Middle Grove Christian Church - Some History

In the year of 1825, the Christian Denomination erected a log cabin on Section 33, Township 54 and Range 12, approximately two miles northeast of Middle Grove. According to description, it was possibly near the Daniel Dennis farm.

This building was used until 1840 when the congregation decided to build a church in Middle Grove to be near the center of the settlement. The church was built on the banks of Milligan Creek, calling it "The Reformed or Christian Church, where the 1/2 mile of Section 9, Township 53, Range 12 where said branch running north containing 1 1/2 acres", for the purpose of a meeting house for the use of the denomination known as the Appellation Christian Church. The church was believed to have been organized by Thomas W. McBride with the aid of Marens P. Willis, Richard Cain, Samuel Rodgers and others.

In 1849, when Elder Henry Thomas preached in Middle Grove, people drove from as far as Antioch to attend the meeting. By 1874, the church had grown to 100 members. When G.A. Hoffman, minister from Bloomfield, MO spoke on August 15, 1878, it was in the old building that was torn down and a new building was built in the same place. In 1888, the church had grown to 241 members. By 1892, it had 329 members and was valued at $1600.

A thing of beauty was the old Chandelier that was suspended from the ceiling with many kerosene lamps to be filled and cleaned. This later was replaced with a modern lighting system.

A Ladies Aid was begun in the early 1900's. Later in 1953, the Ladies Aid was changed to C.W.F. (Christian Women's Fellowship) and is still active today. Mrs. Grove (Betty) Dunwoody was the first President and Mrs. Leonard (Alice) Willingham was the first Vice President. Rugh Hayden was president for 33 years, until her death in 2001. Most recent Presidents have been Barbara Ronimous and Norma Jean Swartz. CWF has helped the church and community in many ways with projects of piece quilts and visiting the nursing homes, and making donations to Home of the Aged and Woodhaven and Shiloh Children's Homes.

In 1960, a lifelong member, Mary Schooling of Middle Grove Church, passed away. She remembered the church in her will and left $5000 to the church. This was used to redecorate and lay new carpet and all new furnishings. She also left $5000 for the cemetery. A large Bible was donated by the Stephens family to be placed on the pulpit.

Communion plates were given to the church in 1961 in memory of George Garnett. His wife, Nelsie Garnett, played the piano for the church for 50 years. Offering plates and communion service were presented to the church in 1962 by Mrs. Mollie Bassett Jennings. A cross, candle holders and offering plates were given by Mrs. Rosa Mae Copeland in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Rummans. In 2000, an oak corner shelf was made to display the communion set.

Two seven branch candelabra were donated in 1969 in memory of Mr. Fred Thompson. A classroom bell was donated by Bonnie Jacoby in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dayton Hillyard.

In September 1972, an addition was started of 4 Sunday School rooms and a kitchen was built on the west end of the church. This was finished January 17, 1973. On March 8, 1976, the huge oak tree which stood outside the church was officially measured being 310 years old. This tree has been submitted as a Liberty tree and a plaque has been placed in the church. The "Old Oak Tree" was badly damaged by a storm about 1982 and from that time on continued to deteriorate and was cut down in October 1986

The Bicentennial Committee dedicated a new oak tree and a flag pole in 1976. In 1977, a concrete slab with a marble bench and canopy were dedicated by Betty Wright, Mildred Schopp, Nelsie Garnett, and Mary Ruth Brown. Restrooms were added in 1978 when the interior of the church was remodeled by Clifford Brown Jr.

In 1984, ceiling fans were installed when Flobell Howell donated money in memory of her mother, Mrs. Mae Brooks.

In 1999, the family of Melvin Schopp presented the church with a gold communion set with candlestick and a cross for the communion table. Melvin had served on the church board for 60 years; many years as a deacon and over 20 years as an elder.

In 2000, a new roof was put on the church and new vinyl siding was installed on the outside and the bell tower. In August a wind storm came through and took down one of the large evergreen trees in the cemetery. it was laid down perfectly by the Master, without a stone being damaged. A new oak tree was planted in the front yard in memory of Donald Riley.

Then in 2001, the church added a baptistery and a new Sunday School room. When 2002 rolled around with the aid of a contractor, some elders and some youth in the church, a new central air and heating was installed. The old gas stoves are to be removed and the short pews are to be rearranged to make more room upfront.

Some of the ministers in the 1900s were: Williams, Crutcher, Holes, Brown, B.S.M. Edwards, Talbot Reavis, R.S. Crub, R.S. Hoshston, Steve B. Owens, Marian Williams, J.W. Pearson, J.J. Hutchinson, Q.V. Williamson, Willard Reavis, H.T. Hensen, J.D. Powell, W.D. Endres, B.G. Reavis, Don E. Westore, Floyd Frye and Russell Pulis, John Johnson and Scott Davis.

Some of the elders and deacons of the church were:

Taken in part from "Middle Grove Missouri 1817-1988"
and "Middle Grove Bicentennial History 1976"

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Date last modified: 01/24/03