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A PICTORIAL HISTORY of the METHODIST CHURCH of BURR OAK, KANSAS
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By the Junior Hi-Lites Class 1965
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Dedication
To Mrs. Mack Harris, in grateful recognition of her achievement in writing the original history from which many of these excerpts were taken.
In Appreciation
We wish to acknowledge the contributions of the many interested persons without whose help this book would not have been possible. To all who in any way added interesting items to be used we extend sincere thanks. For oral tradition, pictures, clippings, letters, books and documents we are indebted to Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gleason, Miss Eva Thomas, Robert Wellman and his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wellman, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Lewis, Ed Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Gillett, Mrs. Florence Pixler, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Johnson, Miss Lillian Judy, Mr. and Mrs. Derald Decker, Mr. and Mrs. Lyle McCammon, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Modlin, Mr. and Mrs. Harve Decker, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Fear- ing, Mrs. Eleanor O'Neal1, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Isaac, Mr. and Mrs. Halsey Pangborn, Mrs. Lela Dillon, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Wylie Knight, Mr . and Mrs. Lynn Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Pettit, Rev. Don O'Hara, Rev. Claude Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Beanblossom, Miss Edna Masters, Judd Gillett, Mr. and Mrs. Don Shoup, Rev. and Mrs. G. R. Alsobrooks, and Korwin Korb.
The Authors
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Cathy
Mary
The Junior Hi-Lites Sunday School Class 1964-1965
Members of the Junior Hi-Lites are the authors and compilers of this book. The class was studying the growth of the church from the time of Christ to the present. Margaret Aspegren, the teacher, suggested making a book for raising funds for added classroom space. The class went at it eagerly.
The members of the class are: Cheryl Decker, Diana Ost, Shelly Harris, Luanne Olena, Cynthia Knight, Bobby Korb, Cliff Silsby, Randy Fearing, Audra Ost, Patty Spatz, Mary Stepp, Cathy Gates and Renee Silsby.
Luanne
Audra
Cynthia
Randy
Bob
Cliff
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Diana
Shelly
Patty
Margaret
Renee
Cheryl
A History of The Methodist Church of Burr Oak, Kansas
Compiled by members of The Junior Hi-Lites Class of the Church School
Burr Oak became a town when a post office was estab- lished at the A. J. Godfrey cabin on June 29, 1871. In the fall of 1872, T. B. Carpenter brought his family to the new townsite, moving into the one room log cabin belonging to C. E. Lewis. The following summer, on June 12, 1873, his wife, Mary Carpenter, died. There being no church and no minister in Burr Oak at that time, Mr. Carpenter engaged E. Modlin to go to Jewell City and bring the Methodist minister, H. G. Breed, to his home to conduct the funeral service. This was the first Methodist service held in the community, although another Methodist, Elder Rose, had held a preaching service at the Godfrey cabin in the fall of 1871. Other ministers had held interdenominational meetings from time to time.
During the spring of 1873, Mr. Carpenter had erec- ted a story-and-a-half building for his stock of dry goods and groceries, and it was to the upper room of this building that the Reverend Mr. Breed returned two weeks after the funeral to organize a Methodist Church. Twelve persons joined this first class, and so it was that on June 28, 1873, the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Burr Oak, Kansas, was born. The names of the twelve were: E. Modlin, class leader, Hannah Modlin, H. B. O'Neal, Amanda O'Neal, W. H. Mahoney, R. R. Skeels, Susannah Skeels, T. B. Car- penter, Susannah McDonald, W. H. Huntington, Cath- erine Bennett and Thomas Lewis.
For several years meetings were held in the homes of members and in various buildings in the town. Mem- bership increased, and by 1880 plans were made for the building of Burr Oak's first house of worship. There was much talk of the coming of a railroad that year, and T. B. Carpenter and J. M. Quigley went to Atchison on business connected with the extension of the rail- road. While in Atchison, they raised nearly $250 by subscription among the wholesalers of Atchison and St. Joseph, Mo., to aid in building the church.
At a meeting in April, trustees were appointed to attend to the building plans. A subscription paper was put in circulation at once and met with liberal response. A location was chosen two blocks east of Main Street, the ground prepared and foundation laid. Laying of the cornerstone on Sept. 8, 1880, was a big event in Burr Oak. A large crowd had gathered for the occasion. Rev. J. M. Davidson of Beloit made the open- ing address on "The Civilizing and Refining Influence of Christianity on the Earth and on Communities". He was followed by Rev. G. H. Woodward, a former pastor of the church, who gave a short account of the progress of the Burr Oak church since its inception. Elder
J. H. Lockwood of Beloit made an address on "The Prac- tice of Laying Cornerstones; Antiquity of the Custom; Significance Attached To It".
Elder Lockwood then proposed to raise at this meet- ing the amount of $200 to help carry forward the work of building the church. He called on T. B. Carpenter, one of the trustees, to make a statement of the status of the work.
This report showed:
Cost of two lots and wall, laid for foundation 30 by 50 feet .. $150.00
Cost of lumber on ground. 600.00
Nails, painting, plastering. 150.00
Carpenter work 200.00
$1100.00
Cash on hand. 200.00
Amount subscribed 350.00
Balance needed 550.00
In response to a proposal to raise $100 in $25 sub- scriptions, donations were made by Dr. W. J. Ross, Rufus Wellman, and H. B. O'Neal. Then the ladies of the church "put their heads together" and agreed to form a Mite Society and raise the other $25. The proposition was then made to raise $50 in $10 sub- scriptions. This was easily done, and the amount of $100 was raised in this way. Then $2.50 and $1 subscriptions were taken and another $51 was raised.
The cornerstone was then laid with the usual cere- moni es. In it were placed a Bible, Hymnal, Disci - pline, subscription list, copy of the charter, a his- tory of the organization of the church, list of mem- bers, and a copy of the local newspaper, the Burr Oak Reveille.
The charter had been granted on April 5, 1880, and filed for record on April 7. The twelve persons who organized the church in the upper room at Carpen- ter's have usually been called the charter members. The membership at the time the charter was received had grown to a much larger number, all of whom, of course, were charter members. The only names appear - ing on the charter are those of the trustees, T. B. Carpenter, J. E. Hawley, S. D. Decker, J. T. Masters, J. W. Ruby, W. M. Spurlock, and E. Modlin.
The ladies organized their Mite Society in the fall of 1880. Mrs. W. J. Ross was the first president, Mrs. J. W. Ruby secretary and Mrs. G. R. Wellman treasurer. Mr. Carpenter had married Catherine Modlin, daughter of Elwood and Hannah Modlin, in 1874, and it was in the home of Catherine Carpenter that the Mite Society met for the first time.
Since times were hard, the building committee had thought it best not to include a steeple or vestibule in the building plans. Mrs. Carpenter thought the church should have a steeple with a vestibule below, so she guaranteed the funds to build it. The Mite Society circulated a paper around town to raise part
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of the money. They also raised $100 in Mankato in one day of soliciting in that neighboring town. They held a fund-raising dinner at the Mclain building, donating so much food that dinners were sold all the next day, raising an additional $60.
Shortly after the first of the year in 1881, a revival meeting was held in the uncompleted church under Rev. H. G. Breed. There were many converts, and forty-two new members gained. In March it was decided that Rev. Breed should return to Burr Oak for the succeeding year, and would move into town with his family. The Bishop, considering its grow- ing importance, changed Burr Oak from a circuit point to a station with a resident pastor.
It was nearly a year after the cornerstone lay- ing before the new church could be dedicated. Delays, mistakes in construction, high cost of materials and other difficulties arose. The final cost was nearly $2400.
It was Sunday, Aug. 21, 1881, that the new Meth- odist Church, then the only religious building ever constructed in Burr Oak, was dedicated. The church was crowded to capacity, and a large overflow com- pelled to remain outside. The ceremonies were con- ducted by Rev. O. J. Cowles, D. D., of Topeka, assis- ted by the pastor, Rev. H. G. Breed, Rev. J. H. Lock- wood of Beloit, Rev. G. H. Woodward of Mankato, and others.
When the services began the church was about $1050 in debt, but a collection was taken, subscriptions invited, and in a short time the full amount was rais- ed, with $50 to spare.
A revival following 'the dedication added seventy- one more names to the membership roll, making a total of one hundred fifty-seven members.
The first parsonage, which stood beside the church, was built in 1884, at a cost of approximately $400. In 1890 it was traded for the lot and building where the present parsonage now stands.
Rev. B. G. McCormick always used this quotation in his church notes in the Burr Oak Herald: "The World Would Lurch Without the Church". When, after a year or two, the editor suggested that he change it, he did so. The next week it appeared, "Without the Church the World Would Lurch".
One year during Bible school a boy's mother was questioning him about where his class met. "Did you go upstairs?" she inquired. "Oh, no," he responded, "God lives up there."
During the 1930's Katie Robertson's girls named their class The Amelia Class for Amelia Earhart. They received a letter from the famous flyer.
Rev. A. E. Hughes, who played the concertina, told this story of a small boy whom he sent to get it one time. The boy rushed to the parsonage and told Mrs. Hughes, "Your husband wants the constant screamer ."
Rev. G. R. Alsobrooks said on his first Sunday in Burr Oak, "I don't think the spirit of the Lord is in a Methodist church after twelve o'clock."
When Rev. Claude Johnson was here, one of his most impressive services was a watch party with a midnight communion on New Year's Eve.
In earlier days, Sunday School picnics held in the Faidley grove were a high light of the summer.
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The Twelve
It is symbolic that the first church established in this frontier community began when twelve Christians met in an upper room and laid the foundation for an organization which was to have a powerful influence on the future of the town. Pictured here are a few of those faithful twelve.
Mr. and Mrs. H.B. O'Neal and their three children. The small boy in the picture is Kelly O'Neal, to whose wife we are indebted for the use of this old tintype.
Thomas Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a young man when the church was organized. This pic- ture was taken thirty-six years later. (Picture courtesy Ed Lewis)
Robert R. Skeels. Mr. Skeels served on the board of the church for many years.
Susannah Skeels (Mrs. R.R. Skeels)
Members of THE TWELVE not pictured above are: Mr. and Mrs. E. Modlin, W. H. Mahoney, T. B. Carpenter, Suzannah McDonald, W. H. Huntington and Cath- erine Bennett.
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Dedication Day
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This picture was taken following the dedication ceremonies on Aug. 21, 1881.
In the picture are:
Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Wellman
Mr. and Mrs. H. Breckenridge Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Judy Mr. and Mrs. D. Beanblossom
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Mr. and Mrs. H. B. O'Neal
Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Skeels and others not known. (Contributed by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gleason)
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408 M. E. Church, Burr Oak, Kansas
This picture, also lent by Mr. and Mrs. Gleason, was taken in 1912 just before the building was moved to make room for the brick church.
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Some Early Methodists
Pictured on the next two pages are a few of the people who made it possible to maintain a church in Burr Oak before the end of the nineteenth century.
The G. R. Wellman family was prominent in the church from its early days. Mr. Wellman helped to raise the money to build the first place of worship in 1880, contributing heavily himself. In 1912 when the beautiful brick edifice was constructed, Mr. Well- man paid one fifth of the entire cost of the building. He is reported to have said that the white steer which he gave toward the building in 1880 was a greater sac- rifice at the time than the generous sum contrubuted in 1912.
Mr. and Mrs. Harve J. Grubbs were faithful Meth- odists from the time of their marriage in 1883. Mr. Grubbs' name appears in the old records every year as one of those who contributed to the support of the minister. His son Homer in later years sang in the choir of the new church.
William and Phoebe Lewis were among the earliest members, joining the church in 1873. They were con- stant members, and their names appear often in the church records. They were the parents of Ed Lewis, grandparents of Emmett and Russell Lewis, whose child- ren therefor are fourth generation members of the church.
Cal Lewis, of whose wife Belle no picture was available, also joined the church in the seventies. The Carpenter family lived in his cabin until they built their store, and Charley Lewis, Cal's son, states that it was in this cabin that some of the earliest meetings of the church were held. Mrs. Homer Grubbs is a daughter of Cal Lewis. Homer Lewis Grubbs and Charley Lewis' daughter, Mrs. Gale Tegley are third generation members. Mrs. Gary Han- cock is a fourth generation member.
William and Jennie Riner joined the church in 1873 also. From the time they joined they became part of the "backbone" of the church. They are present in some of the group pictures in this his- tory, as are some of the other members pictured here.
Pictures Courtesy Ed Lewis
William & Phoebe Lewis 1867
Cal Lewis
Wm. & Jennie Riner 1867
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The Growing Church 1886 to 1892
The earliest record in the church files in the Stewards' Book purchased in 1886. The list of trust- ees in than year was: J. M. Hotchkiss, C. S. Pang- born, Frank Case, R. R. Skeels, T. B. Carpenter, A.S. Judy, and W. P. Flood.
The pastor was George W. Wood. He was paid by sub- scription, and the papers were apparently circulated among the business houses, as the names of several firms are fould on the list each year. Those recorded as pledging money for the minister's support in 1886 were: R. R. Skeels, Wm. Riner, D. J. Kiser, H. J. Grubbs, Daniel Skeels, Alex S. Judy, H. Breckenridge, D. F. Jennings, Williamson and Cummings, James M. Thomas, F. S. Drummond, David Beanblossom, David Bullington, Frank Case, D. H. Solly, A. W. Mann, A. Bailey, B. F. Royer, C. L. Knapp, S. W. Vinton, W. J. White, Morris & Carhill, F. M. Drake, H. L. Doty, J. T. Dick, L. N. Wilson, W. M. Heaston, J.N. Green, D. VanBaren, W. P. Flood, E. White, Jesse Drake Boyer & Bentley, Peter B. Spears, C. S. Pangborn, B.F. Duncan, J. M. Burt, J. W. Epperson, T. B. Carpenter, S. B. McClerkin, Isa. F. Hodson,
Duncan, J. M. Burt, J. W. Epperson, T. B. Carpenter, S. B. McClerkin, Isa. F. Hodson, A. E. Mier, J. E. Hawley, Chas. Russell & Co., M. Weil, J. B. Wilbur, Frank Gilbert, James Weyand, Hannah Drake, H. F. Faid- ley, Mrs. Clayton, H. B. O'Neal.
In 1887 a new minister, E. H. Fleischer, came to the church. New names were added to the subscription list. Among them were: W. H. Mahoney, Wesley Clem- ons, Miss Fogo, Maggie Hartley, Daniel King, Phoebe Lewis, John Mckinney, Sarah Totten, A. D. Cox, B. W.
Lathrop, B. H. Johnson, H. Modlin, Ruby Ensign, W.B. Greenside, John Royer, Roy Gibbs, Jas. Lawrence, Ben Darling, Mrs. McCormick, Seth Hoag, and Jones William- son.
Names added in 1888 were: E. O. W. Smith, Mrs. Liedloff, Miss Nellie Noyes, J. C. Modlin, G. R. Well- man, A. S. Johnston, Allen Cummings, E. L. Shaw, C. M. Ross, Jane Dale, and E. Reeves.
In 1889 Rev. J. C. Walker came to Burr Oak, where he remained^for many years. This year also records the names of former workers and many more were added. The Dick family apparently decided that the children should learn early to support the church as the names of J. T. Dick, Catherine Dick, G. L. Dick, India, Alice and Lizzie are all recorded as having contri- buted. Alice later became the mother of Elmer Alex- ander. India was the mother of Enola Howard and Mrs. Ted Isaac, present day members, and of Dean Belt whose son Olin entered the ministry from this church.
Olin's daughter, Alicia Kay Belt, was a fourth gen- eration member. Also added to the record in 1889 was the name of Carrie Nappin who later became Mrs. J. J. Gillett. This was the first year of service to her church, to which she and her family have added a long record over the years. Other names recorded for the first time in 1889 were: Melvin Pangborn, Della Dale, Minnie Dale, Jane King, G. W. Alexander, C. E. Dick, J. K. Chaney, Nellie Alexander, Mrs. Hart- ley, and Fred Abel. Fred was the father of Henry Abel, grandfather of John and great grandfather of Elizabeth.
Harve J. Grubbs
Mary (Skeels) Grubbs
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Contributors added in 1890 were: Charles Carp- enter, W. C. Moon, Cora Liedloff, W. N. Hill, Nathan Creps, W. E. Jones, W. E. Bush, Norris & Monbeck, Isaiah Totten, D. J. Kiser, Mrs. Mattie Duncan, E. P. Hotchkiss, Ellen Gilbert, Ellen Green, Mrs. Roth, Willie Roth, Mrs. C. E. Lewis, and J. E. Faidley.
Names added in 1891 were: Sime Forney, Al Brakey, W. Coyner, T. P. O'Brien, David Lantz, C. W. Good, Mrs. D. Kirk, L. Estep, T. M. Buckles, Mrs. Keeland, and Mrs. Harley. In that year Mrs. Jessie McCormick carried a subscription paper and did quite well among the ladies.
In 1892 new names on the list were: Dan Monbeck, Mrs. Susan Hovey, W. B. Sutliff, Clark Morris, George Carhill, C. H. Modlin, and David Convis.
Here the old record ends. It must be remembered that the above lists of names were not membership lists, but names of persons signing pledges or con- tributing funds to "pay the preacher".
A newspaper clipping from the Burr Oak Herald of March 22, 1894, lists the newly elected officers of the M. E. Church as: Class Leader, Nathan Creps; Sunday School Supt., Mrs. Ida Epperson; Stewards, Mrs. Fannie Hotchkiss, Miss Nellie Noyes, E. Modlin, W. P. Moore, and J. H. Baker; Trustees, R. R. Skeels, Nathan Creps, B. F. Royer, A. S. Judy, H. J. Grubbs, C. L. Carpenter, and James Dick.
The next record book available was purchased in 1908, and these words are written on the fly leaf :
"The record was lost Sept. 1906. The following lists of pastors' names was furnished by Mrs. Sarah Skeels. The names of members were entered by W. A. Van Gundy Jan. 1908. These names were secured by the members giving to the pastor their names & the dates so far as they could remember. This leaves the record very imperfect concerning members who have died or moved away, etc. Also some of the members cannot re- member when or under whom they united with the church."
Following this is a list of the twelve original members and the names of pastors from 1880. These are listed elsewhere in this history.
In spite of a brave beginning, few names were placed in the record. The few recorded are: Trus- tees, R. R. Skeels, G. R. Wellman, A. S. Judy, Fred Wilsman, J. W. Hotchkiss, R. R. Richardson, M. M. Decker, Byron Hill, and H. J. Grubbs. Stewards: Mrs. R. R. Skeels, Byron Hill, J. F. Robertson, Lillie Mann, Mary Varney, R. R. Hansen, and G. E. Bentley. Frances Pangborn was president of the Epworth League, Mrs. A. S. Judy president of the Womens' Foreign Miss- ionary Society, and Hannah Wilson was president of the Ladi es' Aid. Other names recorded in the same hand- writing were: Mrs. R. R. Hansen, Miss Tana Decker, Miss Marie Epperson and Miss Delia Gillett. On the
same page but added at a later date are the names of T. W. Cline, Lillian Judy (Deaconess), J. C. Walker, Chas. Carpenter, John Gleason, and Mrs. R. R. Rich- ardson. Presumably these are all members of the Official Board, serving in various capacities.
On the next page we find listed the trustees for 1926-27. These are: Frank Robertson, R. R. Skeels, Alex Judy, Fred Wilsman, J. M. Tegley, Lyle Wood, Bert Ross, Otis Beenblossom, T. W. Cline, and R. R. Hansen.
On the following page are listed the members of the Official Board for 1939 as follows: Dallas W. Davis, Frances Davis, J. F. Robertson, R. R. Rich- ardson, G. C. Modlin, L. A. Pixler, Elmer Alexander, Florence Alexander, C. H. Pixler, Loren Fogo, Judd Gillett, Darlene Zoberst, Della Garber, Elsie Call- ahan, Katie Robertson, Tana Sabin, Ola Beanblossom, Daisy Clark, H. A. Modlin, Ed Wilsman, O. A. Bean- blossom, Leo A. Beanblossom, Ethel Terrill and Ruth Richardson.
Records apparently have been kept on a hit-or-miss basis, names and other information being entered in the books only occasionally. Obviously, it would be impossible to list in this history the names of all the hundreds of loyal Methodists who have contributed to the growth of the Burr Oak church. The authors used all the material and pictures lent them, but some readers will be sure to notice gaps in the story.
Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Wellman Guy, Clifford, and Robert
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Turn of the Century and After
Sarah Skeels
Mrs. Skeels was a devoted and con- stant worker, president of the Ladies' Aid for several years and a Sunday School teacher.
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Early Methodist Women Mrs. R. R. Skeels, Mrs. Mary Rob- ertson, Mrs. Mary Richardson, Mrs. Roxy Graves.
(left) Early Church Workers and Their Mothers
1 Mattie Mann, Alice Hiatt Wilson, Lillian Judy, Tana Decker Sabin with Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Skeels, and Mrs. Judy.
(All items on this page contributed by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gleason)
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Turn of the Century and After
Mr. and Mrs. George Alexander, Verlin, Harold and Elmer ( taken in 1910)
Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Gillett, Clayton, Clela, Henrietta, Nat, Elton, and Delia. Douglas and Judd had not yet been born. Carrie Nappin Gillettoften told of getting the childred ready for church and walking with them to the service from the home north of town.
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Turn of the Century and After
In 1907 a new parsonage was erected. The building purchased in 1890 had been sold and moved from the lot, and the new parsonage was built at the same location.
In 1913 the members of the Ladies' Aid Society entertained a group of elder citizens at the parsonage. The picture below (lent by Miss Eva Thomas) was taken on that day.
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Pictured are: front row, left to right, son of Frank Green, Mrs. J. C. Walker, Frances Wood and her mother, Mrs. C. E. Wood, Alice Alexander, Helen Green, Dan Monbeck. Second row, Mrs. Dan Monbeck, Mrs. B. Hill, Mrs. Eb Hill, Mrs. W. Wertz, Mrs. Herd, Mrs. Emory, Mrs. Korb, Mrs. Beanblossom, Mrs. Wilson. Third row, Mrs. Cal Lewis, Mrs. Hotchkiss, Mrs. C. J. Canfield, Mrs. Dora Sanders, Mrs. Mary Robertson, Mrs. A. S. Judy, Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Church, Mr. Herd, Mr. Wertz. Back row, Mrs. Hutchinson, Rev. J. C. Walker, Rev. C. E. Wood, Jim Hotchkiss, Mr. Richardson, and in the rear, A. S. Judy.
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More Early Methodists
Mrs. Anna Louise Decker was a charter member of the "Cheerful Workers Class" of the M. E. Church and a member of the Missionary Society. Her letter was transferred from Henderson Chapel to Burr Oak when she came to Burr Oak. Mother of Harve and Bill Decker, she was the grandmother of Derald Decker and of Mrs. Lee Garman. Great grandchildren are Terry, Bob, and Carla Garman, and Cheryl Decker, one of the authors of this book.
Mrs. Joseph Olena was converted in an old fash- ioned revival meeting held in the Burr Oak M. E. Church in December, 1880. Mrs. Olena's great gran- daughter is Luanne Olena, one of the authors of this book.
Cheerful Workers Sunday School Class, 1913
Mrs. Ladwig, Mrs. F. Wilsman, Mrs. J. L. Graves, Mrs. A. S. Judy, Mrs. Beachly, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Grubbs, Mrs. Moorman, Mrs. J. C. Walker, Mrs. Ensign, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Mary Verney, Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Canfield, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Bently, Mrs. Zumbum, Mrs. Bechtold, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Skeels, Mrs. Sanders, and a few others not known. Mrs. Varney, teacher. (Contributed by Mrs. John S. Gleason)
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Mrs. Willard Smith with her parents, Joseph and Margaret Werts. Mrs. Smith is the mother of Mrs. Harve Decker and grandmother of Derald, whose daughter Cheryl is one of the authors of this book. Thus, five generations of the Werts family and decendents have attended this church. A photo of the Smiths appears below.
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Mr. and Mrs. Willard Smith and Gerald, with Mr. Mathias and his daughter Amy. Mr. Mathias and Amy worked in the Smith store, and the above picture was made for use on a calendar given to customers by the store in 1909. Mrs. Smith was an early church worker, serving as president of the Ladies' Aid. Miss Mathias was church organist and secretary-treasurer of the Sunday School.
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An Important Year --- 1912
Early in the twentieth century the congregation became too large for the little white frame church. A new building was under contemplation for several years. Several thousand dollars had been subscribed when, on Dec. 4, 1911, it was definitely decided to build. During 1912 the present brick building was constructed. The pastor that year was Rev. C. E. Wood. R. R. Skeels, J. N. Hotchkiss and G. R. Well- man were the building committee. Total cost of the new church was $16,000.
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