USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 35
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E. C. Chilson was the first pastor. He was in charge in 1866 and was succeeded by James Phillips in the spring of '67. He was followed by J. N. Bartells, he by J. Boynton and he by M. N. Powers. Bartells is now living in Boon, Colorado and Powers in Kansas City, Mo. When they learned through the Central that a history of the Conference was to be written, each thought enough of us to write to the editor and express his interest and good will in the undertaking. A small frame church now occupied by the A. M. E. church was built in '67 and '68. C. Eberhardt landed
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in Salina in 1867. He says when he came the frame of the church was up and they were putting on the weatherboarding and shingles. (It may be said here, that since that time Eberhardt has been a part of whatever has been done by Methodism in Salina.) The church stood in an unfinished condition till spring at which time Dr. A. B. Leonard, who was then the pastor at Leavenworth, since the great missionary secretary and father of the bishop was in Salina and being moved by the need of the struggling society, went back to Leavenworth and collected funds sufficient to purchase seats for the new church. Eberhardt was then in the employ of General Bull, a wealthy lumber dealer in Leavenworth. In selecting lumber for the church, the employee did not hesitate to select from different piles the pieces best suited to his purpose. The old General, being in the yard one day, saw what was being done and objected to it strenuously. When Eberhardt told him what the lumber was for, he readily gave his ap- proval. Being a man of such generous impulses, it was not strange that early settlers in a small western town determined to honor him by naming their village for him. Their purpose was afterward defeated by fastidious people, who through a fraudulent petition succeeded in having the name changed.
The new church in Salina was completed and paid for as was also a parsonage, but in 1871, J. Boynton, an enthusiast from Michigan was appointed to Salina. He succeeded in persuading the trustees to sell their church and parsonage and build a ten thousand dollar church. This proved to be a most inopportune move. A brick church was begun and the walls built to the square. They stood in this condition for months and finally the south wall blew down. It came down with a crash which is said to have been heard two miles away.
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Methodism, in Salina, was in a most deplorable con- dition. They had had a neat little church and parson- age which would have served them well till they were able to build larger and better and had no debt. Now church and parsonage both were gone and the money spent and nothing to show for it but a pile of brick and a burdensome debt.
The Church Extension Society had made them a loan of $1,000 which they insisted must be paid. The trustees, like many other trustees, thought that because the Board of Church Extension is a church organiza- tion it ought not exact payment from a local board that was hard pressed, but the charter of the Extension Board obligates it to sacredly preserve its loan fund, and if it failed to do it in a single instance, it would forfeit its charter and thus disqualify itself for the task it had in hand. Of course the Church Extension Society was compelled to insist on the payment of its loan. Brother Powers who was pastor then says of the conditions: "The old frame church had been sold and possession had to be given, so the work of building had to be resumed. It was completed and seated with temporary seats in the middle of my second year. I preached in it once and returned to my Conference in southern Illinois. At that time there was a population of about 1,500 in Salina. The church cost $10,000 and the only debt I left on it was the Church Extension loan of $1,000." Eberhardt says as soon as the roof was on, the church was used for services and he personally carried lumber and arranged the temporary seats.
In due time comfortable seats were provided and the debts paid. The building was a rectangle which seated about 350 people. It served the congregation till the pastorate of D. D. Campbell, 1884-87. At that time the north side was taken out of the rectangular structure and an addition, projecting thirty-five or
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forty feet, built in. A gallery seating fifty or seventy- five people was built in the addition, over a lecture room of like size. There was thus provided an audience room seating six hundred persons or more. Thus far the congregation was well provided for, but for many years the Sunday School felt the need of more room. For some time the trustees debated among themselves what they should do. The old church did not afford sufficient room, but was too good to be torn down. Ef- fort was made to secure another location, but failing in this, it was finally decided to demolish the old build- ings, which held blessed memories for many people. It, therefore, gave place to the noble structure which has since risen on the site.
The true history of this society can not be written without the names of two men, who for years after the church was founded, constituted its financial head. These were H. H. Sudendorf and C. Eberhardt. They were German Methodists and like most of them, thor- oughly loyal to the church. In the early settlement of the town, there was a number of German families, the old people of which, were not sufficiently familiar with the English, to understand and appreciate an English sermon. For the benefit of these elderly peo- ple, a German Methodist Church was built on the cor- ner of Eight and South Streets. These two men, Sudendorf and Eberhardt, did what was perhaps never known done elsewhere. They took membership in both the English and German churches, and held official positions in both, and for a time were the finan- cial head of both. Sudendorf, the older of the two, went to his reward a number of years ago. Eberhardt has passed his seventy seventh year, but is still inter- ested in the church.
Revivals have been reported from time to time by different pastors together with items of interest to the church and community. In March, 1914, C. E. Line re-
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ported that Dr. Curts of the Book Concern, preached on a Sunday morning, and took a subscription to pay the debt on the church, to the amount of $3200. In July of the next year, he reported that six persons had joined the church in July, thirteen were baptized and fifty-nine had been received into full membership. In March 1897 a revival was held with the assistance of evangelist W. H. Lee, resulting in forty conversions, and fifty-nine accessions to the church. In September of the same year the correspondent to the "Central" reported that H. A. Cleveland was preaching to a full house to the delight of all; and that a reception was held on a Tuesday night, at which addresses were made by representatives of the Sunday School and of the Ministerial Association, welcoming the new pastor. In December 1901, B. T. Stauber reported that 100 had joined the church since Conference and a parson- age worth $3000 had been built. A Sunday School had been organized at the University and preaching had been begun there, in the afternoon. The last of Jan- uary 1906 C. C. Woods reported that he and E. L. Hyde of Phil. began a meeting January 21; and there were twenty at the altar the first night. It would be sat- isfying to know the outcome of a meeting so auspici- ously begun, but the Central did not have the informa- tion. In October 1907 Dr. Woods reported the church too small for the congregation and teachers and pupils of the Sunday School were calling for more room. Miss McCrory, the deaconess was proving very efficient. Fifteen hundred calls had been made and many deeds of mercy and help performed. Seventy persons had been received into the church by letter, ninety-five from probation and one hundred thirty on probation. In February 1908, L. E. Rockwell reported a revival in which he was assisted by Joel A. Smith which re- sulted in a general quickening. Twenty-six joined on probation and fourteen by certificate. The present pas-
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tor is Rev. A. G. Bennett who was transferred into the Conference six years ago from York, Nebraska. The church has prospered from the first. Under his lead- ership and inspiration, the trustees were led to under- take the erection of a magnificent church on the site of the old church, built in the early 70's. That un- dertaking has been carried forward to completion, and the church now has a building of which both it and the city may well be proud. The building in its ex- treme dimensions is 108x114 feet. A summary of the rooms is as follows: "A beautiful sanctuary, seating 1000; a large assembly room for Sunday School and entertainments seating 1000, kitchen and serving room, six closets; five toilets; and thirty-four other rooms for Sunday School classes, parlors, office and reception rooms." Of the type of building a descrip- tive circular says: "The type of the church interior is the very latest in American Ecclesiastical Architec- ture, said by experts to be the type which will prevail in the future in American church building."
The structure cost about $60,000. The old church was in the middle of the block. When they had de- cided to built a new church, the trustees wanted to purchase the southwest corner of the block, but thought the price greater than they could afford to pay. Now that the church is built, and a more costly one than they at first thought they could attempt, they find they are able to purchase the corner, which they have done, and will beautify it as a rest park. This is an admirable thing to do. It gives the church the fourth of a block on two popular streets, and taken as a whole, is the most desirable site they could have found in the city. The park will be a lovely place for summer evening services and festivals. The most liberal contributors to this splendid improvement were C .Eberhardt family, C. E. Robinson, the Sun- day School, T. W. Roach and wife each $2000, Z. C.
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Millikin, H. H. F. Sudendorf, W. A. Austin each $1000, C. F. McAdams $700. My informant adds, these gave most in amount, but not most in sacrifice. Many who gave smaller amounts did it by actual self denial.
The architect was Wm. T. Schmidt of Oklahoma City. The trustees are C. Eberhardt, John S. Gates, T. W. Roach, C. F. McAdams, Dr. J. W. Neptune, W. H. Myers, C. E. Robinson, Z. C. Millikin and W. A. Austin. The building committee were Dr. J. W. Nep- tune, Prof. T. W. Roach, C. F. McAdams, F. D. Blun- don, J. H. Bell, Frank Eberhardt, J. E. Meader, J. E. Wyatt. The church was dedicated July 1, 1917 with all money provided for. Report of charge church $60,- 000; parsonage, $5000; Exp., $1700; membership, 803; Prep., 34; pastor, $2900; D. S., $200; bishops, $50; C. C's., $104; F. Ms., $501; H. Ms., $365; Gd. total, $7536; 2 S. S's. O's. & T's., 70; Enrl., 1093; Av., 410; Ep. L. Sr., 24; W. F. M. S., $313; W. H. M. S., $431.
Simpson.
The class at Simpson was reported at the first quarterly Conference held at Glasco in 1882, by A. N. See, presiding elder of the Salina District. It was attached to the Glasco charge and continued on that charge until 1905. The services were first held in the school house; but when the Baptists built their church, the Methodists were permitted to use it, on alternate Sabbaths till 1908.
A parsonage was built in 1883 during the pastorate of S. L. Semans, at a cost of $500, including the lot. In consequence of this, the pastor of the charge often lived at Simpson. In 1905, this became a separate charge, having Corson's Grove school house, as an afternoon appointment. Up to this time Glasco had been served by the following pastors. The Conference Minutes show that W. W. King was appointed in 1882;
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but according to tradition A. Stackhouse served the charge that year. In '83-5, S. L. Semans; '85-7, J. M. Ryan; '87-8, B. F. Rhodes; '88-90, S. B. Lucas; '93-4 H. H. Sheldon; '94-5, M. W. Whelan; '95-6, J. W. Ed- gar; '96-7, A. L. McNair; '97-9, J. H. Kuhn; '99-1903, James Flowers; '03-05, L. A. Dugger.
In 1908 H. P. Randall, pastor, the church at Simp- son determined to build a church for themselves. Oc- tober 25th of that year the corner stone was laid by B. T. Stauber, the district superintendent. The build- ing of the new church, or some favorable circumstance put new inspiration into Methodism. The pastor re- ported to the Central that the membership increased fifty per cent. the last quarter. Previous to this the parsonage had been improved, raising its valuation from $600 to $1000.
The church when built was valued at $2500. It has since been improved with basement and furnace to the amount of $1500. October 1st last, Dr. Harmon was with them, and so presented the claims of the church, that within fifteen minutes time, pledges to the amount of $1375 were secured.
In 1906 the Corson's Grove society built a church valued at $1400 and changed the name to Euraka. In 1905 G. C. R. Pierce was appointed to Simpson, but left in the middle of the year, and H. R. Golden com- pleted the year. 1906, C. E. Tinker; '07, supplied by J. B. Carder; '08-11, H. P. Randall; '11-14, O. A. Darnell; '14-16, H. J. Bamford; '16-17, J. A. Templin. J. W. Shanks and wife were charter members of the class, and are still active workers. Have both been official members most of the time. He was superin- tendent of the Union School, till the denominational school was organized, when he was elected to the same office in that.
The church is in a prosperous condition. They united with the Baptists in a revival effort last year
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which resulted in great good to the churches and com- munity. There is an active Epworth League and a Queen Esther Society which reports receipts last year of $271. The Home Guards and Mother's Jewells re- port funds raised by each.
Statistics of 1917: Two churches, $5500; parson- age, $1000; F. members, 100; Prep., 3; current Exp., $70; salaries, pastor, $1120; D. S., $80; B's., $18; C. C's., $40; Benev's. F. Ms., $20; H. Ms., $20; Gd. total, $355, 2 S. S. O's. & T's., 24; Enrl, 210; Av.K, 100; Exp., $92; Ep. L. Sr., 2.
University Church.
University Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized in April 1809 by U. S. Brown, district super- intendent of the Ellsworth District. A Sunday School had been organized previously, under the direction and control of the quarterly Conference of the first church of Salina.
The organization was effected at the request of eighty members of First Church that a separate so- ciety be formed. The following persons were chosen trustees : M. M. Stolz, R. P. Smith, A. H. King, L. M. Morris, W. P. Seeley, A. B. Huffman, W. L. Nesmith, L. E. Eaton and W. H. Sweet.
The officers were M. M. Stolz, chairman; A. H. King, secretary, W. F. Hoyt and Miss Caroline Mat- son. class leaders, W. C. Henslee Sunday School su- perintendent. The stewards were W. F. Hoyt, H. A. Swift, W. C. Henslee, A. H. King, Dr. D. E. Foristall, J. H. Buyer, L. M. Morris, M. M. Alford, Mrs. M. R. Day, Mrs. U. S. Brown, U. S. Ladd, W. P. Seeley and Frank Brendle.
Rev. James M. Newton was the first pastor. He was transferred from the Kansas Conference and en- tered upon the work in June 1909. During the winter of that year the family was sorely affiicted with
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typhoid fever. A little son died, which was a great trial to the bereaved parents. A good eight room par- sonage was built during Newton's pastorate, at a cost of about $2800.
The next spring at the pastor's request, he was sent to Delphos, and W. H. Sweet was appointed to Uni- versity Church. A. L. Semans succeeded Sweet.
Solomon.
Solomon City is a place of considerable importance near the center of the state, and not far from the junc- tion of the Solomon and Smoky Hill Rivers. It is therefore surrounded by a broad valley of very fertile land. Being thus favorably located settlers early saw the advantage of the location and it was one of the earliest settled localities in Central Kansas. Salina alone preceded it in having the name on the map, in this part of the state. Salina was named in the Con- ference appointments in 1868 and Solomon in 1870.
The first Methodist services held in Solomon was in 1870. It was called the Solomon and Smoky Hill charge. James Phillips was appointed the pastor at the session of the Kansas Conference held at Topeka. The next year the session was held at Paola and S. J. Kahler was apointed to Solomon City. W. K. Mar- shall was the presiding elder in 1870 and '71. In 73 G. S. Dearborn was assigned to the district. The pas- tors who since that early day, have served Solomon, were '72 D. D. Baird; '73-75, J. R. Madison; '76-8, W. Whitney ; '79-80, J. W. Denning; '81, W. W. Wells ; '82, W. A. Saville; '83-4, A. T. Riley; '85, M. M. Stolz; '86-7, C. W. Caseley ; '88, B. W. Hollen ; '89, E. H. Bail- iff; '90, C. V. Penn; '91-2, W. A. Matson; '93-4, J. H. Kuhn; '95, R. A. Hoffman ; '96-7, W. Nash ; '98-9, J. F. Clark; 1900-1, E. W. Allen ; '02, J. H. Kuhn; '03-4, J. F. Johnson; '05-7, J. W. Bates ; '08, R. S. Rutledge; '09, A. Bryans; '10, Attree Smith; '11-12, J. L. King; '13,
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W. A. Allen; '14-16, O. B. Allen ; '17, L. B. Tremain.
The class at Solomon organized by Brother Phil- lips consisted of the following persons, I. H. Thomp- son, Sarah Thompson, Isaac Smith and wife and Alice Smith, Uriah, Ann and Theodore Foster, Joseph, Elle- nor and Nettie Burkhardt, Mr. Huling and wife, Ashel Carson, E. Collins and wife, and Wm. Collins, Elisha Dresher, Newton F. Follett, Wm. Campbell, W. G. Lewis, O. N. Maxson, Wm. Akerman, Samuel and Rachel McCord, Marguaret Baird.
Wm. Akerman is still a member of the class, and living in Solomon. S. J. Kahler held a successful meeting at each appointment on the circuit. Seventy- nine joined the church at the several points. Twenty- nine of these came into the Solomon class. D. D. Baird was pastor in 1872. The records state that he labored hard on the charge, but received only $75 as his salary for the year.
J. R. Madison was pastor '73 to '75. 1874 was grasshopper year. Like every other place in this part of the state, Solomon charge had a hard struggle dur- ing that year. But there were good revivals at all points on the charge, during the following year. Twenty-six united with the church at Solomon. In 1875 the society purchased the Thompson hall and fit- ted it up for a church. Wm. Whitney had a successful pastorate. A number of persons came into the church during his term of service. A parsonage was built in 1879 under the inspiration and leadership of the pastor, J. W. Denning. This served as a home for the preachers until the pastorate of J. W. Bates, when it was sold and the present building a six room house was erected near the church.
Sunny Side Church, which is still a part of the Solomon charge, was organized in 1882. In '83 they obtained a charter and began preparations for build- ing a church which was dedicated in June '84. This
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building which was 28x45 has since been repaired and is a beautiful country church, heated with a furnace.
The Solomon Church was dedicated Nov. 16, 1885 by Dr. W. H. H. Adams, of Bloomington, Ill. It cost $6500. The Thompson hall referred to was sold for $1000.
Many in the Conference know the struggle of this church to pay off the large debt. J. W. Bates did the job. He got the Extension Society to throw off all the interest, then succeeded in raising the balance and had a great time burning the mortgage.
Under O. B. Allen the church was raised and a new basement was dug, and a furnace put in. This cost about $1000.
The parsonage has been improved by placing a cel- lar under it and putting in a furnace. This cost $300. This last was done by the present pastor.
I find that the W. F. M. S. was organized in Oct. 1883 at the request of the pastor. Mrs. See (wife of our brother See) came and perfected the organization. There is no record of the officers. The present offi- cers are Mrs. Lettie Kibler, president; Mrs. Gertrude Higgins, vice-president; Mrs. E. O. Neelye, secretary ; Mrs. L. C. Porter, treasurer; Mrs. H. A. Bannon, "Mite Box" president; Trustees: Marion Wright, chairman; Frank Henderson, secretary; L. C. Porter, Eph. Rasher, Henry Rasher, Fred Hall, Geo. Spauld- ing. Stewards: L. C. Porter, Frank Henderson, Mrs. H. A. Bannon, Mrs. Ed. Dunnett, Mrs. Geo. Spauld- ing, Mrs. G. W. Lee, Mrs. Lettie Kibler, Mrs. L. C. Peterson, Ethan King, P. R. Toepfer. Epworth League: Mrs. Elizabeth Berry, president; Mary Lock- hart, first vice-president; Rena Rasher, second vice- president; Pearl Walker, third vice-president; Elsie Gatchet, fourth vice-president; Francis Kanehl, sec- retary; Roy Bickmore, treasurer. Sunday School : Ephraim Rasher, superintendent; Frank Henderson,
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secretary-treasurer; Mary Lockhart, superintendent Primary Department. Mrs. Jessie Neil, superintend- ent Cradle Roll; Mrs. L. C. Porter, superintendent, Home Department. Sunny Side trustees: Lee Cor- mack, W. R. Stone, Ola Collins, G. N. Knisle, Henry Flagle; Sunny Side stewards: F. B. Thompson, Mrs. Marrietta Collins, Lee Cormack, W. R. Stone, Henry Klover.
Statistics for 1917: Two churches, $8000; parson- age, $2000; full members, 187; Prep., 10; current Exp., $144; F. Ms., $105; H. Ms., $65; Gd. total, -; support pastor, $1300; D. S., $88; bishops, $18; C. C's., $ -; 2 S. S. O's. & T's., 34; Enrl., 364; Av., 169; Exps., $156; W. F. M. S., $103; Ep. L. Sr., 15; Jr., 20.
Sunny Side Appointment.
This class was organized by J. W. Preshaw, at the Sunny Side school house. The charter members were J. C. Seaton and wife, W. E. Collins and wife, Lucy Cormack. A retired Baptist preacher held service at irregular intervals until the class became a part of the Solomon charge.
A. T. Riley was the pastor in 1883. He had talked church to the Sunny Side people till they were fully enthused with the idea of building. A meeting was called February 12, 1883 to take steps preparatory to the erection of a church.
The following persons were chosen: Trustees, J. H. Carkpuff, H. A. Carter, W. E. Collins, Silas Cham- bers, A. J. Kerby, B. C. McCollough and J. C. Seaton. J. H. Carkhuff was chosen president, J. C. Seaton, sec- retary and A. J. Kirby, treasurer.
Sunny Side is not a separate charge but an oppoint- ment on the Solomon charge.
A subscription amounting to $270, was taken, and the trustees were instructed to purchase a site for the church. At a meeting of the board held at the home
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of the president August 14, '83, it was decided to build the church on a three acre lot on the N. E. corner of Section 9, T. 14, R 1, E. of the Sixth Principal Meri- dian. A. J. Kirby was instructed to purchase stone for the foundation; these must be hauled 12 miles. At another meeting held at the school house Oct. 27, '83 papers were signed and obligations entered into to se- cure money from the Church Extension Society. That society donated to the trustees $250 and made a loan of $250 for the church. The pastor, A. T. Riley was instructed to purchase the lumber for the building. April 16, '84 the treasurer reported $1127.87. The plastering was let to J. F. Bolster. April 17th was fixed as Arbor Day for planting trees on the church lot. On the day of dedication $711 were raised.
By action of the trustees, an insurance policy of $1300 was placed on the church, and a resolution was passed requesting the Sunny Side class be transferred from the Kansas to the N. W. Kansas Conference in connection with Solomon.
In harmony with this resolution the officials at Sunny Side at once secured the services of the pastor at Solomon and thus were virtually transferred into the N. W. Kansas Conference.
In February 1898 the church was repaired, iron ceiling having been procured from the World's Fair building at Chicago. Repairs cost $142.65.
The board of trustees was reelected, except Mr. Meek who declined to serve longer. His wife was chosen in his place. J. W. Bates was pastor 1908-09. During his pastorate the church was repainted; the work being donated by Henry Clover. Twenty-four dollars were paid for paint beside donations made by other persons.
In March 1916 O. B. Allen, pastor, the church was thoroughly repaired ; new seats, acetylene lights and furnace heat were installed. Credit for these improve-
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ments is due the pastor and building committee; R. Stone, H. Clover, F. Thompson and W. J. Hopewood. The improvements cost $665 in cash and $135 in labor donated.
The membership of the class is 41 and the enroll- ment in the Sunday School is 90 with a regular at- tendance of from 40 to 60.
Stockton.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Stockton was chartered May 17, 1882. Those named in the charter as trustees were J. C. Denney, N. D. Griffith, J. H. Mitchell, E. A. Pomroy and Nancy McNelley. When organized it was a point on the Medicine Cir- cuit. No list of members has been preserved.
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