High Point Methodist Espicopal Church

DRAKE, TODD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/23/2009 at 23:20:09

High Point Methodist Episcopal Church
Liberty Township, Ringgold County, Iowa

The early settlers of the southeastern corner of Section 12 in Liberty Township, Ringgold County, Iowa, held their religious services in the Prairie View rural schoolhouse. In 1874, James A. DRAKE, first owner of the Blackmore Store, donated land which was a beautifully wooded two-acre plot and here the High Point Methodist Episcopal Church was erected. It was one of the earliest wood-frame rural church buildings in Ringgold County. The church was located approximately five miles east of Wishard Chapel, or, one mile west of Blackmore Corner.

Funds and trees were donated by various members of the congregation. The trees were hauled to local saw mills for processing. What wasn't donated was purchased in Leon located in Decatur County where the railroad had been established.

Although the congregation had hired a framer, most of the work was done by volunteer labor. When Elder TODD dedicated the church later in the year, the church was free of debt.

The High Point Church closed its doors circa 1949. Some time afterwards the church was torn down.

SOURCES:
Mount Ayr Record-News, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. September 22, 2005.

AVITT, Mike. Pages and Pictures from the Past . . . Ringgold County, Iowa: 1885-2005 p. 47. Paragon Publications, Inc. Mount Ayr, Iowa. 2009.