Newspapers: South Wyaconda Baptist Church Article: Clark County, Missouri Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Mitch Ryder ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************ From a Kaohka, Clark County, Missouri Newspaper dated: Nov. 4, 1927 SOUTH WYACONDA BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATED EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY, OCT. 30, 1927 The program for the day followed the regular line of preaching in the morning by Rev. John Spindler of Kings Mills, Ohio. Then came basket dinner of the kind that Ballard usually has — enough and to spare. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the service began by reading letters from former pastors and absent members. There were thirty churches represented by letter or visitors coming from six states. The letters were followed by a church history and some interesting comments made by older members. Several members were found who had been with the church as long as 45 years. Special music by a quartette composed of Misses Elsie and Bessie Kapfer, Verne Kapfer and Everett Diehl closed the service. The night service was conducted by Rev. Bartine, the regular pastor. A brief history of the South Wyaconda Baptist Church from its organization to the present time, written by Mr. I. N. Wells and Mrs. E. C. Adams and prepared to be read at the 80th anniversary of the church held Oct. 30, 1927. The South Wyaconda Baptist church was organized by Rev. James M. Lillard Jan. 16, 1847 with the following charter members: Hesakiah Foree, Francis Foree Sr., Francis Foree Jr., William Lillard, Mary Clay, Ephrama Smith, James M. Foree, Isabell Maddox, Charles Maddox, Malinda Black, Martha Black, Joseph Wells, Sr., Elizabeth Wells and Sophia Foree. A presbytery consisting of J. M. Lillard from Dover church, Brethren E. Lipper, W. Tuley and G. Pulliam from Wyaconda church, and B. Mosley from Fox river church, M. Basket and M. Wood from Bear Creek church. By a unanimous vote of the church it was declared the name should be South Wyaconda Baptist church. About this time the church and neighborhood built a school house. It was built out of rough logs, and pointed with mud. It was covered with clab boards, and had a stick chimney and a puncheon floor. The church met in this building for a number of years. About 1850 a man by the name of Kibby taught the school and during this year the house burned down, after which the church built a very nice house for that time, located near Barton Kontz's present home. This house was burned in 1864. Brother Charles Maddox was the first pastor. He died about the year 1850. Then the church called Rev. Jeptha Smith who served the church for several years, after which Rev. James Moncrief was chosen as pastor and served until the rebellion in 1861. During this stormy period Rev. Jas. Lillard held a number of revival meetings which resulted in a good many additions to the church. The ministers during this time were paid in yarn socks, geans pants, vegetables and anything the members could spare and the preacher needed. During the war the church held no services. In 1867 the church met at Joseph Wells, and after preaching by Rev. Charles Ingman he was chosen moderator, and by a unanimous vote of the members was elected pastor for one year. On motion and second that a new list of members be made and all those in good standing be transferred from the old book to the new one, the following brethren and sisters answered to the roll call: Hesekiah Foree, Sr., Joseph Wells, Elizabeth Wells, Edward Bruner, Mercy Bruner, J. M. Foree Jr. (by letter), Mary Foree, Virginia Lillard, William Lillard, Walker Lillard and Malinda Black. Rev. J. M. Lillard and Rev. N. Nelson held a revival meeting in December which resulted in twenty-one additions to the church. Bro. Ingman having moved away, the church called Brother N. Nelson as pastor for one year. In July 1869 the church called Bro. Robert Wayland for the ensuing year. In 1870 the church called Bro. James Golden who served for some five years. Then the church called to its pastorate Bro. J. F. Suter. In 1877 the church called again Bro. James Golden who served as pastor until 1880 when he died at Bro. L. B. Hume's. After his death the church called Bro. N. Nelson again who served for some three years, when the church called William Pulliam for the ensuing year. Bro. R. L. Wayland served in 1885 N. Nelson in 1886, John Golden in 1887, O. F. D. Wilson in 1888, Wm. Baird in 1889, and George Beard 1889 to Aug. 1897. C. W. Nicols from Aug. 1897 to Oct. 1897, W. F. Wyatt was then elected and served to April 1898. In May of that year Bro. J. R. Penington was called and served until 1903. Bro. W. M. Cooney served until 1906, when Bro. L. P. Smith was called and served until 1910, after which Bro. Ernest Chewning served to 1912, then Bro. J. H. Spindler served until 1914, after which Bro. Kell was called and served for two years. Bro. C. E Newton served from 1916 to 1923. Rev. C. E. Hutchinson then served for about a year when Bro. Bartine was called and is still in our pastorate. The South Wyaconda Baptist church met in the home of Bro. Joseph Wells continuously, from 1867 until 1871 when they moved to the new school house where they worshiped until they built a commodious house for themselves in 1879 and 1890. About 1908 this building was remodeled and enlarged to meet the needs of the growing congregations. Just following this the church entertained the Wyaconda Association and the building was dedicated to the Lord. Rev. S. M. Brown of Kansas City, preached the sermon.