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continued until December, '65. During Mr. Stimson's pastorate, in '64, a house of worship was erected, facing Franklin park. It was dedicated in December of that year. It was during the closing scenes of the war and the same difficulties presented themselves that were experienced by the M. E. congregation, who built the same year.
A. H. Stowell followed Mr, Stimson but remained but one year. R. C. Palmer was the next pastor and he served two years, going from here to the work at Panola. Mr. Palmer owned and improved the farm just north of this city now owned by Mr. Strickland. A. B. White came next and served one year; J. E. Ingham followed and was in charge two years, and was followed by J. F. Merriam who also was pastor a year. In '73 S. B. Gilbert was called and remained in the work three years. J. B. Hutton served from November, '78, to January, '82. During the summer of 1882 Rev. L. C. Morehouse was chosen pastor and was in just two years, when Rev. E. C. Cady came to the charge.
During his pastorate the present parsonage was purchased and the property of the organization is now valued at nearly $8000. After a brief period without a minister the present one, J. F. Howard, was chosen and early in November, '90, he took up the duties of the charge. In a letter just issued by the pastor he reviews in detail the work of the past five years. During that time $10,000 has been expended by the church and congregation in various lines. In the summer of '94 an addition was built to the already quite commodious church home, which is used as chapel for prayer meetings, Sunday school classes, etc. Besides this improvement the house was repainted and repapered and new furniture purchased, a new furnace and electric lights were added. In all over $2500 was used. The reconsecration of the house took place in September of that year and while it is not what might be called a modern church home, yet it is one of the largest and pleasantest in this region.
Since organization 467 members have been received, 210 of whom were baptized by the several pastors. Tile present membership is 127.
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