Livingston county history
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- COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH AT UTICA
- DAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRISTThe Church of God in Christ was started in Chillicothe in 1926 when Elder and Sister Fisher came to town, and obtained ground back of the Bethel A.M.E. Methodist Church on the corner of Violet and Conn streets. They had services every night under a brush arbor. Soon people were attracted and began to come every night, mostly out of curiosity, because this was a new way of worshipping God, talking about the baptism of the Holy Ghost. After a period of time, the church moved to another corner, the corner of Liberia and Waples streets, where they erected another brush arbor. They attracted both black and white membership and it was the first integrated church in town. A small church was built. Fish fries and tag days were held to raise money. Following Elder Fisher’s ministry, Elder Cleveland of Kansas City came and held meetings in his home on Third street. He was followed by Elder Fred Boone who started a Thursday night Bible Class. Elder Jones of Kansas City was the next minister of the church, and he was followed by Elder and Sister Campbell, who was in charge of the church until his death. COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH AT UTICACommunity Baptist Church of Utica came into being after many prayers, meetings and much planning by a group of Christian people who desired a church dedicated to God to fulfill the commission of Jesus Christ. First Worship Service was held in the Utica firehouse on January 27, 1975 with 83 persons attending. On March 2, after a visit with persons at Central Baptist Seminary and talking with the Rev. Morris Dice, the congregation voted unanimously to affiliate with the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region. Charter memberhip was signed April 6, 1975 numbering 101; including 11 by baptism. Rev. Merris Dice performed the first baptismal service on April 6, 1975 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Chillicothe, Mo. Those baptized were: Bill and Margaret Cramer, Jeff McDonnal, Pam McIntosh, Charles Kromeich, Pam Eller, Donna Goucher and Betty, Connie, Randy and Gayle Dawkins. The Rev. Jack Lawrence accepted the call to the pastorate of the church and began his ministry on July 13, 1975. Rev. Lawrence was a graduate of William Jewell College at Liberty and attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary receiving his Master of Divinity in 1972. Four acres were donated for the site of the church by Ralph B. McCain. A building committee was elected and much work was done by the contractor, Joe Weidmier, and lay persons. The first service in the basement of the new building was held June 29, 1975. Vacation Bible School was held June 30 to July 11. The first service in the sanctuary was held December 14, 1975. Members of the building committee were: Nolan Long, Bill Cramer, Ralph Ratliff, Melvin McDonnal, Bob Eller, Jerry Baldwin, Roy Seidt, Vencille Jones, Ralph McCain, Otis Ireland, and Otis Ireland, Jr. Finance committee: Will Perkins, Mary Lee Everett, Charles Hopkins, Mike Clark, Grace Stone, and Edgar Kohl. Board of Deacons: Ralph McCain, Delvern “Mike” Clark, Edgar Kohl, Nolan Long, Melvin McDonnal and Vincelle Jones. Board of Trustees: Otis Ireland, Robert J. Searcy, Paul McIntosh, Gordon Howerton and Bill Cramer. First Church Officers were: Pastor, the Rev. Jack Lawrence; Treasurer, Mary Lee Everett; Clerk, Lois McCain; Music Director, Bob Eller; Organist, Marcia Cramer, Pianists, Dorothy Doosing and Mary Jane Everett. Service of Dedication was held February 8, 1976 with Dr. Albert J. Gernenz, Executive Minister of the American Baptist, as guest speaker with the Rev. and Mrs. Merris Dice, as honored guests. The second and present pastor, Rev. Roland P. Cooper, served as interim-pastor from December 1978 until the church called him as pastor on April 8, 1979. He received his B.A. degree from William Jewell College at Liberty majoring in history and political science. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He also has a B.S. degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. He has served as pastor of Baptist churches in Missouri, Colorado, and Illinois. He is teaching sixth grade at Southwest Elementary School in Ludlow. DAWN BAPTIST CHURCHThe Welsh Baptist Sunday School was organized by a group of Welsh people from Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Wales. In 1865, they met in the home of Thomas Lewis for Sunday School and prayer meeting. Rev. H. O. Rowland preached the first Welsh sermon in the home of Joseph Lewis in March, 1866. Rev. William Rowland was the first pastor, many denominations worshiped together at first. The Baptists decided to organize the Welsh Baptist church on August 15, 1868, in the Thomas Lewis home by Rev. D. V. Thomas of Rulo, Nebraska, who became the second pastor. The church had 20 charter members and 22 more were added to their membership in 1870. Thomas D. Jones and daughter Margaret, were among those who joined in 1870 whose posterity still serve in and contribute to the church financially including Margaret’s grand children who live in Louisiana and Paul and Ellen Jones who live in the Dawn community and are great-grandchildren of Thomas D. Jones. When the congregation outgrew the Lewis home they were given permission to meet in the Barry School house until 1876. The church was built across the road east from the school house, at a cost of $700.00 and was dedicated debt free. The foundation was laid by Thomas Lewis and sons. The church was plastered by Jonathan Sykes at a cost of $10.00. In 1888 a Cornish organ was purchased at a cost of $42.50. In 1895, the name was changed to “Cambrian”. It has always been a missionary church and was the mother church of Bethany and Mt. Carmel and later Bethel Baptist. All have since been abandoned. From these churches missionaries have gone, Miss Maggie Hughes and Mrs. Anna (Hughes) Jellum both to the state of Utah from Bethany. Rev. Everett Wilcox went from Mt. Carmel to Brazil and on October 2, 1912, Thomas M. Griffiths Jr. was ordained to the ministry and went to Monmouth, Maine, where he still resides as a preacher, teacher and writer. Another young man also from Cambrian was ordained and went to Virginia, he was Oliver C. Perry, (now deceased). On April 27, 1947, the church voted to move to the village of Dawn, ground was given by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lowery. On June 29, 1947, the church celebrated the 80th anniversary. That fall the building was torn down, the Fairland church near Avalon was Dawn Baptist Church purchased and torn down and both moved to Dawn. Many cold hands and feet were felt that fall as worship services were in a tent. The Christmas program was held in the basement. On April 11, the name was changed once again to the “Dawn Baptist Church”. It was dedicated May 2, 1948, with an attendance of over 200. The first Vacation Bible School was held during the pastorate of Tom Rehorn in 1950. Rev. Gerald Pitney the next pastor, was a great Bible student and an energetic person. His wife, Nadie, was a talented musician. Until 1954 the church had only had preaching every other Sunday. Brother Glenn Peters was called. He was a veteran who had lost an arm and leg in the service of his country. He asked that the congregation have full time preaching and it has continued to the present time. Following him was Rev. David Beal and his wife, Helen, who served the Church faithfully for three years. The church debt was paid off and the Avalon Chapel was started with some of the dedicated members leading there. The Beals are now serving in mission work in Atlanta, Georgia. Under Brother Alva Null Jr’s leadership new floor coverings and new pews were added and dedicated with Rev. David Beal bringing the message. Brother Larry Johnson was pastor in 1968 when the 100th anniversary was celebrated. Two former pastors, Rev. G. D. Parrack and Rev. Tom M. Griffiths Jr. gave inspiring messages. Some other dedicated young men who came to the Dawn Baptist church as their first pastorate were Bro. John Hackworth with wife, Jeanie. They organized a youth prayer group that brought the young people together, with some talented speakers. Another was Bro. Randall Bunch and wife, Karan, who were pastoring in 1971-1973 when they felt the call for Home Mission work in North Dakota. They returned for a meeting in March 1980. Wayne Comes and wife, Carol, served for three years, and were led to Home mission work in West Virginia. During their pastorate a choir was formed. Brother Larry Hershberger is the present pastor. He and his wife, Joyce, do a great work. He preached from the roof of the church, March 23, 1980. In the 112 years of the church 30 pastors, 20 deacons and 5 clerks have served the church. The present clerk has served thirty-nine years. 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