December 10 Today in OPC History

On this day in 1936, the Rev. Ivan Demeter Mishoff was received into the Presbytery of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Rev. Mishoff was 79 years old at the time. Born in 1857 in Bulgaria, Mishoff began his education in the Bulgarian public schools. He also spent two years at a Methodist Missions School until that institution was closed by the Russo-Turkish war. In 1878 he traveled to the U.S. to study in preparation for mission work in Bulgaria. After a year at Princeton University, he studied at Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1888. He loved his time at Princeton Seminary and faithfully attended alumni reunions. Upon graduation Mishoff enrolled at Rush Medical College in Chicago, earning an M.D. degree. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1889 by the Beverly Presbytery of the PCUSA. That same year he married Laura Ransch.

Upon finishing his formal education, Mishoff returned to Bulgaria with his wife to be a self-supporting medical missionary. He served for 13 months and experienced the Lord’s blessing upon his work. The mission he worked with described him as follows: “In his work he has been wise, persistent and successful. By his earnest, simple words the hearts if the brethren have been drawn together in their weekly gatherings for prayer, for singing and for other objects. They seem to have started on a new plane of Christian life and to take hold of work as never before.” They had fifty people meeting for Sabbath day worship services.

When he returned to the US in 1890, he briefly became a home missionary pastor in Milwaukee. During this time he laid the groundwork for Bethany Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee. He also went into medical practice in Milwaukee in 1891 which continued for decades. The Mishoff home at 2506 E Locust St. in Milwaukee was used to advance God’s kingdom. In an obituary written by the Princeton Alumni Association they observe that “for fifty-two years their happy home was a Christian center where young and old alike were welcome and were always sure of finding understanding, help and inspiration. He radiated a spirit of friendliness, all who came in contact with him were the better for his influence in their lives.”

During the early 1930’s, the Milwaukee Presbytery was increasingly influenced by Modernism. Their treatment of the Rev. John J. DeWaard would have been known to Dr. Mishoff. The fact that he decided to join the new denomination in 1936 is somewhat surprising, given his age.

During the final five years his life, Mishoff remained as active in the Presbytery of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan as he was able. He attended meetings as he was able, and went as a commissioner to the seventh General Assembly in 1940. When a new work was being contemplated in Milwaukee, he and his wife offered their spacious home for worship services. On January 16, 1939, the Presbytery held a meeting at the Mishoff home. He was called home to glory in 1941 at age 83.