USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 24
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Shelbina M. E. church was built in 1889-90. The membership was small, and in 1905 a federation took place and the membership of this congregation for the most part united with the M. E. Church, Sonth.
The Union Grove church, where a Methodist Episcopal class is maintained, was built in 1873. The present member- ship is forty.
Mt. Pleasant M. E. church was built in 1887. Present membership is thirty-five.
Evans Chapel M. E. church was built in 1881. Present membership is forty-
Forest Grove M. E. church was built about 1887. Present membership is thirty-five.
Epworth M. E. church was built about 1884. Present membership is thirty.
Bethel M. E. church was built in 1890. Present membership is 100.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Rose's Catholic church, located at Lakenan, is the stronghold of this church in the county. It was erected by Rev. E. A. Casey in 1887. The number of Cath- olies at present attending this church is about 250. Father Collins is the present officiating priest.
St. Mary's Catholic church, situated at Shelbina, was built by Rev. James O'Reilly in the year 1879. Previous to this date quite a strong membership held services at Miller's hall. The present membership is about 160. Father Col- lins is the present pastor.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church at Clarence was built in 1883. It is a frame building and was erected at a cost
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of $2,000 and has been well preserved. Its membership varies from 100 to 150. Father Collins is the present pastor of the church.
HAGER'S GROVE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The building is located about two miles north and east of Hager's Grove and was erected in 1866, but was destroyed by fire in 1867. The church was rebuilt in 1871. There are at present about sixty members who worship here, and the pas- tor's name is Rev. Father Adjudus Budde.
HUNNEWELL CATHOLIC CHURCH.
There is also a Catholic church at this place which was erected at an early date in the history of Shelby county. The building, however, became old and inad- equate to serve the purpose for which it was built, and in 1905 it was torn down and a nice, new building erected in the place of the old one. The membership is about 100, who are under the pastorate of Rev. Father Connelly, whose home is in Monroe City.
HOLINESS CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.
Since the year 1908 Clarence has had Holiness camp meetings. It is the inde- pendent branch of the Holiness church and was moved from Stephen's Park, Macon, at the above date. It was lo- cated here on the Independent Holiness school grounds until 1910, and next year it will be held at Macon.
It is a large gathering and ministers come here from all over the United States. There is a large tabernacle tent for the services, one large tent for dining quarters and some fifty or sixty are seat- tered about the grounds for the campers.
Services begin at sunrise and close any time at night. There is great enthusiasm and many are converted. The church is making a rapid growth. As to the Holi- ness church inception in these parts, one closely connected with its growth gives the following history :
"The Holiness movement from the west was inaugurated by Elder W. B. Colt, of Illinois, in the spring of 1875. The first meetings were held in Hannibal. It was not the original intention to estab- lish another church, but simply to lift church members and others up to a higher plane of worship. When Mr. Colt left Hannibal his work in Missouri was continued by Rev. A. M. Kiergan, then pastor of the Arch Street M. E. Church, South, at Hannibal. While yet a member of the conference Mr. Kiergan conducted Holiness meetings. These were attended by members of all denominations as well as the non-elect. Complaints were poured into the conference that there was a fanatical preacher over at Hannibal who was disintegrating the churches by tell- ing the members that they were not good enough and needed finishing touches put on their religion.
"Mr. Kiergan pursned the even tenor of his way, all the while striving to in- erease the interest in the Holiness move. He was ably assisted by his wife, who was almost as good a talker and fully as earnest as himself. They conducted the first Holiness camp meeting west of the Mississippi river in 1877. The site of the eamp was a pieturesque grove west of Hannibal. The daily attendance was tre- mendous. Mr. Kiergan estimates there were frequently as many as 5,000 people on the grounds. No adequate tent could be secured, and the trees formed the only
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canopy. This meeting served to put the Holiness move in the west on a firm foundation. The congregations were made up of people from various remote parts of the state, as well as the neigh- boring counties. When they returned home they began talking up the new faith and did an earnest missionary work.
"It was not a great while before Mr. Kiergan found more Holiness people on his hand than he knew what to do with. Many of his converts had not united with any church and seemed disinelined to do so. The reason was they felt it would be retrogression to unite with anybody hold- ing less advanced religons ideas than those tanght at the pioneer camp meet- ing. So Holiness churches, strictly inde- pendent, were established in those com- mnnities where there were sufficient members of the sect. Where there were no churches the meetings were held at residences. Anyone who had a mind to could do the preaching. A characteristic of the Holiness people is that nearly every man, woman and child among them can get up at a moment's notice and de- liver a good talk on the faith that is in them. All of them are in the habit of re- lating their experiences before large con- gregations. And they enjoy to the ut- most this part of the services. When a man feels called upon to enter the min- istry they let him go in without objection if he is sound in the doctrine and of good reputation. No examining committee worries him with fine points of ecclesias- tieal law. The people among whom he has lived are supposed to know whether he is a fit subject or not, and if they ree- ommend him for the ministry there is no red tape between that and his ordination.
The question of salary never worries a Holiness preacher, because he rarely gets one. If he goes to a community where the membership is fairly strong, he may get irregular donations of money and things to eat. If he doesn't, he goes to work at something to make a living and preaches on Sunday just as hard as if he were a high-salaried prelate."
CLARENCE INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH.
We have not been able to get data con- cerning the Holiness church of Shelby county, but there is located at Clarence the Independent Holiness church, whose membership worship in the college lo- cated at this place. The church is of re- cent birth and the growth has been rapid.
UNION INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH.
There is also an Independent Holiness church located near Otter Creek, south of Clarence. The congregation built a nice frame church honse in the 80's. It has a strong membership for a rural lo- cation, numbering about forty members.
SHELBYVILLE MISSOURI HOLINESS ASSOCIA- TION.
In Shelbyville is located a membership of the Missouri Holiness Association. This branch has a goodly following at this point. It was organized by Rev. O'Brien, the father of that branch. They bought the M. E. Church house there and have an earnest, loyal church.
LENTNER INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH.
The Lentner Independent Holiness Church is the newest one in the county. They have a neat little church house and a good membership for a young church. It has only been organized a few years.
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THE MENNONITES.
There is but one church of this denomi- nation in the county. It is located near Cherry Box and has been an established church there for many years. This seet of Christian people have some very strong convictions on certain things. One is they believe a Christian should not take an oath, hold office or enter military service. They also believe the New Tes- tament is the only rule of faith and that infants should not be baptized. Their local preachers are chosen by casting lots by the male members of the congrega- tion. The women distinguish themselves by wearing sunbonnets and the men by wearing smooth upper lips. Some of the families who hold to this faith are the Detwilers, Bisseys, Hersheys and John- sons. They are among the best people of the county.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SHELBY CO.
By J. H. Wood, Pastor Christian Church, Shelbina, Mo.
The Christian church in Shelby coun- ty, Missouri, numbers a membership of about 1,700, and has seventeen organized churches as follows : Shelbyville, Shelbina, Clarence, Enterprise (Union), Maud, Lentner, Hager's Grove, Cherry Box, Leonard, Berea, Bethel, Concord, Emden, Fairview, Mt. Era, Lakenan and Hunne- well. There has for many years been a county organization of the Christian churches with a president and secretary and treasurer who co-operate with the churches in any work for the mutual good and establish churches at new points. The churches at Maud, Emden, Cherry Box, Fairview and Bethel were started by the county work, and many
other churches have been aided and helped in times of discouragement. J. H. Wood, of Shelbina, has been president of the county board for eleven years. T. P. Manuel, of Clarence, is secretary, and George B. Bedwell, of Shelbina, treas- urer. Besides there are seventeen vice- presidents, one from each congregation, as follows: W. M. Hanly, A. Cooper, Dr. Ellis Roy, Carleton Smith, T. S. Baldwin, Hugo Bowling, J. P. Smith, J. H. Tarbet, Henry Kilb, Enoch Turner, Mintie Da- vis, T. S. Damrell, John Chapman, Wil- liam Cadwell, Kenton Brown, Mr. Alex- ander, of Hager's Grove, and Mr. Turner, of Cherry Box.
The first preaching in Shelby county by a minister of the Christian church was by Elder Jacob Creath, who held a meeting on Black Creek in 1888. and a church was organized in Shelbyville soon after.
Shelbina.
The Shelbina Christian Church was or- ganized in 1866 or 1867 by Elder T. M. Allen, of Columbia, Missouri. There had been occasional preaching before this in residences and in the public school build- ing. In 1868 the old brick church, which has served to this day, was built. Some of the early members were Thomas Mitchell, Leroy Dye, Sarah Walker, C. HI. True and wife, W. R. Stemmons and wife, Mrs. Sue E. Hanly, Daniel Givan and wife and many others. The Shel- bina church has been served by many splendid pastors in its history-William Featherstone, W. G. Surber, H. F. Davis, E. C. Browning, C. B. Newnan, O. P. Shront, L. J. Marshall, William Roe and J. H. Wood, who has been pastor of the church since 1898.
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The church has had its ups and downs, but has made a steady and substantial growth, now numbering 325 members, 275 of whom are local resident members and inelude many of the best Shelby county families. This congregation is just completing a beautiful new church building on Center street, at the cost, complete, including furnishings and the lot on which it is built, of $20,000. The present offieers of this church are: Eld- ers, W. M. Hanly, W. L. Shouse, W. S. Wood, W. S. Orr; deacons, George B. Bedwell, Charles White, James E. Rags- dale, Lee Francis, D. II. Tillett, Dr. E. M. Mills, E. T. Givan, Harry J. Libby and Oliver J. Lloyd.
W. L. Shouse is superintendent of the Bible school; Bess Dickerson, organist; Mrs. Mary Lyell, leader of the choir; Corinne Bragg, organist; Mrs. Kittie Franeis, president of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety; E. T. Hockaday, president of the Y. P. S. C. E.
Shelbyville.
The Shelbyville Christian Church was organized in 1839. Some of the first members were: William Gooch, Tandy Gooch, William S. Chinn, Joseph Chiek, Hiram Rookwood, Warren Hall and Ze- rellda Hill. The church was reorganized in 1874, with Catherine Collier, Jane E. Black, Eliza J. West, Sallie Oaks, Sarah J. Hiter, Sarah Carley, Jane Brauner, Lucy S. Chinn, J. M. Collier, Maria L. Sullivan, Cordelia P. Dobyns and others. Their first church building was ereeted in 1844. They now have a commodious church building with modern equipment, valued at $7,000. This church is a pros- perous organization, and has a member- ship of 270 and one of the best Bible
schools in the county, with W. W. Miteh- ell as superintendent. Some of the offi- cers at present are : L. G. Seofield. W. C. Chick, Magruder Pickett, John Gooch, A. Cooper, T. B. Damrell, Claud Ander- son, George Miller, Aubrey Davis and Reason Baker.
Leonard.
The first Christian church organized in Taylor township was in the house of Lewis H. Gillaspy, who moved to the township in 1838 from Shelbyville, built a log house for his family, and his home became the center of the first small band of disciples in that community. Here in this home Jacob Creath and other pio- neer preachers proclaimed the simple gospel. In 1866, after the war times, Elder John P. Tandy held a meeting three and one-half miles northwest of the present town of Leonard and organ- ized a Christian church. Among the first members were: Lewis H. Gillaspy, John M. Alexander, William Baker, Preston Manuel, Andrew P. MeWilliams, Jasper N. McWilliams and others. November 7, 1867, a large hewn log church house was raised and was known as Antioch Church. In August, 1873, E. C. Brown- ing held a meeting of far-reaching re- sults, the whole community was aroused and enlisted in the church. J. M. Chev- ront, Alexander Lorentz, Benjamin F. Smith, Dr. G. L. Smith, Sammel A. Ma- gruder, John T. Tuggle, William Gaines and many others were converted. In 1882 John T. Weleh held a meeting in a hall in Leonard which was very successful and resulted in steps being taken at once for the erection of a substantial frame build- ing in the town of Leonard. This church was dedicated in 1885. The Leonard
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Christian Church has probably 175 mem- bers and has been the mother of the church at Cherry Box and Berea.
Clarence Christian Church.
A few members of the Christian church in Clarence had occasional preaching in the early 70's, but there was no church house or regular worship. In the year 1882 Rev. John T. Welch reor- ganized the little band into a congrega- tion and gave them regular ministerial service. For several years their services were held either in the Methodist or Presbyterian church. Some of the early officers of this church were: George W. Chinn, A. W. MeWilliams, Al Chinn, L. S. Wright, Rufus Farrell, Sr., E. Blakey, Jolın E. Palmer and Jacob Melson. J. T. Welch, W. G. Surber and W. P. Dor- sey were among the earliest preachers. In 1884 a new frame church was erected which supplied the wants of the congre- gation until 1908, when a new modern brick building was erected at the cost of $10,000. This church now has a member- ship of about 200, with R. B. Havener as pastor. E. C. Shain, J. T. Garnett, T. P. Manuel and T. H. Phillips are elders. William McQuary, J. R. Snodgrass, C. W. Adams, T. M. Byland, G. B. Elliso and J. W. Stark are deacons. This church, equipped as it now is, should do a great work.
Union Christian Church.
In the early 60's Rev. John P. Tandy, an old pioneer Christian preacher, fre- quently held services at a school house southwest of Clarence. In 1873 a Union church house was built by the members of the Christian, Baptist and Methodist churches and these organizations all wor-
shipped and had services alternately and are doing so at this time. Among the first officers of the Christian church con- gregation were William Carver, Donald- son, John Sage, James E. Burns and Thomas Hagan. Rev. James Wright, of Macon, was the first pastor. This con- gregation numbers about seventy-five members and has regular services. Many substantial farmers are among the mem- bership. This church has furnished large reinforcements to the other congrega- tions, in the towns especially.
Christian Church at Lakenan.
The Lakenan Christian church was or- ganized in 1887 on Christmas day by H. F. Davis. S. D. Proffitt, B. E. Washburn and W. S. Orr were selected as elders, J. A. Irwine and Joseph Washburn as deacons; W. S. Orr, clerk and treasurer. This little church has been one of the most plucky and active little churches in the county for its numbers. It has given many good members by removal to other churches in the county and even in other states.
J. M. Vawter, J. C. Davis, C. R. Daniel and others have been pastors of this church. The membership at present is ahont thirty-five.
Emden Christian Church.
This church was organized by W. M. Roe about 1896. It has some choice peo- ple in its membership and does as much for the number of members as any church in Shelby county. R. H. Havener is the present pastor and is much be- loved by this people for his splendid ser- vice. Their present membership is about fifty and they have a good Bible school. A. Martin, Richard Wood, James Green,
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J. M. Davis, Lee Turner, Lesley Robb and Bro. MeGlothlin are the officers of this church.
Hunnewell Christian Church.
The Christian church had a small or- ganization, but no place of worship, as early as 1870. This was disbanded some- time in the SO's, the members going to Mountjoy and a church north of Hunne- well. About 1890 there was a reorgani- zation and a church house was built. This organization prospered. Dr. L. W. Dallas was a tower of strength in this elmurch for years and was ably assisted by many good workers. This congrega- tion has a membership of nearly 100 and a splendid Bible school, and is an active, aggressive body of splendid people. The present officers are: Mr. Baldrich, Jo- seph Hickman, George MeClure, Dr. Fnrgeson, Charles Hickman, Ollie Howe and Frank Reed.
Hager's Grove Christian Church.
The Christian church at Hager's Grove was organized by Rev. John P. Tandy in 1867. Among its first officers and active members were J. M. Chinno- worth, Jonathan Peoples, John Patton and Samuel S. Patton. This old church has sent many substantial members to many other churches and has done an abiding work in Shelby county. The present membership is eighty or more.
Maud Christian Church.
The Christian church was built during the summer of 1896, with W. F. Miller, J. S. Daniel and P. F. Daniel as a build- ing committee and F. G. Blakey and Ed Smock as collectors. This is the only church in the county so far as we know
which was built before there was an or- ganization. The church was dedicated October 25, 1896, by Rev. G. W. Buckner, who followed with a meeting and organ- ized this congregation with seventy-six members. J. S. Daniel, Will Naylor, Ed Smock and T. H. Phillips were selected as elders and F. G. Blakey, F. M. Dale, Robert Hanger and James B. Bryan as deacons. Since that time the following have been leaders and officers: Joe Stewart, Harve Doctor, Fred Heathman, O. C. Davis, Charles Naylor, Ed Smock, Jr., Ed Daniel and Thomas Baldwin.
This church has had as pastors and evangelists C. J. Lockhart, Simpson Ely, A. B. Elliott, J. W. Davis, C. J. Weldon. J. H. T. Stewart, J. H. Bryan, C. V. Pierce, Allen Hitel, J. H. Harris and C. W. Worden.
The present membership of the church is eighty to 100.
Cherry Box Christian Church.
The church at Cherry Box was built in 1897. Dr. Luther Turner was the moving spirit and gave liberally for the building. The organization drew quite a number from the Leonard Christian church. This church has had a prosper- ous history and numbers probably 150 members at the present time. Many in- fluential and substantial people are iden- tified with the work and progress of this splendid church.
Berea Christian Church.
This church was a daughter of the Leonard Christian church and is sit- uated in a splendid community, and has had a splendid record for good. It has suffered by removals as much as any church in the county perhaps and this
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fact has discouraged them at times. They have a membership of about eighty.
Bethel Christian Church.
This church was organized in 1906 by Rev. Carr, following a tent meeting of several weeks. This meeting was held under the anspices of the county board. They have a good organization and a good Bible school. The church numbers about forty members. Rev. Byron In- gold preaches for them. Henry Kelb, P. D. Shouse and others are the leaders here. They have no church house of their own, but plan to build very soon.
Fairview Christian Church.
This church was the result of a tent meeting held by J. H. Bryan in the sum- mer of 1898. The church was built and dedicated in 1899 by J. H. Wood, who was pastor for several years. T. S. Damrell, James Baker, A. E. Jordon, Tom Stone, B. G. Blackford, Frank Sherwood, Virgil Alexander, Chester Bethards and others have been officers during the years since organization. This church has about seventy-five mem- bers, but is now withont a pastor.
Lentner Christian Church.
This church of 100 members was or- ganized sometime in the 90's, and a sub- stantial frame building was erected. Rev. Alfred Munyon has preached for them for a number of years, and they have en- joyed quite a measure of prosperity un- der his ministry. They have a good Bible school and take pride in keeping a church up in good shape.
Mt. Era Christian Church.
This church has had a checkered his- tory. The building was first erected at Walkersville, afterwards moved to the present site north of Salt river, near the Shelby County Railroad. It once had a. good membership, but removals and death has discouraged them and they now number only about twenty-five. They have no regular preaching, but have a Union Bible School during the summer.
Concord Christian Church.
The Concord Christian church was or- ganized December 1, 1883, in Tiger Fork township. A frame building was erected the year of the organization at a cost of $1,200. The organization was effected by Rev. J. P. Tandy. Some of the char- ter members were: L. Hunter, William Daniels, S. I. Bragg, William Peak, James DeMoss, Levi Plight, Millie Plight, Mary Bragg, Martha W. Triplett, M. Peak, Alice Browning, Caroline Dougherty, Ida Dougherty, Mary E. Wolf, Susan Melburn, E. P. Allen, Amer- ica Allen, Mahala Siminon, A. S. Rife, G. A. Rife, John McGraw, Eliza J. Bragg, Benjamin Talbott, Mary J. Pierce, Walker Pue, Ellen Siminon, Mary E. Jones, Charles Siminon, Eliza- beth Poor and F. M. Poor.
This church has served splendidly in its community and today has an aggres- sive organization of about 100 members and a good Bible School. Oscar Ingold, of Canton, is pastor. Concord can be counted on in every good work in the county.
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A Brief History of the Evangelical Asso- ciation in Shelby County, Missouri.
The Evangelical Association origi- nated through the labors of Jacob Al- bright, who was born near Pottstown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1759. In his thirty-second year he was soundly converted through the la- bors of Adam Riegel, an earnest minis- ter, who was not connected with any church.
After his conversion he became inter- ested in the salvation of his neighbors, and five years later he tried to preach among the Germans; in barns, private residences, school houses, groves, or any place where he was able to gather a few of the people together to listen to the gospel. Those that were converted he organized into classes for spiritual over- sight. In the early history of our church it was named "The So-called Albright People." In the year 1816 the name of "Evangelical Association" was adopted. It was customary from the beginning of the organization among the preachers and members to call themselves "This Association," or "Our Association" (Gemeinschaft), hence the adoption of the name Evangelical Association.
This association is Methodistic in its doctrine and polity. It has a large pub- lishing house in Cleveland, Ohio, and a splendid college at Naperville, Ill.
The work of the Evangelical Associ- ation in Shelby county, Missouri, consists of three churches, namely : Zion church, situated on section 36, township 59, range 11, west; Ebenezer church, situated on section 8, township 58, range 11, west, and Leslie church, situated on section
33, township 58, range 11. These three churches, with a fourth church in Bloom- ington, Macon county, Missouri, consti- tute what is known as "The Shelby Mis- sion Field" of the Evangelical church.
In the year 1866, Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, a minister of the newly organized Kansas Conference of the Evangelical Associ- ation, who was living at Bloomington, Macon county, Missouri, and preaching to the Evangelical congregation of that place, commenced to preach in the home of Rev. C. Stanffer, east of Bethel, Shel- by county, Missouri, and also at the Messner school house, south of Bethel.
These services were conducted in the German language, and all of the pioncer preachers of the Evangelical church in Shelby county were Germans. In a year or so these services were moved to the Short school house, two miles west of Bethel, where the first class of the Evan- gelical church in Shelby county was or- ganized by Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, February, 1868, with the following charter mem- bers :
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