Splice Creek Methodist (1870-after 1987)

Splice Creek Methodist (1870-after 1987)

West of Lupus - 1/2 mile west of Hwy 179 on banks of Splice Creek

Pictures by Jim Martin, 1998

On file at the Moniteau County Historical Society

History of Jamestown, Missouri 1837-1987:

The Splice Creek United Methodist Church is located in Moniteau County on the banks of Splice Creek, from which it derived its name, one half mile off of Highway 179, west of Lupus.

The building was erected in 1870 by Edmond Snodgrass and his son, John, along with voluntary help from men in the community.

The deed to the land was made August 5, 1871, by Thomas and Rebecca Stephens.

The first pastor was Rev. Hogan. Another one of the earliest pastors was Rev. Isaac Goode. Jobe Hampton, Henry Hampton, and Kemp Stephens were the first trustees.

On August 8, 1870, William Pettigrew deeded a plot of ground to the church for a cemetery. It is just a short distance east of the church on a hillside. Many of the early settlers were buried there. There have been no recent burials.

William Pettigrew's wife, Julia Ann, was a charter member of the church. Another recorded member which dates back to 1872 was Mrs. John (Jenny Renfrow) Blank.

Unfortunately the membership records of the first two years were destroyed by fire. Among the earliest members were Mr. and Mrs. Marion Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. Job Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hampton, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Miller, Mrs. Clabe Stevens, Thomas Boone Don Carlos, a former member, is now (in 1987) a minister of the Assembly of God Church in the state of California. Several members of the Hampton family are ministers.

Many heart warming revivals were held at the church, some inside and some as brush arbor and tent meetings. In 1920 a tent meeting that attracted a large crowd, was led by Rev. Orr. In 1930, there was a brush arbor meeting with Rev. Ragan and other pastors assisting. The arbor was built just south of the church with rough wooden benches and lanterns hung for light. Lanterns were used in the church itself until it was wired for electricity in 1940. Folks came from miles around to the meetings. Some walked and others came by large farm wagons. Then came the buggy and surry days. Buried in the large oak trees of the church yard are spikes and horse shoes used for hitching the horses during church services.

The first pastor to serve the church that owned a car was Rev. C F Proyer in 1918.

In the earlier days of revival meetings several Negroes of the community attended the meetings. The late Elzie Patterson was janitor of the church for a few years and, on one occasion, when he went to clean he found a donation left from a visitor. He put the money in the Bible that lay on the table. He told the members of the congregation, "I thought it would be a pretty mean person that would steal out of the Bible."

The last revival held at the church was led by Jerry Brinegar in 1967. It was well attended each night.

During the depression of 1930 times were very trying for the little congregation but the budget was always met.

The most recent pastors of the church were Rev. Troy Gardner, Rev. Jim Stone, and our present (1987) pastor, Rev. Russell Standlee.

The Little Church in the Wildwood, as often called, is very dear to its members now, as it is with many past members who have since left the church.

If anyone has information on this church, please contact Alan Sparks.

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