Friendship Church

Friendship Church is a small, one room, frame church located southwest of Hallsville, MO in Boone County. 

Friendship Church was a church that was part of the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ denomination. As people migrated westward with the expansion and exploration of the United States in the 19th century, many who settled in Missouri were members of the Christian Church. At first they would worship together in houses, fields, groves, or sometimes in the local school houses, but in time, the first Christian Church buildings sprung up. 

On October 5, 1822, the Red Top Church became the first Christian Church organized in Boone County, MO. It was also the 3rd Christian Church to be established west of the Mississippi River, and is still in use to this day. As Red Top grew and more people settled in Boone County, more Christian Churches were established. This is how Friendship Church began. 

Friendship Church was originally organized in 1837 and had nine member. The original building stood one mile southwest of the current building. The church saw some growth, but was disorganized in 1876 with members moving to other churches and organizations. 

Just two short years later, in 1878, Friendship Church was reorganized and the current building was built. It cost $950 and was a frame building, typical of most small, country churches at that time. The first sermon at the new building was preached by Joel Heddington in October of 1878. By 1882, church membership had grown to 83 members. James A. Stevenson, John W. Ridgway, and Josiah Jones were elders in 1882, and Willis Robinson and Cyrus Turner serving as deacons. 

Due to the ecclesiastical structure of the Christian Church denomination, each church is autonomous. But as more churches were planted and the membership grew, the Christian Churches in Boone County and the surrounding area started meeting together in cooperation with one another. The first annual meeting of Christian Churches in Boone County was held in 1837 at Bear Creek Church. This was the forerunner to the Missouri State Convention. A highlight of Friendship Church's history is that Friendship Church hosted the first ever convention of the churches from September 7th-9th in 1908. At these conventions were held activities such as: devotional services, addresses to church members, luncheons and meals, formation of committees, election of convention officers, reports, and planning for future convention and church activities. The Convention of Christian Churches remained officially active until the 1960's. 

Pastors who served at Friendship Church included: an Elder Mason, Joel Heddington, Mr. Cave, Mr. Burton, Mr. Roselle, Mr. Burnam, and Elijah Chrisman. 

Today the church sits abandoned, but in pretty good condition. I am not sure when the church officially closed its doors, but it is clearly not being used for worship services or even occasional, special services either.  The church was active through at least the mid-1900's, as the building clearly had electricity running to it.  At one point in its history it appears to have had gender segregated seating, based on the fact that the building has two front doors.  Men would enter through one door, the women through the other, and while married families could sit together in the middle pews, the single men and single women had to sit on their respective sides of the church in the pews along the walls. The graveyard in in really good condition and appears to be being kept up. 

Memorial Presbyterian Church

This amazing and incredibly photogenic church sits quietly amongst the trees in the Missouri countryside.  

Memorial was organized in 1904 with 13 charter members.  Mr. R. E. Richart was elected as elder and was duly ordained and installed; Philip M. Smith was elected deacon and installed, as he had been previously ordained as Mt. Olive Church.  Memorial was dedicated on September 25th of that year.  There were 23 members at the dedication.  Rev. Dudley M. Clagett of the Lafayette Presbytery, Presbyterian Church in the U.S., was the founding minister.  The first pastor was Rev. I. N. Clegg.  Rev. Clegg served the church in supply, though, and shortly after gave up the work.  In August 1905, a congregational meeting was held to find and elect a new pastor.  Unanimously, Rev. J. G. Venable of Kentucky was chosen.  "History of the Presbyterian Church in Saline County, Missouri" has this to say about Rev. Venable: 

"Unanimously the Rev. J. G. Venable, of Kentucky, was chosen, and an official call was made.  Presbytery met at the church May 16, 1905, placed the call in the hands of Mr. Venable, for half his time; Mt. Olive having previously extended him a call for one - half his time; he signified his acceptance of the calls, and Presbytery made order that his installation as pastor of both churches take place on the third Sunday in June, as follows: At Mt. Olive, at the morning service, Rev. E. F. Abbott to preach the sermon, Rev. John E. Abbott to charge the pastor, and elder J. L. Wood bridge to charge the people.  At Memorial church, in the after noon, Rev. J. E. Abbott to preach the sermon, Rev. E. F. Abbott to charge the pastor, and elder I. C. Sydenstricker to charge the people.  Mr. Venable, being a licentiate of the Presbytery of West Lexington, was then received into the Presbytery of Lafayette, and his examination, with a view to ordination, was proceeded with.  It was fully sustained, and after a sermon by Rev. H. B. Boude, D D., of Pleasant Hill, he was ordained by Presbytery to the full work of the ministry. 

Rev. Joseph Glass Venable was born in Christiansburg, Kentucky, September 17, 1877. His college course was taken at Central University. Richmond, Ky., class of 1899.  He received his seminary education at Louisville Theological Seminary, graduating in 1905.  In April, 1905, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Louisville, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Lafayette, at Memorial church, May 16, 1905."

On December 4th, 1904, Dr. Thos. B. Hall and Dr. Thos. A. Smith were chosen as elders and Dr. Geo. P. Smith and Chas. E. Baker as deacons. Rev. John E. Abbott ordained and installed these men on February 16th, 1905.  On a sad note, Mr. R. E. Richart, the first elder of the church, passed away on February 9, 1905 at the age of 83. 

The stone church building was praised as being "handsome", "modern in appointment", "perfect in architecture".  The cost of the building was about $5,000.  The plan for the building was obtained from the denomination headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.  The stone for the church was quarried only a few hundred yards to the east, from the land owned by a Dr. G. P. Smith.  In 1906, the church was described as housing "within its walls, a zealous, happy, and steadily growing organized Presbyterian church." 

On August 20, 1904, there was a meeting held by those interested in the stone church that had just been built.  Rev. I. N. Clegg presided over this meeting.  A vote was taken and the name "The Presbyterian Memorial Church of Napton, MO" was chosen.  The following Sunday, August 28, the first service was held in the church and was conducted by Rev. Clegg.  At this service, the first ordinance of baptism was administered to Isabella Early Smith, the daughter of Dr. Geo P. Smith and Mrs. Lucy V. Smith. 

The book, "History of the Presbyterian Church in Saline County, Missouri" has this interesting blurb concerning many of the trees on the church property: 

"The [church] record further cites other interesting facts, among others that there is a row of walnut trees along the road in front of the church, planted by Dr. Crawford E. Smith, son of the General [Thomas A. Smith, who originally owned the land and is buried in the graveyard], in 1850; that the forest trees on the church ground were decrepit; and that on Arbor Day, 1905, practically the entire congregation met there and planted trees and vines; naming them for various persons, living and dead. Four elms were given places of honor and named for Rev. D. M. Clagett, who revived Presbyterianism in the neighborhood; Rev. John E. Abbott, pastor of the Presbyterian church, Marshall, Mo., "who dedicated the building, preaching a magnificent sermon"; R. E. Richart, the first elder in the church; and his wife."

(information in brackets supplied by me)

This is by far one of the most beautiful church buildings I have ever seen.  The architecture is amazing and the beautiful stone stands in stark contrast to the woodland around it.  There are annual homecoming services held in October, and have been held since 1968.  I am not sure when the church stopped being used consistently though. 
For more information on this church, the history of General Thomas A. Smith and on some of the people involved in founding this church, be sure to check out the book "History of the Presbyterian Church in Saline County, Missouri" on pages 89-95.  I quoted from it a couple times in this blog post and a link to the ebook can be found here: 
History of the Presbyterian Church in Saline County, Missouri

Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a quaint little church in the Missouri countryside, standing proudly against the elements and time in all its simple beauty.  

The church was organized on August 11, 1871 by W. W. Branin. Founding member included: Martha J. Miller, Catherine Lawson, Nancy Hollaway, Harriet J. Hollaway, Joseph Pierce, Margaret A. Thompson, L. C. McDaniel, Henry Bowers, P. P. Lawson, Caroline R. Bowers, Thomas L. Pierce, Susan J. Williams.  By 1883, the membership of the church was 100 and pastors included: W. W. Branin, James E. F. Robertson and C. W McBride.  There was a Sabbath school that included 50 members, and H. B. Sappington was the Sabbath school superintendent. The Sabbath school only ran during the summer months.  

The building that stands today was erected in 1879. Like many other older country churches in Missouri, it is a simple frame structure. It cost $800 to build it.  

As far as I can tell from my research, the building was no longer in use by 1979. 

The church is in very good condition. There is a graveyard associated with the church that is in very good condition as well.  

In September of 1879, Alla Edwin Faust (1865-1944) joined Mt. Zion C.P. Church. On March 26, 1887, he conversed with the Presbytery (Hopewell Presbytery) about an internal call to ministry. On October 4, 1890, he was ordained. 

Old Salem Church (Salem Baptist Church)

Old Salem Church sits along a lonely dirt road in Moniteau County.  It is a typical small, one room, frame building church like many that used to dot the Missouri countryside.  

This church was organized on July 14, 1843.  Charter members were: Nathan Cooper, James Martin, Reuben Jobe, Logan Jobe, John Scott, Dedrick Yows, Joseph Henry, Bartholamew Jobe, Lydia Yows, Esther Sailing, Mary Suster, Katharine Martin, Mrs. Reuben Jobe (Mary), Mrs. Logan Jobe (Mary), Mrs. Bartholamew Job (Mary), Nancy Sailing, and Mathilda Scott. The first building was of log construction.  

"Record books show the families of Reuben Jobe, Polly Beard and John W Beard deeded land for the purpose of building a church. Membership was seventeen. McCajah Duncan was pastor. The church building served as the first meeting place of the County Court after Moniteau became a county in 1845.

"In January 1879, the members voted to build a new church on a track of land donated by Anderson Hodge. This land is northeast of California on what is now Hwy 87. A frame building 30X44X14 feet was constructed at a cost of $861.98. The church was dedicated in 1879.

"On November 6, 1969, the building was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. The building was ninety years old at the time of destruction. On November 12, the members voted to rebuild on the same site. Additional rooms were added in 1984 and a new sanctuary, baptistry, pastor's study and church library were added in 1988." ~ From the History of Moniteau County, Volume 2, published in 2000

I am not sure when the current church building was built, but it sits well preserved. It overlooks the cemetery across the street.  

Indian Grove Christian Church

The Indian Grove Christian Church, more commonly known as Powell Church, was organized Dec. 25, 1873 by Elder O.H.P. Wheeler with nine members. The Church is still active (1966) and is located in Chariton County, Missouri, about 19 miles northeast of Brunswick. The land for the church and cemetery was donated by Milton Powell and his wife, Margaret. The deed which they executed on Aug. 11, 1877, and for the Indian Grove Christian Church "one acre of land in the southeast corner of the south half of the northeast quarter of Sec. 3, Township 54, Range 19". After the congregation was organized and before the church building was erected, services were held in the homes of the members. Chief among the homes so used was that of the Powell's. The first pastor of the church was O.H.P. Wheeler. Carter DeWeese, the first charter member, serves as pastor from June 30, 1877 until Aug. 11, 1922. During that time he preached 2,285 sermons, 144 funerals, baptized 284, and married 99 couples. (Source: POWELL FAMILY RECORDS, by Mrs. Merna Potts of Albany, Oregon (1966)
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2139451/powell-cemetery

Rev. Carter DeWeese was a much loved and much respected person and one of the best known ministers in central Missouri.  Records vary as to how many sermons he preached and funerals and baptisms performed, but regardless, he was mightily used by God. 

"Carter DeWeese was born in Boone County, Indiana on Dec. 26, 1840 and died Aug. 5, 1925, aged 84 years. He was united in marriage to Nancy E. Powell, daughter of Charles E. and Lydia Powell on Jan. 3, 1861. To this union five children were born, three daughters and two sons. One daughter, Edith, died at age three. He united with the Christian Church at Brown's Wonder, Boone County, Indiana on Jan. 6, 1862 and was baptized Feb. 23, 1862. He began his ministry in 1877. He has preached 1,926 sermons, 142 funerals and baptized 248.

He leaves to mourn their loss, one half-brother, two sons, two daughters, 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at the Indian Grove Christian Church on Aug. 7 and the body laid to rest in the family lot there. Services were conducted by Rev. T.B. Sweet of Kansas City, an old friend and co-worker."

THE BRUNSWICKER, Brunswick, Missouri, Friday, Aug. 14, 1925 REV. CARTER DEWEESE DIED LAST WEDNESDAY  

"Carter DeWeese was born in Boone County, Indiana, Dec. 26, 1840, and at his death had reached the ripe old age of 84 years, 7 months and 10 days. He was married Jan. 3, 1861 to Nancy E. Powell, daughter of Charles E. and Lydia Powell, who preceded him in death eleven years ago. Five children were born of this union, three daughters and two sons. One of the daughters, Edith, died at the age of three years. The four surviving children are Mrs. Isaac Allen of Sumner, Mrs. John T. May and Warren W. DeWeese of Mendon, and C.M. DeWeese of near Indian Grove. Besides the four children, Rev. DeWeese leaves one half-brother, Frank Pierce of Huntington, Indiana; 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; together with other relatives and a host of friends.

Rev. DeWeese was united with the Christian Church at Brown's Wonder, Boone County, Indiana, on Jan. 26, 1862, and baptized Feb. 23 that year. He came to Missouri a short time later and entered the ministry of the Christian Church in 1877. For almost half a century he lived in the vicinity of Indian Grove preaching in Chariton County and nearby counties, and became one of the best known ministers in this part of the state. Always devout and earnest in his work, ever faithful to his calling, he walked uprightly before God living. Everyone who knew him was his friend, and many will miss his wise counsel and kindly companionship.

Funeral services were conducted Friday at the Christian Church at Indian Grove, by Rev. T.B. Sweet of Kansas City, an old friend and co-worker of Rev. DeWeese. Burial was in the family lot at Indian Grove."

THE MARCELINE JOURNAL-MIRROR, Marceline, Missouri, Friday, Aug. 14, 1925 DEATH REMOVED AGED MINISTER
(https://www.geni.com/people/Reverend-Carter-DeWeese/6000000080867503863)

Mussellfork Church

Mussellfork Community Church served the town of Mussellfork (Alternative spellings include Musselfork and Mussel Fork). Mussellfork began as a trading post in the 1870's and became an official township in 1877. It eventually grew to contain general stores, drugstores, churches, a grist mill and more.

Mussellfork Community Church was constructed in 1899 as Mussellfork Union Church.  According to an MBCPathway web article: "Since qualified pastors of various denominations were in short supply, it was common for a community to construct a “union church,” where each denomination took a certain Sunday of the month and scheduled their circuit rider to come in. The first week was the Baptist week, the second Methodist and the third Pentecostal Holiness. The fourth or fifth Sunday was up for grabs depending on who could schedule a preacher. No one is sure of its exact denominational history, but it officially disbanded in the late 1960s."
(https://mbcpathway.com/2006/10/20/article51356-htm/)
There were attempts after the 1960s to use the church as a non-denominational church, but those attempts were short lived.  

In 2006, Rick Hall, along with the Missouri Baptist Convention, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Zion, Monroe Baptist Association and several sponsoring churches, started a church plant at the historic church.  The Church is still active today and is part of the Southern Baptist Convention, pastored by Rick Hall. There is a small number of weekly attendees. It has been renovated and modernized on the inside, though outside they have kept the church in its original look as much as possible.   

If anyone has any information about this church, I would appreciate if you would leave a comment or send me a message.  
I'll update this blog post as I find more information on the church.  

Shiloh Baptist Church

A quaint, one room church, Shiloh Baptist Church sits well off the beaten path.  

The church was established on the second Saturday in May, 1869.  Constituent members were: George H. Rager, Bedford Brown, Ann E. Brown, Elizabeth A. Brown, Lucinda Brown, George C. Brown, Vincent C. Nicol, Elizabeth Neel, Robert A. Todd, Elizabeth Todd, Nancy Vanskike, Martha Latimer, Herbert Bloom, Jennett Bloom, George Elgin, Ducebelle Elgin, Addie Elgin, Henrietta Hewitt, Elizabeth Graves, Lucy Graves, Eliza Graves, Allen Wright, Matilda Wright, Nathan Martin, John Finney, Ann Finney, Margaret Finney, Jesse Vanskike, Martha Vanskike, Robert Lankford, Rebecca Lankford, W. Cochran, Monroe McIlhaney and Edmonia Moore. 
(https://shelby.mogenweb.org/church.htm) 

The church building was built in 1870.  It is a frame construction.  When it was built, it was valued at $1,200.  There is reason to believe this church was named for the Battle of Shiloh, fought in 1862 in Tennessee during the Civil War, which the battle was named for a church located where the battle was fought.  

Shiloh Baptist Church was part of the Mt. Salem Baptist Association.  The members of the Mt. Salem Association believed in missionary work, both at home and in foreign countries. They supported a Baptist hospital located on Taylor Ave., St. Louis. They also supported the Missouri State Baptist Association, formally educating young ministers; and, helped their own struggling churches and pastors as well as indigent "old broken-down pastors" who came to their notice. Each church held a scheduled service once a month, weather permitting, so the churches were able to share somewhat among the pool of pastors.  (http://sites.rootsweb.com/~moknox/cemeteries/c-mtsalemassoc1897.pdf)

In 1884, the pastor was Rev. Thomas Smoot.  The congregation consisted of 103 members and a Sunday School roll of 60 members, with the superintendent being Marion Houghland.  (History of Monroe and Shelby County Missouri, Vol 2. 1884). 
In 1938 the church was still active.  Sometime before 2008, the building had ceased being used for services. 

Former pastors of Shiloh Baptist Church included: D. V. Inlow, James P. Griffith, Thomas Smoot (1884), O. N. Collins (1891) and J. A. Day (approx 1894-1897).

Shiloh Baptist Church has been well kept and is in amazing condition.  The grounds of the graveyard that surround the church have been very well kept. 

If anyone has any information or has any information on the church, please do not hesitate to comment or reach out to me.