The sanctuary was built on land originally homesteaded by Robert Wiley before he deeded it to the community. Over the years it housed Congregational, Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist congregations.

Fred Peach, 81, who grew up attending services at the church, recalled how the township received its distinctive name. According to Peach, during a meeting to decide what to call the settlement, someone asked 'Okay, what are we gonna call it?' and another person responded 'Well, let's call it okay.' The settlement once included a two-room country schoolhouse with grades up to tenth, and a local post office, though neither structure remains standing today.

Peach remembered his schooldays there, recalling about seven children in his fifth-grade class. When the school district merged into the Monroe system, the building was sold. His father later converted it into a home in 1976 before it eventually burned down. Peach also recalled finding a letter inside the former post office from someone named Thurston to his wife, mentioning jury duty.

How it is being reported

• More Than Okay: Historic church, volunteers honor Platte County townshipAbout 4.5 miles north and 2.5 miles west of Monroe, a historic church first built in 1881 preserves the memory of a Platte County farming settlement.1011Now · 2 Nov, 18:46
• More Than Okay: Historic church, volunteers honor Platte County townshipAbout 4.5 miles north and 2.5 miles west of Monroe, a historic church first built in 1881 preserves the memory of a Platte County farming settlement.WOWT · 2 Nov, 18:46

In this story: Monroe · Platte County · Nebraska · Robert Wiley · Fred Peach · Okay Township

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log