Montgomery County, Iowa
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Church History

Stennett Church
Historica Stennett, Iowa

The Stennett Union church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the county. The building was constructed by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stennett in 1892, on land deeded to the organization, and the church was used for all community gatherings in that part of the county until the new consolidated school building was built at Stennett. Since which time all religious and social gatherings, have been held in the school gymnasium.

The sale and removal of the old church building which stands just east of the Stennett store building, will mark the passing of an old land mark in the northern part of Montgomery County. (Stennett Union Church, built 1891 and sold in 1936, services were held there until 1940. per Montgomery County History Center, Dave McFarland).

Stennett Church Will Be Removed Union Church to Becoe Community Church At a meeting held at the Stennett Community church Monday, June 22, the congregation voted to change the name from a Union church to a Community church and to reincorporate for a period of 50 years. Articles of Incorporation are to be filed with County Recorder Adrian G. Illingsworth by Attorney Lester L. Orsborn at once. Such action gives the congregation possession of the church property at Stennett. It is the purpose of the trustees to sell the property at public auction on Monday, July 19, and to put the funds in trust. The Stennett Union church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the county. The building was constructed by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stennett in 1892 on land deeded to the organization and the church was used for all community gatherings in that part of the county until the new consolidated school building was built at Stennett, since which time all religious and social gatherings, have been held in the school gymnasium. The sale and removal of the old church building which stands just east of the Stennett store building, will mark the passing of an old land mark in the northern part of Montgomery County.

WAYNE STENNETT (1832-1911) Death of Wayne Stennett ~ Founder of Stennett Church Wayne Stennett is dead. He passed away about 9 o’clock Monday morning, January 2, 1911, at his home, 304 Grimes st., after illness and suffering of about ten months. During that time, Mr. Stennett did not have the use of his vocal organs but did not take to his bed until the Saturday before his death. Death was due to paralysis. Funeral services were held in the Christian church of Red Oak, Friday morning, Rev. W. W. Merritt, a life long friend, preaching the funeral service. Mr. Stennett was in his 79th year, and 52 years of his life he spent as a resident of this county. Through the test of over half a century of association with the residents of this locality, including as they did the early days of hardships when friends were more than passing acquaintances and the application of practical friendship often meant bread to the hungry and care of the sick and injured, Mr. Stennett proved himself a man of absolute unselfishness; honest, friendly and unassuming. Those sterling traits of character for which he was beloved in early days did not desert him in his old age and his friends are in no wise confined to those of the pioneer days. Never did the passing of any Montgomery county resident cause more general and profound sorrow. No man ever answered the call of his Creator with a purer record for honesty, fairness and charity than does Wayne Stennett. Mr. Stennett sprung from a family of pioneers. He was born in Edwards County, Illinois, January 5, 1832, and when about 16 years of age removed to Scott county, Iowa. He was a farmer for a time, but was drawn by a fascination for river traffic into that vocation and rose to the position of pilot on the Mississippi river in 1855. He was married in Scott county, November 30, 1856, to Elizabeth Light, and with her moved to Montgomery county. They arrived on the farm where the town of Stennett, which he laid out, now stands July 20, 1858. Mr. Stennett engaged in farming and met with success. He served two terms as county treasurer and one term as a member of the county board of supervisors, later engaging in the breeding of thoroughbred Durham cattle. After giving up active work on the farm Mr. Stennett became station agent at Stennett and engaged meanwhile in buying and shipping of livestock in partnership with the late Allison Becknell. For 25 years, even after his removal to Red Oak in 1908, and continuing until stricken with paralysis some ten months ago, he served as agent at Stennett. While living in Red Oak and conducting the station there he made the trip to Stennett each morning and returned each evening. Two sons, F. M. Stennett of Red Oak, and Frank L. Stennett of Santa Ana, California, survive Mr. Stennett. Mrs. Stennett died December 24, 1907, and one son, Clarence, died as result of an accident in 1878. Three brothers and three sisters, H. L. Stennett and Mrs. A. Becknell of Stennett, J. P. Stennett of Villisca, Chas. Stennett of Ashland, Oregon, Mrs. Eliza Harlan of Oakland, and Mrs. B. Dinwiddie of Rock Point, Oregon, survive him also. He leaves nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mr. Stennett was a member of the Christian church. He was also a member of the Masonic bodies of Red Oak, withdrawing only when old age made active participation a burden. (Obituary courtesy of the newspaper, THE SUN, Red Oak, Iowa.) The Elliott Graphic, Elliott, Iowa, January 12, 1911

Source: Submitted by "Anonymous Montgomery County Angel"