USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
How long this church of which Hayden was organizer and first pastor continued to worship in the old court house is not known; but some time before the Civil war a substantial frame structure was erected at the north- west corner of College and Main streets and was occupied for divine worship for many years. Like other church buildings in Springfield. this house was taken by Federal authorities for use as a hospital. Recent efforts to secure remuneration for this use from the government have thus far proved unsuc- cessful. On the erection in 1873 of another house of worship the one be- fore occupied was sold to Ely Paxson, undertaker, who occupied it as a dwelling house for several years. It is yet occupied as a dwelling, being apparently in a good state of preservation.
Joel Hayden was followed by Jesse M. Wilks, Lansford Wilks, U. S. Elgin and some others, but the precise order and dates cannot be determined. Early in the Civil war the pastor was Charles Carlton, an eloquent and popular preacher. Crowds flocked to listen to him, filling the house to over-
586
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
flowing, standing at the doors and even crowding the windows. At his home, a few doors to the west, he had a school, of which he or . others seem to have had great expectations, since the tradition remains that from it the street gained its present name. Near this building stood the house to which the body of General Lyon was borne after his tragic death at Wilson's Creek.
The plan of a college in Springfield waited more than a decade before it could be realized under quite other auspices. Carlton's sympathies were with the Confederate cause, and before the war had progressed very far he removed to Texas, where he is reported to have entered the Confederate service. it is thought as chaplain. His assistant, Graham succeeded him. The building now occupied by the First church bears the date 1889; but there is evidence that as early as 1873 it was occupied by a house of wor- ship, then being a one story structure, so that probably in 1889 it was raised and the second story used. as at present. for religious services, while the lower floor was rented for business purposes.
As a result of serious differences of opinion concerning instrumental music in worship, a considerable number of members were dismissed in 1886 to form the South Street Christian church, others following at a later date. Since these members had contributed considerable sums toward the erection of the First church building, the question of adequate compensa- tion to them naturally arose, but after mutual conferences an agreement was finally reached. Efforts made since to secure a place of worship other than that now occupied have not thus far been successful. Among pastors since the war may be named Kirk Baxter. W. E. Harlow, T. H. Capp, N. M. Ragland and the present pastor, F. W. Bowers, who was some years ago recalled to a second pastorate.
The value of the church property is estimated at thirty-five thousand dollars, the site being quite valuable for business purposes. The church re- ports two hundred members, the Sunday school two hundred and fifteen members with twenty-two officers, and an average attendance of one hun- dred. The society of Christian Endeavor reports twenty-five members.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
South Street .- This church was organized in 1886 by Rev. E. G. Laugh- lin, being composed chiefly of former members of the First Christian church, the chief occasion of their action being a difference of opinion concerning the use of instrumental music in worship. A lot was procured on the east side of South street, nearly opposite the First Baptist church. On this site a sub- stantial brick structure was erected the following year in which this church worshiped for more than twenty years until the voice of the people began to be heard demanding more adequate accommodations.
587
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
It was believed that no better place could be found than that on which the church was standing, so this was taken down to make room for the new structure, service being held meanwhile in the commodious Modern Woodmen hall, at the corner of South and Walnut streets. The new house was com- pleted and occupied in 1910 and is probably the finest and best appointed Protestant house of worship in Springfield, ranking with the new St. Paul edifice and with the Catholic St. Agnes church which was built at the same time at somewhat greater cost.
A large degree of prosperity has been enjoyed by South Street church in all departments of its work. It reports 825 members, with 620 officers and pupils in Sunday school. The Christian Endeavor society reports 52 seniors, 24 intermediates and 25 juniors, besides the Kurians, numbers not reported. The Christian Women's Board of Missions has 110 members. The church property is valued at fifty thousand dollars.
The organizer and first pastor of the church, Rev. E. G. Laughlin, was succeeded by John P. Myers and B. H. Harden. The last three pastors, J. P. Pinkerton, D. W. Moore and F. L. Moffett, have rendered in the aggregate upwards of twenty years of service, the last named for nearly nine years.
It need hardly be added that the prosperity of this church is by no means all due to the pastor, but is due fully as much, possibly more, to the hearty co- operation with the pastor of a body of earnest and faithful men and women, each doing in the place appointed to each the work to him or her assigned. But the pastor has been by no means a negligible factor. Mr. Moore is a man of poetic temperament, genial and lovable personality and fine literary taste, while Mr. Moffett is, as was his predecessor, a man of catholic sympathies with the work of the kingdom of God, and recognizes its relations to social and secular things, as well as to those considered distinctively religious, ac- cepting quite fully the results of recent thought in theology and biblical criticism.
Central .-- It is not very uncommon to find a house made ready in advance for an approaching marriage, but it is far less common to find a church build- ing made ready for a church not yet organized. Yet this appears to have been the order with respect to the Washington Avenue, now Central Christian church. We learn from authority believed to be trustworthy that it was organized by Rev. O. A. Carr January 5, 1890, the brick house of worship having been built in 1889. . However a Sunday school had been held for a time before the church was organized.
Another quite unusual experience may help to explain the one first men- tioned. The building, located at the southwest corner of Washington avenue and Division street was built and furnished at a cost of eleven thousand dollars by Mrs. Matilda Weaver. The condition attached to the gift was that instrumental music should not be permitted in worship. This condition was
588
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
faithfully observed for some years, but when, early in the present century, Rev. W. E. Harlow, before and since well known as an evangelist, was in- vited to the pastorate of the church a condition of his acceptance was that there should be instrumental music. After some attempts to secure another house of worship an agreement was finally reached by which a stipulated sum was paid for an unconditional deed.
Recent pastors have been F. F. Walters, George S. Peters and B. T. Wharton, lately resigned. This church has been much prospered during re- cent years, reporting now a membership of 500, with an average attendance at Sunday school of 225. The Ladies' Aid Society renders efficient service in meeting the financial demands of the church and a Woman's Missionary Society of 50 members seeks to keep alive the interest of the church in missions at home and abroad.
Considerable improvements have been made in the house of worship within the past few years. Music is made a quite prominent feature in the worship of this church. The Sunday school uses the new graded lessons and holds a monthly teachers' meeting.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHIES.
First Cumberland .- The first Presbyterian churches in Greene county were of the Cumberland type, antedating by several years any others of the same generic name, and by nearly a decade any Cumberland church in Spring- field.
The body now calling itself the First Cumberland church was organized . May 19, 1844, by Rev. Messrs. S. J. Carthel and T. M. Johnston, the latter continuing to serve the church as stated supply for some time afterwards. Little further is known of the history of this organization previous to the Civil war, at which time it became practically extinct, the mission having been abandoned in 1862.
The church had never been strong, and efforts to secure a house of wor- ship had depended largely on aid from the Springfield Presbytery. At the session of that body. in the fall of 1861, hopes were expressed that if condi- tions proved favorable it might be possible "some time this year" to finish the structure already begun. But conditions during the year following were the reverse of favorable, with the result above stated. The unfinished house was sold for debt, but the presbytery did not relax its efforts to redeem and complete it as a house of worship. In 1868 the mission was reorganized and. in 1870, the problem recurring semi-annually for many years, was solved by large and generous personal subscriptions.
But. like some other feeble infants. this church has enjoyed a vigorous adult life. Twice in its history, in 1874 and in 1902, it has had the honor
589
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
of entertaining the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and two of its pastors, James B. Logan, D. D., and M. B. DeWitt, D. D., have served as moderators of that body.
The present pastor, John T. Bacon, D. D., began his work with the church on the first Sunday in June, 1899, having just completed his course of study in Lebanon Theological Seminary. During his nearly sixteen years of ministry here he has had a large share in the life of Springfield, both on religious lines and in the way of intellectual and social uplift. For several seasons he presided at chautauquas here, and later at Hollister. He has had an important part in the ecclesiastical life of the state, having been influential in bringing his own branch of the Presbyterian church into union with the "Northern" Presbyterians, and by his tact and personal popularity carrying with him a large majority of the church here and most of the churches throughout Greene county. "As warm-hearted and friendly as Mr. Bryan, whom he strikingly resembles," says Doctor Stringfield, -X-
* "with a commanding presence, a sonorous voice, a rich fund of homely illustra- tions and an intense zeal, Doctor Bacon is popular in the pulpit and on the platform, especially with young people." The fine and serviceable brick structure at the corner of Jefferson and Olive streets, now occupied by this church, was erected in 1892. It will not be surprising if the growing en- coachments of business, with its hustle and noise, already pressing closely upon it, shall make advisable at no distant day the sale of the present prop- erty and the erection of a new and more commodious house of worship at a spot not too far removed from the city's active life, while ministering also to the contemplative side of Christian worship. During these past years the spiritual has maintained within the material edifice a healthy life with growth in all departments of church work, while its membership has embraced some of Springfield's most enterprising business men. with "honorable women" earnestly devoted to Christian and social advancement.
The 1914 minutes of the Synod of Missouri report a membership of six hundred and seventy-five, with five hundred and fifty in Sunday school. The value of the property, including a manse lately erected. is stated at thirty thousand dollars. A flourishing Christian Endeavor Society and a Men's Brotherhood are also reported, as well as a Woman's Missionary Society.
Since the above was written a decision of the United States Appellate Court sustaining the reunion of the two Presbyterian bodies has made it seem advisable to this highly prosperous church, reporting seven hundred and two members at its recent annual meeting, to drop the name "Cumber- land," which they expect soon to do and to be known hereafter as the First Presbyterian church.
Calvary .- In 1849 eight members were dismissed from the Mount Zion
590
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Presbyterian church of Cave Spring to assist in forming a Presbyterian church in Springfieldl. This organization belonged to the New School branch of the then divided church, but had in its membership, some ten years later, partisans of both the Old and New Schools, living together in relations not entirely harmonious. The pastor, Rev. Levi Morrison, and the leading elders were of the New School faction, while the residents in Springfield, being otherwise minded, insisted on an organization to suit their prefer- ences, which was accordingly effected when. August 28, 1860, Rev. H. M. Painter organized a body bearing the name of Calvary. There were thirty- one members in the new organization, ten of whom had belonged to the previous body, including two elders, Charles Sheppard and George C. Sec. None of the original members are now living, Mrs. Rhoda Sheppard, widow of Henry Sheppard, the last survivor, having passed away not long since.
.As residuary legatee to the New School body, Calvary church occupied a house of worship on the east side of South Jefferson street between Elm and Walnut. Dedicated July 4, 1858, it was the finest of three church edi- fices then occupied in Springfield, having pews, a gothic pulpit, steeple, bell and gallery. This building has remained in its original position until quite recently, being used when the church had ceased to worship in it, as a board- ing house, a female seminary, a children's home and a tenement. During the Civil war it was sold for debt, but was purchased back for the former owners by Charles Sheppard with money generally understood to have been furnished by his brother, Henry, who had the reputation of not sounding a trumpet before him when he did his good deeds. "Henry Sheppard, among the early people of Greene county, was the man who made and left the best impression," is a statement which begins a three-page eulogy of this worthy man in the History of Green county, 1883.
Beginning with December, 1860, this church had for its pastor some months Frederick H. Wines, a young Princeton licentiate, located in the city as a missionary of the American Sunday School Union. In the spring of 1862. being then post chaplain of the Union army at this point, he again served the church for a longer period, holding in their house of worship a union Sunday school and preaching service for the soldiers, this being the only house of worship in Springfield not taken by military authority for secular uses. His service in this double relation was very acceptable and continued till the close of the Civil war. In 1865 he was united in marriage with a daughter of Wilson Hackney, of this city. She survived her hus- band. dying early in 1915 at Springfield, Illinois. Like his father, E. C. Wines. D. D., Frederick was for years before his death. some three or four years ago, a recognized authority on questions of penology. Before the or- ganization as an Old School church James A. Quarles, also a Princetonian,
591
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
and later an incumbent of the chair of philosophy in Washington and Lee University, ministered to them for a time.
Almost as soon as organized, this church began to observe the monthly concert of prayer for foreign missions, and was the first church in South- west Missouri to assume the support of a foreign missionary. In December, 1866, Rev. James A. Paige came to the pastorate, resigning his commission as home missionary at large and continuing in that service till 1872. At his coming the church had been reduced to less than forty members, but, to quote his own words, "in the fall of 1868 there developed a precious work of the Holy Spirit, continuing through the whole winter till late in the fol- lowing spring, resulting in additions to the church of over a hundred mem- bers, all but a few on confession of their faith-a most promising band of young people for useful and helpful service." On April 1, 1872, came Rev. C. H. Dunlap, remaining as stated supply till November, 1879. His min- istry was also blessed with seasons of revival, which added much to the strength of the church. Straitened for room the church removed to the opera house, on South street, but soon returned to their own house, where they remained till they were ready to occupy their present house of worship, at the northwest corner of Benton avenue and St. Louis street. June 29, 1879. It was finished and dedicated March 19, 1882, D. P. Putnam being pastor. The dedicatory sermon was preached by President Tuttle, of Wa- bash College.
Three colonies have gone out from Calvary church, nineteen members in 1883 to aid in organizing Central Congregational church: twenty-one in 1885 to the Second Presbyterian church, and the same year thirty-one to Westminster Presbyterian church (Southern).
Calvary church has long been conspicuous for its large gifts for objects of Christian benevolence. For many years a mission has been maintained at Fairmount chapel. During Doctor Leard's pastorate a mission was estab- lished on Fast Phelps avenue, since the death of that much loved and la- mented pastor, known as Leard Mission.
At the organization of the church Charles Sheppard was chosen clerk. holding that office till his death, in 1886, when the present clerk, William R. Gorton, was elected to that office. After Doctor Putnam came, Dr. T. H. Cleland, then J. E. Sentz and after him Dr. Asa Leard, who died November 19. 1900, after a faithful and useful life. Largely through his efforts Major Cole was secured to conduct a long and successful evangelistic campaign. and the too severe exertions in that campaign were largely responsible for the undermining of Doctor Leard's vigorous constitution. His successor and the present pastor, Dr. Henry Little, came to the church early in 1901.
The local missions of Calvary have been mentioned. Interest in For- eign Missions has also continued from the very beginning. Under Doctor
51,2
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Little's lead they have assumed the support of Rev. Charles Magill, a mis- sionary in the Philippines.
According to last report the church had a membership of five hundred and thirty-five, with two hundred and forty-five in the Sunday school.
Second -The Second Presbyterian church of Springfield was organ- ized February 17, 1885. by Rev. Dr. Thomas Marshall, assisted by Rev. Gilbert Thomson and W. J. Haydon, then a licentiate. Twelve persons came from Calvary church, nine from other Presbyterian churches and one, a Roman Catholic on confession of faith and baptism. Supplied for a time by Prof. Arthur P. Hall, Ph. D., now dean of Drury College. in the October following the church secured the services of Rev. E. A\. Hamilton, who con- tinued with them until March, 1893, greatly strengthening the church and bringing it to self-support. But internal troubles greatly reduced and weak- ened it. The next pastor. William F. Van Der Lippe, came direct from McCormick Theological Seminary and was ordained and installed July 18, 1803. Giving much promise of future usefulness, he was discouraged by the dissensions in the church and was dismissed from the pastorate May 29. 1894.
Following a period in which the church had no regular pastor, Rev. Eugene E. Stringfield came in April, 1895. continuing his faithful ministry until the fall of ight, when he resigned to accept the pastorate of a church in Kansas City, where he still labors. His departure was greatly regretted by his church, the community, his ministerial brethren and the Ozark Pres- bytery. at whose request he prepared, after much painstaking and research, a history of Presbyterianism in the Ozarks in a work of over four hundred octavo pages, published in 1909. . \ valuable contribution to the ecclesiasti- cal history of Missouri, forming the chief authority on which the accounts of Presbyterian churches in these pages have been based. Of Doctor String- field himself the writer may speak from personal acquaintance as a minister not lacking the ability to clothe his thoughts in forms of grace and beauty, yet dwelling by preference on the fundamental principles of the gospel of salvation. as set forth in the accepted symbols of the Presbyterian church, presenting these with great clearness and vigor of expression.
He was followed by Rev. Charles H. Ticknor, who came that fall and continued with the church eighteen months. The last pastor. Rev. William T. Salmon, came in May, 1913. from McCormick Theological Seminary, where he had been pursuing advanced studies after graduation from Lebanon Sem- inary, in Tennessee. He resigned after two years of service.
The church now reports a membership of one hundred and fifty. with one hundred and fifteen in Sunday school, and about thirty active members in the Christian Endeavor Society. There are Women's Missionary Socie- ties, Home and Foreign, with about twenty-five members, and an efficient
1
593
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Ladies' Aid Society. The church property is valued at nine or ten thousand dollars, including a brick house of worship, erected in 1886, though not completed till some years later, and located at the northeast corner of Benton avenue and Locust street, and a manse built of wood and located on the same lot.
Not large nor financially strong, this church has given to the foreign field a son, Rev. W. L. Schmalhorst, for nine years a missionary in Chile. and Rev. Ernest Thompson to the home field, while Miss Bertha Miller has served as a trained nurse in China.
Much of the best life of this church-as is true of many others-has been due to the faithful labors of her women. "Aunt Martha" Hall, who went to her reward some years since, was a true Puritan in her devotion to the Master's service, and her fixed determination to do at whatever cost what seemed her Christian duty. Her brother-in-law, "Uncle Robert" Hall, was beloved by all who knew him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile." He, too, has been called up higher.
Springfield Avcuuc .- Originally a Cumberland Presbyterian church, this church remained in that fellowship until the reunion, in 1907. when it went with the majority into the larger fellowship. Organized in 1892, it occu- pied from the first a frame structure secured by purchase on the east side of the National Boulevard, between Dale and High streets. A manse, connected with it on the rear, faces on Ramsey avenue.
Among pastors of this church before and since the reunion may be named M. A. Prater, S. Hardin, C. H. Mitchelmore, L. D. Ewing and the present pastor. Columbus J. Allen.
The estimated value of the house of worship, manse and grounds, is about two thousand dollars.
The present membership of this church is reported at one hundred and ten, with one hundred and seventeen pupils and thirteen officers in the Sun- day school, the average attendance being about eighty. There is a Senior Endeavor Society, a Ladies' Aid Society and a Woman's Missionary Society, devoted to objects both at home and abroad.
Woodland Heights .- This, the youngest of Presbyterian churches in Springfield, was organized September 15. 1907. Coming close after the union of the Cumberland body with the larger Presbyterian church of the U. S. A., it bore originally the name "Reunion," and representatives of both branches participated in the organization, Doctors Little. Stringfield and Bacon, Elders Gorton, Sperry and Woodruff participating in the services. A house of worship was erected the same year at the intersection of Florida and Franklin streets. In 1912 the house was removed to the corner of Douglas and Atlantic streets, enlarged and modernized.
(38)
59-
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Rev. John S. Stapleton is the present pastor, having been preceded by W. C. Hicks and C. J. Allen. A present membership of one hundred and fifty is reported, with one hundred and eighty-one in the Sunday school. including officers and teachers and the cradle roll. In the Sunday school report of last fall thirty-two members of the school are reported as received into the church within the year. \ missionary society and a Christian En- deavor society are reported among auxiliary organizations.
First Cumberland (Old Order) .- When, in 1907, reunion was effected between two bodies of the great Presbyterian family, some members of the First Cumberland church in Springfield declined to go with the majority into. the new fellowship. Prominent among these was Vint N. Bray, a lawyer, by whom suit was instituted against the majority for possession of the now valuable property at the corner of Olive and Jefferson streets. Similar suits, instituted in other states, have, as a rule, been decided in favor of the re- union. In Missouri an early decision for the contestants was later reversed. The Springfield suit is now part of a blanket suit before the Federal district court. and may be decided before these words are read.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.