PISGAH BAPTIST CHURCH HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION 125 YEARS AGO - Cooper, Co., MO ****************************************************************** File transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: James Rex USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, 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. ****************************************************************** Building 26 by 34 feet, of Logs "Chinked And Well Filled With Mortar," Was Modest Beginning for a Group of 21 Charter Members of the Church. The history of this church is found in five volumes of records now owned by the church, and is a complete record from the date of the first official meeting. The early settlers of this territory begin French, the only religious work was done by Roman Catholics until after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. A Baptist church was organized at St. Genevieve in 1806, and in 1812 Mt. Pleasant church, near New Franklin in Howard County, was organized. Baptist churches of Cooper county were the first religious organizations of any denomination. Concord Baptist church, northeast of Bunceton, was organized in 1817, this followed by Pisgah in 1819. Charter Members Numbered 21 The church to be known as Mt. Pisgah was organized June 19,1819, at the home of Lewis Shelton in Cooper county, Missouri Territory, by John B. Longan, Wm. Jennings and Jacob Chism, with the following twenty-one charter members: John B. Longan, Wm. Jennings, Jacob Chism, Priscilla Chism, David Jones, Tabitha Jones, James Maxey, Villiam Howard, Leven Savage, Polly Savage, Joseph McClure, Elizabeth McClure, John Bivian, Mary Bivian, Rhoda Stephens, Izabelle Ponton, Sarah Woods, John Apperon, Sela Apperson, Jesse Martin and Mary 4artin. >From information gathered from the records Longan, Jennings and Chism were outstanding men as they were instrumentalin organizing other churches and John B. Longan was pastor continuously for a period of 27 years. In 1846 the church agreed to call an assistant pastor due to the advancing age of Longan, but with the understanding that he would be pastor as long as he lived unless he should move to other lands. The first church officials besides the pastor, were David Jones, chosen clerk at the first business session June 19, 1819, and also the first deacon, elected in November of the same year; Jesse Martin, deacon and chorister; and Joseph Reavis, treasurer. Ruled With An "Iron Hand" In the early days of the church the discipline very strict, the records showing church trials of members for drinking, dancing, horse racing, swearing, fighting and joining secret societies. Masons and Odd Fellows were especially ruled against. Confessions and restorations usually followed such trials but many were excluded. A brother was excluded for playing a fiddle at a party and two of the brothers had a church trial over the "paltry sum of ten cents." From the Rules of Decorum presented by Brothers Jennings and Longan and approved by the church in August, 1819, is found under article 5, "No member shall be permitted to speak without rising to his feet and addressing the brethren; article 6, No member shall be permitted to whisper or laugh during public speaking; article 9. No member shall leave his seat during church meeting without leave of Moderator; article 11, If any brother fail to attend two monthly meetings, he shall inform the church the cause of absence and if for three monthly meetings the church shall send for him and deal with him as she may think best." The first church building on Saturday, July 3, 1821, was finally located near Mr. Bowl's spring, or on the southwest corner of the land now owned by Mrs. Carrie Braun, this being the fourth location agreed upon was near Frances Apperson's, the second near Reavis' spring and the third across the Moniteau near Brother Keanny's. The building was to be of logs chinked and well filled with strong lime mortar and to be 26 by 34 feet in size, roofed with shingles, to have three doors and two windows and an 8-foot aisle and space for the colored members. To Present Site In 1838 In 1838 with John B. Longan still pastor and Samuel D. Reavis, clerk, a new house was voted by the church and the location changed to the present site. It was to be a one story brick building 30 by 50 feet with a gallery for the colored people. The contract for the brick work was given to Samuel D. Reavis for $299.50 and the carpenter work to B.T. George for $200.00. The old building was sold for $31. This was followed in 1871 with a frame building 40 by 60 feet just a few feet north of the brick building. At this time J.B. Box was pastor and G.F. Jones, clerk, While in this building, in 1895, the clock now on the wall was presented to the church by J.N. Parsons. Present Building Erected in 1926 Most of the older members well remember this building as it stood until 1926, when with T.M. MacDonnell as pastor, the present building was erected. While digging the basement for the present building, workmen discovered bricks from the 1938 church proving that this building stands on almost the same spot as the brick church. The church sent delegates to the Association in 1819 and has continued to send messengers and cooperate to date. John B. Longan was moderator of the. Association from 1826 to 1843, as well as moderator of the General Association four years, 1836-1839, The church has also furnished the assistant moderator, clerk and assistant clerk for a number of years and has entertained the Association seven times - 1823, 1831, 1858, 1876, 1895, 1908 and 1919. The membership seems to have increased steadily from a charter membership of 21 in 1819 to 368 in 1864, including 75 Negro members. All colored members, however, were granted letters of dismission in 1871 to form a new church to be known as the First the first Colored Church of Pisgah. On the first Sunday in March 1871, J. B. Box, W Maxey an Henry Clay (colored) organized the first colored church with 26 charter The present membership is 158. Organized Other Churches Pisgah preachers and members have helped to organizing several other churches. Big Lick, organized in 1820 by John B. Longan and Jacob Chism, both members of Pisgah, took 16 members, among them Wm. Jennings; Moran in 1822; Union in 1822; Mt. Pleasant too 24 members, including Jacob Chism and Lewis Shelton in 1823; an arm in Saline in 1829; an arm in Blackwater in 1830; and First Colored Church in 1871. The following preachers have been ordained from among its members: Thomas Crossbolt, James H. King; James W. Maxey, Joel Ponton, James Jones, Jesse G. Beakly and Henry Clay (colored).