Church and Family History Research Assistance
for Clay County, Missouri
CHURCHES:
BIG SHOAL CREEK (GLADSTONE)(1823)
Big Shoal Creek Church was organized May 21, 1823, by Elder William Thorp, a pioneer minister in the county. Among the first members were George Burnett and wife, Peter Burnett, Elisha Todd and wife, John Crowley, Elizabeth Moore, Christina Moore, Jane Cain, Daniel Hughes and wife, Richard Barnes and wife, John Atkins and wife, Edward Mails and Garrett Arnold.
At first, the services were held in the rude log school house which stood near the original site, where, in 1827, a log church meeting house was built, 18 by 20 feet, hewn from virgin timber. This building had a vestibule in front and an offset in the back, and was called the church with twelve corners. It was unique in that it had a real board floor and a lathed and plastered ceiling. The seats were of split logs, with pegs for legs. One part of the room was set apart for the negro slaves who came with their masters. In 1854 the membership had outgrown the meeting house, so the log building was torn down and replaced with a brick one. The first pastor at the new site was Elder John Knight, a veteran of the War of 1812.
In about 1882 this church was led astray over the "Means" doctrine which divided churches several places in Missouri, and became part of the West Fishing River Association, which later went out of existence.
LITTLE SHOAL CREEK (LIBERTY TOWNSHIP)(1823)
Little Shoal Creek Church was organized by Elder William Thorp, on May 28, 1823, with twelve members. A letter dated Dec. 12, 1877, from Joseph Thorp, which was published in the "Messenger of Peace," states that Elder William Thorp had the pastoral care of the church up to the date of his death, in 1853, after which the church had the services of Elders Darius Bainbridge, Henry Hill, and Isaac Duvall (up to 1877). Up to the fall of 1877, the church had received 134 members by experience and baptism, 150 by letter, restored 11, dismissed 115 by letter, excluded 24, and 79 had died, leaving 26 at the time Bro. Thorp wrote his account.
In about 1882 this church was led astray over the "Means" doctrine which divided churches several places in Missouri, and became part of the West Fishing River Association, which later went out of existence.
MT. VERNON (1823)
RUSH CREEK (1823)
LIBERTY (KEARNEY/LIBERTY)(1828)
The Liberty Old School Baptist church was organized at Liberty, in 1828. It united with the Fishing River Associaton, and stood firm against the innovations of the modern mission system. Elder Henry Hill served as pastor for many years. In 1881, the church was being served by Elder J. C. Penney. There is a cemetery at the site of the church (we are not sure whether the church had more than one location).
MT. PLEASANT (EXCELSIOR SPRINGS)
Mt. Pleasant Church, at the west edge of Excelsior Springs, was organized in 1830. Elder W. T. Brown was the pastor in the 1880's. Elder R. M. Willett was a member of this church, and the pastor for many years, until the church closed in 1973.
An article in the Messenger of Peace, Nov. 1, 1925, read as follows: "A reporter for a daily newspaper attended services at Mt. Pleasant Church, near Excelsior Springs, and wrote as follows about the church. "A Daily News Call reporter attended services Sunday at Mount Pleasant Church, which a few years ago was moved from the historic spot two miles southwest of Excelsior Springs to the new location at Crescent Lake. The Mount Pleasant Church is of the Primitive Baptist faith, sometimes called "Hardshell Baptist." There has been much history made since the first church was erected and services held three quarters of a century ago. Running our memory back through a span of fifty years, we recall some of the widely known ministers, among whom was Elder James Duval, of Richmond, an able, sincere man. Recalling the names of some of those who worshipped there and have since crossed over the river, are Squire S. D. Bowles, Jack Welton, Squire W. B. Mitchell, J. J. Wysong, Aunt Lina Welton, Mrs. C. S. Singleton, and Mrs. S. D. Bowles. Not only has old Mount Pleasant church been, and still is, near the hearts of those who worship there, but to the older generations of other denominations as well. The services yesterday were conducted upon the same lines as in the days long gone by. The same good, old songs were sung to the good, oldfashioned tunes. Everybody shook hands with everybody and there was a spirit of good will and welcome all around. The morning servies were conducted by William Pollard of Independence, and Elder J. R. Dale, of this city."
CLEAR CREEK (KEARNEY)
Clear Creek Church was organized August 6, 1840, and was located in Sec. 14 of Kearney township.
FIRST PLATTE
In about 1882 this church was led astray over the "Means" doctrine which divided churches several places in Missouri, and became part of the West Fishing River Association, which later went out of existence.
BETHEL (MAYSVILLE)
MOUNT ZION (KEARNEY)(1852)
Mt. Zion Church was organized in April 1852. The charter members (according to an account given by Judge T. R. Shouse) included John G. Price, William V. Hogen, James T. Withers, William H. Price, James Munkers, Thomas Holden, Daniel B. Sans (sic?), Thomas Y. Gill, George H. McNealey, Elisabeth L. McNealey, Louisiana Hogen, Sarah E. Withers, Amanda Mosby, Agnes Munkers, Susan G. Withers, Margaret S. Sans (sic?), America Price, Julia Gill, and Martha Withers. The church united with the Fishing River Association in the fall of 1852.
Pastors of the church included Elders William H. Price, Henry Hill, William T. Brown, James Duvall, and G. E. Higdon. Other ministers who often preached there included Elder J. E. Goodson, William J. Priest, Walter Cash, William J. Sears, William Warren, Allen Sisk, G. W. Stout, and J. H. Oliphant.
A brick meeting house was erected in 1853 at a cost of $1,500. The materials used were native brick and white pine. One white pine timber reached the length of the church and held not a single nail. The benches also were of white pine. This was the first brick church in the county east of Liberty. A cemetery was also established at the site. The location of the church was N. E. Corner of S. E. 1/2 of Sec. 30, Twp. 52, Range 30, just off highway No. 10, several miles east of Liberty.
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