Tulip Christian Church

Centennial Celebration 1895 - 1995

The old country church... we all have seen one, many of us have been in one. Many of us have never attended church anywhere else. In a day gone by, the many small rural churches that dotted the American landscape were often harbingers of civilization, providing a foundation for a town that may or may not still be here. The names of many small communities are gone from memory, but the same churches provided another foundation; a foundation of faith for the emerging populace. When all roads were dirt, no one who lived outside of a town commuted thirty minutes or an hour to go to work. Small towns would emerge around the people who lived in the country. The farmers would provide food for themselves and others; the others would open a blacksmith shop, or a dry good store to supply the farmers with the things they could not grow. This is the story of one such small town north of Centralia, Missouri that is no longer there. One hundred years ago... several generations to a human, just another set of rings on that old tree. One hundred years ago, the community of Tulip was thriving; there was a winning ball team, not one but two doctors. Tulip had several businesses, all of which are gone now. The advent of cheaper, reliable transportation, and the migration of the population to larger towns eventually ended the town of Tulip. The old country church is still there, still providing the foundation it always has to the Tulip community, which will always be between Centralia and Madison.

This web page is an adaptation from the book for the Centennial celebration of Tulip Christian Church. The book was compiled by the members and friends of the present congregation. We hope that you will get some pleasure out of this collection of stories. This is not intended to be a historical record, for we did not research the dates and accuracy of the stories that were submitted. Unfortunately, the early records omitted some dates. No doubt, some events and memorial donations were not in early records. We apologize for any omissions. All stories were printed just as they were related, with very little editing, in order to preserve the individuality of the person writing it. Included are events of historical interest and heartwarming spiritual reflections. We hope you will laugh with us at the stories we included in order to pass along the humor and good natured qualities found in this rural church and community.

Our thanks to all who contributed their time and efforts in writing their memories. Thanks to Gilbert and Joyce Armontrout for many hours of research into church records and to Joyce for typing it. Thanks to June Morgan, Jewel and Scott Sanders for proof reading , to Scott and Jewel for layout and assembly, and Scott Sanders for converting the book into a web page

Ministers of Tulip Church
Interesting Data
History of the church, circa 1959
Members from 1923 till present
Closing thoughts

Memories of the members
Freddie Lee McBride
Norma Reynolds
Ruth Barnes
Fae Herndon
Norma Tanner
Gladys McBride
Bobby Dale McBride
Annabel Hasekamp
Lois Carr
Bob Hasekamp
Gladys Hasekamp
Dawn Hasekamp
Dale and June Morgan
Nevelle and Jewel Sanders
Ralph Sanders
Dee (Riley) Yancy
Elza Simpson
Margaret (Dowdy) Harris
Frieda Foland
Don Harshbarger
Paul Farmer
Susie Sanders Everhart
Irene Marshall
Gloria Seaver
Sherry Sanders Walters
Scott Sanders

MINISTERS OF THE TULIP CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Elder James Ferguson
B. S. M. Edwards
G. D. Edwards
Rober J. Miller
Rev. Schwabe
Lightfoot Hulser 1911
Egan Herndon 1920 to 1938
Morris Eames 1938 to 1944
Steven B. Owings 1944 to 1956
Tom Fleetwood 1957 to 1958
Thomas Russell 1959 to 1961
Seal Bradford 1961 to 1965
Jerry L. Wade 1965 to 1966
Jim Ream 1967 to 1968
Bob Turpin 1969 to 1970
Bill Deskins 1970 to 1973
John Luikart 1973 to 1974
Mike Taylor 1975 to 1976
Bob Swanson 1976 to 1977
Joan Thomas 1977 to 1978
Olin Smith 1979 to 1980
Jim Jones 1980 to 1991
Griffith Hamlin 1991
Frieda Foland 1991 to present time

INTERESTING DATA

First Women's Organization called Women's Council in 1939 with Mrs. Minnie Forbis as President with 14 members.

Clerks were:
Mrs. J. H. Barnes - 1923 for several years, no record as to how many.
Ralph Sanders - 1938 to 1972.
Bob Tanner - 1972 to 1987.
Gilbert Armontrout - 1987 to present time.

There have been three members ordained into the ministry at Tulip Church.
John E. Foster - August 1911
Earl Spurling - July 8, 1923
Milton Dawson - August 17, 1924.

The Church was incorporated in April 1971.

Improvements made and when:

Church voted to get electricity on December 18, 1938 and it was installed in 1939.
Piano was purchased in 1964.
The present heating system was installed in 1966.
Communion set donated by Buford Wilson Family in memory of Hazel Wilson
Installed new pews in 1978.
Refinished floors in sanctuary in 1979.
New communion set donated by Dowdy Family in 1980.
Purchased organ in 1981.
Purchased new linoleum for back area of Church in 1984.
Purchased pew cushions and ceiling fans in 1985.
Replaced windows in 1986.
Put new siding on church in 1988.
Built new sign in front of church in 1991.
Made church handicapped accessible by building ramp in 1992.
Installed PA system in 1992.
Installed new carpet in sanctuary in 1993.

Mr. W. E. Hoffman lifetime member celebrated his 100th birthday at the church on October 29, 1983. Mr. Hoffman died in July 1985 at the age of 101.

Homecomings held through the years are as follows:

First: June 15, 1919 with sermon by Bro. Lappin of Oklahoma.
Second: June 1920, sermon by Bro. Egan Herndon.
Third: June 12, 1921, sermon by Bro. Edwards of Columbia.
Fourth: June 11, 1922, sermon by Bro. Stidham of Mexico.
Fifth: June 1923, sermon by Bro. Egan Herndon.
Sixth: June 8, 1924, sermon by Bro. Egan Herndon.
Seventh: June 1925, sermon by Bro. Herndon and Bro. Wood of Paris.
A homecoming was held on October 15, 1944. No information on this.
Rally Day and Dedication of new part of building Sunday, November 29, 1959. Sermon by Thomas Russell.
A homecoming was held on September 7, 1962. No information on this.

Mr. and Mr. John F. (Sudie) McBride celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Tulip in 1950. Son Larry O. had mumps and was unable to attend. Mr. John F. McBride joined Tulip Church in 1917.

Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. McBride (Pauline Daily) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Tulip in Dec. 1982.

Mrs. Larry O. (Gladys Gritton) McBride celebrated her 90th birthday at Tulip in September 1990.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry O. McBride celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Tulip on Valentine's Day in 1977.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hoffman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1959 at Tulip Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert G. Armontrout celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Tulip Church.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Carr celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Tulip.

A LETTER FROM BROTHER JOHN FOSTER PARIS, MISSOURI JANUARY 8, 1980

Tulip Christian Church, Christian Women's Fellowship
My very dear friends:

I received the Christmas basket you sent me and I enjoyed it very much. It was delicious.
The Tulip Church has always had a very warm spot in my heart. I well remember the night when I and a number of others went forward in response to the invitation. Brother Lightfoot Hulser, a student in Missouri Christian University, now Culver-Stockton College was the minister. Four of those who made the Good Confession that night were Clyde Moore, Frank Gritton, Steve Ferguson and myself. We were baptized a few days later in the Dowdy pond.

Besides the Church, Tulip had a school, a general store operated by E. T. Dinkle, a drug store and a post office operated by Dr. E. W. Johnson, a saw mill owned by Baylis Riley, a lodge hall, (The Married Men's League) and a black-smith shop run by Vess Branham. Vess Branham was a cousin of my mother. He had two daughters, Lillie and Maggie. They sang in the choir and often sang duets. I thought at the time they had about the loveliest singing voices I had ever heard, and I haven't changed my mind very much about that. Tulip at that time had a baseball team. It was one of the best in that part of the country. Oscar Wilson was our pitcher and a good one he was. He might have made the majors if he had been interested in baseball as a career. His untimely death from a stroke of lightning was a shock to us all. I think I could name about everyone who was in the Tulip Church when I became a member, but I won't try. I might miss some of them. I passed my 90th birthday anniversary a few days ago, December the third. My ministry was mostly in Illinois but I have held many meetings in Missouri and some in several other states. It has been a happy experience. God has been good to me. I have one fine son and a lovely Christian daughter-in-law, four grandsons, two grand daughters-in-law, two great grandsons and three great granddaughters. I have other relatives and many faithful friends. I hope I have no enemies, and if I do I freely forgive them and love them all.

Remember me to every one and God Bless you always.

Brother John
John E. Foster

MRS. NANCY DUNBAR ARMONTROUT BAPTIZED AT AGE OF 95.

Mrs. Nancy Dunbar Armontrout, 96 yeas old, a native of Virginia and a woman whose memories carried her back to the days of her Grandfather, a cousin and schoolmate of George Washington, died at her home near Tulip on Sunday. Mrs. Armontrout, up to within three months of her death, had been in good health and her memory of early days in Virginia and of her adventures during the Civil War supplied her with many an interesting tale for her grandchildren, who live on a farm near Tulip. She frequently recalled stories of General George Washington, told her by her grandfather in her Virginia home years ago. She was a middle aged woman at the time of the Civil War and her sympathies being with the Union side, she had many an adventure carrying baskets of food to the soldiers, who found it necessary to hide on various occasions. It was the Civil War stories that Mrs. Armontrout particularly enjoyed relating.

She joined the Methodist Church in Bethel, Virginia when she was only fifteen years old, but at the age of 95, she went to the Rev. Egan Herndon near her Tulip home and asked that he immerse her in the creek nearby. On a cold winter's day, they broke the ice on the creek and Rev. Egan Herndon baptized her in the presence of many of her old friends and relatives. Speaking of Mrs. Armontrout's baptism after having preached her funeral services on Tuesday, the Rev. Herndon said "I have been thirty years in the ministry in this section and I believe this incident will stand out as one of the most unusual and convincing of my life work. I shall speak of it in my coming lecture on 'Thirty years in the ministry'. and I believe that Christian people throughout this state will see in it an unusual example of faith on the part of a woman who reached her ninety-fifth year. Mrs Armontrout asked for baptism as a result of having read her Bible, and it was not a case of conversion by me, but a matter of Mrs. Armontrout acting on her own convictions."

Her Grandchildren in the Tulip community are Cora Hoffman, Frank, Gilbert G., and Russell Armontrout and Margaret Wilson. Mrs. Nancy Dunbar Armontrout came to Missouri to make her home in 1921 and died on January 12, 1925.

The information for this article was taken from the Centralia Courier Newspaper.

HISTORY OF TULIP CHRISTIAN CHURCH COMPILED NOVEMBER 1959
BY HENRIETTA BARNES BROWN

The Tulip Church was organized as a Union Church in the latter 1890's with eighteen to twenty-five members. There were three church groups represented: Christian, Methodist, and Cumberland Presbyterian. One of the first Christian ministers was Reverend T. L. Noblitt.

Dr. E. W. Johnson gave the land on which the present building was erected. This is the building which housed the first congregation. Mrs. Joe Branham recalls that the church was built soon after her family moved to Tulip in 1896. Her father, Mr. Baylis Riley operated a sawmill south of the church and he sawed all of the rough lumber for the building.

The building had been completed and was dedicated in the fall of 1899. The dedicating sermon was preached by Elder Hinton. Reverend Llewellyn participated in the ceremony. One early member recalls that he was an elderly man with a long, flowing white beard.

Some of the present members of the Tulip Church were present at the dedication services in 1899. Mrs. A. H. Fountain, Mrs. S. F. Woodring, Mrs. George Brown and Mrs. Joe Branham.

The first pastor of the new Christian Church was Elder James Ferguson. Mrs. George Brown recalls the Thanksgiving services of 1899 and the beautiful Easter Services in 1900 which were held before capacity audiences.

Known to be charter members of Tulip Christian Church were Dr. and Mrs. E. W. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Conley and Mr. and Mrs T. T. Barnes.

Others who were early members of that faith and some of whom may have been charter members were Judge and Mrs. John Wooden, Mr. and Mrs Will Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Will Giddings, The James and Thomas Hickerson families, the Rader family, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Gritton and Mr. and Mrs. I. G. Noel.

Among the Presbyterian members were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Kuntz, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hobart, the Charley Moseley family, Mrs. Eleanora Hoffman, Mr. and Mrs. Will Harshbarger, Mr. and Mrs Northup, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Alexander and daughter, Ora (now Mrs. J. R. Shuck).

Some of the Presbyterian ministers were the Reverends Ernest McCurry, Cunningham, Haynes and Reverend Alexander Womack.

Members of the Methodist Faith were Mr. and Mrs. Marion Cottingham, and Miss Anna Riley (now Mrs. Joe Branham). The Reverend Kimbrell was one of the Methodist ministers.

In the early days of the church, each group was responsible for the preaching service one Sunday during the month and there was a Union Sunday School.

An organ was the early musical instrument and there was an organist for each group: Mrs. Oscar Perkins - Christian; Mrs. Marion Cottingham - Methodist; and Mrs. Dan Hobart - Presbyterian.

Mrs A. H. Fountain has a letter written to her mother by Mrs. E. W. Johnson in April 1900. In it, Mrs Johnson states that the church had seventy members at that time and had an active youth organization.

The Presbyterian and Methodist members discontinued their services in the 1900's and the church as been the Tulip Christian Church since that time. A number of the members of the Presbyterian and Methodist groups became members of the Christian faith of the church following the discontinuation of their services.

At one time, during the 1920's, Tulip Church had the largest membership of any rural church in Monroe County and was second to the Paris Christian Church in size in the county. Ninety-five people were enrolled in the Sunday School. There was an active youth organization, the Christian Endeavor, at that time.

There were two members of the church, during the 1920's, who had been ordained as life time Elders -- J. Ed Wilson and T. T. Barnes.

The church had its first homecoming on June 15, 1919. Six more homecomings were held during the 1920's. The last homecoming recorded was held on October 15, 1944.

Some of the pastors who have served the Tulip Christian Church through the years other than those previously mentioned are Reverends Lightfoot Hulser, B. S. M. and G. D. Edwards, Robert J. Miller, Reverend Schwabe, Egan Herndon, S. Morris Eames, S. B. Owings, Tom Fleetwood and Thomas Russell who is the present pastor.
Reverend Herndon being pastor for some fifteen years and Reverend Owings for twelve years.

Some of the ministers who held revival meetings were Reverends Rea, Egan Herndon, Willie Cole, Reverend Shirley, Adam Adcock, G. W. Kitchen, B. S. M. Edwards, the Earley Brothers, John E. Foster, S. Morris Eames, Milton and Myrtle Dawson, T. E. Spurling, and Philip Byron Carlisle. During some of the revival meetings of the 1920's as many as eighty members were added to the church at one time.

Three members of the Tulip Church have entered the ministry and were ordained at the church. John E. Foster was ordained on the third Sunday in August 1911. The ordaining minister was B. S. M. Edwards. At present Reverend Foster is serving at the First Christian Church of Du Quoin, Illinois. Thomas Earl Spurling was ordained on July 8, 1923. He is now deceased. Milton Dawson was ordained on August 17, 1924 and is now serving as pastor at Odessa, Missouri.

Several members of the church served in the armed forces of our country during World War I and World War II. Edward Duncan and Elbert Brown were members who lost their lives in service in Europe in 1944 during World War II.

There are several persons who have been members of the church for sixty years or nearly that long. They are Mrs. Woodring, Mrs. Branham, and Mrs. George Brown, who were previously mentioned as having attended the 1899 dedication and Mrs. Ben Carter.

The first women's organization recorded was the Women's Council organized in 1939 with Mrs. Minnie Forbis as president and having fourteen members.

In the early days the church was lighted with kerosene lamps. Later on, acetylene lighting system was installed, then gasoline lamps were used. On December 18, 1938, the church membership voted for rural electrification and this system was energized in December 1939. According to the records, the church began electing Junior Deacons in 1945 and women became eligible for deaconesses in 1958. Miss Janet Fulton is the first woman to serve the church in this capacity.

Tulip has for a long time participated in most of the activities of the brotherhood and received a certificate of recognition for this work for the year 1957-58.

The Monroe County Convention of Christian Churches was held at Tulip in the years of 1923, 1924, 1947 and 1957.

At the present time the church has a membership of 165, more than 100 of these are resident members. There are preaching services, morning and evening, on the third Sunday of each month.

The Sunday School, held each Sunday, has an enrollment of eighty with an average attendance of fifty-six. C. C. Carr is Superintendent and Mary Beth Vaughn, Secretary.

There is an active Christian Women's Fellowship which was organized in 1949. Mrs. Clyde Marshall is president and there are thirty-five active members.

The Christian Youth Fellowship has a membership of twelve with Mary Beth Vaughn and Richard Milhollin Co-presidents.

Tulip is a member of the Owings Pastoral Unity of Christian Churches of Monroe County. Tulip members of the unity board are Brooks Vaughn, Nevelle Sanders, and Mrs. P. R. Brown.

Plans for building an addition to the church were discussed during 1958. The congregation voted to adopt the plans in December 1958. The necessary money was raised and construction began in March 1959 and was completed in September. Mr. Raymond Hogan was the carpenter assisted by members of the church.

Members of the present Tulip Church board are: Elders - Selmon Milhollin, Clyde Marshall, and W. E. Hoffman. Deacons - Gilbert L. Armontrout, Dale Morgan, and Brooks Vaughn, chairman of the board, Louis Tanner, Fred Dowdy, and P. R. Brown. Junior Deacons - Roger Cruzan, Richard Milhollin and Janet Fulton, Deaconess. Trustees - Larry O. McBride, Bobby Fulton and Ernest Ball. Ralph Sanders is church clerk and treasurer, an office he has held for twenty-one years.

The church pianist is Mrs. C. C. Carr and Mrs. Brooks Vaughn is music director.

TULIP MEMORIES OF FREDDIE MCBRIDE
AS RELATED TO HIS DAUGHTER, NORMA REYNOLDS

My parents were John Franklin and Sudie G. (Howell) McBride. They came to the Tulip area from Indiana in 1909 where they reared their 6 children; Larry O., Roscoe V., Frank E., Audra, Thelma and Freddie Lee. John joined Tulip Church in 1917. They first lived on what is now state road M approximately 1 mile east of Tulip gravel road on the north side. I was born there. It was called the Bay Place. We lived there 11 years and bought our groceries at Tulip. Only occasionally Dad went to another town farther away for supplies. I went to school at Sanford, which was located north of the Paul Breid farm. We went to church at Tulip where Egan Herndon was the first minister I remember. They held church one Sunday a month. On Sunday evenings (once a month) Dad took us to Christian Endeavor which was sort of a youth group. It was more like Sunday School and we had a program.

Egan Herndon had the largest crowd of any minister I remember. He held revivals in the fall after school had started. After being in school all day, we were tired and would have gotten sleepy, but he clapped his hands, talked loud, and stomped around so much we didn't sleep. He wouldn't let us! The kids sat on the steps around the pulpit right next to him.

Only a few families had cars at that time. The church yard would have several cars parked in it and the hitch racks would be filled with horses, as he drew a large crowd.

I remember when Dr. Johnson had his office above the store. Paul Dawson ran the store which was located east of the road and north of the church. Ira Davis lived north of the store where Garrett Hasekamp lives now.

MEMORIES FROM NORMA REYNOLDS

Some of the pleasant memories of Tulip Church are of the Christmas Season. The youth group decorating the church, the soup supper afterwards, Christmas Caroling, and the Christmas Programs. I love to hear Jewel Sanders sing "O HOLY NIGHT" at the end of the candlelight ceremony.

I will always remember Susie Sanders Everhart playing the piano for Sunday School and Church services. She is so talented and her beautiful playing is something I'll always remember.

MEMORIES OF TULIP CHRISTIAN CHURCH
BY RUTH W. BARNES

First, I should like to note that Mr. Thomas Turner Barnes was my Paternal Grandfather. According to a history I have, he and my Grandmother were Charter Members (Page 1, Paragraph 7). Also in the 1920's Mr. J. Ed Wilson and he were ordained as lifetime elders. An early memory is that my mother died January 23, 1923 and that her funeral service was held at Tulip Church. I remember Reverend Egan Herndon as regular Evangelist Pastor and Reverend Willie Cole as Evangelist. Revival meetings were held in the summer time presumably after crops were "laid by". I believe they concluded with a festive and delicious basket dinner. I recall being baptized in 1926 (age 9) at the foot of the Stout Riley Hill in Allen Creek. This is located on 151 just south of where Route M jogs south a few miles east of Middle Grove. I also recall baptisms in Long Branch and the occasional pond. I remember ice cream suppers as wonderful occasions: sometimes candidates for Monroe County Offices would speak.

Transportation was provided mostly by Model T Fords. I recall we had a Willys Overland and there was the occasional horse and buggy and surrey team.

At the age of 14, I left the Tulip Community to live with my Aunt Augusta and Uncle Evan Anderson through high school and B.S. in Education graduation (1939) from the University of Missouri. My working life comprised 8 years teaching in public high schools of Missouri; nearly 2 1/2 years as a Wave in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps; and 31 years 7 months secretarial work at the Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital, St. Louis. I returned to Centralia September 30, 1992 after the death of my sister, Henrietta Barnes Brown. I returned to attend Tulip Christian Church and became a member of CWF, after being other places some 61 years. I do remember attending Sunday School in the "Amen Corner" (the northeast corner of the present main sanctuary). I am truly grateful to Tulip Christian Church for grounding me in a faith and, I hope, decent caring for my fellow human beings and all life that has sustained me for 78 years plus. To the present congregation I thank you for your kindness and loving care to me. I never met better people anywhere.

REMINISCE WITH ME
BY FAE HERNDON

Since coming to Tulip in the mid thirties many changes have taken place. There was no electricity and the building was heated by a large coal stove sitting in the northeast corner. The ceiling followed the contour of the roof and the interior was paneled with narrow tongue and groove boards painted white. Many more pews were in the church and often filled. For Sunday morning service women wore a hat and gloves; men, suit and tie.

Some family always had the pastor for Sunday dinner. Other family or friends were also invited to share the big meal and afternoon visiting. Time was allowed to milk the cow and tend the chickens in time for evening service.

Brother Egan Herndon served as pastor from 1923 to 1938. Always coming from his home about five miles southwest by horse and buggy. Being of the old school he preached "hellfire and damnation" with many converts. He was much in demand at weddings and funerals.

The story was told he bought a new pair of shoes. Before he wore them , a younger brother wore them out dancing. Needless to say the preacher was quite upset. Whether he ever considered the shoes worthy of gracing the pulpit it was not told.

Brother Steve Owings followed to serve for 12 years. They were the last of local resident ministers. Thru the years several student ministers came until Jimmy Jones of Sturgeon who served faithfully for 11 years until his health failed. Frieda Foland, now minister, is especially good with the young people and loved by all.

Charter members Mr. & Mrs. Tom Barnes and Mr. & Mrs. Will Mason continue to be represented by family members at Tulip.

Many good people now passed away left a lasting influence. Coming to mind are two I think I can name without hurting any feelings- Mrs. Mattie Burton and Mrs. W. E. Hoffman.

With consolidation of small farms and families now not so large, fewer people are in the area. On the road just south of the church from route C to the end west, ten houses once there are gone or unoccupied. Newcomers represent various denominations and with better transportation they go to church of choice. These factors have taken a toll on rural church attendance. God willing Tulip Church will continue to spread His Word and be an influence for good many years to come.

EARLY MEMORIES OF TULIP CHURCH
AS TOLD BY NORMA FAYE WILSON TANNER TO HER SON, BOB TANNER

One of the earliest things I remember about Tulip Church was they had an Amen Corner located in the northeast corner of the church. This consisted of several short pews facing the pulpit. This was a choice section for several members.

The year my sister Mattie Marie and I were baptized there was a revival meeting every night for two weeks. Rev. Cole and Rev. Kitchen were the ministers. We had such large crowds there would not be seats for the youngsters my age. We sat around the pulpit on the steps. I remember Elizabeth Rutter (Milhollin), Henrietta Barnes (Brown) and Mattie Marie being there. The baptism was in Allen Creek.

That was the same summer in 1922 my father, Oscar Wilson was killed by lightning. I remember Mr. John Marshall saying to my mother to comfort our family, "When you cry, you cry alone, but when you smile, the whole world smiles with you".

My grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wilson and their family were members of Tulip Church. Grandpa Wilson and Mr. Tom Barnes were elders for many years. They did not change offices as often as they do now.

TULIP MEMORIES BY GLADYS MCBRIDE
AS RELATED TO BERTA MCBRIDE

Gladys's parents, Mr. & Mrs. Charles (Bud) Gritton were among the first members of the Tulip Church.

Most of the baptisms were in the ponds or the creeks.

Pauline McBride was baptized in the creek just west of where Lester England lives now, where the bridge goes over the creek.

Gladys was baptized in a pond now on the Hasekamp farm north of the church. She said they pushed the algae back off of the water before the service. She has always said she was baptized in a "hog waller".

Larry McBride and Selmon Milhollin were talking at church about how their clothes fit. To prove his point about not having any hips to hold his pants up, Larry held his arms straight up and his pants slid clear down.

Everyone went to church with horses and buggy those days, of course. Gladys went with her Mother to a meeting and for some reason went to tie the horse by the school, and decided to give it a drink. It had rained and her Mother slipped and fell down and got her dress all muddy. They cleaned her off as best they could and had no choice but to go ahead. But when they got to the front door of the church her Mother said, "I feel so dabby". Larry had a horse named "Ole Joe" that was the fastest around at that time. It was Larry's turn to go north of Tulip to pick up the Preacher in his horse and buggy for the service. As he was coming back, he got to the bridge and a friend rode up to meet him and challenged him to a race. They made two laps around the church before they could get stopped, mud was flying. Of course, the preacher got covered with mud on his suit and they had to clean him before the service.

Larry was the pallbearer for a funeral at the church. At that time the family always sat on the south side. The lady singing, (Dr. Nugent's wife, Anna) rocked up on her toes as she sang. Larry got tickled, uncontrollably, and really embarrassed himself.

I REMEMBER BY BOBBY DALE MCBRIDE

I remember using the loader on the front of Ralph Sanders' "H" tractor to change or repair the sign on the front of the church and how the loader would sway when it was stretched clear out.

When Mike Taylor baptized John McBride, Boyd and Brad Harris, John Armontrout and Denise Henry, we went to Nevelle and Jewel Sanders' pond just north of their house. They had it all mowed down nice and it was a beautiful day in August 1975. The boys, all being teen-age, were tall and well built. The preacher was of slight build, and he ask Bill Harris and I, the fathers, to go into the pond with him to help him get the boys up out of the water and in case their feet slipped in the mud.

When the kitchen, bathroom, and upstairs room was added to the church the guys hooked the kitchen faucets backwards to how hot and cold usually are. The women would bring refreshments to them. Bobby Dale's favorite cookie is snickerdoodles. We had a large tupperware dish with a cover, with cookies. Whoever was the last to get a cookie before we left, didn't get the lid on tight. The next evening the ants had moved in, Bobby Dale said they weren't getting those and blew the ants off and ate the cookies anyway.

Darren Reynolds, Dawn Hasekamp, and Belle Harris (the Three Musketeers) took it upon themselves to paint the outhouse. Being over active, they painted on the shingles, every other one, and Belle painted "HI" on the wooden fence in the corner of the church yard. We had an old bag swing in the big tree on the south side of the church yard. The rope had rotted and Scott Sanders made a big run and jumped on the swing, the rope broke and you know what happened, he fell flat and really bruised his pride.

When Rev. Jim Jones was preaching, he always went to the outhouse (wouldn't use the new bathroom!!) before the service. One morning he didn't come back and we, in the choir, realized he'd been gone a long time. So we sent Boyd Harris to check on him, and the button on the door had turned and he was locked in the outhouse.

During Rev. Jones' time at Tulip, one Sunday the ones in the choir were all seated, Berta looked over at June Morgan's shoes and got really tickled. Berta pointed to her feet and June got tickled, also. She had on one black shoe and one blue shoe of the same style. We got to giggling so bad, Rev. Jones stopped mid sermon and ask what was wrong, and we had to tell the whole congregation.

Berta cleaned the whole church, on her own, for several years.

When Janet Fulton and Miller Owings got married in Feb., 1960, there was so much snow that Brooks Vaughn had to open the road with the bulldozer.

MEMORIES OF ANNABEL HASEKAMP

There are many church denominations, each having its own pattern of worship services and ways of teaching and practicing Christian Living, but all worshiping God and His Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ. This I found very true when our family moved from Warren County to the community of Tulip in Monroe County. Tulip Christian Church was chosen as our new church home. Many were the customs different from the U.C.C where our family worshiped in Wright City. When you are past middle age it isn't easy to learn to know new people and names and become a part of the fellowship. The small country church of Tulip proved to be a great help. People were friendly and not hard to get acquainted with. Most were a part of a farm family living in the community. Going to church and Sunday School proved to be a time of not only Bible study and worship but a visit with neighbors and good Christian Fellowship. It wasn't long until I felt at home accepting change and a place to help where I was able. Yes, I missed my friends in Wright City but made new friends and helpers.

At that time Tulip did not have a full minister and church services only on the first and third Sundays of each month. Students from Culver Stockton College preparing for ministry or Christian Service had the worship services. I learned from each of these young people and enjoyed having them at our home after Sunday services for a noon meal. One incident I'll never forget. I was in the hospital to have surgery on Monday when one these student ministers came for a visit. He always spent time with the young people at Tulip when weather permitted, enjoying a ball game with them. That Sunday evening after a knock at my room door, in came Mike, the student who had services at Tulip that Sunday morning dressed in knee length fringed blue jeans, sweat shirt and bare feet. A big friendly smile and warm hand shake made a person forget pain and trouble. Just a short visit, saying I was missed and the congregation remembered me in their prayers. Then he had a short prayer that I'll never forget. With a hop and a skip, he greeted my roommate and her guests, waved his hand and left. Everyone that saw and heard him, he truly put into practice Christian living, love and compassion. So the years passed and many were the young people preparing for the ministry. Tulip was privileged to be their training ground.

Another incident occurred when my husband was chairperson of the church board. He was called by phone on a Wednesday evening saying it wasn't possible for the person planning to have church services to be present the following Sunday and that it would be doubtful if Culver Stockton would be able to help us out much longer. Luckily, a kind neighbor also on the church board called and said he had a letter from a minister in a nearby town who had resigned as minister to take another full time job but he didn't want to give up the ministry and would enjoy helping out at services in country churches part time. Hence on Thursday evening my husband had me call the Jones home. The minister's wife answered the phone saying that Jimmy was down at the barn milking the cow, he would call back later, which he did. Hearing the need at Tulip on short notice he would be glad to preach and conduct services. Rev. Jones was a great help for Tulip, well known and drew many in attendance. Surely God helps those in need. From that Sunday the first and third Sunday services were under good care but hurting himself in a fall, complications and an untimely death left the church in need. Others supply ministers came to assist and give Christian leadership. At present, we have a full time Pastor preparing to be an ordained minister soon. She is doing a great deal for Tulip besides just having the Sunday services, but visits the sick and other duties of a Christian Minister. Hence, this country church has managed to survive, continuing to be a needed part of this community.

Thanks to the hard dedicated work of the founders of Tulip Church and to those who, through, the years continue to give of their time, talents and services to keep it up and going. May God continue to bless and keep Tulip Christian Church. A few lines from Henry W. Longfellow's poem "The Psalm Of Life".

Lives of great men often remind us
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time
Footprints that perhaps another
Sailing over lifes' solemn main
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother
Seeing will take heart again.

MEMORIES BY LOIS CARR
AS WRITTEN BY HER DAUGHTER ELSIE GARRETT

C. C. and Lois Carr and the four youngest of their six children, Richard, Peggy, Shirley, and Carolyn, moved from East Central Illinois to a farm, a mile and a half south of Tulip Church in February 1951. They attended worship services at another congregation their first Sunday in Missouri. They received a card from Ben and Ruby Burton inviting them to Tulip for services the next Sunday, bring a covered dish and join the congregation for a potluck dinner at the noon hour.

They were baptized in Sanders' pond by Reverend Steve Owings.

Through the years, they served as superintendent, deacons, deaconess, pianist, organist, Vacation Bible School teacher, Sunday School teacher, Christian Youth Fellowship leader, various offices in the Christian Women's Fellowship. The children were all part of the CYF for several years. Peggy and Shirley sang quite a lot of solos. Lois accompanied many members of the congregation for special music and Alice Vaughn and Jewel Sanders for special music for the CWF at local, county and district meetings.

Six Carr grandchildren grew up in the church with the other thirteen attending while visiting their grandparents. Great grandchildren have also attended. A son-in-law, John Garrett held a revival in the 1970's. Four family members held their wedding ceremonies at Tulip and C. C. and Lois celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there.

They have enjoyed worshiping God, the fellowship and association of Christian friends at Tulip for more than forty of the congregation's one hundred years.

THOUGHTS FROM BOB HASEKAMP

I remember coming to Tulip for the first time after moving here. The warm friendly greeting, feeling a part of an ongoing church family, sharing in each others joys and sorrows, a closeness that can only be felt in a small church group.

I remember singing in the choir and doing special programs at Christmas and Easter. Especially one Christmas, when we had a living Christmas tree and sang carols.

The ministers we had over the years all filled a special need at the time they were here. It is not hard to see the Hand of God active in our church life.

Thanks to all who have gone on before, for providing a Christian environment for us to live and raise a family. May we continue this mission on into the next century.

MEMORIES OF TULIP CHURCH
BY GLADYS HASEKAMP

My most memorable times have been with the youth of the church. I have been one of their leaders for many years. I usually learn a lot more than the youth do. We have done many exciting things over the years. These kids are always ready to try anything from trips to camp outs and more.

One year, we went to Arrow Rock to camp over the weekend. We did a variety of things, hiking, window shopping to playing volley ball. Of course, I had to play too. You can imagine the kids delight when their "leader" went over backwards, feet in the air! Everyone had a good laugh, in fact the kids were hysterical! Not one of them has forgotten that weekend.

MEMORABLE TIMES BY DAWN HASEKAMP

Some of the most memorable times for me have been spent with the members of the Tulip Christian Church CYF. Being a member has allowed me to experience a lot of different things over the years.

One year we went to St. Louis. We went bright and early in the morning so we could get to the Arch before it got crowded. I had been to the museum before, but I had never been up in the Arch. That day I went and I'll never forget the breathtaking view from the top. Another thing I'll never forget is getting lost the same day. We saw a side of St. Louis we had never seen before and would prefer not to see again. It was the first time we saw bars on all the windows. It was a trip I'll remember for years to come.

MEMORIES OF DALE & JUNE MORGAN

It would take too many pages to tell all of our memories of Tulip Church since we started attending church there. We joined church in April of 1957. Our daughter Marilyn was two and Vickie was two months old. Two more children Alan and Janet, were born in 1958 and 1961. Dale's ties to the church go back to his parents who were members, Roy and Gertrude Morgan. Marilyn, Vickie and Alan joined in August of 1967 and Janet joined later.

The programs, carry in dinners, and etc. stand out in my memory, such as Shirley's (Carr ) chocolate angel food cake, Audrey's (Williams) coconut pie, and Joyce's (Armontrout) cinnamon rolls. Jewel Ann (Sanders) special songs on church Sunday and Bible School programs when my children were small were always a highlight. When Alan was a toddler in Alice Vaughn's beginner class he associated her very closely with Jesus. Alice called me on the phone and Alan answered. Recognizing her voice, he called "Mama , Jesus is on the phone." That is one of the many funny moments I remembered.

We think about many of the older members that aren't with us any more. Janet always sat with Clyde "Poppy" Marshall at church and Irene Marshall always tried to help with the children when they were small.

At the end of the first hundred years our family has had four generations attend Tulip Church. We can't help but wonder what the next hundred years will bring. For future references, I would like to list my children and grandchildren in the Centennial Book. Marilyn & Kevin O'Bannon, Jay & Jeff. John & Vickie Ross, Katie, Nick & Taylor. Alan Morgan, Jill & Nathan. Janet & Kelly Woods, Spencer & Erin.

REFLECTIONS OF NEVELLE AND JEWEL SANDERS

Nevelle moved to the Tulip community in 1935 when he was 3 years old and began attending the Tulip Christian Church at that time. Nevelle and I were married in 1952 by Rev. Steve Owings of the Tulip Church. At this time, I moved my membership to Tulip Church from the Centralia First Christian Church. The friendly, relaxed attitude of the people made me feel comfortable in my new church home. Nevelle and I lived in the Territory of Alaska the first two years of our marriage while he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon his discharge in 1954, we returned to the Tulip community. We began farming with his parents and became active in the Tulip Christian Church. Brooks Vaughn was an exceptionally good teacher for the Young Married's Sunday School Class. His wife, Alice, was such a good leader--active in leading the church music as well as teaching the young children's Sunday School class. The Christmas programs with the children portraying the nativity figures were memorable. We have fond memories of our children dressed as angels and seated atop the stable which the church men built. In the 1994 Christmas program it was touching to us to see our grandson Jesse playing the part of a shepherd and his brother Lucas taking his place atop the stable as the 'littlest angel' just as his mother Susie had done thirty five years ago.

When Nevelle was questioned about his most 'outstanding' memory of Tulip Church he relates this story. There was a small settee used on the platform for the superintendent or preacher to sit on. It was placed at the north edge of the platform with the rear legs near the edge. One Sunday when Nevelle was the Sunday School Superintendent, he sat on the settee and the rear legs slipped off the platform. The next thing he knew he was 'out-standing' on the floor instead of the platform. Neither Nevelle nor the settee suffered any damage in this unfortunate incident. There have been other past incidents we can now find humor in--such as the Sunday the student minister had to leave his car in the two and a half feet of water flooding the road just North of the church and walk through the water to get to church. We laugh as we recall the time another student minister was very late starting services on his first Sunday preaching here. It was finally discovered that he was locked in the outhouse--- accidentally???

It pleases us to attend Sunday School and church regularly with our daughter Susie at the piano and her husband Eddie Everhart attending to their sons, Jesse-4 and Lucas-2. Our son Scott helps out with special music and gives technical assistance about any electronic equipment used at the church. Our youngest daughter Sherry married Paul Walters in this church in 1980. They attend services at Tulip Church with their daughters, Kristen-12, Tracy-9, and Hannah-4 whenever they are visiting us. The multi-generational aspect of our church is one thing that makes it so unique. In June of this year, Nevelle's folks (Ralph and Annie Jim Sanders) attended services, making four generations of Sanders present. We hope that the "country church" will not be lost in the changing times and that many generations of Sanders as well as others may be nurtured in this Christian atmosphere and be proud to call Tulip Church their home.

RECOLLECTIONS OF RALPH SANDERS
(As told to Susie Sanders Everhart)

My wife, Annie Jim, and I moved into the Tulip community in February of 1935. This was during the great depression and I can remember that hogs were about 3 cents a pound and cattle were around 5 cents a pound. Corn brought about 15 cents a bushel and a lot of people lost their farms and all.

The first day we were in this neighborhood, someone knocked on our door and it was Mr. Willie Hoffman inviting us to come to Tulip church. We went there and have been going there ever since when I was in the neighborhood. At the time it was just a one room building and it was not too well constructed. It was weatherboarding on the outside and ceiling boards on the inside. It had real high ceilings. It had a little coal stove sitting in the middle of the north side with the chimney in the middle of the church with a long pipe going to the stove. Every once in a while we would have to clean that pipe out. Brother Egan Herndon was the pastor at that time and he lived over south somewhere. He used an old team of horses and he would come and spend the day when we had church once a month. He would eat dinner with someone and then go home that night. This was before we had electricity and we had about five gasoline lanterns. A lot of people didn't like to fool with them. I had fooled with them most of my life so it was my job to light them each time we had preaching at night. We had Sunday School every Sunday and we were scattered around the church in our classes. The women met in the choir..halfway back between the choir and the SW corner of the church was the young folks' class. Then in the SW corner was the primary class. Right across from them on the NW side was the men's class. Up in the NE corner was what they called the AMEN corner. This was where the older people held their Sunday School Class. In about 1939 we got electricity. The lights would rock back and forth when the wind would blow because the church wasn't braced too good. Then we decided to cover the church with asbestos shingles. We took all the weatherboarding off the west end and sheeted that up solid with 1 x 12's to brace it, then we put shingles on the rest of the church. We finally built a new chimney on the NE corner of the church on the outside. At that time we got a small furnace and set it in the NE corner of the church and vented it into this new chimney. This was much better. We've had several different kinds of heat. The stoves were very inconvenient because someone had to come up about 5:00 A.M. to start the fire so it would be warm enough for 10:00 services. Then later we got an oil burning stove and that was simpler and warmed up faster. Later on we got gas heat which we have at the present time.

We had 30 or 35 people coming then. Later the church grew when people like the C.C. Carrs moved here from Illinois and the Brooks Vaughns moved in. We got up to where we had about 70 people sometimes.

Twice we had tried to get Friendship and Tulip to go together. Both churches were willing to go together, but neither one wanted to give up their church. At one time we had quite a large joint CYF between Friendship and Tulip church. Peggy Carr was president of the district CYF and at one time we had more kids attending these district meetings than some of the larger churches like Moberly did.

Brooks Vaughn was the president of the board one year and he came up with the idea that we put up the addition on the East side of the church. I wouldn't know, but I'd say he done more to help that church than anyone else that ever lived around here. We got volunteers to come up there and we worked at that and finally got it built and then it come along to Spring time of the year and we still hadn't got the roof on. I know several of us that went up to finish it up was Mr. Hoffman, Brooks Vaughn, Frank Forest, Nevelle and myself. Most of the rest of them had gone on to their field work. Brooks and I designed the new section and we tried to fix it so they could have classrooms and all and we tried to fix it so they could open up the doors and have an auditorium and all. It's been a lot better. Then later on they built some classrooms in the attic and this was a big improvement over when we had just one room and all the classes met in that one room. Just a short time before that we had lowered the ceilings and redecorated the church. We had varnished the floor and fixed it all up and put new paneling on the inside walls.

We had several different preachers and all over the years. As I said, Brother Egan Herndon was the first one I remember, then we had several student preachers from Canton come and preach. Then the Santa Fe church went together with us and we formed sort of an alliance. We shared one preacher who would preach at our church one Sunday and at Santa Fe another Sunday. We had several different preachers. Brother Steve Owings preached at the unity of Santa Fe and Tulip. Anybody that joined the church, we baptized them at a pond up by Nevelle's corner. Tulip Church has stayed there for a long time and it's a nice church.

MEMORIES OF DEE (RILEY) YANCY
AS RELATED TO MARILYN O'BANNON

Dee (Riley) Yancy will be 94 in October and remembers moving to the Tulip community prairie when she was a teenager. Her family had lived in the Mt. Airy Church community. Some names she recalled living in the Tulip community at the time were: Punk Williamson, Newt Young, Tommy Barnes, and Francis Carter Lewellen. She also remembers a family with the last name of Jones that had 12 or 13 children. The blacksmith and church were the only buildings other than homes Dee remembers. Dee recalls there were different preachers in the summer. There would be ice cream suppers at Tulip and a candidates speaking on a platform. There would also be "Moonlights" at Tulip. They would play games, have popcorn, ice cream, a summer party. She also recalled that there were turkey shoots.

Dee was baptized at the Union Covered Bridge while attending Mt. Airy Church. She remembers other churches having baptisms there also and the boys all like to come watch the girls be baptized so they would wear lots of
petticoats under their white dresses so they couldn't see through the them.

TULIP TALK FROM ELZA SIMPSON
(AS TOLD TO SCOTT SANDERS

The main part of the store was a good big building, they had a first floor and a big old potbellied stove sitting in the middle of it. The upstairs had an outside staircase going up on the south end. There was a lodge up there that met once in a while. I think that a guy by the name of Carpenter could have built that store building. I don't know for sure about that. The block building there was a warehouse for the store, and on the east side of the store, there was storeroom there. They kept coal oil, and other things back there. I don't have any idea how old the store building was, it was there when I was a little feller. I've got no idea now when it closed, I was a big boy. The towns started having stores, Kroger's came in and just starved them out.

There wasn't a saloon, but they could get it anywhere they wanted to. There was bootleggers there down on the Longbranch where old Moore lived. They had it fixed in a pretty good setup. They had a big corn crib in the middle of the barn, you know, and they had another crib built inside of that. All around in the empty space, they had a little bit of corn stuffed in it, so it would look like a regular corncrib. In the center of it, you know, they had a little stovepipe that run up in the loft, that would let the steam out, and the smoke would come out there from the still in there, you see. There wasn't no steam coming out like it was on fire, you see, so they could get by with it. They had a guy grinding mash, and they'd give him all he wanted to drink while he was working. It wasn't too many years before he drank his farm. He lost his farm over it. I don't know what it cost; they could get in fruit jars, half gallons, whatever they wanted. We was just boys out on the creek, you know, ignorant tender boys fishing; we'd see a big new car go down on the road through the woods there, right where the second bridge is there. They had a road through there where Fae Herndon's pasture is now. They'd come out through Fae's woods, open their own gap, and drive across there. There wasn't any culvert there, they'd just cross the ditch all right going in, but when they came out, they always drug the bottom of the car there after it was loaded up. Us boys couldn't imagine why those cars would drag coming out when they were ok going in. We investigated the thing, went down there to the Moore house; I was a little boy, and Jim Dry took me down there to show me the still, he thought it would make a better man out of me to see that place. They did a lot of business, probably did better at that than they did farming. Those Kennedys did okay on that bootlegging, though.

The doctor was an old one, he was pretty nice to talk to. He delivered me, his name was Hickerson. Then there was another one named Nugent. I think Dr. Nugent had a boy Tommy that was about the same age that I was. He lived over there about where Bob Hasekamp lives. There was a big house with a porch that wrapped around there, on the west side and the south side. They had their dwelling on one end, and the doctor's office on the other. I don't know how many houses there was in Tulip, but there was a bunch of houses. Most of the houses ran from Hasekamps south to the store, and there was one or two on the south side of the church.

The blacksmith shop was a big business. We would all meet at the blacksmith's on weekends, and see who could throw the anvil the futhurest with one hand. You had to be pretty stout to pick it up. I couldn't pick it up, I was pretty little, but some of them could throw it quite a ways. My dad could throw it the furthurest. Everybody would go down there on the weekend, you'd sharpen your plowshares in the season, and they played horseshoes and croquet.

The drug store didn't have a soda fountain, but you could get ice cream cones, and they had bottles of medicine and whiskey. Soda was a nickel a bottle. You didn't buy much of that. They sold cheese, it was a big round chunk of it that just sat on the counter and they'd slice you off some. There was an old cat sitting on the counter, he would get down and lick the counter. Eggs were a dime a dozen. Old Johnson was running the store years ago when my dad was first married. Dad lived down in the woods back there where Hasekamps are. Coal oil cost a dime. There wasn't much gas sold, in those days. Some guy come in there and wanted the 'good 15-cent coal oil'. My dad hadn't worked there very long, and he was in the back there, looking around for the better coal oil, when the owner came back there and told him, "It's the same coal oil as the 10-cent. It's in this same barrel here". The first cars I remember was in 1917. They were mostly Model T's, they had a brass radiator on them and the headlights were sold separately. Some people carried a big pole with them, so when they got stuck, they could pick it up and put it over in a different place. There where Don Harshbarger lives, there was an old man named Butte. He had a big old Hudson. The old man had lost his arm in an accident. He'd come down the road in that old Hudson, he'd race you. He'd pull up behind you, and put on the horn to go around you, and he'd throw dirt everywhere.

The first tractor I saw around here was a Fordson. Millard Barnes had one of the first ones I saw, and Jim Dry had a McCormack. He had about the best team of horses around. One of my old mares got cut and couldn't work for a while, so Ben Carter brought his team over to help me put bundles of oats in the barn. The flies were bothering the horses and they were hot, so someone was trying to get them to settle down so they'd cool off. I was on top of the wagon, and fell off. It broke my nose, loosened all my teeth, and broke my neck. I had to lay flat on my back for thirty days with sandbags around my head. 1934 was the first year I ever saw soybeans around here. We just threshed them out. There was two boys that raised some, and they sold us seed. Your corn would make 40 bushels, if you bragged about it. I had some once that made 40 bushels, me and Grover Sutton took it over to some scales and weighed it. Usually your corn would make 20, 25 bushel. We raised in them days what you called hegari. It was a white grain, tight-headed, and we'd bundle it up and feed it. They'd have dances at different people's houses. I was too little and they wouldn't let me go. Often we'd just hoe corn for our entertainment.

MEMORIES OF TULIP CHURCH BY MARGARET (DOWDY) TRAVIS
AS TOLD TO DARREN REYNOLDS

Tulip Church held protracted meetings which lasted a week or two. The church was so full, men stood so women could sit. Children sat in windows and around the rostrum. A minister would come in and really get people riled up. Huge basket meals would follow on the north side of the church. And food!!!! So much food you can not imagine.

I remember Rev. Egan Herndon was a minister for many years. In fact, maybe too many years, but never the less, he was a good minister. Rev. Herndon would always get worked up when talking about women. He would get so hot and excited in his message that occasionally his false teeth would fly. Being a young person setting around the rostrum, we were always afraid we would get hit by those teeth.

Tom and Alice Barnes were foundation members. They drove a surrey to church and I will never forget that surrey. They were a large strength in the church and a huge help to the community.

Also, Mrs. Willie Hoffman was my Sunday School teacher. When I moved to Centralia and began teaching Sunday School myself, as she had, I really began to appreciate her. I always believed her an angel.

Strong members in the church were Mr. & Mrs Ben Carter and Ben & Ruby Burton.

Christian Endeavor, which was the youth group, met on Sunday evenings. We had wonderful times.

I was baptized in Allen Creek on the west end, west of the bridge by Wildwood Home. There were about 20 of us. I was about age 11 or 12 and I was born in 1915.

After I got married and moved my membership to First Christian Church in Centralia, I became Secretary there for 30 years. I always resented the fact, that I would suggest something that we had done in Tulip and the town members would say "well in the country, church was your entertainment". That hurt me because at Tulip, we felt attending church was not entertainment but a privilege.

I believe that the strength and longevity of Tulip can somewhat be attributed to the fact of it being a community. We had a store, a blacksmith shop and 2 doctors at one time.

When Mrs. Flossie Gorman came to town, my husband and I came to see her and invite her to church, she said "no, I could never go to town church, in fact, Margaret, I am surprised that you changed your membership". I told her that "part of being a Christian is service and since I am not in Tulip, I give my service in town". She came to church the very next Sunday. I think that this is the point I want to get across. At Tulip, the strength between us was so strong that it kept me going all my life. I cherish that church and love my memories. Someone told me once that some churches had problems because they have too many leaders and no followers. This is what made Tulip and keeps it because it has leaders and followers and both are needed.

MEMORIES OF FRIEDA FOLAND PASTOR OF TULIP CHURCH JULY 1, 1995

My memory of Tulip Christian Church is much shorter than most persons here. There are many things about the church for which I am grateful. The baptizing of six young persons into the church, the blessing of four babies and dedications of their parents, the accepting into the church by transfer of membership of three other persons and the funeral of one of our long-time members are all a part of my memory in this past five years. Most of us will not be a part of the bicentennial celebration of this church in 2095 but some of those babies may very likely be here to join in the festivities. Times of joy and sorrow and love and caring have been a part of my time here and which I cherish and will long remember.

Your have shared your lives with me in very special ways.

The enjoyment of events such as the annual Father's Day fish fry, the ice cream social, the Mother's Day breakfast, Christmas program, Thanksgiving dinner, and the Easter breakfast are just a few of the events I have come to look forward to each year. The Christian Women's Fellowship and the Christian Youth Fellowship remain very active and energetic and I appreciate their hospitality to me.

I have been ministered to as much as I have ministered to you. I do not minister alone. In the tradition of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) every member is a minister. This is certainly true of Tulip Christian Church. Each person contributes in her or his special ways to build memories.

Marks of a true Christian: "Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceable with all.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12: 9 - 21)

HARSHBARGER MEMORIES
AS TOLD TO PAULINE BY DON

Don remembers Preacher Herndon the best. When Friendship Christian Church did not have preaching, the Frank Harshbarger family often attended Tulip Church. Don and Lucy were little tykes. Their feet did not touch the floor, so the hour or more sermon given by Preacher Herndon became an ordeal. If they fidgeted they got stern looks from their parents, Frank and Frances Harshbarger. When they felt sure the sermon was about to the end, Preacher Herndon would say, "Just a moment " -- Then he seemed to get a "second breath" and go on much longer with his hell fire and damnation talk. Sometimes he got excited as he protested against card playing and dancing, his false teeth occasionally flew out.

Don has heard tales about Doc Johnson who had the mail in his office. There was no rural free delivery, so people went to this office to get mail. Doc had a still, his wife would dispense the mail and for some customers she would wrap the bottle in the mail and remark, "my, you have a lot of mail today".

Don can't remember the name of a man in a play who had a rip in his trousers. The audience would snicker and his embarrassed wife, at intermission, sent the son up to tell his Dad he had a torn place. The man said, "Go back and tell your Mother I know this but I am acting like I don't".

Mr. Cavens had a store. He kept hard candy in a barrel. After school his daughter brought a friend home and they crawled in to the barrel and sat in it to eat. This went on for several days until the owner discovered them.

TULIP CHURCH THE WAY IT USED TO BE ABOUT 1918 TO 1925
BY PAUL FARMER

Just a few of the families, that I can think of, that used to be active in the church: The Billy Hoffmans, the Ben Carters, the Henry Reeds, "Mother" Burton, the Abbey Fountains, the Hub Barnes and the Davis families. Of course, there were many more- I just can't come up with all the names.

My most vivid memories of Tulip Church revolve around the time of the Egan Herndon era. If there ever was a minister that would qualify for the description of a "Fire and Brimstone" preacher, he was it. I'm sure he was a good man, and I think he believed in what he preached. During his sermon, you did not get much sleep (ha, ha). What with his clapping of hands, using his feet on the floor for emphasis and sternly hitting the rostrum with his fist, he pretty well kept your attention. One of his points was; if the shoe fit, it was up to you alone to wear it. Rev. John Foster would fill in for Bro. Herndon once in awhile, and his sermons were a nice change of pace. Two sermons of Bro. Herndon's stand out in my mind. For some cause they made an impression on me and I've never forgotten them. Besides being a well known preacher, he also knew the value of a dollar. He preached an entire sermon, one Sunday morning, about why his pay should be raised to $25.00 per month. He held services once a month. He gave the Church Board an ultimatum that morning. They could pay him the $25.00 or they could look for another minister. The other sermon, I well remember was directed towards dancing of all kinds, the "Flappers" and the roaring twenties. I was about 11 or 12 years old and the year around 1922. According to him, dancing (all forms) was an "evil" to be avoided. Square dancing was bad enough, but round or ballroom dancing was strictly taboo. Then there were the "Flappers". That was a term given teenage girls that got their hair bobbed, wore their dresses and skirts just above the knee and put rouge on their knees. Any girl that did that was sinful and nothing but a complete change of faith would save her. And if any girl dared to bob her hair, rouge her knees, wear skirts above the knees, and do the "Charleston" dance; well it was all over, she would never be able to redeem herself. I remember feeling a little sorry for the girls that morning, he came down on them so hard, because I had a girl cousin that lived in Moberly that fit the flapper description except she did not do the "Charleston" dance. My own Dad was convinced this girl (his niece) would never amount to anything. It actually bothered him quite a bit and he used to worry about her. (Actually, she turned out to be as fine a person as you would ever want to know.) In the same sermon, Bro. Herndon gave the young men their share of the lecture, going to dances, the use of alcohol, and their rowdy ways, including gambling. As you might guess, this sermon caused comment among the congregation, Moms and Dads, and it was not all favorable to Bro. Herndon but after a few weeks it seemed to "blow over".

I first started going to Tulip Church as a small boy and had a pony to ride named Billy Sunday. This pony was not much like the famous evangelist Billy Sunday, because he would try and rub you off his back on the fences or a tree. I think Mom used a little bribery because she told me if I would go to Sunday School I could come home after Sunday School was over. Mom and Dad would go by themselves with the team and surrey and they would stay for 'preaching'. Mom would get me dressed up in a clean shirt, necktie and those knee pants that I never learned to like very much.

Brother Billy Hoffman is one of the people I can best remember for being a good church worker. He was called upon to make the opening and closing prayer of the service quite often. I always thought he did a good job, as he used everyday language that I could understand.

The church was heated by 2 wood and coal heaters. They were located about midway front and back and on each side of the aisle. Someone went early to get the fires built and the church warmed up before services began. If it was a really cold day, the church would warm up slowly and some folks might keep their coats on during Sunday School until preaching services started.

The Sunday School teacher I remember best was Mrs. Ben Burton. She taught a group of about 10 to 14 year olds. She had a way of making lessons interesting without being too "preachy". Her husband, Ben Burton, taught a group of older teens along with people in their early 20's. "Mother" Burton, Ben's mother, taught a class of adults. Bro. Billy (W. E.) Hoffman taught a class quite often.

In summer, when it was warm, if we promised to be quiet and behave, some of us younger boys could go outside the church after Sunday School was over and wait to go home with our parents when the regular preaching service was over. We would sit under a shade tree on the east side of the church grounds. We would use a pocket knife to play a game of "mumble-peg". Once in a while, we might go sit in Mr. Ben Burton's Chrysler Touring car, and wonder what it would be like to have and drive a car like that. We had asked if we could sit in his car and he said it was okay just so we were not rowdy. Most folks, if they had a car, it was a Model T or a 490 Chevy or maybe a Baby Overland.

There was a time when I felt sorry for Bro. Herndon. He had all his teeth pulled and new false teeth made. They never did fit very well. During his sermons he would use a lot of emphasis on his words. Sometimes, those teeth would want to fly right out of his mouth and he would have to use his hands and make a quick recovery. No disrespect is meant. I think I noticed it more because about that time my mother had her teeth pulled and new false teeth made (her's did not fit well either) so I knew what kind of trouble he was having.

Bro. Herndon also had another misfortune while he was preaching at Tulip Church. He became quite sick one day. Late in the afternoon, he had a neighbor bring him to Tulip to see Dr. Nugent. Dr. Nugent was a typical country doctor, who also made house calls as well as office calls. When Bro. Herndon arrived, Dr. Nugent examined him, and said he had an acute case of appendicitis. In those days, there was no helicopter, no ambulance and no 911. It would be sometime the next day before they could get Bro. Herndon to Mexico. Dr. Nugent said they could not wait that long to operate, as the appendix might rupture and spread infection. So, it was agreed that Dr. Nugent would operate (on the kitchen or dining room table)! Dr. Nugent's office was in his home about 4 or 5 blocks north of the Church where Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Hasekamp live now. Dr. Nugent sent someone to the Tulip store to ask for 2 volunteers to help get Bro. Herndon on and off the dining table. Mr. Millard Barnes (who told me and my Dad this story the next day) was one of the volunteers. I'm sure Mr. Barnes told things just like they were. There was another volunteer but I don't remember who it was. Dr. Nugent also called a retired nurse, who lived in the neighborhood, who sometimes helped him out. Dr. Nugent's wife was a good helper too, and no doubt she would boil lots of water. It was agreed that Bro. Herndon and the nurse would live in the doctor's home until Bro. Herndon was able to go home. When everything was ready, Mr. Barnes and the other volunteer lifted Bro. Herndon onto the dining room table where the nurse would administer the ether. When all was ready, Dr. Nugent said he did not want the 2 helpers inside the room while he was operating. He said when he was thru operating he would need them again to put Bro. Herndon to bed. He told them (2 volunteers) they could go outside and watch through the window. Mr. Barnes said the table was near the window and they could see pretty good. I've wondered about the light, but it had to be some type of kerosene lamps. Dr. Nugent was not young and he had "palsy". His hands shook all the time. Mr. Barnes said when Dr. Nugent picked up the scalpel to make the incision, his hand was real shaky and he thought surely he can't operate shaking like that. But Mr. Barnes said as soon as the point of the scalpel touched the flesh, his hands became as steady as a rock and were that way through the operation. When the operation was over, the volunteers helped get Bro. Herndon back to bed and the two helpers were told they could go home. In 10 days or so, Bro. Herndon was able to be taken to his home where he lived with his sister, who would take care of him. So far as I know he made a complete recovery.

The boys, late teens or probably 20's, would bring their girl friends to church on Sunday night and during "Big Meetings". The boys wanted the best buggy horse and harness that they could afford. Any boy with a rubber tired buggy, a good driving horse and brass- trimmed harness was traveling first class. The boys would bring their girls to church on Sunday night and let them out at the end of the walk in front of the Church, always cramping or turning the front wheels of the buggy so his girl would have plenty of room to step down to the ground. The boy would then drive his horse and buggy to the hitch rack on the south side of the church grounds. His girl would wait for him, in front of the church and they would go in together. After Church services were over, the girls would wait in front of the church, for the boys to go get their horse and buggy. When the boys drove up in front of the Church where their girl was waiting, they did not want their horse moping along like it was half asleep. To be sure their horse would make a good entrance, they might apply just a little bit of a buggy whip. He (hopefully) could drive his horse up smartly, turn or cramp the buggy wheels so the girl had plenty of room to get in and also give a "hand up" if his horse permitted. When they were both squared away in the buggy, the boy spoke to his horse, maybe applied a little more of the buggy whip so he could make a smart exit from the church grounds. How do I know all this is true? Because I was a 9 or 10 year old boy, in knee pants, standing in the background and wondering if I would ever be doing anything like that.

As a final touch, a few (very few) boys would order, by mail, a special foot warmer to keep their girls feet warm in the winter. It was kind of like a small flat foot stool, covered with carpet, and with a small metal drawer, that could be removed from one end. The foot warmer was all metal except for the carpet covering. Before the boy left home to get his girl, he would heat in the kitchen range or heating stove, three small "brickettes" until they were red hot. He would put them in the small drawer and then place the drawer inside the small metal foot stool affair, wrap everything up in old quilts and a lap robe and then go get his girl. The girl could then put her feet on the foot warmer, both would then use the quilts and lap robe to cover up with and be on their way. I was told they worked pretty good and if kept covered up would stay warm for 3 or 4 hours. They were kinda expensive and not too many boys had them.

One of the big events of the year would be the Annual Revivals or "Big Meeting" usually held in August, for 2 weeks with services every night. You would have a special minister to conduct the services. Quite often, you would have a special song leader to conduct the singing. There would be special guests who would sing special songs and there would be special numbers on the piano. The guest minister, along with his wife (if he was married), would stay with some of the church families during the "Big Meeting". Usually, they would stay a week at each family so the church board would have to line up 2 families each year to keep the preachers and song leaders. My Dad and Mom agreed to keep the preacher one year. My Mom cleaned the house from top to bottom, the garden was checked for vegetables and I'm sure there was a lot of homemade light bread, hot rolls, bacon and eggs, fried chicken, country ham, etc. served that week. Mom looked forward every year to those "Big Meetings". Dad did not get too excited, but he was cooperative, so everything worked out okay. That week, while staying with us, Rev. Cole wondered if there was some way he could call on and visit with some of the other church members in the neighborhood in the afternoon. So, Dad told him he could turn his nearly new Model T Ford car over to him, with me as the driver, since I knew where everyone lived. So, every afternoon, during the week, I would put on a clean shirt, my long pants and a new straw sailor hat and the Rev. Cole and I would visit with the family members, then we would go on to the next place. I did not mind being the driver at all, in fact, it kinda made me feel important.

The really big day of the revival was usually on the 3rd or last Sunday of the "Big Meeting". After the morning service was over, there would be a big carry-in basket dinner. I never knew a minister who did not like to eat, so they were always in favor of the dinner. A long table was set up on the north side of the church. The folks had brought their baskets and boxes of food when they came to church that morning. There would be just about any kind of food you could think of, fried chicken, boiled ham, roast beef, salmon salad, potato salad, all kinds of garden vegetables, pies and cakes of all kinds along with big stone jars of iced tea. Mr. Paul Dawson, who ran the Tulip store, would sometimes furnish the ice for the tea, if he happened to have some on hand. Usually, someone had to make a trip into Centralia early that morning to get the ice, bring along plenty of "gunny" (burlap) sacks to wrap the ice in. Iced tea was a real treat in those days. After everyone had eaten their fill of all that fine country food, all the left overs were packed away, the tables were cleared and preparations were made for the mid-afternoon service, which started about 1:45 p.m. and ended about 3:45 or 4:00 pm. Folks just about had time to go home, do a few chores, and get back for evening service. The mid-afternoon service would consist of a short sermon, but mostly these would be special numbers, duets, piano solos, etc. It was mostly the women that attended this service. Most of the men and older boys would gather in various groups under the shade trees on the church grounds and no doubt they would discuss a wide range of subjects. The mothers would usually gather up the younger children and take them inside the church with them where they could "keep an eye on them". For awhile, I was included in that group. I remember that filling up on all that good food, I would get oh so sleepy. Sometimes, it kept Mom so busy trying to keep me awake, that I doubt if she got much out of the service. Probably, about 1 or 2 weeks after the close of the Revival they would have the Baptismal service. It was some- times a problem to find a pond or creek that was fairly clean and the water deep enough. After a "Big Meeting", there might be a number of people to be baptized. In August, the ponds and creeks are not always in the best of condition, if the weather has been dry. A Mr. Frakes, who lived about 1 mile west of the Tulip crossroads, had a pond the church liked to use. He kept it fenced to keep his livestock out and it was usually pretty clean, but in a dry time it would not be deep enough. In that case, they would have to use a "hole" of water in Allen Creek which was usually deep enough. This hole of water had a sandy bottom and the folks liked that. It was located on the Jim Riley farm, about 5 or so miles from Tulip Church. Today the same creek is still there. The place where baptismals took place would be about one half quarter mile just west of the Wildwood Nursing Home, which is 6 miles south of Madison on Hiway 151.

And that is the way things were at Tulip Church, as I can best remember them from about 1918 to 1925.

MEMORIES AND COMMENTS
BY SUSIE SANDERS EVERHART

Tulip has always been a special place to me. I have gone to church there all my life and am one of the few remaining residents of the Tulip Community. Our family always attended church at Tulip together, and we were all active in church events.

I'll never forget Alice Vaughn as my first Sunday School teacher. She had a special way with kids and loved us all. We had a big Bible School when I was young. All the kids from Friendship would come to Tulip's Vacation Bible School and we would go to theirs. Henrietta Brown always gave the devotional, patiently telling stories with the flannelgraph about missionaries in foreign lands. Alma Duncan would serve refreshments. Having cookies and koolaid and playing red rover during recreation time are Bible School traditions that still stand today. We had a junior choir in the 1960's that would perform wearing special white robes the ladies of the church made for us. I recall my dad, Nevelle Sanders, being Sunday School Superintendent a lot when I was a kid. Grandma and Papa, Jimmie and Ralph Sanders, and my mom, Jewel Sanders always sang in the choir. I remember Mr. Willie Hoffman giving eloquent prayers and Irene Marshall being an outspoken women's leader in the church. Mr. Buford Wilson always had a piece of gum for my sister, Sherry, and I. I must have been very young when I told someone that Papa (who was church secretary and whom I had always seen carry the offering money home in his suit coat pocket) got all his money from the church.

We laughed about the "Young Adults" Sunday School class (formed when my folks were young adults) never graduating to the "Men and Women" class. We, the next generation, finally formed our own "thirtysomething" class and they renamed their class the "Over 40" class.

I started playing the piano for Sunday School when I was in high school, and I was so nervous at first that my foot would shake right off the damper pedal. I eventually took over for Lois Carr, who had played for many years before. Because my husband, Eddie sits with our sons while I play for Sunday School and Church services, I can still enjoy being a part of the music of this church.

I would like to mention some who perform thankless jobs that help keep Tulip Church going today: the CYF who keeps the church yard neatly mowed; Norma, Carl, and Darren Reynolds who water and care for the trees and flowers; Lawrence and Maurine Bryson who chauffeur the town crowd out to church; Bill Harris who turns the furnace up early each Sunday morning in the winter and opens the church up in the summer; Joyce and Gilbert Armontrout, church and Sunday School secretaries, who send checks out all the time and never get the checking account messed up; Annabel Hasekamp who presides over CWF year after year so the group will keep going; and all the Sunday School teachers who take the job and never get to retire.

I appreciate our pastor, Frieda Foland's efforts to bring new traditions to our church-the Chrismons, Ash Wednesday service, observation of Pentecost and others.

I hope Tulip Church will live on another hundred years so my sons, Jesse and Lucas can enjoy being a part of this church family as I have.

IRENE MARSHAL'S MEMORIES
AS RELATED TO HER GRANDDAUGHTER GLORIA SEAVER (MARSHALL) ADAMS

1945-started attending Tulip Church. Remember people looking me over to see if I would fit in. One little girl came to me and said "I didn't know Clyde had you"!

The Tulip people took her in, even though she was a stranger. The love of the Savior became dearer to me as the years passed me by. I was a baptized believer at 11 years old. Clyde never missed church, if at all possible to get there, in 72 years.

Tulip is a family church - built by the side of the road and is a guiding light to those who pass by. My happy days were spent at church working alongside my husband. I re-organized the women's work -- we supported missions, started the church library, we kept the church clean, the women "hounded" the Church Board until the kitchen and rest rooms were added. The people of the church always wanted the building and grounds in good condition. Christmas programs included everyone. We used the neighbors' pond to baptize in. Weddings were often on Sundays, it was a day no one was in the field. Poppy went door to door to collect money for a new piano. He enjoyed the choir. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Marshall (Clyde's parents) were charter members.

Tulip has known it's peaks and valleys. God said "Repent and return to Me". The Lord sent great people to lead them. Rev. Owings wanted young men to study the ministry. Both morning and night services were held. Families were large and the services long. On Sunday nights you would see small children asleep on the back pews. You had to be sure you didn't forget to take some of them home. People took it very serious to train their children to be faithful in work and service to the church. As many as 5 generations have been led to Christ through faithful parents and friends and neighbors who gathered on Sunday mornings. It looked many times like the church was failing. God sent his blessings and would send new people in. We pray the church will exist another 100 years. The lesson we learn, when young, we carry in our hearts and God always provides. I now live in a home for the aged and I take no anxious thoughts for tomorrow.

As Clyde and Irene's granddaughter here are my thoughts.

My faith in Jesus was developed in this church, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I truly think of it often. I remember Poppy singing "The Old Rugged Cross", All the ladies meetings (while sitting with Sara Vaughn, trying to be quiet) - the food was great and they had the best desserts-wearing white gloves, the paper fans (made with stick handles), all the Vacation Bible Schools, they were wonderful. I remember Christmas programs as an angel and waiting outside the back door (in the snow) until it was time to appear at the manger. There was no addition at the time. I remember accepting Jesus as my Savior and all the supportive people at Church, who at the time I thought were very old, and now I am their age! I remember all the great dinners at night during summer - homemade ice cream, great pies, they were wonderful cooks, Mother's Day corsages - Granny always got an award when all 6 of us appeared and the longest distance to come.

I know my Grandmother could, today, at the age of 90, give a wonderful sermon and wishes very much to be there at the celebration. She is the same always. She's always trying to help someone, even now at the residential home. She still loves children and tries to lead them to Christ. My Grandparents and all the people of Tulip have certainly played a big part in life.

With Love,
Gloria Seaver (Marshall) Adams

MEMORABLE MOMENTS by SHERRY SANDERS WALTERS

I have fond memories of marching in as a group at Vacation Bible School as a child. It was a real thrill if I got to carry the bible or flag. I have instigated this tradition at my present church home in Blue Springs, Mo. It was an especially big event when the church got an indoor bathroom.

As a youth, I especially enjoyed singing in the choir with my friend Denise Henry. I also remember going with the Monroe County youth on a work camp to the Bootheel in Missouri and rehabilitating old houses for the poor. We ate lots of commodity peanut butter and even 'grits'.

It has been a very special time when we could bring each of our three children as new babies to show off to our Tulip Church family and to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Sanders.

DISCONNECTED SYNAPSES of Scott Sanders

Tulip has represented many things to me, as a resident of the "suburbs" of Tulip. I grew up, and continue to live about two miles west of Tulip. My favorite barometer of civilization now is that I live ten miles from the nearest Pepsi machine.As a small farm boy, there weren't many neighbor children for me to play with, except my sisters. At that age, I went through alternately hating each one of them, and promising to never speak to them again. Tulip was the only other enclave of peers I had. As a child, I was small, shy and not athletically inclined. As a musician, I had taken part in various roles at Tulip in programs. I now see that it was an important confidence-builder for me. I am now in a semi-professional band, playing every weekend for dances. Performing at Tulip was my first experience on the same stage where Egan Herndon (apparently) loosed denture projectiles warning against dancing a generation or so ago. When six or seven years old, nothing could match the excitement of finishing the Christmas program, and shouting another verse of "Jingle Bells", waiting for that jolly elf to emerge. Somehow his voice always sounded familiar... Sitting in the choir between my grandfather Ralph Sanders and Clyde Marshall gave me important knowledge about singing and harmony, even though it was many years before I thought anything about it. The Christmas programs were always a source of anxiety, because we were exhorted to "learn our part" for the recitation. Three-fourths of the way through it, I would realize that I was going to make it, and spit out the last ever faster, wanting to get it over with. Without realizing it, this was important for all the children as practice in public speaking someday. When I was very small, before enough attention span kicked in to listen to the sermon (I only liked the hymns at this time) I would sit on my father Nevelle Sanders' lap and ask how many minutes were left. He would show me his watch and whisper that when this hand got there, it was time for the last hymn. That probably helped me to tell time later, kept me quiet, and didn't involve any mighty morphin' teenage transforming power mutant anythings (children's toys of the 1990's). My mother Jewel Sanders was/is a talented singer, and sang often; I enjoyed this immensely. I remember asking another child why their mother didn't sing in church, I just assumed it was something everyone's mother did. I joined the church when I heard my first evangelist (Reverend Breeze) at a revival Tulip had. I remember being afraid the world was going to end before the invitation hymn (which was "Just as I am").

I was also fascinated about why snakes would like to loiter in the outhouse. A better tree to climb at Tulip than I had at home provided several ounces of skin removed from my knees and many hours of enjoyment and imagination. Vacation Bible school in the summer provided my first experiences with crafts, which I found I enjoyed and would later be surrounded with as my family became involved in several craft ventures. VBS also provided me with the chance in the summer to elevate my body temperature to new record highs (playing Red Rover, an exercise in potential shoulder damage), and gulp gallons of Koolaid. Since I never saw the town of Tulip, I always assumed that everyone described where they lived in relation to their church. I can remember telling kids at school that I lived near Tulip, and receiving blank looks. It wasn't until many years later that I heard stories about the town of Tulip, mostly from my grandparents, Ralph and Annie Jim Sanders. I always enjoyed the things we did that I felt were different. The Mother's Day breakfast was fun, all the farm guys showing up at seven AM to cook breakfast for all the farm ladies. They never complained about the soggy bacon or cold biscuits. Later, as an adult in the early 1980's, I was serving a term as Sunday School superintendent, and I suggested that we have a Father's Day cooking adventure as well, and both traditions have persisted. This wasn't so unique, because the ladies said they cooked for those guys all the time anyway, but it remains a fun time for fellowship and food. In retrospect, I can say that Tulip helped me to get along with people, tell time, learn public speaking, practice teamwork, express myself with music, and have a sense of belonging. I feel sorry for all the town kids that had to learn these things somewhere else than the suburbs of Tulip.

MEMORABLE REFLECTIONS

LAWRENCE BRYSON: I remember -- When I moved my membership from Friendship to Tulip. When Maurine and I were married here April 17, 1949. The first preacher I heard here was Egan Herndon, you could hear him about a mile away, he preached fire and damnation.

SHERYL LANE KILBOURN: I remember-- The day of our joining the church. We had been with another church, but felt uncomfortable about even holding hands. When we came here we felt the love of the church, the love of each other and we felt very much at ease here automatically. This church lacks the social standards of wealth and power; which gives the church it's earthy homey feel. This seemed like a second home - not such a sacred place that we feel too much in awe. God's house should be a place of comfort, not some place where we feel stifled or controlled. We felt the freedom of love here as soon as we came in. That's why we came and stayed. I'm sure God feels more comfortable here too.

DAN KILBOURN: I remember-- When the chimney fell through the new addition on Mother's Day. Christmas with the new Chrismons. When I first heard about changing the tree decorations from traditional to styrofoam and glitter and all the white lights, I was not very happy, but when the time came and we started putting them up and hearing what each stands for and means, when all were up and the clear lights were coming through the decorations and little more meaning of Christmas in my heart, I was very thankful for a little change, a little biting of the tongue, and a little wait and see. Thank God for this Church, mostly for the Christian family.

MARILYN (MORGAN) O'BANNON: Of course Tulip has always had wonderful Christmas programs and my memories are of participating as a young child in recitation and children's choir. We used to have many rehearsals to perfect our programs. We probably had more fun preparing for the programs than the programs themselves.

BILL HARRIS: I remember the chimney falling in, think it was on a Mother's Day.

NEVELLE SANDERS: I remember the time I fell off the stage while I was superintendent of Sunday School.

DARREN REYNOLDS: I can remember as a kid thinking that I can always look forward to church on Sunday as a chance to see all the people I know and good friends. I also remember sitting on my Dad's lap during church. He would draw tractors and combines on the inside of the programs to keep me quiet and appeased. I also remember being baptized along with Susan McBride, Belle Harris, Janice and Eric Jones. When it came time to take our first communion, I was sitting next to my cousin Susan and she spilled grape juice down her white dress, she giggled, I giggled and we got in trouble.

ELIZABETH (RUTTER) MILHOLLIN: I remember when I was baptized in 1934, 27 were baptized on this same day. We had a nice choir - Bess Coe, Eva Barnes, Mrs. Conley, Mrs. Clarence Sims, all now deceased. All three of my children joined Tulip Church. I remember going to Oscar Wilson's funeral. The crowd was so large that Thelma (McBride) Luttrell and I sat in the window frames.

SELMA LOU (MILHOLLIN) GRIFFITH: I was Sunday School secretary for many years. We had a good Sunday School class. There were 13 of us baptized in Ralph Sanders Pond in the early forties. I moved my membership to First Christian Church in Madison in 1950.

NANNIE BELLE BREID: My first memories of Tulip Church begin in the early 20's. My first years I went to Porters Chapel, then to Union Christian Church, then next door neighbors John McBride came to Tulip, so I joined Tulip when I was 16 years old, I think. Brother Kitchen was holding a revival and at least 20 were baptized in Allen Creek. We enjoyed many memories of being here.

MAURINE BRYSON: I remember--
1. when I joined the church at age 14.
2. The day Lawrence and I were married April 17 1949.
3. The 50th wedding anniversary celebrations of my parents, Ernest and Jewell Ball.
4. The 40th anniversary surprise for Lawrence and I.

JEWEL SANDERS: It is always touching to me when someone professes their faith and joins the church. Especially memorable are infant dedications.

SCOTT SANDERS: I remember being a small child and waiting for choir practice to be over, and I would lay on my back under the pews, and reach up and pull myself along on the varnished floors.

MEMBERS OF TULIP CHRISTIAN CHURCH FROM 1923 TO PRESENT
AS RECORDED IN THE RECORD BOOK

Homer Alexander
Essie Alexander
Elizabeth Allen
Bessie Armontrout
Gilbert G. Armontrout
Viola Albin
Elmer Albin
Lucy Allen
Nettie Allen
Marvin Albin
Lulu Albin
Grace Antrim
Nora Allen
Frank Armontrout
Gertrude Armontrout
George Adams
Mrs. George Adams
Ray Adams
Shannon Adams
Leo Alexander
Dorothy Alexander
Clifford Alexander
Frances Alexander
Lafey Armontrout
Loyd Armontrout
Nadine Alexander
Emma Goldie Armontrout
Gilbert L. Armontrout
Nelson Alexander
Jeffrey Paul Armontrout
Connie Joyce Armontrout
James Gilbert Armontrout
John Michael Armontrout
Thomas Barnes
Alice Barnes
Millard Barnes
Turner Barnes
Claudie Barnes
Eva Barnes
Hubbard Barnes
Jewell Barnes
Paul Barnes
Thula Mae Barnes
Luther Bryson
Nellie Bryson
Blanche Bryson
George Brown
Annie Brown
Ora Brown
J. H. Boyd
Mrs. J. H. Boyd
P. R. Brown
Ada Afton Brown
Joe Branham
Vincil Burkeye
Jewell Ball
Mary Branham
Louise Brown
Pearl Brown
Elbert Brown
Ernest Ball
Crosia Boyd
Mack Bryson
Leon Burkeye
Tommy Barnes
Nora Barnes
Henrietta Barnes
Ben Burton
Ruby Burton
Mattie Burton
Victor Branham
Nannie Bennett
Mrs. Daisy Burkeye
D. R. Brown
Teddie Beauchamp
Riley Bryson
R. B. Beauchamp
Leo Bryson
Mrs. Lake Barnes
Richie Bryson
Annie Branham
Pauline Branham
Mrs. R. B. Beauchamp
Mrs. Riley Bryson
Martha Beauchamp
Virginia Bagby
Fay Bryson
Jewell Bryson
Dorothy Barnes
Ruth Barnes
Clarence Bryson
Willie Brown
Ruth Brown
Mrs. Frank Beatty
Della Fay Ball
Paul Reed Brown
Margaret Ball
Edna Faye Branham
Maurine Ball
Lutie Irene Branham
Billy Ball
Henry Bennett
William Ball
Mrs. Will Ball
Marvin Ball
George Ball
George T. Ball
Mildred Ball
Irene Ball
Ray Brown
Mrs. Martin Bennett
Bill Ball
Dan Ball
Mary Brown
Morris Wayne Ball
Shirley June Ball
Betty Jean Ball
Lavonne Breid
Edna Katherine Ball
Everett Lawrence Bryson
Linda Kay Breid
Emmitt F. Bryson
Mrs. Emmitt F. Bryson
Janice Elaine Bryson
Tony Ray Bryson
Mrs. Tony (Linda) Bryson
Shirley Breid
Clifford Bise Jr.
Betty Jo Bise
James Michael Bise
Will Carter
Cora Carter
Ben Carter
Net Carter
Emette Conley
Nettie Conley
Roy Carroll
Ines Carroll
Wray Carter
Will Conley
Bertha Conley
M. S. Coe
Bessie Coe
Vaughn Coe
Everette Crim
Francis Carter
Will Crim
Maud Crim
Oleta Carroll
Jim Conley
Estell Conley
Ida Cruzan
Nadine Carter
Giles Coop
Gladys Coop
Erle Coop
Rebekah Campbell
Fannie Marie Crim
Howard Carter
Ruby Creasman
Harold Campbell
Pauline Coop
Mrs. Chester Carroll
Chester Carroll
Mrs. Charles Clark
Ruth Evelyn Carter
Mrs. Russell Cruzan
Chattie Charles Carr
Lois Carr
Charles Richard Carr
Peggy Ann Tanner
Shirley Lois Carr
Carolyn Sue Carr
Harold L. Coureton
Roger Wayne Cruzan
Jim Dry
Lola Dry
Ira Davis
Ethel Davis
Fred Dowdy
Thurman Dowdy
Lena Dowdy
Milton Dawson
A. B. Daniel
Mrs. A. B. Daniel
Emma Dowdy
Ivan Davis
Joe Duncan
Nora Duncan
Omer Doggett
Ida Doggett
Chester Dawson
Minnie Davis
Orma Dawson
Byron Duncan
Dorothy Duvall
Edward Duncan
Margaret Dowdy
Ora Fay Dowdy
Anna Lois Duncan
Mary Virginia Duncan
Mrs. Paul Dean
Mrs. Milton Dawson
Mrs. Charley Dailey
Junior Dowdy
Mrs. Fannie Dinkle
Mrs. Alma Duncan
Mrs. Fred Dowdy
Deloras Fay Daum
Kenneth W. Daum
Donald Wayne Dean
Patricia Marie Dean
Kenneth Eubank
Willie Elsberry
John Elsberry
Mollie Elsberry
Frank Everhart
Martha Eisele Carter
Bert Frakes
Bertha Frakes
G. L. Forbis
Wallace Farmer
Dorsey Forbis
J. H. Forbis
Frank Forrest
Joella Forrest
Kate Forrest
Viola Fountain
Arthur Belle Forrest
Edna Foreman
Gladys Fountain
Minnie Forbis
Earl Forrest
Norma Frakes
Arthur Fowler
Elva Fowler
Leona Fowler
La Mar Fowler
Chester Forrest
Lester Forrest
Abbie Fountain
Mrs. Blaine Fountain
Dorothy Faucett
Robert Vaughn Fulton
Mrs. Robert Vaughn Fulton
Janet Evelyn Fulton
Mrs. Maurice Wayne Forbis
Kristy Sue Forbis
Nancy Jane Forbis
Gladys Gritton
Georgia Gritton
Mrs. Harry Gordan
Less Gritton
Flossie Gorman
George Gorman
Lois Garnett
Katherine Garnett
James Graham
Ed Herndon
Kate Herndon
Amanda Hoyle
Jim Hickerson
Amy Hickerson
Will Hoffman
Cora Hoffman
Nina Hayhurst
Homer Harshbarger
Effie Harshbarger
Orville Hodge
Verne Hodge
Fred Hodge
Pauline Houchins
Tom Hickerson
Mrs. O. B. Hammond
Edith Huff
Coretta Harlow
Claud Haley
Mrs. Orville Hodge
Mrs. Tom Hickerson
J. W. Hoffman
Harry Lee Harshbarger
Mrs. Ada Hayden
Herbert Hayden
Fan Hughes
Mrs. Nelson Herndon
Nelson Herndon
Wesley Houchins
Gerald Houchins
Bessie Lee Hoffman
Norma Fae Herndon
Chester Harlow
Ruth May Harlow
Carl Adron Harlow
Vera Yvonne Harlow Ridgway
Joyce Ann Harlow
Lois Carol Harlow
Charlotte Herndon
Billy Wayne Harris
Berta Louise Harris
Mrs. Garrett Hasekamp
Garrett Hasekamp
Gladys Hasekamp
Bob Hasekamp
Denise Dianne Henry
Bradley L. Harris
Boyd L. Harris
Belle Harris
David Hasekamp
Ellouise Hasekamp
Dawn Michele Hasekamp
Beth Ann Hasekamp
Kathy Hasekamp
Michael Jeanine Hudson
Clarence Johnson
Mabel Johnson
Dennis Jennings
Mrs. Dennis Jennings
Mrs. Coleman Jackson
Coleman Jackson
Janice Jones
Eric Jones
Jill Jackson
Janet Jackson
Walter Ketchum
Mabel Ketchum
Mrs. Will Ketchum
Will Ketchum
Ed Koewing
Annie Koewing
Beatrice Koewing
Lafey Ketchum
Mrs. Walter Ketchum
Dan Kilbourn
Sheryl Kilbourn
Christopher Kilbourn
Jonathan Eric Kilbourn
Irene Lundy
Frank Luttrell
Margie Lutrell
Frances Lewellen
Ellen Mason
J. D. Marshall
Georgia Marshall
Jim Marshall
Nancy Marshall
Clyde Marshall
Snell Marshall
Roy Morgan
Martin Mallory
Mattie Mallory
Thelma Meyers
John McBride
Mrs. John McBride
Larry McBride
Gladys McBride
Roscoe McBride
Audrie McBride
Mrs. Ray McManama
Maud McManama
James Mason
Clay Mallory
James McRoberts
Mrs. Roy Morgan
Charles McManama
Mary McManama
Mrs. James McRoberts
Franklin McBride
Raymond Morehead
Bertha McCallister
Dewely McCallister
Charley Meyers
Anna Meyers
Opie McCallister
Bula Marshall
Estelle Mallory
Everette Mallory
Gordon Maupin
Arthur McConhea
Mrs. Arthur McConhea
Malcom Mallory
Mrs. Guy Maupin
Guy Maupin
Edgar Maupin
Tom Maupin
Carrie McManama
Linwood Martin
Mrs. Raymond Morehead
Mattie Maupin
Bob Maupin
Bob Maupin
Mrs. Snell Marshall
Jane Marshall
Mrs. McCallister
Imogene Milhollin
Freddie McBride
John Dorsey Marshall
McGee Claude McDonald
Mrs. Claude McDonald
Mrs. Frank McBride
Martha Marshall
Mrs. Opie McCallister
Ann Marshall
Charles Meyers
Chester Meyers
Edward McBride
Raymond McBride
Lawrence Milhollin
Effie McBride
Mrs. Clyde Marshall
Selma Lou Milhollin
Selmon Milhollin
Ruth Ellen Mize
Glenn Mize
Charlotte Lois McBride
Mrs. Elsie Marie McCory
Opal Joyce Milhollin
Belva Sue Milhollin
Patsy Carol McBride
Norma Lee McBride
Richard Lee Milhollin
June Gentry Morgan
Marion Dale Morgan
Connie Marie Morgan
Marilyn Jean Morgan
Vickie Lou Morgan
Alan Dale Morgan
Janet Morgan
Cheryl Lynn McBride
Larry Dale McBride
John Charles McBride
Patty McBride
Clarice Morgan
I. G. Noel
Laura Noel
Anna Nugent
J. C. Nevins
Maude Nevins
Stella May Nevins
Jay Russell O'Bannon
Joseph Parks
Mrs. Joseph Parks
Laura Bell Pickett
W. A. Pollock
Mrs. W. A. Pollock
Harry Lee Powell
Maurice Powell
Anna Bell Powell
Joe Powell
Lillian Pepple Deskins
Henry Reed
Mrs. Henry Reed
George Reynolds
Goldie Reynolds
Georgia Reynolds
Mayo Reynolds
Parker Rollins
Mrs. Parker Rollins
Estell Rollins
Bertha Riley
Frank Riley
Lily Riley
Ed Riley
Ivy Riley
Mit Riley
S. R. Rector
Henry Clyde Reed
Ona Reynolds
Mabel Reynolds
Glen Robins
Will Robins
Fay Robins
Mrs. Walter Roberts
Nellie Robins
Elizabeth Rutledge
Luthur Riley
Jennie Riley
May Riley
Lee Reed
Erma Reed
Nannie Bell Rutter
Elizabeth Rutter
Dick Roberts
Doris Rollins
Hatton Ragsdale
Patsy Louise Ransdall
Carl Reynolds
Darren Reynolds
Will Stewart
Mrs. Will Stewart
Arthur Stewart
John Stewart
Susie Stewart
Mrs. S. B. Simpson
John Simpson
Lelia Simpson
J. R. Spires
Mrs. J. R. Spires
Clarence Sims
Oda Sims
Leslie Simpson
Earl Spurling
Marie Spurling
W. C. Settles
Mrs. W. C. Settles
Jess Shuck
Louise Stauterman
Matie Settles
Freddie Settles
Willie O. Shearer
Thomas Shepard
Elza Simpson
Jane Simpson
Grace Shuck
Lucy Shuck
Lucy Shuck
Ralph Sanders
Mrs. Ralph Sanders
Ruby Stevenson
Martha Lou Stewart
Mrs. John Stewart
Nevelle H. Sanders
Kathryn Dolores Spauldin
Jacqueline Louise Spauldin
Jewel Ann Sanders
Julia Irene Seaver
Gloria Ray Seaver
Eleanor Ray Standly Seaver
Harold Andrew Seaver
David Marshall Seaver
Scott Howard Sanders
Susan Kay Sanders
Edward Everhart
Sharon Lee Sanders
Dorothy Simpson
Eldon Stowe
Brian James Snell
Jim Thompson
Jennie Thompson
Mrs. Mollie Tyner
Luthur Tyner
Mrs. Luther Tyner
Earl Trussell
Joseph Louis Tanner
Gladys Tipton
Anna Bell Trussell
Bobby Joe Tanner
Lou Ann Tanner
Scott Wilson Tanner
Velton Vance
Mrs. Velton Vance
Charles Vance
Mrs. Charles Vance
Alice Vaughn
George Brooks Vaughn
Mary Beth Vaughn
Sara Jane Vaughn
Add West
Mrs. Add West
Solomn Woodring
Myrtle Woodring
J. E. Wilson
Mrs. J. E. Wilson
Ben Wilson
Maggie Wilson
Buford Wilson
Shannon Willingham
Coy Willingham
Cora Willingham
Edward Williams
Mrs. G. B. Willingham
Norma Fay Wilson
Mattie Marie Wilson
Robert Williamson
Thornton Williamson
W. J. Williams
Silas Wainscott
Mrs. Silas Wainscott
Claud Williamson
Lester Williamson
Calvin Woodring
Virigil Willingham
Opal Woodring
Cal Woodring
Mrs. Cal Woodring
Millie Webb
Leonard Willingham
Miss White
James Willingham
Ralph Wilson
Norma Wilson
Logan Webb
Mrs. Logan Webb
B. F. Wilson
Mary Irene Wilson
Artie Dean Wilson
Violette Jean Willingham
E. H. Walker
Mrs. Louie Williams
Emily Lou Williams
Bertha Young
James Donald Young
Mary Dell Young
Belinda Ann Young
Audra Young

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Original church buildings decay, and become inadequate. They are remodeled or rebuilt. Pastors come and go, the membership personnel changes, but the church marches on. The last worship service will never be held as long as there are congregations and churches--as long as man searches and yearns for God, as long as minds, young and old wend their way to the Father's house in search of wisdom and truth. There will always be more to learn and to teach concerning the Master of life. The ministry of our church and it's affiliated organizations have touched the lives of many. There are many waiting and many yet unborn for whom the church will point out certain lights along the way.

We who have caught the torch from our founders and many others who have passed it on to us are thankful for the past and humbly take up the challenge for the future.

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