Concord Baptist Association

Concord Baptist Association, one of the oldest in Missouri, was formed in Mt. Nebo Church in October 1823. Eight churches took part in its organization. They were Concord, Big Bottom, Pisgah, Mt. Nebo, Double Spring, Big Lick, Union and Mt. Pleasant. They were all south of the Missouri River, and they had a combined membership of 335. Elder Peter Woods was elected moderator, Jordan O’Bryan, clerk and the introductory sermon was preached by Ebenezer Rogers. Among the ministers present were: Luke Williams, J.C. Longan, David Allee, Peter Woods and Jacob Chism.

An alliance was formed with Mt. Pleasant Association and with Fishing River. Concord Association was only four years old when the question of missions came along, and leading ministers took opposing sides on the issue. This caused a split in the young organization. As far as can be ascertained, there was no attempt made to employ a missionary or traveling preacher during the first twenty-five years of Concord’s history. However, in 1847, one of the churches suggested putting a missionary on the field. A committee was appointed to look after this venture, and soon it was able to secure Elder Snelling Johnson and W.M. Robertson as missionaries.

Evangelism in Concord Association apparently reached its peak in the decade ending in 1850. The historians record the information that from 1841 to 1843, about 1,000 persons were added to the churches by baptism alone.

Centertown Baptist Church – Centertown

On December 3, 1860, eighteen people met at the home of William S. Freshour for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church for Centertown community. Before the church was started people had their memberships at Sardis, in Elston, MO and in California churches. A building was started immediately but because of the war it was not finished until 1870.

Lumber used in the first church was chopped from virgin trees and finished by hand. Except for one carpenter the work was done by men of the church.

First services were held in the church before the floor was laid or the ceiling finished. After the building was completed each man of the church bought lumber and made a pew. Later, when the membership grew, a carpenter was hired to make additional pews. At the beginning candles were used for lighting. Later wall lamps with reflectors replaced the candles.

This building was used until 1898. At that time Brother William S. Freshour gave the land on which the present building was constructed. The value of the new church building was $2,200. As an example of how the church was growing during this period, a revival was held in 1896 during which thirty-eight people were received for baptism. And in 1898 the church entertained Concord Association in its annual Meeting.

In 1910, carbide lights were installed and the next year a heating plant was placed under the building at a cost of only $135. In 1913, the church went to “half-time” preaching, and it was during that year that thirty-seven people were baptized at the close of a revival. Whether or not there was any connection, three years later Concord Association again met at Centertown—and a revival followed with forty-eight people baptized! In 1919 the church voted to “build a parsonage at once,” and in May of 1921 the pastor led in a revival with nine young men coming into the church for baptism. Another interesting bit of history in the mid-twenties is the statement: “The Ladies Aid was granted permission to install a new furnace.”

In the 1940’s the record shows: “The church voted to go from half-time to full-time preaching services, and the pastor’s salary was raised to $1,000 per year. In 1941, twenty-four people joined the church (as) the result of a revival held in July. The Concord Association met at Centertown in 1943, and in 1945 the pastor’s salary was raised to $1,820…In 1949 a motion was made and passed that a Woman’s Missionary Union be started according to the Southern Baptist plan.”

It was in 1953 that the educational building was added, dedication services being held in November with Rev. Paul Allison as guest speaker. The Sunday school increased from four departments to seven, and in 1955 to nine departments. The state Baptist paper for each family in the church was added to the budget in 1954, the Forward Program of Church Finance was begun in 1958, and the amount proposed for the Cooperative Program was increased to 22 per cent.

Cole Spring Baptist Church – Russellville

Cole Spring Baptist church stands about one mile southwest of Russellville. Organized in 1835, the church was moved to its present location in 1889 on land given to the church by A.J. and Elizabeth Leslie on December 9, 1889.

Missouri had been a state for only 14 years when a group of Baptist folk met on June 27, 1835, for the purpose of organizing a church. Present at that meeting were: Jacob Sawder, Rebecca Sawder, Benjamin Amos, Elizabeth Amos, Mumford B. Robertson, Josiah Roark, Ruth Roark, Yelnton Melton, Susan Melton, Wm. G. Simmons, Nancy Simmons, Elizabeth Ricketts, David Scrivner, Benjamin Scrivner, Ramson Amos and Catherine Amos. The record was signed by the Presbytery – John B. Longdon, Levi Roark, James W. Maxey, William H. Small and Lewis Shelton.

There are no continuous records of the proceedings of this body until the year 1883, but interviews with descendants of the charter members and others who lived in the community for years, revealed considerable information concerning the earlier years of this organization.

The first church was erected on the farm owned in 1973 by George Campbell and 1978 by George Rhodes. The farm was about two miles south of Russellville. The building faced the south and had two doors on the south, one for the men and one for the women. One door on the north end admitted the Negro men and women who worshipped in the same building with the whites. The pulpit was on the north side of the building. The first seats in the original building were puncheon benches, later replaced by slab seats with one piece strip backs. Lighting was furnished by candles and a fireplace; heat was later furnished by stoves when they came into use.

Protracted meetings were held annually, sometimes lasting two months, and in 1883, a meeting was said to have been held every day and every night all winter, with a harvest of seventy souls as their reward. Horses and wagons, sleighs and sleds were used as means of conveyance. Stile blocks of wood or stone were a convenience provided for the use of the women, whose long skirts had to be managed as well as their horses. The church was an important institution in the social and religious life of the community, and inconveniences were overcome or made light of.

The name of the old church, Cold Springs,, received its name from a cold spring nearbvy. The present name, Cole Spring, probably got its name from Cole County. The present church building is located just off State Route V, and one mile west of Russellville. It was erected in 1889 and the early part of 1890. It is heated by gas, and has hardwood floors, storm windows and doors, and comfortable seats.

According to record, Concord Baptist Association has been entertained by Cole Spring Baptist Church four times in the following years: 1852, 1881, 1901 and 1934. The following churches have been organized out of Cole Spring Baptist Church: Pleasant Hill in 1881, Mount Olive in 1888, Russellville First in 1903 and Corticelli in 1905.

The absence of the records for the first forty-eight years of the church’s existence makes it impossible to give a complete record of pastors during that time. The following pastors are believed to have served prior to 1883: Brothers Maxey, Brown, J.B. Box, Clark, W.D. Jordan, Nick Allee, Billie Robertson, John Robertson and Josiah Roark, a layman who substituted in the absence of the pastor.

The Church was erected on the present site in 1889-1890. Part of the material in the old building was used in the construction of the new. T. L. Vanpool was the head carpenter and most of the labor was donated. The building was completed in May, 1890, and dedicated on Sept. 28, 1890. The Rev. Jehu Robertson conducted the dedication service and preached the dedication sermon.

First Baptist Church (Sardis) – Elston

This is one of the few churches in central Missouri whose origin dates back to the 1820’s; however, its name was listed in the associational minutes as “Sardis” until about 1963. The church was founded in 1827. Meetings were held in the homes of the members until 1838 when a one-room church building was erected approximately 1 ¼ miles west of Elston at Lookout Settlement.

In those early days of the nineteenth century a church might extend an arm into un-reached territory on either side, and one or more of these “arms” could become a church. Minutes of the June 1837 business meeting show that Sardis sent members to assist in constituting Jefferson City First Baptist Church.

The first pastor of Sardis church was John B. Longan (or Longdon as it was sometimes written). He served from December 1827 to 1836. Others who served, with approximate times they served:

Martin D. Noland, 1836-38
David Chambers, 1838
John B. Longan, 1838-40
Snelling Johnson, 1840-44
M. D. Noland, 1844-47
Micagah Duncan, 1847-49
William Clark, 1849-53
J. H. Roddy, 1871-75
C.G. Burchfield, 1875
R. P. Scott, 1876-77
I.V. Johnson, 1878-80
William M. Robertson, 1881-84
J. P. Maxey, 1885
William Fletcher, 1886
Thomas D. Green, 1887
J. D. Watson, 1888
E. T. Shelton, 1889-90
William M. Robertson, 1891-92Thomas D. Green, 1887
J.D. Watson, 1888
E.T. Shelton, 1889-90
William M. Robertson, 1891-92
Jehu Robison, 1894-95
D. C. Peters 1895
(no preaching at Sardis Church, 1896)
S. H. Pollard, January, 1897-1898
R. L. Hood, 1898-1902
T. J. Deakins, 1903
J.S. Festerson, 1904
Shelton and Driskell, 1905
Driskell, 1906
Uncle Nick Allee, 1907
F. M. Tate, 1909
M. F. Roberts, 1910-11
L. E. Hedrick, 1913
W. M. Tipton, 1915-16
Oshorn, 1917-19

In 1860 a frame community building was begun at Elston. In 1869, the Baptists, Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians united to carry on the Lord’s work. In 1885 another frame building was constructed, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1924. A stucco building was completed and dedicated in May 1926.

In June 1961, Sardis Baptists voted to go to full-time preaching (every Sunday) and in August of that year they moved into a 100-year-old school building which they had purchased about a year before. Then in 1962 the church traded this building for a two-acre tract at the north edge of Elston, and began to plan for a new building. On September 23rd of that year, ground breaking ceremonies were held, and work began the next week. The 28 x 54 brick structure (shown above), housing educational facilities in the basement, was completed in 1963.

Hickory Hill Baptist Church – SW Cole County

Upon the request of a small group of religious people, a meeting was held at Sullens Schoolroom, Iduma College in Cole County on Saturday, October 27, 1860. The purpose of the meeting was to organize a Baptist church along the guidelines of those churches in Concord Baptist Association which included Cole County.

William B. Walther and Martin B. Noland were in charge of leading the new organization, which was first called Iduma. Later a place of worship was erected east of the present one, and near Bethel Cemetery. It was called Ebenezer. Still later, the church moved to the village of Hickory Hill and became known as the Hickory Hill Baptist Church. Here it was housed in a two-story building, the first of which was used by the church and the upper one by the AF & AM Lodge. After the present structure was built in 1911 (just east of the old one) the latter was turned over to the Masons, moved to the village of Eugene and is now both the Lodge Hall and the Town Hall. The lot reverted to the church cemetery for a parking space.

A copy of what is referred to as the “1860 Church Covenant” is still in possession of the church; it begins as follows: “We whose name are hereto affixed…”, and at the close it is signed by William Johnston, Elizabeth Johnston, Sally Bond, James M. Ballenger, Matilda C. Ballenger, Isabella Russell and William Barr. Apparently those were the charter members. At that time the church had quarter-time services, meeting on the third Sunday of each month, with preaching and business meeting on Saturday evening before. The treasurer’s report of the financial standing of the church was given every three moths. They had no budget system, no cooperative program, but the laymen did serve on committees, even riding horse back to call on members and solicit for missions.

They had what was called the egg committee, whose members led in asking the church families to bring the eggs gathered on one certain day, and when the eggs were sold, the amount was sent to a benevolent institution, such as the Home for Aged Baptists at Ironton. As late as 1910, the pastor’s salary was $150 per year.

Numerous exclusions of members were listed in the early years of the church. As late as 1913, people were excluded for dancing, using profane language, non-fellowship, walking disorderly, un-Christian conduct or operating a saloon. The church entertained Concord Association in its annual meeting in 1875, 1938 and 1963. In 1940 a basement was added to the old auditorium; then in 1962 a new auditorium was constructed. Then in 1965-66 the old auditorium was remodeled into an educational building, with the outside of it blending with that of the new auditorium.

Two men have been ordained to the ministry by this church, while two others were licensed to preach:

J.R. Dinwiddie (1940) and Chester Lindsey (1942); Earl Hoskins (1955) and Bill Cox (1966). The following men have served as pastor:

William B. Wathol - 1860 R.P. Scott - 1875 W.D. Jordan - 1879 Mr. Maxey - 1888 J.B. Ray - 1889 J.C. Monroe - 1890 W. D. Jordan – 1891 L. Maples – 1892 Ed Lumpkin – 1900 A. L. Hensley – 1904 A.K. McKenzie – 1909 B.B. Russell – 1911 Worthy Cameron – 1912 A. K. McGrew – 1913 J. M. Tate – 1914 D. W. Williams – 1915 J. S. Mahan - 1917 W.C. Dixon - 1920 Edward James - 1922 T. F. Maxwell - 1923 C.E. Hedrick - 1925 H.W. Gadd - 1926 O.A. Winscott – 1933 Earl Pounds – 1938 Frank Branson – 1940 Johnny Hines – 1942 Frank Chase – 1943 Walter White – 1946 N. E. Williams – 1948 Ray Conyers – 1952 P. L. Allen – 1955 E. A. Winchell - 1956

First Baptist Church – Jefferson City

The first organization meeting of the First Baptist Church was July 8, 1837, in what was then the new Capital of a new and undeveloped state. The original members were Daniel and Ann Colgan, Jason and Sally Harrison, P.H. and Sarah Steinbergen, Rachel Walker, Ava Rice, and three black persons named General, Adam and Jennie. The presbytery was composed of Elders Kemp Scott, M. D. Noland and R. S. Thomas. Immediately after the organization, five additional members were received by recommendation.

The following served as pastors previous to the Civil War:

Elder M. D. Noland 1837-1840
Elders Kemp Scott 1840-1843
S. H. Ford Sept. 1843 - July 1, 1844
W.W. Keep June 1847 – May 1848 M. D. Noland April 1854 – Nov. 1854
J. A. Hollis November 1854 – August 1856
M. D. Noland April 1858 - ?
T.F. Lockett October 1859 – ?

The original meetings were in the private homes of the members, the ordinance of Baptism being administered in the Missouri River and neighboring creeks.

In 1838 they purchased ground on Monroe and Miller and began the erection of a building; it required four years of struggle and self denial for this little band to complete the house which was dedicated in 1842. The building was also used for school purposed. The congregation struggled with discouraging circumstances and finally had to disband, giving each other letters of dismission. Two years later there was an unsuccessful struggle for renewed life; there is no record of any meeting during the period of five years from 1847 to 1862. In 1858 Elders A. P. Williams, M. D. Noland and W. B. Walthall held a protracted meeting which resulted in renewed strength but soon after, the tragic events of war made another blank in the history of the organization. During the Civil War no meetings were held, as the church house was occupied by Union soldiers who used the building of the church for barracks and the pews for fire wood, leaving the building in such dilapidated condition that during the last year and a half of the war it was utilized as a stable for horses. The congregation had to wait forty years for the United States Government to reimburse them $1,200 for damage done to the church during the war.

Elder R. H. Harris was called to the pastorate immediately after the war and was succeeded by Elder W. J. Patrick, under whose leadership the church took on new life, selling the old building, they began erection of another on Monroe Street between Main and High. This building was dedicated January 29, 1871, Dr. G. J. Johnston preaching the sermon. Elder Patrick resigned in 1870, his successors being Elders C. H. Hurlbet/Hurlbutt and P.H. Evans, both of whose services were of short duration.

In 1873 the church called to its pastorate Elder T. W. Barrett under whose tenure the church was cleared of burdensome debt and gained spiritual strength and membership. He was succeeded in 1884 by Elder Ray Palmer, an orator of zeal and ability, who resigned in 1887 being succeeded by Elder J.T. M. Johnston. His fine social qualities with his ability as a speaker soon drew around him a large congregation of enthusiastic admirers. The church was too small to accommodate the increasing attendance and arrangements were made to sell the building and the building pictured above was erected on Main and Monroe streets at a cost of about $13,000. The building was dedicated on November 11, 1888; Dr. Green of St. Louis preached the dedicatory sermon while Dr. T.W. Barrett of Columbia offered the dedicatory prayer.

While Dr. Johnston was pastor, the church bought the home at 513 East High Street for a parsonage. Dr. Johnson served for ten years, resigning to accept a call from Delmar Avenue Baptist Church of St. Louis. He was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Taylor of Frankfort, Kentucky, a man of great pulpit powers, who served for two years and resigned August 18, 1899 to accept a call from the College Avenue Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana. The pastor, Elder W. T. Campbell replaced him.

In 1900 there were 373 members and the officers of the church were: H. A. Gass, moderator; W.W. Hutchinson, clerk; T. M. Hampton, treasurer; James A. Ellis, Houck McHenry, E.L. Bumpus, L.S. Parker, Porter Gilvin, Dr. H.E. Hammen and J. B. Reynolds, trustees; W.W. Hutchinson, H. W. Clarke, Benjamin Hampton, G.M. Maus and T.H., Whitney deacons. H.A. Gass was superintendent of the Sunday school, numbering nearly 200 students. Byron Leslie was secretary of the Sunday school and president of the B.Y.P.U., which society numbered 70 members; the secretary was Mrs. Byron Leslie. Mrs. H. W. Clarke was president of the Ladies’ Social Circle. The pastor taught the Bible Class, meeting on Friday evening to engage in a thorough and systematic study of the bible. The finance committee was the deacons, trustees and the treasurer.

Subsequent pastors called to service were as follows:

O. S. Russell March 1, 1902 – Feb. 28, 1903
R. L. Lemons April 1, 1903 – Aug 31, 1906
Homer M Cook Jan. 1, 1907 – June 1907
Ray Palmer Nov. 1, 1907 – Oct. 31, 1909J.F. Williams Jan. 9, 1910 – April 21, 1912
R.E. Bailey Sept. 1, 1912 – Sept. 15, 1914
Lm P. Proctor Feb. 1, 1915 – July 1, 1919
Paul Weber Jan. 4, 1920

Mt. Olive Baptist Church – SW Cole County

The Mt. Olive Baptist Church located four miles South of Russellville, had its beginning on April 4, 1888, when the Cole Spring Baptist Church granted 85 Brothers and Sisters letters of dismission for the purpose of organizing another Church of the same faith and order near the Pioneer Mine.

The church was formally organized on June 2, 1888, when this group met at the Proctor School House near Decatur for this purpose. The following brethren by request were present to aid them as a council: Rev. W.D. Jordan of Hickory Hill, G.C. Monroe of Enon, E.M. Lumpkin of Spring Garden and Deacon E.B. Lumpkin of Spring Garden. After sermon by G.C. Monroe, council organized by electing W.B. Jordan of Hickory Hill, president of Council and G.C. Monroe, clerk.

The first business meeting was called immediately following the council meeting and the members voted to name the church Mt. Olivet. This was the official name until September 1889 when the name was changed to Mt. Olive. At this first business meeting they also adopted Rules of Decorum; elected Andrew Leslie Church Clerk; and voted to hold regular meetings on the first Saturday in each month at 8:00 p.m. Worship services were held on the Sunday following the first Saturday.

In July 1888, the church chose the first trustees: George Russell, A.J. Cole and B.S. Enloe. The church also voted to retain J.C. Russell and M. Rhodes as deacons of the church. The following month, August 1888, W.D. Jordan was called as the first pastor and was paid a salary of $3 per meeting. Services were held once a month and pastors were elected to serve for a period of one year. The church voted to buy an acre of land for a church site from T.J. Scott for the sum of $10. Then on the first Saturday in September, they appointed a committee to make arrangements for the building of a church house and elected Br. Allen Starks “boss” of the carpenter work. The church was built in January 1889, Bro. W. J. Scrivner agreed to act as the first church sexton for six months for the sum of $2.25.

The first messengers to the Association were sent in September, 1888. This meeting was at Spring Garden. The messengers were T.S. Burk, B.S. Enloe, J. M. Proctor and J.C. Russell.

The early members were very conscientious. They voted to read the Rules of Decorum and the Articles of Faith every three months at the regular meeting, and to observe the Lord’s Supper every three months. Another duty for which they felt responsibility was the discipline of church members when they went astray. If a charge of unchristian conduct was made by one member against another member, a committee would be appointed to visit the charged member, investigate the charge and report back to the church. After hearing the report of the committee, the church would either drop the charges, or if the charges were found to be true, take disciplinary action which sometimes resulted in exclusion from the church.

The first two deacons, Br. A.E. Leslie and Bro. Allen Starks, were elected to serve April 1890. November 1891 saw the first revival when the church voted “to invite Brother T.D. Green to assist in a protracted meeting.” At this same time, they also chose him as pastor for the following year.

The church continued to grow and to expand its services. The first organization of Sunday school is recorded in the church minutes September 1897. Four years later, the church voted to have prayer meeting every Sunday evening although regular church services were still being held only one weekend a month.

Financing of the early church budget was done through the assessment of members. Delinquent members were visited by a committee appointed for this purpose. The church minutes state that a committee “be appointed to make a record of what each member should pay to support all the church expenses, and if any should be disobedient and fail to help in this work, the church will deal with such members as she sees proper.” This practice was continued until April 1912, when the church voted to take a collection for church expenses on each Sunday morning of regular meetings.

The original church building was built further down the hill than the present building and was supported under one side by posts which were said to have been high enough for a man to walk under. But as the church grew in strength, it was decided that a new place of worship was needed. In April 1908, the church voted to build a new church building. Almost a year later, the construction of what is now the main part of the auditorium was completed. It was dedicated in May 1909.

Through the years additional milestones continued to be reached. In December 1919, Mt. Olive voted to align themselves with the Southern Baptist Convention. July 1944 the first Daily Vacation Bible School was held. In August 1946 the church building was wired for electricity. Up until this time, gas lamps were used for light. In 1955 the basement and educational annex was completed and furnaces were installed.

November 27, 1939 the church voted to go to half time preaching. This practice was continued for thirteen years. April 1952 under the leadership of Rev. Farrie Cole, Jr., the church voted to go to full time services.

At one time the ladies sat on one side of the Church building and the gentlemen sat on the other side. Although the custom was eventually discontinued, it was not until February 6, 1954, that the church voted to give the ladies of the church a right to vote.

The following have served as pastors:   W.D. Jordan, T.D. Green, John Robertson, R.L. Hood, L. Maples, W.L. Cornett, E.M. Lumpkin, J.S. Conner, A.J. Hensley, J.M. Tate, W.S. Birge, D.W. Williams, G.M. Baker, J.F. Osborn, Elmer Thacker, G.M. Baker, N.E. Williams, J.M. Henderson, H.W. Alee, G.M. Pierce, Leo T. Crismon, O.S. Winscot, Earl Pounds, J.M. Wilcoxon, J.S. Laws, Bobby Potter, Hugh Trotter, Farrie L. Cole, Jr.

New Hope Baptist Church – NW Cole County

The United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ—as the early records show its appellation—was constituted on September 22, 1877. It apparently had its beginnings in the old Rocky Mount School House, about a mile northwest of the present location of New Hope Baptist Church. The first page of the first record book dated March 1, 1877, was signed by Austin K Longan, Evaline Longan, Sarah E. Longan, Clerra Longan, John Alley Sr., James T. McKenzie and Mattie McKenzie.

Eleven months after the church was constituted, a protracted meeting was begun with Elder J.P. Maxey assisting, resulting in the addition of fifteen new members to the church. Among this number was a Negro woman named Betsy Price. A month later three more members were added, making a total membership of twenty-five. Another protracted meeting was begun on Christmas Day of the same year, and continued day and night for four days. Pastor J.A. Jordan of Hickory Hill did the preaching, assisted by James T. McKenzie and a Brother Robertson. The church was greatly revived during this meeting, and was led to ordain its first deacons: Austin K. Longan, John Allen Sr., and James O. Hobbs.

The year 1879 saw this young church call James T. McKenzie as pastor, voted to organize a Sabbath School, prepare a letter to send to Concord Association and choose messengers to attend the Annual Meeting of the same. So the first two years of New Hope Baptist Church were years of spiritual blessing and growth. It was not until 1883 that these people purchased the unfinished building which stood on one and one-quarter acres of land, and which had been used as a meeting house by the Cumberland Presbyterians. The property was sold to the Baptists with one reservation, namely that “the Presbyterians are at liberty to occupy and use the house one Sabbath each month when it is not in use by the Baptists.” Soon after the purchase of this house, a committee was appointed to secure funds to pay off the indebtedness and to complete the building. this was accomplished within the next three years, for in May 1886 the building was dedicated with E. M. Lumpkin preaching the dedicatory sermon. He had been employed by the board of Concord Association to preach for New Hope Church for one year.

In those years the business meetings were held on Saturday afternoons—usually after a sermon by the pastor. When the business meeting was called to order, the “Peach of the Church” was called for; if there were any dissensions of any kind between members, this was the time to forgive and ask for forgiveness. When all was well between members, then “The Peace of the Church was found good”, and the business of the body proceeded. In November 1879, one of the members was excluded for drunkenness and card playing. Over a number of years others were excluded for the same reasons and for non-fellowship, dancing, fornication and two for heresy. Some came back voluntarily acknowledged their sins, asked to be forgiven and were restored to the fellowship of the church. Many were reclaimed in this manner. Some would not humble themselves enough to do that, so they continued in their wrong-doings and their relation to the body was severed.

In 1893, Brother Nicholas Allee was called as pastor and he served for seven years. He had been converted under the preaching of John B. Longan, a noted preacher of this area during the middle 1800’s. Soon after Brother Allee came as pastor, the church elected a committee of seven men to select a site on the church grounds for a new building, and to proceed with plans for the same. The old building was torn down and the best of the lumber was used in the new structure. Money was raised by subscription—one collection being taken at a baptizing. The largest contribution was $200 by James Hickam. Concord Association gave $35.10 and amounts on down to one dollar were given. The total cost of the building, including seats and carpeting was $866.47, just $3.25 more than had been donated. On completion of the building in 1896, dedicatory services were held with S.M. Brown, then editor of “The Word and Way” preaching the sermon.

In 1906 Rev. R.L. Hood was called as pastor, and he served the church for two years. During this time an organ was purchased, and Miss Ann Hickam served as the first organist. In January 1909, Brother Hood was again called (he seems to have been away for about a year), and this time he served for fifteen consecutive years. Soon after this second call, the church agreed to meet on a certain day to consider the question of disorganizing the church. It was on a Monday in March that this discussion meeting was held and the people voted to meet again on April 11 to disorganize. Before adjournment they took a collection to buy a new record book for the church. No reason was given for all this (in records) but they must have felt they had a good one.

The last business session of the “Old New Hope Church” was held April 10, 1909 on Saturday as usual. The next Day, Sunday, April 11, the church convened as agreed. The record book says, “It was agreed to disband New Hope Church and to re-organize. After the vote was taken New Hope Church was to exist no more. The Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant were read by the pastor, R.L. Hood. The doors of the church were then opened and 54 members came into the new church. Then we all covenanted together that we would live a more dedicated Christian life.” At the June meeting, 17 additional members came into the newly organized church making a total of 71. Under the ministry of Brother Hood, the church grew in numbers and was greatly blessed. During the revivals he held, great crowds attended, the building was often filled to overflowing, and the choir was filled with young people. After one of these meetings there were more than thirty converts baptized in the Missouri River east of Marion.

About 1938 a basement was dug to the south and west of the building and the latter was moved over the basement and turned completely around, so that the entrance is now on the north instead of on the south side. Rev. George L. Newkirk was the pastor at that time. It was during his ministry that the first Vacation Bible School was held.

In September 1939, New Hope Church entertained Concord Baptist Association for the first time, even though it was without a pastor. In October of that year, a revival was held with the associational missionary Blount Davidson preaching. It continued for four weeks, and there were 23 additions to the church—twelve by baptism and eleven by letter. In May 1942, another great revival was held with the pastor, Rev. S.M. McDaniel doing the preaching, and his wife assisting with the music. Twenty-three united with the church, twenty on profession of faith, and three by letter. One year later the church voted to hold preaching services two Sundays per month. On April 7, 1949, a Woman’s Missionary Union was organized with Mrs. Irene Garnett as president. A Brotherhood was set up at the same time.

Pleasant Hill Baptist – Rural

On October 22, 1881, Brothers Wilson Allee, E.W. Lumpkin and R.A. Stark met with a number of God’s people at the Pleasant Hill School House for the purpose of constituting them into a church. With Brother Allee acting as moderator, the following business was conducted:

1. Elected Brother Charles R. Scott – church clerk

2. Agreed that the church shall be known as the Pleasant Hill Church

3. Agreed that meetings would be held on second Saturday and Sunday following in each month

4. Elected Brother E.M. Lumpkin to serve as pastor for the ensuing year.

At the November business meeting, the following men were selected as deacons: Galen Johnston, Hosa Howser and Frank M. Scott. It was agreed to build a church house and a committee composed of John Amos, John Scott and Galen Johnston agreed they should build on property given by Brother Jim Glover on the south side of the road. The building was to be 26 feet wide by 40 feet long, and a frame building was planned with three rows of seats with two aisles and two doors in one end.

The Sunday school was organized in 1896. Mid-week prayer service started in 1935 and during a revival meeting held by the associational missionary this same year, the building was remodeled and new gas lamps purchased. In 1936 the building was remodeled again with a bay window being built behind the platform and the doors being moved from the end to the side of the building. The ceiling was lowered on each side. The training Union was started with Ray Bates as the first director.

The church went half-time in February of 1940 and the WMS was organized. A battery light plant was purchased in 1941 and the church was wired and new light fixtures installed. In 1944 a well was drilled on the church ground and a hand pump was installed at a cost of $216.62.

Pastors who have served Pleasant Hill Church are: E.M. Lumpkin, J.T. McKenzie, J.A. Jordan, Cal Monroe, T.D. Green, S. Maples, J.B. Dorris, J.S. Conner, James Henderson, A.J. Hensley, W.D. Scrivner, D.C. Lingle, G.M. Baker, A.L. Stark, Ray Robinett, William McEwen, Walter Conner, R.A. Woods, S.M. Petty, Denzil Albin, J.W. Brewer, Farrie L. Cole Jr., Keith LaGesse, M.F. Johnson, L. Winstead, E.L. Fisher, R.V. Wilson Jr., Floyd George and Joe Davis.

Russellville Baptist Church – Russellville

The Russellville Baptist Church had its beginning April 9, 1903, at a meeting in the Presbyterian Church building which is used today by the Methodists. Officers were elected at this meeting. May 10, 1903 was chosen as the date for recognition services of the permanent organization and neighboring churches were invited to attend. Those churches attending were Enon, Olean, Mt. Olive, Pleasant Hill, Hickory Hill, Cole Springs, and Centertown. Rev. Joseph Baker was chosen to preach the recognition sermon. In August, Rev. Barker was employed as pastor at a salary of $10 per month.

On June 14, 1905, a business meeting was held and a building committee was chosen to secure a lot and raise funds for the erection of a church building. July 1, the building committee reported that it had bought a lot on the corner of Simpson and Grace Street for $350. The new church was finished the following year.

In November 1949, a parsonage adjoining the church was purchased. In 1962, a new educational building was constructed.

Pastors who served from the beginning of the church are:

Joseph Barker
P. H. Taylor
B.B. Russell
T.K. White
J.M. Tate
L.T. Barger
S.J. Neal
T.F. Hanks
W.S. Burge
Rev. Williams
J.W. Callaway
F.T. Maxwell W. M. Tipton
Frank Cook
N.E. Williams
G.C. Davis
L.C. Robinson
G.M. Pierce
N.E. Williams
Earl Pounds
James V. Lamb
Paul Thompson
Denzil Albin
Robert Potter Hugh Trotter
Herbert J. Miles
Denzil Albin
John B. Rollins
Owen D. Moody
Denver Moore
Ervin Benz
Howard Lewis
Jerry T. Walls
W. R. Hamline
John Glover
U. Selby Aswell

Churches No Longer in Concord

Big Bottom Church took its name from the Missouri River Bottom of the same name in Saline County, opposite the town of Glasgow, Howard County. It was established in 1818, and in 1825 it changed its name to Good Hope. So many new churches were coming into the association after 1835 that when the annual meeting came around in 1842, the messengers voted to divide the territory by releasing all churches above and west of the Lamine River to form a new association. This new Baptist body became Saline Association, and of course Good Hope was part of it.

Mt. Nebo Church in Cooper County was the meeting place where Concord Association was formed, and it was one of the eight churches making it up. By 1872, there were forty-one churches in Concord, so another division was made by releasing a number of churches to form Lamine Association. Mt. Nebo was one of the number released.

Aurora Springs, Barnett, Blue Springs, Green Ridge, Mt. Herman, Olean, Rocky Mount, Spring Garden and Spring Valley were at one time constituents of Concord Association, all of them beyond the South Moreau River. Most of these churches went over to Miller County Association around the turn of the century or soon after, except Barnett, which remained with Concord until the late 1930’s.

Churches No Longer Active

In an association as large as Concord it is difficult to reach back into history and list all of the constituent churches that have been affiliated with this body. For instance, there have been at least two Hopewells, and the minutes from over 100 years ago lists two Baptist churches at Clarksburg that no one can remember. Many of those churches quit keeping records after becoming so weak numerically. Another fact to keep in mind is that churches often change their names and even their location. Among the eight churches which first formed Concord Association, there appears to have been two that changed their names; Big Bottom soon changed to Good Hope and many people believe that Double Springs later became High Point. In later years, Mt. Zion and Union merged, adopting the name Jamestown, the town in which it is located.

Some of the defunct churches are listed:

Liberty Baptist Church was evidently formed prior to 1825 because in that year it was received into the association. It was located in what is now Moniteau County, and probably was constituted by, or under the leadership of John B. Longan and Peter Woods. In the Minutes of 1890 its name is listed, but soon after the name does not appear.

Zoar, also in Moniteau County, was admitted to Concord Association in 1826. This church does not appear in the minutes available. Nevertheless, it could have existed for many years since there is a wide gap in the dates of available minutes.

German Baptist Church, located about midway between California and Mt. Pleasant, was constituted before 1890. The cemetery at the junction of Moniteau O and D is near the site of the church building. In 1925 the trustees were instructed to sell the building and distribute the money among California (First), Friendship and Mt. Pleasant. The clerk was instructed to give letters to German Baptist members to the church they desired to join and then “…a motion was made and seconded that we disband”. Most of the members apparently went to the three churches mentioned as receiving the money from the sale of the building.

Providence Baptist Church was organized in November 1879 at or near Prairie by Rev. B.T. Taylor. The building was erected in 1881, at a cost of $1,000 by the Rev. J.B. Box, the first pastor. Some of the charter members were named McLane, Slaughter, Simmons, Hornbeck, Taylor, Maxwell and Stemmon. The building, when erected, was about a mile or more from Prairie Home, and when the church disbanded, the building was moved to Pisgah and used as a community center.

Concord Church, Cooper County, was constituted in May 1817. The ministers leading in establishing this historic church were David McLain, William Thorp and Edward Turner. It had fourteen charter members. Apparently this church assisted in setting up two Baptist Associations; in 1818 it was one of the constituent churches forming Mt. Pleasant Association. But since it was south of the Missouri River, when Concord Association was formed in 1823, it became one of the eight original members, and gave its name to that body. Luke Williams was its first pastor, serving for six years until his death. He was succeeded by Kemp Scott, under whose leadership the church grew rapidly. It may have assisted in the organizing of Lamine Association in the 1870’s when some twelve churches separated from Concord Association to form Lamine. About 1919 or 1920, Concord, the oldest Baptist Church in Cooper County, disbanded. Many of the members went to Bunceton Baptist Church not far away.

Second Baptist Church – Jefferson City

Prior to the Civil War slaves, as a rule, attended and held membership in the church to which their masters belonged. They were not allowed to congregate, even for the purpose of worship, unless white people were present. During that time the blacks were slaves and members of the First Baptist Church where their owners worshiped.

It is said the first services held in Jefferson City by a black minister were conducted by Emanuel Cartwright who, in compliance with an urgent request, preached the funeral of Julia Brock in January 1859. Following this event Cartwright was permitted to hold a series of meetings in the course of which fifty or sixty were converted, and with the consent of their masters the Second Baptist Church was organized and permitted to have a pastor of their own race.

This consent was not readily obtained, owing to anti-slavery agitation just preceding the Civil War. In 1860 the whites concluded their slaves should have their own pastor and in answer to their request Silas Woodson was sent from St. Louis to take charge of the church. Still they were not allowed to hold their meetings because of the excitement at the time resulting from the impending Civil War. Just previous to the war, they were not allowed to worship except when some of the whites were present. The black congregation, restless under restraint, effected an organization of their own and held services electing the following deacons: Archie Drake, Howard Barnes, Patrom Johnson and Arthur Lee, all of whom were elected Trustees.

They held services at first in a small frame building near the corner of Jefferson and Main, and later in the Presbyterian Church until that body refused them the use of the building. Rev. Cartwright continued to visit them once a month, and when he would fail to appear, the deacons would conduct services. In 1867 Rev. Cartwright baptized Logan Bennett, Dudley King, Julia Drake, Fannie Oliver and others. The creek on Elm Street between Adams and Monroe Streets (just a block away from the church) was used for this purpose. Later they went to the Missouri River. Brother Logan Bennett, an ordained deacon, was the first Superintendent of Second Baptist Sunday School. He walked alone to Bald Hill Road and cut the first Christmas tree.

In 1869, Rev. Albert Nelson accepted the pastorate of the church. He baptized Andrew Branham, George Branham, John Lane, Sophronia Bolton, Nellie Ewing, Frannie Branham and others, tow of whom later became ordained ministers—George Branham and John Lane.

The earnest little band feeling the necessity of a home of their own purchased property on the corner of Main and Monroe streets, agreeing to pay $1,150. With the cooperation of the earnest and faithful lady members of the organization they succeeded in raising this amount and after a lengthy struggle the property was deeded to them.

As the congregation grew they exchanged their property for a lot at the corner of Monroe and Miller streets and around 1873 christened their new building the “Second Baptist Church of Jefferson City.” About that time Rev. Cartwright gave up his claim on the church and a regular pastor was elected, Rev. Gabriel Gray, with Howard Barnes as clerk. After a short time Rev. Gray was succeeded by Rev. H.H. White. After the departure of Rev. White, Rev. Attwater occupied the pulpit a short time, but attempted to defraud the congregation without success. He was discovered and left clandestinely.

About this time John Gordon was elected clerk. In 1879 Rev. H. J. Burton was called as pastor. His administration prospered both financially and spiritually. During one of his protracted meetings there were 65 additions to the church. Rev. Burton continued in charge nearly three years and was succeeded in 1886 by S. P. Lewis, who was a pulpit orator of great power. He remained one year and was followed by Rev. B.F. Ratliff. November 11, 1888, Rev. J.S. Dorsey became the pastor in charge, continuing for eleven years. During his pastorate they built a new parsonage at a cost of $1,800 and raised during the five years $5,580 in cash which was paid toward the building. When he left the treasury contained $400 to its credit in the bank to go toward the erection of a new auditorium.

At this time William Mause was elected Treasurer with Mrs. S.H. Wiseman, Assistant, who succeeded to the office on the death of Mr. Mause, filling the place until a successor was elected, John H. Burton. An auditorium was built adjoining their property.

In 1900 Rev. John Goins was installed as pastor. The church was well-organized and willing to work to pay off its $5,000 debt. This was paid in full during the five years he served.

Dr. J. T. Caston, a minister and physician, came in 1905. During his stay, two rooms were added to the parsonage, making it a seven-room house. He resigned in 1913.

Rev. Goins was recalled, he sought to add another story to the parsonage at an additional indebtedness of $3,000. He remained until 1917.

In 1918 Rev. E.L. Scruggs accepted the call. The debt was paid and a pipe organ installed, purchased from the First Baptist Church (1924). Sister Estella Diggs was chairman of the organ committee. The cost and installation, with interest for the organ was $903.49. This was paid in two years.

Rev. L. D. Hardiman was called as pastor in 1927. During his administration many improvements were made in the organization and administration of the church, adding many members to the congregation and in making many improvements, both to the church itself and to the parsonage. Rev. Hardiman was a missionary minister who did a great amount of preaching all over the central part of Missouri, especially in the churches belonging to the Central District Convention.

During this time Brother George Boone inherited a large sum of money and donated $250 to be used on repairs. He also arranged a will whereby the church would become heir to his home after the passing of his niece and himself.

Rev. A. Wendell Ross followed as pastor in 1933. With his talented wife, he added much in choirs and musical instruments. He served the church for a period of three years. During the interim between the resignation of Rev. Ross and the arrival of Rev. Johnson, the church called as its pastor the Rev. J.H. Jackson. However, Dr. Jackson was such an outstanding minister and so well prepared that he wa elected after three months pastor-designate here, to Philadelphia to serve as the Executive Secretary of the missionary work of the National Baptist Convention. In fact, Dr. Jackson never moved his residence here.

Rev. C. B. Johnson was called to the pastorate of Second Baptist Church in 1937 and proved to be the minister who would stay longest. He served the congregation for a period of 20 years.

The present building housing the Second Baptist Church was dedicated in April of 1971.