Jackson County, Missouri - Chapter 12: Pioneer Churches, 1920

Chapter 12: Pioneer Churches

The first church organization in Jackson County was known as the Six Mile church. Unfortunately all of the early records are lost except an old yellow piece of paper on which is written their constitution as follows :

The following is the Constitution of Six Mile church: On the third Saturday in June, 1825, the Baptist Church of Christ at Six Mile was constituted by Elder William Thorp in counsel with brother Jeremiah Hall, Abraham Grooms and Abraham Creek on the following articles of faith.

1st. We believe in one only true and living God, a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and these three are one.

4th. We believe that sinners are justified in the right of God by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to them and that God's works are

Oaki.And Church Oak Grove High School

6th. We believe there will be a resurrection of the dead and a general judgment and the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.

12th. We believe that the Lord's day ought to be observed, and set apart for the worship of God and that no work or worldly business ought to be done or transacted thereon works of piety and necessity only excepted.

Rules of Decorum: 1st. All church meetings shall be opened and closed by prayer. 2nd. It shall be the duty of the church to appoint their moderator. 3rd. It shall be the duty of the moderator to invite all visiting brothers and sisters of sister churches to seats with us and to aid us with our counsel but not to vote. 4th. It shall be the duty of the church to open her door for reception of members. 5th. The reference shall be attended to if any. 6th. All motions made and seconded shall be attended to unless withdrawn by the person who made it. 7th. But no person shall speak at a time who shall rise and address the moderator and brethren. 8th. The person thus speaking shall not be interrupted until he has given his views on the subject. 9th. No person shall be al¬ lowed to make any remarks on the slips, failures or imperfections of those who have spoken before them. 10th. No person shall be allowed to whisper or interrupt in time of church meeting. 11th. Reception of mem¬ bers shall be unanimous, choosing of pastors, preachers or deacons and dismission shall be by a three-fourths vote. All other matters shall go by a majority. 12th. We believe it to be our duty to own each other as brother and sister and any other title or appellation is improper. 13th. Any member who may absent himself on Saturday of three meetings in succession shall be called to account for his reasons and dealt with as the church may think proper. 14th. This church considers it disorder for its members to attend dancing parties or to have them at their homes. 15th. Any person who, may violate these rules may be reproved as the church may think proper. 16th. These rules may be amended or added to as the church thinks proper.

Their first meeting house was a log structure built about one-half mile southwest of where the Salem church now stands. The first record that can be found is of date Nov., 1854, and upon that date is given some of the names of the members as follows: David Bittle, John B. Haralson, Lewis Franklin, Daniel Cussenberry, Jesse Morrow, John Potts, Wm. A. Saunders, Wm. H. Franklin, Joshua Petty, John W. Black, Jno. H. Ott, N. M. Smith, Wm. Haralson, Jno. R. Franklin, James Robins, John High¬ tower, Joshua Hightower, and their families. Their first regular pastor was Joab Powell, a strong man mentally and physically, but almost totally uneducated, but he seemed to be the man for the place and exercised a wonderful power for good among those early pioneers. At that time he was called a primitive or "Hardshell" Baptist. He was a man of the Billie Sunday stamp and talked straight from the shoulder. He held campmeetings in different parts of the country before there were any church buildings and many are the stories told of his saying and doings. He went to Oregon and continued his preaching. When the split came in the Baptist church he went with the missionary branch.

Martin Rice, the old poet of Van Buren township, who died a few years ago, published a book called "Rural Rhymes", in one of those poems pays tribute to his old friend Powell as follows :

The first Christian church in Jackson County was organized on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1835. The first church building was erected on a lot at the northeast corner of Lynn and Walnut streets, Independence.

They were then called "Campbellites" from the fact they had accepted his version of the Bible and the term was used in a spirit of derision for a great many years. They occupied that little frame building until the year A. D. 1854, when a nice brick church house was built on the northeast corner of Main and Short streets. In turn that building was used until A. D. 1909, when a lot was bought at the northeast corner of Kansas and Pleasant streets, where an elegant up-to-date church was built at a cost of about fifty-five thousand dollars. Unfortunately that building was destroyed by fire about three years ago. Steps were immediately taken to rebuild, but owing to the World War and the taking over of all the steel plants of the country by the government for the use of the army and navy, work was stopped until the fall of 1919, when work was commenced on the building and the congregation soon hope to get back into their own building. Since that one church was organized with only a handful of members, the denomination has made great gains both in church buildings and membership. There are now something like forty churches in the county, twenty-seven of them in Kansas City alone.

The first pastor of the Christian church in Independence was Elder Francis R. Palmer. He owned and lived on a fine farm about one mile south of the present city limits. He preached for them almost continually until about A. D. 1860. Owing to the infirmities of old age he resigned. Then Alexander Procter was employed, coming to the church Sept. 1, 1860. Few men have left more impression on the people of Independence than Alexander Procter. He was a Kentuckian by birth but came to Missouri with his father in 1836. His early desire was for a good education, so that he could become a preacher. He worked hard on the farm with his father and saved money enough to take him through Bethany College. He graduated in A. D. 1848 as honor man of his class and was ordained as a minister. He first had charge of the Christian church at Lexington, Mo., then at Glasgow until 1856; then at St. Louis until 1860. He preached for the Independence church almost all the time for forty years, except a short time during the Civil War. About the close of the Civil War he and Prof. Geo. S. Bryant kept a school for both boys and girls. He was a great teacher and no one could come under his teaching without absorbing a great deal of his wisdom. He had a splendid knack of imparting his knowledge to the student in such a way that it was never forgotten. Dur¬ ing the dark days of the Civil War he was the friend and counselor of all.

He knew no creed but ministered to all in relieving the poor. He told me that once during the war Dr. Waldo came to him and slipping a hundred dollars into his hand said, "Alec, use this in helping the poor and needy. You know who needs it better than I do. Such was the confidence and love that people had for him. He bought a nice tract of about fifteen acres of land just west of Crysler avenue on Electric street and built a nice home and there he spent his leisure time, among his fruits and flowers of which he was very fond. His home was surrounded with a great variety of the most beautiful flowers that he could get, all planted and cultivated with his own hands. He died in A. D. 1906, loved and respected by every one that knew him, "Both Jew and Gentile."

The first Methodist church organized in the county was at Independ¬ ence in A. D. 1835, by J. P. Hulse. The charter members were Henry Rubjr, Rebecca Ruby, John McMurry, Jane McMurry, Smallwood Noland,

The first church building was commenced in 1837, but was not fully completed until about 1840. The membership soon outgrew that building and in A. D. 1859 a new brick structure that is still standing, was built at the northwest corner of Spring street and Maple avenue. During the Civil War the church was rent asunder over politics and after the war those members that took the side of the north undertook and did take possession of the building excluding all others from any and participation in the use of the church although a very few of those claimants had con¬ tributed anything in its construction. The matter was taken into court, where finally the rightful owners obtained possession of the church and ground and reorganized their organization and that church has exercised a splendid influence for good ever since.

The first Presbyterian church (known as the Old School), organized in Jackson County, was at Independence, Nov. 21, 1841, by the Rev. J. L. Yantes and Arthur G. Young, of Lexington, Mo. The charter members were James Patton, Joseph O. Boggs, Cincinnatus W. Boyers, Mrs. Mary Patton, Mrs. Sarah Irwin, Mrs. Henrietta Mauir, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, Miss Nancy M. Patton and Mrs. Phoebe Boggs. No officers were elected for this congregation until Nov. 4, 1842, when C. W. Boyers and J. 0. Boggs were elected and ordained elders for the congregation. They, bought a lot at the southwest corner of Lexington and Osage streets and built a two story brick house, the lower rooms of which were used for many years for school purposes. It was used for church purposes until the congregation outgrew it. Then a lot was purchased at the northwest corner of Lexington and Spring streets and the present handsome resi¬ dence was erected and is still in use.

The first Cumberland Presbyterian church organized in Jackson County was at Independence, in the spring of A. D. 1832 and the follow¬ ing were the charter members: Gan Johnson, Wm. W. Kavanaugh and family, Mrs. Margaret B. Chambers, John Lewis and wife and Samuel D. Lucas and wife. The Rev. W. W. Kavanaugh was the first pastor. This congregation had a camp meeting once a year and held services in a grove for two or three weeks at a time. Families would come for miles and bring their cooking utensils and bedding with them and stay the whole time. The camping place was situated just north of where the present Sniabar road crosses Crysler avenue extended south. It was known for years as the Old Camp Ground long after camp meetings had fallen into disuse.

The first Catholic church built in Jackson County was at 11th and Pennsylvania streets, Kansas City, Mo., and was built of logs and was about 18 X 30 feet in dimensions. Father Roux, a Frenchman, was the first pastor in charge. His parishoners were almost all French-Canadians. The first Catholic church built in Independence was in 1848 and the Rev. Bernard Donnelly was its first pastor. The first services were held in a small building that had once been used for a blacksmith shop. Like all the other churches it was soon outgrown and the present com¬ modious building was erected just at the close of the Civil War.

Oakland Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, South

For a number of years following the Civil War, the citizens of the country were struggling to regain what they had lost. Their homes, for the most part, had been rebuilt, and community life developed anew, neither churches or school houses were very numerous, but the latter being more so were used for religious purposes and social activities. The places where preaching services were held regularly were far apart. Iso¬ lated communities were often favored by visiting ministers, because set¬ tlers were few and public buildings far apart, and communities naturally larger than now. Before Oakland church was built the closest churches were Pink Hill and Green's Chapel, these being farther than convenient a class was organized at a school house in 1880. About this time the people of the community began to discuss the advantage of a church building, sentiment in favor of the undertaking grew until 1881, when John Vandyke gave an acre of ground, and the building was started at once. The major part of the work was done by volunteer labor, nearly every one, regardless of their religious beliefs, gave gladly. Thomas Tucker was a carpenter in charge. Rev. T. D. Payne, the first pastor, who was then at Pink Hill, helped to erect the building, and it was inter¬ esting and quite a privilege to have heard him speak at Oakland re¬ cently, at a home-coming event, on the early history of the church. He has since passed to his reward.

The church was completed in 1882, with Rev. Wagoner pastor. By the latter part of 1883 all indebtedness was paid. Rev. C. C. Woods, presiding elder of the Kansas City district, preaching the dedication ser¬ mon on the fourth Sunday in November of that year. Several names were suggested, but the one chosen, Oakland, was offered by Mrs. Julia Bowling, now of Independence, Mo., the only living charter member.

As time passed an earnest effort was made to enlist each successive generation in the work of the Master. Rev. J. A. Swift was pastor from 1892 to 1894. In 1901 the church was transferred from the Kansas City to the Lexington district, and the removal from Pink Hill to Buckner circuit, where the parsonage is now located. This change was made dur¬ ing the four years pastorate of Rev. Hedges.

During the winter of 1902 Rev. J. A. Jared held a successful revival meeting, following which Chapter 4274 Epworth League was organized with 34 members. It is a splendid organization that meets the social needs of the young people of the church, as well as a medium to awaken religious interest. This church has an enrollment of between 60 and 70 members, and no longer suspends through the winter months, as in years past. The present pastor is Rev. H. S. Dubois.

The church, with the addition of a vestibule and small extension, was built through the efforts of the Aid Society, and also improved grounds, to the extent of concrete walks, rock posts and retaining wall, which won for it, recently, a first prize for best kept country church in the county.

The service flag, with 20 stars, representing 20 lives of our boys who so nobly answered the call to the colors in the World War, is the pride of the congregation. The stars of gold represent Charles and Henry Spencer and Perry Cartmill. The following are the names and order as they left for the training camps; Willie Tucker, Claude Hodges, Terrence Love, Ernest Owings, Walter Owings, Floyd Ketteman, Theodore Hoene,

Jackson County, Missouri, is the place for the City of Zion, the New Jerusalem, to be built by a redeemed and gathered Israel preparatory to the second coming of the Savior. So taught Joseph Smith, the first Prophet-President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As early as the summer of 1831 the Prophet, then residing at Kirtland, Ohio, sent a colony into western Missouri to begin the work of prepara¬ tion. That colony grew until it numbered about fifteen hundred souls.

Jackson County was on the western fringe of the Nation, and most of its inhabitants were from the South. Lands were purchased by the new-comers in and around Independence, "the center place" for the pro¬ posed city, with its sacred Temple. There and at other points they built houses and cultivated their farms and fields. At Independence they established a store, set up a printing press, and issued a periodical, "The Evening and Morning Star." By means of this publication and the preaching of their ministers, the religious tenets and social views of the "Mormon" people were more or less widely disseminated;

The motives of these colonists were misinterpreted by many of the older settlers, who, misled by false reports, actually feared that it was the purpose of the Prophet's followers to forcibly possess themselves of the whole country, to unite with the Indians across the border, and drive the "Gentiles" (non-Mormons) from the land. There was no foundation for such a fear. According to the Book of Mormon - a history of and a prophecy concerning America, - God had given into the hands of the "Gentiles" this land ; had inspired Columbus to discover it, the Pilgrims and others to people it, and the Patriots of the Revolution to win its inde¬ pendence and maintain it as a land of liberty. So many of the "Gentiles" as would embrace the Gospel were to assist modern Israel - the Latter- Day Saints - in building up Zion, and were to share in her glory ; the red men to have the same privileges upon like conditions. The Saints were under sacred obligations to show good will to the people around them, to deal fairly with all men, and honestly purchase every inch of ground nec¬ essary tor the rearing of the New Jerusalem.

In addition to the charge of "tampering with the Indians/' the new settlers were accused of being Abolitionists - anti-slavery agitators. This accusation, though it had nothing to support it but the fact that they were mostly from the Eastern and Northern states, was alone sufficient, wherever credited, to blacken them in the minds of the Missourians of that period. Religious and political rancor made the most of these and

In April, 1833, meetings were held to consider the most effective means of ridding the country of the unpopular "Mormons." The first attempts were unsuccessful, but in the latter part of July a mass meet¬ ing of 500 convened, and a declaration embodying similar charges to those mentioned was unanimously adopted. It was resolved that the 'Mormons" be required to leave the county at once, and that in future no "Mormon" be permitted to settle there.

The local authorities of the Mormon Church, having been informed ot this decision, asked for sufficient time to fully consider the matter and consult with their leaders in Ohio. The answer to this request was a furious outburst of mob violence. The residence of William W. Phelps editor of "The Evening and Morning Star," was assaulted, and his house razed to the ground ; his family, including his wife with a sick child in her arms, being thrust into the street. The household furniture, books, etc., were destroyed or carried away by the mob, and the printing press! type and other materials likewise confiscated. Phelps himself was cap¬ tured by the marauders, but escaped through the crowd. The church store was looted and its goods strewn in the streets. The crowning out¬ rage was upon the persons of Bishop Edward Partridge and Elder Charles Allen, who were taken to the public square of Independence, partly strip¬ ped of their clothing, and covered with tar and feathers. Mixed with the tar was a powerful acid which severely burned their flesh.

Three days later the mass meeting again convened, this time in greater numbers than before. They were now a little more reasonable in their demands. The result was a mutual compact, by the terms of which one-half of the "Mormon" population was to be permitted to remain in the county until January 1, 1834. and the other half until the first of April. It was agreed that the "Star" should not again be pubished, and that 'Mormon" immigration to that part should immediately cease. In return for these concessions, a pledge was given that no fur¬ ther attacks should be made upon them.

Two months had not elapsed before the mob resumed hostilities. The persecuted people appealed to the Governor of the State, Daniel Dunklin, asking for military aid and protection while seeking redress in the courts. The Governor declined to give the aid requested, but prom¬ ised the petitioners that if they failed to obtain a proper execution of the laws through the courts, he would take steps for their relief. Thus encouraged, they instituted legal proceedings against their oppressors.

It was as the application of a lighted match to a mine. Another explosion of mob fury followed ; "Mormon" houses were unroofed, men whipped and pelted with stones, and women and children driven scream¬ ing into the wilderness. Every peaceful effort to obtain justice having proved futile, the "Mormons" armed themselves and prepared to resist the outlaws who came against them. In a battle that ensued several men were wounded and one or two killed on either side. Lieutenant-Governor Lilburn W. Boggs ordered out the militia to suppress the alleged insur¬ rection. Colonel Thomas Pitcher was placed in command. He required the "Mormons" to lay down their arrps and deliver up, to be tried for murder, certain men who had taken part in the battle. The rest of the community were to leave the county forthwith. His first two behests having been obeyed. Pitcher enforced the third demand at the point of the bayonet. Armed bands, including the rioters who had caused the trouble, ranged in every direction, bursting into houses, terrifying women and children, and threatening with death the defenseless people if they did not instantly flee. Out upon the bleak prairies, along Missouri's bank, chilled and drenched by November winds and rains, wandered forth the exiles.

But they did not utterly despair. Conscious of their innocence, they continued to sue for protection and redress of grievances. The Gover¬ nor, judges and other State officials were appealed to, and even the Pres¬ ident of the United States was memoralized in relation to the tragic affair. .

Governor Dunklin, a humane, well-meaning man, doubtless did all that he felt capable of doing in behalf of the homeless fugitives. He held that he, could not lawfully extend military aid to maintain them in possession of their homes; but at his instance a court of inquiry was held and Colonel Pitcher was court-martialed. It was decided that there had been no "Mormon" uprising, and that the calling out of the troops and the enforced surrender of arms by citizens defending themselves against unrighteous aggression, was therefore unnecessary and unlaw-

During the month of May, 1820, Joseph Smith, Jr., a lad of 15 years, announced that while praying in the forest, near his father's home, in Seneca County, New York, he was visited by two heavenly personages, who informed him that the time for the restoration of the gospel, and the organization of the church after the new testament pattern, was near at hand. In accordance with this announcement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was regularly organized, on April 6, 1830, at Fayette, Seneca County, New York. Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Samuel H. Smith and David Whitmer being the charter members. Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery were chosen by them as the first ministers of the church, accord¬ ing to the call they had previously received.

The infant church was scarcely a year old when its first missionaries reached Independence, in Jackson County, Mo. Oliver Cowdery, with Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Ziba Peterson and Frederick C. Williams, M. D., arrived in Independence in the early part of 1831, as mis¬ sionaries to the Indians. They began their work among the Indians on the frontier at once, also preaching often among the settlers of Inde¬ pendence and Jackson County. They were favorably received among the white settlers, but were soon denied access to the Indian country. They were pleased with the country, and, believing it a good place in which to work, sent to Mr. Pratt back to Kirtland, Ohio, which was then the head¬ quarters of the new church, to report their labors and the prospects of the new country.

About the middle of July following, Joseph Smith, Jr., with several other elders, arrived in Independence. Shortly after their arrival a coun¬ cil was held, when it was decided that the country afforded splendid opportunity for settlement, as most of the land belonged to the public domain, and was subject to homestead and pre-emption. The advantages and opportunities of the country were made known to the members of the church in the eastern states, and at once a large number of church people began settling in Independence and other parts of Jackson County. During the latter part of July, 1831, the first permanent settlement of Latter Day Saints was made in Kaw township, about 12 miles southwest

The generation that witnessed these troubles has long since passed away, and a wonderful change of sentiment toward the Latter-Day Saints has taken place in Jackson County and elsewhere. In 1833 it was as much as a "Mormon's" life was worth to be seen in that part of Mis¬ souri. In 1893 the head of the "Mormon" church, President Wilford Woodruff, visiting Independence with a large party from Utah, was given a kind and cordial welcome. The church now has a mission head¬ quarters at Independence, established in February, 1907, with Elder Samuel O. Bennion in charge. Grounds near the old Temple lot have been purchased ; a handsome chapel has been erected ; and where the "Evening and Morning Star" was suppressed by mob violence, now flourishes "The Liahona," a bi-weekly magazine, issued by Zion's Print¬ ing and Publishing Company, under the combined auspices of the church's several United States missions. The best of relations exist between the present-day "Mormons" and non-"Mormons" of Jackson County, of Independence. This neighborhood was known as the Colesville settle¬ ment, because most of the settlers were from Colesville, Boone County, N. Y. This was the first congregation of Latter Day Saints organized in Jackson County. They seem never to have built a church house, but worshiped in a grove during the summer, and in dwelling houses during the winter. Newel Knight was pastor of this congregation for some time; who, if others, occupied as pastors, we are not informed. The first church conference held in Jackson County met with this congregation, in the home of Joshua Lewis, Aug. 4, 1831. This congregation was main¬ tained until the church was expelled from the county.

On Aug. 3, 1831, the church lot at Independence (known as the tem¬ ple lot) was dedicated, and immediately thereafter work was begun on the first Latter Day Saint church building in Jackson County. It was a large log meeting house, located on the Westport road, within a few feet of the intersection of Union and West Lexington streets, on property now owned by Mr. Walter Page. A part of this building remained stand¬ ing until 1883, when it was removed by Mr. F. C. Warnky to make room for the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Page. Bishop Edward Partridge was the first minister of this congregation. He was succeeded by Elder Daniel Stanton and others. This church grew and became a very im¬ portant congregation, as many church activities centered here. It had a very prosperous experience until the church was expelled from the county.

the New England States, New York and Ohio. The latter part of April Joseph Smith, Jr., Bishop Newel K. Whitney, of Kirtland, Ohio, and sev¬ eral others arrived in Independence. A conference of the ministers and the churches was held, on the first of May ; at which arrangements were completed for the establishment of a publishing house in Independence, the printing of a monthly paper, the publication of church books and other literature. W. W. Phelps and Company was the style of the pub¬ lishing firm, and engaged in this publishing enterprise, as editors were William W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer. This firm issued from its press in June, the first number of "The Evening and Morning Star. The first paper published in Jackson County, likewise the first paper published by the Latter Day Saints. This paper was published in a brick building on the southeast corner of Lexington and Liberty streets. It continued for 14 numbers, until the publishing plant was destroyed by a mob and the Saints were expelled from Jackson County.

During the summer of 1832 a congregation was organized in the neighborhood of the Big Blue Ferry, near where Independence avenue now crosses the Blue River at Sheffield. This congregation had for its pastor Bishop John Corrill. Another church was organized about three miles west of the Blue in what was called the Whitmer settlement, over which David Whitmer presided. Eight or ten miles southwest of Inde¬ pendence, another congregation was organized during this summer, called the Big Blue Church, Wheeler Baldwin was its first pastor, and after him Thomas B. Marsh. Lyman Wight presided over a small congrega¬ tion about six miles southwest of Independence. At the November con¬ ference of the churches in Jackson County, reports showed there were 830 members in the several churches.

During the fall of 1832 there began to be friction between the new settlers and the old inhabitants. The differences grew largely out of the fact that the early settlers of Jackson County were almost entirely fiom Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, with a few scattering families from the Carolinas. They were slave owners and belonged to the old cavalier stock which had settled Virginia and the South; while the Latter Day Saints were almost entirely from New England and the north central states, and were Abolitionists, descended from old Puritan stock, with its antipathy for rank and privileged classes. It was a revival of the age old feud between Puritan and Cavalier, which had rent England under the Stuarts and Cromwell, and was destined to rend the United States in the great Civil War, some three decades later. Religious prejudice and sectional hatred was fanned into a fury until eventually violence broke out between the Saints and their neighbors, during the month of July, 1833. The Saints being fewer in number, and less firmly attached to the soil, since they were the last comers, were driven out of Jackson County in November, 1833. At this time there were ten churches in the county, with an aggregate of 1,200 members.

After the Saints were driven out of Jackson County, they settled first in Clay County, and later they settled and organized Caldwell County, from which the same kind of friction caused their expulsion. In 1839 and 1840 they settled in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Ill., where they established a prosperous community. In 1844 Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were assassinated. Following this the church fell into disorder, and was torn by many schisms, and the claims of aspirants for leadership.

During the year 1852 a number of churches which had been estab¬ lished during the life-time of Joseph Smith, began the work of reorgan¬ izing the church, on the basis of the doctrine and practice of the early church. To this standard was gathered many of those who had been dis¬ couraged by the false teachings of aspiring leaders.

The elders of the reorganized church visited and preached in Jackson County as early as 1871 ; but it was not until May 25, 1873, that an¬ other congregation was organized. Forty years after the Saints had been expelled, ten members met at the court house and organized the In¬ dependence church, with Henry Etzenhouser as pastor. Meetings were held in the court house, in halls, and in private houses until the summer of 1881, when the brick church on East Lexington street was completed. The general conference of the church met in this church in 1882, which continued to be the church home of the Independence Saints until 1888, when the stone church on West Lexington street and Bowen was opened. The general conference convened here on that year. The stone church has continued to be the parent church in Independence to the present time. Four other congregations have been organized from this body, the Second church on Delaware and South avenue, Walnut Park church on Pearl street and Alton avenue, Enoch Hill church on Osage street south of South boulevard, and Liberty Street church on North Liberty street and Nettleton.

In 1916 the city of Independence was organized into a separate con¬ ference, with Walter W. Smith as president, and pastor of the stone church. He has had as assistant pastors, Israel A. Smith, J. August

Koehler and Roy V. Hopkins. Mark H. Siegfried was chosen bishop of the conference, and has been subsequently succeeded by Bishop John A. Becker. All of the churches conduct regular services on Sunday, main¬ taining Sunday schools, young people's meetings and kindred church activities.

On February 27, 1878, a congregation was organized in Kansas City, meeting at Sixteenth and Grand avenue. Francis M. Sheehy was chosen pastor. This congregation subsequently built a church on Troost avenue, south of Nineteenth street, and still later moved to Twenty-fourth and Wabash avenue, and finally located at Ninth and Lydia streets, and has since been known as Central church. From this parent organization sev¬ eral congregations have been organized in Kansas City. The Second Kan¬ sas City church, at Twenty-third and Holly; the Third church, in the East Bottoms, since removed to Thirteenth and Bennington; the Fourth church, at Forty-third and Garfield; the Montgall church, at 417 North Montgall; Mount Washington church. Independence avenue and Brookside, and Englewood church, on Wayne avenue. In 1916 the Kansas City churches, including those on the Kansas side, were organized into a conference, with Joseph A. Tanner as president, and pastor of the Cen¬ tal church. He has as assistant pastors Seth Sandy and Thomas J.