FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEADWOOD, MISSOURI |
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEADWOOD, MISSOURI |
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In May of 1905 an evangelistic meeting was conducted by Rev. E. V. Lamb of Flat River, Mo., in the "Tent Evangel" (Brush Arbor) back of where Frankie's Filling Station and house stood. At the end of this meeting forty-five people had come into the fellowship of the church. The following members being responsible for organization: Rev. and Mrs. George Shaner, Mary Shaner (Mrs. Bert Scott), Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Walsh, Ethel Walsh (Mrs. John Ball), Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hall, Mrs. John Moore, Alice Moore, Joseph Cloninger, Sarah Yates, Ed Shaner, Annie Yates, Blanche Yates, Jeremiah Meece, and Laura Brown. On May 24, 1905, at 2 p.m. in the "Tent Evangel", the Owl Creek Baptist Church was organized with Rev. E. V. Lamb as Chairman. Rev. R. F. Aulick of Flat River preached first sermon. The theme was "What a Church stands for." Matthew 16:18. On May 27, Rev. George Shaner was recognized as temporary Moderator, and J. P. Cloninger and J. G. Hall as Deacons. July 31, 1905, plans for a new church building 36x50 feet were presented by the building committee and adopted. The first site was chosen near the lodge hall, but later exchanged for the present site. First pastor was G. W. Reeves with a salary of $60.00 per month. January 18, 1906, the First Baptist Church of Owl Creek met in a call session, and transacted the following business - that the name of the church be changed from the First Baptist Church of Owl Creek to the First Baptist Church of Leadwood. Summer of 1906, they moved into their new church building. The purchase of an organ was discussed and adopted. This was at a cost of $50.00 and was paid by the Ladies Aid. The building committee reported the debt to the church was $1,567.57. Charles Robinson was elected to be janitor or sexton as it was called at a salary of $3.00 per month except months when fires were to be built, then it would be $4.00 per month. In the early twenties the church had two missions; one at Daytown and one at Cherryville (now Wortham). Approximately 15 years later a Sunday school was organized at Mitchell. The church has been conscious of its need to furnish adequate space for the congregation since its beginning. Records show that when Rev. E. D. Owens was pastor in 1917, the basement of the original building was completed, furnishing Sunday School space and a baptistery. By 1941 while Rev. Polson was pastor, there was need for more Sunday school space, so an addition was built at the year of the church, moving the baptistery to the choir loft. The church at this time was remodeled, adding classrooms, kitchen furnace, and asbestos siding to the outside of the building. Also fluorescent lights and fans were installed inside. In 1952, a parsonage was built on the south side of the church. The old parsonage was remodeled to provide temporary space for Sunday School. In 1955, while Rev. C. L. Thompson was pastor, volunteers of the congregation completed the educational building. The above article is borrowed from "Early Days of Leadwood, Missouri", by Nedra Queen, published 2000. DEDICATION OF CHURCH ADDITION DECEMBER 15Rev. W. C. Polson, pastor of the Leadwood Baptist Church, has announced that on Sunday, December 15th, services will be held dedicating the new addition to the church. Constructed of asbestos shingles, at a cost of $3,000.00, the new building will house two assembly rooms and nine classrooms, also a basement above the ground. The siding is being completed this week and the interior work will soon be finished. Published by THE LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois Co. MO, Fri. Nov. 29, 1940. |
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