bers' homes, chiefly at Isaac Hill's, whenever Heikki Sarvela was in town. The congregation had been officially established in May 1903 at a meeting held at August Esteström's home. Once the church was built, services were held every fourth Sunday, and the sewing circle met on the second Sunday of every month. The building has seen alterations and improvements over the years, the most significant recent one being a tablet in memory of Finns who fell in World War II. Membership has been small - about 30 in 1911, up to 46 in 1935. Pastors after Sarvela have been I. Katajamäki, John Rankkila, K. J. Rissanen, Heikki Anias, Jacob Hirvi, B. A. Uusitalo, A. Karen, G. A. Aho, David Ruotsalainen, E. A. Heino, Toivo Miettinen, R. J. Aho and Viljo Puotinen.

The Pike Apostolic Lutheran church was established at a meeting at Carl H. Nikimaa's home in May 1920, although services had already been held prior to this on an informal basis for years. At the founding meeting an executive committee of seven was appointed, with Carl H. Nikimaa becoming its chairman and Vivian Ilkka the secretary. A church was subsequently built, located on one corner of land owned by Matti Hietala, along Route 196. Among its pastors has been August Saarela, who served for several decades. Among the Pike residents of this denomination there has been some dissension, resulting in a faction starting a separate group, which has existed without a church proper but which has held services in members' homes.

Meanwhile, the younger people in Pike managed to erect a dance hall for themselves in 1908, located near the school. There was still a need felt for a more serious meeting place, however, and funds for it were collected in various ways; the hall, built in 1911, was then taken over by the group of local socialists, whose chapter had 34 members the following year, but only five of whom were subscribers to the Työmies. The local craving for more halls was not fulfilled, however, until a larger one was built during World War I. It was called the Pike Athletic Hall and was also referred to as the `big hall' or the `club hall.' With the building of this one, the old hall was abandoned and in time sold to the Pike-Sandy Cooperative in 1937. Both halls, in their time, have served as town meeting sites.

The first meeting of the local inhabitants to discuss community problems was held in the year 1900 at the home of Matti Lakanen. The building of roads and schools were on the agenda. As far as education was concerned, Pike belonged to the Tower school district, but since the people of Pike felt that was too far

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