History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 844

USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 65

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One of the carly preachers of this associa- tion was Pinkney Graham, who was a native of Kentucky and came to Southeast Missouri in 1826 and was for many years an influential minister.

Twenty-four churches reported to the asso- ciation in 1910. They had a combined mem- bership of 2,009. They were: Big Creek, 82; Brush Creek, 87; Castor, 22; Ebenezer, 71; Fredericktown, 444; Friendship, 107; Gran- ite View, 19; Glen Allen, 102; Little White- water, 136; Marble Hill, 156; Marquand, 113; Miller's Chapel, 41; Moore's Chapel, 46; Mt. Carmel, 43; Mt. Pisgah, 116; Mt. Pleasant, 47; New Salem, 73; Shetley's Creek, 93; Trace Creek, 93; Twelve Mile, 116; Union Light, 19.

The association known as Cane Creek Asso- ciation was formed in 1857 by 5 churches formerly members of Black River Association ; for a considerable time the association had churches in Butler, Carter and Ripley coun- ties in Missouri as well as some churches in Arkansas. In 1867 there were 14 churches reported, in 1874 there were 24 churches with a total membership of 632, in 1875 there were 22 churches.

There were 29 churches in the association in 1910 with a combined membership of "2,115. They were: Amity, 46; Antioch, 73; Black Creck, 71; Bethel, 75; Belleview, 31; Bethle- hem, 33; Bay Springs, 94; Concord-Elsinore, 26; Cane Creek, 30; Doniphan, 353; Friend- ship, 44; Grandin, 125; Harmony, 25; Lone Star, 41; Lone Hill, 90; Mt. Carmel, 53; Mel- ville, 7; New Prospect, 49; Naylor, 91; New

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Hope, 106; Providence, 23; Poplar Bluff, (1st) 211; Poplar Bluff (2nd), 266; Paradise Ridge, 20; Rocky Point, 57; Sylvan, 53; Spring Hill, 62; Center Hill -; Fairdealing -.

The Maramec Association was organized November 11, 1870, by 6 churches in Washing- ton county; these churches were Oak Hill, White Oak Grove, Crossroads, Little Spring, Mount Vernon and Fourche a Renault. The moderator of this association was J. R. Ham- lin and M. T. Walker was clerk. There were 143 members. The ministers of the associa- tion were M. O. Gibson, J. R. Hamlin and H.

M. Smith. The second meeting was held at Oak Hill in 1871; there were 11 churches and 302 members. In 1879 there were 10 churches and 319 members. The early ministers, be- sides those mentioned, were H. M. Smith and Gideon Seymore.

The oldest church of this association was Fourche a Renault which was organized in January, 1829, under the name of Mount Zion ; its first pastor was James Williams and there were 6 members at the time of the organ- ization. Like most other of the early churches, its first meeting house was a log structure built in 1844.

White Oak Grove church in Washington county was organized April 9, 1842.

Maramec Association was composed of 14 churches in 1910, whose membership was 821, divided as follows: W. Oak Grove, 83; Steel- ville, 136; Shoal Creek, 131; Liberty -; Courtois, 56; Mt. Olive, 50; Cross Roads, 76; Bourbon, 45; Huzzah, 61; Mis. Ridge, 17; St. Joseph, 36; Fourche a Renault, 29; Em- maus, 62; Bethel, 86.

Charleston Association was organized in 1876 with 4 churches; Morley, New Hope, Richwoods and Sylvania. These churches were all in Scott county and they had a mem-

bership of 146. In 1879 there were 9 churches with a total membership of 239. The minis- ters at this time were I. E. Anderson, Lewis Dickinson, W. K. Rainbolt, W. B. Richardson and J. G. Shearer; the latter was moderator.

In 1880 the session had held at Blodgett in Scott county; there were then 10 churclics with 313 members; the churches were in Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties.

There were 20 churches in the association in 1910 with a combined membership of 1,693. They were: Bethel, 26; Bethany, 130; Blod- gett, 41; Charleston, 282; Chaffee, -: Diehl- stadt, 63; East Prairie, 108; Fornfelt, 21; Harmony, 76; Hickory Grove, 63; Hopewell, 41; Morley, 165; New Bethel, 128; Oran, 237; Pleasant Hill, 41 ; Rock View, 57; Savan- nah, 81; Sikeston, 32; Unity, 53; Van- duser -.

In 1910 there were 14 churches in Wash- ington County Association with a total mem- bership of 716. They were: Mt. Zion, 47; Breton Creek, 25; Lost Creek, 52; Pleasant Grove, 74; Missionary Ridge, 34; Fourche a Renault, 39; Shoal Creek, 36; Bunker Hill, 128; Hickory Grove, 39; Liberty, 51; Em- maus, 16; W. Oak Grove, 59; Potosi, 30; Hazel Creek, 17; Macedonia, 30.

The Stoddard County Association had 21 churches in 1910 whose total membership was 971: Advance, 79; Bloomfield, 101; Dexter, 158; Duck Creek, 133; Idalia, 43; Liberty, 57; Little Vine, 50; New Hope, 34; Philadelphia, 140; Providence, 306; Puxico, 58; Little Flock, 12.

In New Madrid Association there were 19 churches in 1910, having a membership of 1,403. They were: Caruthersville, 258; Cot- tou Wood Point, -; Como, -; Dry Bayou, - Evergreen, 45; Holly Grove, 50; Holland, 65;

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Hayti, 100; Macedonia, -; Micola, 70; Oak Grove, 80; Portageville, 90; Steele -; Shiloh, -; Tyler, -; Little River, 39; New Zion, 50; Pierce's Chapel, 36; Crockett Chapel, 40.

In 1875 it was determined to divide St. Francois Association, and 10 churches in Wayne county were dismissed to form a new association, in October of that year known as Wayne County Association. The ten churches had a membership of 1,444, and the ministers were Isaac Lane, A. R. L. Meador, J. W. Wil- son, J. B. Mattox, M. A. Taylor and David Cheats. Five more churches were added in 1875 and in 1878 the total membership was 678.

There were 30 churches in the association in 1910 with a membership of 1,754. They were: Bear Creek, 47; Bethel, 24; Beulah, 64; Big Brushy, 33; Big Lake, 103; Black River, 105; Cedar Creek, 107; Chaonia, 49; Cullen's Sw. -; Des Are, 8; Greenville, 155 ; Hodge's Fer., -; Lebanon, 180; Little Lake, 75; Liberty Hill, 22; Leeper, 34; Mt. Olive, 51; Mt. Pleas- ant, 70; Mt. Zion, 77; New Life, 37; New Prospect, 78; Philippi, 34; Piedmont, 193; Trace Creek, 72; Virginia, 21 ; Oak Grove, -; Patterson, 57 ; Williamsville, 91 ; Rocky Grove, 23: Low Valley, 14.

The Methodists and Baptists have been pe- culiarly fortunate in being able to do pioneer work in this section. More than the ministers of other denominations they have been able to get out into the country and organize and develop churches away from the towns and centers of population. No other denomina- tions have quite equalled them in this respect. Accordingly we find the country districts of Southeast Missouri dotted over with Methodist and Baptist churches.

The Baptists were first in the field. Tywap- pity church was the first non-Catholic relig- ious organization in this part of the state, and

Bethel the second. Both were Baptist organ- izations. From the organization of these early churches until now, the denomination has prospered. There are now in Southeast Missouri, 281 churches with an aggregate membership of about 25,000. The ministers of the church have been in the forefront of every good and worthy movement, education has been fostered by them, they have cre- ated and supported Will Mayfield College at Marble Hill besides lending support to other educational institutions. The denom- inations seem entering on an era of inereased prosperity as is attested by the erection of better buildings, the liberal support accorded the church, and the widening of its plan of work.

The church in this section has enjoyed the service of a long line of earnest and able men. To their ability and industry is due much of the place the denomination now occupies in the religious affairs of Southeast Missouri.

LUTHERANS

When the German colony was formed in Perry county in 1838, there was organized the first society of the Evangelical Lutheran church in this part of the state. A number of small communities made up this colony, and at first a number of pastors ministered to the wants of the communities. Wittenberg and Frohna had for their ministers Rev. Ernst Gerhard, Wilhelm Keyl; Altenberg's minis- ter was Gotthold Heinrich Loeber. The min- ister of Seelitz community was Rev. Moritz Burger, while Rev. Carl Frederick Wilhelm Walther ministered to Dresden and Johannes- burg. At a later period, however, it was found impossible to support so many pastors and the communities were combined. In 1839 there was established another community called Putzdorf. This was about eight miles from

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Altenberg, and the pastor here was Carl Frederick Gruber.

Most of the settlers of this colony were poor, and were subjected to very great hard- ships in a new country, hardships which they were not fitted to undergo. It is, how- ever, a striking commendatary upon their earnestness and piety, that in spite of the difficulties which surrounded them, from the very first, they began and carried on the work of preaching, building church honses, and even the formation of a Christian school. It was under the leadership of Rev. Carl Frederick Wilhelm Walther that the foundations for a college were laid at Altenberg. This college had only a one-story log building at first, but the school was opened and conducted within it and continued until the year 1849. Up to this time it was the sole property of the col- onists of Perry county and was conducted by them and supported by their gifts. In this year it was transferred to the synod of the church and removed to St. Louis; it is now known as Concordia Seminary. In 1839 the college erected a parsonage and in 1841 a school house, in addition to the college. This school employed one teacher, H. F. Winter for more than twenty-five years. In 1844 the col- ony erected a stone church building which is still standing.

Two incidents which occurred in the history of this colony disturbed the work of the church. One of these was the great attack of cholera in 1849. The pastor of the church, Rev. Mr. Loeber, remained and cared for those who were sick and those who died, until he, too. fell a victim on August 19, 1844. The other disturbing incident was a discussion over doctrinal matters which took place in 1856. The pastor of the church G. A. Schief- erdecker, was dismissed from his post and on his refusal to vacate the parsonage, was sued

by the church and compelled, by law, to give to give up the place.

The Evangelical Lutheran church in Cape Girardeau dates its origin to the year 1854. In that year the church was constituted with eight members, among them being: Caspar and Louis Roth, Ernst Mantz, Charles Does- selman and Anthony Schrader. They adopted the constitution of the church on June 1, 1854, and in 1855 began the erection of the first building. It was of brick and very small.

The man who was instrumental in found- ing this church, and who was its first pastor was the Rev. A. Lehman, who was succeeded in 1856 by Ernst Harms. He was pastor of the church until August, 1859, and for the next nine years, the Rev. Mr. Riedel was in charge.

During this period other churches of this denomination were organized at various places in Southeast Missouri, most of them, however, in or near Cape Girardeau. One of these was Trinity church at Dissen, in Apple Creek township. Its organization was made in the year 1848 with these members: Fred Leeving, Louis Kaiser, Edward Engel- man, Gottlieb Krause, Henry Grossheider, John Beck, Caspar Klaus and Henry Wehn- miller. The pastor of the church was F. J. Blitz. The congregation erected a log build- ing for church purposes and used it until during the Civil war. The successors of Rev. Blitz as pastor were: F. Reidel, G. Gruber. F. W. and John H. Harmening.

There was also a church organized abont 1860 at Kurreville. In Randol township, Cape Girardeau county, a church was organ- ized at Hanover in 1852. They immediately erected a frame building which was used by the church for many years. The first pastor of this church was Daniel Bertling. In 1857

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a church was organized at New Wells, by A. Schieferdecker. The principal members of the church at that time were: Joseph Meyer, G. Starzinger and M. Koessel. Zion Luth- eran church was organized in 1857 at Gravel- ton. The first pastor of the church was Rev. John R. Moser, who served until 1870. There were about twenty-five members of the church at the time of its organization, and it became one of the largest and most pros- perons churches of its denomination in this part of the state. In 1850 a church was or- ganized in Kelso township, Scott county, and named Eisleben church. The men instru- mental in this organization were: David Roth and Daniel Raubel.

In 1887 Rev. J. F. Köstering became the pastor at Altenburg, and was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Grimm. There was also organ- ized a congregation at Frohna and at Union- town and Perryville. The latter was organ- ized in 1867 by Rev. Mr. Besel. This church erected a school building and also a church. The first regular pastor was Rev. C. H. Demetrio, who was called in 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Matthes. This church has a good brick building and a brick schoolhouse.

The Lutheran church of Ste. Genevieve was incorporated by the circuit court on May 11, 1867. The petitioners were Christian Lucke, Henry Wilder, Phillip Medast, Charles Weiss, F. C. Fertner, August Wilder, Wiliam Mavoss and F. A. Klein. In 1875 a brick building was erected and a school since that time.

The church at Farmington, known as St. Paul's, was organized in 1874 by Rev. C. F. Obermeyer. The first house of worship was a small frame .structure, erected the same year.

About 1859 the church was organized at Vol. I-31

Iron Mountain, and at a somewhat later date the congregation at Pilot Knob.

Trinity church at Egypt Mills was dedi- cated in 1881 by H. Guemmer.

A church was organized at Tilsit in 1866 and called Emmanuel. Rev. G. A. Muller was the first pastor .. There were about 15 members.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was or- ganized at Gravelton in 1857 by Rev. John R. Moser, with a membership of 25. Two of the prominent members of the church at this time were Judge Law Cloninger and Maj. M. N. Abernathy. The second pastor of the church was Rev. P. C. Henkel. He was suc- ceeded by L. M. Wagner. A fine church edi- fice was erected in 1878, and a parsonage, near the church, in 1885. Under the leader- ship of Pastor Wagner a school, known as Concordia, was established and is still con- ducted.

At the present time there are church or- ganizations at Festus, Ste. Genevieve, Pop- lar Bluff, Bismarck, Pilot Knob, Pocahontas, Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Gordonville, Farmington, Altenburg, Perryville and Kimmswick. Most of these organizations are in a flourishing condition and this de- nomination is making progress in Southeast Missouri.

EPISCOPAL

In 1887 there were only three Protestant Episcopal churches in Southeast Missouri- at Cape Girardeau, Ironton and De Soto. The first Episcopal minister who came to the southeast was Rev. Thos. Horrell, who came from Maryland to Cape Girardeau county in 1818. There was no church organization at that time, but he held services at different houses and baptized a number of people. He resided in Cape Girardeau connty for only

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a short time and then went to St. Louis. In only organization within this territory. The 1876, George Moore, a native of New York, located at Cape Girardeau, and through his influence a house of worship was built at the corner of Fountain and Themis streets. It was a brick structure and cost about $3,000. He became the first rector of the church and was succeeded by Rev. T. F. C. James, who was installed in 1882. The present rector is the Rev. C. F. Maltus.

The church at De Soto was organized in 1865. St. Paul's church was organized at Ironton as a mission in 1869, when Judge John W. Emerson was warden, and there were only two communicants, Mrs. Mark- ham and her daughter. In 1887 the mem- bership of the church had grown to 39, and a neat frame building was erected, costing about $600.

In 1890 Grace Episcopal church was or- ganized in Crystal City. The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company donated about three acres of ground to the church and upon this site was erected a handsome brick structure. It is open for use by all denominations. It is maintained principally by the Plate Glass Company, and is one of the most beautiful spots in Southeast Missouri.

At the present time there are organiza- tions at De Soto, Cape Girardeau, Crystal City and Ironton.

CONGREGATIONAL

The first Congregational church in South- east Missouri was organized at Arcadia about 1840. After an existence of a few years, however, the members adopted the Presbyterian confession of faith and became connected with the Potosi Presbytery of that church. The next organization was that at De Soto. Later churches were formed at Bonne Terre and Grandin. These are the

church at Bonne Terre has recently erected a beautiful and commodious building. It stands in the center of a large plot of ground, very attractively laid out in trees and flow- ers. The building itself is of brick and fol- lows the English style of architecture. It presents a pleasing contrast to the usual' forms of church buildings.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL

The history of the German Evangelical church in Southeast Missouri began in 1836. At that date a number of families from Switzerland made their homes near Rod- ney's Mill, in Cape Girardeau county. Two members of this Swiss colony, Benedict Mul- lett and Benedict Schneider, bought a mill, while the others were engaged, principally in farming. They were devout people and kept up religious services in the absence of any regularly organized church or of a pas- tor. For a number of years they were accus- tomed to meet at private residences to hold these informal services. The first pastor was called, and the church organized about 1847. The pastor was the Rev. J. Koebler. In 1851 they built and dedicated a small log house for church purposes. This was the only or- ganization of the Evangelical church in this part of the state before the war.

The church at Jackson was organized in May, 1867, with 28 members and the follow- ing trustees: Charles Hohrenberg, Jacob Frederick, Adam Hoffman and Hermann, Geyerd. F. Kies was the first pastor. The church fell into difficulties owing to a debt on the building and certain internal dissen- sions, and no regular pastor was employed for about fifteen years. In 1886 a reorgani- zation was made and since that time the church has continued its work.

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At present there are organizations at Cape Girardeau, De Soto, Allenville, Al- theim, Dexter, Dutchtown, Jackson and Til- sit.

GERMAN METHODISTS

The first organization of German Meth- odists in Southeast Missouri was probably the church at Gordonville, which was organ- ized in 1848. In the same year Apple Creek chapel was made a mission and was attached to the congregation which was formed about six miles southwest of Jackson. The original officers of the church at Gordonville were: Phillip Ruhl, presiding elder; Christian Bar- tels, Frederick Schleuter, August Gunther, Conrad Boettler and Henry Doris, stewards; and John Antonsen, Dietrich Brase and Henry Doris, trustees. The officers of the church in the early times were Charles Holl- man, Frank Horstman, Jacob Mueller, Thomas Hoyer, Christopher Hoech and Henry Schultze. The first building for this congregation was a simple frame house erected in 1849. It served the purposes of the church until it was replaced by a brick building in 1875. The original members of Apple Creek church were: William Schultze and wife, Heinrich Tuschoff and wife and Heinrich Westmeir and wife. William Schultze was the local minister, and Tus- choff was the steward and superintendent of Sunday school. The pastors of this church were : Charles Hollman, 1849; Frank Horts- man, 1851; Jacob Mueller, 1853; Theodore Heyer, 1854; C. Hoech, 1856; Henry Schulze, 1860. The first house of worship erected by the congregation was a small frame building which is still standing. It was dedicated by Rev. Jacob Mueller. This church was continued as a mission until

1863, when a parsonage was erected and the mission became a circuit.

Later a church was organized at White- water. The church at Cape Girardeau is perhaps the largest of these organizations in Southeast Missouri. It has a good brick build- ing and is a flourishing and influential body. It was organized as a mission in 1867 and connected with Apple Creek until it was made a station in 1884.

The German Methodist church at De Soto was organized in 1851 by Rev. John G. Kost.

PRESBYTERIANS

The Presbytery of Missouri was formed by the Synod of Tennessee and held its first meeting at St. Louis on December 18, 1817. It then included all the territory in the United States west of the meridian passing through the mouth of the Cumberland river, the only ministers in the Presbytery being Solomon Giddings, Timothy Flint, Thomas Donnell and J. W. Mathews. In 1831 the Synod of Illinois was formed and the Pres- bytery of Missouri was divided into three Presbyteries, St. Louis, Missouri and St. Charles. The next year the Synod of Mis- souri was formed and held its first meeting at St. Louis on the second Thursday in Oc- tober, 1832; there were forty churches in the organization and eighteen ministers. In 1837 the general assembly of the Presbyterian church passed what was known as the Exci- sion Act, severing all ecclesiastic relations with several synods and causing the organization, in 1838, of what was popularly known as the New School General Assembly. This act led to a division of synods and Presbyterian churches throughout the United States. In 1839 the Presbytery in Missouri divided also; on the division of the St. Louis Presbytery

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each faction should retain the original name. At its meeting in 1843 the Synod of Missouri (Old School) passed a resolution allowing the organization of the Presbytery of Potosi.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES

At a meeting of the Synod of Missouri in St. Louis, October 23, 1843, it was ordered that the churches in Southeast Missouri should be organized into a Presbytery called the Presbytery of Potosi. The meeting for the purpose of effecting this organization was held in the Presbyterian church in Farming- ton April 2, 1844. The assembly was called to order in the old brick church building which afterward became the property of the Disciples or Christians. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. John T. Cowan and after the sermon the organization was per- fected. There were three ministers present, John F. Cowan, D. E. Y. Rice, and James M. Covington. There was only one other minister within the bounds of the Presbytery, John McLean. The elders present were John Mc- Neely, of the 1st Apple Creek church, Peter Statler of Whitewater church, Seth Hall of the 2nd Apple Creek church, Robert Sloan of Bellevue and Potosi, John D. Peers of Farm- ington, William Patterson of Clark's Creek, and Peter Whitteuberg of Steelville. The churches not represented were Brazeau, Pleasant Hill, Jackson and Castor, making a total within the bounds of the Presbytery of five ministers and twelve churches. It will be noticed that the Presbytery was somewhat larger than the territory of Southeast Mis- souri, as we have defined it, for it included thirty-three counties in this part of the state. During the first ten years following the or- ganization of the Presbytery the ministers received were as follows: In 1845, Amos H.

Rogers, who had charge of the Farmington church; Asael Munson, who was received in June, 1845, and for 23 years was in charge of the 1st Apple Creek church, afterward becoming a member of the St. Louis Presby- tery, but returning to Potosi Presbytery in April, 1870, where he supplied the Potosi and Irondale churches until his death in 1876; J. T. Paxton, who was received into the Pres- bytery in April, 1853, and supplied the church of Farmington; A. A. Mathis, on the same date, and was supply at Bellevue and after- ward pastor at Brazeau ; John McLean, one of the ministers of the Presbytery was a member for five years, but during that time was not in charge of any church.

During these ten years two new churches were organized, one at Cape Girardeau and one at Benton in 1852. During the same period Jackson, Castor and the 2nd Apple Creek churches were dissolved, so that at the close of the first decade there were five min- isters and eleven churches.

PRESBYTERIANISM IN 1854-64

During the second decade, extending from 1854 to 1864, there were a number of changes in the ministry of the church. The Rev. D. E. Y. Rice died in 1854; he had been a mem- ber of the Presbytery for more than ten years and served as a stated clerk, was pastor at Pleasant Hill and Cape Girardeau and, as we have seen, was president of the Wash- ington Female Academy. In 1854, Rev. John F. Cowan was dismissed from the Presbytery after a service of more than 20 years. In 1855 J. H. Moore was ordained as a minister and supplied Brazeau for a number of years At the same time J. G. Wells was ordained and was made principal of Pleasant Hil Academy. W. F. P. Noble was also made a minister, but seems to have had no charge

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History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 844

Author: Douglass, Robert Sidney. 4n
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 844