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 70
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LIBERTY.
This church, situated in Franklin township, was organized in 1845. Into this church B. McCord Roberts was received when he passed from the Methodist to the Baptist communion. The name of this church does not appear among the six uniting to organize the Greene County Association. By latest report it had fifty-one members with thirty-eight in Sunday school and six officers and teachers, worshiping in a house valued at seven hundred dollars. There is a Woman's Aid Society and a Baptist Young Peoples' Union reported in a flourishing condition. W. C. Armstrong, of Spring- field, is pastor, following J. P. Akin. Preaching services are held once a month.
FRIENDSHIP CHAPEL.
Five years passed before the next Baptist church was organized in Rob- berson township, Friendship being credited to 1850, at the formation of the association with that church in 1873, when it had sixty-two members, wit- nessing to its existence before that date. It was for a time extinct, the present organization at Friendship chapel dating from 1894. By latest re- port this church had twenty-nine members, with forty-five enrolled in Sun- day school under five officers and teachers. E. T. Sloan, of Springfield, is
653
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
the pastor, preceded by C. W. Brockus and S. J. Matthews of Willard. The. house of worship is valued at eight hundred dollars.
ASHER CREEK.
In 1858 was organized the church of Asher Creek in Walnut Grove township. It now reports ciglity-eight members with eighty enrolled in Sunday school and twelve officers and teachers, property valued at one thou- sand dollars. The pastor is S. Forester of Springfield, liis predecessor hav- ing been J. MI. Payne, also of Springfield.
CEDAR BLUFF.
This church in Jackson township was organized in the same year, 1858. Last year it was reported pastorless, U. T. Check, of Buffalo, having served then the previous year. The church membership was reported at one hun- dred and eighteen. It is now supplied by W. Z. Stovall. Sunday school enrollment, seventy, with ten officers and teachers. The property is valued at eight hundred dollars. No auxiliary societies are reported.
ASH GROVE.
According to a statement deemed reliable this church was organized May 28, 1859. But 1886 is the date given when the Greene County Associa- tion was organized. the membership being then reported as thirty. Internal dissensions arising in this church, involving claims on the property by a seceding body, it was finally decided in 1900 that the body remaining after the secession was entitled to the property, which they have since held. The names of Hosman, Burney, Rush and Killingsworth occur among the original members of this church, while among early pastors are the names of T. J. Kelley, J. W. White, J. S. Buckner and B. McCord Roberts. A house of worship erected in 1871 at a cost of nine hundred and seven dollars was dedicated in 1875. This church reported last fall one hundred and eighty- three members with one hundred and fifty enrolled in Sunday school and fourteen officers and teachers. The church property is valued at two thou- sand dollars. T. G. Hendrix of Springfield is the present pastor, William Mustain and A. B. Elsey having preceded him. They have two Sunday services a month, with Baptist Young Peoples' Union and Woman's Aid and Misisonary Societies.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE B. Y. M. O.
Being a teacher for about two years of the young men's class of the Ash Grove Baptist church, Dr. G. I. Bomgardner felt the need of being in closer
653
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
touch with his class. So, during the month of March, 1913, he called his .class together at his residence (Doctor Hawkins' property), and at that meeting the doctor suggested that they form a secret organization, which would be for the betterment and social welfare of the young men of the Ash Grove Baptist church to take more interest in the welfare of each member, to stand for a square deal in everything socially, politically or religiously, to help to build the organization up as well as to educate and train for a better life in this world, and the world to come. This plan suited the class. So the ·class held a meeting that night and Dr. G. I. Bomgardner, as chairman, called the meeting to order, and the Baptist Young Men's Organization was soon effected.
The following were the members: Dr. G. I. Bomgardner, president ex-officio; Ed Say, second president; Ralph Gettys, vice-president : Ralph McKinzie, secretary; Paul Smith, treasurer; Herbert Gilmore, Evert Carter and Lewis Wells.
All of these are charter members. This was an enthusiastic meeting, being held on the 15th day of March, 1913. The next meeting was held the following Saturday. Monthly meetings have since been held and much in- terest has been manifested all along. Good work is being done by this or- ganization.
PROSPECT.
This church, located in Center township, was organized five years later. in 1864. B. T. Melton, of Bois D'Arc, is reported pastor, preceded by H. I. Brittain of Republic and J. M. Payne of Springfield. With one hundred and nineteen members meeting in a house valued at one thousand two hundred dollars, they make no report of Sunday school or of any auxiliary society. having set the enrollment of the year before at thirty-five, with ten officers and teachers.
ROSE HILL.
Situated in the north central part of Cass township, this church, organ- ized in 1866, has for its pastor, S. Forrester, of Springfield, preceded by B. T. Melton and W. Z. Stovall. Church building is valued at one thousand dol- lars, other property, twenty-five dollars. It reported one hundred and twenty-five members. ninety-five in Sunday school, twelve officers and teach- ers. There is a Woman's Aid Society connected with this church.
TATUM CHAPEL.
This church, located in Center township, was organized February 17, 1867. Among the original members appear the names of Murray. Thomp-
654
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
son, Robinson and Turner. George W. White was the organizer and for many years the pastor. Meeting at first in a school house, they built a house of worship in 1867. They have a membership of eighty-six and a Sunday school of sixty with ten officers and teachers. The value of church property is reported at three thousand dollars and preaching services are maintained half the time. A Baptist Young Peoples' Union is also reported.
HOPEWELL.
This church, located in Pond Creek township, was organized June 15, 1867, the names Garoutte, Skelton, Batson and Howard appearing in the list of original members. A house of worship was erected in 1873 at a cost of about six hundred dollars. Early pastors were D. R. Clark, George Long, Isaac Stanley and D. T. Balcom. By last report they have one hun- dred members, sixty-four in Sunday school, with nine officers and teachers. B. T. Melton, of Bois D'Arc, is pastor, preceded by C. M. Deavers and Jonathan Stogsdale. The church property is valued at eight hundred and seventy-five dollars.
STONY POINT.
This church is located in the lower part of Boone township and was organized in 1872. Rev. H. I. Brittain of Republic is pastor, M. A. Crocker having preceded him. A membership of sixty-eight is reported, thirty-six in Sunday school and six officers and teachers. The church property is valued at one thousand dollars.
CONCORD.
This church in Walnut Grove township was organized in 1873, the names Claypool, Williamson, Kelly and Bradley appearing in the list of original members. A house of worship, costing about five hundred dollars, was erected in 1875. Early ministers were A. C. Bradley, George White and Nelson Bradley. M. A. Crocker of Ash Grove is the present pastor, the church reporting forty-five members, with five officers in Sunday school and an average attendance of thirty. The church property is valued at two thousand dollars.
FAIR GROVE.
Organized in 1874, this church reports a membership of fifty and sixty enrolled in Sunday school, with eleven officers and teachers. They have a Baptist Young Peoples' Union and a Woman's Aid Society. The church building is valued at one thousand five hundred dollars. They have had no pastor for some time past.
655
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
REPUBLIC.
This church in the township of the same name, organized in 1874, re- ports a membership of two hundred and six, with one hundred and fifty-five enrolled in Sunday school under fourteen officers and teachers. E. H. Barb is pastor, J. L. Henry and S. M. Petty having previously held that office. The church building of brick is valued at ten thousand dollars, and services are held every Sunday. There is a Woman's Aid Society, but no Baptist Young Peoples' Union is reported.
STRAFFORD.
Located in the south part of Jackson township, this church was organ- ized April 9, 1876, the names Creson, Lamb, Stanfield, McMurtry being: among the original members. Early pastors were Solomon Forrester, J. P. Aiken and D. C. Barb. A house of worship was occupied in 1883, being still unfinished. The estimated cost, six hundred dollars, is reported as the present value of the house now occupied. John F. Killian of Marshfield is reported as pastor, C. J. Barb and W. N. Cain having preceded him. They report one hundred and thirty-two members, with eighty in Sunday school, ten officers and teachers. Sunday services are held twice a month and there is a Young People's Union of forty members, together with a teachers' train- ing class.
BROOKLINE.
In 1862 a Union Baptist church was organized at Little York, two. miles southwest of the present village of Brookline, William Phelps being the chief moving spirit. A frame house of worship, erected in 1872, was sold for debt to the carpenters, but purchased and restored to the church by Charles McCluer. Some of the pastors named were J. D. Shelton, George. Long, Elisha Clark and S. Forrester. The present Brookline church is said to have been organized in 1882. They report fifty-three members under the pastorate of M. W. Morton of Springfield, J. F. Stogsdill and G. B. Johnson having preceded him. With nine officers and teachers the Sunday school enrollment is sixty. Excellent prayer meetings are reported and there is a Woman's Aid Society. The church property is valued at eight hundred and fifty dollars.
NEW HOPE.
Situated in the north part of Franklin township, organized in 1884, this. church reported last fall forty-five members, with James A. Haycraft of Springfield as pastor, succeeding, after an interim, B. F. Ross of Pleasant
650
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Hope. A Sunday school of forty was reported with eight officers and teach- ers. Church property was valued at eight hundred dollars.
HARMONY.
Located near the center of Washington township, this church, organ- ized in 1886, reported last fall one hundred and twenty-seven members with A. S. Hanks of Selmore as pastor, M. W. Morton of Springfield having preceded him in that relation. Six conversions and additions from the Sun- day school are reported, that organization having sixty enrolled with seven .officers and teachers. Church property is valued at eight hundred dollars.
MACEDONIA.
Located in the southwest corner of Campbell township, this church was ·organized in 1886. Its report last year was a blank as respects Sunday school statistics. Membership was as the previous year, thirty-one, Thomas Savage being pastor. H. L. Cunningham of Rogersville having served the previous year. Church property was valued at one thousand two hundred ·dollars.
CENTER.
This church, in the southeast part of Boone township, was organized in 1888. Rev. M. W. Morton of Springfield is pastor, and the reported mem- bership is one hundred and six, with six received from the Sunday school, which reports one hundred and four enrolled, with twelve officers and teach- ers. A Baptist Young Peoples' Union is reported. The house of worship is valued at one thousand six hundred dollars.
WILLARD.
This church in Murray township was organized in 1889. T. F. Sim- mons of Flemington is pastor, J. B. Smith having preceded him. The ·church reports ninety-seven members, the same number as the previous year. The property is valued at one thousand five hundred dollars. A Sunday school of one hundred members has twelve officers and teachers.
Churches organized in 1894 were Bois D'Arc, in Center township, Friendship Chapel on the west side of Robberson township and Pleasant Home in the south part of Franklin township. In 1900 two churches were organized, Bass Chapel in the center of Jackson township and Central in about the same location in Boone township. Glidewell, a little southeast of the center of Robberson township, dates from 1902, and North Star in the
657
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
extreme southeast of Jackson township and Walnut Grove, in the township of the same name, were organized in 1905.
Mentor in the extreme southeast of Clay township and Spring Hill, near the north end of Robberson, were organized in 1907 and 1908.
Battlefield, in Wilson township, is the latest organized Baptist church in Greene county, organized early in 1915 and worshiping in the Methodist edifice. The date of Robberson Prairie's organization cannot be stated here. Further facts concerning the churches last mentioned are given in the sub- joined table :
STATISTICS OF GREENE COUNTY BAPTIST CHURCHES.
Mbrshp.
S. Sch.
Value
Mt. Pleasant, 1838, Murray, E. T. Sloan
I 57
38
900
Liberty, 1845, Franklin, W. C. Armstrong
5I
44
700
Asher Creek, 1858, Walnut Grove, S. Forester
88
92
1,000
Cedar Bluff, 1858. Jackson, W. Z. Stovall.
18
70
800
Ash Grove, 1859, Boone, T. G. Hendrix
II6
1,200
Prospect, 1864, Center, B. T. Melton
I16
1,200
Rose Hill, 1866, Cass, S. Forester
125
62
1,025
Hopewell, 1867, Pond Creek, B. T. Melton 1
IO0
73
876
Tatum Chapel, 1867, Center, J. J. Parten
86
70
1,000
Stony Point, 1872, Boone, H. I. Brittain
68
32
1,000
Concord, 1873, Walnut Grove, M. A. Crocker
45
2,000
Fair Grove, 1874, Jackson
59
7I
1,500
Republic, 1874, Republic, E. H. Barb.
206
179
10,000
Strafford, 1876. Jackson, John F. Killian
I32
70
600
Brookline, 1882, Brookline, M. W. Morton
53
35
850
New Hope, 1184, Franklin, James A. Haycraft
45
48
800
Harmony, 1886, Washington, A. S. Hanks
127
67
800
Macedonia, 1886, S. Campbell, Thomas Savage
3I
1,200
Center, 1888, Boone, M. W. Morton
106
II6
1,600
Willard, 1889, Murray, T. F. Simmons.
77
69
1,500
Friendship Chapel, 1894, Robberson, E. T. Sloan
29
50
800
Bois D'Arc, 1894, Center, W. C. Brockus
48
1,300
Pleasant Home, 1894, Franklin, W. C. Armstrong
32
42
800
Bass Chapel, 1900, Jackson, W. A. Foley.
I46
42
800
Central Baptist, 1900, Boone, Prinkle
8I
45
800
Glidewell, 1902, Robberson, E. T. Sloan
70
32
1,200
North Star, 1905, Jackson, M. J. Wilson
78
41
900
Walnut Grove, 1905, Walnut Grove, J. F. Sherman.
I2I
95
3,000
(42)
1
1
1
658
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Mbrshp. 80
S. Sch.
Value
Mentor, 1907, Clay, J. J. Parten
49
1,500
Spring Hill, 1908. Robberson, J. C. Thompson 50
52
800
Battlefield. 1915. Wilson, C. M. Deaver
Robberson Prairie, Robberson, E. T. Sloan 27
40
1,000.
CHRISTIAN.
In tracing the history of churches in Springfield it has been shown quite clearly that churches of the Christian denomination followed at no. very long interval the Methodist organization with which Springfield's eccle- siastical history begins. In the county, so far as can be learned, the case appears to have been quite different, though it is not unlikely that dates of organization assigned to some of the churches are more properly to be as- signed to a reorganization of churches temporarily quiescent.
BOIS D'ARC.
This church was organized at the Squibb school house in 1870. After worshiping there for a short time the Pleasant Hope school house, three- quarters of a mile west of Bois D'Arc, was occupied for their meetings. Three men and their wives are named as the original members. This body maintained a precarious existence till the coming in 1884 of Rev. F. M. Hooten, by whom they were reorganized with eleven members, none of them named in the previous organization. The village of Bois D'Arc had by this time begun to be and the place of assembly was removed to that point. A revival season enjoyed in 1885 added forty-seven to the church. At the close of Mr. Hooten's ministry in May, 1886, there were eighty-seven mem- bers. This church now reports thirty-four members, with a house of wor- ship valued at one thousand dollars. Among ministers to this church are named Pope Barbee, Kirk Baxter, William Cochran, Cotton and others. During the past year they have been supplied by E. C. Sechler, a student in Drury College. Rev. J. B. Jeans, of Springfield, has just begun service as pastor of this church. They have preaching two Sundays each month.
REPUBLIC.
This church was organized by Rev. John Lee about the year 1872 at the home of Clark Smith, two miles northeast of Republic. They continued to worship in this vicinity till 1883 when, in the pastorate of Rev. L. F. Acres, they changed to Republic and built there the frame house of worship they now occupy. Among pastors who have ministered to this church are named King, Drennan, A. L. Criley, Powell Smith and W. B. Moore, Clerin
659
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
Zumwalt. a student in Drury College, residing at Republic, serving them at present. Including a parsonage recently erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars the church reports property valued at three thousand five hundred dollars. There are one hundred and fifty members, two hun- dred enrolled in Sunday school and forty in the Endeavor Society. A Ladies' Aid Society numbers twenty and a missionary society, fifteen.
WALNUT GROVE.
This church, in the township of the same name, was organized in 1880, beginning then the erection of a house of worship, which was finished the following year. The property is valued at one thousand dollars, the church having a membership of one hundred and twenty, with a Ladies' Aid Society of twenty members. This and the church at Ash Grove are supplied by Rev. J. A. Bloomer, who resides at the latter place, each having two services a month.
ASH GROVE.
Organized in 1881, this church built their house of worship the follow- ing year. It is now valued at two thousand dollars. Two hundred and forty members are reported, with a Sunday school enrollment of one hun- dred and sixty. There is a Woman's Board of Missions with twenty-four members and a Ladies' Aid Society of twenty.
CAVE SPRING.
The house in which this congregation worship was built about 1890, the church itself presumably organized some time before, by Rev. J. W. Smith. They now report sixty members, with eighty enrolled in Sunday school and thirty in the Society of Christian Endeavor. Rev. Stacy S. Phillips of Golden City is present pastor, preceded by Clerin Zumwalt. The church property is valued at six hundred dollars, there being preaching services once a month.
PLUMMER AND NORTH STAR SCHOOL HOUSES.
This is an organization in Taylor township, having two places of wor- ship, with a Sunday school at each, preaching at each place being once a month, the two schools having an enrollment of about one hundred pupils. A membership of sixty is reported in the church organization. It is under- stood that there are plans for erecting a house of their own the present sea- son. Rev. D. B. Warren, of Pomona, is the pastor.
660
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
BETHANY.
Located in Wilson township, this church had no pastor last year, but is now ministered to by Rev. W. B. Moore of Republic. A membership of thirty-five is reported in the report for 1915, with fifty-five in Sunday school and the value of the house of worship is stated at nine hundred dollars.
CONGREGATIONAL.
Somewhere near forty years ago a Congregational church was organ- ized at Republic, and was for some time quite prosperous, erecting a good house of worship and a commodious parsonage. Depleted by deaths and re- movals, it has passed into a condition where not even Sunday school services are kept up. In 1880 a promising beginning was made at or near Brook- line and a good house of worship was erected. But removals and other causes worked to the dissolution of this body many years ago.
NICHOLS.
The organization, or perhaps the recognition of this church took place August 29, 1882. Rev. Messrs. E. B. Burrows, John Vetter and N. M. Wheat being named as having part, being pastors of near-by churches, the church at Brookline apparently contributing a considerable number to the membership, this organization being possibly a sort of residuary legatee of the life of that church.
This church has been at times linked with Republic, at times supplied from Springfield, Rudolph Hertz, a student in Drury College, having sup- plied them until serious illness prevented his further services. More recently arrangements have been made for the supply of the pulpit by Parmelee F. Drury, recently director of boys at the Young Men's Christian Association. By last report they have thirty-five members, with a Sunday School enroll- ment of sixty-five and an Endeavor membership of twenty. The Woman's Missionary Society reports eight members.
COLORED.
Besides the churches of colored people in Springfield, there are a few small organizations in Greene county. At Ash Grove is a church of Cum- berland Presbyterians with about eighteen members and one at Cave Spring somewhat smaller, both supplied by Rev. H. A. Harvey, of Marshfield, who has there a larger organization. There is also a church of a very few mem- bers at Nogo, meeting in a house in which a very small Baptist church wor-
661
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
ships. To the first named O. Jeffries has ministered in the past, to the latter Rev. J. S. Dorsey, former pastor of the Washington Avenue church, of Springfield, now residing on a farm northeast of the city. But neither of these churches has regular preaching at present.
GREENE COUNTY SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
The Sunday School Association of Greene county was organized in 1869 by William J. Haydon, then laboring with great zeal and efficiency as a missionary of the American Sunday School Union in southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. Later he served as president of the association for ten years. The first president was William R. Gorton, who continued in that office for many years. W. L. Musick, H. O. Bunker and John B. Glass were also at the head of this organization, and more recently James W. Silsby, who has since been the very devoted and efficient secretary. A. A. Mehl has served in that capacity for the past ten years. Faithful and devoted men and women have given services freely and unstintedly to the promotion of the Sunday school cause in Springfield and throughout the whole county, supplementing the work and supplying the deficiencies of the churches, es- pecially in places where these have been able to have but infrequent gather- ings for worship. By holding township conventions over Saturday and Sunday for nearly six months in the year, closing with a county convention about the last of September of each year, this organization exerts a great and beneficent influence through every part of the county. It need hardly be added that in this work many of the best men and women in the townships visited have rendered efficient service, gaining in return inspiration and help toward the more successful prosecution of their work, often apparently thankless and fruitless drudgery. Among these may be named W. E. Gor- man, of Pearl; W. D. Ferrell, of Washington township; J. A. Brumfield, of Franklin township; John Buchheit, of Fair Grove; T. O. Davis, of Wilson township Albert Cannan. of Ash Grove; W. D. Cloud and H. O. Appleby, Willard; C. A. and Albert Rountree, Nichols: Jacob and William F. Long; Rev. West, Alden; George F. Dennis, Howard Turner, Turner Station. Many others equally worthy are not here named. The State Sunday School Association met in Springfield in 1914, and will hold its fiftieth anniversary in 1915.
The story of the country churches of Greene county has its parallels everywhere throughout the country. They show a tendency in which they by no means stand alone. Every decennial census bears witness to the nation- wide drift which builds up the city at the expense of the country. In spite of all that can be said, written or done concerning a "back to the farm" movement the drift continues. To a degree it seems inevitable. After a life
(12
GREENE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
of toil and hardship on the farm, farmer and wife are ready to take a respite in a nearby city or village. Or the education of children beyond what is possible in the country school takes them and possibly their parents, too, in the same direction. Quite often they identify themselves with the city church and Sunday school. Having once gained an outlook into the larger world outside, they plunge into the seething tide of its business and are lost for good and all to the country and its scanty Christian opportunities.
Scanty they may well be called when nearly all country churches must content themselves with preaching services one day in a month conducted by a non-resident pastor. Plainly enough the situation is saved only by the weekly Sunday school. But for this the church itself in nine cases out of ten would cease to be. It is well, therefore, that the Greene County Association has maintained for many years a vigorous life, reaching every township in the county in summer sessions over Sunday, and a rousing convention every fall. Great praise is due to the faithful service in this direction of A. A. Mehl and J. W. Silsby, with their helpers. But is this the best solution possi- ble of the country church problem? This problem belongs in part also to the country school.
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