USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, from the first settlement to the close of 1892 > Part 33
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CHRISTIAN CHURCHIES.
[ It is probable that some of the organizations which I have grouped under this head might be more properly designated, according to their own claim, by some other name, but I have no information by which I can make any better classification than this .- N. C.]
Concord .- Soon after the completion of Concord school-house, in Dis- trict No. 16, in the fall of 1868, Rev. Jackson Statton commenced hold- ing services in it. He and other ministers frequently preached there during the next year. In 1874 Rev. J. S. Masters began preaching here, and organized a church, which was maintained for some five years.
Franklin was organized at Center school-house, District No. 14, in 1869, by Peterson Cherry and William McIntosh. Some two years later it was moved to the Liberty school-house, in District No. 17, and some three or four years later to the Franklin school-house, in District No. 55, where it has since been maintained. It has had for its pastors Elders Berry, Randall, Murray, and Cole.
Pleasant Hill .- A church was organized in the log school-house in District No. 38, in April, 1871, by Rev. Jacob S. Masters, who preached for them a number of years. In 1878 they built a frame church on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 31, range 18. After Mr. Mas- ters moved away the organization ceased, and the church building was sold to the Seventh-Day Adventists.
Lockard .- An organization was formed at the Lockard school-house, in District No. 28. by Rev. J. N. Allison, who has preached there for some time.
Star .- Rev. J. S. Masters organized a church in the Star school-house, in District No. 50, in 1874, and preached there several years. It was then consolidated with the South Hackberry church.
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South Hackberry ( now E'm City ) .- This church was organized at the Valley school-house, District No. 72, by Rev. J. S. Masters and Rev. G. W. Goodman, April 6, 1873, and has maintained services ever since. Rev. J. S. Masters and his brother Rev. J. L. Masters have preached for the church the greater part of the time, but it has also had other preachers. The services were changed in 1887 from the Valley school- house to Rose Hill school-house, in District No. 109. The church in the summer of 1892 erected a house of worship at Elm City, which was dedi- cated Oct. 9, 1892, by Rev. J. S. Masters. Philander Davis, A. Humphries, J. Allison, and F. Fallie, besides the Masters brothers, have been pastors.
Emmons District, No. 84 .- In 1877 Rev. Skelton Riley, a preacher in the Christian denomination, commenced preaching in this school-house, and as there were several in the neighborhood who wanted to have a church connection, he soon succeeded in forming quite an organization of those who had belonged to various denominations. The understanding was that no particular denominational creed should be preached. Every- thing went off smoothly for about a year, but finally the preacher mixed in his sermons quite a large amount of his peculiar denominational views, which was distasteful to a large proportion of his members. The men- bership gradually decreased, and after an existence of something like two years the organization became entirely disbanded.
Bell Mound District, No. 99 .- A Christian church was organized at this point several years ago, which has since been maintained. A. D. Skaggs and Job Padget have done considerable preaching for them.
Chetopa .- On September 11, 1870, Rev. Allen Crocker, of Burlington, preached at Spaulding's Hall. This was the first service held by this de- nomination in Chetopa. This church was organized with 36 members, in January, 1876, by Benjamin H. Smith, who served it as pastor for about eighteen months, preaching for them once a month. In 1878 Elder M. J. Jenkins held a series of meetings, the use of the Baptist church being secured for that purpose. For the next three years the church was occasionally served by Prof. Robert Hay. The church then became disbanded, partially for want of a place to meet. In 1883 a room in the California House was secured as a place for meeting, and F. S. Young and P. A. Millard were secured to hold a series of meetings in April. These resulted in a reorganization of the church, with 24 members. A Sunday school had been organized by them a few weeks before. P. A. Millard served them as pastor for a year or more, after which they had preaching occasionally till the spring of 1886, when M. J. Jenkins be- came pastor, giving them half of his time for some six months. In 1884 a frame church 32×44 feet was erected, at a cost of about $1,400, and
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dedicated December 14, 1884, by W. C. Pool. On April 30, 1889, the church traded this house of worship with the Baptist denomination for its building, and thereupon the two denominations exchanged places of meeting. In 1888 Elder M. Ingles preached one-half the time, and G. W. Leonard once a month in 1891. A. J. Garrison was pastor in 1892, preaching two Sundays each month, until November, when he resigned.
Labette .- This church was first organized at Liberty school-house, Dis- trict No. 17, in 1871, by William McIntosh, who preached to them most of the time for several years. In September, 1877, the organization was removed to the town of Labette, where it has since been maintained. They have not had regular pastors much of the time, but have had occa- sional preaching by Peter Shick, Frank Harman, Elder Jenkins, A. D. Skaggs, Thomas Cole, and others.
Montana .- This church was organized at the residence of Dr. R. M. Taylor, December 2, 1886, at which time J. J. Freeman, Crowell Cook and R. H. Gaston were elected trustees. Lots 7 and 8 in block 14 were secured, and a church building was erected thereon in 1887, at a cost of about $600. The church has been supplied with regular preaching but a small portion of the time. Rev. A. D. Skaggs preached for them some time in connection with his work at other points in the county. In 1892 they sold their church building to the Methodists.
Parsons .- The First Christian Church of Parsons was first organized in 1873, with 12 members, and was reorganized in 1875, with 35 mem- bers. A brick church building was completed in 1879. Its first elders were Phineas Davis and John Leonard; its first deacons, J. F. Van Meter and W. L Daily ; J. B. Graves was first pastor; following him there have been C. C. Cline, C. O. Mckinney, O. E. Ebert, - Thomas, J. P. Witt, J. T. Tucker.
Central .- In May, 1890, J. P. Witt, who had been preaching for the First church, organized the Central Christian church of Parsons, with a membership of about forty, and became its first pastor. He was suc- ceeded by D. M. Harris, and he by --- Brown. The church has as yet erected no building.
Altamont .- This church was organized in March, 1877, by Elder Frank Harmon, with thirteen members. James Perry and William P. Daniel were its first elders, and F. L. Hamilton and James Daniel its deacons. It has been served by the following ministers : Frank Harmon, J. Padget, P. W. Shick, John Owen, B. F. Lucas. In 1892 this church purchased the frame building which had previously been the public school building, which they have removed and repaired for use as a church.
Ostrego .- The Oswego Christian church was organized in May, 1875, -21
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by Rev. J. W. Randall, with a membership of about twenty soon after completing the organization. For a time they held services in the Bap- tist church, and afterwards in the court-house. In 1879 they erected a house of worship, which was dedicated January 25, 1880, by Rev. Kirk Baxter. The pastors have been as follows: J. W. Randall, M. J. Jenkens, Kirk Baxter, H. S. Kline, Thomas E. Shepherd, D. R. De Schullie, A. HI. Mulkey, R. A. Thompson, J. W. Ferrell, M. Ingels, J. H. Blake, and E. N. Tucker .- An organization of the Y. P. S. C. E. was effected October 12, 1890, and has done a good line of work in Bible study. David Jennings has been its president since its inception.
Mound Valley .- An organization was effected at the residence of E. Stapleton, in May, 1871, by Rev. J. W. Randall. This organization, however, only lasted for a short time. In March, 1882, Rev. J. Padget conducted a series of meetings in a school-house, and a reorganization was formed. A house of worship was erected that summer.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
Oswego .- The Congregational church of Oswego was the first church to be organized in the county. The meeting at which it was organized was held in the building at the northeast corner of block 33, then used for school and church purposes, Jan. 9, 1868. There were present Rev. T. H. Canfield, Dr. W. S. Newlon, Mrs. M. W. Newlon, Mrs. Lucinda Newlon, William Herbangh, Augusta Herbaugh, and A. L. Austin. W. S. New- lon was elected clerk, A. L. Austin and William Herbaugh deacons. On the following Sunday, January 12th, the public organization of the church took place. Rev. Thomas H. Canfield was sent out by the Board of Home Missions in the fall of 1867, and soon commenced preaching. He was the first regular preacher on the ground who came more as a preacher than as a settler, although the Methodists had several local preachers here before he came. Early in 1869 they commenced the erec- tion of a stone church, which was inclosed about the last of the year, and cost some $2,000. The church was first occupied on January 23, 1870, although it was not yet completed. Mr. Canfield resigned in 1870, and was succeeded for a few months by Rev. J. F. Morgan, who was followed by Rev. F. A. Armstrong -a man with a large amount of wisdom and goodness, but with less practical sense. As a consequence, he and his members did not see things alike, and he was finally left as pastor of a church almost without a membership. The church remained closed for a number of months, but finally A. Bixby was employed, and preached most of the time for some two or three years - from 1876 to 1879. John F. Flint served a few months in 1880. E. F. Smith was called in the spring of 1881, and served until the summer of 1882. J. N. Branch
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preached for them the last half of 1883. O. M. Van Swearingen came in the spring of 1834, and stayed a little more than a year. From the fall of 1886 to the spring of 1887 Win. T. Blenkarn supplied the pulpit ; it then remained vacant till the spring of 1891, when Park A. Bradford was employed, and remained most of that year. In the summer of 1892 Chas. H. Currans filled the pulpit. The church is now without a pastor.
Parsons .- Early in 1872 several citizens of Parsons who leaned toward Congregationalism, after consulting some of the officers of the Home Missionary Society decided to organize, and secured the incorporation of "The First Congregational Church Society of Parsons, " with E. C. Ward, E. S. Stevens and C. L. Whitney as trustees. Hewes's Hall was rented, and Rev. Mr. Storrs and other ministers promised to preach till the arrival of the Rev. P. M. Griffin, who was to be sent out by the Home Missionary Society as soon as he finished his course at Andover. As the Methodists and Presbyteriaus were already occupying this hall on alter- nate Sabbaths, the Congregationalists could only hold services occa- sionally. This hastened their action in building a church. The town company donated lots 1 and 2 in block 49, and the church purchased lots 3 and 4 adjoining. Mr. Griffin arrived on the ground and commenced work September 1, 1872. A brick building 27x65 was constructed as rapidly as could be done, and was completed in the following July. On July 12, 1873, Edmund S. Stevens, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens, Mrs. Emily Fellows, Rev. Presley M. Griffin and Mrs. E. J. Griffin formed them- selves into and organized the First Congregational Church of Parsons. On the following day, Sunday, July 13, 1873, the church building was dedicated by Dr. P. Mc Vicar; the church was reorganized, and the pas- tor was ordained and installed by an ecclesiastical council. Mr. Griffin remained pastor till August 19, 1879. when he resigned, aud was duly dismissed by the council. During Mr. Griffin's pastorate the church membership was increased from five to sixty-two, and the entire church indebtedness was canceled. Mr. Griffin was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Burr, who came in November, and continued till May, 1880, when he was compelled by ill-health to resign. From this time till September 1, 1881, the church was without a pastor; at that time Rev. C. Hartley came and stayed till June, 1882, when he resigned. In December, 1882. Rev. W. H. Utley became pastor, and continued till February 1, 1886. In May of that year Rev. C. L. Mckesson accepted a call, and remained some two years. The church was then closed till the summer of 1890, during which time it seemed that the life of the church had entirely fled : but the membership again rallied, repaired the church, and extended a call to their first pastor, Rev. P. M. Griffin, who accepted, and began work September 1, 1890, and continued till sometime in 1892. During
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his last pastorate a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was formed, and new vitality was put in the church in many ways.
The Deerton Congregational Church was organized in the Dresser school-house, District No. 51, July 22, 1877, by Rev. S. D. Storrs, with seven members. Rev. Alanson Bixby, of Oswego, was chairman of the meeting, and after the organization of the church he was at once chosen pastor ; he served this church in connection with the church at Oswego. There were seventeen accessions during the year. At the close of that year Rev. Uriel Farmer was chosen pastor, and during the year steps were taken to erect a church and parsonage. George E. Wiley donated three acres of land on the northwest quarter of section 21, township 34, range 18, near the north line of Howard township, for church and par- sonage. The parsonage was built during 1878. The church building was erected in the fall of 1879, and was dedicated January 24, 1880, the corner-stone having been laid October 18, 1879. Mr. Farmer having served two years, he retired, and Rev. Mr. Flint temporarily supplied the pulpit. Early in 1882 Rev. James Cooper became pastor, and served to the close of 1883. During his pastorate about fifty names were added to the list of members. With the opening of 1884 Rev. Howard Gilchrist entered on his pastorate, which continued till near the close of 1885, when Rev. Park A. Bradford preached for a time. This closed the work while the building remained at Deerton.
Valeda .- In the fall of 1886 the church building was removed from Deerton to Valeda. No services were held by the church until the fall of 1891. On Sept. 27, 1891, the church was reorganized, with 33 mem- bers. Rev. S. B. Dyckman was chosen pastor, and has continued since to serve in that capacity. The parsonage still remains at Deerton.
BAPTISTS.
Altamont .- On June 18, 1882, a few families,-viz. : of the Bonebrake families, Frank, May, S. M., Ezra, Amanda J., Luella; of the Baker family, Isaac, Aseneth, Thomas L., May C., Allen T., Melvina ; George and Margaret Chapman, Jonathan and Sarah Self, and Adeline Burns - presented letters from other churches, and organized the Altamont Bap- tist church. Rev. T. C. Daniels was chosen as the first pastor ; he only served till Nov. 19, 1882, when he was followed by J. M. C. Reed, who served for three years. E. Estes, W. G. Slinker and W. T. Jackson have been the subsequent pastors. In 1883 a building costing about $1,500 was completed, and dedicated Jan. 29, 1884, by Rev. A. S. Merri- field. The church has a membership of about fifty.
Oswego .- The First Baptist Church of Oswego was organized at the court-house April 28, 1869, with the following members: Rev. Thomas
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Clark and wife D. Clark, Rev. Zachariah Harris and wife Anna J. Harris, Rev. T. J. Flouronoy and wife Virginia Flouronoy, and mother Nancy P. Flouronoy, John S. Read and wife E. C. Read, Elijah Read and wife Sarah Read. Sarah N. Carr, Anna M. Bridgman, Jerusha P. Smith, John Garrett, Jemima Garrett, and George W. Kingsbury. Rev. M. A. Clark, home missionary, was present, and acted as clerk. Rev. C. A. Bateman, of Chetopa, was also present, and gave the right hand of fellowship. Rev. Thomas Clark acted as moderator. John S. Read was elected clerk, Thomas J. Flouronoy deacon, John S. Read, T. J. Flouro- noy and G. W. Kingsbury trustees. - On May 8, 1869, a meeting was held, at which it was voted, on motion of Mr. Flouronoy, to proceed to build a house of worship. Subscription papers were put in circulation and reference is made to the matter at several meetings during the year, but no results are reported .- On June 9, 1869, "the subject of foot- washing in connection with the supper was introduced by Bro. Flouro- noy. There being no second to his motion, there was no action had upon the subject." There seems to have been no employment of a pastor dur- ing 1869 or 1870, but Rev. Thomas Clark preached quite regularly the first year .- On May 20, 1870, Rev. F. L. Walker arrived in Oswego, and at once took charge of the church, and to his faithful labors during the next twelve years, more than to any other human agency, are the Baptists indebted for the privileges they enjoy to-day. In September of that year a building committee was appointed, lots on which to build were selected and donated by the town company, and preparations were commenced in earnest to have a church building. The foundation was laid early in the spring of 1871, and was inclosed by midsummer of the following year. Though not finished, the church held their first services in the new house on July 13, 1872, with thirteen persons present, only eight of whom were members. Services continued to be held there till winter, when other quarters had to be secured. The next year the church was plastered and seated. Mr. Walker continued as pastor of the church till the close of 1881, when he severed his relation and went further west .- In April. 1882, Rev. C. T. Daniel accepted a call, and at once entered upon his pastorate, which was continued till March, 1883, when he resigned, and the church remained without a pastor until April, 1884, when Rev. J. M. Lackey accepted a call, and remained only till September. During the summer of 1883 the church was re-furnished in- side and re-seated .- In February, 1885, Rev. Chas. J. Bowles accepted a call, and served the church until close of 1886 .- In March, 1889, Rev. Robert Smith became pastor, and continued as such to July, 1890. The church was then without a regular pastor until April, 1891, when Rev. C. N. H. More commenced his services as pastor, which he still contin-
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nes .- B. Y. P. U. was organized in April, 1891, with Miss Nellie Harri- son as president. Since then it has had for presidents T. F. Kaho and Fluta Owens.
The Second Baptist Church of Oswego was organized by the colored people, in 1880. Cornelius Johnson secured its organization, and became its first pastor. Since then the church has had the following pastors : A. W. Green, J. J. Johnson, J. R. White, T. T. Ward, D. T. Carriway, N. C. Robinson. In 1882 the church put up quite a good frame building on the southwest corner of block 2, in which they held services till Sep- tember, 1884, when it was burned. Services were then conducted in the A. M. E. church for some time. In July, 1885, they commenced the erection of a new church on the site of the old one, and got it inclosed that fall, although it was not completed till the next year.
Mound Valley Township .- A Baptist church was organized in the fall of 1871, at the home of J. G. Phenix, in the west part of Mound Valley township, by Rev. N. L. Davis. This organization was maintained some three or four years, when it was disbanded on account of other churches being organized, which drew away the members.
Wilsonton .- The Wilsonton Baptist church was organized June 5, 1892, with Rev. J. D. Hopper as pastor, and a membership of seven or eight.
Hackberry church was organized November 26, 1870, in the residence. of Mr. DeGraw, in Hackberry township, by Rev. F. L. Walker. J. B. Ellis and Isaac Strickland were elected deacons. Services have ever since been maintained in the Ellis school-house, in District No. 45. Its pastors have been F. L. Walker, George Richardson, William Richard- son, C. T. Floyd, George Goodwin, and W. G. Slinker.
Pleasant Hill church is located on the northwest corner of section 12, in the southeast corner of Hackberry township. It was organized in the spring of 1885, by Rev. C. T. Floyd, the membership coming princi- pally from the Chetopa church. On May 25, 1885, work commenced on a church building, which was completed, and on Sept. 6 of that year was dedicated, by Rev. J. P. Ash.
Dennis .- In the fall of 1877 Rev. Mr. Garrison held a protracted meet- ing in the school-house in District No. 38, and organized a church. In 1878 they built a small frame church on the northeast corner of section 23, but after a time moved it to the southwest quarter of section 24. After Dennis was started they moved this building there, where they still use it as their house of worship.
Mound Valley .- J. H. Tibbits, Sarah Tibbits, Milo Hildreth, Samuel Guthrey, Judson Wilson, H. W. Savage and Allison Savage constituted the first membership of the first Baptist church of Mound Valley, which was organized at the home of J. H. Tibbits, three miles south of Mound
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Valley, on April 1, 1871, by Rev. F. L. Walker. On the following day, Sunday, Mr. Walker preached at the school-house in the town of Mound Valley, at which place services were thereafter held till the completion of their church building in 1882. In January, 1880, lots were procured ; in February a building committee was appointed, and in September the work of building was begun. As the building was mostly erected by volunteer work, it was some time in course of construction. It was dedi- cated, free of debt, on October 29, 1882. Mr. Walker remained in charge of the church for seven years, and was succeeded by Rev. George Good- win, who remained about a year, when Rev. G. W. Slinker was called, and continued as pastor for seven years, at the close of which Rev. C. T. Floyd became pastor. R. R. Coleman, who died in January, 1882, was one of the efficient workers of the church. In January, 1885, this church joined with the Methodists in their building in holding a revival meeting under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Hulbert, an evangelist. This was one of the most remarkable revivals ever held in the place. The Bap- tists realized from it an addition of 52 members. The present member- ship of the church is about 60.
Pursons .- First Baptist Church : In the summer of 1871 Rev. F. L. Walker, of Oswego, visited Parsons and held some meetings. Perhaps other ministers may also have rendered them some services. A few Baptists in that vicinity got together, and even went so far as to com- mence the foundation for a church, but they were so few in number and so scattered that the enterprise was for a time abandoned. On March 2, 1873, Rev. Robert Atkinson preached in the Methodist church, and took the first steps toward organizing a church at that place. The organiza- tion was perfected March 30, 1873, with a membership of twelve, com- posed of George, Susan and Emma Everhart, Lettia Rockhold, Isaac Neptune, Benjamin F., Martin W., Mary B. and Lizzie Elliott, Ella Hall, Alice Scholl, and R. M. Donley. The following officers were then elected : Rev. Robert Atkinson, pastor and moderator; R. M. Donley, elerk : Mrs. Lettia Rockhold, treasurer; W. P. Scholl, J. B. Stilwell, J. R. Bennett, Mrs. Lettia Rockhold, trustees ; J. W. Fee, W. P. Scholl, J. B. Stilwell, deacons .- F. L. Walker and Thomas W. Green served as pastors till 1874; during that year Elihu Gunn preached for them a while, after which the church was inactive till September 1, 1877, when it was reorganized by Rev. Mr. Garrison, and a room secured on Forest avenue in which meetings were held till the church was erected .- In October, 1879, the foundation for the new church was laid, and on Janu- ary 31, 1880, the building was occupied. In 1887 the building was en- larged and improved, at a cost of over $3,000, and on February 5, 1888, was dedicated by Rev. Robert Atkinson .-- The church has had two quite
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marked revivals, one in 1884 and the other in 1887 .- The following have served as pastors: F. M. Iams, H. M. Carr, W. H. Irwin, L. J. Dyke, A. J. Essex, W. C. Harvey, J. T. Haye, H. M. Carr, C. II. De Wolfe .- Several years ago (about 1877) a Young People's Society of Christian Workers was organized in this church, of which H. F. Hixon was elected president ; Rev. J. T. Hoye, G. H. L. Copeland and T. W. Flitton also served as presidents. The name was changed to that of the Baptist Young People's Union, and of this Ray L. Hudson is now president.
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