Prairie Grove Baptist Church

Prairie Grove Baptist Church (1866-Present)

Tipton

From 1866-1966 Centennial History Prairie Grove Baptist Church Tipton, Missouri:

Compiled by Galveston Lee Roy Shipley

(Booklet in the Moniteau County Historical Society Genealogy Library)

During the period of slavery, some slaves learned to reverence God and depend on Him.

For the most part the slaves in this area were well treated, although there were some exceptions. A few were sold South and lost to their families here. One was hanged in this county for killing his master.

Many slaves attended church with their Masters and enjoyed a degree of religious freedom.

Most of the slaves here came into this region with their owners from Virginia, Carolina and Kentucky and settled in the region around Clarksburg, Vermont, Round Hill and the present day Tipton area.

After freedom these Christian slaves assembled for worship, coming from miles around, riding in wagons, riding on horseback and some even walking.

A central assembly place was a grove of trees in what is now northeast Tipton. Here they would spread their dinners, sing, pray and exhort one another.

This spot later became the site of the original Prairie Grove Baptist Church. The original site of one acre was given by Mr William Tipton Seely, the founder of Tipton, Mo. Prairie Grove Baptist Church was named after the grove of trees in the prairie where they met for social and religious observance.

This little group of believers was organized into a church by Rev W P Brooks of Moberly, Mo. [in 1866] Some families in the founding were the Howards, Shackelfords, Owens, Maupins, and a few years later, Davis, Redmon, Hunter,and Shellcrays joined.

There have been three building sites. First the extreme northeast corner of Tipton, the second about 30 feet west of the present (1966) site on Howard Street. The reasons for the new locations were, first to be near the center of Negro population, second the need for a church basement. Two efforts have been made to provide a parsonage for our pastors, first a building was purchased in the south part of town for $450 and moved west of the church, second after this building became worn it was torn down and sold. The proceeds made a portion of the purchase price of the old Harrison School (pictured above) building, which sold for $1,000.

During the 100 years we have had 20 pastors namely, The Reverands Cheneworth, Diggs, Cushon, Nelson, Wiggins, Veulman, Saunders, Burton, Mudd, Ratliff, Knott, Hardiman, Halley, Pollard, Harris, Steward, Jacobs, Watts, Cooper and in 1944 our present (1966) pastor Rev N H Coleman.

Three of our pastors have been moderators of the Central District Association. They were Rev H J Burton, Rev L D Hardiman and Rev G W Watts. There are no living former pastors or no living original members. The oldest living former member is now a member of Washington Tabernacle Baptist Church in St Louis. She is Sister Bertha Tolbert, a daughter of one of the first deacons, past 90 years old and a shut-in.

The Shipley, Meachum, Hogan and Shinault families all descended from the first deacon, Brother Silas Howard, are now working in the church.

Our auxiliary leaders in 1966 are: Sunday School, Bro James Shipley; Supt. WMU, Sis. Arvenia Shipley; Pres. Choir, Sis. Ruth Shinault; Pres. Usher Board, Sis. Mildred Shipley; Pres. Junior Mission, Sis. Sadie Hogan, Sponsor.

Great revivals have been held from time to time. Rev J P McDaniel conducted the largest one for Rev L T Veulman. 35 were added to the church. A few other evangelists were Reverands: R W Emerson, L Shepherd, R E Lee, C Miller, W Shoemake, John Coleman and D Clater.

Our peak enrollment was in 1890 when there were 110 women and 57 men. Now (1966) our total enrollment of 70 includes several children. We have been host to the District Association, the Sunday School Convention and several board meetings.

Some of our members, through the years, have been active in Central District holding many major and minor offices. The church in addition to maintaining the church building, dining room and parsonage has now taken control of the Negro Cemetery.

Some records worthy of note are: first choir president and organist, Sister Ida Shackelford; first supt. of Sunday School, Brother Robert Shackelford; first president of WMU, Sister Emily Maupins.

The present (1966) church pianist has served over 30 years. She is Sister Ruth Shinault. Three generations of men in one family active in church work are Brother Galveston Shipley, Deacon and S. S. Teacher; Brother James Shipley, S. S. Supt. and Deacon; Brother Kenneth Shipley, Pres. Brotherhood and member of the choir.

Sunday School boys of yester-years who are now preaching are: Rev David O Shipley, Rev O W Lacy, Rev E D Johnson, Rev Dan Washington, Rev George Bowles, Rev Wm Jackson.

Some of the families who have given their country soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are Webb, Jackson, Shipley, Johnson, Maupins, Hale, Burris, and Kaiser.

Starring as church soloist we have had Sister America Wright, Brother Frank Redmon and Sister Mary Webb.

History compiled by Galveston Lee Roy Shipley, oldest member in church (1966); sources: History of Moniteau County, church records 1888-1891, Laura Johnson, oldest negro woman in Tipton and Marion Howard, grandfather.

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