Church and Family History Research Assistance for Monroe County, Missouri
CHURCHES:
MIDDLE FORK (CEDAR GROVE), PARIS, MO.
Middle Fork Church, near the Paris Covered Bridge, was organized May 7, 1831. The charter members were John Luney, Mary Luney, Paul Herriford, Sarah Herriford, John H. Curry, Matilda Curry, Benjamin Luney, Isaac Coppeage, Edward Turner, Lucretia Turner, Nancy Donaldson, Mary Smith, Christopher C. Acuff, Peter N. Mahan, Jane C. Mahan, John Hocker, Fanny Pool, and Peter (a black man). The presbytery was composed of Elders Archibald Patterson and Edward Turner.
The church was originally called Bethlehem, but the following April (1832) the name was changed to Middle Fork of Salt River. The original meeting house was in the town of Paris, on the bank of the Middle Fork of Salt River. Elder Edward Turner was the first pastor, John Curry was the first clerk, and Isaac Coppeage and John Hocker were the first deacons.
The Two River Association was organized October 1838, by Middle Fork, Lunies Creek, South River, Flint Hill, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Elk Fork, Ebenezer, Saverton and Providence churches. Things went along in peace and prosperity until 1840, when the contention became so great over the modern mission system that Middle Fork Church divided. After the division, both factions of the church met in the same building for some time. In 1861 the Civil War began, and the pastor was cast into prison at Palmyra, and the meeting house was burnt. When the War ended, services resumed. In 1866 a lot was purchased in the town of Paris to build a meeting house on. In 1879, it was decided to sell the building in town. In June 1880 a meeting house was built on land given by Jared Fawkes, on the Mexico road. It became known as Cedar Grove.
Pastors of the church included Elders Edward Turner (1831), Anderson Woods (1836), Thomas Greer (1841), John L. Linsey (1845), Henry Louthan (1847), Henry Louthan and James Dudley (1857), Henry Louthan (1860), James Dudley (1868), Henry Louthan (1870), Milton J. Sears (1871), T. B. Ausmus (1881), Jonas F. Sutton (1883), W. A. Chastain (1915), W. J. Hardesty (1919), W. A. Chastain (1923).
NORTH FORK, STOUTSVILLE, MO.
North Fork Church was organized during the year 1832, with the following charter members, viz., William J. Henderson and wife, Jonas Reavis and wife, Jane Donaldson, John Eagle and wife, William J. Henderson and wife, Zach Herndon and wife, Charles Crutcher, Mary Dooley, Lucy Nardwick, John H. Yowell and wife, Joel Finks and wife, William Turner and wife, Richard Turner and wife, Bert Yager and wife, James Bush and wife, George Williamson and wife, Edward Ragsdale, Polly Martin, Samuel Vanschoick and wife, William Crutcher, Hiram Dooley and wife, Jane Ridgway, William Allen and wife, Sophia Gatson, Dulcena Shearer, Calvin Shearer, William Wilkerson, Levenia Wilkerson, and Peggie Wilkerson. The early records of the church were destroyed by fire prior to 1909.
Among those who served this church as pastor were Elder Christy Gentry, Archibald Patterson, Charles Turner, William Priest (for over 35 years), and George W. Murray.
The first building was a log structure, which was built in the year 1835, and was later used as a residence as late as 1909. A nice frame structure later replaced the first one.
The members in 1909 included C. L. Turner, Mamie Turner, J. B. Tipton, Addie Tipton, Mildred Pollard, Belle Gatson, F. C. Nance, Elizabeth Shearer, Alice Shearer, Nonie McGee, James Henderson, Clarisa Woodson, Kate Bryan, Hattie Bannister, America Painter, Lou Donaldson, Bert Armstrong, Joan Tewell, Jennie McGraw, Ella Ragsdale and Ella Tillitt.
MT. PLEASANT, MADISON, MO.
The early records of Mt. Pleasant Church, prior to 1912, were destroyed by a fire of a member's home, but it is believed that the church was organized in about 1842. Trustees, Dave Overfelt, Green E. Wilson, and William E. Craig, received property for the church on March 1, 1852, in Township 55, Sec. 31, Range 11 west. The deed includes the articles of faith.
Mt. Pleasant Church was a member of the Mt. Pleasant Association until a majority of that Association embraced what is known as the "means doctrine." In 1889 Mt. Pleasant Church united with the Two River Association, and remained in that body until 1939, when the Association disbanded.
The first building was made of logs, and stood west of the present building. In the year 1906 the present meeting house was built, by H. G. (Bud) Brock, W. J. Akers, and John H. Carter.
Pastors who are known to have served include Elders Benjamin H. Owings (1858), Jonas F. Sutton (1888), George W. Murray (1911), W. A. Chastain (1914), J. H. Hardy (1917), and W. A. Chastain (1919). The present pastor is Elder Russel Key, who was called in 1956.
EBENEZER (PARIS)
OAK GROVE, MADISON
CLEAR CREEK
Go Back to the Primitive Baptist Library Page
Go Back to the Family History Assistance Page
Copyright c. 2001-2020. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
