Adair County, Missouri - Chapter 8: The Churches, 1911

The history of the churches of the county begins with the pioneer days and passes through the various stages of growth and development which mark the history of all institutional life in the county. With the frontiersman who first settled up this new land came the circuit rider who, fearing not danger in any form, gathered around him in private homes or school houses the people of the neighborhood and preached to them. The early preachers were frequently men unlettered and unsophisticated, and hence deficient in many of the qualifications which more settled communities would require of ministers; their preaching was strictly orthodox and their prejudices were strong; but they were greatly in earnest and their efforts told upon the lives of the men with whom they came in contact. The present generation owes a great debt of gratitude to the early settlers and the early circuit riders. They labored together to make our present civilization possible.

The Baptist and Methodist preachers were the first to enter this field, and it is impossible to tell which came first. The history of the settlement of the middle west shows that the Baptists and Methodists were generally the first throughout the length and breadth of this vast region. The explanation for this is easily found. Very little of academic preparation was required of the men of these churches who wished to preach, and these churches were possessed of a strong missionary spirit and were eager to establish themselves in the new countries that were being opened up. Once established they continued to grow and prosper. This explains why the Baptists and Methodists are so strong throughout the middle west today.

Tradition says that a Rev. Mr. Hulsey preached in what is now Adair County in 1835 while enroute to his destination still farther on. If this is correct, he is likely to have been the first man to preach before a congregation of whites in this county. Just where he preached this first sermon in the county is not known to the writer. It is a matter of record that Rev. Abram Still, father of Dr. A. T. Still, came to Macon County in 1830, and frequently preached in what is now Adair County until he left the state for Kansas in the forties. He is said to have preached the first sermon ever delivered in Kirksville.

The difficulties and the heroism of the pioneer circuit rider have been well depicted by the daughter of Rev. Still, Mrs. Mary Still Adams, in her autobiography. She relates the leave taking of the family a* her father starts out on one of his trips. "Prince, a large bay horse, ready for travel, is held at the gate by my brother Andrew. Father is warmly clad in clothes spun and woven by my mother; even the socks and tufted mittens were knitted by her hands. Brother James has assisted him to adjust his heavy bearskin overcoat, while mother has tied his beaver cap securely under his bearded chin. We have al! accompanied him as far as the gate, he has said good bye and thrown his saddle-bags astride the saddle, and is fast jogging on up the lane and is soon lost to sight in the big flakes of snow which fell fast and thick." As he nears a stream which he expected to ford before night, he finds it greatly swollen by the melting snow and rain, and as it is getting late he is compelled to spend the night by the riverside. To keep off the wolves and panthers he builds large fires in a circle around himself and horse, and to keep up his courage he sings lustily and prays fervently while the wild beasts gather round and scream and yelp in such away as to frighten his horse almost to death. After the danger passes the brave preacher improvises a bed by dragging the central fire to one side for three feet, and lies down in the spot where it had been, and

The pioneer days were noted for their camp meetings, when for days all work would be suspended and the people would gather in camp and join in religious exercises that were fervid and demonstrative. The first camp meeting in this county is said to have been held at Lesley's Ford on the Chariton in the forties. Rev. James Dysart and Rev. Robert Mitchell conducted it. Camp meetings were greatly appreciated by the early pioneers in a way that people of older and more settled communities can not now very easily understand. In those times preaching services were not held in any community regularly with the coming of Sunday. The circuit rider came at most only once a month. When, therefore, the neighborhood joined in a camp meeting, it was to enjoy a season of preaching and social intercourse which the people had been largely deprived of. It is therefore easily seen why the camp meeting has passed away from the places where it was once so popular. With the building up of more thickly settled communities and with the fixing of more frequent religious services, the conditions that had made the camp meeting in order, passed away.

The spring and fall "revivals" which had also been held in the pioneer period, came now to be more and more depended upon as a means of special religious effort, and these were generally marked with the same religious enthusiasm and fervidness that the old-fashioned camp meeting had possessed. In these latter days less and less de- IHMidence is put upon the periodical "revival." It is more than thirty years since this county has seen a good old-fashioned "revival" of the type that prevailed just after the war. This is partly due, if not largely so, to the increase in the activities of the church along other lines which bring similar results in other ways and which removes the necessity of other methods.

The church buildings of early days were in keeping with general conditions. At first no regular meeting houses were to be had, but private houses, school houses and the court house were used. The court house was the place most generally used by the Kirksville church organizations until the war broke out. In December, 1856, the county court in issuing an order allowing the court room to be used for church services on Saturdays and Sundays, stipulated that in case it was desired to have political or railroad speaking in the court room on any Saturday, the religious service must give way to it.

school houses of the times. As the county became more thickly settled and the people better off financially, the meeting houses began to be built of brick and stone and to be better equipped. The church building is usually in keeping with the material well-being of the community and the spirit of pride and generosity that pervades it. It i? this fact which gives basis to the expectation that the county will in the future have- better church buildings than have as yet been erected.

Inasmuch as Missouri was a border state the strife between the north and south during the war was keen and bitter, and some awful things were perpetrated on both sides. The effect of this strife on the churches was disastrous. Most of the churches throughout the state were closed at least during a portion of the time, especially towards the close. In Adair County there were two or three years at least, when church services were completely suspended. The work of reorganization was sometimes delayed a year or two after the war closed, and some churches were never revived.

The contest of arms from 18G1 to 1805 had a peculiar effect on the character of the preaching that was engaged in during the reorganization of the churches. In the effort to get on their feet again the different denominations emphasized their doctrines quite out of proportion to other matters. Denominational strife was bitter and feeling often ran high on such matters that would now seem somewhat secondary in importance, if not trivial. Nearly every sermon was doctrinal, so that any stranger could tell what denomination the preacher 1mlonged to by listening to him a few minutes in any sermon he might preaeh.

The vear 1878 seems to have been the vear when religious debate^ were most frequent and most thoroughly enjoyed. Spiritualism, the inspiration of the Scriptures, evolution, baptism, and other subjects akin to these were fruitful of much discussion. Prior to this year a small but active group of men and women who called themselves Lil>- erals was formed in the town. Many of them were Spiritualists. Naturally they held Ideas quite different from those adhered to in orthodox circles, and as both sides were insistent on the correctness of their views, frequent clashes on the platform and pulpit and in the papers were had.

Sometimes the debates would come in the form of two series of addresses; one would be delivered at one time by one speaker, and the other would follow a week or month later by another man in reply. For example, in March, 1878, Prof.G.G. Ferguson came to Kirksville and delivered a scries of lectures extending over a week on scientific or semiscientific subjects. His opening address was on the "Origin of Man.' and he handled it in the approved orthodox fashion. Most of the other lectures were astronomical in character. In the following April a liberal leader, named B. F. Underwood, held forth for some nights on scientific subjects in which he advanced views, scientific and theological that were quite different from those of the lecturer of the month before. The most lively debates, however, were those that were held with the debaters face to face on the same platform. Of these the Ditzler-Jamison debates held in this same year, 1878, have gone down in the annals of Kirksville and the county as perhaps the most interesting. Dr. Jacob Ditzler was a noted Methodist preacher and has the reputation of being the strongest debater on certain theological questions which his church ever produced. Professor Jamison was a Liberalist and was at the time residing in Kirksville. The debate was held in the Methodist church and lasted nine consecutive evenings, beginning Monday. May 20, and excluding Sunday. Great crowds attended, and the arguments produced were the subject of comment on the streets for manv davs after the debate. The two debaters were personal friends and maintained their cordiality for each other all through the debate in spite of the heat of the arguments at times.

A full account of the debate was published in the North Missouri Register. The issues of June and July contained synopses of the various speeches. In fact, the last installment was not put in print until the middle of November, six months after the debate.

Later in the year Spiritualism was made the subject of bitter attacks. There came to town an old man called "Father" Grimes, who in a series of addresses accompanied by demonstrations, discoursed on hypnotic influences and attributed many things claimed as revelations hy the Spiritualists as due to hypnotic influences. Other addresses were given not only in Kirksville but throughout the county. Among those who participated was President J. Baldwin of the State Normal School, who was counted a strong opponent of Spiritualism.

The debates were not only between the orthodox and heterodox, but at times they were waged between those who were strictly orthodox. The subjects of baptism and predestination furnished the principal themes for discussions. On the first subject Baptists and Disciple pitted themselves against Methodists and Presbyterians; and on the second subject it was the Presbyterians against the field. It was not all peace between the Baptists and Disciples. The epithet "Camjh bellite" was used by the Baptists or others who were attacking the Di>- ciples, when the intention was to annoy if not to insult. As far as the newspapers show, the controversy between the Baptists and Disciples was at its worst in 1886 and 1887, when Rev. C. N. Ray of the Baptists and Rev. Simpson Ely of the Disciples, waxed warm on the platform and in the public prints over theological differences. And as late a* October, 1891, Rev. Browder of the Disciple church, and Rev. Throgmorton of the Baptist, belabored each other over certain subtleties regarding baptism. Two years prior to that Browder, who was a foe worthy to be met, debated with a Methodist by the name of Hart, who had been brought to town from Illinois by the pastors of the Methodist churches.

Fortunately for us those days of controversy which were exciting and frequently bitter, are over. It is very seldom that a preacher betrays his denominational affiliation by his public addresses. It may Ik that in the course of time just such a bitter period of controversy on other questions will be necessary to prevent stagnation of thought, hut it is to be hoped that this condition may be avoided and hence bitter controversy made unnecessary.

This section will be devoted to sketches of the various congregations of the different denominations represented in the county, as far as data have been collected. Many of the things set forth in a genera) way in the preceding section will be abundantly illustrated as we proceed.

The strongest denominations are the Methodists and Baptists. The Presbyterians, Disciples, Catholics and United Brethren have from three to five congregations each. A few others have only one or two congregations.

Kirks vi lle. - The Methodist Church was operating in the field which included what is now Adair County as early as 1836. Whether it began any earlier than that is not known. It was in that year Rev. Ahram Still, father of Dr. A. T. Still, was transferred from the Holston Conference of Tennessee to Northern Missouri as a missionary. He settled in Macon County and for years served in the role of circuit rider throughout this part of the state. His itinerary brought him frequently into what is now Adair County; and he is regarded as the first Methodist preacher who ever preached in this part of the country.

The annual conference held at St. Louis in September, 1842, assigned hVv. Reuben Aldridge to Bloomington, Rev. Wm. J. Brown to Adair, and Rev. Abram Still to Edina, Missouri. It is evident that these appointments were all circuits. Just what territory was included in each of these circuits in unknowTn. It is likely Bloomington included Macon County; Adair, Adair County, and Edina Mission, Knox County. Possibly there was a good deal more than one county in each of these circuits. It is of interest to know that in the appointments prior to 1842 the names Adair and Edina Mission do not appear, and that after 1842 the name Adair is discontinued, and after 1843 Edina is likewise discontinued. Bloomington, however, appears for several years more, at least until 1848. It is more than likely that the Bloomington circuit included what is now Adair County for some time prior to the appointments made in 1842, and possibly after 1843 Adair County was included in that circuit.

The split in the Methodist church that took place in the middle forties resulted apparently in the M. E. Church, South, gaining possession of the field in Adair County and holding it for several years, up to at least a few years before the outbreak of the war. The Missouri Conference was suspended between 1844 and 1848, and whatever work the church did in this field during that time seems to have been supervised by the Illinois Conference. That the M. E. Church South should be the one to hold this field was quite natural, as the southern element in Adair County was rather large prior to the war.

Just when the M. E. Church resumed its work in this county is not known. By 1865 services were being held by that church in the old Cumberland Academy in Kirksville, Rev. J. W. Prince doing the preaching. At that time the building was in a very unfinished condition; there was no plastering on the walls and the seats were wooden slabs nailed on upright pieces and were without backs. Mr. H. F. Millan says that men were accustomed to go to the building some time in advance of the time of service and whittle on the benches until the preacher came. In 1800 and for several years after that, services wen held in Sherwood's Hall, the second floor of a building which stood juri east of the Kirksville Savings Rank building. It was while the services were being held in this hall that a Methodist society was formed. Among the original members were H. F. Millan, 0. H. Roeman, \V. H. Freeman, and R. H. Browne. By August, 1870, at least, the Methodists were usinp the Presbyterian church for their services, but by 1871, they had built a brick church on the two lots which they had purchased on the <-<-:- ner of Washington and High Streets, and on which the present ehurrl building stands. This building was dedicated on January 21. 1872 Rev. John Moorehead was the pastor in charge at the time.

The church in Kirksville was not made a station until at lea^t in the fall of 1871. Up to that time services were held only once or twio a month in Kirksville, the pastor spending the remainder of the tinn at other points on the circuit. It appears that Kirksville has been a station requiring the entire services of a pastor since 1871.

The original building was considerably remodeled in 1KN1-K2 a1 an expense of .$3,000. Rut in the course of ten years it became inadequate, and it was decided to erect a larger and more elaborate buililim: The old one was torn down in 1898, and a new one was completed at a cost of $17,000 and dedicated on March 5, 1809. Rev. David H. Moon of Cincinnati, preached the dedicatory sermon. Rev. N. P. Tedrick was pastor. On the day of dedication it was necessary to raise the deficit amounting to $6,200. By extraordinary efforts the amount was raised by subscription, but for some cause or other the church is yet struggling with a heavy debt on the building. Recent efforts seem to promise the liquidation of the debt inside a year.

The Missouri Annual Conference has convened in Kirksville four times. The first time was March 13-18, 1873, with Bishop Bowman presiding; the second time was March 7-12, 1883, with Bishop Andrews presiding; the third time was March 29-April 2, 1893, with Bishop Fowler presiding; and the fourth time was March 14-19, 1900, with Bishop Fitzgerald presiding.

Besides the church at Kirksville there are seventeen other M. E. Church congregations in the county, arranged in five circuits. They are as follows: Greentop Circuit - Bethel, Refuge, and Wilmathville: Brashear Circuit - Brashear, Bullion, and Sabbath Home; Gibbs Circuit - Gibbs, Wesley Chapel, Cater Memorial and Troy Mills; Xovingw Circuit - Novinger and Connelsville; Youngstown Circuit - Yoimgstown, Union Temple, Golden Rule, Elm Grove, and Bald Knob. All of these congregations have church buildings of their own except Troy Mills, Golden Rule and Elm Grove. These three use school houses & places of worship. At the present (1911) the Golden Rule and Elm Grove classes are arranging to consolidate and build a church at Pure

Brashear. - Exact information has been not secured concerning the early history of the M. E. Church in the vicinity of Brashear. Year* ago there was a circuit called Sand Hill circuit which included Paulville. Sand Hill and perhaps some other appointments. After the removal of the people from Paulville to Brashear in the early seventies, the name of the circuit was changed to Brashear Circuit. The society at Brashear was originally the Paulville society. It did not have a church building until long after the town of Brashear was established. The meetings were held in school houses until April 13, 1884, when the present church building, generally known as McCreery Chapel, was dedicated. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. M. L. Curl. Rev. A. H. Collins was pastor at the time when the church was built. It has I>een impossible to get a complete list of the pastors that have served this circuit. As far as they were found, they were as follows:

Nov i Nd er. - Methodist services were held in and around Novinger long before a Methodist church was organized, the preaching being done by ministers who were either passing through or who lived in nearby communities. Inasmuch as many of the people in this part of the county were Germans, the earliest Methodist ministers are said to have been Germans and preached in German.

In the early seventies Methodist services were held in what was known as the Novinger school house, a quarter of a mile northwest from the present limits of Novinger. In this school house revival meetings were held during the winter whenever a preacher could be gotten. One winter a few years after the town of Novinger had been started, probably in the early eighties, the revival meetings were held in a work shop which had been built by a Mr. Amick on Frankford Avenue in Novinger. This shop was useil because it was more accessible than the school house. However, the school house continued to be used as the place for whatever occasional Methodist services were held. It was probably about 1885 that a Methodist society was organized. Meetings continued to be held in the school house until 1891, when a church building was erected. There was considerable debate over the location of this church building. Some wanted it at Novinger and some at the graveyard a mile and a half north of Novinger. It was finally decided to build at the graveyard. There were as yet very few who foresaw at that time the rapid growth that Novinger was destined to undergo, and hence the sentiment in favor of the church being near the cemetery was strong enough to carry the day against those who favored Novinger. Rev. W. H. Doyle was pastor at that time. Father Roselle laid the cornerstone on July 27, 1891.

In 1903, after Novinger had begun to take on rapid growth, the Methodists decided to erect a church building in town, and succeeded in doing so. On January 29, 1904, they dedicated their town church, the Rev. G. \V. Hughey of Springfield preaching the dedicatory sermon. The amount necessary to be raised on the day of dedication was $650, and it looked at the close of the morning service as though it would not be raised. But by evening the full amount was subscribed and the dedication was made. Rev. C. N. Wood was pastor at the time. For three years prior to the erection of this building in town, the congregation used the K. P. Hall, which had been built in 1900.

The old church building at the graveyard still remains, and is used yet on funeral occasions, and was frequently used as a kind of mining mission, inasmuch as it is near what is now Midland No. 2. The mission work has, however, been given up of late.

northeast from Kirksville and five miles north of Brashear. The first church building was dedicated July 19, 1877 by Rev. F. M. Green. The present building was erected in 1905, during Rev. C. H. Brott's pastorate.

Bethel. - This church was organized in 1874 by Rev. 0. S. Middleton. The original membership was made up of a class at Olive Hill and at Reed School House. The church building was built in 1874-7"). It is situated twelve miles northeast of Kirksville.

Cater Memorial. - This chapel was built at a cost of about $1,500 in 1890-97, by Rev. E. B. Cater, and was named in his honor. This was a very appropriate tribute to his faithful service through thirty-one years as a circuit rider in Northern Missouri. Nearly ten of these years were spent on circuits in Adair County.

Kirksville. - The schism which took place in the Methodist Church during the forties gave rise to the Southern Methodist Church. In Missouri it appears the M. K. Church (commonly called the Northern Methodist Church) was in a dormant condition. During that period, however. Southern Methodism was quite aggressive and established itself in many places firmly and to the exclusion of the other branch. It appears that in Adair County the only Methodist churches from the time of the split down to the war were Southern. There is no evidence that a Northern church was organized until after the war.

In 1849 there were three Southern Methodist circuits in this part of the state, any one of which could have included Kirksville or any other appointment in Adair County. They were Milan, Kdina and Bloomington. But there is no evidence available to show whether any Adair County charge was included in any one of these circuits. Kirksville is first mentioned in the available records of the appointments of Southern Methodist Conferences in the fifties. The charge was then >poken of as the Kirksville Mission, and as far as our information goes, this is the term applied" to the work here down to 1809, and perhaps Kirksville Mission included all the work done by the Southern Methodists in the County.

The society in Kirksville seems to have gone to pieces during the war. From the fact that the annual conference continued to Ittifl men to the Kirksville Mission even though the society in town had suspended, it would seem that the work was not entirely suspended throne out the county. The Kirksville society was reorganized on February

14, 1872, by Rev. W. J. Jackson, who had been assigned to the Kirkville Circuit in 1871. He began the work of reorganization by hoMirpreaching services once a month in the Cumberland Presbyterian ehurcr. in October, 1871. A revival meeting was held in February, 1872. th* preaching being done by Rev. ,1. W. Cunningham of Palmyra. Tin* meeting culminated in the definite reorganization of the society "

The year 1871-72 seems to have been marked by considerable renewed interest in the work of this denomination in the county. Besides reviving the society at Kirksville, two new buildings were built and dedicated, and over one hundred new members taken in.

In 1849 J. C. Goode donated two lots on Franklin Street to the M. E. Church South in Kirksville, on condition that a house of worship should be built and maintained thereon. A church building was partially erected, but never completed. In 1862-03 this partially completed building was torn down and used for firewood. In 1871 Goode's heirs sued for the recovery of the lot on the ground that the church had not complied with the original contract. The case was carried up to the Supreme Court and was decided in favor of the church.

On the revival of the Kirksville society in 1872, services were held first in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and later in the M. E. church until 1876, when the Free Will Baptist church building was purchased with the proceeds from the sale of the two lots on Franklin Street which had been given the church by J. C. Goode in 1849. This Baptist church building stood on the site of the present M. E. Church South building. It was considerably repaired and opened for regular services on May 14, 1876.

At that time Kirksville Circuit embraced five appointments, all oast of the St. L., K. C. and N. R. R., now the Wabash. There was preaching at all of these points one Sunday in each month, except Kirksville, which had two services a month. At the close of the conference year there were 250 members in the circuit, and four good church buildings.

Late in 1877 the Kirksville church purchased a reed organ. The event is worthy of notice because of the editorial comment made upon it in the North Missouri Register, a paper published in Kirksville at that time. The editorial was as follows:

"An organ has been placed in the M. E. Church South, for use at religious services, in order to conform to the fashion. It may add strength, beauty and interest to the musical exercises, but we don't believe it. In old times when the congregation 'done' the singing and filled the church with the melody of their voices and put their whole soul into their singing, there was greater reverence in the worship of God."

moved it, and is said to have used it as fuel in burning brick. The cornerstone of the new building was laid by Dr. J. D. Vineil on Friday. June 23, 1882. The day was a very rainy one, yet ninety Masons ur said to have participated in the ceremony. The address was deliver* : by Dr. Vincil in the M. E. Church after the stone was laid. The chun when completed cost about $3,000.

The pastor at the time of its erection and dedication was A. V Bayley. He seems to have greatly endeared himself to the people »-:' the church and town in general during his years of service. When lit was transferred in the fall of 1883 to another work, a big reception w^ given him by the Magnet Club of Kirksville at the Parcells Hour*.

The pastors of the Kirksville Mission up to the time of the reorganization of the society at Kirksville in 1871, are, as far as can lx? a.- certained, as follows:

It seems that in October, 1885, the charge at Kirksville became a station and the pastor from that time on has given his entire time <<> the work in that place.

Brashear. - The M. E. Church, South, at Brashear was organize! at Paulville in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. John Thrasher, Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Dowell antl Miss Phoebe Talbot were the original members. It wu> probably at first one of the appointments on the Kirksville Mission

Circuit, hut just when it was detached and made a part of some other circuit is not known. This circuit has been known by various names: Edina, La Plata, Kirksville, Queen City, Mt. Carmel, and Brashear.

In 1871 a church building was erected at Paulville, and dedicated on NovemlnT 19 of that year by Rev. J. W. Cunningham, of Palmyra. In May. 1880. the building was removed to Brashear, which had been established in 1872, and whose growth killed Paulville. The building w:i- repaired and re-opened for services in June. Rev. J. W. Pritchett, who was at that time President of Howard-Payne College at Fayette, Mo., preached the opening sermon.

It has l>een impossible to get the names of all the pastors who have vrved this circuit. As far as they have been ascertained they are* as follows:

Trinity. - Trinity Church was organized in Clay township in 1871 I v Rev. W. J. Jackson. There were about six members in the original cia>*. among whom were Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Lyon and Mr. and Mr-. Henry Atkins. A church building was erected in 1872 in the northwestern part of Clay township. It cost $1,000, and after it was Mown down by the storm of 1878 it was rebuilt at a further cost of £"'75. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. J. W. Cunningham of Palmyra, on June 23, 1872. This charge was originally on the Kirksville circuit, but lias been on the Brashear circuit since Kirksville ft a> made a station.

Besides the three Southern Methodist churches that have been <l'«cril>od. there is one at (iibbs and another in (May township called t'urt is. No information has been secured concerning them.

Bkasheak.- The V. B. church at Brashear dates back far beyond the founding of the town of Brashear. In 1859, at the first session of tli«-- Missouri Conference which convened at Atlanta, Rev. W. H. Burns ft a> aligned for the ensuing year to Atlanta ('ircuit. This circuit included the class known as the Paulville or the White School House das*. This class went by these two names because it used a hall at

^aulville and the White school house, near what is now Brashear, as netting places. The original members of this class were L. Preston, klary Preston. Henry Garlock, A. Seibcrt, F. Seibert, Mary Groolaigh, V. F. Kagle, Mary Eagle, Maria A. Eagle, Peter Kunkle and Margaret umkle.

This congregation had no church building of its own until 1873. \\ that time Brashear had been founded and it was decided to build at hat place. After encountering many difficulties, the members of this hurch organization were able to dedicate a church building costing >\<r $1,750. The dedication occurred on August 17, 1873. Bishtp ( ilosshrenner preached the sermon. The occasion was long remem- *T<il in Brashear anil the county because of the immense crowd that itt ended: a special train from Kirksville brought a large number of [Ki>ple. The editor of the North Missouri Register went along, and in commenting on the services expressed his thanks that there was no i >rgun nor paid choir to mar the beautiful simplicity of the occasion.

Prior to the building of the church in Brashear, the U. B.'s had ^customed for several years to hold annual camp meetings in the Salt River l*)ttom a quarter of a mile southwest of what is now Brashear. The«>e were largely attended. They were discontinued when the church building was erected in 1873. The revival meetings that have had the must marked influence on the church since that time were the Little meetings in 1890, and the Petry meetings in 1006 and 1908.

The present church building was erected in 1908, and dedicated 1 v Dr. T. 1). Oiks, President of Campl>cll College of Kansas, on December 6. 1908. It is valued at $5,000. The membership in 1909 was 100.

The Missouri Annual Conference of this church has convenni j Brashcar four different times: in 1874, with Bishop (llossbrenner presiding; in 1883, with Bishop K. B. Kephart, presiding; in 1887, wr: Bishop J. Weaver presiding; and in 1896, with Bishop J. S. Mills presiding.

Gibus. - The U. B. church at (libbs was originally the Pleasa:,; View church, which was organized in February 1808 by Rev. \Y. <> (J rev. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Sanborn. Mr and Mrs. Begole, Amanda Houston, Mary Houston, I). P. Houston Wm. Houston, John McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Harriett MeDowv: Mr. and Mrs. Moses Johnson, Benjamin Young, and Mr. and Mrs J;i> (limning. The first house of worship was situated in section 10, towiship 61, range 14, a short distance northwest ofnvhat is now (lie- It was erected in 1878 at a cost of $1,150, and was dedicated in November, 1S79, by Bishop Wright.

In 1880 the United Brethren throughout the entire denominate:! became divided over the question regarding secret societies, and tndenominations resulted. Those favoring secret societies were call- Liberals, and those opposing Radicals. Many a congregation was split wide open, and two separate1 congregations were formed where originally there was only one.

The Pleasant View church was one of the congregations that .!- vided. In June, 1895, the Liberals moved the church building to tliMwhich had come into existence since the building of the Santa Fe Hailroad in 1887. The courts had given them the title to the building. IT was rededicated by Prof. Reese1 of the New York College of Nebra>U on December 1, 181)5. In 1906 another and better church buil<l::. was erected and this was rededicated by Bishop Weakley of Des Moiiuon December 30. 1906.

The Radicals of the original Prarie View congregation proceeded i« build another building after the Liberals had moved the first chunl building to (libbs. It was erected at Prairie Bird and was dedieat* in November, 1896, by Bishop Halleek Floyd of Dublin, Indiana.

Tin* congregations at (libbs and Prairie View have no busiiuaffiliations. They belong to separate denominations. A. C. Tud- r is pastor of the (libbs church, and J. (1. Oarlock of the Prairie bYn Chapel.

Bear ('reek. - The oldest Baptist society in Adair County is the Bear Creek church. This was organized in 1840 by Rev. Talbot Hight. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Barnes, Eliza Hibbard, Nancy Hibbard, and Nancy Myers. In the course of time a church building was erected three and a half miles north of Kirksville. By this time the Colletts, Hustons, Lloyds, Willises, Ashcrs, and Conners were members.

Kirksville. - Very little is known about the Baptist Church in Kirksville prior to the war. Tradition says that it was disbanded during the war, but no record of its work has survived.

In 1868 the church in Kirksville was reorganized. The place of meeting was a long low one story building which stood on the northeast corner of Buchanan and Florence Streets. It had been built in 18o8 by Prof. W. P. Nason and had been used by him as a school building up to 1862.

The members at the time of reorganization were Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Foster, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Barnes, Mrs. A. P. Willard, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W\ Link, Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Link, Mr. and Mrs. George Shotwell, Mrs. Mary Bond, Mrs. Leisure, and Mr. Henry Cooper. The pastor was Rev. J. A. Pool.

In 1870 Rev. J. H. Terrill became pastor, and for a while the church appeared to prosper. A number of prominent people became identified with the church, among whom were the Halladays, Ileses, Rays, Franklands, and Xortons. Plans were made for erecting a new church, and lots at the corner of McPherson and High Streets were bought and a brick building begun in June, 1872. The building was completed and occupied by the following January. Like most all churches, this one was finished with a great debt hanging over it. Financial difficult ies compelled the church to give up its building. At that time the Cumberland Presbyterian church had a frame church building at the corner of Franklin and Illinois Streets. Arrangements were made for the exchangeof this building for the Baptist church building, the Cumberland Presbyterians paying $1,650 additional. The exchange was made in December, 1877.

The financial loss which had been sustained was very discouraging, but the members began to plan and hope for better things, and by 1890 their hopes were realized. Two lots were bought at the corner of Washington ami Marion Streets, and a fine brick building was erected thereon. The church was occupied in November, 1897, but it was not dedicated until some time later because all the indebtedness was not covered by subscriptions at the time it was completed. The total cost of the building and lots was $8,600. The pastor at the time was Rev. S. H. Morgan, to whom the congregation ascribed a great deal of the credit for the success of the undertaking.

This building was I mined on Sunday, January 0, 1910. The evening services had begun when it was discovered that the building was on tire. The congregation was immediately dismissed, and in an hour nothing but the walls remained.

Arrangements were immediately made for the use of the First Presbyterian church building across the street from the post office, until the burned building could be rebuilt. The work on the reconducted building was completed in February, 1911, and was dedicated un the 22nd of that month by Rev. \V. J. Williamson of St. Louis. Some changes were made in the plans of the old building by way of making it larger and arranging for some extra accommodations. The cost of rebuilding was about $12,000, all of which was covered by subscriptions some davs before the dedication.

Xovinc.kk. - The Baptist Church of Xovinger has a unique history among the churches of the county. It was organized by Rev. -loe P. Jacobs in the winter of 1901-02, as the result of a series of revival meetings which he conducted in a (iospel Car called "The Messenger <>t Peace," sent out by the American Baptist Publication Society. This car was fitted up with pulpit, chairs, organ and other equipment of a chapel, and was sent from place to place to carry on revival meetings and organize Baptist churches. It stood on a switch in Novingor for some weeks and the meetings held in it were well attended. A Baptist society of fifteen or twenty members was organized at the close of th«- meetings and a church building erected in 1902. The pastors have been:

For the past two years the church has been able to employ a pastor who gives his entire time to the work there. It also ha* two lady missionaries who are busy ministering to those in need of their assistance in Novinger and the mining camps near by.

Millard. - In 1860 there was organized the Dover Baptist Chuni. among the people living on the east fork of the Chariton south of Kirksville. Among the members were the Musicks, Ryans, Cunninghamand Costellos. Shortly after the town of Millard was laid out thi> society removed to that place and was known as the Millard Bapti-' Church. By 1890 the society was disbanded, part of the membership going to La Plata and part to Kirksville.

Besides the Baptist churches that have been described, there anseveral others in the county concerning which no data have been secured. Of these three are in Clay township; one at Sperry, another iin the southwest corner (Hazel Green), and the third is in the southcaM corner. There is one at old Wilsontown in Wilson township, and another called Morris Church in southeastern Walnut.

The Baptist churches whose history has been outlined are Missionary Baptists, to distinguish them from Free Will Baptists. The distinctive difference between the two branches pertains to the communion: the former believes and practices close communion, the latter <>p«; communion.

There are at present at least four different congregations of Fn Will Baptists in the county: Jewell, seven miles northwest of Kirk>- ville; Connelsville; Bethel, west of Connelsville; and Sublette.

At one time a Free Will Baptist society existed in Kirksville. I was organized June 4, lHtio. by Rev. J. H. Wesscher, with James Hayi>. Phoebe Hayes. Win. Smith, Jane Smith. Minemoh Smith, Mary Smith

J. MeMorrow, Eleanor Dennis, Charles Scoville, Nancy Scoville, Guy Chandler, Sarah Chandler, Eliza Middleton, H. Young, Mrs. W. N. Wesscher, Mary Jones, Cary Ferguson, Nell Matthews, Mrs. Dunham, and Jupiter Webb (a negro) as members. This society erected a church building on the site of the present Southern Methodist Church building, in May, 1865, and this is said to have been the first church building erected in the town. All church organizations had prior to this held their services in the court house or school houses.

Considerable efforts were made to make this part of the state as kind of center for Free Will Baptists. Rev. Wesscher, Immigration Agent for the Free Will Baptist Association of Adair and Schuyler Counties, sent out a circular letter in 1868, setting forth the advantages of this region and inviting people of his faith to come and settle here. He got in reply several letters from parties saying they were coining. It is evident, however, that a large number did not come, for after a few years more the church succumbed. The disbandment occurred in 1872, and the building was sold in 1875 to the Southern Methodists. When the latter got ready later on to build a brick building, they sold the one they had Ixmght from the Baptists to a man named Bernard, who moved it away and used it up as fuel in burning brick.

Kirksville. - The Christian Church in Kirksville has, according to tradition, a history reaching back to the winter of 1845-46. At that time E. H. Lossen and Jeremiah Prather organized a society in Kirksville, with the following persons as the original members: William I vie, John Galyen, Nelson Grogan, Bartlett Asher, Arthusa Bonham, Mr. and Mrs. George Rice, Mr. and Mrs. John Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Linder, Mrs. Sloan, Mrs. Stacy Grogan, Mrs. Jacob Linder, Mrs. Andrew Linder, Isham B. Dodson, James Dodson, Nancy J. Dodson, Hulda Dodson, and Mary Sloan.

The society was thirty years in acquiring a church building of its own. Until the war broke out the court house was used; but after that was closed to all religious services, the members of this society met at different places until it was completely disorganized.

In 1865 the society was reorganized by Rev. D. M. Kinter. Revival meetings were held and about forty members were added. The question of a meeting house proved troublesome. It was not possible to erect a suitable building and so arrangements were made for the IM of a building known as the Cumberland Academy. This building ha-i been started in 1860 by the Kirksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but owing to the outbreak of the war, work wa.* suspended on it before it was finished. The Presbytery sold it in Ft-1>- ruary, 1805 to D. S. Hooper, Samuel Reed, Jr., Nelson Grogan ami Abraham Wolf. These men in turn sold it in March, 1805 for $1.5mi to a stock company composed of men who belonged to the newly reorganized Christian Church. This company offered the use of this bulling for church serviees to the church without charge. It is said thai they had bought the building with the expectation that some day \h< church would buy it from them. But when it appeared the church <li'i not intend doing this, the stock company began to look around for a renter. In February, 1S07, they found one in the person of J. Baldwin of Indiana, who began in the fall of that year the North Missouri Normal School, which grew in three years and a half into the present State Normal School. The congregation continued apparently to hold services in this building after the Normal School opened up, down to at least January, 1871, when the school became a state institution. Tin congregation seems then to have rented the Free Will Baptist church, which stood on the site of the present M. E. Church South. This was used until 1870.

In 187<> the congregation erected a building on the site of the present Christian church. The lot had been purchased in 1871, but no efforts were made at erecting a building until September, 1875. This building was completed a few months later and dedicated on February 13, 1876, by Rev. Dr. Hobson of Canton. In 1900 this building was remodeled and a large wing was added to the south. The church was therefore rededicated on December 9, 1900, Elder J. H. Garrison of St. Louis, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The improvements cost £6,500. On the day of dedication enough had not been subscribed by J?2.200 to cover this amount. At the morning service only $1,700 was raised. The remaining deficit was secured by subscriptions at the night service. The dedicatory ceremony was celebrated in the afternoon at a general mass meeting of all the churches.

Trouble has arisen at least twice between the congregation and the pastors. In 1885 trouble arose between the elders and the pastor A. Russell. Three arbiters were called in to adjust matters ana" are said to have decided the trouble in favor of the pastor.

In 1900 there occurred a schism in the congregation owing to some differences of opinion regarding the pastor, G. W. Thompson. When he was asked to resign the faction that supported him withdrew and organized another congregation, which took the name of Central Christian Church. A lot was bought and preparations begun for erecting a church building. Services were held for a while in the Harrington Theater, with the Rev. Mr. Thompson as the pastor. But the attempt failed owing to the smallness of the congregation, and practically all the seceding faction returned to the original congregation in the course of a few years.

The records show that in 1872 the membership was 25; in 1884, 150; and in 1910, GOO. The pastorate of U. M. Browder was marked by an unusually large increase in the membership. During his two years of service, 1889-91, 237 were added to the church, of which number 117 were baptized.

Brasiiear. - The Christian Church in Brashear was established in 1890, through the efforts of a few of that denomination who had come to that place and had not affiliated with any other church. They called in help, and through the assistance of Evangelists J. M. Hoffman and P. D. Holloway, succeeded in getting an organization effected. From 1890 to 1897 the congregation met in other churches, school house or hall. In 1890 the Brashear Academy building which had just been abandoned for school purposes, was bought and remodeled, and in the next year was dedicated. Rev. W. A. Hamilton was pastor at the time

Gibbs. - The Christian Church at Gibbs was organized March 1 1905, by Elder J. L. Hollowell, with a charter membership of twentysix. For the first two months the congregation used a store building, and then rented a hall which was used for two years. A church building was then begun and was used in an unfinished condition for about two years. It was completed and dedicated by Elder E. M. Richmond

Illinois Bend. - The Illinois Bend Christian Church was organized by Elder J. W. Davis on November 28, 1885, with seventeen charter members. The building they use is nominally a Union church which was built in 1884. Four denominations were interested in erecting it, but the only one that has grown and prospered is the Christian Church, so that the rneml>ers of that congregation practically own it. They own the furniture and repair the building. The membership has grown until it is about 150 at present.

Kirksville. - The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kirksville was organized on May 25, 1846, by Rev. James Dysart, with J. T. Smith, David James, Elmer James, G. E. Bushnell and Helen Bushnell as members. The initiative in this was taken by David James and J. T. Smith. Both of these men had belonged to the Eldad Cum- Ix'rland Presbyterian Church in Randolph County, and after getting in Adair County they decided to organize a church of that denomination in their new home. They interested Geo. E. Bushnell and his wife, who moved from Ohio to their neighborhood in 1845, in their plans, and though the Bushnells had been Methodists in Ohio, they decided on reading the confession of faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, they could join James and Smith in organizing a church of that faith. Word was sent to Rev. James Dysart of College Mound, Mo., and on his coming up the work of organization was effected in the original court house of Adair County, which stood on the northwest corner of the square where the National Bank of Kirksville now stands.

The membership grew very slowly, and of course the society was too weak to have a regular circuit rider. Visiting preachers afforded all the preaching that was done for many years. Among these were B.

F. ( 'aldwell, J. C. Davidson, James Dysart and J. R. Mitchell. A n> worthy revival was hold in 1854 in the court house which stood in public square and which was burned in 1805; through this revival membership was increased to 08. This serves to mark the beginninj the employment of a regular preacher, for in that year Rev. S. C. Da' son was employed to preach once a month. Affairs seemed to be p perous, for in 1857 the congregation employed Rev. J. E. Sharp preach every Sunday. Moreover, the Kirksville Presbytery establi> a school in Kirksville which was called the Cumberland Academy, a a building for the school and for church services also was begun. 1 the war which came on put a check to all this activity, and for sevc years there were no preaching services at all, and the project for a sell was abandoned.

The church was reorganized in 1808 largely through the leaders! of Rev. O. W. Sharp, who is yet living in Kirksville. A church builtli was erected that year on the corner of Franklin and Illinois Stm and dedicated the last Sundav in December bv Rev. .1. B. Mitchell

'ollcge Mound. The revivals which came the following year added nor one hundred to the membership. During the year. Prof. W. P. S'ason and several others left the Presbyterian Church and joined the umberland Presbyterians because* they could no longer support oor- :ain doctrines upheld by that church.

The year 1877 seems to mark considerable prosperity on the part jf this congregation. The finances were such as to enable the church to employ the entire services of their pastor, J. B. Mitchell, and in December of that year they bought the building which the Baptists had built in 1872 on the corner of McPherson and High Streets, giving in exchange therefor their building on Franklin Street and $1,000 in addition, SI, 000 of which was given by \Y. T. Baird. This building was repaired and dedicated July 7, 1878. by Rev. D. E. Bushnell of San Jose. California. Services had been held in it, however, with the exception of a short time when closed for repairs, ever since it had been acquired the preceding December. This building was repaired several times during the eighties, but it was found desirable to remodel and enlarge it in 1897. It was rodedieated on December 12 of that year by Dr. \Y. H. Black, President of Missouri Valley College. There were present at the service two of the former pastors, (1. W. Sharp and J. B. Mitchell, and also \V. P. Nason, who supplied the church as preacher for a short time in the early seventies. The building committee reported the expenditure of over $0,000 in the remodeling of the church and the collection of the entire amount pledged to cover the expenditures oxcept §15. Rev. M. W. Pressly was pastor at the time.

The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the church was celebrated by special services on October 4, 1800. In the morning a special sermon was prached by Rev. (1. W. Sharp, one of the early pastors, and the communion was administered by Rev. .1. B. Mitchell, another <>ne of the early pastors. In the evening a program of a more varied and historical character was rendered. One of the most interesting features was that of the roll call of the first five members of 1840. As the names of these persons were called, Dr. Mitchell responded with a brief character sketch of each. Mr. \V. T. Baird also read letters from John T. Smith, Geo. E. Bushnell and D. E. Bushnell. The first two were among the five original members, and their letters were in reference to the invitation to be present at the anniversary exercises. Before the anniversary came, Mr. Smith had died. D. E. Bushnell was the >on of Ceo. E. Bushnell, and had joined the church here in 1So7. He afterwards entered the ministry and became one of the strongest preachers in that denomination in the entire country.

In 1906 the Cumberland Presbyterians and the Presbyterian united, and have ever since remained as one congregation. A full a>- count of this will be given in the section dealing with the Presbyteria:. church.

The Kirksville (Cumberland Presbyterian church entertained tu- McAdow Synod at least once. In October, 1877, that Synod held if. amiual session in Kirksville. At that time there were three Synods in the state of Missouri. In 1885, however, all these were unit* i into one Synod, which was thereafter known as the Synod of Missour. This Synod convened at least once in Kirksville, and that was i:i October, 1901.

As far as is known, Dr. Mitchell's term of service as pastor in Kirksville is longer than that of any other pastor in the town. When withdrew from active service in 1893 the Ministers' Alliance of the city expressed their appreciation of his labors in fitting resolutions.

Mount Moriah. - Two miles southwest of Novinger stands xb' Mount Moriah Presbyterian church, formerly a Cumberland Preshyterian church. This was built in 1891 at about the same time the Methodist church north of Novinger was erected. It seems that this Mouir Moriah church was the result of the failure to make the Methodic church north of 'Novinger a union church. Prominent among tho~ who opposed a union church and favored separate churches, was G. w Novinger, to whom it was largely due that the Mount Moriah chunvi was organized and the building erected.

Mi lberry. - The Mulberry Cumberland Presbyterian church \va« organized March 11, 1886, by Rev. J. B. Kelso, with an original membership of about twenty-five. A house of worship was erected at oiw in section 11, township 63, range 16, near the town of Fegley.

Concord. - The Concord Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized some time during the eighties, but no further information has Urn secured.

Besides these four Cumberland Presbyterian churches which have Urn described, there were several others which lived for a short time. Among them were those of Fairview, Troy Mills, Salt River, New Hope, Pleasant View, and perhaps others.

All the churches in existence in 1906 went into the union of the Cuinlierland Presbyterian Church and the Northern Presbyterian Church, so that they are all now Presbyterian societies.

Kihksville. - The First Presbyterian Church of Kirksville was <manized in 1859 by the Revs. H. P. S. Willis and Andrew Greenlee i if the Palmyra Presbytery, with fifteen members. John Baird, Sr., W. P. Xason, and J. H. Myers were chosen as ruling elders. The preaching for the first year was done by visiting preachers, among whom were R'-v. Willis. In I860 Rev. Cameron supplied the pulpit, and continued through the year until the fall when, owing to the war, all religious servtre< were suspended. Up to this time all the services had been held in Prof. Nason's school house, which stood on the corner of Buchanan ami Florence Streets.

In the fall of 1865 an effort at a reorganization of the society was mailt*, with Rev. James as supply preacher, but matters apparently did not po well. In June, 1866, Rev. J. S. Bryant and Rev. George Van Kmman effected an organization that has remained permanent. The wH-iety Parted out with twenty-two members, and with Rev. Boyd as pastor. The following were the members at the time: Benjamin Prior. Kachel Prior, W. P. Nason, J. H. Uber, Chloe Uber, B. N. Uber, .lane Tber. George Frankenburg, Lucinda Frankenburg, Ella Harris, H Voorhies, Sidard Naylor, Eliza Voorhies, Alexander Cross, Martha < rosv Mary Cross, Catherine Powell, J. P. Beatty, Deborah Pierce, David Baird, Catherine Baird, and E. J. Boyd. Benjamin Prior. W. P Xason. and George Frankenburg were elected ruling elders.

Plans were soon made for a church building, but it was not until ISM that they were realized. Meanwhile, services were held in the old I'mnberland Academy in 186.5-66; in Sherwood's Hall in 1S66-67, and in the Baptist church in 1867-68. Work on the new building began in May. 1868, and was completed in June, 1869, at a cost of §4,000.

This stood whore the unoccupied Presbyterian church building now stan across the street from the post office. The congregation occupied it i January, when it was far from completed. The dedication occunu on July 11, 18(>9. Rev. J. S. Boyd was pastor at the time.

The building was repaired during the eighties at a cost of §301 This added to the indebtedness which the church was already earryin from the cost of original construction, and it was not until 1890 that tl debt was completely paid out. On April 29, 1892, it was complete!* burned to the ground. The loss included a pipe organ. At the time when it was destroyed it was the oldest church building in Kirksvilli Efforts were immediately begun for the rebuilding of the church The congregation secured the "Opera House" for their services whil< they were without a church home. The cornerstone was laid on AupH «S. 1S!)'2 at seven p. in. The address on that occasion was delivered h\ Rev. Duncan Brown of Macon. The church was completed in due tim» and was dedicated on Monday, March 13. 1893, by Rev. J. H. Brooke* During the service a historical sketch of the church was read by S. S. McLaughlin, and a hymn, the words and music of which were comy Google

M>setl by Rev. ,]. S. Boyd, the first pastor after the reorganization in Son, was sung by their congregation. This building, which is still tanding. co^t $10,000. The equipment included a fine pipe organ. {- v. M. H. Bradley was pastor at the time.

In HHM> the Cumberland Presbyterian and First Presbyterian -hurches in Kirksville were united. This was in pursuance of the aei<»n taken by the General Assemblies of the Cumberland Presbyterian md the Northern Presbyterian Churches, and ratified by the Presbyeries of those two denominations.

The way towards an amiable union of the local churches was opened I > the resignation of Rev. W. L. Darby, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, just at the time the organic union of the two denominations had hern ordered. The first step taken was an invitation issued to iif Cumberland Presbyterian church by the Presbyterian church to --in them in their services. The invitation was accepted and a tentative unit in was accepted for six months. During these six months the - rviees were held in the Presbyterian Church. At the end of that time the question as to whether the union should become permanent was voted upon by the congregations separately, and it was carried almost unanimously. It was decided then to hold the services thereafter in the old ( 'umberland Presbyterian church building. Rev. \V. C. Templet on was pastor at the time of the union and has been ever since.

Tw o Mission Sunday Schools were organized in 1909 by this church. < >ne is located on Centennial Avenue and the other on West Patterson Avenue. These are the only Mission Sunday Schools in Kirksville at present.

Millard. - The Presbyterian Church at Millard was organized in June, 1870, by Rev. J. S. Boyd of Kirksville. Its original membership seems to have been made up of persons who had belonged to the Kirksville congregation, but who desired a separate organization in the Ufightiorhood where they lived. The original members were: Mary Barr. Agnes Barr, Samuel Barr, John Calvin, Mary Dean, R. P. Flliott,

Nancy Elliott, M. B. Foncannon, Julia S. Foncannon, David Grant Caroline Grant, Eliza Grant, and Mary Long. In 1873-74 a chun-h building was erected at a cost of SI, 000. For twenty years or inon the Kirksville pastor served this congregation at least once a month.

Kirkhville. - Trinity Protestant Church was organized alxtut 1870. Episcopal services had been held occasionally in time prior to that year. A Rev. Mr. Striker is mentioned as having held such services in March, 1809, but nothing was done until 1870 towards defininorganization. The work of organization seems to have been done by Rev. Benjamin Sheetz and Rev. Ethelbert Talbot. The latter was thru rector at Macon and has long been Bishop. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Strong, Mr. Strong's mother, Mrs. .1. M. De France, Mr. and Mrs. John Scovem, Mrs. F. A. Grove. G. \Y. Browning, J. C. Thatcher, Alanson Morris, and Mrs. J. A. Hope. Sirvices were held in different places, such as the old Normal School building (the former Cumberland Academy) and Trueman's Hall. In 187n the present frame church building was erected on Mulanix and Harrison Streets. It cost $1,200, and the seating and other equipment $300 more. The task of raising the money fell chiefly on Mrs. De Frunnand Mrs. Scovern. The lot was donated by G. W. Browning. T\v stained glass windows were put in in 1894, the gift of Rev. Mr. CannVM. a former pastor. The congregation has always been weak. At different times additional strength has been attained through temporary increases in the membership, but there has been no permanent growth in all these years.

Adair. - The Adair parish has a history running hark al>out fortyfive years. It may be properly considered as a branch of the Edina parish. For some years prior to the civil war, Catholics from Ohio began to settle in and around Edina, Knox County, and very soon a strong Catholic church was organized there. In a few years this Catholic settlement began to spread westward from Edina, a few Catholic families settling in Clay township, Adair County. The situation was seized upon by Father McXamee, then assistant parish priest at Edina. He interested about a half dozen Catholic families living in (."lay township and nearby in Knox County, in making a start towards founding a Catholic church, and he arranged to celebrate mass at the home of Daniel McClonigle, and continued to hold services there occasionally until a church building was erected. From this small beginning the congregation was established and has gradually grown until it now numbers alxjut 428 souls, representing ninety families. Something like forty other families have migrated to other places, so that if all had remained the membership now would be much larger than it is. About one-half of the congregation live in Knox County, and some live in Schuyler and Scotland Counties.

When the time came to establish a separate parish a large missionary district was laid off, which included the territory from Memphis to the Chariton River, and from Macon to the Iowa line. Within this mission district were Memphis and the Mudd settlement, seven miles north of Downing. To get matters well organized and prepare the way tor a regular pastor, priests were sent at intervals from St. Louis by Archbishop Kendrick. Among these first priests thus sent were Fathers Madden and Daley in the early seventies. But they were not assigned to this work for more than a few months. When they were not in the field the priests at Edina cared for the work.

There have been practically only two resident pastors since the church was regularly established. The first was Father Ryan who served from about 1877 or 1878 to 1888; the second, Father j. O'Shea, who succeeded Father Ryan and has been in continuous service ever since. Prior to Father Ryan the officiating priests who came from Edina held services only once a month at least. Father Ryan and Father O'Shea have been able to give all their time to the work. Mass is said every Sunday morning at 8 ami 10:30 o'clock, and on week days at 8 a. m.

the new building took place on June 15, 1905 with Archbishop Glennon of St. Louis officiating. It cost, completely furnished, $10,000 and is by far the prettiest country church in this part of the state. The original building will some day be used as a convent, as the parisli contemplates establishing a parochial school in the near future.

Kirksville. - The Kirksville Catholic church was organized in the fall of 1888 by Father O'Shea, priest at Adair. There were just a few Catholic families in Kirksville and the adjoining country, who were so situated as to be unable to take advantage of the Catholic services at Adair, and though the field was not promising. Father O'Shea was interested in it and succeeded in getting a church started. He made arrangements for monthly services in the Masonic Hall, and then labored zealously in getting a church building erected. Two lots were secured in the Fout and Ellison addition to the town of Kirksville in August, 1892. The contract for the building was let to Thos. Earhart for $3,400. The building was completed in due time and was dedicated on Sunday, July 2, 1893.

The dedication was the occasion for a big demonstration. Special trains were run into Kirksville from Moberly, Trenton and Edina. It is estimated that 1,500 came from outside towns, Edina sending the largest delegation. The sermon was preached by Father Mueller uf St. Louis.

The church was richly decurated with votive offerings from all over the country. In the early nineties people came to Kirksville in large numbers for osteopathic treatment at the hands of Dr. A. T. Still, many of whom were Catholics. Many of these Catholics who were benefited by Dr. Still's treatments left some expression of their gratitude in the shape of votive offerings. Among these offerings were a statue of the Sacred Heart, a costly crucifix, and an altar. When the building was destroyed by the great cyclone of April 27, 1899, only three of these offerings were saved. They are in the present church.

Concerning the effort to get a Catholic church started in Kirksvillo. Father O'Shea has expressed in a letter to the author, his appreciation of the assistance of Mr. John L. Porter of Kirksville, in the following words: "The church at Kirksville owes its existence to John L. Porter. No Catholic was ever kinder to a priest than he was to me, though he did not belong to the Catholic church nor had he any personal interest. He gave me the use of the court house (that is, the old Masonic Hall) to say mass once a month; he went with me to solicit subscriptions and gave generously himself. And it was he who turned the first sod of earth for the foundation of the church building that we first had at Kirksville, as well as superintended the construction. Let the Catholics of Kirksville look upon Mr. Porter with dce|**t gratitude, and respect him and his always."

As has been said, this building was destroyed by the cyclone in 1899. This proved very trying upon Catholicism in Kirksville. It wa* six years before another building could be erected. The cornerstone vi the new building was laid by Archbishop (llennon on April 14, HH1T». while he was on his way to dedicate the new church at Adair; by J limit was finished, and on June 15 it was dedicated. Father A. B. (ia*» was priest at the time.

There have been only two resident priests for the Kirksville church : Father A. B. Class from 1903 to 1910; and Father Mercer since 1910 Father O'Shea conducted the occasional services from the time the first church was dedicated to its destruction, and Father Byrne of Edina conducted whatever services were held from 1899 to 1903.

Novinger. - The Catholic church at Novinger was organized l>y Father O'Heam in April, 1901. He was at the time stationed at Milan, but he saw the opportunity which the field offered in Novinger and put himself enthusiastically back of the cause and succeeded in his undertaking. At that time a great many foreigners were coming into Novinger to work in the mines which were being opened on a large scale, and many of these foreigners were Catholics or were inclined towards Catholicism. Bather O'Hearn realized what it meant to them and tu the church to enter this field and possess it. He had l)een celebrating mass in Miner's Hall at Danforth prior to the big boom at Novinger and as soon as the boom came, he arranged for Catholic services in the newly built K. P. Hall at Novinger. He, moreover, began planning foi a church and succeeded in getting a lot at once. In 1902 he left, ami Father Wm. MeCormick succeeded. The work on the building \vabegun in October, 1902, but the dedication did not occur until Oetolx-i 18, 1905. The Right Rev. Bishop Burke of St. Joseph, dedicated tin building.

The church has not been strong enough to maintain a priest all l»\ itself. It is yet a mission, and is served once a month by a priest stationed at Milan. The original membership was 100; at present it iabout 150.

Lutherans. - As far as is known the Lutheran church has had only one congregation in the county, and that proved to be temporary. Some time in the fifites a group of Germans who settled in the neighborhood of what is now Novinger, organized this congregation. Prominent among these early members were Isaac Novinger, John Novinger, Henry Capps. Adam Shoop and Philip Shoop. The congregation was never strong enough to erect a church building. Rev. Crigler is remembered by many persons now in and around Novinger as one of the early Lutheran preachers who used to come from time to time and preach to the people. They usually spoke in German or Pennsylvania Dutch.

On the dissolution of the Lutheran congregation around Novinger in the seventies, the members went into the Methodist and Cumberland Presbyterian churches chiefly.

Uni verbalists. - During the sixties and seventies there was a small but fairly active group of Universalists in the county. They are said to have organized on December 25, 1807. Very little is known of their organization. Preaching services were held in Kirksville from time to time. In March, 1875. arrangements were made by the Universalists with the trustees of the Baptist church to use their building, hut it is said that Rev. Ray, the Baptist pastor, pocketed the key and would not allow the services to be held. Rev. \Y. L. Fletcher, a highly honored old settler, was among the leaders of this organization. The Universalist State Convention convened in Kirksville in November, 1876.

Swedenborcians. - In the seventies an effort was made to organize a Swedenborgian church in this county, but it failed, ('has. Patterson was the leading spirit in the movement.

Spiritualism. - In the fall of 1874 a Spiritualistic circle was organized in this district by a Mrs. Mott. Many prominent citizens were interested in the circle, among whom were W. M. Gill, S. M. Pickler, F. A. Grove, and Miss Emma Coons. The active campaign carried on by this group, aided by some noted travelling lecturers, aroused the bitter opposition of a great many people in the community. The first quarterly meeting of the "North Eastern Missouri Association of Pro-

Salvation Army. - This religious organization seems to have ai« peared in the county first in 1894. Their work has been only spasnW > and temporary.

Holiness Church - The Church of God or Holiness Church. fi>t appeared in Kirksville in 1882. In 1883 a big revival meeting was he'kl which resulted in a large number of converts, but most of them wenback into the old churches. The few who remained steadfast built t church within the limits of Kirksville.

They renewed activity in 1894. There has recently arisen a schism in the ranks, which has ended in a law suit between the factions river the church property.

Bible Society. - This was organized in July, 1866, and held annual meetings until at least 1895, and may have held them later than that. The object of this association was to assist the American Bible Society in getting financial support and in distributing Bibles.

Sunday School Association. - There has been a County Sunday School Association since at least 1875. Annual meetings arc held. Mr. S. S. McLaughlin has been more closelv identified with this movement than any one else perhaps.