USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 10
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Liberty M. E. Church South .- This church was organized in Liberty, in 1840. Among the first members were Peter B. Grant (cousin of Gen. U. S. Grant), J. B. Talbott, Dr. William B. Dougherty, and James Smithey. Their first church building was a brick, erected in 1842, and in 1857, a frame building was constructed at a cost of $1,800. At present their church building is a brick, modern in all respects, an ornament to the city. The present pastor (1920) is Dr. J. H. Jackson. Membership about two hundred.
St. James Roman Catholic Church .- This church was organized in 1847, and a brick church building erected the same year, and the next year, was consecrated by Archbishop Kendrick, of St. Louis. The original members were Graham L. Hughes, Cyrus Curtis, Phillip Clark, Patrick Hughes, Leonard Mahoney, Thomas Morrison, James Fraher, Philip Fraher, Michael Fraher, James Burns, Jos. Morton, Patrick Barry, Owen Shearin and Hugh McGowan. The pastors who served this church have been many, among them Revs. Bernard Donnelly, P. A. Ward, Jas. Mur-
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phy, Matthew Dillon, John J. Caffrey, Daniel Haley, Dennis Kennedy, Z. Ledwith, W. Lambert, James Foley, William F. Drohan, Fintan Mind- willer, Peter McMahan, Thomas Hanley, Michael Milay, Dennis J. Kiley, Joseph Beil, Peter J. Cullen and Edward Mallen. The present member- ship, including the missions through the county, is about 300. A new and elegant church building, with all modern conveniences, has been lately erected, which is an ornament to Liberty.
Presbyterian Church .- The first regular Presbyterian Church in our county was organized at Liberty, on the 29th day of August, 1829. A number of persons convened in a grove in the west part of Liberty (Northwest corner of Kansas Street and Morse Avenue), and after a sermon, notice having been previously given for that purpose, they pre- sented themselves and were organized into a church as follows:
"Rev. Hiram Chamberlain, of the Presbytery of Missouri, presided, aided by Rev. N. B. Dodge of the Harmony Mission. Letters were re- ceived in testimony of the qualifications of the following, viz: Archi- bald McIlvaine and wife, Mrs. Hannah McIlvaine, James McWilliams and Mary his wife, Walter Davis and Margaret his wife. William Modrel, Margaret Ward, Hannah Thompson, Isabella Moore and Jane P. Looney and her daughter, Polly W. Looney. The following persons were ad- mitted on examination, they having been members of Presbyterian churches and removing without letters, viz: Robert Elliott and Sarah his wife, and Mrs. Mary Long. After these examinations were made, the following covenant was read to the members present and solemnly assented to by them: Having professed your sincere belief of the Holy Scruptures; your firm faith in the adorable Trinity; your hopes of pardon through Christ, your Redeemer, you, and each of you, do now in the presence of God and before these witnesses, enter into solemn covenant with this church that you will submit yourselves to its government and ordinances ; that you will pray for its peace and enlargement; that you will study to promote its edification; that you will make the Word of God your con- stant rule of faith and practice; that you will most earnestly endeaver to walk in all ways of the Lord blameless; and that by a pure conver- sation and by holy living you will seek to convince the world of the su- perior excellence of our holy religion and try to win them over to the service of Jesus Christ. Do you thus covenant and promise ?
Having given their solemn assent, the members were then informed
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that they were authorized to elect their church officers, and after an address to the throne of grace, imploring Divine direction, the following persons were declared duly elected: Robert Elliott, James McWilliams and William Modrel. Notice was given that the elders elect would be or- dained on the morrow, and services were closed by singing and prayer. The church met on August 30th, and after sermon the elders-elect were set apart and ordained according to the form of government of the Pres- byterian Church. Attest: - H. Chamberlain, Moderator."
Happily the complete records of this church are in existence, and from which the above was taken.
Mr. Chamberlain was the first pastor, and the church since has been served by the following ministers: John L. Yantis, William Dick- son, J. M. Inskeep, R. H. Allen, J. C. Thornton, John G. Fackler, John Hancock, Robert Scott, David Coulter, John P. Foreman, J. L. Caldwell, Evander McNair, John N. McFarlane, Wm. Frost Bishop, J. J. Hill and H. P. McClintic.
The full roll of elders in addition to the three named above is as follows: Allen Denny, Joseph Clark, William T. Wood, William Inskeep, Thomas Sublette, Edward M. Samuel, Greenup Bird, C. C. Trabue, James T. Marsh, M. D., William Webb, John A. Denny, A. M. Chase, Lewis B. Dougherty, James Love, James Robb, Ambrose M. Griffith, John J. Gaw, A. C. Courtney, W. L. Trimple, Morton Marsh, Prof. John Staley, Prof. E. J. Scott, George W. Herbold, Irving Gilmer and John Laipple.
The present elders are Lewis B. Dougherty, James S. Robb, W. L. Trimble, John Laipple, Irving Gilmer, John L. Dougherty and John M. Newlee.
Second Baptist Church .- The following is an abridgment of an his- torical sketch as furnished by Prof. R. P. Rider:
The early records of the church were destroyed in the burning of the Clay County Court House in 1857, and, as our people, then, as now, little realized the importance of preserving historical data, no effort was made to rescue the fading facts in the history of the church. The second rec- ord-book embracing the period from 1857 to 1869, has gone into undis- coverable hiding, quite as disastrous to our present purpose, as was the fire.
Consequently, for our history prior to 1869, we must rely upon the memories of those then interested in its welfare; some of whom have
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kindly furnished us with personal reminiscences. These reminiscences, though not always reliable history, we have by careful comparison, found very valuable; and, as they have been mutually corrective or corrobora- tive, we have succeeded in gaining an apparently authentic historical out- line. We have received some little aid from casual notes and minutes of association found in the archives of the Missouri Baptist Historical So- ciety.
In 1843 a few brethern and sisters, some of whom had previously been allied with the Primitive, or Anti-Mission Baptists, but who enter- tained beliefs with regard to Missions, Sunday Schools, and other aggres- sive Christian work, at variance with their religious beliefs, and others who had come to Liberty, Missouri, from nearby states where they had belonged to United or Missionary Baptist churches, desired to form a church of their own faith.
Rev. A. P. Williams, who was then the Pastor of the Baptist church at Lexington, Missouri, and who, as a good bishop, was accustomed to visit the brethren in fields remote from his own vineyard, assisted by the Rev. W. C. Ligon, Pastor of the Baptist Church at Carrollton, Missouri, aided them in doing so. Thus on the second day of May, 1843, a Mis- sionary Baptist Church was organized in the town of Liberty, Clay County Missouri, with the following named brethren and sisters as constituent members :
William D. Hubbell and his wife, Eliza Hubbell, and William P. Hub- bell, their son.
John W. Cockrell and his wife, Elizabeth Cockrell.
Robert Minter and his wife, Martha Mintei.
Mrs. Harriet Minter.
Mrs. Amanda McCarty.
Miss Betsy Dabney.
Twelve members.
Its first pastor was a man whose name is honored among the Bap- tists of the early history of Missouri. Rev. A. P. Williams, from 18-13 to 1845, was the so-called pastor, but for a few months of that time, alter- nating with Rev. W. C. Ligon, so that between the two the church en- joyed the-at that time-somewhat rare privilege of having preaching twice a month.
It would seem from tradition that Elder Williams resigned and left
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POST OFFICE. EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO.
ELMS HOTEL AND PARK, EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO.
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the care of the church for a short period of time during a part of the year 1846-7 and resumed it again in 1848 and 1849, for when Professors Dulin and Lockett came to Liberty at the close of the year 1849. Elder Lockett writes in his reminiscences "Rev. A. P. Williams had resigned the pastoral care of the church but a few months before and they were then without a shepherd."
Professors Dulin and Lockett assumed charge under conditions men- tioned above. This joint pastorate continued until the middle of the year 1851. when Professor Lockett withdrew and presumably left Pro- fessor Dulin in full charge, but under what conditions we have been un- able to ascertain. Some of the reminiscences to which we have had access refer to Elder Dulin as Pastor till 1855, but other records which bear upon their front the conditions of greater reliability, state that he was frequently and casually called upon to serve the Church as occasion de- manded during the time-three or four years-that he was principal of a Young Ladies' Seminary in Liberty.
In 1854 Rev. B. T. F. Cake assisted Elder Dulin in a meeting, and shortly thereafter was elected pastor. We have been able to learn none of the conditions or circumstances of this pastorate, but it appears to have terminated in about one year. During the next year we find fre- quent reference made to preaching done by Rev. W. C. Ligon, but whether this work was of a mere casual kind-serving the church while he was acting as financial agent for the college-we have been unable to learn, but from the frequency of mention and the character thereof, presume that for something like a year he gave a double service, that of financial agent to the college and of pastor to the church.
He was followed by Rev. Josiah Leake, and he in turn was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Link. As it is pleasant to place foot on solid earth after one has been floating about among nebulae for awhile, allow us to quote a few lines written by Rev. J. B. Link himself: "About the first of Decem- ber, 1857, the writer became pastor. The church then had a good brick house of worship, very comfortably, but plainly finished. It was not en- closed till a few months later. At this time the church enjoyed a very good degree of prosperity."
In 1858-1860 Dr. Ed. I. Owen, Professor of Ancient Languages in the college, supplied the pulpit. He was a Welshman, and a learned man. The first title accounts in a measure for the sturdiness of his piety and
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the strength of his fealty to the Word, and the second, for his elegant diction, and for the cloister-like peculiarities of the old-time scholar and bookworm, that manifested themselves in his daily life. He resigned his charge in 1860, and was followed by Rev. William Thompson, President of the College a man of rare ability as scholar, orator and leader of men.
In 1865 Brother Barrett was called for a second year for one Sun- day in the month with Rev. Asa N. Bird for one Sunday. This arrange- ment gave the church Sunday services twice a month. At the close of this year, June, 1866, Bro. Barrett resigned and Bro. Bird was elected to serve the church and preach two Sundays in the month. Bro. Bird re- signed at the close of the year, and in June, 1867, Rev. X. X. Buckner was elected. He served one year and was elected for the second, but could not serve and Rev. A. Machette accepted the call extended him.
Elder Machette was associated with the Rev. X. X. Buckner in con- ducting a school for young ladies, and his care of the church, like others who preceded him, could not have been pastoral in the strict sense of the word. He could simply preach and assist in the administration of the affairs of the church. Still nothing is said about the frequency of the Sabbath ministrations, but from the salaries offered-$1,000-it is pre- sumable that the organization had now (1868-9) grown into the stature of an "all-the-time" church. It is certain that succeeding pastors were pastors indeed, devoting their whole time and energy to the cause.
The church, during the greater part of the year was endeavoring to find a pastor that would meet the growing demands of the people. Having failed in this for the time, they induced Dr. Rambaut, president of the college, to assume the duties of pastor, in addition to his duties on the Hill and in the state. They thus secured a remarkable preacher, but his health soon failed and he was compelled to resign in March, 1872. In June of the same year Bro. Wm. Ferguson, then a student in the col- lege, afterwards editor of the Central Baptist, was elected as supply pas- tor. This connection was maintained for a few months while the quest for a pastor was continued. Finally in the spring of 1873, at the church meeting of April, Rev. H. M. Richardson first presided as ex-officio mod- erator. Thus commenced a successful pastorate of eight years.
Dr. W. R. Rothwell was elected to act as moderator in all business meetings in the interim between the close of Dr. Richardson's pastorate and the coming of the new leader, to be elected.
In August, 1881, the church elected Rev. B. G. Tutt, of Marshall,
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Missouri, to shepherd the flock into whose fold he himself had been bap- tized in 1858, while a student in William Jewell College.
The first year of Elder Tutt's pastorate seems from the church rec- ord to have been a prosperous one in the mission of soul-winning. Sev- eral who are now our most faithful members were received into the church during that year; and throughout the period of his incumbency the growth of the church, though moderate in numbers, was healthful and substantial.
The church soon afterwards extended a unanimous call to Reverend Sam Frank Taylor, then of Columbia, Missouri, to become its pastor, and in some time in January, 1891 exact date not given, a letter of acceptance from him was read to the Church.
After a successful pastorate of nearly three and one-half years, Rev. Sam Frank Taylor resigned to become president of Stephens College for Young Ladies at Columbia, Missouri.
Rev. T. P. Stafford, Th. D., fresh from an extended and successful course of study in the Seminary at Louisville, was chosen to supply the pulpit during the summer of 1894. The church were so well pleased with his ministrations that in September of the same year they called him to become their pastor, which call he accepted.
Dr. Stafford's pastorate closed in February, 1900, subsequent to his definite resignation tendered three months before-leaving the church in an harmonious condition and numbering 450 members.
The church had the services of its former pastor and others as supply during the time that they were in quest of a successor to Dr. Stafford, so that all the meetings were sustained and interest in the work was not allowed to flag. August 12, 1900, the Pulpit Committee reported in favor of calling Rev. F. W. Eberhardt, of Paris, Ky. The adopting of this re- port was deferred for one week that wide notice might be given of the meeting and its object, and to call forth as large an attendance as possi- ble. At the time appointed, in a full meeting of the church, Brother Eberhardt was called unanimously to the charge of the church. In a short time his letter of acceptance was in the hands of the Pulpit Com- mittee indicating that (D. V.) he would preach for the church on Sun- day, September 9.
In November, 1907, Pastor Eberhardt tendered his resignation to take effect the fourth Sunday in December.
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Thus ended a pastorate of over seven years. A period of strenuous labor by our leader, and rich in large spiritual and material rewards.
When he came to us he found us a somewhat sturdy band of 450, giving to missions and benevolent objects about $1.48 per member. When he left us were were a sturdier band, numbering 775, and giving $2.55 per member.
The Sunday School had grown from 275 to 575. The prayer meeting from two hundred to between four hundred and five hundred.
During the time that the flock was without an under shepherd it was well fed and kept in good working order by the supply pastors, Dr. J. P. Greene and Rev. C. M. Williams, but everyone rejoiced when at the end of a nine-months quest, the South sent us from Greenwood, South Caro- lina, one of her treasured sons to go in and out before us. Dr. H. A. Bagby, in October, 1908, commenced a pastorate with us that, from his intelligent appreciation of existing conditions, his sympathetic yet strong and tactful grasp on the helm, gives promise of a pastorate the equal of any that the church in its life of sixty-six years has enjoyed.
On the day of 1920, the church was consumed by fire. Nearly $500,000 has been subscribed to build a church building with am- ple accommodations for many years.
Dr. O. R. Mangum is the present pastor.
R. P. Rider, J. W. Kyle.
Liberty is widely known as a school town. The presence of William Jewell College makes it possible for boys to complete their education from the first grade to their college degree without going away from home. Unfortunately the burning of the Liberty Ladies' College has retarded the higher education of girls, but a movement is being made, which will take care of this in the near future.
Liberty High School is a first class high school, with an enrollment of 227 boys and girls. It is fully accredited so that the graduates may enter any institution of higher learning in the country. It not only takes care of the academic work in English, history, science, literature and languages, but has manual training, domestic science, teacher training and commercial departments. It is distinguished in that the teacher of agriculture is the county farm advisor.
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The people believe in providing the best training for the boys and girls who are to be future citizens. Tangible evidence of this is found in the S. G. Sandusky building which was completed at a cost of $45,000, and which is one of the best arranged public school buildings in the coun- try. This elementary school is unique in that it not only takes care thoroughly of the work in the traditional three "r's" but its program in- cludes manual training, domestic science, picture and music appreciation, drawing, free play, caisthenics, nature study, hygiene and social civics. These activities are provided for in a special program which occupies one hour each day just before the close of school in the afternoon, and is organized on the "Gary Plan." The boys and girls get the benefit of these vitally interesting and useful functions at a time which in the ordinary school is wasted in idleness and mischief.
All of these advantages are secured with a low tax levy. Eighty cents on the hundred dollars in Liberty yields a fund which is more than equal to a one hundred-cent levy in most towns of same size.
Urban Lake, Liberty's play ground, is located about two miles west of Liberty, on the interurban at the station formerly called Urban Heights, and now Belleview.
The lake itself is a semi-natural body of water of about ten or twelve acres and the entire grounds comprise about twenty-five acres, which have been improved with bath houses, wells, beaches, boats, camping grounds, airdome, and other improvements that with the shade, blue grass and water go to make it a first class summer resort. The main part of the grounds are lighted by electricity and the waters are kept well stocked with fish, and the place is kept clean and is free from the rowdyism usually found at such places.
This resort is necessarily a Liberty institution and a great many of the Liberty people take advantage of it for their recreation and go there for boating, bathing, fishing, picnicing and camping, but the repu- tation of the place has spread until it is attracting large numbers from other places.
The Odd Fellows Home for aged indigent Odd Fellows, wives, widows and orphans of Odd Fellows, is located about one mile south of the Court House in Liberty, on what is known as the Liberty Landing road, which is a continuation of South Leonard Street.
The Home is maintained and supported by the Odd Fellows of the
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State of Missouri, under the direct control of a Board of Trustees elected by the State Grand Lodge, and is comprised of six members of said Grand Lodge, and three lady members elected from the Rebekah Assembly, which is the ladies' auxiliary of the Order of Odd Fellows.
The plant comprises three main buildings whose actual cost totals $325,000.00, all of which has been fully paid. The Administration build- ing on the south was built and dedicated in 1900, and houses the younger members of residents of the Home; here also is the laundry and dairy and domestic science departments. The building in the center is used for school purposes on the first floor. In the basement is the band room, where the Home band holds its practices. On the second floor is the Audi- torium, which is equipped with a stage, and has a seating capacity of about three hundred persons. Sunday School and church services are held here regularly every Sabbath. This building was erected in 1904.
The building on the north is the Old People's Home. It was built in 1906 and was remodeled in 1911, when there was added a first-class hospital fully equipped with all the modern conveniences. Here also are cozy parlors and sun porches for the enjoyment of the aged residents, whose declining years are made as pleasant as every modern equipment make possible.
In 1913 and 1914 the heating and lighting plant was moved and en- larged, and an up-to-date refrigeration system installed, also a sanitary dairy barn and a building to cure and care for meats was erected and equipped for their individual uses.
The Home shelters and is educating at this time sixty-four boys and forty-eight girls whose ages range from two years up to sixteen years, and the Old People's Building has under its sheltering roof forty-two aged and infirm brothers and thirty-four sisters, a total of 188 persons who are enjoying the privileges of one of the finest, if not the very finest Home of its kind in the United States.
The grounds which comprise the properties consist of 257 acres of fine and fertile land, which is cultivated for the use and benefit of the resi- dents of the Home. The broad lawns in front of the buildings are nicely and tastefully arranged and terraced. Fine shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery add much to the beauty and enjoyment of the happy and contented family that find in this Odd Fellows Home a real home in every- thing that makes such a place the dearest place on earth.
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Liberty is connected with Kansas City, fifteen miles distant, by a well constructed, high-speed electric line, which boasts of having electric automatic block signals protecting you all the way. The cars are built of steel and run hourly in each direction, being about 99 per cent. on time. An "express service at freight rates" is maintained, giving this town two complete daily deliveries.
Liberty is truly a good place in which to live. It is very attractive because of its natural beauty. She has much of the inspiring charm of mountains without their great height and inconvenience, and all the leveli- ness of the prairie without the monotony. Her lawns are covered with stately trees, the homes of songsters which fill the air with music. Her beautiful homes express the wealth and comfort of her people and the glad hand of welcome extended to visitors is an expression of her South- ern hospitality for which she has long been famous. Her churches are active and progressive. Added to her natural beauty, and the charm of her homes and churches, the schools are her greatest asset. The pres- ence of William Jewell College enables the boys, at least, to get the train- ing from the primary grades to a college degree and there is hope that a like provision will soon be made for the girls. The public and high schools are teaching not only the "Three R's" as in the olden days, but are teaching the boys and girls to use the five senses and the ten fingers in the kitchen and in the carpenter shop, and in music and art, and nature, and science.
Liberty is nearer in actual minutes of travel to the business section of Kansas City than many residence sections of the city itself. She thus enjoys the advantages of the good things of the city without being com- pelled to endure the bad. Space will not permit mention of the many achievements of the Liberty Community Club which has been active in bringing about the paving of her streets, the establishing of an adequate water and light system, building of a hotel, entertaining of visitors, and finally helping materially in bringing about Clay County's greatest achieve- ment, the voting of one and one-fourth million dollars to build two hun- dred miles of paved roads connecting Liberty with every hamlet and vil- lage in the county. This club is open to all who are for the upbuilding of the community because they believe that the man who lives five miles from the public square and is engaged in the production of something to feed and clothe the people is just as much a part of Liberty as is the man who lives only five blocks.
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