USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 26
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1895 W. S. Vandervort reported that 44 united with the church, 25 of them being heads of families. Rev. Gunn and his wife assisted the pastor, J. M. Sexton, in a series of meetings in which 93 professed conver- sion and 46 united with the church. The evangelists were found to be good safe helpers. She was especial- ly successful with the young people. A Junior League of 40 members was organized.
Report of 1917: Church, $11,000; parsonage, $1,- 000; F. members, 219; Prep., 5; current Exp., $172; ministerial support pastor, $900; D. S., $72; bishops, $17; C. C's., $45; Benev. F. Ms., $47; Home, $33; S. S. T's. & O's., 26; Enrl., 236; Exp., $150; Ep. L. Sr., 55.
Jewell.
With the exception of items gleaned from the "Central" and notes, as to present conditions sent by the 1916 pastor, J. W. Bates, the historian is indebted wholly to a conference program prepared and publish- ed by J. C. Postlethwait, in 1906, when the Conference met at Jewell.
The first public gathering held in Jewell County was a Fourth of July celebration, held under an arbor of boughs, July 4, 1870. The first load of lumber had arrived the day previous. Shortly after this another congregation assembled under an elm tree near the southeast corner of the town site, and a local preacher named Rose, conducted a religious service. Services were conducted at intervals until the coming of the first pastor H. G. Breed, appointed by the Kansas Con- ference. He will tell his own story. He says: "At the session of the Missouri Conference in 1872, I was transferred to the Kansas Conference, and appointed to Jewell City, the county seat of Jewell Co. I arrived here on the first day of April and found the people busy building business houses and places for their own habitation.
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My first appointment was announced for April 14, 1872. There was no church in which to hold service, but the unoccupied business houses were open, and a goodly number of attentive listeners were present. The first Quarterly meeting was held in a little building near where the Republican is now printed. James Lawrence was the presiding elder. I asked him how far my work extended west. He said, "Go until you strike another man." I soon found there was no work in the west, nearer than Denver. It seems however that Rev. G. S. Dearborn, presiding elder of the Man- hattan District, had previously held, what had been called a quarterly meeting, in the home of R. R. Mc- Clung near the close of 1870. This could hardly have been a quarterly meeting for there had been no organ- ization effected, and could therefore have been no offi- cers. Suppose, since it was held by a presiding elder, it must have been a quarterly meeting.
E. D. Heinecke tells of the organization of the society. He says, "The first service for worship which I attended, was near East Buffalo Creek on Brother John Hoffer's claim. The services were conducted by H. G. Breed, the second Sunday in July 1871. There was no organization as yet in Jewell county. Services were held in various places, round the town site, in the open air, when the weather was favorable; some- times in Brother H. C. Jenning's "red front" building. The first M. E. Church, of Jewell City, was organized April 29, 1874. The board of trustees were J. W. George, president; E. T. Byram, secretary ; B. F. Wal- lace, treasurer; A. H. Mead, P. H. Early and E. D. Heinecke. The charter was granted June 6 of that year. A donation of $200 and a loan of $400 was ob- tained from the Church Extension Society. Two hun- dred dollars were borrowed from the Marshall County Bank of Waterville for 90 days, at two and a half per cent. per month. Later $250 were borrowed from
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Mrs. Leland, for six months at twelve per cent. per annum. H. G. Breed made out the bill for the mater- ial.
Native timber for the frame was purchased from Mr. Mahon, on White Rock. Pine lumber, shingles, doors and windows were brought from Waterville, a distance of one hundred twenty miles. This was hauled by men who volunteered to do the hauling with- out charge.
The church was built by P. H. Early at $2.50 per day. A. H. Mead did the plastering and made a liberal donation. In his report to the Conference of 1874 the presiding elder had the following to say concerning Jewell: "A combination of adverse circumstances pre- vented the brethren from going on with the church, in Jewell City, which was commenced last year, but, by revivals, the circuit almost doubled its membership, reporting 88 members and 71 probationers. The charge also reports $12 for missions, the only collec- tion taken."
The report for 1875 shows that $1000 were raised for church building and $520 for pastor's salary. One of the adverse conditions referred to above, was the grasshopper raid in July. Breed says of it: "After we had the house up and nearly enclosed, we were met by hot winds and clouds of grasshoppers. While I was helping put on the roof, I had to pull down the rim of my hat to keep the hoppers out of my eyes, and the wind was so hot, I had to do the same thing to keep it from burning my neck." In 1875 the report shows $1000 raised for church building and $520 for the pastor's salary.
In the Central of March 18, 1891, A. B. Comwell reported that A. J. Markley assisted him in a series of meetings at which the church was quickened and a number converted. October 1893 H. M. Mayo report- ed special services in which he was assisted by B. E.
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Shawhan, great congregations came from the sur- rounding country. Noon-day prayer meetings were well attended. Fifty-three united with our church, and a number went into the other churches. Two- thirds of these converted were men.
March 1904 F. N. Willis reported that the par- sonage had been remodeled at a cost of $1550, and the Q. C. had requested his return. November of the same year, special services were held with the assistance of J. M. Iliff of the E. Ohio Conference. Twenty-three joined the church. W. H. Neill held a four weeks' meeting in December 1906, in which more than 20 were converted and backsliders were reclaimed. Other local pastors assisted in the services. More than $1000 were raised for church purposes ; a furnace was installed, a cement walk built and an old debt paid.
In February 1910 during the pastorate of L. O. Housel, the church, having been remodeled at a cost of $2700, was rededicated. J. M. Iliff preached in the morning and L. E. Rockwell at night. The evangeli- cal and Christian congregations attended in the even- ing, and their pastors extended hearty greetings. The local paper reported that the day was a great success.
January 14, 1914, J. R. Thomas, pastor, reported congregations large and growing in interest. The Sun- day School well attended. The Graded Lessons are improving the conditions. Reports of the S. S. Mis- sionary Society is the best in its history. Last month's collection was $12.00. Condition of the charge in 1916 was as follows:
Membership of church, 235; non resident mem- bers, 20; number in all departments of S. S., 213; No. in Epworth League, 38; No. in Junior League, 42; No. in W. F. M. S., 53. Official board: Trustees L. S. Grumm, W. J. Carpenter, W. A. Matson, A. L. Stan- ley, C. W. Mecalf, C. F. Glick, W. C. Palmer, A. C. Ely, W. W. Nixon; S. S. Supt., W. A. Matson;
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Stewards: N. Kramer, Pearl Cluster, Irma Nixon, W. W. Nixon, A. C. Ely; Pres. Epworth League, Kather- ine Zipse; Pres. W. F. M. S., Mrs. W. C. Calmer; Supt. Junior League, Mrs. A. C. Ely; Pres. Ladies' Aid, Mrs. Alice Ruggles ; first officers of W. F. M. S. were: Pres. Mrs. Baker; Effie Peters, Sec .; Mrs. Frank Rug- gles, Treas. The Sunday School uses the Graded Les- sons except the Juniors and adult classes.
There are three organized classes. Most interest is shown by the one called "The Country Club." Church, $10,000; parsonage, $3500; Exp., $375; full members, 231; Prep., 4; salaries, pastor, $1700; D. S., $113; bishop, $25; C. C's., $71; Benev. F. Ms., $223; H. Ms., $150; Gd. total, $1747; S. S. O's. & T's., 29; Enrl., 273; Av., 141; Exp., $325; Ep. L. Sr., 52; Jr., 46; W. F. M. S., $118; W. H. M. S., $12.
Kensington.
In 1893 G. W. Hood was appointed to Kensington that being the first time this name appeared in the list of appointments. The charge has since been serv- ed as follows : '94, G. W. Hood; '95, F. D. Funk; '96-7, B. W. Hollen; '98-9, M. J. Bailey; 1900, D. Reese; 1901-2, C. A. Davis; '03-5, A. C. Henslee; '06, I. L. Clark; '07, W. M. Shular; '08, A. W. James; '09, J. M. Sexton ; '10, L. E. Cook; '11, G. M. Callaway; '12, A. H. Christensen; '13-14, T. M. Brimlow; '15-16, A. D. Rice; '17, B. C. Wolfe.
The minutes of 1894 reported both a church and parsonage. The church was valued at $2000 and the parsonage at $500. There were 121 full members and 11 probationers and two local preachers. In '95 there were three Sunday Schools having 27 teachers and of- ficers and 210 scholars. In 1908 the parsonage was improved bringing the valuation to $1600; and in 1912 it was further improved increasing the value $400. In 1910 both an Epworth and Junior League were organ-
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ized. The former reported 20 members and the Jun- iors 19. There is a school house appointment, Cedar Valley, which paid last year $225 on the salary. In May 1910 L. E. Cook, pastor, reported that the good people of Kensington surprised the pastor and his family with a Pound Party which was a very pleasant affair. In October 1912, the pastor, A. E. Christen- sen, assisted by C. A. Fisher held a two weeks' meet- ing; 15 were converted or reclaimed. The pastor, in his report noted that the preaching of Fisher and the presence and help of Thomas Muxlow were very help- ful in the services.
The present pastor led the church and community in a very worthy building enterprise which resulted in providing the Methodists of Kensington with a neat attractive commodious church. It is built of light gray brick laid in black mortar, trimmed with red brick; and provides on the main floor an auditorium 40x40 and four class rooms, a pastor's study, mother's room and vestibule. The gallery contains four class rooms and a Sunday School secretary's room. In the basement there are two furnace rooms, a class room, and a commodious banquet hall. The pews and fur- nishings are of mission oak.
A $4000 pipe organ is the gift of Mr. Henry Water- man, a member of the building committee. The gift is a memorial to his wife.
The church was dedicated Oct. 7, 1917 by President J. F. Harmon. A number of former pastors were present and assisted in the services. The Lovefeast was led by M. J. Bailey who was pastor when the first church was built. L. E. Cook, C. A. Davis and T. M. Brimlow were present and took part in the services. There was no subscription taken, the funds having been fully provided. Basket collections were taken morning and evening amounting to $247.77.
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Statistics for 1917 show as follows: Church, $2000; parsonages, $2000; members, 126; Cur. Exp., $400; pastor, $1350; D. S., $88; bishop, $20; C. C's., $55; F. Ms., $60; H. Ms., $60; Gd. total, $887. Two Sunday Schools O's. & T's., 32; Enrl, 282; Av., 160; Ep. L. Sr., 20; W. F. Ms., $61.
Lebanon.
The first Methodist service held in the vicinity of Lebanon was in the dugout of G. W. Peer, a half mile N. W. of the present site of the town. Rev. J. T. Stones was the preacher. It was in the fall of 1875. B. G. Andrews furnished the inspiration for this meeting. Having heard there was a preacher living in the north part of the county he and a Brother Sweem started out in a lumber wagon to find him. They finally reached his dugout and brought him to the Andrews home that night. The next morning a number of persons started out to inform the settlers there would be meetings at the Peer home, that night. The house was crowded and the meetings were con- tinued from night to night for two weeks, when a class of nearly forty persons was organized. Follow- ing this another meeting was held and the Mt. Hope class was formed. Soon after another class was organ- ized at the home of W. Porter who kept the post office, and shortly after another was formed at the Allen school house, and still another at Highland.
Stones and Bonnett continued to preach at these several points, until the next session of the annual conference, when J. T. Stones was appointed to the Mt. Hope Circuit. B. G. Andrews furnishes the following list, as a part of the charter members of the first class that was organized at the Peer home. G. W. Peer and wife, Emma, May and Myrtle Peer, Clark Welden and wife, G. H. and Ida Welden, Ed. Williams and wife, Ed. and Susan Sweem, B. G. Martha and M. D. An-
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drews, Minnie Andrews, J. E. Andrews and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Rice.
The first church was erected in 1890 at a cost of $1500. F. D. Funk was the pastor. The trustees were Clark Welden, Nathan Smith, W. E. Strever, R. G. Hunter and G. A. Tomlinson.
The first parsonage was erected in 1893. Lebanon appears in the Conference Minutes first in 1886. H. E. Pickel pastor. The following men served the charge in order. Milton Allen (supply) supply name not given, F. D. Funk, C. R. Flowers, G. H. Moulton, S. L. Se- mans, J. M. Willis, J. P. Allen, C. H. Muse, G. H. Christenbury, L. B. Tremain, W. M. Carter, Onstott, C. A. Fisher, C. E. Hall, T. M. Brinlaw, C. E. Spauld- ing.
E. V. Allen, son of W. R. Allen, who was one of the early pioneers of Western Kansas relates a bit of his own experience which was of vital importance in the early organization of the Lebanon charge. He re- iates his part in the event as follows: "In the village of Old Lebanon, which was four miles south of the present town, there was an unoccupied mill building owned by Mr. Frank Hall. In June 1886, I, a youth of seventeen, leased this building and fitted it up for a Sunday School room. Twenty persons soon enroll- ed in the school. Later, the number increased to forty. J. F. Johnson who was just entering the ministry, took up the work and organized a class. A house was bought for the pastor, and Lebanon was the head of the charge. About a year later the Rock Island R. R. gave the town a new location; and the old village began mobilization. The parsonage was in the van, but the new town school house became the meeting place for the S. S. and church services. F. D. Funk was one of the first to preach in the new town."
As might be expected, the young man who was the chief actor in the above enterprise a few years later,
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became a member of the N. W. Kansas Conference. In 1911 he transferred to the Kansas Conference, and is now stationed at Morganville in that Conference. In 1889 F. D. Funk was pastor. He served the charge two years; and reported a four weeks' meeting at Mt. Zion, in which there were twenty accessions. The first service in the new church was held March 9, 1899. He reported 100 accessions during the year, twelve by letter.
Funk was followed by James Flowers who also re- mained two years; and was succeeded by G. H. Moul- ton. He reported a Children's Day collection, June 21, 1893 amounting to $21.85; and he received a gold enameled league watch chain. The old church was sold to the Campbellites. The parsonage was also sold, and a new one is to be built. March 28, 1894, he reported that 143 had joined during the year just clos- ing. A new church and parsonage had been built. The church was wrecked by a storm but had been repaired.
Three thousand eight hundred forty-five dollars had been raised and expended, on church and parsonage; and $148 had been raised for benevolences. The league had a membership of 56 and the Junior League of 58. Lebanon has frequently enjoyed very gracious seasons of revival. Of one of these Rev. L. B. Tremain gives the following account :
In the fall of 1907, the greatest revival of my min- istry occured in Lebanon. That was my fourth year on the charge, and I felt that I could not even under- take to be my own evangelist; so the official board gave me the privilege of employing an evangelist. Twice I had a partial promise of help, but both times some- thing occured to thwart the plans; and I was ready to give up in despair. Finally I determined to announce on a Sunday morning, that there would be special serv- ices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights for the good of the church. The interest was so great I was
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encouraged to announce meetings for Thursday and Fright nights. On Friday night one of the faithful Sunday School workers, Mrs. George Porter, brought a young girl, a member of her class, to the altar, and she was prayed into the kingdom. The following Sun- day morning, a Mr. Weaver, the proprietor and man- ager of one of the best hotels that Lebanon ever had, was reclaimed by the power of God. His reclamation made some very interesting changes in his place of business. That Sunday night, a prominent stockman (Mr. Andy Lull), who subsequently became president of the First National Bank with much fear and trem- bling, brought a splendid young man to the altar. This seemed to be the final stroke that made possible a far- reaching and most glorious revival. Others came that same night and were converted. The meetings were announced to continue for a few nights longer. This plan was repeated several times.
There was deep, conviction almost from the begin- ning. The Holy Spirit seemed to grapple with men, and reproved them of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. One business man was converted while rid- ing alone in his buggy, while out trying to collect store bills. As soon as he returned home he came to the parsonage and with deep emotion told his pastor of his wonderful experience.
One woman who had rebelled against God was com- pelled to get out of her bed, after she had retired for the night, and pray until she was saved. Then she woke her husband and had him join in celebrating her deliverance from the power of sin. The following night her companion was wonderfully saved.
At another time four old people, between the ages of sixty and seventy-five were kneeling at the altar at the same time. All were saved that same night. Two of them have since gone on to receive their crown.
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The pastor did all the preaching, and the music was furnished by faithful members of the church. Brother Van Bell, a member of the local church, having charge of the music. Before this meeting came to a close one hundred and fifteen persons had bowed at the altar and confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. Among them were some of the leading business men of Leb- anon. Seventy-five of these were finally received into full membership in the church. Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Other pastors also had great success in revivals, and reported converts as follows: Stones, 40; Funk, 80; Fisher, 40; Brimlow, 20; these were all numbers furnished, but other pastors had seals to their min- istry.
The present church was built during the pastorate of Tremain and dedicated by T. C. Iliff in the winter of 1906-7. The church is 46-60, brick veneer; has au- dience room, class rooms and study with folding doors between, art glass windows, three memorial, one large, two small. Ladies' Aid put in large one, others in memory of former workers. By cooperation of pas- tor and people, the church was built in nine months and paid for.
The trustees were Nathan Smith, Andy Lull, S. Bell, H. F. Nichols, and Geo. Snow. The present offi- cials are as follows: Trustees, Andrews, Lull, Van Bell, George Snow, George Welden, Martin May; Stewards, A. Lull, Van Bell, Mrs. Lull, Mrs. Snow, Mrs. Weldon, Mrs. Nicholas; Mrs. Weldon, president Ladies' Aid; Mrs. John Adams, president of W. H. M. S .; Mrs. George Gordon, Sunday School superintend- ent; Miss Marvel Bell, president Epworth League. Ladies' Aid numbers 15, W. H. M. S. 25.
Statistics for 1917 are as follows: Value of church, $8000; parsonage, $3000; Exp., $240; full members, 175 ; Prep., 2 salaries, pastor, $1400; D. S., $96; bishop,
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$23; C. C's. $60; Benev. F. Ms., $107; H. Ms., $44; Gd. total, $778; S. S. O's. & T's, 21; Enrl., 215; Av., 90; Exp., $130; Ep. L. Sr., 15; W. H. M. S., 25; Ladies Aid, 15.
Mankato.
The first religious services in Mankato were held by C. G. Chrysler of White Rock, in the spring of 1873. In the fall of the same year Rev. B. W. Hollen preached twice and Rev. Peason of Sepo, Kansas preached three times and organized the first Methodist class; D. J. Vance, leader.
Rev. Pucket was the next preacher and the serv- ices were held in the school house recently finished.
Jewell Center appears in the Conference appoint- ments first in 1877 and G. W. Woodward was named as the pastor. He was not at that time a member of Conference but served this charge three years under the presiding elder, W. J. Mitchell.
In 1880 J. H. Lockwood was appointed to the dis- trict and J. R. Shultz to Jewell Center. During his pastorate a charter was obtained for the church and W. S. Chapman, N. G. Chilcott, H. B. White, P. B. Hulse and D. J. Vance were named as trustees.
Mankato Circuit.
This name appears in the Conference appointments in 1889 and was repeated in 1890 and '91. A Ells, a local preacher, supplied it the first two years. The first year he did not report statistics, except that he received a salary of $260. The second year, he re- ported a membership of 67 full members and 19 pro- bationers, and a Sunday School with an enrollment of forty. They paid $6 for missions and the same sum for the other benevolences; and paid the pastor $262.
Joseph Adams was the pastor in 1891. He was a worthy promising young man, but the membership re-
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ported was fifteen short of the previous year, but there were nine more probationers. The Sunday School enrollment was the same as the previous year. They paid the pastor $294 and gave $26 for missions and $23 to the other benevolences. A very creditable showing for so small a charge.
Mankato Circuit now drops from the list of ap- pointments and does not appear again until 1914, when D. H. Colvin was appointed pastor. Whether the charge consists of the same points as those which constituted the circuit in 1889 the writer is unable to say. They may be the same or they may be entirely different. Mankato circuit has not been once named in the reports of circuit charges, in the Conference Minutes, and although he has made frequent appeals for information none has come, either from the pastor or the district superintendent. All he can learn con- cerning the work must be gathered from the Confer- ence Minutes.
Colvin's first report states there were three Sun- day Schools having 24 officers and teachers and an en- rollment of 374 and an average attendance of 225. There were 92 full members and they paid the pastor $815 and contributed for missions $12. There were three churches valued at $4000. The report for 1917 is as follows :
Three churches, $5000; no parsonage; expense not given; full members, 83; support pastor, $455; D. S., $28; bishop, $5; C. C's., $17; F. Ms., $15; H. Ms., $12; Gd. total, $100; 3 S. S. O's. & T's., 22; Enrl., 164; Av., 104; Exp. not given; no W. F. M. S. or W. H. M. S .; no Ep. L.
Miltonvale.
Miltonvale became a pastoral charge in 1882, at the organization of the N. W. Kansas Conference. It was supplied the first year by J. M. Hoober. The name
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has been retained in the records of the conference with the following assignments: '83-4, W. S. Morrison; '85-6, S. L. Semans; '87, G. W. Winterburn; '88-90, H. M. Mayo; '91-2, C. V. Penn .; '93-5, J. H. Laird ; '96-7, G. B. Warren; '98-1900, R. E. Dunham; '01, A. S. War- riner; '02, A. N. Smith; '03-7, M. J. Bailey; '08-9, M. E. Davis; H. P. Basquin, '10-12; W. C. Littell, '13-16; C. R. Wade, '17.
The society was chartered in 1883. Those who signed the charter were R. S. Phelps, L. E. Phelps, H. I. Olmstead, J. T. Jentry, J. W. Matthews, and E. F. Brown. The official members were: J. M. Wilkins, steward; J. Kirby, class leader; services were held in the school house. The church was built in 1885, S. L. Semans, pastor. The building committee were R. S. Phelps and Rev. W. S. Morrison, I. W. Taylor and H. I. Armitstead. The lot was purchased in '84 for $50. The society first bought a small house which served for a parsonage for some years. In 1909 they built the present well arranged seven room house for $1626. The league was organized during the pastorate of H. M. Mayo '88-90. As is generally the case, the Sunday School was first organized and has been an important factor. through all the years.
A Ladies' Aid Society was organized more than thirty years ago and as their habit is, have proved themselves faithful and efficient helpers.
In June '97 G. B. Warren reported that the church had been improved by doors and window screens and window curtains. The church had been painted through the efforts of the Epworth and Junior League. In January of that year, a successful revival was held with the assistance of S. C. Elwell.
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