Phillipsburg Churches

Reflected below is the history of the churches in Phillipsburg, Missouri.

This page has the following content:

1889 Phillipsburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church History

From the 1889 Laclede History: In 1854 Rev. Thomas, Judge J. W. Smith, and T. H. Henderson organized this Hickory Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at the house of J. W. Smith, with eleven members, consisting of Mr. Smith an wife, Sallie McMinnus, Ben. McFarland and wife, Sarah Cosey and Frances (Smith) McMannus.  In 1871 they re-organized at Phillipsburg.  T. H. Henderson was pastor of the church from 1868 to 1875.  Then Rev. J. P. Alsup served two years and R. T. Phillips one year.  Rev. J. A. Russel, of Hartville, Wright County, is the present pastor. The organization has numbered over 200, but removals and death have greatly reduced the membership, it being now ninety-two.

Phillipsburg Congregation -- 1906

This photo of the congregation of the Phillipsburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church is shown here in the 1906 area and was submitted by Martha Bernie of Woodland Hills, Calif.  Among those identified in the photo are:  Mrs. Fate (Nannie) Caffey, Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Henderson, Benjamin and Nancy Jane (McMenus) McFarland, RebaMcMenus Harrill, Loreta McMenus Chandler, Leo McMenus, John McMenus and daughter, Francie, Minnie Brasier McMenus, Mr. Moore, and Maggie McMenus.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1923 Church Program

Cumberland

Presbyterian

Church Photo

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Children's Day Service

Sunday, June 17, 1923, 8 o'clock

__________________

Introduction.

Opening Chorus.

Responsive Reading.  (Psalm 96)

Invocation -- Rev. J. A. Russell.

Song --"Summer Bells."

Recitation -- Jean Minnick.

Recitation --Jean Minnick.

Recitation --John Ross.

Exercise -- Primary -- Summer Flowers.

Song -- Choir -- "Awake to Greet the Summer."

Recitation -- Nora Rich.

Recitation -- Billy Ross.

Recitation -- "The Butterflies." -- Jimmie Cruts.

Recitation -- Alice Haney.

Recitation -- Mary Hoke.

Song -- Primary -- "Rainy Day Brigade."

Recitation -- Pearl Haney.

Recitation -- Eunice Prosser.

Recitation -- Anna Shank.

Recitation -- Georgia Minnick.

Son -- Choir -- "The Flowers' Lullaby."

Recitation -- George Haney.

Recitation -- Minnie Shank.

Recitation -- Woodrow Wilson.

Solo -- Eunice Prosser.

Drill -- Boys -- Flag Drill.

Son -- Choir -- "The Man of Galilee."

Recitation -- John Cruts.

Recitation -- Albert Ross.

Recitation -- Ruth Benson.

Recitation -- Mildred Cruts.

Song -- Choir -- "Festal, All Hail!"

Recitation -- Irene Frye.

Duet -- Irene Frye.

Duet -- Francie McMenus and Florence Shields.

Song -- Choir -- "O Lowly Nazarene."

Musical Reading -- "Comfort" -- Reba McMenus.

Solo __ Lanna Roper.

Song -- Choir -- "Carol His Love."

Recitation -- Katheryn Moye.

Duet -- Fred Dennis and Lanna Roper.

Recitation -- Eva Brooks.

Remarks -- Rev. J. A. Russell.

Offering.

Piano Duet -- Freeda Hough and Tracy McFarland.

Pantomime -- "Jesus, Lover of My Soul."

_________________

Copy of Original Church Program

click to enlarge

Schools, Churches Contribute to History of Phillipsburg

Provided by Ted Stout, transcribed by Charlene Chambers King

The Lebanon Daily Record - June 24, 1964

Editor's Note:  Mrs. Beard writes her third and final article on Phillipsburg's colorful history.  She touches on the schools and mentions the various churches and their faithful members.

By Lois Roper Beard

The Phillipsburg community has been blessed with leaders who worked to build a better place for those of their generation, as well as for those who followed.

Rufus Phillips, who build the first store, was not only a graduate of Hancock Academy, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, but he also had several years of teaching experience.  He became the first principal and a teacher at the Old Academy when it was established in Lebanon.  Later he and his son, Sim, graduated from St. Louis University law school together.  The son became a famous lawyer in his day. 

Grade Schools

The town of Phillipsburg got off to a good start education wise.  The first public school was at Stony Point located about one mile Southeast of town as the Ferrier place.

In 1991 the district was divided and classes were held in the house where Mrs. Carrie Shank now lives.  The teacher was Gertrude Setter.  However, as soon as arrangements could be made, a schoolhouse was built.  Is was a large, one-room, frame building with a cloak room and a library about the size of a large bookcase.  Two old-time carpenters, Jake hays and Finis Williams, built the building.  Dan Eeckner was the first teacher at this school.

High School

In 1911 a two-room, two-story brick building was built on the East side of the tracks near the one-room frame school building and two years of high school was added to the curriculum.  W. D. Palmer was the contractor and Gus McPeters the school superintendent.

In 1926 a consolidation of the Union, Stony Point and Phillipsburg districts promoted the building of a new school of several rooms.  The location was changed to the West side of town.  A full four years of high school work was made available to pupils.  D. I. Bohanon was superintendent at this time.

Some time later a gymnasium was added but this building was destroyed by fire in 1942.  Is was destroyed by fire in 1942.  Is was soon rebuilt but in 1957 the high school was discontinued and pupils transported to Conway leaving the eight grades as they are at present.

Church- Going Fol--ks

People of Phillipsburg have long been church  - going folks.  There are now five churches in the own.  The oldest is the Presbyterian.  Pursuant to an order from the Springfield Presbytery the session of Hickory Valley Church met at Phillipsburg on November 4 1871 for the purpose of organizing a new congregation.  The Rev. T. H. Henderson was moderator.  Seventy-eight charter members made up the new congregation.

J. W. Smith, Eli McMenus, J. W. Springstein, Robert Cossey and Benjamin McFarland were elected ruling elders.  All had been elders in the Hickory Valley congregation.

W. B. Farris, Joseph McMenus and Thomas Cossey were elected and ordained deacons.  J. W. Smith was clerk of session and continued as clerk until his death in 1892.  Rev. Henderson was the pastor until 1875.

Places of Worship

The Presbyterian Church was the first church established at Phillipsburg.  The bell is the steeple calls church going folks to worship.  The Christian Church, in the background, is located on the south side of the park, just across the road from the old Poor Farm.

Beloved Pastors

Two pastors served the church for many years and are still lovingly remembered.  They were the Rev. Joseph Davis and the Rev. John A. Russel.

In the fall of 1883 the congregation voted unanimously to share the church buildings with a Methodist group, which organized the Phillipsburg Methodist Church.  The two denominations held preaching services on alternate Lord's day.  Is has been said that the younger members sometimes had a hard time remembering whether they belonged to the Methodist or Presbyterian.

The Methodist at last obtained a church and had a building of their own.  Their records date back to 1884.  The Rev. W. R. Miller was the pastor that year.  Two leading members who were added to the church roll during his pastorate were Issac Browing and James King, in 1884. 

Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Hays were received into membership in 1885 while Rev. Linderman Wright was serving the church.  Mrs. Hays was elected Sunday school superintendent and served in that office for many years.

Thomas J. Lowrance, Anderson McFall, Thomas and Elizabeth Ratcliff are listed as being received into membership under the leadership of Rev. Will McClanahan.  Dr. and Mrs. T. U. Gourley became members in 1905 when F. D. Stickney was minister.

Again in 1910 Linderman Wright's name is listed as pastor when Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clyde became members.  In 1912 Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Clark added their names and minister was J. J. Wolf.  Many of the leaders of the Methodist Church today are descendants of these early members.

Methodist W.S.C.S.

The large block building, which is kept in good repair, was dedicated November 13, 1921.  Rev. L. E. Lurvey was pastor at that time.  A newly organized Ladies' Aid pledged one thousand dollars to help finance the new church.  Today, the Woman's Society of Christian Service, W.S.C.S. carries an actual part of the church program.  Worship services are held each Lord's day.  Rev. Lynn Moore of Lebanon, is the present minister and Ora Ratcliff is the newly elected Sunday school superintendent, who replaces Everett Willcox.

One present day member said:  "It is the prayer of the present members that the church program will continue as faithfully and well as the dear members who have come and gone from the Phillipsburg Methodist Church."

Methodist Church

Rev. Lynn Moore, of Lebanon, is pastor of the Phillipsburg Methodist Church.  Worship services are held each Lord's day.  The church was dedicated November 13, 1923, and is kept in good repair.  [This is the caption under the picture of the church.]

Christian Church

The third church to become a reality in Phillipsburg was the Christian.

In 1908 Evangelist I. H. Burgess, of Poteau, Oklahoma, was called to this community to act as moderator for a religious debate between T. J. Head and Mac Martin.  This debate was held in a tent near New Hope church in Dallas county.  While here Brother Burgess was asked to conduct an evangelistic meeting at Phillipsburg.  He set up his tent in what is now known as the City Park, near where the Phillipsburg Christian church is now located.

Is was during this meeting that a new congregation of Christians was organized.  Some of the families who were active in this work during the early were:  Ward Tribble; Joe Rich; Hugh Taggart; Rob Taggart; Robert Tribble; Mrs. Samantha Harril; Mrs. Julia Cossey; A. T. Robertson; P. H. Turner; Hubert Stout; Joe Pittman and Andrew Burton.  Regular services were held in the Pittman Hall on Main street.  About this time land was purchased for a new building.

The following year Brother Burgess was again called for a meeting.  This time the tent was located on the new property where the church building now stands.  Construction of the new building was begun in early spring of 1910.  Hubert Stout made the cement blocks and laid up the walls.  The work was donated labor and after many, many long hours these faithful people were rewarded by seeing a house of worship completed with dedication services November 27, 1910.  Brother J. H. Jones was evangelist and dedication speaker.  Frank Hill was song leader.

A few of the ministers of the early days were:  John Giddens; Joe Gaylor; Joe Babb; L. D. Moneymaker; A. T. Mahaoy; E. M. Romine and others.  In October 1946, Roger Tribble began preaching for the congregation while he was a student at Ozark Bible College.  He continued this work for ten years.  At that time he entered full-time Evangelistic work. 

Because of growth additional room was needed.  In 1949 work was started on an annex consisting of basement, three classrooms, office, a baptistery was installed, new hardwood floors and pews for the auditorium and a central heating plant.  This was completed and dedicated in November 1950 on the 40th anniversary of dedication of the original building.  Since that time ministers have been:  Mervyn Moberly;  Jim Mooreland; Larry Jones; Jim Heanig; Larry Farthing. 

Assembly of God Church

In the late 1920's a group of Christian folks began having worship services in the Stony Point schoolhouse, about one mile East of town, which was the beginning of a new church.  The Assembly of God.  After a time plans were made to build a church and the site was selected on 'C' Highway just a short distance from the main street of town.

With Uncle Will McFall, Rado Biship and the minister, Jim Whittier, as the carpenters, and plenty of helpers from the congregation the church was completed the latter part of 1934.  Jim Whittier was the pastor.

Faithful Members

Some of the faithful members of this congregation were Bill and Bess McFall, Bud and Ellen Price, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Popejoy and daughter.  Loulla, ? and George Bishop, Claude Cunningham, Rado and Lella Bishop, Charles and Edith Rector, Services are held each Lord's day with a young minister, Peter Moffitt officiating.

Baptist Church

The youngest church in Phillipsburg is only 14 years old...the Baptist Church.  The organization and first service was held June 12, 1950.  A mission of the First Baptist in Lebanon, while C. T. Grahma was the county missionary.  T. W. Bunch was the first minister. 

There were 22 charter members.  Services were held in a vacant store building for awhile, but with a steady growth a nice new building is now the place for worship.  Present membership is 65 and Bill Elam is the minister.  Irving Wilcox is the superintendent. 

It is interesting to note the out-going Sunday School superintendent at the Methodist Church which is almost back to back with the Baptist, is Everett Wilcox, brother of Irving.  Both men are faithful to their duties.

Phillipsburg folks are and have always been church going folks.  In early days revival meetings were attended regardless of the work that must be done to get there.   Farm families around town might cut wheat or work in hay harvest all day, then drive the same team to a meeting that night.  The straw filled wagon bed made a good place for the children to sleep on the homeward trip late at night while mother and dad rode in the spring seat discussing the sermon of the minister and thinking of the effect it would have on their sinner friends.

Memories

Many memories come to me as I think of old-time ministers.  The singers and all who kept these wonderful churches going through good times and lean ones for the generation of today to have and enjoy.

Phillipsburg News Article Original

Click on the images below to view the original article that was transcribed above.

Phillipsburg Methodist Church

This Methodist Church is mentioned the news article above.

Taken August 2001.

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Last updated 07/11/2005