USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 15
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The Skidmore Methodist Episcopal church South was organized as early as 1847. Preaching services were held in those early days in schoo' houses in the neighborhood. The church agreed to the plan of separation. with some exceptions, and adhered to the Southern branch in 1846. In 1849 a local separation took place at Skidmore vicinity. The original members were as follows: Peter Noffsinger and wife. Miss Martha Noffsinger and Rebecca Jane Wyatt. The membership of this church in 1882 was sixty and the property held by the society was estimated to be worth two thousand dol- lars. Further information the writer cannot obtain, through a neglect upon the part of church officers not assisting in the work. That there is a society there is known, but just how strong it is cannot be ascertained.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The only church of this denomination in Nodaway county is the one located at Maryville, and its formation dates from "watchnight" in 1879-80 when it was organized by twelve colored people at the house of Henry Baker. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Spalford Rice. Services have been maintained ever since its organization. It now has a membership of twenty- eight. The present pastor (who served at another time also) is Rev. J. R Carter, who came the last time in 1909.
At first this flock met at private houses, but in 1881 purchased the lot where now stands their church. Soon after they purchased the frame church edifice formerly built and occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church South. The building was then removed to the lot already bought by the colored people and is still doing good service as a meeting house for the society. The price paid for the building was four hundred dollars.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This is one of the strongest, and possibly the largest denomination within Nodaway county. This church was first organized at Maryville at an early date. The first society was weak and never built an edifice in which to worship. There were but a few families of this faith here until later years. What is really the reorganized Christian church of Maryville was formed in 1868 by the following members: John S. Wood, John W. Walker, Sue M.
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Walker, Cassie Clelland, Elizabeth R. Clelland. James Ray. Sarah Hann, P. WV. M. Orear, Mary Hann, Elizabeth Ford, T. H. B. Garner, Jestine Prather, Elizabeth S. Ellis, James A. Smith. Polly Ann Smith and Amanda Ellis.
In 1882 the church had a membership of two hundred and ten. At that date the church property was valued at five thousand dollars.
Of the pastors, it may be stated that the first were Joel M. Wood, Rev. Hopkins and Rev. J. W. Kelsey (before the re-organization). J. C. Encell, a man of great force of character and possessed much energy. He served sixteen months and added many to the church. He was succeeded by Rev. L. D. Cook, and he by Rev. B. F. Bush, whose salary was eight hundred and fifty dollars. Then came Rev. George E. Dew. In the autumn of 1879 came Rev. R. N. Davis, serving until March. 1883, when Rev. E. B. Cake came, serving until Rev. R. B. Cotton was hired at a meeting in January, 1885, and served until 1886 at one thousand two hundred dollars a year, and he served until the coming of Rev. N. E. Corey. Following him came that great worker and present missionary secretary of the denomination, Rev. I. N. Mc- Cash, who came in 1890, remained until 1894. and went to DesMoines, Iowa. Following him was Rev. C. M. Chiltson, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. O. W. Lawrence, Rev. W. A. Fite, Rev. H. A. Denton, Rev. Ritz and the present pastor, Rev. L. O. Brickler, who was called in 1909 and in the winter of 1909-10 held a revival, at which more than eighty members were added to the church. He is one of the strongest ministers in northern Missouri in this denomination. The present membership of the church is one thousand and eighty-seven.
The first devotees of this church worshipped in private homes, at the old court house, at the old school house and at the Methodist Episcopal church. But the records show that Hon. M. B. Roseberry. John W. Walker and John S. Woods formed a building committee that started plans for a house of worship and that the first services in such edifice were held the first Lord's day in February. 1870. The cost of such building was three thousand eight hundred and fifty-three dollars. Charles Beal. Sr .. selected the lot which is the site of the present beautiful structure in which the congregation wor- ships. The old frame house served well its purpose until the present mag- nificent building was dedicated in December. 1893. The cost of the latter edifice was twenty-seven thousand dollars. exclusive of lot. The pipe organ was installed in the winter of 1909-10 at a cost of four thousand dollars. It is the best in northern Missouri and contains one thousand and forty-three pipes.
The church was legally incorporated in the county court in April, 1870. The Sunday school was formed while Rev. Encell was pastor. While Rev.
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I. N. McCash was pastor-less than four years-there were added to the church five hundred, he leaving a congregation of members amounting to eight hundred.
The following are the various points within Nodaway county in which Christian churches are located and other items of interest concerning them :
Salem church, nine miles south of Maryville, was formed February 16, 1873, a building erected in 1874, had ninety membership in 1910 and a build- ing valued at two thousand five hundred dollars. Rev. J. N. Cole is the present pastor.
At Hopkins the church was organized in March, 1882, a building pro- vided in 1885 ; the present beautiful edifice was erected, at a cost of ten thou- sand dollars, in 1908-09. The pioneer pastor here was Elder George E. Dew ; the present pastor is Rev. R. E. Snodgrass. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty.
The church at Pickering was formed in 1882, a building erected in 1884: the present church built in 1902, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The membership is two hundred and six. The first pastor was Rev. W. L. Dunlavy and the present one is Elder E. B. Woods.
Bethany church, eight miles west of Barnard, was organized in the month of January, 1880, and the same year a building was erected, at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars, and this still serves. There are now one hundred members in this church. The first pastor was Elder L. D. Cook ; the present is Elder J. F. Bennett.
The church at Bedison was formed in January. 1886, and the same year a church building was erected, at a cost of one thousand and fifty dollars. The present membership is eighty-two. The first pastor here was Elder George E. Dew, and the present pastor is Elder John A. Wesley.
At Burlington Junction the Christian church was formed in February. 1882, and the first church building was erected that year at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars. There are now about one hundred and forty members. The first pastor in charge here was Elder N. R. Davis, and the present one is Elder J. E. Squires. A five thousand dollar edifice is now under construction.
The church at Clearmont was formed August 1I, 1887, and the follow- ing year a building was erected. In 1904 the present edifice was erected at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The church has a membership of sixty : the first pastor here was Elder George E. Dew. while the present one is Elder W. H. Rust.
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The church at Dawson was formed in 1884, and the next year a church was built by the society at a cost of eight hundred dollars. The church now has a membership of twenty-five. The first pastor was Elder Joel Wood, and the present pastor is Elder W. H. Rust.
The church at Skidmore was formed in 1894 and two years later a house of worship was provided at a cost of three thousand dollars. The church now has a membership of one hundred; the first pastor was Elder N. R. Davis; the present pastor is Elder S. D. Harlan.
The church at Wilcox was the outgrowth of the work done at Shell Grove, where a church was erected upon the organization of a church in the country. The church society became weak and the building was moved about four miles and put in good repairs in 1895. The church was built about 1877. The date of the commencement of work at Wilcox was in 1895, when the present building was erected, valued at eight hundred dollars. There are now about seventy members in the society. The first to serve as pastor here was Elder C. M. Chilton ; at present the pastorate is vacant.
At Elmo, a neat church was built many years since and in 1907 it was burned and a new one erected the following spring, at a cost of three thousand dollars. The church here has a membership of fifty. The present pastor is Elder W. H. Rust.
The church at Graham was organized in March, 1906; the society rent a building from the German Methodist people. The first pastor here was Elder B. F. Baker ; the present pastor is Elder J. F. Bennett.
At Ravenwood the church has a membership of almost one hundred. and worship in a building costing five thousand dollars; Elder E. B. Woods is the present pastor.
At Palestine the church was formed in February, 1893, and two years later a church building was erected, costing one thousand eight hundred dol- lars. This is situated six miles southeast of Graham; the membership is about fifty and Elder L. D. Cook was first pastor, the present one being Elder C. M. Thomas.
At Guilford, the church was formed November 13, 1897; they have no church building ; they number seventy-three members. The first to serve as pastor was Elder F. E. Blanchard. At this date there is no regular pastor.
At Gaynor (eight miles southeast of Hopkins) a church was formed and its present edifice is valued at one thousand dollars. The church here has a membership of about fifty. The first pastor was Katie Weaver; there is no regular pastor at this date.
At Arkoe the church was formed in February, 1902, and the following year a building was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. There are
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forty-four members here. The first pastor was Elder J. F. Bell : the present one is Elder J. N. Cole.
There are other points in Nodaway county where this denomination has work going on, including the church at Barnard, the facts concerning which the writer was unable to secure. The author is indebted largely to Mr. O. G. Null. of Pickering, for many of the above facts concerning this church.
THE PRESBYTERIAN DENOMINATION.
The first church of this denomination was formed in 1860 and was known as the Graham Presbyterian church. It is located at the village of Graham, eighteen miles southwest of Maryville, in Hughes township. The charter members were as follows: John and Mary E. Cowen, Henry and Martha Walker. Elizabeth Gressham. Sarah Vinsonhaler. Aaron Cole, Mary Cole. A, E. Rea, Elizabeth McCoy and Mary Waterman. At a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars, a neat frame edifice was erected in 1872, the same being dedicated by Rev. M. L. Anderson and Rev. W. G. Thomas in November, 1872. A Sunday school was organized in 1873. Among the early pastors of this church may be recalled W. M. Stryker. N. H. Smith, M. L. Anderson, W. C. Thomas, A. D. Workman and B. D. Luther. In 1882 the church had a membership of thirty, but with the passing years the society has flourished and grown until today it has a membership of seventy, with a Sunday school membership of sixty-three.
THE MARYVILLE CHURCH.
The history of the Union Presbyterian church at Maryville runs back to November 8. 1868, when Rev. E. B. Sherwood. missionary pastor of the new-school Presbyterian church for the Lexington presbytery, held the ser- vices. The first preaching services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church on December 13. 1868. when Rev. Sherwood discoursed and after his sermon a church was duly organized by the enrollment of the following mem- bers : L. C. Evans, William Jackson, D. T. Geiger. H. A. Avery. John Ed- wards. John Jackson. John Blair. W. Geiger. Mrs. L. C. Leiber, Miss Belle Andrews, Mrs. Rebecca Geiger. Mrs. Mollie J. Blair, Mrs. Rebecca Evans.
On December 20, 1870, Rev. J. M. Crawford was elected as a stated supply and held the position for two years, when he was followed by Rev. William G. Thomas. Rev. A. D. Workman became permanent pastor in
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December, 1873. The history of this church in 1882 stated that the society owned its own edifice, built at a cost of six thousand dollars, and enjoyed a membership of one hundred and thirty. The present membership is three hundred and sixty-seven, with a Sunday school of one hundred and sixty-two average attendance for the year 1909. The present commodious brick edifice was erected in 1880.
HOPKINS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church of Hopkins was the result of the arrival of several Presbyterian families from the North and East who had either been raised within the Congregational or Presbyterian churches. For a time these people worshipped with the Methodist church, who had early held services and erected a church in the village of Hopkins.
Rev. E. B. Sherwood, of St. Joseph ( Missouri), presbytery of the Platte. having been informed of these facts, came to Hopkins and assisted the little band of faithful Presbyterians in forming a church of their own creed. On the first Sabbath in May, 1873, sacrament was observed after the forms of this denomination and on May 3Ist. the same year. another meeting was held at which the same clergyman was present and was assisted by Elders George H. Hotailing. of Bedford. Iowa. and John N. Bell. of Maryville. At that meeting the following persons presented letters, which were accepted : George H. Hotailing and Mrs. Mildred Hotailing. William K. Adams and Mrs. Mary Adams, Mrs. Clarissa Bradley, Mrs. Jennie Heald, Mrs. Martha A. Walters, John W. Walker, Mrs. Mary E. Martin. Henry P. Dryden. David L. Latschar, Mrs. Sarah Bender. Mrs. Mary Green. Mark P. Bradley was received into the church on his profession.
The perfecting of the church organization took place at a meeting in Hopkins on a Sunday in June. 1873, when George H. Hotailing and William K. Adams were elected ruling elders and David L. Latschar and H. P. Dryden deacons. From the date of organization until January. 1874, Rev. Sher- wood acted as a stated supply and bi-monthly services were kept up in the Methodist church of Hopkins. Later the old Union Hall was secured as a meeting place and services there continued until the completion of the first Presbyterian church edifice there. which was first occupied on the first Sab- bath in January. 1876. During the spring of 1875 a subscription paper was freely circulated for the raising of sufficient funds with which to build a house of worship. The foundation for a church building. to be twenty-eight by fifty feet. was laid, but on account of financial stringency in the entire
(II)
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country the work was delayed for some time-in fact was not resumed until the following autumn. That was the year of the great grasshopper plague in Iowa and Missouri. The following year, however, the building was pushed forward to completion and cost the society two thousand four hundred dol- lars, of which amount the Board of Church Extension donated seven hundred dollars. The plans of the building were drawn by George H. Hotailing. while it was built by L. D. Eversole, a member of the church. This society has ever been an important factor in Hopkins church circles and the com- munity at large. The present membership of this church is seventy, with a Sunday school of seventy-four upon an average. The present house of wor- ship was erected of brick in 1906, and is a beautiful church building.
The Barnard Presbyterian church had its first organization in the country two miles west of Barnard, at a place called Salem. It was re-organized in 1870 at Barnard, by Elder Sherwood, of St. Joseph. The members at the time of its reorganization were: J. C. McCandliss and wife, James Giffin and wife, William Giffin, Samuel Stonehocker and wife, Mrs. S. C. McFar- land. Mrs. C. C. Baker, C. House and wife. Albert Ulman and possibly a few others.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church of Skidmore was organized in 1880 with the following charter members : John Mast, Mr. McCowan, Albert Carver and family. Gerrett Long and family, Martha Brown, Mrs. Calver. Mrs. B. F. Bagley and James Lassen and wife. At first the meetings were held in the Methodist church building. In 1882 the church had a membership of fourteen. At present this denomination is not represented by an organized church at this point.
The present Presbyterian society at Graham worships in the building erected sometime in the seventies.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The history of this denomination dates back at least as far as 1850, but the exact date is unknown, owing to defective and missing records of the various local churches. The coming on of the great Civil war caused a gen- eral stagnation in all religious organizations in this as well as all Missouri counties. Hence it will only be proper to give the history of this church from the date of its reorganization, which took place in 1870, when Rev. Hopkins came to this section of the county and reorganized the former Bap- tist church with the following membership: Mary J. Graham, Daniel Best.
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Elizabeth Best, Henry Nelson, Mary Nelson, Adam Terhune, William Neal, Barkley Benbow, Alice Benbow, J. M. Black. Rebecca Holcomb, Jane Hyler, Mary Ellsworth, John Hobbs, Samuel Smith. Jane Ellsworth, Anna Hobbs. Its name is "The First Baptist church."
The first church meeting of which there has been left any record was held during the year 1870. Rev. James Hopkins remained pastor but a short time and in 1871 came Rev. G. W. Huntley, under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society. He was called as pastor and remained until 1876, during which time a brick church was built at a cost of five thousand dollars. Rev. S. M. Merrill was called as pastor in August. 1876, and closed his labors here in April, 1877. after which the church was without a pastor until October, 1878, when H. J. Latour was called. He remained two years, after which the church was without a pastor until October, 1881. when Rev. H. M. Rich- ardson was called. In 1882 the church had a membership of one hundred and twenty-five; also had a church property valued at seven thousand dollars-a brick edifice-and was free from all debts. The present church, on the corner of Market and Jenkins streets, was erected so as to be dedicated December 17, 1905. Its cost was twenty thousand dollars. It is a brick veneer building of most beautiful design. The following have served as pastors : Revs. George W. Huntley, S. M. Merrill. H. J. LaTour, H. M. Richardson, D. D., T. M. S. Kenney, J. F. Kemper. D. D., G. E. Burdick. D. D., J. M. P. Martin, G. L. Black, D. D., I. T. Creek, Homer M. Cook, D. D., W. G. Hoover, and the present pastor. Rev. W. J. Ward. The last named commenced as pastor in October. 1908. The present membership of this church is three hundred and forty-four.
MT. ZION'S BAPTIST CHURCH, COLORED.
The second Baptist church of Maryville is known as Mt. Zion's. It was organized in the nineties with about twenty-five members. The first pastor was Rev. William Carter. A frame edifice was soon erected on East Fourth street and later an addition was made to it. The same is still in use. This church has fluctuated in its membership and general strength, with the passing years, owing to the few colored people who have resided in Maryville. At this time there are only about a dozen active members, among whom are a few devoted women.
A Baptist church was formed in Hughes township, three miles north of present Graham, in 1869. The original members were Henry Forcade and
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wife, Pelis Forcade and wife, H. A. Forcade and wife, Anderson Cragg and wife, Fayette Cook and wife. A house of worship was built in 1881, a frame structure costing one thousand three hundred dollars, which was ded- icated November 13th of that year. The pastor was Rev. J. W. Maylott in 1882. when the church membership was forty-eight. This society is still in a flourishing condition. Recent reports show that it has a membership of about ninety. Its church property is valued at one thousand eight hundred dollars
The Baptist church in White Cloud township now has a membership of sixty-seven and a church building valued at one thousand six hundred dollars.
The Clearmont Baptist church was organized on Saturday before the second Sunday in October. 1872. with twenty-two members, and was the direct result of a meeting held by Elder A. M. Wallace. In 1882 a house of worship was built, at a cost of two thousand one hundred dollars. In 1882 the membership of this church was sixty-nine. The regular incorporate name of this society is the "Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Clearmont." The pastors have been as follows: Revs. A. M. Wallace. Jacob Sharp, H. M. Richardson, Tillbury, J. H. Best. I. T. Creed. H. J. LaTour, N. S. Johnston. J. B. Seat, S. J. McCormick. R. M. Rhoades, J. C. Mitchell, C. H. Wyckoff. S. J. Spickerman and J. L. Jones. The last named resigned in fall of 1909. The church has a good parsonage at Clearmont and enjoy a membership of ninety-six.
The First Baptist church of Hopkins was organized in May. 1877. Its charter members were George W. Sturgeon, Margaret Sturgeon. Obediah Sturgeon, Julia Ann Sturgeon. Jeptha Sturgeon. Lucinda Sturgeon, Marion Sturgeon, Josephine Sturgeon. John M. Sturgeon, Thomas R. Sturgeon, Mar- gareta Sturgeon, Martha A. Downing. E. B. Yeomans, Jesse Godsey. E. S. Godsey. Elizabeth Godsey. John W. Jones and Nancy Jones.
This congregation purchased their house of worship from the United Brethren society at four hundred dollars in 1879: it was a frame structure. In 1902 this building was remodeled and is now worth about two thousand dollars. In 1898 a six-room parsonage was built worth eight hundred dol- lars. The present membership is eighty. Among the pastors who have faithfully served this church are: Revs. Yates, Wallis. Nichols. Randall, A. L. Cooper, William Teek, S. L. McCormick, A. W. Miller, B. B. Pace, I. T. Long, E. B. Osbern, with a few others. The value of the church property is now three thousand six hundred dollars.
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The First Baptist church of Dawson, in Lincoln township, was organized July 23. 1881, by Rev. H. J. Latour. The first membership was composed of the following persons : H. Burnett, Mrs. M. A. Burnett, J. A. Chadwick. Mrs. Elizabeth Messengale, Mrs. Melissa Chadwick, C. E. Short. J. F. Wal- lace. Mrs. Nancy Walker. James Randall, L. B. Edwards, J. W. Short, Mrs. R. C. Short, Mrs. Elizabeth Heckethorn, Mrs. Jane Thacker, Mrs. Frances Fox. Mrs. Bessie Burnett and Mrs. Amanda Wallace. In 1882 Rev. A. M. Wallace was pastor and did a large amount of missionary work in Nodaway county at organizing churches and Sabbath schools. The church at Dawson is the direct result of his untiring zeal and energy.
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
A church of this religious faith was organized in Hughes township in 1871. The original members were James McNeal and wife. John Ripley. Mrs. Aaron McNeal. C. E. Bowen and wife, Mr. Fleagle and wife. Israel Crawford and James McNeal. In 1882 the church numbered twenty-two and during that year a house of worship was erected. This organization has. long since gone down and its members united with other denominations or removed from the county.
THE ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Advent Christian church of Maryville was organized December 14. 1870, by Elder J. E. Himes, when sixteen persons, all heads of families save two, banded themselves together under the following church covenant :
"We, whose names are subjoined, do hereby covenant and agree, by the help of the Lord, to walk together as a church, faithfully maintaining its ordinances, taking the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice, church order and discipline, making Christian character the only test of fellowship and communion. We further agree, with Christian fidelity and meekness, to exercise mutual watch-care : to counsel, admonish, or reprove, as duty may require, and to receive the same from each other as becometh the household of faith."
Elder D. O. Hinck was duly chosen pastor, Abraham Fitzsimons, deacon, and William McClain, secretary and treasurer.
During a protracted meeting held in January, 1871, at the Wright school house. four miles east of Maryville, thirteen were added to the church. Also
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in February, 1871, during a meeting held in the old Saunders school house, seven miles south of Maryville, three united, one of whom was William Jones, Sr., familiarly known as "Uncle Billy," true as steel and who became the honored deacon of his church. Throughout 1871 others were added to this church, among whom was "Uncle Billy Swinford." He came into the school house where the meetings were being held and at the close of the sermon rose to his feet and requested the liberty to speak, which was granted. After referring to his demoralized and backslidden condition and his earnest desire to lead a Christian life, he said that he had come ten miles on horseback to offer himself to the Advent Christian church, if they thought him worthy of a name and place among them.
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