Farmington christian church history
The Farmington Christian Church Timeline
October 6, 1867
The church of Christ was organized under the labors of Elder Pardee Butler. There were 23 charter members. They did not have a church building; their meeting place was in the district school building. among the charter members were the Johnson’s, Butler’s, May’s, Campbell’s, McElvan’s, Allison’s, and McBride’s. JB. McCleary was the first evangelist, Pardee Butler and David Johnson were the first elders.
1870
Z.S. Hastings was chosen as elder.
1889
The records show that the officers were elders W. L. Johnson, Z.S. Hastings, and E.E. May. Deacons were, W.H. Drollinger and James Jarrett. This organization was kept up until the membership reached 222.
1890
The church included the following family’s names. The Fetcher’s, Jarrett’s, Armour’s, Hooper’s, Jarrell’s, Higley’s, Hall’s, Henneigh’s White’s, Ward’s, Willming’s and Goodrich’s.
1892
The organization was disbanded.
1897
Five years after the previous organization disbanded, the present church was organized in February. The Rev. W. C. German held a short meeting in the school house with 15 charter members (Wm. Higley, Butler, Hall, Henngigh and Drollinger).
March 14, a church and building committee consisting of S.F. Wright, C. P. Butler, A.S. Hall, H.D. Hall, Wm. Higley, & W.H. Cain were elected. At the May 2nd meeting the committee reported that Wm. Gillen had been seen, and would donate the lots for a church building site. A soliciting committee was appointed and on June 6th, they reported that $240.00 dollars had been pledged. It was decided to take active steps towards the erection of a building. July 14th, Brother C. P. Butler proposed Rev. T. M. Meyers to dedicate the new house, and hold a meeting. Brother A. S. Hall reported that the R.R. Co. would donate the rock for the foundation of the new building. Aug. 4th, building bids from different contracts were submitted, and on Aug. 15.1897, it was reported that bond for deed had been received from Wm. Gillen and his wife.
The committee was instructed to let the contract go to J. L. Jones for $1,000 above foundation. September 5ththe committee reported that the foundation was completed. October 3rd, the regular business meeting was held in the new church house, still incomplete. October 20th, Brother T. M. Meyers of K.C. was engaged to conduct the dedicatory services for the new church, and Brother. S. F. Wright as pastor at such services. At the close of the meeting held by Brother Meyers following the dedication, it was found the membership had grown to 25.
1898, 1899, & 1900
Part time preaching was had, with Brothers S. F. Wright & W. A. Nickell’s as ministers, and meetings were held by Rev. R. A. Thompson and Rev. W. H. Warren, and the membership was increased to 52.
1901, 1902, & 1903
Rev. I. W. Cameron ministered to the church and under his work one of our prominent members at the present time, W. D. Crick, was added to the church, as well as others. Elder H. E. Ballou, also, ministered and held a very successful meetings in which 15 new members were added, to bring the membership up to 74.
1904 -1906
During these years regular Lord’s Day services were held with Sunday School, communion, and social meetings. Elder Doak was the part time minister for the church. In 1906 The Elder Doak was to preach one Sunday a month for one year for $150.00 or as much as the group could raise. Five were added under his pastorate.
1907, 1908, & 1909
Rev. Oldham ministered to the church for part time until the fall of 1909. Then Elder O. J. Bennett ministered to the church, and during the winter held a very successful meeting adding 40 new members.
1910
The Rev. R. H. Murphy preached for the church one-fourth time, with no additions recorded.
1911
During this year Brother F. B. Ward, a student minister from Kansas University, ministered to the church and in September of that year, Brother S. W. Nay of Kansas City, held a very good meeting with 21 additional members recorded.
1912 to 1916
1912 Brother Ward was extended a call to continue for another year, which he accepted, and continued for the first half only. Brother A.D. Finch and J. E. Stevens finished that year. In 1913 Bro. R. H. Murphey held a meeting in Nov. and December, at which time there were 21 additional members. 1914 Rev. Presley Gordon held a meeting with 11 additions. 1915 Rev. E Seibental held a successful meeting for the church and continued until 1918.
1916
In December, Brother F. H. Schmitt and his wife of Wichita, held one of the most successful meetings with 40 additions.
1917
In August Brother F. H. Schmitt returned and held a meeting with less success.
1918
Rev. A. J. Carruck of Clyde, Kansas preached for the church for the summer months. Brother F. J. Payne was the first to occupy the new parsonage, which was completed and dedicated July 7th.
1919
F. J. Payne pastorate lasted until May of this year. During the summer F. O. Resinenger, a student from Drake, preached some of that year. In October Bro. O. F. Barnard came from Osbourn, Ks., and continued as pastor until October of 1922.
1921
O. F. Barnard secured Bro. E.T. McFarland of Lawrence, Ks., to hold a meeting in November and December at which time there were 23 added to the church. The role then reaching to 198 members.
1922
In October F. J. Carr began preaching. He held his own meeting’s and added 2. He continued ministering to the church until June of the following year.
1923
Bro. O. F. Barnard and Rev. E. Seibenthal and others were substitute preachers.
1924 & 1925
Julian Stewart was the minister.
New pews, chairs, and individual communion was purchased. Before this time one glass was passed to the whole congregation.
1926 to 1928
Pliney Elliot was the minister. There were 124 Members. The light plant was installed.
Many members remember evangelists holding revival meeting during the later part of the 1920’s. Church members enjoyed being entertained during these times and especially remember the musical, Jones family, comprising an orchestra. They lived in the basement of the schoolhouse during the two-weeks of meetings being held.
1930’s
Sam Jones was a fiery speaker from Kentucky, who held many meetings during this time period. His wife was a song leader who had all the hymns memorized and never used a hymnal. They stayed at the home of John Keas during these times. Presley Gordon, from Rushville, Mo., held a meeting and a large number of young people became members.
1933 to 1937
Clayton Hildebrand was the minister until 1935. Bro. Aten was the minister 1935-1936; Fred Siegmund was the minister 1936-1937
1940
Warren Dittemore was the minister. In October electricity was installed, by the Light Co. of Atchison, in the church and the parsonage.
1941-1942
B.B. Nicholas was the minister
1943
Walter Meyers was the minister
1945 - 1949
H. F. Kern was the minister. In 1947 a Jubilee year celebration and Homecoming was held. H. F. Kern was the minister. O. F. Barnard was the speaker and special music was furnished by a fine choir with Mrs. Virginia Thorne as leader.
In 1949 the basement was built. Much of the labor being done by the young men: (Thorne boys, Dan Teare, Bud Pike, Scotty Hall, Butler boys, Glen McCue, Higley Boys,). On November 27th it was dedicated.
1950 - 1956
Orville Evans was the minister 1950-1953
Robert (Bob) Wagner was the minister 1953-1956
1957
Warren Jackson was the minister. A second reunion was held a sextet of young girls that was composed of: Sally Thorne, Sandra Botkin, Billie Zeek, Ann Dockweiler, Nancy Linscott, and Joyce Toney presented special music. With Virginia Thorne as their leader.
1960 – 1968
Bill Baker was the minister 1960-1961
Leslie Collins was the minister 1961
Richard Brooks was the minister1962-1964
Mike Williams was the minister 1965-1967
1973-1976
Tim McFarland was the minister 1968-1973
Rusty Marts was the minister 1972-1973
Ora Martindale was the minister 1973-1976
October 3, 1976 a Homecoming celebration was observed.
1980- 1989
Chris Cassel & E. Evans both served as the minister 1980-1982
Charles Bron was the minister 1986-1998
Don G. Jewett was the minister 1989
1990 – 1996
Don G. Jewett was the minister 1989- 1996
October 6th, 1996 a Founder’s Day Celebration was held.
June 2012
Due to lack of members the Farmington Christian Church was closed.