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 64
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Pending the delayed action of the courts the contesting body secured possession of a small structure at the southwest corner of Broad and Divis- ion streets and established there a flourishing Sunday school under Mr. Bray's supervision, employing a pastor and holding regular services each Sabbath. Rev. J. D. Miller being pastor. The present membership is re- ported as forty or thereabouts, with a Sunday school of one hundred and twenty-four members and thirteen officers, the average attendance being ninety-four. Graded lessons are used and there is a monthly teachers' meet- ing. A Woman's Aid Society has something like twenty-five members, and there is a missionary society of twenty-two. with a Young People's Society of twenty. The church property is valued at two thousand dollars.
Westminster (Southern Presbyterian) .- This church was organized in July, 1883 or 1885-which year Doctor Stringfield is uncertain. A frame. building was erected at the northeast corner of South Jefferson and Elm streets, and later a neat and commodious manse directly east of the church building.
Doctor Stringfield mentions the names of a number of able pastors who have ministered to this church, among whom are mentioned Dr. H. B. Boude and Rev. Messrs. Eugene F. Abbott, A. Y. Beaty, G. W. Jursey. Mr. Beaty resigned to take charge of the newly organized school of the Ozarks at Forsyth, the principal buildings of which were destroyed by fire early in 1915.
Little can be added to this account, except that this church has been in a comatose condition for the past few years, with the purpose of reorganizing in the not distant future and building a temporary structure on a lot already
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acquired at the corner of Cherry street and the National Boulevard. Work on this tabernacle was begun in May of the present year, with the expectation of occupying it early in June.
First United .-- Of the two United Presbyterian organizations in south- ern Missouri, mentioned in Doctor Stringfield's history, the one at Spring- field was organized October 23, 1892, under the leadership of Rev. John Teaz, D. D., who was the first pastor. They have a neat frame house of worship, erected December, 1893, at the southwest corner of Main and Mount Vernon streets, with a good manse, built September ,1898, close beside it .. The further statement that the successors of Doctor Teaz have been "men of strength, stability and piety," will not be questioned by those who have known Dr. J. W. Long, Rev. S. A. Moore, Dr. J. H. Gibson and Rev. D. P. Smith. The present pastor is Rev. J. Russell Jones, Springfield. Route 9.
The church reports a membership of eighty-five, with one hundred and seventeen enrolled in the Sunday school and fifteen in the Young People's Society.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
First .- The organization of the First Baptist church in Springfield was due to the efforts of the Rev. B. McCord Roberts. at an earlier date, an able and eloquent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which ca- pacity he was at one time pastor of St. Paul's church. A change of views on the subject of baptism led to his baptism by immersion at Liberty Bap- tist church. Removing to Springfield, he met with a few other Baptists in July, 1852, in a small brick house still standing on Olive street on the brow of the hill that overlooks the present Frisco depot. With him were united in forming the First Baptist church of Springfield, Benjamin F. Price, Nathan- iel Robinson, Aaron Beckner, P. H. Edwards, John Young, William Phil- lips, Finella B. Caynor, Frances A. Allen, B. W. and Lucinda Henslee- eleven in all. The first services of the new church were held in this little house.
The next place of meeting was in a school house just east of Benton avenue, in the rear of W. C. Peck's late residence. Later was used the Tem- perance Hall, at the northeast corner of the Public Square and St. Louis street, and still later the Methodist house of worship. During the year 1860 they met in Rev. McCord Roberts' residence, from which they found what was hoped would bring them permanent release from their long condition of straitened quarters in a new house of worship, finished at the beginning of 1861.
But these fond hopes, like many others indulged at that time, were soon dissipated when, in June, 1861, the building was taken possession of by the Federal authorities for military uses. It was occupied by both parties
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to the conflict for various purposes until its return to its owners, in 1868. After the battle of Wilson's Creek the Confederates used it as a hospital, and later as a storehouse. When the Federal forces gained possession of the city they used it as a hospital, afterwards as a home for Union refugees. For a tinte it was the headquarters of General Sanborn's bodyguard. A dramatic club gave occasional entertainments in it to raise funds to aid refugees.
Disorganized and scattered by the Civil war, when, in September, 1866, the work of reorganization was undertaken, but eighteen members could be gathered. Their house of worship had been greatly abused; the seats had been destroyed, the walls defaced, only the pulpit being left stand- ing amid the general desolation. Much labor and expense were needed be- fore the house could be thought fit for purposes of worship.
In 1882 there was some talk of a new building : but after careful study of the situation it was decided to repair the old house. A new front and a tower were added and a vestry and pastor's study built in the rear. The inside was thoroughly renovated, while the ladies of the church, at a total cost of four hundred dollars, carpeted the house and cushioned the pews. The repairs cost in all three thousand dollars.
The present church edifice, on the west side of South street, was begun in 1894. completed the next year and dedicated December 15th of that year, Dr. J. P. Greene preaching in the morning and Dr. J. C. Armstrong, editor of the Central Baptist, in the evening.
The name of B. McCord Roberts, founder of the church, is still held by . many of the older members in loving memory as a gifted and popular preacher of the gospel and a noble and devoted Christian minister. He was followed in his office by R. Eaton. George White, James Rennon and Benja- min Walker. Since the reorganization, in 1866, E. Alward, George Kline, Charles Whitney, J. C. Maple, J. F. Howard, J. D. Biggs, M. D. Bevan, J. H. Garnet, W. A. Nelson, J. L. Bent, O. L. Brownson, G. C. Skillman and W. O. Anderson have been pastors. The last named came in 1899 and, with a brief interval, has been pastor ever since. An urgent call to a church in Kansas City having lured him from the Springfield church, the latter made some unsuccessful efforts to find a successor, but were soon ready to recall their late pastor, who was not reluctant to return. That he possesses rare powers as preacher and pastor is shown by the fact that the church, which at his coming reported two hundred and forty-one members, had last fall one thousand sixty-nine, while the different departments of church work show a healthy activity. It has meanwhile contributed members and money to the establishment of four other Baptist churches in the city. The Sunday school reports fifty-one officers and teachers, six hundred and twenty mem- bers and ninety-four on the cradle roll, and an average attendance of four
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hundred and forty. There is a Baptist Young People's Union, but the mem- bers are not reported.
The estimated value of the church property, including a parsonage on a lot adjoining the church, is forty thousand dollars. Arrangements are well under way for the erection of a building, at an estimated cost of thirty thousand dollars, for the special use of the Sunday school.
Robberson Avenue .- It was not until March, 1885, that a second Bap- tist church was organized in Springfield, Rev. John H. Thompson being the organizer and first pastor. Early in the present century he was called to the pastorate for a second time. From this field of labor he was called to a faithful servant's reward.
In 1887, a frame house of worship was erected on the east side of Robberson avenue, fronting on Court street. This, with some additions and inside improvements, is still occupied as the house of worship.
According to latest reports the church has a membership of 520, with 20 officers and 160 pupils in the Sunday school. In common with the other Baptist churches in Springfield, they have an organization of the B. Y. P. U. and the women of the church sustain a Ladies' Aid Society and a missionary organization. The estimated value of the church property is five thousand five hundred dollars. Rev. W. E. Davis is the present pastor. Some pre- vious pastors were Dr. G. C. Skillman, Leavitt, Alpha Ingle, E. H. Robinson.
Grant Street .- This church, organized in 1891, worships in a frame building at the northeast corner of Grant and Poplar streets, the estimated value of the property being seven thousand dollars. The membership, ac- cording to last reports, is 550 and that of the Sunday school 563. with 26 numbers not reported. Rev. W. F. Braswell is at the present writing pastor of this church, succeeding Rev. T. G. Hendrix.
A mission Sunday school maintained in connection with this church at LaFountaine and Scott streets reports a membership of 262 pupils with 12 officers and teachers, with an average attendance of 84. The mission was. organized into a church May 16, 1915, with 112 members. Pastor W. F. Braswell was chairman of the council.
East Avenue .- In the latter part of May, 1889, Rev. W. C. Armstrong, having recently completed a course of study at the Southwest Baptist Col- lege at Bolivar, took the preliminary steps in the organization of a Baptist church north of the Frisco tracks. A council was duly called for the recog- nition of the new organization of sixteen members which met July 28th of that year and with appropriate exercises constituted the church. Mr. Armstrong and wife were two of the members and he was the first pastor, continuing fourteen months, during which time a neat and commodious house was erected on the west side of East avenue, north of Adams street. This con-
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tinued in use for church and Sunday school until its destruction by lightning. August 21, 1912.
After a briet interim Rev. Edward T. Sloan succeeded in the pastorate, serving five years and having a second pastorate of four years. Following him soon after came A. B. Elsey, who had also two pastorates of two and a half and two years respectively. Brief pastorates of other ministers fol- lowed. E. H. Barb's two years of ministry being followed, after some months' delay, by that of the present pastor, C. E. Calvert, who began his labors in March, 1913. His ministry has been marked by large accessions to the church.
On July 28. 1914. the church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its recognition, using the occasion for the launching of a campaign for the erection of a new house of worship at a cost of about ten thousand dol- lars, to be built of brick, stone and concrete, to be used not only for a house of worship, but for a graded school. Rev. J. M. Payne was appointed to represent the church among the neighboring Baptist churches, the young women of the church entered enthusiastically on a campaign for dollar sub- scriptions, and other plans were set on foot for the raising of the needed funds, the church having a wholesome dread of debt.
By latest official report this church had 521 members, with 332 in Sun- day school and 29 officers and teachers. Special services during the winter of 1914-1915 resulted in an addition of 200 to the membership of the church. At the present writing the auditorium is used for worship, but the com- pletion of the building is still some distance ahead.
Pythian Home Avenue .- Formerly known as the Boulevard church, this organization dates back to 1891 and the erection of their house of wor- ship to about the same time. Of late years there appears to have been a period of disintegration followed in 1912 by a reorganization by E. A. Estep, a licensed Baptist preacher. The house of worship, on the north side of Bailey street, fronts eastward on the grounds of the lately erected Pythian home, a frame building, valued at one thousand five hundred dollars.
The membership of this church is reported at 112, with 110 in Sunday school and 10 officers and teachers. There is a B. Y. P. U. in this church and the women are organized in a Ladies Aid and Missionary Society. Rev. W. C. Lowrie is pastor, having been preceded by Rev. J. A. Haycraft.
Hamlin Memorial .- This church was organized in 1909 under the ministry of J. R. Hamlin, whose son, Courtney W. Hamlin, has for several years past represented the seventh district in Congress. The house of wor- ship is located near the corner of High and Main streets. Mr. Hamlin was succeeded in the pastorate by M. W. Morton. Quite recently J. W. Alex- ander has been called to the pastorate. The church reports 220 members with 163 in Sunday school and 13 officers and teachers. A B. Y. P. U. and
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Ladies' Aid and Missionary Societies are maintained in connection with this church.
Seventh .- This church was organized in 1911 under the ministry of Rev. E. T. Sloan, who has rendered to the Baptist churches of Greene county long and varied service as pastor, clerk and missionary. A majority of the members came to this organization from the East Avenue church. At first the place of worship was a hall at the corner of National boulevard and Commercial street. Later a concrete building was erected at the southeast corner of National boulevard and Blaine street, which has now been occu- pied for about two years.
Since their occupancy of the new building Mr. Sloan has resigned the pastorate and W. T. Breshears has lately entered on the duties of that office. Latest published reports give this church 117 members with 93 enrolled in Sunday school and 20 officers and teachers. The church property is valued at two thousand five hundred dollars.
West Side .-- The mission school maintained for some time by the Grant street Baptist church at the corner of Scott and LaFontaine streets, having reached a size that made it possible to begin business on its own ac- count, a council of Springfield churches meeting in their house of worship May 16, 1915, formally recognized the West Side church embracing 112 members as a worthy member of the fellowship of seven previously consti- tuted. Situated south of the new Frisco shops, they seem to have a door of opportunity wide open. with no other organization in their immediate vicinity.
Another Baptist enterprise, though not a new organization, has had wide publicity through the somewhat spectacular method of erection adopted by Rev. J. D. Chappelle, Baptist evangelist. One day in April, 1915, he an- nounced that on the coming Friday a Baptist church would be erected on West Atlantic street and calling for volunteers to assist in the work. Ma- terials were carefully prepared in advance, and workmen were on hand in sufficient numbers to complete the building before night, so that services were held in it that evening, and during the next week revival services were con- ducted in the comfortable new edifice, money being also secured to pay the necessary expenses in the construction. Baptists residing in the vicinity of the new building and converts of the revival united with the Robberson avenue church, but were later organized into another Baptist church.
First Swedish .-- This church, organized in 1882, by Augustus Johnson, occupies a frame structure at the corner of Campbell and Webster streets, having an estimated value of two thousand dollars. They report .that they have been without a pastor for two years, having sent out calls in several directions, thus far without success. Prayer meetings and Sunday services are held irregularly, the Swedish state missionary, Axel Wester, visiting
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them frequently. There are 25 members in the church and the average at- tendance at Sunday school is reported at 20. There is a Ladies' Aid Society in connection with the church.
Zion Primitive .- The Primitive Baptists, which reported in 1906 over 100,000 members in the United States, have one organization, more than thirty years old, in Greene county. Organized outside of the city this body removed to Springfieldl some six years ago and occupied a hall in the neigh- borhood of the Public Square, Elder Evans of Nichols being their minister. Later a building was purchased at the southwest corner of Division and Inwood streets. Their minister is Elder C. C. Agce, residing on Jolmson street, near the northern limits of the city. There are about thirty members in the organization, which belongs to the Ozark association of this denom- ination.
First Freewill .- This, the third church not of the regular Baptist family, dates from August 23, 1914, when, after a season of tent meetings held on Commercial street, east of the National boulevard, twenty-eight persons, under the leadership of Elders Larkin Jones, J. P. Highfill and P. M. Phelps, were duly constituted into a church of this faith and order. Later services were held in Kohler's hall, north of the Frisco tracks. Their present place of meeting is in a hall above a store on the southwest corner of Commercial street and the National boulevard. Services are held every Sunday and a prayer meeting cach Wednesday evening. By latest report there are 44 mem- bers with 35 in the Sunday school.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL "NORTHERN."
Grace .- As already stated, a large majority of the Methodist ministers and churches in Missouri went with the southern branch in 1844. A small, but resolute minority of the ministry, however, considering the general move- ment schismatic, refused to go with the majority. Ten German ministers were transferred to the Illinois conference, seven others "sought work in other conferences," eight remained for the time without conference connections till 1848 when seventeen ministers and one thousand five hundred and sixty-two. members united in reorganizing "The Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States of America." It was inevitable that the work of this branch of the church, branded with the odious title of "Abolitionist," should be car- ried on under conditions of peculiar hardship, its ministers suffering ostracism, mob violence and in some cases death.
During the Civil war the two divisions of the church, as was to be ex- pected, stood firmly by their respective governments. The Federal govern- ment was naturally favorable to the church that was loyal to it. Near the end of 1863. secretary Stanton gave permission to Bishop Ames to occupy south-
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ern Methodist houses of worship wherein "a loyal minister, appointed by a loyal bishop does not now officiate." Bishop Ames declined to exercise this authority and at the general conference in Jefferson City this policy was heartily approved.
The action of Rev. Leroy M. Vernon, appointed to Springfield by this conference, might seem at first sight to have been contrary to this resolution. For when the Federal authorities seized the basement of the unfinished St. Paul church, it was under his direction fitted up and occupied by the church to which he ministered. But we may note that, as told by Captain Jones, "a deed was made transferring the property to the Methodist Episcopal church by parties signing themselves as surviving trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, south." Hence we need not be greatly surprised to learn that he "demanded, received and carried off" the register of the church then seeming to be dead past resurrection. That was not a time of rosewater diplomacy in state or church.
. Hence it may be stated that the first class of the Methodist Episcopal church as now designated was organized in 1864, the organizer being Leroy M. Vernon, later a superintendent of that mission in Rome, Italy, which was the occasion many years after of episodes involving an ex-vice-President and later an ex-President of the United States. Later, under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Bentley, the southern church having been reorganized and regained possession of its house of worship. Bentley chapel was erected on the present site occupied by Grace church. Under Dr. J. W. Bushong the chapel was re- modeled and the name was changed to Grace church. During the pastorate of Rev. Curtis V. Criss, now district superintendent of Sedalia district. the fine and commodious edifice now occupied for worship was placed in front of the former building. that being now used in connection with the Sunday school. A parsonage of wood has been erected in the rear of the church build- ing, fronting on Pearl street, brick being used in the church buildings, both the original chapel and the structure as it now stands.
Among pastors of Grace church may be named Dr. Oliver M. Stewart. who died at Kansas City in March, 1915: Dr. G. W. Hughey, who died at Galena in 1909: Curtis V. Criss, Harvey A. Jones, Dr. J. W. Stewart, and the present pastor, Dr. Stephen B. Campbell.
Enjoying for many years past the ministry of able men supported by a strong and loyal constituency of men and women, Grace church has been and is the leading Methodist Episcopal church not only of the city, but of Spring- field district. In its present pastor it has a man of earnest evangelical spirit, clear views of truth and duty, to which in word and in life he is devoutedly loyal, saintly in thought and expression, and ability to express his thoughts with rare facility and definiteness.
Since the organization of St. Louis conference of the Methodist Epis-
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copal church in 1868, Grace church has entertained it five times: in 1870. Bishop Clark presiding : in 1879. Bishop Wiley presiding: in 1891, Bishop Vincent presiding ; in 1898, Bishop MeCabe presiding, and in 1908, Bishop Warren presiding.
By last report Grace church has 552 members, with 735 in Sunday school, which has 20 officers and teachers: 107 members are reported in the Epworth League. The church edifice, located on the east side of South stree, at the corner of an alley next south of Walnut street, is valued at $40,000: the parsonage at $6,000.
Deter Benton . Ivenue .- After meeting for a time in the house of Law- rence Kellett, a class of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1873 or 1874, under the name of St. Paul's church. In 1878 a brick house of worship was erected at the northeast corner of Benton avenue and Pacific street, which was dedicated December 18, 1881, Dr. George W. Hughey, then of St. Louis, preaching the dedication sermon. S. P. Hatfield and G. iV. Burge and their wives and Mrs. A. D. Starks are named as original members. Among carly pastors are named J. Gardner, B. F. Poole, A. E. Day, J. W. Bushong and J. Hervey Dobbs.
In 16,01 an extensive addition was made to the church edifice, which was placed in front of the previous one. the latter being used as a class and Sun- day school room. In the fall of 1914, a basement was excavated under the main building for the religious and social uses of the church; this work is at the present writing not yet completed. A parsonage of wood has been built just north of the church building.
Among pastors in more recent times may be mentioned William V. Hamel, D. D., who after serving this church was appointed district superin- tendent. While attending the meeting of St. Louis conference at Clinton in March, 1907, he was taken violently ill, dying there March 30, but buried at Springfield where his home was. Other pastors have been Dr. G. W. Hughey, C. V. Criss, Thomas P. Shaffer and Henry A. Mitchell, the present pastor.
Later named Benton Avenue church, a generous donation by the will of Miss Hannah Dever caused her name to be prefixed. Another of the "honor- able women" is Mrs. Ellen Burge, by whose generous gift was established the Deaconess hospital that bears her name.
As reported in the latest minutes the church has 240 members, with 275 in the Sunday school and 22 officers and teachers, and 107 in the Epworth League. \ Women's Foreign Missionary Society and an Aid Society are connected with the church. The house of worship is valued at $20,000; the parsonage at $4.000. To Mrs. Ellen Burge is the church indebted for the beautiful engraving of the church herein.
Daily Memorial .- This church was organized in 1889 by John Daily, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. The same year, largely
DEVER BENTON AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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by his generosity, a fine brick house of worship was erected at the northwest corner of Evans and Mount Vernon streets, and later a parsonage was erected near it.
The number of members according to latest report is 65. with 246 in Sunday school, 18 officers and teachers, 35 in the senior and 30 in the Junior Epworth League. An efficient Ladies' Aid Society is also reported. The church building is valued at $12,000 and the parsonage at $2.500. Rev. WV. T. Farley is the present pastor, Rev. L. E. Lurvey, now in secular business, having served this church at one time, as also Rev. W. D. Sidman, now super- intendent of Springfield district.
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