The Methodist Episcopal Church (South) – Jefferson City

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The Methodist Episcopal Church (South) of Jefferson City was organized in October, 1841, with forty members. The only names preserved on the records, however, were R. F. Kerr, H. Hough and James A. McClain who were the officers of the first quarterly conference. Prior to this, William M. Kerr erected a residence near the penitentiary where he organized a class in 1838. Prayer meetings had also been held alternately in the homes of Peter McLain, John D. Curry, William Kerr and Jesse Waldron. Public services were held in the old State House (where the Governor’s Mansion now stands), the old County Court House and an old school building. The old church, located at 222 East Main Street, was begun in 1839 and finished and dedicated in 1843.

The first pastor in charge here was Rev. Jesse L. Bennett, serving one year in 1841. In 1842 Rev. J. W. Chandler took charge and greatly assisted in pushing forward the completion of the church building then in course of construction. During the second year as pastor, the church was dedicated, Rev. Thomas Wallace preaching the dedicatory sermon. The next pastors in charge were Revs. W. H. Lewis, J. H. Linn, W. Wharton, J. Stamper, T.H. Caper, Thomas T. Ashby, A.L. Hamilton, T.M. Finney, Joseph Boyle, J.V. Headenburg, John H. Headly, William M. Leftwick, each serving one year except Rev. T.M. Finney, who served two years.

When the Civil War broke out, Dr. Leftwick, who was the presiding elder of the district, continued to hold services as long as he could. Services were also held by Rev. Jacob Ditzler who became pastor later. The church was broken up and the membership scattered most of who worshipped with the Northern church. During his pastorate here Rev. Ditzler expressed his opinions, and was to have been arrested by the Northern soldiers, when Mrs. Allen Richardson, wife of Col. Richardson, a Northern sympathizer, and a warm friend of Rev. Ditzler, advised him to leave, which he did. After his departure Rev. Josiah Godbey from Saline County held services once every three months.

The Northern soldiers had taken possession of the church building and the members worshipped at the old court house and different places whenever they could. After the war (1866) the first pastor was Rev. George W. Horn who, with the congregation, again worshipped in the old church, although the building was much abused and out of order. Services continued in the building until the walls were undermined by water, resulting in tearing the corner away, and they were compelled to again seek the shelter of the old court house. This was during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. W. M. Prottsman (1872-1873). It was then decided to build a new church, a fund being started for this purpose by selling the old church and parsonage which was at 517 East Main Street.

The membership was not very large, although the largest of any church in the city at the time. The building was finished and simply furnished in 1874, during the pastorate of Dr. C.C. Woods who laid the corner stone of the church, Bishop Marvin assisting in the services. Later the ladies of the Round Table Society purchased a pipe organ.

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In 1879 Dr. W. B. Palmore, who later became editor of the St. Louis Christian Advocate, was sent to take charge and during his stay the alcove in the church was built, other improvements made and a parsonage erected. This pastor did more to build up and put the church in a prosperous condition than any who preceded him. He denied himself the comforts of life that he might give money to the up-building of the church, sleeping in a little room above and taking his meals at the hotel.

The church was repaired and refurnished from time to time, but never added to since the alcove was built. The history of the church, with a list of pastors, officers and members, was placed in the cornerstone of the new parsonage on East Main Street, which was laid under the auspices of the Grand Masonic Lodge, the Grand Master officiating.

Dr. Palmore remained four years until 1882, the only pastor who had been retained that length of time. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas M. Cobb, who was followed three years later by Rev. James M. Boon who served two years. Rev. S.R. Hunter served two years, Rev. W. T. McClure two years, Rev. William B. North one year, Rev. J. N. Huggins two years, and Rev. J. C. Given, three years. Rev. A. H. Barnes came in 1898 and was still there in 1900. The congregation at that time numbered over 500, making it necessary to build a new and larger church house. They purchased a lot on the corner of Main and Monroe streets and began construction of the building, designed by architect Charles Opel, shown below. It was estimated the cost of the building would be about $25,000.

The building committee was composed of Gen. H. Clay Ewing, President; L. D. Gordon, M.R. Sinks and T.M. Bradbury. The officers at that time were: Board of Stewards: Gen. H. Clay Ewing, Chairman; A.R. Johnson, Secretary; Frank Stanfil, George B. Anderson, Max Thiel, J. M. Jobe, Gov. Lon V. Stephens, T.M. Bradbury, M.R. Sinks, Jefferson Menteer, John Ruthven and L. D. Gordon. The Board of Trustees was M. R. Sinks, Gen. H. Clay Ewing, Gov. Lon V. Stephens, T.M. Bradbury, Frank Stanfli, J. W. Ruthven, A.R. Johnson. M.R. Sinks was Superintendent of the Sunday school; A.R. Johnson, Assistant; Harry Gordon, Secretary; Miss Annie Ober, Treasurer. Of the Ladies’ Missionary Society, Mrs. M. D. Williams was President; Mrs. A.R. Johnson, Vice-President; Mrs. W.E. McMahan, Secretary, and Mrs. George B. Anderson Treasurer. Earl Oliver was President of the Epworth League; Mrs. Smith Arnett was Secretary and Treasurer.

German Methodist Episcopal Church - Jefferson City 

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When a German Methodist congregation for Jefferson City was first contemplated, the circuit contained many fields of labor. Sebastian Barth who was sent out by the American Tract Society to look after the spiritual welfare of the Germans in this part of Missouri, first visited the German settlements at Jefferson City, California, Lake Creek, Jamestown, Lexington, Boonville and Pilot Grove.

After doing work as colporteur for the society a short time during 1843, he was sent to these places as pastor by the German Methodist Church which had its headquarters at Cincinnati, Ohio. A short time after an assistant was necessary and H. Nuelson, then only nineteen years old, was engaged. The first administering of the sacrament was at Lake Creek near Sedalia in 1844, to which place Rev. L.S. Jacoby (the first missionary of the German M.E. Church to Germany), Rev. Barth and Rev. Nuelson had come on horseback from Hermann, MO via Jefferson City. Revs. Barth and Nuelson were succeeded by Revs. Eisenmeyer, H.C. Dreyer, Nicholas Reitz, Jacob Haar, John D. Kruse, Adam Klippel, C. Steinly, Peter Hehner, F. Janson, Jacob May, J.M. Dervein, H. Muehlenbruck, J.J. Eichenberger and G.W. Reitz. The service as pastor at that time was limited to two years which made the list of ministers during all these years a long one. As the fields grew they were divided and subdivided and in 1900 there were ten pastors doing the work of the district that at first required only one. The first preaching before the societies were organized was in private homes.

In 1875 Rev. George Reitz succeeded in completing a brick church on the corner of Elm Street and Broadway. He was followed in his work as pastor in charge by the following ministers in the order named: Revs. Wm. Baltke, Charles Wehrman, J.G. Hildenstein, C.C. Stahman, J.J. Steininger, Smith, Brinkmeyer, Fred Koenig, Emil Goetz, E.F. Schewe and J.P. Koeller. The congregation never had a large membership. At times on account of deaths and people moving from the city, it almost passed from existence, but through the work of a few faithful members, among them Miss Jane Artz and Father Petry, the congregation continued to live. In 1900 they had a membership of 34, an active Sunday school with George F. Lessenhop as Superintendent, and a Ladies’ Missionary Society with Mrs. George F. Lessenhop, President; Miss Jane Artz, Vice President; Mrs. Catherine Saar, Secretary and Mrs. J.P. Koeller, Treasurer. The officers of the church were: John Eberhardt and George F. Lessenhop, trustees; Fred Weymeyer, William Petry and George F. Lessenhop, stewards. Regular services were held twice a month with a weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday evening and Sunday school ever Sabbath at 2 p.m.

In the history of this church organization, the first work was done in Jefferson City in 1851, but soon abandoned and not resumed until 1864 and it was not until ten years later that their church building was erected.

Osage Bluff German M. E. Church - Osage Bluff

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The German M.E. Church was erected in 1899 and dedicated on October 29 of that year near the place where the old log church stood, midway between Brazito and Osage Bluff in Cole County. The pastor at that time was J.P. Koeller of Jefferson City, who was also pastor of the German M.E. Church in that city. This sister church was served in the past by the same pastors who served the German M.E. congregation in Jefferson City. (See preceding article).

Officers of the church in 1900 were William Crede and John Engelbrecht Sr., trustees; Louis Bachman and Chr. Engelbrecht, stewards; Julius Engelbrecht was superintendent of the Sunday school.

African Methodist Episcopal Church – Jefferson City

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Richard Allen, the founder of African Methodism, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1760, a slave of Benjamin Chew. While he was very young he, with his mother and three other children, were sold into the state of Delaware. At seventeen Richard became converted and began to urge others to do likewise. Their owner offered Richard and his brother an opportunity to purchase their freedom, a task which was soon accomplished. This was followed by many trips through New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, during which time Richard used every opportunity to learn more than he knew.

Meanwhile, Richard had been asked to speak several times in the church which he attended and was in Baltimore for the organization of the Methodist Church in 1784. One Sunday in 1786, he, with a group of other Negro worshippers, was asked to move to the very rear of the balcony, to which the entire group of Negroes left immediately, never to return.

Allen organized a group of worshippers which met from house to house. In 1793 the group purchased a piece of land at Sixth and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia and moved an old blacksmith shop to the site. This was named Bethel, now called “mother Bethel”. The building was dedicated by Bishop Asbury of the Methodist Church in 1794.

In 1799 Bishop Asbury ordained Richard Allen into the ministry, and in 1816, an Elder, the highest ministerial order in Methodism.

Other groups began to form in Baltimore, Wilmington, New York and New Jersey where Negroes had also been mistreated. In April, 1816, Allen called a meeting of these groups in Philadelphia to form a national organization. Rules and regulations were adopted and Allen was consecrated as the first Bishop.

By 1836 the church had spread to Ohio, Massachusetts and Haiti, and had grown from 400 members to 7,655 members. By 1856 it had spread to Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Louisiana, Kentucky and Canada with over 20,000 members.

Bishop W. P. Quinn was consecrated in 1844 and was placed in charge of the Indiana Conference. Because he was interested in the growth of the church he traveled throughout Indiana, Illinois and Missouri organizing congregations wherever he went. About 1851 or 1852 such a group was organized in Jefferson City, though it was too small to be assigned a minister at that time.

The A.M.E. Church of Jefferson City was organized about the year 1862 by the Rev. John Turner with twenty-five members. A lot and log cabin at 116 Miller Street were given to the members by Mr. Elijah Ramsey. The records show that the property on which the original edifice stands was acquired by Lijah Ramsey who had been allowed to earn his freedom from the master whose last name he took. Upon the death of Lijah the property passed into the hands of his son, Elijah Ramsey who deeded a portion to the A.M.E. Church of which he was a trustee. A building was completed there sometime before the end of the Civil War.

For about a year they had no pastor. In 1863 the Rev. Frank Carter, their first pastor was sent to them. He served the church one year, and during this time they were holding services, consisting of both Methodists and Baptists, as the Baptists had no place to hold services. Other trustees at the time (1863) were Silas Trigg and L. F. Carter. According to the records a motion was made in the newly organized Missouri Conference (established in 1856) in 1862 to change the society in Jefferson City to a mission, more telling of the size of the congregation. Pastor was Prince Wright, assigned in 1864 when there were 73 members.

During this time the old cabin was torn down, and a frame structure was erected in its place, where the Methodists continued to worship, having separated from the Baptists. They worshipped in this church until 1876, during which time the following pastors served: Rev. Edward Doran served two years, Rev. Thornton Smith one year, John F. Jordan two years, M.S. Parks two years, G.H. Nickels two years, J.C.C. Owens one year, William Ware one year. Improvements upon the property followed. Mortgage records show that $550 was borrowed for this purpose in 1870 and $200 in 1871.

Rev. William Henderson was sent to the church in 1875 and was its pastor three years; he bought the lot on the corner of Miller and Madison streets and erected a brick building. In 1877 another mortgage was signed by William Henderson, Richard Winston, Wat Pese, John Carter and Harrison Ramsey as trustees. The plat for the property including a later gift from the Ramseys, shows that extended 198.9 feet on Madison Street to the alley and 104 feet 4 ½ inches to the alley on Miller, with the homes of Elizabeth Jones and Lucinda Hunter lying between it and the church. The church had grown to a membership of over one hundred which made the building a necessity.

The Rev. John Turner, the man who organized the church fourteen years before, was the next pastor. HE served one year. He was followed by the following pastors: Reverends John Fouche, G.W. Guy, W.A. Dove, C.W. Preston, J.P. Watson, Solomon Dorcee, James Madison, C.N. Douglass and W.B. Brooks.

In 1895 an unpleasant period appeared in the history of the church, which had grown to a membership of about one hundred and fifty. The Rev. P.W. Dunavant was sent to the church as pastor; after serving three months he was suspended from the A.M.E. connection and succeeded in taking nearly all the church with him. They claimed the property, worked to hold it, and kept possession of the building about one year. During this time the A.M.E.’s that were left had no place to worship. The Rev. W.A. Norris was sent to look after them and improve their condition. The year following, those who had withdrawn, finding they could not hold the property, vacated the building, procuring other quarters. The Rev. E.S. Brown was sent to take charge of the remaining few, about fifteen. He was succeeded by Rev. Madison who was followed by Rev. J.C. Caldwell who served two years, being succeeded by Rev. E.R. Vaughan who served one year.

At the meeting of the annual Conference in St. Louis in October 1899, the Rev. J.F. Sage was sent to take charge of the church. Within five months he succeeded in adding more than sixty members to the congregation and placed the church in a prosperous condition.

A significant improvement was made in 1918, when $2,200 was borrowed, the mortgage being signed by the Rev. J. W. Curry, pastor, William G. Flynn as secretary, and Jackson Emerson, B.F. Abbington, B.F. King and Joseph Trigg.

Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

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Plans which led to the rebuilding program in the new location were actually begun under the Rev. G. L. Hayden (1949-1952) when the property on Lafayette Street was acquired. The definite decision to sell the old property and to begin building on the new was made during the pastorate of the Rev. L. A. Parker (1952-1954). Contracts were let and the building program started under the Rev. W.E. Wharton (1954-1956). Completion of contracts and equipping was consummated under the pastorate of the Rev. G. C. Hall who came in 1956. The new chapel was dedicated May 26, 1957.

The names of trustees in later years included the following: 1929 – Robert S. Cobb, Jasper Simmons, W.B. Brown, R.G. Richardson and J.H. Shelven; 1935 – Robert S. Cobb, Lucinda Johnson, Robert S. Hill, R.A. Clinton and J.E. Roundtree; 1937 – Robert S. Cobb, Grant Ramsey, Robert S. Hill, R.A. Clinton and J.E. Roundtree; 1942 – Ted Black, J.O. Brown, Robert S. Cobb, L.S. Daigle and R.G. Richardson; 1948 – Holmes Merritt, Miss Azalea E. Martin, R.G. Richardson, M.T. Preston and J.O. Brown; 1954 – Miss Azalea E. Martin, Ted Black, Willis Byrd, H. M. Purnell, R.G. Richardson, Mrs. Vivian Hardiman, L.W. Hatcher, Earl Warren and M.T. Preston.

The largest membership on record was in 1882 when there were 200 members reported, under the Rev. G.W. Guy.

African M.E. Church (Zion)

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The African Methodist Episcopal church (Zion) was organized October 1894 by members who withdrew from the African M. E. Church. Services were held in the Opera House until the erection of the church on Madison Street, between Miller and Elm. Rev. P.W. Dunavent, the first pastor after the organization, was succeeded by Rev. S.C. Doby, the next pastor being Rev. Clement Peters. Rev. S.W. Hawkins followed who was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Ely September 24, 1899. William Thompson was choir director and Ferny Longdon superintendent of the Sunday school.