USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 33
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at North Lamar consisting of Levi Christ and wife, Mr. More and wife, Jacob Kirby and wife, Sylvia and Hattie Christ, Mr. Halenbach, Mrs. Sickenger, Caro- line and Mamie Sickenger.
At the Conference of 1887 J. H. Kuhn was appoint- ed to the Lamar charge, which consisted of the fol- lowing appointments: Lamar, North Lamar, Slough Hole, Lone Star, Fairview and Vine Creek. A class had previously been organized at North Lamar. The new pastor organized classes at each of the other points and Jacob Kirby was licensed to exhort. Kuhn served the charge two years. Following him were H. Dalton, H. R. Golden and Parmenas Smith, each serv- ing one year.
In 1891 the building of a church was agitated, chiefly by Kirby, Austin, Hutchinson, Baggerly and Christ. November 27, 1891, a charter was filed in the office of the secretary of state, havng the names of Enos Wines, Wm. Williams, B. Bowman, R. P. Blain, and W. A. Austin, trustees. A building committee consisting of Kirby, Williams and Austin was appoint- ed, and the new church was begun. M. O. Moyer was appointed to the charge, but being a young man, and desiring to make his home at Salian to attend school, the quarterly conference declined to receive him. In June Rev. H. H. Sheldon, a young man from Indiana was secured for the charge and the church was push- ed to completion. It cost $1500 and was dedicated free of debt, August 21, 1892 by Rev. J. H. Lockwood. The Lamar and North Lamar classes were consolidated, and the services were held at the church.
The society now felt the need of a house for the preacher, and at once began an agitation for the build- ing of a parsonage. It resulted in the erection of a house that cost $600 free of debt. J. W. Edgar was pastor in 1894 and was followed by E. A. Smith in 1895. The circuit was changed several times after its
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organization. In 1895 it consisted of Lamar, Heber and Woodsdale. During Smith's first year a gracious revival was held. Sixty conversions were reported. At the Quarterly Conference at Woodsdale January 13, 1896 B. F. Brummert was licensed to exhort. R. B. Beaty came to Lamar in the spring of 1897 and served one year. The Central of July 7th of that year said: Congregations are large as the church will ac- commodate. The S. S. is flourishing. The missionary collection was $40. Ten per cent. in advance of last year.
G. B. Warren followed Beaty. He served the charge a year and nine months and transferred to the N. Nebraska Conference. Rev. Cooper of the Wesleyan Church filled out the year. L. A. Duggar entered upon a three year pastorate in the spring of 1900. The Central of December 25, 1901 reported a revival on the Lamar charge, conducted by the pastor, assisted by J. A. Williams. Twenty-five were converted and nearly as many had sought Full Salvation.
In 1903 D. R. Laport became pastor, and served two years. Wells now became a point on the circuit. F. N. Stelson followed Laport, and remained three years. The appointments were Lamar, Heber and Bethel. In 1908 Lamar was left to be supplied which was done by C. H. Gramby. Wells was again attached to the circuit in place of Bethel. In 1909 L. C. Cobb, entered on a three years' pastorate. G. C. Casselman was appointed in 1912 and served one year. Follow- ing him, Lamar was again served by a supply, W. L. Allen, who served it two years. The Central of March 1914 reported that a tent had been used for evangel- istic services on the Lamar Circuit, for six weeks, in different communities. A new point had been added to the circuit. Wm. Nickels was sent to this charge in 1916.
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1917 statistics: 2 churches, $4000; parsonage, $1,- 000; Exp., $67; full members, 53; Prep., 2; salaries, pastor, $700; D. S., $53; bishops, $9; C. C's., $20; Benev. F. Ms., $10; H. Ms., $9; total Benev., $225; 2 S. S. O's. & T's., 20; total Enrl., 167; Av., 93; Exp., $65.
Bethel.
This society was for some years a part of the La- mar charge. It is one of the oldest church organiza- tions in this part of the state, the church being built in 1880. The trustees at present are C. F. Willars, W. E. Keil, Loyal Everly, Golden Everly, G. R. King. Stewards: Mrs. G. R. King, Mrs. C. F. Willars, (Dist. St.) Mrs. E. E. King. Superintendent W. F. Keil.
There was no organization except the church and Sunday School. A few years ago Bethel was dis- connected from Lamar since which time it has been served by a student from the Kansas Wesleyan; until the Conference of 1916, when for some reason, not explained, it was left without a pastor, so the Sunday School is all that remained at Bethel. It may be said, however, to the credit of the community, that an Ever- green Sunday School is maintained which is the larg- est country school in the vicinity, the enrollment be- ing 210. The students who served Bethel while it re- mained a separate charge were 1912-14 J. G. Roberts ; in 1915 it was left to be supplied, but it appears that no supply was found, as there was no report presented at the next session of Conference.
There were 27 members, a Sunday School with 35 scholars and they paid the pastor $190, and contrib- uted $21 for missions and for other benevolences $32, a grand total of $73. Each pays for upkeep, together with contributions for benevolences and salaries, but not having been favored with any report he must con-
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tent himself with what he can gather from the Con- ference ministers.
The following men served Blue Hill as pastors : 1891, W. C. Archer; '92, L. F. Golden ; '93-4, J. W. Mc- Peek; '95-6, M. O. Moyer; '97-8, M. L. Kerr; '99, L. A. Mckeever; 1900-02, A. D. Wright; '03, S. B. Ward- rip; '04-5, J. H. Laird; '06, W. H. Holland; '07, O. A. Darnell; '08, E. H. Tetwiler; '09-10, Wm. Michels; '11, J. N. See ; '12-13, L. C. Cobb; '14-15, O. E. Schaal; '16, Chase J. Kina; '17, F. L. Courter.
The statistics for 1917 give the following: Proper- ty 4 churches, $11,000; parsonage, $1300; members, 103; preparatory 5; expenses, $100; support pastor, $825; D. S., $56; bishops, $6; C. C's., $28; Benev. F. Ms., $55; H. Ms., $55; Gd. total, $407; 4 S. S's. O's. & T's., 28; Enrl., 270; Av., 120; Exp., $107; Ep. L. Sr., 30
A vigorous effort is being made to provide a salary that will support a good man. They greatly desire a pastor who will live among them and devote himself to the building up of the church and League and Sunday School.
Lindsborg.
The historical data of the Lindsborg M. E. Church is as follows: Rev. George H. Mathis preached for three months in the public school house in 1879. The said school house was later a part of the Art building of Bethany College.
In the year 1880 Rev. Guy Hamilton organized the society and preached till the ensuing annual confer- ence.
In 1881 J. M. Archer was appointed pastor. The services were moved to the Swedish M. E. Church in the autumn of this year, and remained there until the present church was built. Rev. Archer served until 1884.
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In 1884-5, B. F. Wonder was the pastor. The year 1885-6 N. A. Porter served the charge. In 1886-7, Rev. W. I. Miller was appointed as pastor. The church was built and dedicated under his pastorate.
The following is a list of the other pastors: Rev. J. P. Allen, A. N. See, Henry Dalton, A. N. Hazlette, W. A. Saville, J. M. Archer, A. N. Smith, Artemus Ward, J. W. Bates, M. A. Good, G. W. Hood, Phillip Evans, J. C. Dana, R. E. Dunham, Geo. Renner, M. D. Ross, G. A. Gibson, E. O. Schall and John P. White the present pastor.
The first trustees were N. H. Amos, Thomas Fish- er, A. Amos, M. J. Williams, Mary Amos and Carrie Dudley.
Rev. Smith reports in the Historical Records a glorious revival in the winter of January 1900. Dur- ing the summer of 1901 the church was extensively repaired and all debts cancelled.
In 1903 a parsonage was built and other improve- ments made. These lines were taken from the annual report of the M. E. Church furnished by J. W. Bates in 1903.
In 1905 the first Ladies' Aid Society was organized, which has proved a valuable asset to the church.
In 1908 the membership was greatly increased and improvement made in the church building.
In 1911 the church was remodeled and furnished with all modern conveniences. This was during the pastorate of Geo. Renner.
The history of the church of Lindsborg has been one of struggle. For many years the only church in a small town of many churches where the English language was used, having a very small membership, the burden has rested on a few. In later years the increase in interest and membership has been gradual, the growth gratifying, until we now have a beautiful little church with convenient Sunday school rooms.
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Much of the success of the church is due to a good live Sunday school under the able superintendency of Miss Anna Carlson, a woman thoroughly consecrated to this great work.
Rev. Renner was succeeded by Rev. Ross, who was the pastor for about eighteen months when he was called to India as a missionary. In July, 1912 and for some months the pulpit was filled by Prof. Fisher of the Salina Wesleyan until G. A. Gibson was sent to fill the vacancy. He was our beloved pastor for about six months. He had just been returned by the Con- ference for a second year, when he was taken suddenly sick and was called to a better home after only a few days of severe illness. Prof. Fisher again filled the pulpit for a short time until the arrival of O. E. Schall in June of the same year. When Schall was sent to another charge in the spring of 1914, W. C. Hensley filled our pulpit until the arrival of Rev. J. P. White, who came from Chicago in September, 1914. White has proved a strong man not only in the church but in the community as well. Through his endeavors many young men and women have been attending church regularly, a large young peoples' class organized, a number of whom have joined the church.
Our membership has increased from 57 to 73 during his 18 months stay here. The present officers of the church are: Trustees, R. B. Hendron, F. Hauschildt, J. T. S. Reid, J. W. Bishop, G. A. Robinson, Ed. O. Johnson and C. A. Nelson.
President Epworth League, Joe Levin; member- ship, 85.
President Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Phil Zimmer- man.
Sunday school superintendent, Ralph Anderson.
Statistics of 1917: Church, $4,000; parsonage, $800; expense, $200; full members, 73; preparatory, -; salaries, pastor, $920; district superintendent,
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$64; bishop, $18; conference claimants, $36; benevol- ences, foreign missions, $20 ; home missions, $15; total, $257; Sunday school officers and teachers, 16; enroll- ment 155; average, 100; expenses, $65; Epworth League, Sr., 24; Women's Foreign Mission Society, 8.
Mentor.
This vicinity was originally known as Pleasant Ridge and retained that name till the railroad was built, when the superintendent of the road refused to adopt that name for the station. The church officials then chose the name Mentor after the name of Gar- field's farm, he then being prominently before the pub- lic. It is said that H. R. Golden, of blessed memory, was the first to hold religious services in this neighbor- hood; though E. C. Chilson was the first by conference appointment. James Phillips followed him. The next pastor was J. N. Bartels, who was transferred from the Central Illinois Conference and stationed at Salina. He says of his charge: "Salina was a station with one additional appointment at the Joel Maltby school house, seven miles south of Salina, where there was a small society." The next year this work was called the Salina circuit, and Bartles continued to be the pastor.
J. H. Lockwood had taken a homestead between Mentor and Gypsum, and was invited to hold a revival at Mentor. This he did with such success that before the meeting closed, a desire for a church building had grown so strong that the revivalist and brother Malt- by were able not only to inaugurate it but to carry it forward to completion. W. A. Maxwell, Joel Maltby, August Bondi and James Bacon were trustees.
The parsonage was built during the pastorate of M. Woolpert '78-9. Since that time little had been done for the improvement of church property until recent years. At present the charge consists of three societies Mentor, Assaria and Bridgeport. These are
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stations on the McPherson branch of the Union Pacific railroad running south from Salina. Mentor is five miles from Salina, Assaria four miles farther south and Bridgeport four miles still farther south. All lie in the fertile valley of the Smoky Hill, than which there is not a more fertile or better cultivated section in the state. So that from material considerations, it would be difficult to find a country charge more favor- ably situated. Notwithstanding this, neither society had any real prosperity for years. At all of the points on the charge they were content to move on quietly, satisfied if they maintained a church service and a Sunday school of fair respectability.
In the spring of 1915, C. J. Semans was appointed to the Mentor charge. By his genial personality he succeeded in winning the confidence and respect of the people, then by wise and tactful management tied them to him for the purpose of building up the Master's Kingdom. His success at Mentor was achieved largely by working on the community plan. When he saw that the people were not especially interested in the Methodist church he determined to show them that the Methodist preacher was interested in them whether they were Methodists or not. The church services began to be more generally attended. It was soon ob- served that if all the people in the community were going to attend church they must have a larger build- ing. With the idea of a church came the thought and desire of a better and more modern one. When a de- sire has been kindled in the minds of people for a thing they evidently need and have the ability to procure, it is easy to incite them to action. So almost to his own surprise, this popular young pastor found himself in the lead of an enterprise which fair minded people could not but approve. The board of trustees were C. D. Miller, W. O. Tinkler, John Muir, L. O. Baber and W. F. Green. Being men of generous impulses, it was
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a comparatively easy task to induce them to erect a building the cost of which was $6,500. It was dedi- cated May 13, 1917, by Dr. C. C. Hall, superintendent of East St. Louis district, Illinois Conference, assisted by M. M. Stolz, G. R. Hall, superintendent of the Salina district and by Prof. F. L. Farley, professor in Greek, Kansas Wesleyan University. The building fund had been provided so that no collection was needed.
A service was held at 3 P. M. at which Rev. A. L. Semans, pastor of the University church, preached and the service closed with prayer by Professor Farley. A rally service at 8 P. M. was presided over by Dr. C. G. Hall and Rev. G. R. Hall delivered an address. Elton R. Shaw, dean of School of Oratory in Kansas Wes- leyan University offered prayer.
Up to this time there had not been a Methodist church at Assaria, though they had long felt the need of one. The church building project which had been undertaken at Mentor was progressing so favorably, that the Assaria people caught inspiration and entered upon a like undertaking and pushed it with such zeal that it was ready for dedication June 6. This prop- erty is valued at $5.500. The dedication took place on the date named, Dr. J. F. Harmon, president of the Kansas Wesleyan University, preaching the sermon and taking pledges for money needed to meet the obligations. Eight hundred were needed, but pledges were obtained for a thousand in a short time. At Bridgeport there was formerly a Presbyterian society which built a church that was used alternately by them and the Methodists for a number of years. Their church dwindled and finally disintegrated and they sold the church building to the Methodists, who still occupy it. They are contemplating raising it and putting in a basement story and otherwise changing and improv- ing it. When this shall be done, all of the churches on this charge will be well equipped and with such pas-
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toral oversight as they have had the past three years, will give a good account of themselves. Semans has not only shown himself a master in church building but faithful and efficient in building up the church. June 25, he wrote, "I have received 27 into the church at Mentor and 30 at Assaria since Conference."
All the societies are well organized as the report for the several congregations shows for efficient work. At Mentor the trustees have been named. The stewards are same as trustees. No class leader. Having said so many complimentary things of this pastor, the writer may be indulged in this criticism: the failure to appoint and effectively employ a class leader is a mis- take which no young Methodist pastor, who aspires to be the most efficient worker possible, should excuse in himself. Sunday school superintendent, Mrs. W. F. Fulton ; league president, H. Stephenson ; Ladies' Aid, president, Mrs. A. V. Kline; number enrolled in Sun- day school, 75; number in league, 20.
At Assaria the trustees are A. F. Weeks, J. C. Short, C. A. Wadsworth, B. Sickler, C. C. Moore, John Fulton and Nannie Reed. Sunday school superintendent, J. C. Short; class leader, Mrs. D. C. Wadsworth; league president, Charlotte Sickler ; aid president, Mrs. George Chelis; stewards, Kate I. Wadsworth, C. C. Moore, Nannie Reed, John Fulton, C. A. Wadsworth, J. C. Short. Number in Sunday school, 70; in league, 25.
At Bridgeport, trustees: H. T. Perrill, Arthur Lingren, C. E. Mooney, A. T. Wilson, H. C. Douglas ; class leader, H. T. Perril; president Ladies' Aid, Mrs. C. A. Peterson; president Women's Foreign Mission Society, Miss Elsie Perrill; enrolled in Sunday school, 90.
Recent improvements : Church at Bridgeport wired for lights and a piano purchased and a platform put at church door, a back porch built at the parsonage, a
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cement walk built around the house and two rooms painted and papered.
Report of the charge for the year 1917: Three churches, value $13,500; parsonage, $900; full mem- bership, 80; preparatory, 4; current expense, $200; salaries, pastor, Menton, $400; Assaria, $150; Bridge- port, $300; district superintendent, $64; bishops, $15; conference claimants, $32; foreign missions, $70; home missions, $48; grand total, $894; three Sunday schools, officers and teachers, 36; enrollment, 276; average, 155; expense, $150. The charge has been served by the following: Name of charge, Mentor circuit (first called Salina circuit.) Date of organization, 1866. Pastors who have served charge: E. C. Chilson, 1866-8; J. Phillips, '68-70; J. N. Bartells, '70-72; J. Conner, '71; L. D. Winder, "72-3; H. R. Golden, '72-3; J. H. Lockwood, '73-6; Rev. Jackson, '73-4; E. F. Hill, '76-8 ; M. Woolpert, '78-9; C. K. Jones, '79-80 (resigned June 27, 1880) ; Thomas G. Condell, '80-1; J. Tre- wartha, '81; S. A. Greene, '82-4; O. N. Maxon, '84-6; J. C. Dana, '86-7; H. M. Mayo, '87; D. McGurk, Jr., '88-9; S. B. Lucas, '89-90; George P. Miller, '90-2; J. O. Osman, '92-3 (resigned) ; Wiley T. Selby, '93-5; George B. Warren, '95-6; J. B. Lewis, '96-8; R. B. Beaty, '98; J. M. Allen, '99-01 ; M. L. Kerr, '01-02; John F. Ekey ,'02; C. W. Stevens, '04-Sept., '04; J. W. Bates, Nov. 7, '04-5; J. A. Arnett, '05-Dec., 1906; M. D. Ross, Dec., '06-'07 ; F. P. Raby, '07-08; William Mikels, Nov., '08-9; O. M. Mitchell, March, '09-Oct. 1, 1909; J. E. M. Chambers, '09-12; F. L. Provan, '12; W. H. Sweet, '13; James Kerr, '14; Cecil J. Semans, '15-18.
Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis class is supposed to have been organized by B. W. Hollen, about the year 1865, though there is no authentic record for some time after that date. It was at first connected with the Salina circuit.
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A Sunday school was organized at Lindsey three miles from the present site of Minneapolis on the above date and was known as the Fort Solomon Sunday school. S. B. Chapman was superintendent and I. E. Carson was the assistant. The names of only ten of the charter members of the society have been preserved. These were five men and their wives, viz: S. B. and Lovina Chapman, I. E. and Jane Carson, Seymour and Margaret Ayers, Jesse and Amanda Richards, Martin and Jane Jones. Mrs. Chapman is still a member of the class. June 20, 1917 she was 82 years old.
Minneapolis appears as the head of a charge first in 1872, when J. N. Bartels was appointed to the circuit. Brother Bartels is living at Boon, Colorado and a re- markable coincidence is that he is of exactly the same age as sister Chapman, born June 20, 1835. This editor received a letter from him soon after brother Tremain's letter appeared in the Central a year ago. If others of the veterans had done the same thing they might have added quite a little to the interest of these pages.
Something of the condition of the country at that time may be judged from the appointments included in Bartel's circuit. The following are some of them: Lincoln Center, Vesper, Holland Creek, Gypsum, Galve, Canton, Bennington, Delphos, Glasco, Merideth, Minneapolis. He says that toward the close of the year, his health broke and he was confined to his room the remainder of the year. Is it any wonder ?
It is not clear from the minutes of 1873, who served Minneapolis charge. The appointments read: Minne- apolis, supplied by H. R. Golden ; Delphos L. D. Win- der; but in presiding elder Lawrence's report at the close of the year, he said the Salina circuit was served by brothers Golden and Winder. So it would seem that the elder had exercised his prerogative and arranged the work to suit himself. So the conference
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minutes are not an absolute guide as to who served a charge, but these are the only guide this editor has, and on the whole the record found in the minutes is more likely to be correct than tradition, so the list given here will be taken from the Conference Minutes.
It is as follows: '74, O. N. Maxon, H. R. Golden; '75, J. Forest; '76, J. Curtis; '77, S. A. Green; '78, H. Mayes; '79-80, W. Whitney; '81-2, F. D. Baker; 84-6, C. W. Caseley; '86-7, A. B. Conwell; '88, D. D. Camp- bell; '89, B. T. Stauber; '90-91, W. H. Sweet; '92-3, T. J. H. Taggart; '94-6, E. H. Fleisher; '97-1900, J. L. King; '10, I. McDowell; '02-3, H. G. Amherst; '04-6, L. O. Housel; '07-8, W. L. Cannon; '09-11, H. J. Lorenz; '12-14, S. A. Chapell; '15-17, L. E. Cook.
The circuit began early to accumulate property. The first reported was in 1876, a parsonage valued at $200. J. Curtis was the pastor. In 1877 it had been improved $100. The first church was of stone built during the pastorate of H. Mays. It was reported in 1879, value $2,800. The parsonage was valued at $450 that year. The church stood seven years and was so wrecked by a storm that it was unsafe. The present church was first reported in 1888, value $10,500. The parsonage had also been improved, value $900. It is very deplorable that values placed on church property are so variable and therefore unreliable. We have an illustration in this church. In 1888 it was valued at $10,500. In 1895 it was placed at $5,000. In 1896 it was $6,000. In 1902 the valuation was placed at $11,000, that without any important improvement or change. During the pastorate of G. H. Amherst the building was in a sense remodeled and improved. The basement was finished and the building otherwise im- proved. In 1903 the valuation was $14,000; the next year it dropped to $12,000.
It is not my prerogative nor is this the place for criticism, but surely it would be well for a conference
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to place authority some place to so guard the reports as to prevent them from appearing ridiculous in the eyes of those who might be disposed to be critical.
The charge now has an excellent parsonage built this year, 1917, at a cost of $6,000.
The Board of Trustees are Dr. E. G. Ganoung, C. C. Davis, F. L. Galpin, J. E. Hart, Peter Baggerly, F. S. Pierce, W. M. Truitt, W. W. Walker and A. A. Johnson. A few notes have been gathered from the Central through the years. January, 1894, brother Taggart reported that the Sunday school filled a Christmas boat with clothing for the poor valued at $50. January 29, 1896, brother Fleisher reported a revival held by Rev. and Mrs. Coe in which 87 bowed at the altar. 67 joined our church, others joined other churches. 19 were baptized.
April 2, 1902, I. McDowell reported that the churches of the city arranged to hold meetings con- tinuously. This continued for three weeks. Some were converted and reclaimed and the church quick- ened.
Frank Pierce is superintendent of the Sunday school, which position he has held for twelve years. He is a brother of W. A. Pierce, a member of the An- nual Conference. The 1917 Annual Conference Min- utes give the following: Value of church, $18,000; parsonage, $6,000 ; full members, 312; preparatory, 15; expenses, $475 ; pastor, $1,760; district superintendent, $112; bishop, $26; conference claimants, $60; foreign missions, $228; home missions, $36; grand total, $1,747; Sunday school officers and teachers, 44; enroll- ment, 464; average, 231; expenses, $249; Epworth League, Sr., 60; Jr., 33; Women's Foreign Mission Society.
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