Jones County Texas Archives - History of Stamford Churches - 1927 *********************************************************** Submitted by: Dorman Holub Date: 19 January 2020 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/jones/jonestoc.htm *********************************************************** The Stamford American Thursday, June 30, 1927 Stamford has Eleven Active Churches Most of churches are equipped with splendid buildings All denominations held services in one hall in early days. Stamford is noted for the number of her churches and the beauty of her church buildings. There are 11 active churches for white people in the town, besides the various negro churches. First Baptist Church The Baptist Church was organized in the spring of 1900 with a membership of 12, among who are: Mr. and Mr. G.K. Ashburn, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Siler, and Mr. and Mrs. Cadd Shipp. Rev. J.P. Siler organized the church and was moderator until the first pastor, Rev. B.F. Dixon, was called. Services were first held in the Sledge Hall on the south side of the square. Methodist, Baptists, Christians, Presbyterians, and lodge organizations shared the hall each denomination awaited their turn. One used is one Sunday and another the next. Immediately after the church was organized, a small building was erected on the present site of the church. About this time excitement was running high, for Stamford was to have her first church wedding, that of Miss Katie Mae Morder and Will Johnson of the Brazelton-Johnson Lumber Co. and the church was not ready to be used. When the wedding day came the church could be used by boarding up the windows and laying canvas down the aisle. The wedding was an outstanding social event and not only Baptist, but all denominations thrilled over it. In 1907 the old building was sold to the Christian church and moved away, and the costly new church was erected. Rev. W.C. Moffett is pastor and the membership numbers between 5-600. West Side Baptist Church In 1907 or 1908 another Baptist church was organized in Bomar Heights and is known today as the West Side Baptist Church. Rev. J.P. Siler was the first pastor of the church and among the charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Lee Box. Mrs. J.B. Keeling and Miss Katie Keeling. St. JohnÕs Methodist Church The Methodist church was organized in 1900 with about 10 members, some of whom were Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Abbott, Sr., Mrs. Kate Bean and Chas. Brewington. Rev. S. Gay organized the church and preached until the first conference, when Rev. I.H. Hightower was sent here. Soon after this the first missionary society was organized and there were not enough members to fill the offices, so Mrs. J.R. Sledge of the Episcopal church accepted the office of secretary. The Methodist held their first services in the Sledge Hall but as soon as possible completed a frame building where the Reliable Tire Company now stands. This was soon out grown however, so a tabernacle was built behind it. In 1908 Rev. Robert Goodrich was pastor and the present church was begun. Both the Baptist and Methodist churches have beautiful pipe organs. Rev. R.A. Stewart is pastor of St. JohnÕs M.E. Church, and the membership roll numbers between 800 and 900. Church on West Side In the fall of 1909 Rev. J.H. Hamblin was sent here to take charge of a little mission church on the West Side, known as Ward Memorial. The church had 37 members when he came and at the end of the first year had 142. Rev. W.B. McKeown did a wonderful work there for four years, then the membership was moved to St. JohnÕs. Within the past year Rev. Hamblen, with the help of J.B. Smith and others has succeeded in building another small church there and a preacher will soon be in charge. Central Christian To the Christian Church belongs the distinction of starting the first Sunday School in Stamford. The Sunday School was held in a small frame building on the site now occupied by the Central Ward School. Mrs. W.T. Browning taught a class in this Sunday School. In 1900 the church was organized and Cass Rose, superintendent fo the city schools at that time was an elder. Services were held first in the old Sledge Hall and in recalling the early church day several amusing incidents were bought to light. Charter members recall the day when news was circulated that a very prominent and influential family had moved to town and were members of the Christian church. Unusual care was taken the next Sunday in cleaning up the hall, so that a good impression might be made. Great was the consternation of the members when the organist failed to appear, but the song was begun without music and during the singing, in walked the new members, Mr. and Mrs. Homer D. Wade. When the Baptist people began their new church in 1907 the Christian church bought the old building and moved it the lot behind the Methodist church. Here services were held until the basement of their new church was finished three or four years ago. Rev. M.B. Harris is pastor of the Central Christian Church. Church of Christ Soon after it was organized the Christian Church divided and one branch became known as the Church of Christ. In 1908, their building was erected, and they continue to worship there. W.D. Black is pastor. Families who helped to organize the Christian Church in Stamford were the L.L. Loop, R.L. Hellums, W.T. Browning, Tom Baxter, Sr.,. P. Curd, Sr., W.F. Bullington and others. Episcopal Church The Episcopal Church claims the record of having had the first sermon here. Sometime in the 1880s Bishop Garrett had 52 counties in his diocese and this was one. He preached in all parts of the country and traveled from place to place in a ŌgigĶ drawn by a white mule. In 1900 St. LukeÕs Protestant Episcopal Church was organized here and services were held in various places until 1915 when the church on East McHarg avenue was built. E.C Seaman was rector at that time and F.S. Hastings was Waden. Among the charter members were Dr. and Mrs. J.R. Sledge, Mrs. M.E. Manning, Miss Louis Snodgrass, Mrs. C.R. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Binnings. Rev. Percy Jones is rector now. Central Presbyterian Church The Central Presbyterian Church was organized in 1899 and their first church was begun in 1900 on the same spot upon which the church stands today. Rev. F.E. Leech supervised the building of the church and Dr. Ward was the first pastor. The first auxiliary was organized in the fall 1900 in the back of Miss Mayme BarnettÕs millinery shop on the east side of the square. Early members of the church were Mr. and Mrs. Blankenbeckler, Capt and Mrs. [W.E.] Rayner, Mr. and Mrs. Whittington, Mrs. J.D. Green, Mrs. Tom Upshaw (then Miss Josie Ragsdale) and Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Moody. About two years ago the old building was torn down and a handsome new one built. Rev. J.M. Youree was pastor when the new church was built, and Rev. Fred S. Rogers is pastor now. The First Presbyterian church was organized November 27, 1900 with 16 charter members. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Bryant, Bernard Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. W.B Huie. Rev. C. C. Anderson was the first pastor. Catholic Church The Catholic Church was organized in 1912 or 1913. At that time services were held in the home of Mrs. Dan Quill. Four years ago, the Lutheran church on South Swenson Avenue was sold to the Catholic denomination and since then services have been held there. Father Paul Mousler of Bomarton comes once a month to preach. Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Mattoon and Miss Louise Snodgrass were among the charter members. Nazarene Church The Nazarene church was organized and built on North Swenson avenue in April of 1924. J.S Bates was the first pastor and A.S. Smith is pastor now. The membership of the church is small.