A
number of families of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
that settlement near Patterson (Mt. Pelier) and St. Charles united,
and the Clanton congregation of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church was organized February 19, 1855, with 17 members. Rev. James
Greene organized the church and for several days services were held,
including communion and baptismal services. Robert Gamble and J. M.
Baird were elected ruling elders.
Within
a short time the Mt. Pelier group transferred to Winterset because
of distance and the Clanton Congregation became known as the St.
Charles Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Rev. James Miller,
who came early in 1856, was the first pastor. The United
Presbyterian Church is the result of the union of the Associate
Reformed Presbyterian and Associated Presbyterian churches in 1858.
The
first house of worship was erected in 1868 in the present one in
1916.Sixteen pastors and stated supplies have served this
congregation. They are: Rev. James Miller, Rev. A. J. Graham, Rev.
R. S. Raitt, Rev. W. R. Baldrige, Rev. M. R. Cochran, Rev. Leonard
Proudfit, Rev. W. F. Graham, Rev. M. M. Milford, Rev. H. J. Bell,
Rev. Robert McElroy, Rev. Robert Hood, Rev. Lee F. Park, Rev. W.
L. Torrence, Rev. G. P. Carnahan, Rev. John Baird, and Rev. F. R.
McLean. Rev. G. P. Carnahan was pastor for 12 years, Rev. R. S.
Raitt for 10 years.
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![](church_images/st_charles_presby.jpg)
Original
St. Charles Presbyterian Church (1868)
Photo
courtesy of 1915 Madison County History
St. Charles Presbyterian Church (1916)
Photo
courtesy of Google Maps |
There
have been 15 ruling elders, J. M. Baird being the first one.
Present
(1955) members with longest memberships are Mrs. Hannah Clarke,
Mrs. Margaret Clarke, Mrs. Leila (Weede) McCullough, and Mrs.
Mattie (Nicholl) Sheets. Mrs. Eva (Weede) Dyer of Indianola is the
oldest form a member, having joined the church in 1885. Rev.
Robert M. Jones is supply pastor at present.
Per
the Winterset Madisonian of August 4, 1999, the city of St.
Charles took possession of the 1916 Main Street Presbyterian
Church June 1, 1999. It had been vacant for 20 years.
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Source: St. Charles Church Plans 100th
Anniversary Program, The Winterset Madisonian
September 28, 1955, Page 1 |
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