USA > Florida > Twenty-five years of organized work in Florida and Georgia by Church of the Brethren, from 1925 to 1950 > Part 4
USA > Georgia > Twenty-five years of organized work in Florida and Georgia by Church of the Brethren, from 1925 to 1950 > Part 4
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From the organization up to 1947, the work was largely cared for by the Free Ministry, except the work of two Summer Pastors: Brother William Willoughby served during the Summer of 1942 and Bro. Samuel Flory the Summer of 1947. During that Summer, the Ministerial Board installed Elder E. J. Gascho as Pastor, to begin October 1, 1947. His services continued till July 1948 when Brother Floyd N. Biddix was installed as Pastor. The Eldership has been cared for by Elder Clarence E. Bower from the organization to the present.
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CHURCH EXTENSION
The large crowds that attend the District Meet- ings as well as other special gatherings can be taken care of by the large auditorium of the new church. When necessary Bethany Hall can be used for 'overflow meetings, as well as the feeding place when meals are served at the church, as during District Meeting. The little chapel and its associate Sunday School rooms in the basement of the church can help out for Committee Meetings when needed. The District Meetings of 1940 and 1944 have both been cared for on these grounds and in these com- modious buildings. The Sunday School rooms and Bethany Hall served as a camping place for about forty members who came here to attend the ses- sions of the Annual Conference that convened here in June of 1947. The District Meeting of 1949 was held at Camp Ithiel but the culinary duties were performed by the members of the Winter Park Church.
BROOKSVILLE CHURCH 3/8/1925
In an article in the Messenger, Bro. Moore refers to a visit to Brooksville in the eighties when he first came to Florida. He attended services at the Baptist Church in the town. He thot the place suitable for some of our people later. October 31, 1921, Bro. Jesse Fulz and family of Ohio located a short distance east of town. When Walter Swi- hart was visiting in the community in July 1923
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
they had a Sunday School in the Fulz' home. Later in the Fall Jesse Root and family came south. In the early part of 1924 three families came into the community Perry Wysong, Ed. Diehl and Parker Cain. On October 20, 1924 they organized a Sun- day School in the Diehl home. Soon it was transferred to the Parker Cain garage and con- tinued there till the church was built.
The coming of the sixth family, Chas. F. Smith on Feb. 14, 1925 made them think of an organiza- tion. They were in the bounds of the Zion Church but they had no church house and the members were so far from each other that these decided that they wanted an organization in or near Brooksville. The District Committee of organization met with them March 8, 1925 and effected an organization with twenty charter members. Later four were baptized, making the membership twenty-four. Elder J. H. Garst was chosen Overseer of the group. A week later Bro. Noah F. Brubaker of McPherson, Kansas began meetings for them and at the close or about the 21st, a Love Feast was held at which twenty-seven members communed.
Brother Jesse Fulz gave two and one-half acres of ground east of Brooksville on which to build a house of worship. It was a beautiful location but too far from Brooksville to be accessible to the people of Brooksville. With the help of the people of Sebring and Lakeland a house of worship was soon in evidence. At the dedication Services May 21, Bro. Garst delivered the sermon. Soon after
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CHURCH EXTENSION
the Dedication Brother and Sister Murray came to be joined with the group. They added much in personal and financial help to the small working body.
The coming of the R. W. Lantis family helped in solving the preaching problem for the small group. Later at a Business Meeting Brother Paul Lantis was called into the ministry and duly installed. The coming of Elmer Stambaugh added another family to the working group. A meeting held by Brethren J. W. Rogers and S. M. Miller added three to the membership. Here is a quotation from the Florida Live Wires of Feb. 1929: "In the death of Bro. Chas. F. Smith, our little Church called to her first real sorrow. Bro. Smith suffered much dur- ing the two years of his sickness. All was done that loving friends and professional skill could do but to no seeming avail. Early in his sickness he called for the anointing service and it was attended to and he seemed much benefitted. There was seldom a Service at the church during his sickness at which he was not remembered in Prayer. He was a great believer in Prayer and said it meant so much to him during his long sickness."
Moving day came and some of the Northern members went back to their former homes, leaving the ranks depleted. During the Depression and this exodus of members, Bro. and Sister Murray fitted up a place for the District Man and family to live and they took charge of the work to try to build it up again. Several were added by bap-
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
tism but part of them were of the migrant type and soon went to other places. During 1930 the membership discussed the matter of caring for the District Gatherings and it was decided that a call be made for the next District Meeting. During the Summer of 1931 a small kitchen with an upstairs was built at the east side of the church to care for the cooking and some sleeping quarters for some of the Brethren. By the faithful ones putting both shoulders to the wheel the meeting was cared for acceptably. Aunt Mina Smith and her helpers did an excellent job of preparing and serving the food after it had been purchased and brought there by Sister Stambaugh and her family.
On account of the Depression the District Man and his family began carrying the mail out of Groveland in 1932, hence had to move away from Brooksville. With no minister in the congregation and few members left, the attendance was very small and getting less all the time on account of many moving away. The Mission Board sent Bro. S. Ira Arnold and some others in to take care of the preaching but soon it was evident that the work could not be built up. Finally the services were discontinued and the house sold, giving letters to the few members that were left. Among the last to leave were Sister Otwell, the Murrays and the Chas. F. Smith family. The Smith children can be accounted for by looking in on a service in the Jacksonville Church to see Mable Jenkins and family, Russell Smith and family and Don Merrow
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and Jessie. Ora Smith and youngest Sister Velma are busy helping in other church fields. The mother, Aunt Mina drops in every few years to make a visit and always lends a hand in whatever work is being done for the Church.
Chapter IV CHURCH MISSIONS
CHURCH WORK AT CRATE MILLS
Thru the solicitation of Brethren J. H. Moore, J. H. Garst and J. F. Sanger a piece of land 100 by 270 was obtained on which to build a church house near the Crate Mills. The work really be- gan when Brethren J. W. Rogers and J. F. Sanger on February 13, 1922 took their grubhoes and be- gan clearing the land. Two weeks later an an- nouncement went thruout the community that a Service would be held there the next day. A Sun- day School was organized at this first service with Bro. S. S. Sanger, N. B. Flory and Hettie Bright as officers.
In the Spring of 1923 Branscomb Tue was baptized, he being the first new member in this community. During the Summer Brother J. W. Rogers held a meeting in which twenty-three were added to the Church thru baptism. During the Winter of 1923-24, Sister Mansfield gave a number of music lessons to the people. The attendance and interest were good. In February 1924 an addition was put to the small house of worship, to be used by the young people for their room. The dedication service was conducted by Eld. D. E. Miller who was the Sebring Pastor at that time. Another addi-
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CHURCH MISSIONS
tion was put to the house in 1926 for the benefit of the small children. Later a small cottage was built to furnish a living place for the workers, Bertha Frantz and Jessie Dyer.
During the nine years of its existence many of the members of the Sebring Church did some work here. For more than two years Mrs. William Swank went regularly. When Sister Hettie Bright was not away at her school at Hicoria or Lake Istakpoga she helped out in the teaching. Sister Minnie Rogers taught so long that she could hardly give up her class and when she did she urged that a good teacher be found for it. Miss Martha Swank began teaching some small girls that when the work began that long ago are mistresses in the homes. During the Winter Season of 1924-25 Bro. and Sister Orion Erbaugh helped out by Bro. Erbaugh being Supt. and Sister Erbaugh had charge of the small ones.
During the pastorate of J. H. Morris and family, with the help of Sister Leah Gettel, Lora Shatto, Marie Young, Katherine Graybill, and Bertha Albin the work was carried on. Since the workers at the Crate Mills were mostly transients, when the de- pression came on they went where they could find work to earn a livelihood and the work went down and was finally closed. The buildings were sold. Tho it closed the work was not a failure for much good seed was sown and is growing up in some other communities in the lives of those that were there.
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA THE GLENSIDE CHURCH 6/2/1929
Some members lived near and worked for the Glen St. Mary's Nursery and asked for some services to be held for them by the ministers of Clay County Church. After the ingathering thru the Revival Meeting they asked to be organized into a Church. The organization was effected June 2, 1929 with one elder, one deacon, one minister and sixteen lay members. At the District Meeting of 1930 the Sun- day School enrollment was reported to be 59 with an average attendance of 38. This work went along amicably for a couple of years but then differences arose and the group asked for help of the District. A committee was appointed at the Brooksville Dis- trict Meeting in 1931.
Four trips were made by a part or all of the committee and the members had a service each time. The following is the report they gave: "First we found deep-seated differences between members and leaders that can be worked out among them- selves with wise sympathetic leadership. Second, we find that the unbending orthodoxy of the Pastor very greatly hinders the training of leaders and helpers. Third, we find that there are too many no-authorative fingers in the pie. Fourth, we find that they do not want to be disorganized but want to forget differences and have the privilege of be- ginning at the bottom and build up a place of worship and training helpers to carry on services.
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CHURCH MISSIONS
The committee continued its work in 1933 and found the membership scattered but willing to be helped. At each of the three visits services were held for them with a goodly attendance. At the Sept. visit a service was held, some house to house visits and a Business Meeting held. At this meeting letters were given to Eld. A. D. Bowman and family for they were moving to Lakeland. The committee asked the Ministerial Board to assist them by giv- ing them services frequently and have the members bear half the expenses. In late 1941 the Church was disorganized with instructions to the members to put their letters into the Church of the Brethren where it was convenient to the member.
THE SUNNYLAND CHURCH 9/26/1929
Brother J. B. Gingery of Toledo, Ohio moved to Sebring before 1920 and during off-hours from his mercantile work, he did some scouting and fishing in the Istakpoga neighborhood. Here he made the acquaintance of some of the Native Flori- dians. When the school house was built in 1921, he proposed to Willis Kreider that they go there to hold some meetings and Bro. Kreider was willing to go with him. When the time came to go the weather was bad but they went. After several visits a Sunday School was organized with Bro. Gingery as Supt. Sister Mansfield was chosen to teach the Bible Class and Sister Swank to teach
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
the little folks. Before long the school house was too small and a Tabernacle was built and a Dedi- cation Service arranged. The sermon was preached by Eld. D. H. Zigler of Sebring. More than one hundred twenty five attentive listeners were packed into the Tabernacle.
This work was kept up by Bro. Gingery and others from Sebring till the Spring of 1923 when Elder J. W. Rogers came to Florida to make his home while doing work in the Church. The Mission work at Istakpoga, Bassenger and Crate Mills was turned over to him and family. During the first three years of the work, Sister William Swank missed but few Sundays, going the 19 miles and back over the sand roads, sometimes so bad that it was almost impassible. After returning from Istakpoga, the workers went to the Crate Mills for a night service. Other helpers in the work were Bro. William Swank, who went every time and Sister Mansfield went for a year and a half; Sister Hettie Bright, who taught in the neighbor- hood lent her help too; The Tabernacle was only temporary quarters and had to be replaced by a real church house. The new house was finished and dedicated March 4, 1926. The financing had largely been done by the Brethren from Sebring and the Winter Visitors. The land on which it was built was donated by Brother Bass. The en- larged quarters now enhanced the interest. Also, Bro. and Sister J. D. Reish had come to take charge of the Day School at Istakpoga and could help in
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CHURCH MISSIONS
the Sunday School created a greater interest in that community. The growth was rapid and the results permanent as shown by the reports at the District Gatherings.
About three years after the coming of Bro. and Sister Reish it was thot that there were members enough to be organized into a working body, so on September 26, 1929 the organization was effected, having 34 members and choosing Sunnyland as the name for the new organization. Many native Floridians were brought into the Church thru the efforts of Clarence Erbaugh, J. W. Rogers, J. H. Garst and L. L. Lininger in revival efforts at dif- ferent times. The neighborhood was highly bene- fitted by the Sea Boord Railroad going thru and making a stop near the Church. Also the Post Office has made the place a center for the neighbor- hood.
Having a good church home and a body of good working members gave them courage to call for the next District Meeting. The body of dele- gates at Brooksville voted in favor and the District Meeting was held here in 1932. The ones who attended need not be told that the work was well done, for they were recipients of the wholehearted and efficient service of every member of the con- gregation. From the reports in future District Meetings, the growth was healthy and permanent with an ingathering of eleven in the year 1935.
Since Bro. Reish moved from the District at the close of 1941, that meant his closing out his
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
work with the Sunnyland Church, leaving the Church without a Pastor and minister. The Dis- trict Ministerial Board for 1944 says that Bro. Horace Hill was caring for the work of the Sunny- land Church and that during the year it had the greatest increase in membership of any Church in the District.
Quoting from the Ministerial Report of 1949: "Brother Wayne Lawson of Peru, Indiana served the Sunnyland Church as Summer Pastor. He was a very earnest and conscientious young man. He visited in the homes of all the members. In order to get to some of them he had to walk several miles. He reported to the Secretary of the Board each week. He felt that much good could be done for that Church but needs to be now."
There being no minister in the congregation after Elder J. D. Reish moved away, the Minis- terial Board along with the Sebring Church under- took to supply help. The Sebring Mission Board had sent Eld. Manly Deeter there for the winter of 1947-48. Eld. Clarence Erbaugh helped out some during the Winter of 1949-50. During the Summer of 1950 Brother Daniel C. Flory served
them as Pastor. Brother Paul Denison served as Summer Pastor the following Summer. Be- sides the help given by Bro. Horace Hill of Okeechobee, the rest of the help came from Se- bring Church. Some of the ministers that served from Sebring were, Brethren Ordo Pletcher, Irvin R. Pletcher and Harry Swank. Tho Lorida is a
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CHURCH MISSIONS
small town and the Sunnyland Church is a small church yet we cannot predict the future of the work for it is a fertile country with a Highway, a good railroad and an active group of people.
BASSENGER-OKEECHOBEE CHURCHES 11/4/1934
Brother J. B. Gingery of Toledo, Ohio did not stop in the Istakpoga neighborhood but wandered to the East about twenty-five miles into the Bas- senger section and his acquaintance led to some meetings being held and some conversions and a Mission, known as the Bassenger work. Besides working in the Sunnyland Church, Bro. J. W. Rogers also took care of this work. A very primi- tive church was built and used for awhile but when the storm blew it down, some members of the Sebring Church with the help of some Winter visitors, put up for them a real neat and well- constructed church house. Several Revivals have been held in the Bassenger church adding a number to the church membership. Some of the best speakers among the Winter visitors were pre- vailed on to hold some meetings for them and the efforts have benefitted the work as well as welding a link between the northern minister and the southern native.
After the work was in the hands of Bro. and Sister Reish as Pastors at Sunnyland, and was well cared for by them, the Sebring Mission Board
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
appointed Eld. L. L. Lininger to take care of the work at Bassenger. Looking to the South, he found that some of the members were living inside the city limits of Okeechobee, so a move was made to open up work there to help these people in their religious life. To get the work started here Bro. and Sister Domer had one of their empty houses fitted up for a Sunday School house. They met on Nov. 5, 1933 but only twelve persons came and they decided not to organize till more were present. Thru personal work during the following days others were persuaded to come and on the day appointed, Nov. 19th there were twenty-four pres- ent. Two weeks later (Dec. 3) an all-day meeting was held at which time the newly-made meeting house was dedicated. The speakers were Brethren W. J. Swigart, L. L. Lininger, Walston (Baptist) H. A. Spanogle, Harry Swank, J. H. Moore and D. W. Miller. There were ninety present.
During the forenoon hours of every Lord's Day, Sunday School and Preaching Services were conducted in the new church, all during the month of January of 1934, usually a visiting minister ac- companied Bro. Lininger. February 15, 1934 a revival began with Bro. Guy West doing the preach- ing and Bro. S. M. Miller doing the singing. These services lasted till Tuesday night the 20th with a service each night and three each Sunday. As a result Russell Domer and Earl Pearce were re- ceived into the Church thru baptism. These were the first converts in the Okeechobee work. Breth-
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CHURCH MISSIONS
ren J. K. Miller of Iowa and Oller of Penn'a. who were in Sebring for the winter attended and gave talks at the services on the 25th. On the 11th of March, Bro. Amos Kuns of Penn'a. preached at the morning services and then all the group went to the Bassenger church where a revival service was begun with Bro. Kuns doing the preaching. On March 18th an all-day meeting was held at Bas- senger with a Love Feast in the evening.
On May 27, 1934 Bro. A. D. Crist began Re- vival Services at Bassenger with Bro. Fahnestock of Penn'a. assisting and Fannie Marshall directing the music work. The meetings lasted three weeks and resulted in 18 being received into the church. On August 5, one more was baptized. During June a Business Meeting was held and Brethren Victor Domer and Elmer Pearce were called into the Deacon's office and they with their wives were duly installed. After some investigation of their mem- bership an organization was called for and effected November 4, 1934. The following officers were chosen: J. H. Garst for Elder; Ruth Trumble for clerk; Ruby Bass for Treasurer; Amy Sloan (Bas- senger) and Alene Bass (Okeechobee) for Chor- isters. At the Meeting, Nov. 25, 1934, Elder S. W. Bail and wife were received as members of this church. February 17, 1935 Bro. and Sister Horace Hill's letters were received.
After holding some meetings at Bassenger, Eld. I. N. H. Beahm began at Okeechobee March 3, 1935. Bro. Samuel M. Miller had charge of the music.
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
An all-day meeting was held March 17, 1935 with a Communion Service in the evening. Brethren J. W. Rogers and Worthington, a Retired Missionary in the Methodist Church had charge of the services March 24th. On March 31st, Eld. L. L. Lininger closed out his work with the Okeechobee-Bassenger churches because a full-time Pastor was being put in charge. On April 7, 1935 the new Pastor, Irving R. Pletcher took up the work. A mid-week Prayer Meeting was started April 17th, with twenty present. At the Mothers' Day Services May 12th Mrs. Hen- rietta Roberts was honored as the oldest mother (84) and Clara Davis as the youngest mother present, thirty-three years old. Each one of them was given a beautiful bouquet. An all-day service with a Children's service in the afternoon and evening was held June 30, 1935. The first Young People's Service was held October 20th. The Sisters met with Sister Elmer Pearce and organized a Ladies' Aid, Oct. 30th. During the first part of 1936 Bro. Pletcher held meetings at Bassenger, Sunnyland and Okeechobee churches. On April 12, 1936, an Easter Program was rendered and a Love Feast was held in the evening. Brother and Sister Enos Overholser who had been working in this church since it began called for their Church Letters.
October 4, 1936 a Special Council was held to discuss the matter of purchasing lots on which to build a new church. Later Councils discussed the building of the church and clearing the Title along
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CHURCH MISSIONS
with other matters about the new building. Early in the Fall Sister Katherine Rinehart presented the church with a set of dishes to be used on Com- munion occasions. The Ladies' Aid purchased silverware to be used at Communion. When Bro. Pletcher left in November 1936, Elder S. W. Bail became the Pastor. On March 30, 1938 the first service was held in the new church. On April 17, 1938 the first Communion Service was held.
During the year 1939 Brother F. M. Hollenberg became Pastor and Elder of the Church and thru his efforts sixteen were added to the group thru baptism. During the following year with the help of the Executive Secretary, Mckinley Coffman more than fifty were added, forty-five were baptized and six received letters. These additions placed the Okeechobee-Bassenger church at the head in mem- bership in this District. The following year, 1941 thirty-five were added by baptism making the mem- bership of the combined churches two hundred nine- teen. Because of having a church house at each place and separate Services, the District Clerk listed the Bassenger group to be sixty one members and Okee- chobee to be one hundred fifty-eight. In the Minutes of 1944, Taylor Creek is listed with a membership of twenty-four, making the combined membership two hundred twenty-five. The Pastor and his help- ers, Brethren Horace Hill and Robert LaMartin cared for the three groups as one church.
When Bro. Fred M. Hollenberg moved from the District in 1944, Bro. Holly P. Garner was chosen
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HISTORY OF FLORIDA AND GEORGIA
to be Pastor and he served for three years, or till March 1947. Besides the work as pastor, Bro. Garner helped out in many other places in the District. Elder Bruce Flora had served the Bas- senger-Okeechobee church as Summer Pastor in 1939 and in 1947 he was called to be the regular Pastor. His work began at the regular pastoral date, September 1st. Besides his regular pastoral duties, he had to help dig out and build up many homes that were blown down during the Tropical Storm that struck Okeechobee August 20, 1949. The Red Cross assisted to the amount of possibly fifteen thousand dollars and money was sent to Bro. Flora thru the Brethren Service and donations from other Brethren helpers, to be used for Brethren families but Bro. Flora says he used it to help the needy, regardless of church affiliation. His time as pastor expired in August 1950 and Elder and Sister Walter Replogle were installed and began their pastoral duties Sept. first.
Since our space is limited, we cannot tell all we should of those who have visited and helped in the different parts of this congregation. Every year there were many visitors to Sebring and the Specials at the churches here gave them oppor- tunities to see the places and lend a hand in preach- ing, teaching or financial aid for the work. Also some of our good able evangelists spent time in Florida and were willing to hold series of meet- ings in these needy places. Many of the members can trace their conversion to some out-of-the District
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