EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Not many of this religious faith have ever united in a society in Jasper County. There was, however, one such church formed in Newton, St. Stephen's parish, which was organized by Rev. W. T. Currie in October 1867, the same being incorporated December 1, 1868. Members were J. Green, M. B. Atwater, F. P. Miller, S. Arthur, D. and R. Ryan.

The corner stone for the church was laid in September 1871, and the edifice was finished, except the spire, in Easter time, 1874. The cost of church, furnishings, painting and grounds, amounted to about six thousand dollars.

The rectors who served, so far as can now be learned, were Revs. W. T. Currie, T. B. Newby, J. H. Magoffin, S. C. Gaynor.

In 1878 the record shows that there were about thirty communicants in St. Stephen parish. In later years the society found it impossible to support a regular rector and services were discontinued for a long period at a time, but in the spring of 1911 the society had been revived again and a regular pastor secured and regular services are now held again.

THE GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH

The Bethany German Reformed Church at Baxter was located one mile east of the village, November 7, 1869, with about twenty-six constituent members, including these; Simon Haeger, Henry Krueger, Karl Krueger, Simon Klemme, Henry Haeger, Frederick Krampe, William Hermsmeier. Henry Krampe and Henry Kanne.

The following have served as pastors: Rev. Solomon Elliker, from July 4, 1869, to August 26, 1883; Rev. A. Heineman, from November 7, 1883, to January 13, 1889; Rev. Edward Scheidt, from January 27, 1889, to October 1907; Rev. Paul Treager, from April 5, 1908, and still pastor.

The first church building was dedicated July 25, 1869; this becoming too small, another church was erected in its place and dedicated August 18, 1878; it was thirty-six by fifty-four feet, built of wood. The interior was tastefully arranged and fitted out with a large two-manual pipe organ. On Christmas day, 1910, this edifice was totally destroyed by fire. Another church of pressed brick, forty by seventy-eight feet, with a steeple eighty feet high, in gothic style, is now under course of construction.

The congregation owns a large parsonage, a schoolhouse for parochial purposes and different buildings of wood construction, representing a total value of about twenty thousand dollars. All buildings are located close together on a two and one-half acre tract. It also owns a cemetery of two and a half acres, located a half-mile north of the church.

The congregation is now composed of two hundred and fifty communicating members. This is now, perhaps, the only church in Jasper County where regular school is kept exclusively in the German language and where all services are conducted entirely in the same language.

Another church of this denomination is located seven miles east of Baxter, known as the Reformed Zoar Church.

LUTHERAN CHURCHES

LUTHERAN CHURCH AT KELLOGG

St. Clement's Lutheran Church at Kellogg was formed in 1869, by Rev. F. A. Boden, who served as pastor many years. In 1878 the congregation had a membership amounting to thirty families. In 1873 a house of worship was erected at a cost of one thousand three hundred and sixty-five dollars. The present membership is about seventy communicants. The first child christened here was that of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Boden, August 31, 1873. Rev. J. G. Olterman, now of State Center, Iowa, was pastor here until a few months since, he being the last pastor serving the congregation.

At Elk Creek, this denomination has another church of about seventy-five communicants, worshipping in a frame church erected in 1900.

THE NEWTON LUTHERAN CHURCH

This society was organized in July 1868, under the labors of Rev. H. S. Cook. The first members were Mrs. Elizabeth Failor, Mr. Ramsey, and wife, Joseph Lyday and wife, John Dutot and wife, J. T. Newell and wife, Dr. Benjamin Failor and wife and Andrew Failor.

A house of worship was erected in 1873, known as the "Ten-Cent Church." About two thousand dollars was raised by the society and about five hundred dollars by the people of Newton, regardless of denominational lines. This not being sufficient to carry out their plans, the pastor sent letters to churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio and other states, soliciting ten-cent subscriptions from each member in the Eastern churches. About eight hundred dollars was thus realized. The structure was built of brick, a short distance from the northeast angle of the public square and is still in use. In 1878 this society had a membership of about fifty and at present it has one hundred and fifty-six. The society owns the church and a good frame parsonage, near by. The pastors, who have cared for this congregation since its organization, have been: Revs. H. S. Cook, 1869, to September 6, 1876; Walter L. Lilly, April 8, 1877, to 1878; J. H. Culler, 1879 to 1884; Albert Bell, 1884-87; Rev. O. F. Weaver, B. F. Grenoble, 1888-92; Rev. Litzell, Rev. Simon, Rev. Tait, Rev. Dieffenbach, W. L. Bright.

The records show the church was established with seventeen members.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES

MONROE METHODIST CHURCH

At Monroe the first religious denomination was formed in Jasper County. It was, as has so many times been the case, given to the Methodist people to first set up the cross of Christ in this new country at a time when the red man had just about given his last farewell to the country and a few settlers had set their claim stakes and built their rude log cabins.

Early in the spring of 1844 Adam M. Tool, while, going to a mill in Brighton, chanced to fall in with a young Methodist preacher, who asked him if he believed the people in his little neighborhood would like to have him come in and preach for them. Mr. Tool replied he thought they would. This young man of God was Rev. J. W. Johnson, who soon came to the settlement and preached at Mr. Tool's house. Soon afterwards a class was organized, the same consisting of Mrs. Susan A. Tool, Washington Fleenor and wife, and David Worth and wife.

Later in the same season, a two days meeting was held, when James A. Tool and his sister, Mrs. Hill, united with the class. The membership remained stationary then until the winter of 1849-50, during which season a revival was held, probably in charge of Rev. J. Q. Hammond, when the membership was increased to sixteen, a part being by letter. It is known that Revs. Gibson and Hanson had preached the Word in 1846-7, and Rev. Rev. Kirkpatrick during 1848. The revival was held at the schoolhouse.

The first church building was a frame building, erected in 1856; it was homely, but very comfortable for those early times, Its size it was thirty by forty feet, and cost about one thousand and seven hundred dollars. By church membership had increased to about thirty-five.

The following have served as pastors in this church, with possibly a few others whose names have not been inscribed on the record books: Revs. J. Q. Hammond, Gibson, Kirkpatrick, Michael Seay, 1850; Rev. Pierce, 1851; Joseph Hall, 1853; J. B. Allender, 1854-5; E. M. H. Fleming and Rev. Gardner, in 1856; A. Coleman, 1857; Bussey, 1858; E. Wood, 1859; A. Lauback, 1860; C.W. Shaw, 1862-3;B. Holland, 1864-5; Early, 1866; F. M. Slusser, 1867-69; George Clammer, 1870; T. McKay Stuart, 1870-73; D. McIntyre, 1874; P. St. Clair, 1875; Rev. Brown, 1876. From that date to the present the following, among others, have served: Revs. Brown, Clammer, Murphy, Durfey, Heaton, Stahl, September 1893 to 1896; R. W. Smith, 1896-98; A. V. Knepper, l898to 1902; D. M. Hilmich, 1898-02; J. A. Ross, 1902 to 1904; A. E. Foutch, 1904 to 1906; J. C. Pike, 1906-1909; Charles P. Johnson, 1909 to date.

THE NEWTON METHODIST CHURCH

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Newton was organized in 1848 by a little class, which had been collected by Rev. Strange Brooks. Among the original members were Willis Green and wife and their two daughters, E. Shipley and wife, James Pearson and wife, Thomas Pearson and wife. Willis Green was the first class-leader.

In the winter of 1858-9 a union revival service was held at the old courthouse, which was conducted by Rev. Thomas Merrill, and Rev. Bartlett, Congregationalists, Rev. Fleming, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Mr. the Steel, of the Presbyterian Church. After the new converts had chosen their own church home, it was found that eighteen had united with the Methodist Society.

The first church edifice for this society was erected in 1856-7 and cost two thousand dollars. It was thirty by fifty feet. Later a good bell was added to the property. The records show that in 1877 there were two hundred and ten members in good standing, which has increased with the passing years to seven hundred and twenty-five. The list of pastors is not quite clear during the first few years, but it is certain that the following is not far from a complete list, beginning at 1854: Revs. Parker, Hiles, Petefish, Flemming, Carrier, Shaefer, Hestwood, Winnings, Shaw, Brown, Harris, Busby, Reynolds, Shriner, Evans (in 1878), W. G. Thorn, R. A. Carimine, J. A. Boatman, J. G. Barton, I. O. Kimble, G. M. Tuttle, E. L. Shriner, J. W. Lewis, E. C. Brooks, C. V. Cowan, J. C. Willits, J. W. Hackley, O. S. Baker, W. P. Stoddard, W. H. Perdew.

The present value of the church property of this society is twenty thousand dollars. Of the various building operations it should be stated that in 1881 the present church was erected, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. It was destroyed by fire in 1885, caused by a poor furnace. It was rebuilt the same year at a cost made up largely from insurance money received. In 1898 an addition was erected, at a cost of five thousand dollars, making it almost as large again.

The increasing membership necessitates a new and larger building, and in the spring of 1911 the trustees were instructed to secure subscriptions, plans, etc., with the view of erecting a larger edifice, which will doubtless be carried forward in the near future. Great is the contrast in Newton Methodism between these days and those early times of which the county record books speak as follows:

"Ordered, that the trustees of the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal Mission Church have a deed granted to them for lot No.8, block No. 25." (Dated July, 1851, and signed by the Board of County Commissioners.)

TOOL'S CHAPEL METHODIST

The following is from the fifty-sixth anniversary of this church's history, compiled in a neat booklet and is worthy of reproducing, it relating to early Methodism in Jasper County.[EDITOR.].

The early history of the Methodist circuit rider and the development of this country run side by side. With the foundation of this government Methodism came on the scene, and as rapidly as the boundary was pushed westward, and in some instances before, the friendly face of the Methodist circuit rider was seen in his work of spreading the gospel of Jesus of Nazareth.

The first religious service held in this section was in the home of Brother Tool, in 1849, in a ten-by-twelve log house that stood where now stands the home of Austin Sheeler. During this year a camp meeting was held by the big spring, a half-mile north of Draper, by Rev. Mr. Parker, a supply on the Monroe Mission.

The work continued until December 1853, when a class was organized called "Tool's Class," R. B. Allender being the preacher in charge and John Hayden, presiding elder, with James A. Tool as class leader. The members at that date were: James A. Tool, Mrs. S. Tool, Allen McDannel, Louis Wright (later Mrs. J. H. Woody), Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, Mrs. Mary F. Franklin, William Burns, Mrs. Amelia Burns, Mrs. Mahala Romans, Mrs. Sarah Rater. In the old class-book is still to be seen this inscription: "Remember the Friday preceding each quarterly conference, as a day of fasting and prayer, for the prosperity of Zion in our midst."

A church was erected in 1866, under the direction of the pastor, Rev. I. O. Kemble. This was after another great camp meeting by the old spring just mentioned. J. A. Tool gave the site for the building and soon a neat chapel was erected, twenty-six by thirty-six feet, costing one thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars, dedicated in 1867. It was named "Tool's Chapel" by the pastor, Rev. Kemble. In 1899 it was remodeled and rededicated, and was re-seated in 1904.

The record of pastors shows the following array since that pioneer commencement in 1853, given in the order in which they served: Revs. R. B. Allender, Eli Fleming, Austin Coleman, Amos Bussy, Enoch Wood, A. Lauback, C. Shaw, B. Holland, I. O. Kemble, Horton, Worden, Carrier, King, Armstead, T. J. Meyers, Eli Sampson, U. B. Smith, A. Kershaw, A. Shaffer, A. J. Belknap, Cook, J. Butler, Slusser, L. Hartley, C. V. Cowan, S. Hestwood, Brown, J. Clulow, G. P. Van Wye, M. S. Stryker, G. Younkin, P. B. Davison, W. H. Gifford, Will Hughes, E. E. Doud, D. S. Dunlavey, D. F. Stiles, W. H. Jones, W. L. Fry, H. C. Millice, F. S. Seeds.

IRA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Ira was organized in 1889, by the following members: W. F. Rippey, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Cross, James Poulson, James Cross, Mrs. Mary Crawford, Mrs. Zimmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Doctor Goodman, Mrs. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. James Baker, Mrs. Colwell. The church now has a membership of eighty in good standing. The church edifice, thirty by forty feet, cost three thousand dollars, and was erected of wooden material.

The pastors have been Revs. Patterson, Raymond, T. A. Lampson, Frank Ewan, E. C. Hackathorn, M. A. Wright, William Blood, Bartholo, C. C. Wilkins, W. D. Price, Charles Knoll, W. W. Williams.

VALERIA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Methodism at Valeria was established in 1890 and now the church has a membership of twenty-eight. The first members were Mrs. Henninger, of Bondurant, Mrs. Mary Henninger, Mrs. Maria Lawrence, Mr. and Mrs. Poling.

A church building was erected thirty by forty feet, at a cost of two thousand dollars. When the great Valeria cyclone passed through the county in May 1896, this building was removed four feet from its foundation. The list of pastors have been the same as found in the history of the church at Ira.

MINGO METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

At Mingo the Methodist church was established in 1887 and now has a membership of one hundred and fifty-four. The congregation now worships in a five thousand dollar edifice. The pastors serving here are the same as those given in the Ira church history. The charter members of the Mingo church were as follows: Robert Boyd and wife, John Penquite, Mrs. John Penquite, Mrs. John Boyd, W. A. Witmer, Mrs. W. J. Southern, Mrs. Fred Wiles, Eli Boyd, Mrs. Eli Boyd, Mrs. Fred Wiles, Mrs. Abe Penquite.

KELLOGG METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

This church was organized in 1866. For some time, in the early history of Kellogg, Sunday school was held in a passenger coach, this being the end of the Rock Island Road at that time. Upon the erection of a schoolhouse (by a stock company) the school was transferred to that building and all denominations used it as a church. The present church building is a frame structure, thirty-two by fifty feet, erected during the pastorate of Rev. R. J. Kenyon, in 1870. In June 1870, during the erection of the building, a storm struck it with such force that it had to be partly rebuilt. The record shows that among the first members were: William Vaughan and wife, Melinda and Elijah Cowles, Mrs. Mary Cowles and daughter Elizabeth united on probation at the same time. The earliest preaching was by Rev. Mr. Moore, of the Grinnell circuit. Other members of about that date were Almira Bronson, John Bronson, Clark Florer, Mrs. Hannah Florer, Martin Schoffner, Rebecca Schoffner, J. E. Fisher, Mrs. M. E. Fisher, W. J. Hagwood, Mrs. Betsa Hagwood, Mrs. Mira J. Stanley, S. C. Beeleney, Mrs. Sarah Beeleney, Phil Shoemaker, Helen Shoemaker, Amanda Mirely, John E. Auten, Sam Auten, Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt, Marion Monett, Maggie Monett, Mrs. Thomas Wingate, Joel Dunton, Mary Dunton; D. S. McCoun, Retta McCoun. The present membership is forty-three.

What is styled the Kellogg circuit was formed in 1866, and consisted of Kellogg, Lynnville, Rushville, Rock Creek and Pleasant View. Rev. B. F. Wright was assigned to the charge. The following have served as pastors: Revs. Rankin, Moore, 1867; C. W. S. Shaw, 1868-9; R. J. Kenyon, 1870-1-2; J. M. Coats, 1873-4; Cyrus Morey, 1875-6; C. P. Reynolds, 1877-8-9; B. F. Share, 1880-1-2; John Potter, 1883; O. C. Shelton, 1884; R. A. Allison, 1885; G. W. Younkin, 1886; James Cleeclow, 1887; A. W. Haines, 1888- 9-90; C. W. Shephard, 1892-3-4; M. A. Meagher, 1895; Isaac Borts, 1896-7; D. R. Martin, 1898-9-1900; H. F. Robinson, 1901-02; A. J. Bruner and L. A. Crull, 1903; L. A. Crull, 1904-5; H. W. Munster, 1906; Richard Breeden, two months; J. A. Murray, 1907-8; Ireland, 1909; H. C. Millice, 1910-11. The church cost two thousand seven hundred dollars and the parsonage six hundred dollars.

RUSHVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rushville church of this denomination was organized April 25, 1855, by Rev. J. D. Hiles, and had for its original class Robert W. Wilson and wife and their daughters, Frances, Charlotte and Irene; William Morrow and wife, Margaret, and daughter, Mary Ann; John Oldfield and wife; R. W. Wilson being the first class leader. The membership in April 1911 is thirty-four and three probationers.

The pastors have been Revs. J. D. Hiles, 1855; William Clearage, 1856; A. H. Murphy, 1857-8; A. H. Shafer, 1859-60; George Clammor, 1863-4-5; B. F. Wright, 1866; Rev. Moore, 1867; C. W. Shaw, 1868-9; R. J. Kenyon, 1870-1-2; J. M. Coats, 1873-4; Cyrus Morey, 1875-6; C. P. Reynolds, 1877-8-9; B. F. Shane, 1880-1-2; John Potter, 1883; O. C. Shelton, 1884; R. A. Allison, 1885; G. W. Younkin, 1886; James Clulow, 1887; A. W. Haines, 1888-9, 1899-91; C. W. Shephard, 1892-3-4; M. A. Meagher, 1895; Isaac Borts, 1896-7; D. R. Martin, 1898-9; H. F. Robinson, 1901-02; A. J. Bruner, 1903; L. A. Crull, 1904-5; H. W. Munster, 1906 (ten months and R. Breeden two months); J. A. Murray, 1907-8; W. B. Ireland, H. C. Millice, 1910-11.

Services were first held in a log schoolhouse fourteen by sixteen feet, then a frame school building was used until the present church was erected in 1885. This building is twenty-eight by forty feet, a frame structure, and cost one thousand two hundred dollars. It was dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Younkin, by Rev. J. T. McFarland. It was dedicated free of debt.

MOUNT PLEASANT METHODIST CHURCH

This church, located three miles southwest of Newburg was built in 1879 at a cost of one thousand three hundred dollars. The stone used were hauled about twenty miles and one team was lost by overheating in this work. Among those who labored hard for the building of this edifice were John P. Breedon, Calvin Dickson and Aaron Moxley. The first pastor was Rev. C. P. Reynolds, whose class had thirty-five members. This church is a neat frame building.

The pastors have been: Revs. C. P. Reynolds, 1879; B. F: Shane, 1880-1-2; John Potter, 1883; J. Craig, 1885; S. F. Bishop, A. S. Loveall, 1886-7; A. W. Haines, 1888-9; C. W. Shephard, 1892-3-4; M. A. Meagher, 1895; Isaac Borts, 1896-7; D. R. Martin. 1898-9-1900; H. F. Robinson, 1901-02; A. J. Bruner, 1903, with L. A. Crull, a part of the year; L. A. Crull, 1904-5; H. W. Munster, 1906 (ten months. Richard Breeden two months); J; A. Murray, 1907-8; preaching suspended in 1909; assigned to H. C. Millice on Kellogg charge. The present membership is small. Although small, this church has sent out three preachers from its midst, Revs. D. C. Bevan, Richard Breeden and Silas Ludwick.

The publishers are greatly indebted to Rev. Henry C. Millice, of Kellogg, for his aid in getting facts together for the history of the churches under his immediate charge and for those, which he has heretofore been the pastor of.

REASNOR METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

This church was formed in 1885 and now enjoys a membership of one hundred and forty. The following have served as pastors: Revs. J. Clulow, 1885; G. P. VanWye, 1886; M. S. Stryker, 1887-8; G. Younkin, 1889-90-92; W. H. Gifford, 1893-4; E. E. Doud, 1895-6; D. S. Dunlavey, 1897-8; D. O. Stiles, 1899-1901; W. H. Jones, 1902-3-4; W. L. Fry, I905-6; H. C. Millice, 1907-9; F. S. Seeds, 1910-11.

COLFAX METHODIST EPISCOPAL

The first minister of this faith to preach the gospel at Colfax was Rev. J. W. Anderson in 1869, followed by Rev. Roby, who continued until 1872. Rev. David Shenton succeeded and found here Mr. Foy and wife, Mrs. Hinton and one other woman of the Methodist faith. So little seemed in store for the location, he was transferred to Sand Ridge. But again, in November 1874, this same minister came to Colfax and preached in the Presbyterian Church, from John xiv:I5-I7. A class was formed composed of Mr. and Mrs. Foy and R. Price and wife. In November 1875, he began to hold services in West & Weaver's Hall, and on December 19th a Sabbath school was organized. Rev. Osborne became pastor in 1876, followed in 1877 by Rev. T. A. Smith, and the year following came Rev. D. Thompson.

The church was completed in February 1878, and dedicated by Bishop Andrews, May 5th. It was a frame structure thirty-two by fifty feet, costing about two thousand four hundred dollars. In 1878 the church had a membership of eighty and its present membership is three hundred and forty. The value of church property is about ten thousand dollars. In 1890 the church was struck by lightning and the steeple entirely destroyed; the loss, however, was made good by insurance in force.

The following is believed to be the order in which the various pastors have served at Colfax: Revs. David Shenton, Osborne, J. A. Smith, D. Thompson, L. Jean, W. A. Chambers, Laidlay, Dr. Vinson, M. Harnerd, A. A. E. Griffith, B. F. W. Cozier, C. J. English, R. E. Shaw, M. Stahl, E. H. Fleisher, H. A. Walburn and E. W. F. Requa.

CLYDE METHODIST CHURCH

During the autumn of 1874 the society erected a church edifice at this little hamlet to meet the demands of the worshipers of the Methodist Episcopal faith in the surrounding neighborhood. It was forty by sixty feet in size, with a neat spire and bell swung in the same, the latter being a donation one from Warren Maxwell, of State Center. The cost of the church was two thousand five hundred dollars.

FAIRMOUNT METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church at Fairmount was formed about 1877 and in a year or two a house of worship was erected of frame; it had a steeple and its cost was one thousand nine hundred and nineteen dollars. It was dedicated September 20, 1878, by Rev. Cullen.

KILLDUFF METHODIST CHURCH

The Killduff Methodist Episcopal Church is located in Buena Vista Township. It was organized in 1883 by Rev. I. O. Kemble and now has a membership of ninety-seven. The charter members were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson, James Rairdon, Ollie Rairdon, Phoebe Williams, Harvey Hall, Barbara Dove, W. L. Dennis, R. A. Smith, Susan A. Smith, James Carey, Mary Carey, John Klein, Hetty Klein, Everet Leslie, Mary Leslie, Sarah Young, Alice Newell, Frances Hall, John Weeks, Clara Weeks, William Doak.

The pastors who have faithfully served this church are: Revs. I. O. Kemble, J. Craig, S. F. Bishop, A. S. Loveall, D. R. Martin, A. W. McBain, L. G. Cummins and Jesse A. Monk.

The present house of worship was built of wooden material, with a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty, and cost three thousand dollars.

PRAIRIE CITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

From the best authority obtainable, this church had its beginning away back in a log dwelling owned by John Butters, in 1856, Rev. Caleb Bundy being the preacher. The church was legally organized April 26, 1857. The organizing minister was Rev. William Clarridge, of Greencastle Circuit and within Iowa Conference. Among the charter members may be named the following, though not a full list: Caleb Bundy, Mary Head, Mrs. Caleb Bundy, S. T. Butters, Margaret Butters, Jacob Main and wife, Mrs. Daniel Main and daughter, Julia; J. Minchell was class leader and his daughter was also a member.

The following have served as pastors at this point to the present date (1911) the date following name indicating when they took charge of the church: Revs. Caleb Bundy, 1856; William Clarridge, 1857; Smith, 1859; Garrison, 1860; Whittier, 1861; J. D. Moore, 1862; J. G. Eckles, 1864; A. Badley, 1867; W. A. Richards, 1868; F. M. Slusser, 1869; Sexton, 1871; D. Thompson, 1873; J. W. Snodgrass, 1874; H. M. Sexton, 1877; A. H. Shafer, 1878; H. H. Murphy, 1879; A. J. Barton, 1881; E. W. McDade, 1883; C. H. Newell, 1885; J. H. Anderson, 1887; A. H. Rusk, 1889; A. M. Shea, 1892; William G. Riheldaffer, 1895; John Cox Hall, 1897; W. R. Martin, 1898; B. W. Cozier, 1899; A. T. Jeffry, 1900; C. W. Proctor, 1903; J. R. Ramsey, 1907; William Mercer, 1908; the last named is still serving this church.

The first church was erected in 1878, a frame building, thirty by forty feet, costing one thousand two hundred dollars. The present building was erected of brick, on the same site as the old structure. This was built in 1884, costing seven thousand dollars. The present parsonage was built in 1893, costing two thousand dollars. It is possible the first church building was erected a few years earlier than the date here given.

LYNNVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Methodist Church at Lynnville was organized in 1865 by Rev. Wright. The first members were H. Moody and wife, William Reardon and wife, D. C. Edwards and wife, Harrison Dryden, A. O. Silver and wife; John P. Stallings and A. Chambers and wife. In 1871 the society purchased the old district schoolhouse and converted it into a house of worship. The next church was provided in 1879 at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars.

The present membership of the Lynnville circuit is one hundred and twenty-five. This includes the three appointments. The following have been pastors at this point: Revs. Wright, Rollins, Ditarr, Michner, S. R. Ferguson, Morey, Shane, C. P. Reynolds, 1881; N. Wells, 1883; John Potter, 1884; O. C. Shelton; 1885; R. A. Allison, 1886; F. A. Piper, 1888; David Philips, 1889; F. C. Demorest, 1893; R. Collier, 1894; A. C. Boyd, 1898; H. I. Poage, 1899; A. W. Haines, 1901; Alfred J. W. Tongue, 1902; Thomas Adams, 1903; A. T. James, 1904; H. C. Millice, 1905; W. D. Merryman1907; T. B. Hughes, 1908; Frank Pfoutz, 1909.

At this date there are three appointments on the Lynnville Circuit: Bethel Church, five miles north of Lynnville; Searsboro, four miles east of Lynnville; the Lynnville appointment. The Lynnville Circuit was formed at the Iowa Conference in September 1867.

OTHER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES

The churches in connection with the work at Killduff are the Grace Church, six miles south of Newton; Mount Zion, nine miles southeast of Newton; Pleasant View, seven miles east of Newton. Killduff was organized either in 1883 or 1884; Pleasant View in 1868; Mount Zion in 1870; Grace in 1872. The church in Killduff was erected in 1868 at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars; the one at Mount Zion, in 1870, costing two thousand dollars; Grace, in 1876, costing two thousand four hundred and sixty-seven dollars. Total membership of all these churches, three hundred and fifty.

The following is a list of the faithful pastors who have served in about in the order here given, for a greater or less time: Revs. J. H. Boyd, George Clammor, P. F. Bresee, M. Carrier, A. M. Shafer, G. H. Clark, E. R. Frost, R. J. Kenyon, S. Hestwood, John Elrod, J. W. Robinson, J. M. Coates, E. P. McCliene, Ira O. Kimble, J. Craig, S. F. Bishop, A. S. Loveall, R. Woese David Phillips, Elias Handy, A. S. Loveall, D. R. Martin, A. W. McBalin, L. G. Cummins, Jesse A. Monkman.

Of the first church edifice at Mount Zion, it should be stated that it was destroyed by a cyclone in 1881 and rebuilt the same season.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH

At Sully is located a Methodist Protestant Church which was organized about 1860, known first as Lynn Grove Church. The charter members of and this society were inclusive of these: J. R. Sparks and family, W. R. Mathews and family, Levi Conover and family, J. R. Mathews and family, Moses Shay and family. Mrs. A. R. Mathews is the only surviving charter member.

The pastors serving have been as follows: Revs. W. B. Warrington, W. F. Price, John F. Rouge, Josiah Sanders, Josiah Selby, G. T. Dewitt, J. R. Bolton, J. L. Scott, G. M. Scott, G. I. Reeves, E. S. Brown, R. C. F. Chambers, A. A. Peterson, T. W. Noble, James Kirkwood, J. H. Schull, P. A. Keople, J. R. McKaig, S. M. Petty, A. H. Linder, J. W. Payne, A. J. Green, F. G. Aylmore, A. N. Courtney, the present pastor.

The present church was erected about 1870 and was then located about one-half mile east of the present town of Sully. It was moved about 1883 to its present site within the town incorporation limits of Sully. It is a frame structure, thirty-two by forty-four feet in size, costing originally two thousand three hundred and seventy dollars.

The only other church of this denomination in Jasper County is the Hixon Grove, with Rev. J. W. Murphy as present pastor.

At the date of its organization the Sully church was a part of the Oskaloosa Circuit and was known as Lynn Grove. It was organized in a schoolhouse a mile to the east of where Sully now stands. It was later made a part of the Newton Circuit and later still became a self-supporting charge, as it is today.

NEWTON FREE METHODIST CHURCH

This society was formed and incorporated October 17, 1892, there being but six members present at that date. It has grown to number about thirty now. In 1894 a neat frame chapel was erected on North Market Street. In 1896 a parsonage was built, which with the church have cost the society four thousand dollars.

The present officers are: T. C. Ewing, H. E. Rinehart, George Chapman, trustees, and Mrs. L. Chapman, secretary.

The following have served as pastors: Revs. J. V. Murray, W. E Boger, W. Chouts, I. H. Gorrill, I. B. Neville, E. I. Lish, I. P. Doud, F. M. Smith, I. S. Booton, Luke Scripter, E. E. Dalbey, and the present pastor, Rev. R. B. Ralls.

From the best authority obtainable, this church had its beginning away back in a log dwelling owned by John Butters, in 1856, Rev. Caleb Bundy being the preacher. The church was legally organized April 26, 1857. The organizing minister was Rev. William Clarridge, of Greencastle Circuit and within Iowa Conference. Among the charter members may be named the following, though not a full list: Caleb Bundy, Mary Head, Mrs. Caleb Bundy, S. T. Butters, Margaret Butters, Jacob Main and wife, Mrs. Daniel Main and daughter, Julia; J. Minchell was class leader and his daughter was also a member.

The following have served as pastors at this point to the present date (1911) the date following name indicating when they took charge of the church: Revs. Caleb Bundy, 1856; William Clarridge, 1857; Smith, 1859; Garrison, 1860; Whittier, 1861; J. D. Moore, 1862; J. G. Eckles, 1864; A. Badley, 1867; W. A. Richards, 1868; F. M. Slusser, 1869; Sexton, 1871; D. Thompson, 1873; J. W. Snodgrass, 1874; H. M. Sexton, 1877; A. H. Shafer, 1878; H. H. Murphy, 1879; A. J. Barton, 1881; E. W. McDade, 1883; C. H. Newell, 1885; J. H. Anderson, 1887; A. H. Rusk, 1889; A. M. Shea, 1892; William G. Riheldaffer, 1895; John Cox Hall, 1897; W. R. Martin, 1898; B. W. Cozier, 1899; A. T. Jeffry, 1900; C. W. Proctor, 1903; J. R. Ramsey, 1907; William Mercer, 1908; the last named is still serving this church.

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