A pictorial history of the Methodist Church of Burr Oak, Kansas, Part 3

Author: Burr Oak United Methodist Church (Burr Oak, Kan.). Junior Hi-Lites Class
Publication date: 1965
Publisher: [Burr Oak, Kansas] : [Methodist Church]
Number of Pages: 66


USA > Kansas > Jewell County > Burr Oak > A pictorial history of the Methodist Church of Burr Oak, Kansas > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Three years later, at the Fourth Quarterly Confer- ence shortly before Rev. F. M. Bishop left to be re- placed by Arthur Berg, the following were elected to serve on the church board for the year 1944-45: Elmer Alexander, Mrs. Elmer Alexander, Mrs. Arthur Aspegren, Otis Beenblossom, Leo Beanblossom, Mrs. Mark Callahan, Loren Fogo, Judd Gillett, Ed Lewis, G. C. Modlin, Lau- rel Pixler, Clarence Pixler, Riley Richardson, Frank Robertson, Mrs. Philip Underwood, Guy Wellman, Mrs. Lyle Wood, Mrs. Ed. Wilsman, M. J. Tegley, Miss Diana Canfield, Douglas Gillett, Goldie Johnson, Mrs. E. C. Aspegren, Minnie Renner, Jessie Mae Gillett, Bess Pix- ler, Ruth Fearing, Mrs. Emmet Lewis, Louise Gillett, Winifred Canfield, Mrs. Cecil Modlin, Mrs. Susie Mor- ton, Mrs. Charley Haworth.


In 1945 Rev. Henry Murray came to the church and remained for three years. The roll of the Fourth Quarterly Conference held on Sept. 3, 1947, lists these persons as members elected to the board for the conference year of 1947-48: Ed. Wilsman, Cecil Modlin, Clarence Pixler, Riley Richardson, Otis Been- blossom, Laurel Pixler, Judd Gillett, John Gates, Douglas Gillett, Elmer Alexander, Elton Gillett, Will Morton, Mrs. Joy Michael, Mrs. Ed. Wilsman, Mrs. Dor- othy Fearing, Mrs. Elton Gillett, Don Modlin, Mrs.


Page 28


Frank Robertson, Florence Alexander, Faye Decker, Goldie Johnson, Mrs. Guy Oliver, Ethelyne Demaray, Robert Korb Sr., Olive McCammon, Mary Modlin, Glenn Fearing, Sadie Korb, Lyle Wood, A. W. Canfield, Lo- well Duell, Mrs. Clarence Pixler, Mrs. Glenn Paul, Guy Wellman, Mrs. Ed Lewis, Mrs. Will Morton. The following year membership of the board continued much the same, with the addition of the names of Floyd Walters, Don Bennett and Joan Fogo, (Joan represented the Youth Fellowship). Names added to committees in 1949 were: Hazel Korb, Lester Bausch, Jack Byers, Hazel Harris, Mack Harris, Mrs. Dallas Caldwell, Mrs. Don Bennett.


Rev. Henry Murray left the church in Oct. 1949, and the church was without a pastor for six months. At the end of that time Rev. Loren Silsby served as a supply pastor for six months. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Silsby of this church. Most of the church board members continued to serve in the same capacity during this time. The names of Mrs. Delbert Kiehl, Stanley Johnson and Bill Decker appear during 1949 to 1950. Violet Alexander's name was added to the music committee.


In the fall of 1950, Rev. Claude Johnson came to the church. During the three years of his service to the church a number of important things took place. These will be taken up in a special section of this book.


When the corner stone laying of the first church building was held in 1880, Alvin Hovey, the artist, took a photograph of the congregation while gathered around the corner stone. Copies of the photograph were made for sale, and the net proceeds donated to the building fund. No copies of this photo could be found as this history was being compiled.


The first Woman's Society in the church was called the Mite Society, and was organized in 1880 for the purpose of raising money for the building fund. At their first meeting, the ladies each donated ten cents It was announced that the object of the Society, in addition to raising funds, was to promote better ac- quaintance among the ladies. "Conversation, music and a general social time will be the order of exer- cise for the evening. Early hours will be observed."


Lack of an architect brought troubles galore to the building committee in 1880. The local newspaper, the Reveille, said with thinly veiled sarcasm, "The building committee have constructed a raised platform in the front half of the church for the minister and singers. We judge that the purpose is to have con- gregational singing, and the seats below will be re- served for the small boys. We suggest that the orig- inal plan of enclosing the platform with a rail fence be carried out." A few weeks later the platform was torn out, the pulpit and seats for the chour but slightly elevated and the floor sloped gradually toward the rear of the church. The editor, still critical, remarked, "A mechanic at the head would have saved this vexation."


On Jan. 6, 1881, the unfinished church building was used by the Burr Oak Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society to put on an entertainment. They produced a popular drama, "The Last Lost" with a full cast of characters. They also exhibited "Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works", which included The Chinese Giant, Captain Kidd and his victims, a Genuine South Sea Cannibal, a Two- Headed Girl, and Babes-in-the-Woods. The evening con- cluded with a farce, "Poor Philosophy". Admission was ten cents, and the proceeds went to purchase the 700 pound church bell.


When the old frame church was constructed in 1880- 81, the Missouri Pacific Railroad hauled the lumber for half price.


When Lillie Mann taught a Sunday School class of boys, she asked them, one Sunday morning, to sign a paper stating that they would not use profanity. One boy refused to sign. although he did not swear. He said later that some of the boys who had signed were using "cuss words" before they were off of the church grounds.


A. S. Judy, an early supporter of the church, was fond of writing poems. On reaching his 82nd birthday in 1924, he presented many of his friends with thin booklets of his poetry. Some of these books are still treasured by their owners. One poem was written in appreciation of Rev. J. C. Walker who spent many years in Burr Oak. Another was written for the 25th anniver- sary of the church, but it is not included in the book he published.


It has been the custom among some young parents to return to the home church for the baptism of their children. As a result, four and five generations in some families have been baptised in the Burr Oak Meth- odist church. Among these, fifth generation descen- dents of Mrs. Sarah Skeels are Lou Ann Hawkins, Pat- ricia Foster, and Larry Thorup. Fourth generation de- scendents of Mrs. Carrie Gillett are Mark and Blake Gillett, sons of Dr. and Mrs. Dewey Gillett.


A standing joke in the 1950's was the way no one was ever "promoted" from Mrs. Guy Williamson's Young Adult Class. None ever became Older Adults. The problem was finally solved by changing the name to Adult Class and organizing another Young Adult group among newly marrieds.


This announcement appeared in the church bulletin one Sunday morning during the pastorate of Rev. How- ard Sanders: "Quarterly Conference will be held this evening in Fellowship Hall. There will be a basket dinner at 7:00. Conference will be held around the sinner table."


At the time of the organization of the Burr Oak Methodist church, there was no Methodist church west of here nearer than Denver, Colo.


Children's Day programs were once a summer high light of the church. Many hours of practicing were climaxed with an evening program.


Page 29


The following served the church as pastors during 1873-1964


1900


W. S. Vandervort


6 months


1900


Samuel Barber


23 years


1903


J. O. Borton


1 year


1904


J. M. Willis


1 year


1905


W. E. Uncapher


1} years


1906


Elder Harrison


2 months


1906


W. A. Van G undy - 3 yrs, 4months


1910


M. J. Mumford


12 years


1911


C. E. Wood


22 years


1914


H. J. Lorenz


42 years


1913


W. E. Dunlap


22 years


1921


J. A. Templin


1 year


19 22


T. H. Parrott


1 year


1924


C. P. Broadfoot


2 years


1926


A. E. Hughes


3 years


1929


Harry Riley


2 years


1931


F. N. Stelson


3 years


1873


H. G. Breed


2 years


1934


B. C. McCormick


23 years


1875


C. G. Chrysler -


1 year


1937


A. W. Dick


1 year


1876


A. C. Pattee


1 year


1938


C. R. Vasey


3 years


1877


G. H. Woodward -


3 years


1944


Arthur Berg


1 year


1880


H. G. Breed


2 years


1945


Henry Murray


3 years


1882


D. D. Campbell -


1 year


1949


No minister


6 months


1883


E. H. Fleisher -


1 year


1949


Loren Silsby


6 months


1884


A. C. Pattee


1 year


1950


Claude Johnson


3 years


1885


G. W. Wood


2 years


1953


Donald O'Hara


3 years


1887


E. H. Fleisher


2 years


1956


Garcel Brenn


2 years,


1889


J. C. Walker


5 years


1894


J. W. Adams


2 years


1958


Marvin Zimbelman


2 years


1896


J. M. Willis


2 years


1960


Howard Sanders


4 years


1898


G. W. Hood


2 years


1964


G. R. Alsobrooks


I


Page 30


8 months


1941


F. M. Bishop


3 years


MINISTERS


FORMER MINISTERS


Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Willis 1896-1898


Left. Rev. W. A. Van Gundy 1906-1910


Right, Rev. J. C. Walker 1889-1894 Mr. Walker made Burr Oak his home for many years.


Pictures of several other pastors appear on other pages.


Page 31


1953


1950 -


Rev. Claude Johnson, his wife Gayle, and sons Kenneth and Philip came to Burr Oak in 1950 and remained for three years. These were memorable years in the history of the church. Five and a half pages of Mrs. Mack Harris's hand written history of the church are given over to these years. Many pictures are available from a booklet called the "Messenger" which Rev. Mr. Johnson published at the end of his first year on the charge. During his third year an extensive improvement program was undertaken and completed. High lights of these three years appear on the next few pages.


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES


Otis Beenblossom 1953


Robert Korb Senior 1953


Donald Modlin 1952


Cecil Modlin - 1954


Clarence Pixler


1952


Laurel Pixler -1954


Riley Richardson 1952


Lyle Wood


-1954


Ed Wilsman -1953


THE BOARD OF STEWARDS


Elmer Alexander Clarence Fearing


Elton Gillett Judd Gillett


Robert Korb, Jr.


Donald Modlin


Cecil Modlin


Clarence Pixler


Laurel Pixler


Riley Richardson


Floyd Walters


Lyle Wood Mrs. Katie Robertson (Communion)


Mrs. Ed Wilsman (Communion)


BOARD OF EDUCATION


Marilyn Brandon Margaret Aspegren Jessie Mae Gillett Bess Pixler Mrs. Dallas Caldwell Mrs. Glenn Paul Dorothy Fearing Dorothy Hawkins Evelyn Michael


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER CHURCH BOARD OF MISSIONS:


Evelyn Michael, Marilyn Brandon, Mrs. Clarence Pixler, Mrs. Robert Korb, Sr.


MEMBERSHIP AND EVANGELISM: Mrs. Clarence Pixler, Mrs. Katie Robertson, Cecil Modlin, Mrs. Elmer Alexander.


FINANCE : Clarence Fearing, Cecil Modlin, Don Modlin, Elmer Alexander, Laurel Pixler, Elton Gillett.


PASTORAL RELATIONS: Otis Beanblossom, Marilyn Brandon, Evelyn Michael, Clarence Fearing.


AUDIT : Lyle Wood, Floyd Walters.


RECORDS AND HISTORY : Mrs. Katie Robertson, Cecil Modlin, Mrs. Elmer Alexander, and Clarence Pixler.


CO-OPERATION: Mrs. Clarence Pixler, Mrs. Elton Gillett, Janet Dee Michael, and Mrs. Maurice Corbett.


POLICY : Otis Beenblossom, Clarence Fearing, Clarence Pixler, and Mrs. Elton Gillett. -


TEMPERANCE: Mrs. Ed. Lewis, Mrs. Clarence Pixler, Guy Wellman, Mrs. Derald Decker, Clarence Pixler.


MUSIC : Mrs. Kermit Jeffery, Marilyn Lewis, Florence Pixler, Florence Alexander.


PARSONAGE: Mrs. Katie Robertson, Mrs. Hazel Harris, Mrs. Winifred Canfield.


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


MARILYN BRANDON General Superintendent


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


1


1


BESS PIXLER Assistant Superintendent


-


1


HAZEL HARRIS Junior Superintendent


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


GUY WELLMAN Secretary and Treasurer Since 1909


CAROL LEWIS Pianist


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


STORY TIME IN THE NURSERY CLASS


NURSERY CLASS Teachers: Dorothy Fearing and Alma Garman


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


BEGINNERS CLASS Assistant Teachers: Katherine Byers and Janet Dee Michael


PRIMARY CLASS Teacher: Rosie Caldwell


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


JUNIOR CLASS Teacher: Dorothy Hawkins


INTERMEDIATE CLASS Teacher: Zelma Paul


C


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


YOUTH CLASS Teacher: Jessie Mae Gillett


CLAUDE JOHNSON'S MESSENGER


-


-


W. S. C. S. OFFICERS Faye, Decker; Zelma Paul, Hazel Korb, Ruth Fearing, Marie Kiehl, Florence Lewis, Jessie Mae Gillett, Marie Beanblossom.


The November Meeting of the W. S. C. S.


CHR ISTENINGS


LYNDA AND RICHARD HARRIS


PETER JOHN CORDELL


CHRISTENINGS


DON CHARLES MODLIN


KARL DAVID FEARING


GEORGE ROBERT McCAMMON


CHRISTENINGS


1


JIMMY HARRIS


11


MICHAEL HARRIS


CHRISTENINGS


ALICIA KAY BELT


MARJORIE ELLEN BRIAND


CHRISTENINGS


ANNETTE MILLER


--


CHERYL DIANNE DECKER


CHRISTENINGS


JANIE JO McCOLEY


MARRIAGES


MR. AND MRS. LYLE WOOD


MARRIAGES


MR. AND MRS. RICHARD LEE GATES


MR. AND MRS. JAMES CALDER


MARRIAGES


MR. AND MRS. NEWELL ALEXANDER


MARRIAGES


6 4 7 . 910


1314151617


2021222424


MR. AND MRS. LeROY LEWIS


MARRIAGES


MR. AND MRS. ROBERT THORUP


MARRIAGES


im123


-


25


MR. AND MRS. ROBERT WARNE


MARRIAGES


@ $.1.42


MR. AND MRS. KERMIT JEFFERY


MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS


MR. AND MRS. OTIS BEANBLOSSOM


MR. AND MRS. C. H. OST


MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS


MR. AND MRS. FRANK MODLIN


MR. AND MRS. REUBEN SILSBY


SERVICE MEN


-


MAX HAWKINS


GARY MICHAEL


RICHARD LEE GATES


BERNARD CLARK


SERVICE MEN



MILFORD OST


NEWELL ALEXANDER


CLAUDE LYLE JOHNSON


Mr. Johnson came to our community as pastor of the Methodist Church on June 4, 1950. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas Wesleyan University and his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.


On March 24, 1944 he was united in marriage to Gayle L. Rife of Lyons, Kansas. The Johnsons' have two sons, Kenneth and Philip.


The pictures on the preceding pages are taken from the "Church Messenger" published by Rev. Claude John- son in 1951 at the end of his first year as pastor. During his second year in Burr Oak plans were made for cleaning and remodeling the church building, which had begun to show signs of wear on the inside. Many changes were discussed, and by the spring of 1953, def - inite plans had been made. The extensive remodeling was expected to cost around $10,000. The committee in charge of planning and money raising was Laurel Pix- ler, chairman; Floyd Walters, and Stanley Johnson. On Sunday and Monday, April 6 and 7, 1953, District Sup- erintendent Everett Freeman was in Burr Oak to help in launching the financial campaign. Members of the church went out two by two on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to call on all who were willing to help with gifts of money. By Wednesday evening the full amount had been subscribed and a "Victory Dinner" was held at the church. The following Sunday the last services before the remodeling was to begin were held, and the next day the work started.


Members of the Brethren Church cordially invited the Methodists to meet with them during the remodeling program. The Methodists gratefully accepted and the combined meetings of the next three months proved to be a heart warming experience for all concerned.


A study was built for the pastor, ceilings lowered, rostrum completely remodeled, new carpets purchased, new communion table, pulpit, lectern and baptismal fount installed. The interior of the entire church was completely refinished, windows leaded, some doors removed, new cupboards built and other extensive chan- ges made. The Woman's Society of Christian Service raised nearly $1200 to change the old furnace room into a modern kitchen both beautiful and convenient.


A dual gas heating system was installed. The youth of the church painted and refinished the north room of the basement to be used for Church School classes and MYF meetings. The ladies, under the leadership of Mrs. Mack Harris, Mrs. J. F. Robertson, Mrs. Glenn Fearing, and Mrs. Elton Gillett, planned and furnished the kitchen. The dining room was fitted out with new folding tables and chairs.


Memorial gifts at the time of remodeling included the pulpit and lectern given by Will Morton in mem- ory of Susie Morton; the communion table and its fur- nishings given by the Harris family in memory of Nel- son and Margaret Harris; furnishings of the pastor's sutdy by the Smullins family in memory of Capt. Glenn Smullins; the initial gift for the electric organ by Lyle Wood in memory of Hazel Wood. The baptismal fount was made and presented to the church by Rev. Claude Johnson.


Quoting here from Mrs. Harris' history of the church, "Much of the work was done by the people of the Methodist Church, especially by Rev. Claude John- son, who spent many hours from early morning to late at night. Much credit should be given him for get- ting the whole project done. God bless him, always."


The first services held in the remodeled church were on Sunday, July 5. On August 28, there was a friendship supper in honor of the members of the Brethren Church by the Methodists to show the deep appreciation they felt for the hospitality shown them during the building process. On Sept. 13, a service of rededication was held by Rev. Everett Freeman. After a pot luck dinner at noon there was an organ recital on the new organ by George DeBoer, organist at the First Baptist Church of Hastings, Nebr .


On Memorial Sunday of his second year of the charge, Rev. Claude Johnson held a special service honoring the many pioneer church men and women who had left a rich heritage behind them. A special "Roll of Remembrance" was read fol- lowing the church service. Judith Ann McCammon lighted candles for each of the original twelve members of the church as their names were read by the pastor. A candle was also lighted for Rev. J. C. Walker who devoted many years of his life to the Burr Oak church.


This tribute was followed by the reading of names which had been handed to Rev. Johnson by members and friends of the church to be memorialized in the ser- vice. As each name was read a pink peony was placed in one of the flower stands in honor of that person. The flowers were placed by Carolyn Cordel and Shirley Howe. Special music for the service was provided by a mixed quartet composed of Marilyn Brandon, Janet Dee Michael, John Abel, and Don Modlin. Bud Lewis was pianist and Alice Dell Foster organist.


A copy of the program is reproduced here:


RECORD OF REMEMBRANCE THE BURR OAK METHODIST CHURCH Memorial Sunday May 25, 1952


"They shall shine


-forever and ever."


*Ilannah Modlin *Il. B. O'Neal *Amanda O'Neal


*E. Modlin *W. Il. Mahoney *R. R. Skeels *T. B. Carpenter *Susannah McDonald


*Catherine Bennett ' * Thomas Lewis Beth Ladwig Rev. J. C. Walker


(*Charter members of the church)


" 'Tis hard to take the burden up where these have


laid it down ..... "


Page 46


Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Graves Mary Verney Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Judy Mr. and Mrs. Byron Hill


Ruby Ensign


together with that great host of our church family who have fallen asleep in Christ.


"More homelike seems that vast unkown since these have entered there ..


John Henry Abel, father of John Abel.


George W. Alexander, husband of Alice Alexander.


LaVerne J. Ayers, brother of Mrs. Mack Harris


Opal Beanblossom, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Otis Beanblossom.


Joel Black, father of Mrs. Philip Underwood.


Sarah Canfield, mother of A. W. Canfield. Boyd Cole and Luereta Cole, father and mother of Arby Cole.


Francis Pangborn Davis, daughter of Mrs. Melvin Pangborn. Audrey Decker, sister of Darrel Decker.


Anna Louise Decker and William Decker, father and mother of W. G. Decker.


James T. Dick and Kate Dick, father and mother of Alice Alexander.


Louisa Fetter, Mother of Nettie Green.


Ida B. England wife of L. J. England.


Lissie Gates, wife of Clarence Gates.


Emma Francis Gillett and William Groo Gillett, mother and father of W. G. Decker. J. J. Gillett, husband of Carrie Gillett.


S. D. Gillett, brother-in-law of Carrie Gillett.


J. w. Green, husband of Nettie Green.


H. J. Grubbs, father of Homer Grubbs. Margaret Harris and Nelson Harris, father and mother of Mack and Willard Harris. Charles S. Haworth, husband of Grace Haworth.


Dr. J. E. Hawley, husband of Rella Hawley.


Roy Johnson, husband of Goldie Johnson.


Belle Lewis and Calvin Lewis, father and mother of Mrs. Homer Grubbs. Alta Mae Korb, wife of Robert Korb, Sr. Ed. Masters, husband of Etta Masters. Ella Miller, mother of Mrs. Floyd Walters.


M. P. Miller, father of Mrs. Robert Korb, Jr.


Susie Morton, wife of William Morton.


Mrs. R. J. McCammon and R. J. McCammon, father and mother of Mrs. Joy Michael and Lyle McCammon.


Issac Oglevie and Anna Oglevie, father and mother of Mrs. Arby Cole. Frank G. Pair and Amanda Pair, father and mother of Mrs. Lyle Wood. Melvin Pangborn, husband of Viva Pangborn.


Mary Richardson and A. Richardson, mother and father of Riley Richardson.


Sarah Roberson and B. F. Roberson, mother and father of Lillie Mann. Amelia Rux and David Rux, mother and father of Mrs. Roy Brandon. Dora Sanders, mother of Katie Robertson. ,


Captain Glenn Smullins, husband of Clarice Smullins.


George R. Wellman and Elizabeth Wellman, father and mother of Guy Wellman. Fred Wilsman and Sarah Elizabeth Wilsman, father and mother of Ed Wilsman. Chris Wilkins and Cora Wilkins, brother-in-law and sister of Mrs. R. M. Silsby. Nell Wilson, mother of Mrs. Merle Hayden.


Sandra Jean Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Wilson.


Hazel E. Wood, wife of Lyle Wood.


Marion Haworth Woodruff, son of Mrs. Riley Richardson.


Page 47


FORMER MINISTERS


In 1953, Rev. Don D. O'Hara came to the Burr Oak church, where he served three years. The story of his years in Burr Oak was told briefly in the Burr Oak Herald in November of 1956:


REV. DON O'HARA TRANSFERRED TO MUNDEN


Rev. Don O'Hara, pastor of the Meth- odist Church in Burr Oak the past three years was transferred to the Munden-Had- dam churches at the annual conference held in Wichita last week.


Rev. O'Hara has done wonderful work with the Burr Oak church, especially with the young people. He is a very progressive minister and will no doubt make a success with his new charges. Don took an active part in civic affairs of Burr Oak and was a member of the Burr Oak Lions Club.


The Rev. Brenn, pastor of the Glen Elder church the past few years, will be the new pastor for the Burr Oak church.


Members of the Methodist congregation held a farewell partyfor Rev. O'Hara Wed- nesday evening. His many Burr Oak friends wish him well in his new home.


The item was written by Mrs. Will Morton. She and Mr. Morton were owners and publish- ers of the Burr Oak Herald and active mem- bers of the Methodist Church.


--------


, Rev. and Mrs. Marvin Zimbelman, Cindy and DeLana. Marvin came to the Burr Oak church as a student pastor in 1958, remaining for two years. He is serving as a chaplain in the army at Ft. Carson, Colo. in 1965.


Page 48


WOMEN'S GROUPS IN THE CHURCH


Shortly after the turn of the century, records show two women's organizations to have replaced the original Mite Society of 1880. One of these was the Ladies' Aid and the other was called the Women's Foreign Missionary Society. Both of these groups were active in responding to needs at home and abroad. Elsewhere in this history are listed the names of the officers who worked during a few of the past years. In addition to these listed in the record are unnamed hundreds of women who humbly and faithfully served God in their own way.


Following the union of three branches of the Methodist Church in America in 1939, other organizations underwent corresponding changes. Women's groups in the reorganized church formed the Woman's Society of Christian Service in 1940. This huge organization, one of the largest women's organizations in the world, provides leadership, program material and a framework of organization for local Methodist women. The Burr Oak Woman's Society was organized in 1940 with seventy charter members, whose names are listed here. The last named, Hazel Wood (Mrs. L. M. Wood) became the first treasurer of the Woman's Society of Christian Service for Con- cordia District.


CHARTER MEMBERS OF WOMAN'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE


Alexander, Alice


Gates, Elta


Pangborn, Vivia


Alexander, Florence


Gates, Lissie


Pixler, Florence


Ayers, Lucile


Gillett, Carrie


Pixler, Nellie


Beanblossom, Ada


Gillet, Jessie Mae


Poppen, Elsie


Beanblossom, Marie


Gillet, Louise


Renner, Minnie


Bennett, Nannie


Gleason, Nora


Richardson, Mary E.


Calahan, Elsie


Grubbs, Mattie


Richardson, Ruth R.


Callahan, Dora


Harris, Hazel A.


Roberson, Minnie


Canfield, Winifred


Hawley, Rella


Robertson, Katie


Clark, Daisy Cosand, Emma


Howard, Glee


Scott, Minnie


Cosand, Mabel


Johnson, Goldie


Selvage, Rosie


Curren, Hazel


Jones, Minnie


Skeels, Myrtle


Davis, Bernadine


Lathrop, Viola


Terrill, Ethel


Davis, Frances


Lewis, Jessie


Unruh, Glenys


Decker, Anna


Mann, Lillie


Vasey, Inez


Decker, Mina


McCammon, Olive


White, Ella


Demaray, Ethelyn


Mellor, Dorothy


Williamson, Anna


Elder, Sadie Fearing, Ruth


Merritt, Hazel


Williamson, Ona


Fishburn, Edna


Morton, Susie


Wi 1sman, Leona Wilsman, Marie Wood, Hazel


Fogo, Maude E.


Ost, Edith


Ost, Geneva


(Contributed by


Fogo, Rozetta Francis, Anna


Ost, Lena


Mrs. V.L. Oldfield, Pres. WSCS)


Haworth, Grace


Sabin, Tana


Modlin, Lora


Page 49


METHODIST MEN


The Methodist Men organized May 8, 1956, under the leadership of Rev. Donald D. O'Hara. There were thirty-three charter members. This group of men joined together for the betterment of the church spiritually, financially and socially. They make an important contribution to the life of the church. The group has met each month since its inception except for an occasional month or two in the sum- mer. They have added many improvements and repairs to the church properties. They have greatly strengthened the organization by providing leadership in every area of the work of the church and church school. A picture of the charter with the names of the charter members is shown here. It hangs in Fellowship Hall down- stairs.




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