Church and Family History Research Assistance for Jackson County, Missouri
CHURCHES:
SIX MILE (1825)
Six Mile Church was organized on the third Saturday in June, 1825, in the "Six-Mile" community, a site claimed by the United States Government consisting of six square miles, in the midst of the wilderness. The church was organized by Elder William Thorp, in council with Brothers Jeremiah Hall, Abraham Grooms, and Abraham Creek. (An account by Elder Joseph Warder states that Salem Church preceded Six Mile, and says that the members who organized both of these churches were dismissed from Big Sni-a-Bar Church. It also says that Six Mile Church was organized under the ministry of Elder John Warder. See the account in full, on the Lafayette County page.)
A log meeting house was soon constructed, furnished with clapboard seats. Highways now criss-cross the site where trails once pushed the frontier westward. The trails to Oregon, California, and New Mexico, "started" from Independence, which was deemed to be on the edge of the frontier, since Missouri had just been admitted into the Union a short time.
Six Mile Church united with the Fishing River Association.
PLEASANT GROVE (1826)
Pleasant Grove Church was organized, it is thought, in 1826 (but definitely by 1830, when it united with the Fishing River Association), and was the first church of any denomination in Independence. It was constructed of logs 35 by 30 feet, with one door, and two large fireplaces. Elders William Thorp, Robert Fristoe, and Henry Hill are credited with being the presbytery which constituted it.
SALEM
Salem Church was organized (according to one source) in 1827, some of the early members being Elder Joab Powell, John Powell, Emily Powell, Elias Powell, Rebecca Powell, John Powell Jr., Mary Powell, Ann C. Powell, and Abraham T. Powell. Early pastors included Elders Thomas Stayton, John Jackson, James Savage and William Ousley.
PLEASANT GARDEN
Pleasant Garden Church was organized on the second Saturday in June 1832, at the house of Warren Reavis, by Elders Enoch Finch and Thomas Stayton. Elder James Savage was the first pastor. Meetings were held, at first in homes of the members, until about 1837 when a log meeting house was built at the site of the Rheem Cemetery. Early pastors included Elders William Ousley, Hiram Bowman, Joseph Warder, and Elder Flourney. For many years this church was a member of the Mt. Zion Association, of which it was a charter member in 1841.
LITTLE BLUE
Little Blue Church was organized on the fourth Saturday in September 1832, with nine members, four males and five femals, by Elders Thomas Stayton and James Savage. Among its first actions was to petition for membership in the Fishing River Association.
BIG BLUE
MOUNT PLEASANT
PLEASANT GROVE
Pleasant Grove Church was organized in 1837. Pastors of Pleasant Grove Church have included Elders Henry Hill, Thomas Rule, Ira Boone, G. W. Stout, J. D. Gossett, H. W. Newton, W. T. Brown, G. E. Higdon, and William Pollard (up to about 1930).
Deacons have included David Robertson, G. W. Stout, James N. West, John Saunders, B. W. Finnell, William Stewart, J. K. Dodson, Frank Leap, N. J. Leap, Francis M. Corn, George W. Pollard, F. M. Corn Jr., S. C. Estes, Thomas Thompson, Howard W. Pollard, and Kenneth A. Corn (up to about 1950). Clerks have included A. Brooking, Caswell Davis, John Boggs, Christopher Stayton, W. C. Morton, John Saunders, H. A. Head, H. W. Bauder, R. I. Estes, G. W. Stout, Ira BOone, B. W. Finnell, Frank M. Leap, N. J. Leap, C. V. Geiger, F. M. Corn Jr., and John F. Newhard (up to about 1950).
OAK GROVE
Oak Grove Church was organized by 1853 or earlier.
PALESTINE
Palestine Church was organized in April or May 1873, at what was known at that time as the Mastin School House, by Elder Isaac Johnson. The charter members were Noah Smith, Lucinda Smith, William Moberly, Harriett Moberly, Larkin Gresham, Sarah Gresham, John Oliver and wife, Sister Wingate, Frank Thorpe, Edward Frye, and Sister Botts. The same year, Palestine church united with the Fishing River Association, and Elder G. W. Stout was the first pastor. In 1881, Joel Foree gave two acres of land for a meeting house and cemetery, and a new building was dedicated in June of that year. The building burned December 30, 1925, and was not replaced.
ROUND GROVE
LITTLE ZION
Little Zion Church was organized on Saturday, January 2, 1886, at the Lower Schoolhouse in Blue Bottom, with seven charter members, viz., Edward Odell, Matilda Odell, Henry H. Odell, James M. Bledsaw, W. R. Roach, Martha A. Roach, and Hiram A. Taulby. The presbytery was composed of Elders W. T. Brown, Isaac Odell, and R. M. Ogle, and Deacons Jacob S. Atkins, Marion Sherley, James H. Webb, and L. J. Johnson. Elder R. M. Ogle was chosen as the first pastor.
MT. VERNON (KANSAS CITY)
Mt. Vernon Church in Kansas City, Missouri, was organized in 1899, with nineteen charter members, viz., Maggie Knaus, Frederick A. Lillpop, Mary Lillpop, Omer Shields, Elvira Shields, John Hale, Lulu Hale, Sarah Hale, Jacob R. Goodlander, Ada Goodlander, Charles A. Bidwell, E. O. Ridpath, Liza Ridpath, Mary E. Evans, Katie R. Forbes, Zarilla Nolland, Mary Newman, Allie Grife, and Mary Caudell. The presbytery was composed of Elders William T. Brown, John Lovitt, Allen Sisk, S. P. Ramey, W. R. Riggs, and J. M. Thompson, and Deacons John Brown, J. K. Dodson, B. E. Gaines, and W. J. Hall.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
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