History of Wann United Methodist Church, Wann, Nowata County, Oklahoma. ************************************************************************ 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 archivist to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Carl Myers cemyers@puma.sirinet.net ************************************************************************ History of Wann United Methodist Church In the beginning days of a small town that was destined to boom with the advent of the discovery of oil and the production of it, there came to this area known as Wann, then Indian Territory, circuit rider preachers to hold religious services in a small one roomed schoolhouse north and west of the present school buildings of Wann, Oklahoma. The town of Wann in 1901 set one half mile east and one fourth mile south of the present site. The town consisted of one combined store and Post Office, a black-smith shop, and a one-room frame school taught by Mrs. Pet Graham. These Methodist preachers held services for people who were engaged in farming, ranching and working with teams of mules and horses, getting in on the ground floor of the great oil boom of Oklahoma. The town grew over the years to approximately 1,000 people, and at one time there were four grocery stores, two banks, at least one hotel and the Railroad Depot located one block south of the old garage building, livery stables, lumber yards, hardware store, saloons, misc. businesses, plus the school and at one time four churches. Much of the history of the Wann United Methodist Church has been related to us at earlier periods of time, by people like Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Holland, Mr. Ed Myers, Mrs. Sig (Lizzie) Walker, Mrs. C. W. Reese and Mrs. Lucille Hendrickson and others of whom are still members of this church, and very active in it. Mr. Ed Myers, who at almost 88 years of age is believed to be the only living charter member of this church, having been a member of the church before the present building was built in 1906. The need soon became apparent for a building of their own to worship in, since the original Methodist Church was an Indian School House. It was a frame building and Mrs. Goldie Strain was the teacher of the school, which was thought to be a subscription school. This church to the best of their knowledge was organized by a Circuit Rider named Lewis in 1900. In 1905 another Circuit Rider, A. N. Fields ministered to the church, and there are two people in this area, a Daughter, Mrs. Ada Nancy Wilson, and a granddaughter, Mrs. Lawrence (Eva Grace (Pat) Schafer who have spent a lifetime involved in the work of the churches of this area. Two other Daughters of Mrs. Wilson also live in this area. The lots for the new church building were donated by M. K. (Mike) and G. W. (Wash) Patrick and the material was hauled by Rev. Frank Higgins. Ed Myers' father, Charles M. Myers, and Mike Patrick were trustees at the time the church was built. The work was all donated by members of the church, including Arthur Holland. Mr. Higgins not only hauled the lumber but he also designed and built the framework of the church. Rev. Higgins was an ordained minister and instrumental in originating our church. The second pastor was Rev. Rufus Wilson, and when he came Rev. Higgins then acted as the Sunday School Superintendent. It was during this time Rev. Ellis preached as a visiting preacher and was active in the church as long as he lived here. A formal dedication was held in the summer of 1907 of the new building, and Rev. Wilson was minister of the new church. In 1910 things were moving on in Wann, and a four room parsonage was built on the lot west of the church by carpenters Jim and George Hall. Rev. H. G. McCallister was minister at this time. In recalling some of the past activities, members now think back to the time the County Health Nurse came to the parsonage to immunize the children for diptheria, etc., and also the times of the Ladies Aid Society, quilting in the parsonage after their meetings in the afternoon, and also the Epworth League (Young People) now MYF holding their meeting in the parsonage. Sunday School classes were held in the parsonage at times. Also thinking back present members remember that the parsonage was sold late in the 1930's to Bert Knizley for $150.00 and it was moved to the four mile road north of Dewey, where it is still used as a home where Mr. and Mrs. Chester Burrows live. (It has since been remodeled and built onto.) Rev. Earl Lockett came to be the minister in August of 1912, and he held the dual role of being a deputized United States Peace Officer. In 1913, L. F. Gilbreath was the minister and Rev. W. B. Smith in 1914. Rev. R. W. Ross (1914-1915). One of the things still causing amazement among the present members of the congregation is the note in some old records that Wm. Cridland, in October of 1915, who was said to be an outstanding musician organized an 18 piece church orchestra, and it included three former members Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Holland and Mr. Fred B. Taylor. Just prior to this, while Rev. W. B. Smith, was here he had a second hand store in Wann. During the years of the great depression, and with the waning prices and demand for oil, and with many of the shallow wells beginning to fade out, Wann began to diminish in size as people moved away to find work in other places. Where the streets were once full of houses on every block, now empty holes began to appear all over town, and the businesses were gradually closing or moving out. The first part of the class rooms on the back were built in 1949, and again the labor was donated by the members of the church. At this time the present kitchen was about one-half the size that it is now and there was one big room divided by folding doors. Later when the attendance had grown they enlarged the kitchen to its present size and built another class room on the east. While Rev. Mix Lyda was here we decided to make the church modern and contracted the job to the Dewey Vo-Tech teacher, Charles Hankins. They built the two bathrooms, and had a well drilled which has served ;until the present time. The church has recently received a membership in the Wann Water District, but cannot hook onto the line because of the severe drought and low water conditions in this area. Water is being allocated from Bartlesville, and no additional taps are being allowed at this time. The Women's Society quilted many quilts in the earlier days to help with the expenses; first to put hardwood floors in the sanctuary. Also they would serve chicken-noodle dinners, and they soon earned a reputation for their good cooking and people would come from Caney, Coffeyville, Bartlesville, Dewey and Copan. All this went to help with the improvements on the Church. The building remained much the same for many years, and then in the late 70's a project was undertaken to clean up, paint the fellowship hall, install central heat and air-conditioning and a gala home-coming celebration was arranged in which many people were re-united and enjoyed a great fellowship around the word of God. Now the latest project undertaken has been the installation of new carpet throughout the sanctuary area and all new modern padded pews. A new clergy pew and wooden music stand-portable lecturn will be coming just after Easter 1981. The Lord has been very good to us at Wann United Methodist Church, and we also have much to be thankful for that a great deal of funds that have made all this possible has been donated by former members, current members, and several interested friends and relatives. At one time a number of years ago on the occasion of Mrs. Rubye Reese's first visit to the church, she remembers that the only available seat was on the back row, and that this was normal at that time. Praise the Lord for this kind of activity in the Church. We hope to someday be able to see this again. We appreciate your attendance at our 75th Anniversary Celebration and mini-revival, and pray that you have renewed old friend-ships, made new ones, and renewed again your faith in God. We as a church are interested in our outreach to the community and we want to be of service to all in need, whether in physical, spiritual or other needs. Please feel free to call on the members of this church for prayer for the sick or guidance at anytime. 1905- A. N Fields, Circuit Rider from Dewey. 1906- Rev. Frank Higgins 1907- Rev. Rufus Wilson 1907- Building was formally dedicated, Lots (donated by Patrick) were Indian Allotment. 1910- A four room parsonage was built on the lot west of Church by Jim and George Hall. 1910- Rev. H. G. McAllister 1912- Rev. Earl Lockett 1913- Rev. L. F. Gilbreath 1914- Rev. W. B. Smith, he also owned a second hand store in Wann. 1914-15 Rev. R. W. Ross 1915- Rev. Wm. Cridland, organized an 18 piece orchestra. 1918- Rev. J. W. Dawson 1919-21 Rev. E. L. Jorns, his wife taught school at Wann and he later became a District Officer. 1922- Rev. W. B. Brewer 1923- Rev. R. H. Denny 1923-25 Rev. R. N. Morgan 1925- Rev. I. N. Cade, was a retired preacher 1931-33 Rev. D. L. Orndorff 1934-35 Rev. A. F. Steiger, was later killed in accident when car hit the ambulance he was being taken to the hospital in. 1936- Rev. W. B. George 1938-41 Rev. Wallace Boyce 1941-44 Rev. C. B. Holland, he lived in Copan. 1946- Rev. W. E. West 1947-49 Rev. Ray J. Gibson and Rev. Pearl Gibson, they lived in Nowata, he was an engineer for Soil Conservation, they both preached at Wann as well as Delaware, Childers, Alluwe, Chelsea and Meeker, he later retired and was hired as visiting pastor at St. John's United Methodist in Oklahoma City, he died February 20, 1981, in Oklahoma City. 1949- Rev. Jim Shaw 1949- Rev. L. P. Moore 1949- Rev. Ray Henson 1950-51 Rev. LeRoy Holeman, he attended Junior College and lived in Coffeyville. 1951-53 Rev. E. P. Springer, he and his wife Ella lived in Dewey in retirement. 1953-58 Rev. Ed Scholl, he and his wife Eleanor lived in Dewey, he is a Phillips employee. 1958-59 Rev. Mix Lyda, he and his wife Lucy, and family lived in Dewey at this time. 1959-60 Rev. Charles Gaut, Charles had been reared in the Wann Community and been a longtime member of the Wann Church. He now lives in Illinois. 1961-65 Rev. Mix Lyda, returned for four years. 1965-66 Rev. R. W. Highley, he and his wife Jewel lived in Bartlesville and they were transferred to Commerce at the time he left; he died in 1975. 1966-69 Rev. Mix Lyda, returned and this time he pastured the Wann- Copan Churches jointly until he was transferred to Tallihina. 1979- Rev. Darrell Owen, came in June of 1979; he left the first of the year to continue his education at O. C. U. 1980- Rev. Lowell Wise, and his wife Kathy came to us in January from East Cross Methodist Church in Bartlesville and remained six months. 1980- Rev. Larry Brown and his wife Janice and two sons live in Dewey. 1980-81 Rev. M. L. Teel, and his wife Gladys are our present minister and they live in Copan and own and operate the Copan Western Auto Store, Merril is the former Choir Director of Copan United Methodist Church, they are former members of the Dewey Church of God. ************************************************************************ 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 archivist to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Carl Myers cemyers@puma.sirinet.net ************************************************************************