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A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects McDowell Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, Penn Township, Section 7 |
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A part of the IAGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects McDowell Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, Penn Township, Section 7 |
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We had hoped for a real "history" of McDowell Chapel, but same has not yet come to hand. Was this congregation and church named for Rev. Joseph McDOWELL, M.E. minister who came in 1851 and in 1856 was made Presiding Elder? And was he the same Joseph McDOWELL who owned land in Section 7, Penn Township, before 1867?
Articles of Incorporation of the McDowell Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, located in Penn Township, Jefferson County, State of Iowa, filed June 18, 1867 -- Jefferson County Deed Book 6, Page 462. "The object of this incorporation is the purchase of the necessary ground and the erection of a church building for the worship of Almighty God after the forms and customs and in conformity to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States." "The names of the present trustees of said church are John S. NOBLE, Nathan QUAKENBUSH, Robert C. HICKS, Richard H. DIXSON, J. S. TRAIL, David K. MINTER and William LIVINGSTON."
Deed Book 7, page 66. Deed recorded Dec. 10, 1867.
M. E. Church from Richard H. DIXSON and wife. This indenture, made this twenty-sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-seven, between Richard DIXSON and Hannah DIXSON his wife, of the one part, and J. S. NOBLE, R. H. DIXSON, Nathan QUAKENBUSH, David K. MINTER, R. HICKS, J. S. TRAIL, William LIVINGSTON, Trustees, for the uses and purposes herinafter mentioned, all of the said parties residents of the County of Jefferson, State of Iowa, Witnesseth, that the said Richard DIXSON and Hannah his wife, for and in consideration of Fifty Dollars to them in hand paid at the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted ... A certain piece of land ... Section 7, Twp. 73, Range 9, in NW corner of the SW forty acre lot in said Sec. 7, Twp. 73, Range 9, commencing at the NW corner of lot at the township line ... 10 rods east (note: a 'Rod' is a linear unit of measure equal to 16.5 feet), 16 rods south, 10 rods west, and 16 rods north (one acre) ... They shall erect and build or cause to be erected and built thereon a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal church ...
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
October 8, 1868
Page 3, Column 3
SUNDAY SCHOOL PIC NIC.--Agreeably to previous arrangements, the Howard Grove, Baptist, and McDowell Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Sunday Schools, of Penn Township, met for a union pic nic on Friday, 2d inst., at the McDowell Chapel. The exercises consisted of prayer, reading the Declaration of Independence, speeches by Revs. Friskin, Donaldson, Elliott, Holmes, and Mr. Hughes, interspersed by music furnished by the schools.
The dinner was worthy of special mention ; a table was spread and fairly groaned -- being burdened with the luxuries prepared by the fair hands of the community. The music was creditable to the performers.-- Taken altogether it was an interesting occasion which will not soon be forgotten. We hope it may be the means of stimulating the friends of the schools to greater diligence in the cause.
D. Donaldson.
Oct. 5, 1868.
The earliest death date found on a tombstone in McDowell Cemetery is that of a NOBLE child, July 1868.
Apparently the first wedding in "McDowell Chapel" was on Feb. 4, 1869 -- that of James R. FITCH and Mary Etta DICKERSON; the second was on November 28, 1869, Eliza DUDLEY and Wallace HICKS, son of Robert HICKS.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
October 21, 1885
Page 3, Column 6
Rev. Joseph McDOWELL, a pioneer Iowa minister and citizen, died in Mt. Pleasant last week, his funeral occurring Sunday afternoon. Quite aged ... Mrs. C. D. TOMY of this city is a daughter.
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"Jefferson County Republican"
August 14, 1903
Page 4, Column 3
The old McDowell Chapel building in the north part of the county is being torn down and in a short time a new one will take its place. It is to be something after the pattern of the Richland M. E. church and will cost, in addition to the material out of the old building, about $2,000. There is nothing that speaks better for a country or community than its churches. When you see people interested in their churches you may be sure there are lots of good people living there. They expect to furnish the means for the erection of the building but we have no idea they would object to receive some liberal contributions from friends away. May they have great success in their work with God's blessing.
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"Brighton Enterprise"
Saturday, September 26, 1903
Page 4, Column 4
A new church is being built on the site of McDowell Chapel in Black Hawk (?) Township (sic - Penn Township).
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"Jefferson County Republican"
Friday, November 20, 1903
Page 5, Column 1
The new McDowell Chapel is nearly completed. Three weeks of good weather would have it ready for dedication. The members of that church have worked until the cost was only in cash about $300.
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"Brighton Enterprise"
Saturday, February 6, 1904
Page 6, Column 2
The new McDowell M.E. church which is several miles south of here, near Veo, was dedicated Sunday by Elder Lambert. There has been a church there for 45 years or more, which has been placed aside for this new structure. The cost of the building is about two thousand dollars, which sum they have already raised.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Saturday, February 28, 1925
Page 6, Column 3
There were no church services at McDowell Chapel in the morning on account of the roads and weather.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Friday, July 29, 1927
Page 3, Column 3
VEO. ...The McDowel people were glad to welcome Rev. Garden back again Sunday morning, after his trip through the south. He was accompanied by Fred Mathers of Fairfield who gave him some splendid help in the song servire (sic). ...
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"Brighton Enterprise"
Thursday, February 20, 1930
Page 2, Column 1
VEO. Rev. WYATT of Fairfield preached a good sermon at McDowell church Sunday morning.
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"The Fairfield Ledger"
March 1, 1930
Page 5, Column 4
McDOWELL CHAPEL. Merton D. WYATT, pastor. Sunday School 10 a.m. Preaching first and third Sundays, 11 a.m.
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"Richland Clarion"
Thursday, July 20, 1950
Page 4, Column 4
Just recently the Christian Church completed plans for buying McDowell Chapel. Tearing down the old building will start Monday. Services in H.S. Gym. Cement work on basement in August.
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"Richland Clarion"
August 24, 1950
Basement is done; ready for movers.
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"Richland Clarion"
August 31, 1950
Page 1
Waiting for McDowell Chapel. Moving equipment on hand.
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"Richland Clarion"
September 14, 1950
Church is in town.
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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Ledger"
Saturday, September 23, 1950
Page 7, Column 7
Richland. ... McDowell Chapel is being moved to the Christian church foundation to take the place of the old brick structure that was built 85 years ago. ...
(The church building was dedicated as the Christian Church of Richland, Keokuk County, on June 3, 1951. Minus the once proud steeple, there it stands in 1970.)