History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 31

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

Lydia Rubison, Mrs. Lavinia Redford, Miss Ellen Redford, Mrs. Martha A. Riley, Mrs. Ella Smith, Eli B. Stewart, Mrs. Mary E. Stewart, Mrs. Margaret Smith, Miss Martha Smith, and Mrs. Julia A. Taylor. In 1883, John H. Smith donated one acre of ground for a building site where the church now stands. A Sunday School was organized in 1872. The ministers who have been here are: William F. Gorden, A. A. Moore, J. A. Prather, B. F. Thomas, William T. Gillum, Y. W. Whit- sett, G. W. Matthews, T. B. Rice, H. C. Sharp, A. B. McClellan, W. A. McCammen, James West, Elbert Hefner, Reverend Gross, G. B. Zari- cor, J. E. Courtner, F. C. Hughes, the present pastor. There are eighty members.

Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian church. (By J. E. Eberts.) This church is six miles south of Warrensburg. On August 6, 1871, the present organization was effected by Rev. W. Benton Farr, D. D., and named Mt. Zion. The charter members were: Robert N. Warnick, James H. Warnick, Pat H. Alexander, Alex. C. Scott, David Marr, J. W. Marr, J. T. Marr, David A. Marr, George P. Greer, John P. Warnick, Rev. Len F. Clemens, Garrett J. Littrell, Robert Littrell, Charles F. Littrell, John Silvey, Sanford F. Warnick, Valentine Ewing, Stephen Williams, George C. Prigmore, Ben. G. Woodford, John F. Woodford, Thornton T. Woodford, James Warnick, Asa Woodford, Hugh R. War- nick, John M. Warnick, Geo. W. Warnick, Wm. S. Warnick, Mary E. Alexander, Mary Greer, Catherine Marr, Jane Berry, Amanda M. Lit- trell, Mary M. Littrell, Matilda Littrell, Mary J. Clemens, Mary E. Townsley, Sarah E. Scott, Mary E. Marshall, Sallie A. Warnick, Mary B. Woodford, Julia E. Woodford, Susan M. Littrell, Nancy C. Marr, Louisa J. Wallace, S. C. Wheatley, Mary E. Marshall, Margaret Woodford, Susan F. Woodford, Arthusa A. Woodford, Amanda J. Warnick, Sina E. Warnick, Nancy J. Warnick, Sina P. Warnick. The present house of worship was built in 1871. The ministers have been: Revs. M. F. Gordon, F. P. Witherspoon, S. Finis King, J. H. Houx, W. T. Gil- lum, G. W. Petty, W. S. Winkler, F. P. Baxter, L. F. Clemens, Miss Birdie Lee Pallette, present pastor. John Fickas and L. E. Musser are the present deacons. The first clerk of the board of elders was Robert Littrell. Robert N. Warnick was clerk for about fifteen years. The present clerk is J. E. Eberts. The present membership is about eighty. This church has had a Sunday School since 1875. The first superinten- lent was Robert N. Warnick. There are about sixty members of this school.

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Cumberland Presbyterian church of Holden. (By Mrs. Geo. W. Redford.) In March 1883, Rev. W. B. Farr, S. F. King and A. L. Barr visited Holden, and with resident members organized this congregation. A lot was purchased on the corner of Seventh and Main streets, and by 1884 the house was completed. The following pastors have served this church: J. W. Duvall W. E. Snider, Frank Russel, A. H. Kelso, W. T. Gillum, R. B. Ward, E. B. Johnson, Frank Russell, J. F. Goodwin, and A. L. Odell. On September 9, 1905, the congregation met and a majority declared in favor of union with the Presbyterian church. March 15, 1918, there are only seven loyal members of the Cumberland Presby- terians of Holden, Missouri.

Chilhowee Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized June 22, 1884, with sixty-five charter members. The ruling elders were Alex. McLin, G. T. Stark, Frank Sharp. The ministers have been: Revs. G. Whitsett, C. C. McConnell, P. McCluney, J. H. Houx, Newman, Geo. Petty, E. R. Duggins, McElvaine, Winkler, C. D. Gartner, and R. M. Hudson. The present officers are John C. Culley, S. I. Dobson, Sam Pemberton, R. F. Graham, C. C. Ridley, clerk. Present member- ship is about thirty-five. In 1915 a federation was arranged with the Christian and Protestant Methodist congregations. In 1917 the Chris- tians withdrew. The union Sunday school has a membership of 151.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

There are eight Presbyterian churches in the county with 1,277 members and seven Sunday Schools with 836 members.

Warrensburg First Presbyterian church. (By Lizzie F. Grover.) One of the early pioneers of the Presbyterian church was Rev. Mr. Bradshaw sent out by a board of home missions who held meetings at- tended by a few Presbyterians in Warrensburg in 1851. The First Pres- byterian church was organized May 30, 1852, by Rev. A. V. C. Schenk and Elder L. Green. The members received by certificate at that time were Elias Ogden, Mrs. Maria Louise Ogden, Miss Mary Ogden, Mrs. Deborah Silliman, Mrs. Elizabeth Armstrong, Belia P. Evans, Miss Lucy H. Evans, Mr. John Cummins, Jesse Brown, Mrs. Kitty Brown, Dr. William Calhoun, Love S. Cornwall, Mrs. Martha S. Cornwall ,and Mrs. Agnes Woods. The elders elected were Mr. Elias Ogden, Mr. P. P. Evans, and Dr. William Calhoun. The first regular pastor was Mr. James S. Lapsley, who supplied Warrensburg and Knob Noster churches

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alternately in 1857-58. This church was the only church in the Presby- tery that remained loyal to the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., during the Civil War. The regular ministers of the church since organization have been: James S. Lapsley, Revs. Mr. Coulter, R. S. Symington, Rob- ert Reese, Eben Muse, J. H. Clark, William H. Hillis, Farel Hart, Charles Fueller, George M. Caldwell, Dwight K. Steele, Frederick W. Hinitt, Edward W. Clippenger, J. M. Ross, Dr. R. Neale, Edward H. Gelvin, Samuel Garvin, Benjamin E. Wallace, Edward H. Gelvin. Elbert Hef- ner is the present pastor. The union of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and the First Presbyterian church was effected July 11, 1906. The women of the church have three organizations for service, the Missionary Society, Mrs. W. A. Stephens, president ; Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. C. T. Oglesby, president ; Young Women's Church Improvement Society, Mrs. Ross McVey, president. The Men's Brotherhood of the congregation is organized for Bible study, fellowship, and social service, Charles Goodnight, president. The president of the Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society is Helen Smith. The present membership of the church is 425.

Latour Presbyterian church was organized before the war as the Rose Hill Cumberland Presbyterian church. Some of the old members were: Leonard Renick, John Newton, George Gilliland, Dennis Dun- ham, Mrs. Melissa, Gilliland, and Mrs. Elizabeth Baker. They have had a Sunday School since 1872. After the union of the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian churches, the church was moved from Rose Hill to Latour. The last minister was Rev. E. L. Trepp. He was preceded by Dr. A. D. Wolf. The membership is 130.

Presbyterian church of Knob Noster. (By Ed. S. Harte.) There were Presbyterians in this vinicity "before the war" and a church organization existed; the earliest record showing that a ses- sion meeting was held on Sabbath, July 29, 1860. Services were held over a store during the winter of 1867-68. The organization was effected May 21, 1867, by Rev. J. H. Byers and a building erected. It was dedi- cated March 22, 1868. The annual report of 1869 gives forty-two mmbers and a Sabbath School of fifty; 1870 reports, fifty-seven mem- bers and sixty in Sabbath School. The names of Cunningham, Black- stalk, Sevier, Thornton, Utley, VanAusdol, McCormack, Latin, Work- man, Butterfield, Hardey, Talpey, Crutchfield, Thompson, Shafer, Ward,

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Hogan, Stringfield and Beatty appeared as officers or members prior to 1875. In 1885, a new chapel was built on the corner of the lot where the manse now stands and in 1895 an addition was built. The union of the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian churches was effected in 1906 and a new edifice was erected in 1911. Two of the charter mem- bers of the Presbyterian church are still living: Mr. Thomas Mahin, who resides in Lodi, California; and Mrs. Mary Young, who has for fifty years been a faithful member of the church. Seventeen pastors have served this congregation, Rev. N. M. White serving at the present time, with 103 members enrolled, an active Sunday school, Christian Endeavor, missionary and Ladies' Aid Societies.

First Presbyterian church of Holden was organized in November. 1866, by Rev. S. C. Clark, with the following charter members: Jonas Houghton, Mary Jane Houghton, Mrs. William Powell, Mrs. Anna C. Powell, Miss Janett E. Powell, J. R. Peet, Mrs. Nancy W. Peet. A frame church building was erected in 1867, which was replaced by a brick building. In August of 1916, the Cumberland church of Holden united with the Presbyterian. The membership is 225. The following have been ministers: Revs. C. S. Clark, H. H. Hill. W. J. Lea, J. R. Hender- son, L. J. Drake, W. T. Wardel, O. G. Morton, R. Cooper Bailey. J. T. Boyer, J. O. Hough, C. W. Sample, A. B. Appleby, A. F. Gordon Mackay. G. P. Keeling and E. W. Akers, the present pastor. Sunday school superintendents have been: Chris, Mertz, Rev. W. J. Lea, Dr. M. V. Johnson, W. H. Craig, T. J. Halsey, H. R. Mccutcheon, O. F. Welch. Dr. E. Andruss, H. J. Scheer. The Sunday School membership is 128.

Presbyterian church of Centerview. (By H. S. Coudit.) Organized February 8, 1874, by Rev. J. W. Allen. The following were charter members: Thomas W. McConnell, Catherine McConnell, Oliver T. McConnell, Hattie McConnell, Mary E. Foote, Ross C. Hull. Hugh Larimer, Hugh E. Larimer. Isaac Larimer. Robert Dyer, Amelia Dyer, Frank Dyer, Elsa Dyer, Robert Kiddoo, Jennie Kiddoo, Mary Withrow, Isabella Huggins, Jane Trimble. Alice Trimble. The minis- ters have been Revs. W. H. Hillis, J. S. Poage, L. Railsback. D. R. Crockett, Joseph May, William Coleman, A. E. Vanorden, R. Cooper Bailey, H. C. White, G. J. Donnell, and E. W. Haymaker. January 20. 1907, the Presbyterian church of Centerview and the Cumberland Pres- byterian church of Centerview were united. Since the union the church

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

has been served by the following ministers: Revs. M. Brooks, N. N. Tatum, J. R. Burchfield, and H. S. Condit, the latter being the present pastor. D. F. Halcomb is superintendent of the Sunday School. There are 189 members with a Sabbath School of 175.

New Liberty church was organized September 13, 1885, by Ben Thomas, G. T. Hughes, Cary Elliott, G. W. Elliott, A. M. Carter, W. T. Roberts, G. N. Atkins, R. W. R. Wall, George Hindman, Hubert Elliott, W. H. McLin. There were in all, forty charter members. The church was dedicated December 25, 1885, by Rev. J. H. Houx. The ministers have been Revs. Ben Thomas, C. C. McConnell, Sam Givans, B. McCluney, J. C. Worley, Lee T. Orr, L. F. Goodwin, S. E. McCluney, Joseph Warnick, J. G. West, George Talbott, Howard Talbott, H. B. White, who is now in charge. There are ninety members. The Sun- day School was organized in 1885. J. T. Hughes served as superintendent for ten years. The present superintendent is Miss Bernice Atkins. There are sixty members.

Columbus church was organized in 1906 at the time of the union of the Cumberland Presbyterian and Presbyterian churches. The minister for the last two years has been Rev. Dein. There is a union Sunday School with the Christian Sunday School. The superin- tendent is Jesse Ramsey. There are about thirty members.

Jacoby Chapel church. (By Isaiah Jacoby.) On July 4, 1872, Elias Jacoby donated one and one-fourth acres of land to be used for a cemetery and church site to the first denomination of either Methodist. Presbyterian, United Brethren, German Reform or Lutheran churches that availed itself of the offer. No attempt was made to build a church on this site until the spring of 1906, when Isaiah Jacoby, a son of Elias Jacoby, circulated a subscription. He and George A. Middleton raised almost two thousand dollars. The church was built and the congrega- tion was organized that year. The following ministers have been pas- tors: Revs. P. A. Groves, Shepherd, Cordray. J. H. Woodard, A. K. Price, C. W. Smith, W. L. Logan, E. Moneymaker. L. H. Eakes, B. F. Rostock, W. M. White. The present officers are: Elders, WV. L. Bethel, Isaiah Jacoby, Logan Davis, Tompkins Rice, and Joseph Sim- merman; deacons, Irwin K. Ramsey, Glen Buthe, Wilber T. Parsons and Loy Stump: trustees, John E. Parsons, Lyle C. Jacoby, and Ken- neth Middleton. Church treasurer is George A. Middleton. There are eighty-five members. A Sunday School was organized in December,

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1906, with J. A. Webb, superintendent. There are seventy-five mem- bers, and W. L. Bethel is superintendent.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.

There are ten churches in the county, and 925 members. There are ten Sunday Schools and 687 members.

Blackwater M. E. church, South. (By Rev. Thomas P. Cobb, of Lexington.) This is the oldest religious organization in the county. During the Christmas holidays of 1829, a series of meetings were held and Rev. Edward T. Peery organized a class with the following charter members: Rev. G. Fine, Mrs. F. Fine, Narcissa Fine, Thomas Winsor, Rebecca Winsor, Sr., Rebecca Winsor. Jr., Julia Winsor. Frances Win- sor, Levi Simpson, Susan Simpson. I. Riser. Richard Bradley. Abadiah Bradley, James Bradley, Lacy Bradley. Tompkins Bradley, Mary Brad- ley, Clena Bradley, Z. T. Darris, E. E. Darris, W. Cox. Rev. W. Redman was the first Presbyterian elder. The first regular preacher was Benja- min Franklin Johnson, who joined the conference in 1830. Other early pastors were: Thomas Wallace. Thomas G. Ashley, G. W. Bew- ley, Daniel A. Leeper, Jesse Green. D. S. Capell, E. E. Degge, Silas Williams, J. Chase, T. C. James, W. M. Pitts, James A. Cumming. R. A. Foster, H. W. Webster, R. Minshall, H. N. Watts, M. Buren. W. J. Brown, T. P. Cobb. J. C. Daily. E. W. Woodard, John D. Wood, and J. D. H. Wooldridge. The first church was a log building, built in 1834. Camp meetings were held regularly every August for about twenty-five years. A frame house was built in the forties. This house was burned by Federal soldiers during the war. After the war, a big revival meeting was held in Miller school house. after which. in 1868 or 1869. the present building was erected. Of that charter membership of the old church. Tompkins Bradley was the chorister. There were no instruments in those days, but his trumpet-like voice was sufficient for pioneer worship. The ministers since 1881 have been : N. M. Dowdy. W. F. Wagoner. C. W. Wright, T. C. Pucket. S. P. Green- ing, W. T. Eastwood. T. D. Payne, L. L. Pinnell. T. P. Cobb. C. Bruner. the latter being the present pastor. J. W. Craig is superintendent of the Sunday School.

Basin Knob M. E. church, South. ( By Alma Wilkinson, Mrs. Harvey Phillips, Rev. L. M. Starkey.) In an old log school house on the Reuben Fulkerson farm, the Basin Knob church began its career in

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1837. Billy Hayes, Jackson Longacre, Johnnie Longacre, Phoebe Long- acre, Peter Hall, Maria Hall, Sammy Lundy, Jimmy Sanders and family, Moses Mullins, Mrs. Reuben Fulkerson, and Betsy Crisp were among the charter members. Thomas Ashby and Daniel Leeper were prob- ably the earliest ministers. Sunday School was also conducted. Jackson Longacre was the first superintendent. A few years previous to the Civil War a church was built. In 1867, Barnaby reorganized the church from the chaos inflicted during the war. On June 23, 1869, the church was burned. In the spring of 1870 they began work on the present church, which was dedicated in 1884. The first one to preach in this church was Peter Cobb. Former pastors were: H. W. Danner, W. M. Pitts, T. P. Cobb, J. C. Daily, R. A. Allen, T. P. Cobb, W. S. Wood- ard, J. M. Johnson, H. F. Harris, W. F. Briggs, I. N. Watts, H. C. Meredith, H. S. Mobley, A. C. Briggs, L. H. Davis, N. A. Auld, W. T. Gill, W. M. Crutsinger, J. J. Keller, S. G. Keyes, C. C. Berry, W. H. Neslar, 1. P. Cobb, J. B. Swinney, I. E. Wood, W. H. Smith, McMurry, E. W. Bartley, W. W. Garrett, W. E. Tull, L. M. Starkey. The oldest members are Mrs. Moses Ferguson, and Mrs. Felicia Wall, who is over 90. In 1908, the church was remodeled as it appears today. The mem- bership of the church is about ninety, and sixty-five in Sunday school.

Warrensburg M. E. church, South .- Preaching commenced in about 1838. The first society was probably organized by Rev. James Porter, and services were held in the old log court house. Some of the earliest members were Elizabeth Granger, Isaac Grangr, Z. T. Davis, Elizabeth E. Davis, Sarah Colburn, Nancy Dyer, Mary Davis, Adkins Power, W. H. Anderson and Col. James McCowan. The first building was erected in 1853 east of the old cemetery in Old Town. This was burned in 1864. Then another one was built in 1867. In 1884 a new site was secured and a building erected. In 1903, fire again destroyed the parsonage and dam- aged the church until it was thought best to abandon the property. The present site was secured and work began in September, 1906. The building was completed and dedicated August 9, 1908. The ministers have been: Revs. David McAnally, Geo. W. Love, J. L. Porter, S. S. Colbern, Thos. B. Ruble, R. A. Foster, W. R. Babcock, Daniel A. Leeper, John C. Shackleford, C. C. Wood, John S. Scurlock, B. A. Holloway, S. S. Bryant, J. C. Daily, Dr. W. M. Prottsman, Joab Spencer, W. A. Matthews, E. A. Keith, Pugsley, B. V. Alton, E. K. Wolf, W. M. Rader, (). E. Vivian, J. Il. Cleaves, W. H. Comer, J. R. Strong, C. L. Stauffer,

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and R. M. Hawkins, the present pastor. The present membership is 265. Prof. W. W. Parker is superintendent. Enrollment is 135.

Montserrat M. E. church, South, (formerly Lea's Chapel) was or- ganized at the residence of Dr. J. L. Lea, about 1840. The original mem- bers were Dr. J. L. Lea, Mrs. Harriet Lea, Robert H. and Jane D. Lea, Mary Hargraves, W. H. DeAman, Margaret Robinson, Josiah Harper and Welcome McCart. The first church was built near the residence of Doctor Lea, in 1861. This building was later sold and the funds used in the present building in Montserrat, which was finished in 1833. The pres- ent membership is thirty-eight; there are thirty-two in the Sunday school. Ernest Norman is the present superintendent.

Oak Grove M. E. church, South. (By W. H. Driver.) This church was organized about 1852. The charter members were: Mrs. E. Fitzpatrick, Sarah Simpson, Catherine Neff. Dr. T. P. McCluney, Mrs. Mary W. Youngs, Rev. and Mrs. John McCluney, Mrs. S. Brown, John Atherton, William McCluney, Mrs. Bradley, Charity Atherton, Jacob L. Neff, Margaret Dobson, Clara McCluney, Mr. and Mrs. John Neff. The circuit riders were: Robert A. Blakely, L. P. Siceloff. L. Phillips, W. M. Pitts, J. P. Gibson, L. H. Vandiber, Josiah McCary. W. S. Woodard, L. W. Pearce, John Bond, E. W. Woodward. The minis- ters have been Revs. Bedsworth, Peter Cobb, W. J. Snow, Mr. Bruner, J. R. Hedges, Mr. Suddath, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Larkin, Mr. Rainey, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Barrett, G. R. Wright. F. Pryer and J. A. Jared. There in a union Sunday School.

Chilhowee M. E. church, South was organized in 1836. The older members were: George Douglass Wright. John A. Wright, John Wil- son, with their families, Mrs. Abner Steward, Mrs. James Steward. and Mrs. Joseph Steward. During the Civil War the organization was broken up. In 1868, some of the members organized a class in the school house in old Chilhowee. The charter members were: George D. Wright and wife, Elizabeth: Mrs. Eliza Wright, Dr. T. J. Wright and wife, Annie; Miss Almanza Cull, Miss Polly Cull. James I. Culley, The pastors have been: J. P. Barnaby. J. B. H. Wooldridge. John C. Murphy, B. Margerson, Wilbur King. The Methodist Episcopal church. South, C. P. N. E. church, and Protestant Methodist. built a union church in 1878. Other pastors were: T. P. Cobb. W. S. Woodard. J. Y. Busby, A. L. Houston, J. J. Hill, V. M. Crutsinger. Lewis, N. M. Dowdy, A. G. Moore, J. P. Caldwell, T. B. Harris, and G. H. Green. The new church

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was completed in 1897. J. W. Patison came as pastor in October, 1898; next, J. J. Keller, Dewitt Beery, E. T. Raney, W. W. Alexander, G. L. Coffman, A. S. Swanson, A. Snowden, W. H. Hesler, R. W. Shem- well, H. G. Gatlin, J. R. Scott, and G. B. Snapp. The membership is 115, and 114 in Sunday School. In 1907, the old parsonage which had been moved from Old Town was sold, and a new one built. Rev. Snapp is the present pastor.

Cornelia M. E. church, South. (By C. M. Taylor.) . It was organized about 1853 by Rev. Warren Pitts. Some of the charter members were: Daniel Cecil, Charity Cecil, James Hackler, Elizabeth Hackler, Melvina Hackler, Lucy Taylor, Doctor Love, Cornelia Love, Mark Shumate, Charlotte Shumate. There are now about thirty-five members. The Sunday School was organized at the same time and has thirty members. Mark Shumate was active in building up the church, and afterward became a minister. The present minister is the Rev. Mr. Cox. The Sunday School superintendent is C. M. Taylor.

Wood's Chapel M. E. church, South was organized July 13, 1884. The following constituted the first officiary: C. C. Woods, presiding elder; L. W. Pearce, (who built the chapel), pastor; John W. Wagoner, steward: James Flenniken, class leader; Chas. C. Smith, Sunday School superintendent; J. W. Wagoner, C. C. Smith, Isaac McNeel, trustees. Charter members: C. C. Smith and wife, J. W. Wagoner and wife, R. A. Hampton and wife, J. A. Flenniken and wife, Mrs. S. F. Maxwell, W. A. Merrill and Isaac McNeel, eleven in all. The pastors were as follow: L. W. Pearce, deceased; T. D. Payne, Blue Springs, Missouri; W. T. Eastwood, Florida; L. M. Phillips, deceased ; N. M. Dowdy, Green Ridge, Missouri; J. R. Hedges, Miami, Missouri; V. M. Crutsinger, Victoria, Texas; J. H. Denny; G. R. Wright ; E. T. Rainey, Harrisonville; T. P. Cobb, deceased; (Crutsinger, Dowdy and Hedges served the congregation a second time); H. R. Rutledge, Oak Grove, Missouri: J. A. Greening, Lexington, Tennessee ; and C. Bruner, in charge now. Dr. C. C. Woods, editor of the Christian Advocate, dedi- cated the church in 1884 and it was named in his honor. There are 113 members and the Sunday School has seventy.

Mount Zion M. E. church, South. (By Mrs. Ed. Phillips.) It is located in the northwest corner of Johnson county, and was built in 1888, on a lot donated by Uncle Jimmy Wilkinson. The charter mem- bers were: Uncle Jimmy Wilkinson, Alex. Wilkinson and wife, John W. Wilkinson, Dr. Henry Dean, Hewlett Tucker and wife, James John-

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son and wife, A. N. Spainhowe and wife, H. C. Nolette and wife, S. C. McGlathery and wife, M. Fitzgerald, wife and family, and Will Fitz- gerald and wife. Revs. A. F. Briggs, Gill, and Auld were some of the first ministers. The present minister is Rev. L. M. Starkey. The mem- bership is about fifty. The Sunday School superintendent is J. W. Wat- son, and the membership is fifty-five.

Medford M. E. church, South. (By R. A. Wooldridge.) Organ- ized under the pastorate of Rev. G. L. Coffman. The charter members were : F. M. Wooldridge, Ella Wooldridge, his wife and his son, Taylor Wooldridge : R. A. Wooldridge, wife, Mary F. Wooldridge; and Miss Lena Wooldridge, the daughter of R. A. Wooldridge, and Miss Alice Smith. F. M. Wooldridge headed the list for the church build- ing with $500. The church was built in 1906. The ministers have been : Revs. Swanson, Alexander, Snowden, Hessler, Hargis, Jackson, Huffin. and E. L. Hunt, the present pastor. The church membership is about seventy.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

There are in Johnson county four parishes and about 377 members.

Sacred Heart Parish, Warrensburg. (By Father F. S. McCardle. ) Father Hammil was probably the first priest to offer Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Johnson county. This pioneer priest, about 1859 or 1860, rode over from Lexington, Missouri, on horseback and said the first mass at Ambrose Daly's residence in Old Town. In 1863, Father Cal- mar located here and held his first mass at the home of John Kline. In 1864 or 1865, the foundation of an adobe church was laid. The first mass in the new church was in 1866. Fathers Murray. Mackin, Dunn, Swift and Eberhardt, O. S. B., served in succession. Then Father James Phelan and Father Archeri served. During this time the first church was condemned and mass was held in a hall over the Gilkeson store. Father William Sherry came in 1885. The fall of 1886, the present brick edifice, Sacred Heart church, was completed. The following priests have served here: Very Rev. A. G. Clohessy. Father John Hogan, Father James I. Walsh, Father George B. Curry, Father Thomas Pen- dergast. Father Kilkinny. Father O. Driscoll. Father Lyons and Father F. S. McCardle, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. He is the present incumbent. There are 150 members.

Knob Noster Catholic church was organized in Old Knob Noster shortly after the war. The original members were: Peter and John

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Guihen, Pat Connor, Pat Quinn, John McGrath, and Mike Donnelly. The first priest was Father Murray, and services were held in Peter Sullivan's hall until the church was built. The priest at present is Father McCardle. The membership numbers seventy-two. Mrs. Page is superintendent of the Catechism.

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History of Johnson County, Missouri, Part 31

Author: Cockrell, Ewing Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Cockrell, Ewing
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Topeka, Kan. : Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1234