USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 18
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rooms. The seating capacity of the entire building is about 1,000. At the time Taylor- ville was made a station the official board con- sisted of the following persons: J. H. Moore. J. B. Colwell, A. M. Dunevan, John A. Hall, Jacob Maxwell, F. Young, J. Fraley, J. R. Vanderbilt, J. Demotte, H. Maxwell, John Cope- land, J. W. Young, M. C. Long, J. Young, W. F. Hayes, and M. L. Young. In 1880 the official board consisted of the following named per- sons : W. W. Anderson, A. Seaman, L. B. Slater, A. Demotte, F. S. Bulpitt, M. C. Long. D. McCaskill, J. Shalter, C. S. Blankenship, A. M. McCaskill, S. W. Lantz, and Mrs. Meda Simpson. The official board of 1917 is as fol- lows: Trustees, J. W. Scott, John Baughman, C. A. Peabody, F. B. Hershey, A. Locke, How- ard Henderson, Chas. Mckenzie, Dr. C. L. Carroll, J. H. Forrester; stewards, A. N. Slatten, W. S. Scott, G. C. Slatten, C. C.
Esslinger, J. A. Rucker, Mrs. A. T. Kinney, Irma DeBarr, Mrs. Emma Powel, Mrs. D. W. Johnston, G. W. Spates, O. B. Britton, Alfred Spates, Lee Traylor, Harry Hershey, Ray Bauder, T. J. Teaney, A. E. Mckenzie, W. T. Cullen, Norman Hazlett, W. J. Hester. S. C. Livergood, C. C. Esslinger. The pastors from 1861 have been as follows: D. P. Lyon, A. T. Orr, John Staples, J. B. Colwell, H. C. Adams, G. J. Barrett, B. W. Travis, D. Bardrick, J. C. Rucker, J. S. Akers, J. Montgomery, P. C. Colwell, Anderson Orr, W. S. Matthews, W. A. Smith, W. P. Wilkins, Joseph Winterbottom, A. P. Stover, Henry Wilson, E. A. Squiers, A. L. T. Ewert, W. D. Best, T. A. Parker, J. F. Humphreys, Preston Wood, G. E. Scrimger, E. K. Towle, and M. G. Coleman, the present pastor. The growth of the Taylorville M. E. Church has been steady and substantial, the present membership being 780. Two great con- ventions have been held in the Taylorville church, viz .: The M. E. Conference of the Decatur District in 1906, and the Illinois State Sunday School Convention in 1903. The M. E. Sunday school of Taylorville has an enroll- ment of over 600, and, under the leadership of Harvey Gollogher, the efficient and enthusiastic superintendent, it is making a steady growtlı. Mr. Gollogher is ably assisted by O. B. Britton, who held the office of superintendent for many years and to whom is due much of the school's growth.
THE SHARPSBURG METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The class at Sharpsburg was orga- mized about 1840 by S. B. and William Sheldon. The present church building was erected in 1874. Prior to that time the class held its meetings in the "Possum Point" schoolhouse. The first of- ficers were S. B. Sheldon, Jared Young, "Father" Naslı, William Hargis and William Sheldon. The present membership of the Sharpsburg church is ninety-eight. and the following named men are trustees : S. M. Sheldon, L. H. Young, O. S. Nash, Lewis Gardner, M. L. Peden, Wil- liam Hargis and Warren Sheldon.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MOUNT AUBURN was organized in 1851. The charter members were Edward Parish, class leader ; Doctor Hesser; Mr. Benson; and Mr. Fowkes. There were a few others but their names are not preserved. Irregular services were held ill the schoolhouse in the northwestern part of the town of Mt. Auburn and Richard Bird was the first pastor of the Mt. Auburn circuit that in-
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cluded preaching places in different parts of the community round about. The first house of worship was erected in 1856 and Hiram Buck, a name associated with the history of Meth- odism in the Illinois conference for a half century, was the pastor when the first church building was erected. After him came a Rev. Mr. Lyon. Mt. Auburn was included in the Springfield district and Hiram Buck was the first presiding elder, district superintendents, as they are now called. The record, thoughi incomplete, of pastorial service is as follows: Richard Bird, 1851; Hiram Buck, 1856; August P. Swartz, 1872-73; George Shake, 1883-85; G. H. Cruzen, 1SS9-90; George W. Webber, 1891; G. E. Burton, 1892; Thomas Bonnell, 1893; Thomas S. Mitchell, 1894-95; Fred L. Buck, 1895-97; Edson S. Borton, 1900-04; Clarence Moore, 1906-09; E. L. Carson, 1909-10; M. V. B. Hill (now deceased), 1910-12; Reverend Herb, a supply from April, 1913, to September, 1913; E. M. Barrenger, 1913-15; H. H. Young, 1915-16. The present pastor, Rev. S. R. Reno, came to the Mt. Auburn Methodist Church in October, 1916. Until the past five or six years Prairie Lea and Union Chapel formed part of the Mt. Auburn charge, but since that time all the pastor's time has been devoted to Mt. Auburn. The present church edifice was, re- modeled some twenty years ago and more recently a basement with all the modern im- provements of kitchen, etc., has been added. Within the past year a new light plant has been put in and the interior of the church much improved, so that the church is modern and commodious and stands on one of the beautiful eminences of the town, overlooking the whole surrounding country for miles. On lots owned by the trustees of the church and south of the church building, is a splendid modern seven- room parsonage. The present membership is about 125, with a Sunday school attendance of about 150. The society is in a flourishing con- dition at the present time and the church has the promise of a useful future in the com- munity. The membership is made up of families living in the farming community near by as well as residents of the town and the society repre- sents considerable financial strength. The present district superintendent is Rev. A. C. Piersel, D. D., of Springfield, Ill.
BUCKEYE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This flourishing society was organized in 1855 by Rev. M. Shunk. It belonged to the Taylorville
circuit until the Rosemond charge was formed when it was included in that circuit. The fifteen charter members of the class were: Samuel Cowgill, Louisa Cowgill, William Hunter, Susan Hunter, Mary Hunter, Dr. W. H. McCoy, Mrs. McCoy, Samuel Large, Maria Large, Noel Rape, Elizabeth Rape, Rebekah Baker, and two sisters of Mrs. James Whitelaw whose names cannot be obtained. A building was erected in 1866 which has served that community since that time. Others who have been connected with the growth of the society are: Thomas Bonnell, S. S. Kanaga, Henry Millard, William Large, Philip Ebert, J. W. Hunter, Joshua Gimlin, H. L. Mull, George McQuire, J. Megaw, Charles Bonnell. The congregation is strong financially, numerically and spiritually. Soon after the church was built in 1866 a Mr. Overholt gave an acre of ground to the trustees for cemetery purposes. About the year 1907 an endowment fund amounting to over $400 was created by public subscription for the upkeep of the cemetery. The result is a most carefully kept and beautiful resting place for the community's dead.
GROVE CITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1859 D. P. Lyons held a revival and organ- ized a Methodist class at Wesley chapel, just east of Grove City. In 1865 W. S. Bennett, pastor of the Rochester circuit, began taking subscriptions for building a church at Grove City. His efforts were successful and the church was built in 1866 at a cost of $7,000 and dedicated in November of that year. The fol- lowing named men constituted the first board' of trustees: S. J. Sadler, H. C. Lindsley, Eli Porter, William Mckenzie, J. B. Watson, Isaac Henshie, J. J. Shepherd, B. F. Doughty, John Mckenzie. In 1865 Grove City, then known as Hickory Grove, became a part of the Mt. Auburn and Hickory Grove circuit of the Decatur dis- trict. Two years later it became a separate station with 135 members. In 1868 the name was changed from Hickory Grove to Grove City. Many good men who have stood high in the Methodist Conference have served the Grove City church as pastors. The list follows : 1865-66, Bradley Hungerford; 1866-69, Leonard Smith ; 1869-72, J. B. Colwell ; 1872-73, Leonard Smith ; 1873-75, J. W. West ; 1875-78, Ira Emer- son ; 1878-79, J. T. Roberts; 1879-82, C. P. Bald- win ; 1882-85, G. B. Goldsmith: 1885-87, D. C. Burkett; 1887-88, C. W. Jacobs; 1888-90, G. W. Dungan; 1890-91, J. Frank Poorman; 1891-92,
JAMES M. GEORGE
MRS. JAMES M. GEORGE
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Wan. McK. Gooding ; 1892-94, C. R. Carlos; 1894- 95, A. D. Moon ; 1895-96, M. L. Browning; 1896- 98, H. C. Turner ; 1898-99, A. B. Beck ; 1899-1901, F. S. Artz; 1901-02, F. L. Buck; 1902-03, C. W .Jacobs; 1903-06, J. F. McAnally ; 1906-08, Geo. W. Greer; 1908-09, G. J. Janssen; 1909-10, E. L. Tobie; 1910-12, G. W. Randle; 1912-14, L. E. Baldwin; 1914-16, H. W. Kruzan; 1916, J. M. Eldredge. The officers of this progressive station at present are as follows: Trustees, C. D. Kirk, A, B. Kirk, H. O. Phares, Thomas Hooper ; E. J. Morrison, Arthur Deeren, M. S. Sadler, Oscar Fields, C. L. Huggins; Sunday school superintendent, Wilbur Sadler ; president Epworth League, Ray Alexander; president Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. Jennie Kirk ; president Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Lulu Yoder ; financial secretary and treas- urer, Dr. M. W. Staples. The present member- ship of the church is 150. The Sunday school has 160 enrolled with an average attendance of about 100. A large and comfortable par- sonage, costing $2,000, has been erected on a lot adjoining the church for the use of the pastor. Extensive improvements costing at least $1,000 have been planned for the year 1917 and work has already begun. Benevolences raised in 1915-16 amounted to $625, which shows a steady increase from the organization when they amounted to $340.
ASSUMPTION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Assumption society was organized in 1860 with the following members: Joel II. Abbott, class leader ; J. L. Demotte, Ann Demotte, W. Demotte, J. P. Stark, Anna Stark, Hulda Cush- ing and J. K. Morton. A house of worship cost- ing $4,000 was built in 1868-69 and a parsonage was erected in 1876.
· THE OWANECO METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in 1862 by Rev. D. P. Lyons with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Baker, Nancy Madison, Mr. and Mrs. William Bailie, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brown and Martha Bradley. Reverend Lyons was at this time pastor of the Taylorville charge. A sketch of this church would not be complete without mention of the following persons who figured largely in the work here in early days: Mrs. Carrie McClusky, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Millhon, Mr. and Mrs. John Danford, Dr. and Mrs. McShea, and Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Leeper. At present this church has a membership of 250 and a Sunday school en- rollment of 277. The church now constitutes a
pastoral charge by itself and is wholly responsi- ble for a territory somewhat exceeding four miles by five miles, of which Owaneco is the geographical, business, social and religious cen- ter. A little pamphlet called the "Quarterly Outlook" is published four times a year, to keep the entire community in touch with the work and the problems of the church. Thus a strong and successful effort is being made to make it a real community church. On December 9, 1916, a contract for a new building was let to J. B. Martin of East Liverpool, Ohio. This contract calls for a beautiful and substantial building of hard stipple-faced Danville brick, trimmed in Bedford stone, a slate roof and a basement under the whole building with every modern convenience, to cost about $16,000 when completed. It will be heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Besides the auditorium there are six large class rooms and a rest room for mothers on the main floor. The extreme di- mensions of the new church are fifty-three feet by seventy-one feet. The building committee con- sists of W. L. Eaton, William McClusky. C. A. Stattner, A. Bowles and Charles Dorr, all well known as men of practical business ability. This is the third church to be erected under the personal supervision of Reverend Drake, the pastor. The pastoral record of the Owaneco charge: As part of Taylorville charge : 1861- 62, D. P. Lyons; 1863-64, A. T. Orr; 1865, supplied (name unknown) : 1866, J. B. Colwell. As part of Rosemond charge: 1867, G. J. Barrett; 1868-69, J. E. Lindly : 1870-72, J. M. West; 1873-74, W. Murphy ; 1875, T. M. Dillon, Thomas Bonnell; 1876-77, W. McK. Gooding; 1878, C. E. McClintock; 1879-80, P. A. Swart ; 1881-82, W. T. Shoemaker; 1883-84, W. A. Reynolds ; 1885-86, J. F. Horney ; 1887-88, D. T. Black ; 1889-90, P. F. Gay. As part of Owaneco and Millersville charge: 1891, R. F. Millness : 1892-94, A. H. Hoffer; 1895, Jasper Miller ; 1896, J. L. B. Ellis; 1897-98, C. F. Tobey ; 1899- 1900, P. P. Carson; 1901-03, M. N. English ; 1904, G. V. Metzel; 1905-07, A. B. Cadwell : 1908-1910, J. T. Stretton: 1911-12, William Landis. As a station : 1913, William Landis ; 1914, W. W. Drake, the present incumbent.
THE EDINBURG METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in the early part of 1866. The society first built a chapel in the west part of the town where the Edinburg Cemetery is now located. The first pastor was Rev. J. H. Hat- field. The society grew rapidly. In 1875 a
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
large church building was erected in the north- west part of town. On February 16, 1876, the first church bell of the community was hung in the belfry of the church. The old building still stands and is used as a wareroom. In 1900 it became necessary to erect a larger and more modern place of worship. On November 25, 1900, during the pastorate of Rev. Lewis F. Walden, a modern church building was dedi- cated, costing $12,000. The church is located in one of the most convenient and beautiful places in the town, just east of the public school. The society also owns a parsonage and lawns and garden plots adjacent to the church valued at $3,000. The church continues to grow in numbers and influence. The resident members now number 379 and the non-resident forty-nine, making a total of 428. In the true Methodistic style, the church is thoroughly organized and is doing departmental work through the following agencies: Official board, Sunday school, Epworth League, Junior Ep- worth League, Ladies' Aid Society, Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, Queen Esther So- ciety, and the Woman's Home Missionary Soci- ety. Rev. Milton Wilson is now serving his third year as pastor of this flourishing religious body.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF STON- INGTON is the outgrowth of a class of seven members organized in 1867 by Rev. H. W. Ferguson, a local preacher, at Washington schoolhouse, which stood at that time on the William Limer farm now owned by T. F. Dwyer, one-half mile south of Stonington. For six years they held their meetings in the school- house. W. II. Ferguson, John Staples, Joseph Pellatt and J. W. Warfield preached there. The first church in Stonington was built in the summer of 1873 on a lot given for that purpose by R. W. Covington, at the corner of Maple and Third streets, at a cost of $2,000, under the supervision of James Ferguson, Doctor Maple, William Garwood, William Limer, C. C. Ilise and William Wood, and was dedicated by C. P. Baldwin, presiding elder. During the winter of 1873 and summer of 1874 Rev. R. W. Travis of Decatur preached once a month. J. M. Mc- Elherron was the conference appointee in the fall of 1874 with a circuit including Stonington and Morrisonville. On account of ill health Brother McElherron resigned and F. C. Bruner was placed in charge. In 1875 Stonington was put into the Blue Mound circuit. In 1886 the circuit was again changed, including two ap-
pointments, Stonington and Willow Dale, as at the present time. William Brandon was the first resident pastor. During his pastorate the Willow Dale Church and Stonington parsonage were built. In 1895 the church building was sold to Warren Corzine and remodeled into his beautiful residence, and the present structure at Maple and Fourth streets was erected under the supervision of the following committee : Rev. T. H. Agnew, C. Drake, C. C. Hise, B. F. Winters and George Gebhart. The church was dedicated September 8, 1895, by Rev. Lewis Curts, D. D. The lot was donated by R. W. Covington. The parsonage was built in 1901 under the pastorate of Rev. B. D. Wiley. The pastors since 1873 have been: R. W. Travis, J. M. McElherron, F. C. Bruner, S. D. Furber, J. W. Warfield, John Slater, J. F. Horney, P. F. Gay, L. Janes, J. K. Crawford, W. A. Reynolds, William Brandon, J. F. Humphrey, P. Swart, R. T. Milness, J. A. Burks, W. F. Wright, T. H. Agnew, A. L. Plowman, G. R. Newkirk, B. D. Wiley, F. S. Artz, M. L. Browning, W. O. Rouslı, G. N. Wilkerson, U. G. Johnston, and H. T. Willson. The following persons have served as superintendents of the Sunday school since its organization : James Ferguson, Mrs. M. J. Leisster, Charles Kingsolver, Philip Clements, W. H. Sabin, Lester Sabine, George W. Gebhart, Oliver DeMotte, M. R. Wetzel, and C. Drake. Two members of this charge were ordained to the ministry : H. G. Springstun, and G. W. McConkey. The Sunday school, Ladies' Aid, Standard Bearers, King's Heralds, Little Light Bearers, and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society are the principal associated societies. Worthy of mention in connection with the activities of the latter society are the gifts of $500 by Mrs. Lena Drake, deceased, and $300 by her sister, Florence Sadler, both funds to be used in the extension of the missionary work in foreign fields.
MILLERSVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was founded as a society in 1871, and in the following year the present church building was erected. The following named persons were trustees at that time: Thomas Miller, Jere- miah Maxwell, John Brain, Joseph Shaw, An- drew Barret, Samuel Dusenberry, George Miller, Fred R. Secrest, M. G. Okey. For a few years Millersville was a station. It was then joined to the Oconee, Assumption, Rosemond, and Owaneco circuits in the order named. In 1913 it was again made a station, but continued as
MR. AND MRS. JAMES GRAY
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
such for only one year, when it was joined with the Buckeye Church and became the Millers- ville circuit. The present trustees are: M. G. Okey, William Berry, N. H. Large, A. H. Barret, Ake Evans, William Barber, and J. E. Pence. Rev. J. L. Sturgell is now serving this thriving religious organization as pastor. The church now has a membership of 125. The Millers- ville church has always maintained one of the best aud most progressive Sunday schools in this county. Mr. A. W. Sutton is the present efficient superintendent.
MORRISONVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first church building of this organization was erected in 187S under the pastorate of Rev. J. R. Reasoner. Prior to that time the society met iu the homes of the members. The first building served the society as a house of worship more than thirty years, when it was decided that such a large and wealthy congre- gatiou deserved a better building. Accordingly, in 1910 there was erected one of the most beautiful church buildings in the country. It is modern in every respect, containing an ade- quate number of Sunday school rooms, which house a most progressive school. The base- ment, which extends under the entire house, contains a reception room, a dining room, and an elegantly appointed kitchen. This church has been served by the following pastors: J. R. Reasoner, 1878-81; E. L. Carlisle, 1SS1-84; S. Middleton, 1884-85; A. D. Moon, 1885-S8; M. L. Browning, 1888-S9; Abner Clark, 1889-91; Frank S. Artz, 1891-93; W. P. Bowman, 1893- 95; J. C. Keller, 1895-97; L. T. Walden, 1897- 99; F. L. Buck, 1899- 1901; T. O. Batey, 1901- 03; W. C. Woodyard. 1903-04: C. S. Boyd, 1904- 06; J. F. Ewert, 1907-OS; William Landis, 190S- 09; Charles A. Nyman, 1909-11; D. L. Jeffers, 1911-14; J. A. Beddle, 1914, the present pastor. The present officers are: Trustees, William Lowis, John Haywood, L. A. Haywood, L. A. Manning, William Kitchell, A. L. Stocks, Dr. C. M. Seaton, James McElroy, Kelly Howell, A. L. Kitchell; stewards, J. D. Lowis, W. W. Deming, N. T. Leigh, J. E. Haywood, F. T. Schweitzer, W. P. Jones, R. I. Leigh, Thomas Johnston, F. H. Woodward, Dr. M. L. Moomey, William Lowis, Levi Stretton.
THE GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH IN GREEN- WOOD TOWNSHIP. In 1867 Rev. Louis Harmel of Decatur came to what is now known as the Kettelkamp Settlement, in Greenwood Town- ship, on the South Fork, and held services for
the few German families of the Methodist faith in that neighborhood. At the conference in 1869 the congregation was combined with one at Bunker Hill, and served by Reverend Kriege of that place. At that time the congregation consisted of seven families, among whom the Kettelkamps have since shown themselves as most earnest workers for the upbuilding of the church, so much so that the immediate neigh- borhood of the church property has since been known as the Kettelkamp Settlement. At this time (1869), a church was built at au expense of about $3,000, which is still a part of the present edifice. In 1870 the congregation was separated from the Bunker Hill and received Rev. E. H. Kriege as first resident pastor. He served there until 1873. Since then the congre- gation has been served by the following pastors, many of whom have been noted in the church as preachers or administrators: Revs. Fred- erick Koenig, 1873-75; Philip Skaer, 1875-78; E. Ehlert, 1878-81; John Wanner, 1881-84; W. Fiegenbaum, 1884-87; Philip Skaer (second time), 1887-90; G. Stuckemann, 1890-92; W. C. Schultze, 1892-97; Theodore Kies, 1897-99; E. Hemke, 1899-1903; Peter Martin, 1903-05; John Rapp, 1905-09; Henry Ross, 1909-11; and since then Rev. H. Brandt has served the congrega- tion as minister. The parsonage was built in 1865, under the direction of Rev. F. Koenig, but was later enlarged by the addition of four rooms, under Reverend Wanuer. Under Rev- erend Schultze the church property was con- siderably enlarged and improved, besides being redecorated and refurnished at an expense of about $3,800. There are few country churches that have such a romantic and naturally beanti- ful sitnation or such a peaceful and lovely rural aspect as the German Methodist Episcopal Church on the South Fork. Situated on one of the main confluents of the Sangamon River, shaded by the giant trees of the original forest which the early settlers left for just this pur- pose, it has become noted among all the mem- bers of that church, and its camp meetings, conducted for many years as basket meetings, have drawn large numbers from all over Illi- nois and the neighboring states. The local con- gregation now consists of several hundred of the most wealthy and influential families in Greenwood Township and the neighboring county of Montgomery. In no other churchi can be found a more highly cultured and spiritual membership aud under the leadership of their
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
energetic and faithful pastor they are doing a most excellent and abiding work in that neigh- borhood.
ROSEMOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI. The Rosemond society was organized in 1867 and 18SO it was the head of a circuit consisting of Buckeye Chapel, Owaneco, Fairview and Rosemond. The society consisted of the follow- ing named members at the time of the organ- ization : Alexander Simpson, Eliza Simpson, Thomas Hartop, Anna Hartop, William W. Morrison, Ellen Morrison, Henry Bess and Nancy Bess. A house of worship was built in 1869 which was remodeled in 1907. A fine two- story parsonage with large grounds is located near the church. The following pastors have served this congregation : G. Miller, G. J. Barrett, J. M. West, J. E. Lindley, W. Murphy, T. M. Dillon, William McK. Gooding, C. E. McClintock, P. S. Swart and others whose names could not be obtained. Rev. H. M. In- gram is the present pastor.
THE PRAIRIE LEA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized about 1SSO and the pres- ent building was erected two years later. The first officers were as follows: A. A. Sidles, Neal Bowman, John Harmon, Edward Baughman and B. E. Rucker. At present this church has fifty- seven communicants. It is on a circuit with the Sharpsburg church. The present trustees are A. A. Sidles, W. J. McClosky, Elmer Baughman, Henry Ellrich, W. J. Harmon and Stewart Baughman. Rev. S. C. Pierce was pastor of the Sharpsburg and Prairie Lea charges from Sep- tember, 1912, to September, 1916. In 1916, Rev. Oscar Stewart received the appointment and is the present pastor. There is no record of pre- vious pastors.
KINCAID METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in the Kincaid bank building Novem- ber 19, 1914, Rev. M. G. Coleman of Taylorville presiding. Beginning with April, 1914, services were held by Rev. Coleman in a hall at Bulpitt, a village adjoining Kincaid on the west, and were held there continuously until completion of the large hall in Kincaid November, 1914, when the meetings were transferred to that place. The church was incorporated November 27, 1914. The first quarterly conference was hield May 17, 1915, Rev. Preston Wood, district superintendent, presiding. Steps toward build- ing a new church were taken at this conference.
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