USA > Kansas > Cowley County > History of Cowley County, Kansas > Part 5
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
On the east side of the park are two large halls used for class work. Each has a seating capacity of 300. The Normal halls are well ventilated, have high ceilings and are so shaded by the trees that no hour of the day finds them uncomfortable. In these halls are the classes in the sciences, etc .. art. litera- ture and physical training. Conferences and round tables are also held here as well as in the Pavilion. a temporary structure with a seating capacity of 600. It is usually occupied by the C. L. S. C. Some of the minor lectures are also delivered here.
Between the Tabernacle and the bridge is located the As- sembly dining hall. It can seat 120 persons at a time. It is provided with all conveniences requisite for prompt and proper meal service. The hwilding is splendidly shaded and its win- dows and doors are carefully screened.
FIRST M. E. CHURCH
The Assembly has been fortunate always, in the selection of its officers. T. IF Soward. J. C. Fuller. P. II. Albright. W. C. Root. M. B. Kerr and M. L. Wortman have filled the office of president. Col. H. (. Loomis has held the vice-presidency. almost since the beginning of the organization. J. P'. Baden was vice-president at the time of his death and had for ten years been an active member of the executive board. J. E. Conklin served six years as vice-president.
.1. W. Curns. H. E. Silliman, P. H. Albright. W. C. Robin- son. M. B. Kerr, W. H. Somermier and J. F Balliet have suc- cessively served as treasurer. J. E. Conklin and Rev. J. H. Snyder each served a year as secretary. A. H. Limerick was elected secretary in '88 and has since then been connected with the secretarys office. Since '94 Q. A. Glass, W. Il. Somer- mier. W.'J. Kennedy or M. L. Wortman have shared the secre- tarys work with Mr. Limerick.
The superintendents have been Rev. M. L. Gates. Rev. B. F. Vincent .D. D, Rev. J. C. Miller D. D .. Rev. A. O. Ebright. Rev. C. S. Nusbaum. Rev. W. H. Parker. D. D., who died while in office and Rev. S. W. Stophlett the present incumbent. Gov. Stanley has been for several years an active member of the directory and at the time of his election as governor was a member of the executive board.
The officers for the current year are M. L. Wortman Pres .. H. C. Loomis and W. C. Robinson Vice-Pres .. J. F. Balliet.
Treas .. Q. A. Glass Home Sec .. A. H. Limerick Field Sec .. A. O. Ebright. S. E. Fink and T. B. Myers Executive Committee. At the session of 1900. work was conducted in the following departments: Sacred Literature. Dr. Herbert L. Willett Chicago. Ill .: English Literature. Prof. W. D. MacClintock. Chicago University: W. C. T. F. School of Methods, Mrs. E P. Hutchinson. State President: (. 1. 5 ( . Mrs. Alma F. Piatt. Wichita, Kans .; Art. Miss Napier. Kansas City: Domestic Science. Miss Sarah W. Landes. Nenia. Ohio, and the following lecturers appeared on the platform: Dr. R. S. MacArthur. New York: Col. Geo. W. Bain. Kentucky: Dr. D. F. Fox, Chicago: D. W. Robertson. Edison Projectoscope: Hon. Champ Clark. M. C .. Missouri: Dr. %. T. Sweeney. Indiana: Prof. Chas. E. Grilley. Boston: Frank R. Robertson: Hon. Chas. B. Landis, M. C .. Indiana: Governor Will Cumback. Indiana: 1. De Witt Miller, Philadelphia: Hon Frank Nelson. Topeka: Dr. 11. L. Willett, Chicago: the Scandinavian Concert Co. and Camans Military Band.
There can be no question as to the future of this institu- tion if it remains under as earnest and prudent a management as has directed its affairs for the past five or six years. The people of Winfield are justly proud of the Assembly and all of Southern Kansas and Oklahoma has come to feel that it is theirs to enjoy and sustain. More than eighty newspapers make favorable mention of its work and give its announce- ment space in their columns. The pulpits in its field do not hesitate to announce its attractions and benefits. The home people vie with each other in spreading its fame and inviting their friends to its " feast of reason and flow of sonl." And its management has learned in the school of experience the tastes and desires of its constituency. So we may look upon it as one of the abiding institutions of our city with an in- fluence that must tell on all our future.
T. W. JEFFREY
The Methodist Episcopal church organization METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH is the oldest in Cowley county. having been organized in May. 1870. by Rev B C Swartz. with but three members. to-wit: Dr W. G. Graham. Fannie T Graham and F. M Gra- ham During the next three months the membership was increased by addition to the church of James Dever. James Gird. James H Land. James Parker.F Sambier and Anna Sam- bier. In September of the same year a movement was inang- rated to ereet an edifice of worship The Winfield Town Co. gave a lot on East Ninth avenue. east of the present postoffice building Dr Graham contributed the lumber and the society furnished the remaining material and the labor to complete
THE WINFIELD COURIER
the building The church was completed and dedicated in May of Is?1 The building was 22 feet in width by 34 feet in length. It is still standing and is to be found at the rear of 1. F. Johnson's new building on East Ninth avenue. Since it was vacated by the society it has served both as a saloon and grocery store Rev. J. O. Smith was the first pastor.
The corner stone of the present building was laid by the Masonic fraternity. M. L. Reed master of ceremonies, in Jan. 1877, and dedicated the same year. Rev. J. L. Rushbridge was the pastor. Some of the official members at this time were M. L. Reed, S. H1. Myton. James Dever, H. Brotherton, W. C. Rob- inson, W. G. Graham and W.O. Johnson. The organization was greatly embarassed by debt until Rev. A. O. Ebright became pastor when the whole debt was canceled. In 1888 Grace M. E. church was organized from this church and is in a flourishing condition now. In 198 the present parsonage was erected at a cost of nearly $3.000. The church now has a membership of nearly six hundred and is in a most excellent condition. The society hopes in the very near future to build a new structure commodious and modern in all its apartments. The present building is thronged at every service and is not large enough to accommodate the congregations. The pride of the church is its excellent choir. Beginning with 1876 the pastors have been: *76-'78, J. L. Rushbridge; 79-81, J. Albert Hyden: '81- 82, H. A. Tucker; 82-84, Panl Jones; 84-86, B. Kelly: '86-89; J. T. Hanna: '89-91, R. A. Carnine; '91-94, A. O. Ebright: 94-97. 1. B. Bruner: '97. T. W. Jeffrey.
REV. A. O. EBRIGHT
REV. A. O. EBRIGHT Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal church resides with his family on east Twelth avenue. Dr. Ebright is well known here. having been pastor of First church for three years beginning with 1891.
Born in 1851 in Fairfield county, Ohio, finishing his home school, Mr Ebright graduated from the Western Reserve Uni- versity, of Cleveland, Ohio, before he was twenty-one The same year he was married to Miss Arminta Philbrick of Royal- ton, Ohio, and together they went to Illinois to begin house- keeping. There followed four vears of successful medical practice, but this was given up for the lot of a Methodist preacher. Beginning in the Kentucky conference at a salary of $150. Rev. Ebright remained there five years; he was then transferred to the Ohio conference for an equal period, then entered the South west Kansas conference in 15-5, where he
has since remained. He has been appointed to Lyons, at which place he remained three years' then to McPherson three years. and Winfield the same length of time: Marion four years: Wellington two years. and last spring he was placed on the Winfield district as presiding elder. He is the father of six children. two girls and four boys, and is a member of the Masonic order, Blue lodge, Chapter and Knights Templar Dr. Ebright is recognized as one of the strongest preachers in the conference. orignal. able and sincere in his ministerial work. well liked as a man and loyal to the best interests of the city.
In the year Isst a Missionary was ST. MARTIN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH sent to Winfield by the Lutheran Mission Board of St. Louis, Mo .. for the purpose of effecting an or- ganization in connection with the Synodical Conference, the largest general Lutheran body in this country The effort proved successful and ground was broken for the stone building shown in eut below, and located at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Andrews street. Those acquainted with local affairs need not be told that the late Mr. J. P. Baden took a prominent part in the enterprise, also donating the parsonage.
The Reverend (. Spannuth. then of Sarcoxie. Mo .. was called as first pastor. succeeded in later years by the Rev. Myer. Luecke and Raugh, the present minister. The congre- gation is not a large one. but is conservative and loyal.
A parish school, usually conducted by the pastor, has al- ways been connected with the congregation. neat quarters having been provided at the corner of Seventh Avenue and
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Cherry street. The Ladies Aid Society is active in furthering the best interests of the congregation. having furnished the church etc
There is practically no debt resting on church. parsonage or school.
The First Baptist church of Winfield, Kansas, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH was organized Sunday. November 27. 1870. with eleven constituent members as follows: W. W. Andrews. J. O. Mathewson and wife. A. W. Tow- sey and wife. E. S. Bliss. Mrs. James Hunt. J. D. Cochran and wife. At a meeting held on Monday evening fol- lowing. Mr. Cochran and Mr. Bliss with Col. E. C. Manning and D. A. Millington were appointed as a committee to solicit funds and erect a church edifice. March 20. 1871, the first trustees were elected as follows: Rev. E. P. Hickock. W. W. Andrews, A. W. Towsey, E. C. Manning and James Hunt. Col
THE WINFIELD COURIER
BAPTIST CHURCH
Manning was not a member of the church but consented to act as a trustee to fill the legal requirements. Rev. S. Ferguson and J. O. Mathewson were elected deacons and | Spencer Bliss clerk. The building committee succeeded well in their efforts and in the spring of 1872, the new building was completed. The church was never formally dedicated, Rev. Ellis of Law- rence who was selected to preach the sermon failing to arrive at the appointed time. It was a substantial structure built of stone and still stands now occupied as a residence on North Millington street, a monument to the fidelity, generosity and faith of the early settlers.
The church prospered and rapidly increased in membership and soon outgrew the original building. In a few years the building was inadequate to the needs of the church and July 22. 1880, the corner stone of the present magnificent stone edi- fice was laid. Adelphi Lodge No. 110. A. F. & A. M., acting as most worshipful grand lodge of the state of Kansas having the exercises in charge. The building was completed in the spring of 1882 and was dedicated Sunday May 28, of that year. Rev. Dr. Beck of Lawrence, Kan., preaching the dedicatory sermon May 28, 1882. The services at the organization were conducted by Rev. Winfield Scott then state missionary and pastor of the church at Leavenworth. He was in this |vicinity on a hunting and pleasure trip and readily accepted an invitation to conduct services. There was not a building suitable for the purposes and services were held in an uncompleted building in course of construction owned by A. 11. Green to be used as a drug store. The building was located on the east side of Main street be- tween Ninth and Tenth avenues and was destroyed by fire a few years ago. The enthusiasm created at this service among such crude surroundings led to the suggestion of a church organization and the world will never know the good resulting from this unexpected and seeming unauspicious beginning. The city of Winfield was named in honor of Rev. Winfield Scott.
The first prayer meeting was held Thursday evening. September 26, 1872. The first Sunday school was organized. Sunday, March 31. 1878, with Mrs. R. C. Story superintendent and Capt. James McDermott assistant superintendent. Rev. E. P. Hickok was the first pastor. He was elected April 2. 1872, with the understanding that he was to donate his serv-
ices and was to do no pastoral work. He was then living on a farm and consented to serve for the purpose of stopping the fiow of applications and give the church time to look around and find a pastor to their liking. Rev N. L. Rigby was elected pastor, June 22. 1-73. and resigned on account of ill health. December 12. 1-75. The church was without a pastor then until April 18. 1-78, when Rev. A F. Randall was elected During part of this interim. Rev. Hickock and Rev. Rigby con- dueted services alternately and the church was thus held togeth- er and kept in good working order. Rev Jas Carnes succeeded Rev. Randall as pastor, October 1. 1878. and he served exactly six years when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. It was during his ministry and due largely to hisefforts that the present edifice was built Rev. J. 11. Rheider was elected pastor, Nov. 3. 1884. and served until April 1. 185 ;. lle was suceceded by Rev James Lisk. who was elected April IN. the same year Rev. C W. Currier was elected Dec 1. 1581. to succeed Rey Lisk and served until his death, April 17, 1889.
The church was without a pastor then until February 26. 1890. when Rev G. P. Wright was elected but during the summer of 1889. Rev L M Woodruff of Saginaw. Michigan. was elected as a supply Rev. Wright did not arrive until June 22. and he resigned, September 1. 1992. Rev. W. 11. Parker was elected September 21. 1992 Ile died March 18. 1900. after nearly eight years of faithful devoted service. during which time the present membership learned to know and love him as it is the lot of but few men to be loved and respected. lle was a profound scholar, an earnest preacher and a devoted pastor. and his memory is cherished by the present membership as a precious gift to be forever kept sacred. At his suggustion and through his efforts the magnificent pipe organ. a likeness of which appears in this issue, was secured but his death came before the organ was finished and he was not permitted to
PARKER MEMORIAL ORGAN
THE WINFIELD COURIER
see his work completed nor was it his privilege to listen to the grand. sweet harmony of this splendid instrument for which he worked so long and earnestly. But in honor to his memory and work in securing it. it was named the "Parker Memorial Organ " His picture appears on the front of the organ
A successor to Rev. Parker was hard to find. and not until after several trials was a pastor agreeable to all. secured Rev. A. R. Best of Nevada. Mo. was invited to fill the pulpit on Sunday, September 30. 1900, and October 3. he was extended a unanimous call to the pastorate which he accepted and preach- ed the first sermon. Nov. 25. 1900. Rev. Best is a young man intensely spiritual. sincere and devoted to his work and although yet almost a stranger. he has already won the confi- dence and secured the hearty cooperation of the entire member- ship and from every standpoint the prospects of the church were never brighter.
In the early history of the church.a parsonage was secured near the old church building. on North Millington. This was sold after the death of Rev Parker to his widow. to whom through association it had become endeared and the building on the property adjoining the church on the east was purchas- ed. This has been remodeled for use as a parsonage and when completed will be a model and convenient pastor's home.
Rev Scott. who assisted at the organization of the church. now lives at Prescott. Ariz : Rey. Rigby lives at Los Angeles. C'alif .: Rev Randall went south from here as an evangelist and died in the land of sunshine and flowers: Rev. Carnes lives at Freemont. Wash .and this church recently sent him a donation toward the erection of a new church at that place Rev. Rheider lives somewhere in California and Rev Wright died a few years ago in Manchester. Mich.
The first death among the constituent members was that
of Rev. Towsey, which occured in the fall of 1871. His body was taken to his old home in New York for burial. Of the original members. only Rev. Hickock and wife and Mrs. J. D. Cochran are now residents of this city. Mr Cochran died Oct. 5. 1878. Spencer Bliss with his family now lives at Strsburg. Mo .: J S. Hunt lives at Stillwater. O. T : Mrs Towsey after the death of her husband married Rev. Rigby and she died in California some five or six years ago. The last heard of Mr. and Mrs Mathewson. they resided at Duaite. Calif . near Los Angeles: W. W. Andrews lives at San Diego, Calif. The church now has a membership of 236
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Was one of the first organized in this community.
In 1872-73 Rev. A. R. Naylor conducted ser- vices in store buildings and other places that would accommodate a gathering of the people. He organized the First Presbyterian church in Jan- uary 1873. with the following names as charter members: Fannie V. Curns. Samuel W Greer. William Greenlee, Sophia llane. Mrs ( E Johnson. John W Johnson. John MeMillen. Wm JJ. Orr. Harriet Orr. Jennetta Ross. Emma Swain. John Thompson. Alexander Thompson. Margaret Thompson. Jen- netta Thompson. George Catharine and Gilbert Thompson. Joseph Terry. James E Platter was sent to take charge of this church as pastor April 14. 1878 and remained in that posi- tion until the date of his death. During his pastorate the present church building was erected and dedicated in 1877 In November 1853 the Rev. W. R. Kirkwood became pastor and remained until iss5 when he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Miller on April 20. 1555 and continued for a period of ten years.
The present pastor. Rev. Samuel W Stophlet, was installed in April. 1896 The church building was remodelled in 1898. and made complete and commodious in all its apartments. It is well fitted for every department of church work. The andi- torium will seat 500 and is well lighted and ventilated. It is provided with waiting rooms and vestibules, also a spacious choir and organ loft The church edifice is located at the corner of Tenth and Millington streets and the manse is located at the corner of Eleventh and Mansfield. The membership of the church is more than three hundred and every department is prosperous.
CHRISTAIN CHURCH
In 1871 Rev. Womack preached a few sermons in Winfield and found several members of that denomination They were organized into a church on the fourth Sunday of September. 1872. P. F Whitaker and Henry Hawkins were chosen elders during the following month. Rev. Erastus Lathrop preached ten days and added fifteen to their number. Rev Womack became the first pastor. this was in 1872. 3. H Irvin followed: then came H D. Gans, who served longer than any other. and at different times. T. L. Cartwright and F. M. Rains preach- ed in the early days of the church W T. Hacker and W. T. Adams preceded Geo T. Smith. the present pastor.
The first church building stood on North Main street. near where the Southern Kansas depot now stands The next building was at the corner of Church and Eleventh streets The present building was begun in Isse and completed the follow- ing year In 1885 a number of the brethern having conscien- tious seruples against the the use of instrumental music in the church. withdrew and began a seperate organization. After meeting for a time in private houses. they purchased the build- ing which was erected by the church on the corner of Church and Eleventh streets, and moved it to the corner of Seventh and Andrews streets where they continue to maintain services,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
In 1893 the Eighth street church suffered from a cyclone. and in 1895 it was burned. But out of all their trials the church has emerged confident and hopeful.
After a long interval the Rev. Mr. Carpenter took charge of the parish and under his instructions our energies were again ronsed and steps were taken to erect a new church
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Owing to the loss of records and the death GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH and removal of the original members. the history of Grace Episcopal parish is involved in obseurity. According to the best informa- tion to be had. the first services were held by the United States army chaplain. then sta- tioned at Leavenworth. the date not known. Bishop Vaill. the then bishop of this diocese. visited Winfield in 1877 and held a service, but not until Js78 was there any organization of a parish. which was effected in that year under the minis- tration of the Rev. Mr. Colton. The first baptism was performed on March 25, 1851, and the first confirmation was held. April 15th of the same year. The first marriage occurred September 2sth. 1851, and the first burial, March 3d. Isst. both with the services of the Episcopal church. The parish. though organized, had only occasional religious services, which were held in the different halls. which could be procured; until Iss7. when the Rev. Mr. DeLongy. then a layman, residing here. was appointed lay reader by Bishop Thomas. From this time continual services were held during his preparation for the ministry. his admission to the diaconate and advancement to the priesthood. In 1988. the first church building was erected, which, though of wood. was of very neat design. Soon after occupation, it was totally destroyed by fire, but the insurance obtained was enough to pay for restoration to its original condition. Mr. DeLongy receiving a call from a parish in the diocese of Missouri, left us. and only occasional services (lay and elerieal) were had until 1893, when in the month of lune a severe tornado visited Winfield, which though narrow in its path, carried destruction in its course and our little church was taken up bodily and deposited in an adjoining street, bottom side up and erushed. Our second loss was a terrible one to us and could not be replaced and our hopes were dashed to the ground with the building.
A remarkable ineident in the catastrophe. however. is worthy of note. The almost complete preservation of the large. illuminated and fragile chaneel window, representing in life size, our Savior as the "Good Shepherd" and also the large. gilt eross, which surmounted the building. They have both been made part of the church building now existing. These with the marble fount were about the only things preserved and it seemed as if the tornado had no power to destroy the emblems of our holy religion.
REV, R C. TALBOT
building of stone. The corner stone was laid on April 19th. 1898, and completed and dedicated. September 4th. 1sos, both with appropriate services June Ist. 1998, Rev. R. C. Talbot. Jr. came to ns and is now our valued rector. Following the example of the spiritual church, which is built upon the Rock. we have erected our material church of stone and the hope is. that neither fire, tornado nor any powers of earth may prevail against it.
HOLY NAME CHURCH
The first missionaries who ministered to the HOLY NAME CHURCH Indians and afterwards to the few Catholics first settlers here. were Reverends Schumaker and Boncilione. Jesuit Fathers from the Osage Mission. now St. Pauls Mission in Neosha county. Later the Catholics were attended by prjests from Independ- ence and Wichita. The Catholics first built a small frame church on the site of the present one In 1887 under Rev. MeKernan. the present massive stone structure was erected at a eost of about $16.009 and the old frame building was sold to the C'atholies of Red Bnd. who moved it to that place and are still using it as a house of worship
The baptismal records show that the following priests have attended this parish: Reverends F. X. Kraus. G. M. Kelly, M. C. Duggan. John F. Kelly. B. J. MeKernan, E. F', Dooley, P. J. Kennedy, E. Bonincini and J. E. Chapuis-pro
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THE WINFIELD COURIER
chapwe -the prisen pastor. Father Chapuis is fifty years of age. nood in ot Swiss nationality. He converses and writes fluently in . ight different languages. He recently came from the cast. The congregation numbers about fifty families. besides these there are the missions of Red Bud. Wellington. Oxford. Douglas and Burden One priest. Father M ( Dng- gran died while pastor of this parish and his remains lie in the st. Mary's cemetery of this city. In Parochial school is taught in the basement of the church. the former teachers were Misses Siverd and Colling and others, but for the past i wo years it has been in charge of Sisters Patritia and Sister Jerome, of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph
Regular services are held on the first and third Sundays of each month and on all lloly days at eight and ten o'clock A. M. Sunday school at half past two every Sunday
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UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
On November 6. 1s81. Rev. J. H. Snyder. D. D. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH preached to a fair sized audience in the court house. The following Sunday. November 13. 14$1. he organized the first I'nited Brethren class in Winfield. composed of sixteen mem- hers. Mr. Samuel Garver is the only member of the sixteen now a member of the church. that is now living in Winfield.
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