Waldensian Church

This six part newspaper story regarding the history of the Waldensian Church

appeared in the Jan. 19-26, 1957, issues of the Monett Times to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church building.

Submitted by Jay Trace

HISTORY OF WALDENSIANS OF BARRY COUNTY TRACED FROM COTTIAN ALPS

(A history of the Waldensians of Barry County tracing their background from the Cottian Alps of Northern Italy near the French border to where the church now stands, two miles south of Monett, has been compiled by Mrs. J. Fred Mermoud of Route 2, Monett. Here is the history of the Vaudois, or Waldense, as written by Mrs. Mermoud.)

In order to understand and appreciate the Vaudois, let us first look into their history and purpose. Among the unusual and distinctive colonies, also churches in Barry County (there only being five other such groups in the United States), is the Waldensian Presbyterian settlement, two miles south of Monett.

This Protestant church of medieval origin, was organized in the Cottian Alps of northern Italy in the Piedmont Valleys, near the French border. Being under French control many years, the French language was used largely. Peter Waldo, a French merchant of Lyons, France, organized large-though minority-groups of these valiant people. Three hundred years before Martin Luther's Reformation proclamation, antedating the Waldo era, when they became so strongly ecumenical, there are records to prove a long line of succession from time of Clement Bishopries of 800 A. D. Thus, their claim that they were first ministered to by Paul and Peter, has substance, although moderns disprove this idea.

During 1875, from Uruguay, South America (where they had entered many years before seeking political and religious freedom) came eight families of over 50 people to Barry County. They had as leader and counselor Rev. Jean Pierre Michelin Solomon, who had been their pastor at Rosario, Oriental for five years and spoke English fluently. In New York City he was met by Henri Grandlienard, pastor of a French Evangelical church, who was in communication with Rev. Willis L. Miller of Mt. Vernon, MO.

Solomon and Grandlienard had been attracted to southwest Missouri by folders of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Co. (later the Frisco). The eight families that had arranged to follow him were three months en route from South America via La Harve, France (there was no direct route then to New York) were met on July 1, 1875 by Solomon.

They entrained within the week for St. Louis. Upon arriving there, the Solomon family was forced to stop because of the illness of their infant son, who died. They brought their son to Verona for burial and rejoined their group which had been met by Rev. Miller, pastor at Mt. Vernon brick church. In Verona, a large house was rented where the women and children were domiciled while the men sought permanent locations; also supplies for establishing homes after they obtained teams, oxcarts, and wagons. Several of the party carried considerable sums of money, earned during their eighteen years in South America. Some had about $3000 in English gold.

These eight families were David C. Courdin and his son, Stephen, who served as Monett's first mayor; Etienne Courdin and his three sons, Etienne, Jr., David, Jean; his five daughters, Catherine, Margaret, Marie, Suzanne, Madeline Pontet (a step-daughter); Barth Armand Hugon, his son B. D. Hugon, his wife and eight children, Catherine, Barthelemy, Paul, David, Pauline, Lydia, Annette, Esther; David Lautaret and his wife Marguarite and their three children, Marie, Daniel, Etienne; Jean P. Planchon and his wife and their eight children, J. P. S., Joseph, Paul, David, Pierre, Henry, Anna, Catherine; Jean Solomon and wife; Paul Solomon and wife and their three children, Annette, Jean, Paul; Etienne Catlin; Mr. & Mrs. B. Coison; Rev. J. P. M. Solomon and his wife, Rachel Marie, and their four children, Will, Abel, Samuel, Pierre.

From Verona the party progressed to Plymouth Junction (now Monett), then south two miles, some walking single file down the railroad tracks toward lands chosen by the men the week before. This heavily timbered land was chosen because of the variety of good forest trees; also because much wild game was living therein and the virgin soil was richer than land offered them on Spring River prairie in Lawrence County. Col. Purdy of Pierce City, represented the Railroad company in selling them land at $1 an acre.

Their first place of worship and public family services was a brush arbor on the present church grounds. Later, forty acres was donated by the Railroad Company. Their first church building, constructed of pine lumber, which was hauled from Arkansas, by them and several of their American neighbors, was constructed in 1877, with Ben DeCocq, carpenter, in charge. Services were held meanwhile in Talbert, Lee, and Walnut Grove school houses, and at Mt. Pisgah and New Salem Methodist churches. The Walnut Grove Cemetery was used also to bury Mrs. Paul Solomon, the first person to die in the colony. Peter Solomon was the first one to be buried in their new Waldensian Cemetery. In their cottage prayer services as well as church rituals, they used their native French language for several years. Until after the pastorate of Rev. Knotter, no full English services were held. Only now, on special occasions, or by request, does one hear their native tongue spoken or sung.

In 1877, the colony was joined by the Julius Jacques family consisting of Joseph, David, Daniel, Emma, Dorcas, and Jules; Pierre DeCocq family from New York; Stephen (Etienne) Arnaud and his wife, Maria, and their two sons, Emile and Dorcas, three daughters--Emmeline, Louise (Mrs. H. DeJersey), Edith (later, Mrs. J. F. Mermaud). These families came from St. Croix, Switzerland, Cottial Alps and Bordeaux, France, Dept. de la Drome. Emile married Pauline Barriguand; children, Esther, Stephen, Louis, Henry, Cecile and Eunice all born at Monett. Mr. Arnaud was an elder of the church as was his father. From 1880 to 1900, many from central and northern Italy, as well as Switzerland and south France, joined this flourishing colony. Some of the original colony had moved to Texas, California, and Utah. Meanwhile, other Waldenses had settled in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Valdese, North Carolina, where their largest church stands today because Valdese is a factory and mill center rather than an agriculturally supported colony as is Monett.

John Bouvier, his wife, Madeline Long; one son, James, and five daughters: Louise, Lydia, Margaret, Cesarine, Katherine (Mrs. Henry Bounous), Fannie, (Mrs. Peter Planchon), came in 1880 from Pramolla, Italy. The four oldest children were born in Pramolia. Peter Planchon, husband of Fannie Planchon, died in 1952. Their children: Lawrence, Edmond, Edward (twins), Marguerite and Roy. Fannie is one of the oldest active members of the church today. Edmond and Marguerite (Mrs. Harlan Mann) are the two active church members of the Bouvier-Planchon progeny.

Before leaving for the United States, the Bouviers had made plans for Mrs. Bouvier's sister and husband, the Paul F. Reynauds, to organize a group and join them in 1881. The group consisted of the ladies' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacques (Elizabeth) Long; Lucien Marchand, from St. Croix, Switzerland; Jacques Grisets; Moise Grisets, his wife, Antoinette, and children: Charles, Eugene, William Stephen; Marie Jacques and children: Adelaide, Louis, Jean, Charles, Susanna, Joshua; Etienne Balmas, his wife Henrietta, sons: John, Stephen, Charles, Emile, and daughters: Louise, Pauline, Mary from Torre Pelice; Dave Barolin, wife Marianne, and children: David, John, Marie, Anna, Emma; Epiphane Barriquand, his wife, Marie and children: Claud, Pauline and Louis from Saone et Loire, France.

Pierre Bonnet family, Jacques Bertalot and family, Susie, Charles, John, Melle, Abel, Marie. Barthelemy Combe, his wife, Martha, children: Emile, Ernest, Alice, Fannie, Mabel, Frieda. (The Combe ancestors were ministers and teachers.) Two granddaughters, Mrs. Ami Cuendet, Jr., and Mrs. Charles Meadows, are officers of the Ladies Auxiliary of the present church. Edward Louis Schneider in 1910. Mutrex family and DeCocqs. Also, in 1890 Henri Long (married Catherine Courdin) and their children: Alfred, Henry, James, Percy, Cecil, Neva, Winnie and Christine, were born at Monett. Matthew Gaydou and wife, Catherine, came from Augrogna, Italy, in 1891, and settled about eight miles north of the church in Lawrence County. (One of his daughters married David P, Courdin.) Two daughters, Mrs. Sam Henson and Mrs. Derrington, live in Lawrence County. Henry and Paul Stebler came from Berne, Switzerland in 1880. Henry moved to Oklahoma where he married. Paul married Emma Jacques, children: Arthur, Ida, Lena, Emme, Harry. Mr. Stebler was church clerk, elder, treasurer for many years. He helped Pastor Soloman and carried him to his business appointments on horseback.

Other families were John Mourglia in 1895. He married at Monett, Josephine Reynaud. Their daughter, Emmeline Casper, is now vice president and program leader of the Ladies Auxiliary and Vacation Bible school superintendent. Their other children are Mrs. June English, Mrs. Virginia Hammond, Leon, Felix, Frank and Eugene. In 1885, J. P. F. Planchon; his wife, Maria Carius, came from Torre Pelice. Their children were Anna, John, Peter, Ernest. Grandchildren, Albena Etter and Willa Dean Etter Bradford (the latter auxiliary and church treasurer and pianist for many years in present church.) Albert Stephen Courdin, his wife and daughter, along with mother, Anna Courdin, are active members. In 1908, Louise Avondet's family followed Henry, her son who came in 1900. Rachael Negre's family, Victorine (Mrs. Fred Bounous), Jennie (Mrs. Henry Malan), and Emile, Lawrence. Henry Avondet married Elva Malan at Monett, children: Wilma, Albert, Helen, Irene, Edward, Louis, Noveta, Henry, Jr. Henrietta and Will Dean. James Pierre Rivoir, Laurent Rivior, Louis Ronchon, George and Margarette Shields came from Scotland in 1881. Active in early church before moving to Washington were James, Annie, Margaret, William, George, Andrew, Nina, Bertha and Jessie.

Henri Malan came in 1883 with Barthelemy Odin, father of J. P. M. Solomon. Henri Malan's first wife was Anna Planchon. Their children born at Monett were Dahlia, Elva (Avondet), Grace (Cuendet), William, who married Naomi Bounous, daughter of Alexander and Marie Lautaret Bounous. Anna Malan died and he then married Miss Jabas. They were the parents of twin daughters, Lena Malan and Laura Malan Rausch. After the second Mrs. Malan's death, he married Jennie Avondet. In 1880 a wealthy widow, Mme. Eugene Cuendet came from St. Croix, Switzerland and settled one mile east of Pierce City. She obtained Negro maids from Pierce city to care for her large home Her sons, Louis, Eugene, Gaston, and daughters Eliza and Henrietta, came with her. Their uncle, Ami Cuendet, was engaged to manage the farm. Bert Bounous managed the dairy. The son, Louis, was a partner of J. F. Mermoud in an implement business known as Lindsey Implement Company for a time. This family returned to St. Louis and Switzerland.

Louis Monett came in 1890 with Louis Plavin from Angrogne, Italy. Married Geromina Singali in Milan, Italy, children: Julia, Mary, Louisa, Raymond. Lucien Coutant came from Verdun, France in 1880, with his mother, Mme. Lusier, and also her mother. He was educated for priesthood. He became a noted horticulturist-especially distinguished for his original varieties of grapes. In 1896, Paul Lautaret came from Italy with Bert Bounous. Felix Magnin, born at Chanay(?), Switzerland, came to Monett in 1915, with his wife, Julie Cuendet, whom he married at St. James, Missouri, accompanied by a nephew, also Paul Combe. Mr. and Mrs. Francois Paul Reynaud and family and their sons and daughters: James Paul, Martha (who married J. P. S. Planchon, and is now 91 years old and the oldest living active member), Marie, Alexandrine, Josephine (Mourglia), were all born in Pramolla, Italy. (This family together with Etienne Courdin's have the largest number of active members of the church in their 80 years' history at this place), Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bounous and family of four sons: Alexandre, Frederic, Henri, Barthelemy and Jeanette. In 1955 death took Daniel Lautaret, the last surviving charter member. He married Jeanette Bounous, children: David, Mary, Ida, Walter, Henry, Edna, Tillman, Luther and Edwin; they were also from Pramolla. The families of Peter Bonnet, Matthew Gaydou, James Bertalotte, Daniel Davit, Jean Beux, David Barolin, Etienne Balmas, Carius Jean, Catalin Coisson, John and Antonio Costa (moved to Tonitown, Ark.), Ami Cuendet and wife Charlotte Nouverraz: they came in 1886 from St. Croix, Switzerland and were the parents of the largest family consisting of Eugene, Julia, Helen, Neil, Robert, Alice, Alfred, Adele, Benjamin, Dorothy, Eugenia, Ami jr. (Eugene and Julia were born in Switzerland).

Eight of them are active members at the present time, a remarkably continuous record. They lived one mile east of Pierce City before moving to one mile north of the church. A granddaughter, Ruth Lautaret Boucher, is an active leader. Moise Griset and wife, Antoinette, Jacques and wife, Louise Griset, came from Val Chison in 1880. Mme. Aline Jabba, Jules Jeanmonod, Henry de Jersey from Isle of Jersey; Wm. Kruger, Lahle, Henri Long, Jacques Long, Felix Magnin, Lucien Marchand, Auguste Mavnier, J. F. Mermoud of French and Swiss ancestry (parents were Episcopalians). He was born in New York City, attended school in St. Croix, Switzerland when eight to 10 years old, where he met Louis Cuendet, whom he joined at Monett in 1891. His parents and their eldest son, Francois, are buried in New York City's Greenwood cemetery. Being orphaned at 11 years, he was placed in St. John's College, a Catholic school, later known as Fordham University (1905). At this time, he was 15.

J. F. became proficient in arts and sciences, also commercial subjects and military drill as all high school youth and college youth were subject to military training. His guardian, Frederic Mermoud, consented to his going west when twenty years old. In 1892 (?), he married Edith Arnaud, at Monett. She and their three sons, J. F. III, George Charles, and Theodore A. Mermoud were lifetime members and on the official board of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. All eight of his grandchildren were christened in this church. One great grandson, Jules Frank Mermoud V was christened in Boston Avenue Methodist at Tulsa. Mr. Mermoud's knowledge of commercial law, experience in travel and possessing a genial disposition caused him to be chosen as counselor by many of the later immigrants to this colony. He died at sixty-one years of age in February, 1932. He lies buried in Waldensian Cemetery.

The loyal Vaudois are intensely patriotic by tradition so volunteering services to preserve our freedoms were these valiant men in Wars I, II, Korean, also serving in reserve corps. Gilbert Planchon, Edwin Lautaret, Albert Bounous, Roy Planchon, Lawrence Courdin, Franklin Combs, Dr. Joel Bounous, Kenneth Monett, all buried here or in National Cemetery at Springfield. Others serving were P. H. and Reuben Bounous; Howard, Dr. Dale(?), and Blaine Bounous; Paul and Perry(?) Long, Jules F. Mermoud, Gaylord and Denton Lee Cuendet, Jed Reynaud, Eugene and James Mourglia, Louis and Henry jr. Avondet, Bobby Bounous, Darrel Stebler, Perry Planchon, Robert Mourglia, Wayne Balmas, Jack Combs, Bill and Kenneth Medlin, Warren Lautaret, Lawrence Planchon; Wm. G. , Paul and Everett Malan; Henry and James Long, John and Milton Combs, Alfred Cuendet, David Bertot (maybe Bertalott?), Alfred and Wayne Balmas.

Among the English and American attending the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, also cottage prayer meetings with first colonials, were E. W. Wallens, G. W. McIntoshes, Burrows, Lees, Davis, Walton, Robbins, Carlins, Baylor (?), Johnson, and the Meador families. Later, after 1900 there were the M. E. Gillioz and Monett families from Switzerland (Lautaret) and Paris, France, who settled near Rolla(?), moving to Pierce City and Monett. Helen Gillioz married Walter Reynaud, son of a charter member; their daughter, Mary Sue Fox. The present church treasurer, Mrs. Willadean Etter Bradford, is a great-granddaughter of the first treasurer, Mr. Courdin.

Two of the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Francois Paul Reynaud, Mrs. Mildred Reynaud Hyde, and Earl Reynaud is superintendent of Sunday schools, and five are serving as official board members. A distinctive characteristic of the Barry County Vaudois is that they became so quickly Americanized. Colonies in other states maintain more native customs. In this colony, many are marrying into Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and other faiths of Barry County.

The cemetery association has been greatly helped by the untiring efforts of Jim Reynaud, Charles Bertalott, and Henry Planchon.

The trustees are Henry Planchon, Albert Reynaud, Fred Mermoud, J. L. Hyde, John Tucker, and George Bounous. The deacons and elders are Arthur Stebler, Alfred Cuendet, Henry Arnaud, George Mermoud, Dan Bounous, Edmond Planchon, Earl Reynaud (Sunday school superintendent), L. L. Lindquist and Troy McCubbin who married Mary Margaret Reynaud. Delegate to all sessions representing the Ladies' Auxiliary is now Mrs. Henry Arnaud.

Sixteen ministers have served this congregation which began services in 1875 with less than 22 members, but in 50 years, about 100 members remained; as many of the colonists moved on to Utah, Texas, and California. Only a few returned to Italy or France. Today there are 140 active members; 90 enrolled in Sunday School and 40 in the Ladies' Auxiliary, of which Mesdames Henry Bounous, J. F. Knotter, J.F. Mermoud, John Planchon, Marie Bounous, Alice Buffa, Bartelsmeyer, Joseph Bruce, Woods, Dobson, Marguerite Planchon, Mann, Edmond Planchon, Alice Lautaret, Florence Arnaud, Henry Planchon, James Peabody are past presidents.

Nationalities of the ministerial directory were J.P. Solomon, Italian (Waldensian); J. F. Jacroux, French; H. Junod, Swiss; T. Charbonnel, French; F. A. Curdy, Swiss; P. P. Briol, Swiss; J. G. Knotter, Dutch; C. A. Buffa, Italian (Waldensian); George Tingle, American; D. R. Woods, American; R. Berryhill, American; F. F. Dobson, American; L. E. Mitchell, American; Joseph Bruce, Scot; Joseph A. Miller, American; Lincoln Bartelameyer, American and German, 18 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Solomon were nurses, physicians, advisers, interpreters as well as spiritual leaders, and were the only ones of the first eight families who could speak English fluently. So for a few years, worship services were in the French language. Soon the young people could speak English, but some of the older ones never mastered the new language. In 1925, a golden anniversary celebration was held, being planned by Mrs. J. Fred Mermoud and Rev. Bruce. Impressive displays of heirlooms were shown, some wore native costumes and spoke and sang in their mother tongue. I was greeted warmly by one of the pioneer's daughters (Mrs. Alexander Bounous, formerly Mary Lautaret) thus, "Your kind neighborly grandparents (George and Luciann Booth Meador) gave us our first water (well, located on the southeastern side of what is now the Monett City Park site). Also, they gave us our first garden seed. Your cousins gave us three heifer calves." "I sold mine to buy a sewing machine" was another friend's story. Many American neighbors held high regard for the moral integrity of these determined and ambitious people. Attending prayer services in their homes, also school houses before their church was built. They helped to haul lumber, loaned wagons and teams to bring rock from quarries to build foundations for their first house of worship, also their homes. Often pooling all sources at hand to accomplish this work.

Inter-community and church exchange courtesies have been their experiences the past decade. Besides sessions of the Carthage Presbytery, World Day of Prayer observances with all faiths participating. The annual lawn social and ice cream supper with guests from Lutherans exchanging visits. National 4-H Sunday with exchange of Baptist youth leaders and program.

With the light of freedom extinguished in so many parts of the earth today, how thankful we should be that our churches of the United States transcend nationality, race, and class. The oldest protestant church in the world, indeed their ancestors, they claim, were the first ministered to by the Apostles Peter and Paul, were the forebears of these sturdy people of central and northern Italy, especially Torre Pelice and Piedmont Valley in the Cottian Alps which formerly belonged to France. They have maintained their faith for centuries "despite dungeon, fire and sword"--their sacrificial love and gallant endurance gave religious history one of the saddest and brightest pages.

It is the duty of everyone interested in French and Italian Languages and literature to preserve for posterity any information concerning their church records and colony settlements. Very little authoritative information and history is available about those Waldenses who came to America in colonial times, or as colonists to North and South America during the 18th century. This church was once known as the world's most active missionary church in proportion to its membership. Under some Italian and French rulers they were excluded from universities and the learned professions, and from holding commissions in the army. After years of suppression and persecutions they were granted freedom of conscience and worship. They received help from Holland; and England sent generous support. England also assisted many to escape and preserved their precious documents and literature in Cambridge Library. Swiss mediators helped to defend and protect them. All Protestant envoys from the time of Peter Waldo (1140-1217) who with the aid of two priests translated portions of the scriptures into the language of the people, declaring that every man has a right to read and interpret scriptures for himself.

Some modern scholars refute the claim of the Waldensians apostolic antiquity. Rather the Arnoldisti: Humiliati of Italy; Petrobrusians and Albigensians of France and Apolostics of Rhine Valleys combined their zeal and labors to fuse the Waldensian policies of the individual worth of each human soul. One of their pastors led in 1689 their "Glorious Return" of over one thousand back into their Piedmont Valley homes, but this was a small remnant from the twelve thousand men, women and children taken prisoners, with nine thousand slain. Three thousand were allowed exile in Protestant Cantons of Switzerland. This revered pastor, Henri Arnaud, became military leader, and was commissioned by William and Mary of England and Queen Anne. Louis XIV of France and "Marquis of Pianezza of Italy" in 1655 set out to "exterminate all Waldenses." Under Duke of Savoy, in Italy, as well as Louis XIV (his cousin) some of the most cruel and bloody pages of history were written.

When Piedmont came under French control again, after the Revolution, Napoleon proclaimed liberty and civil equality for all citizens. In 1805, the Waldensian Church was organized into consitories. But at the fall of Napoleon there followed up until 1848 a series of harsh restrictions and suppressions. A brighter era followed with King Charles Albert who reversed former policies. From that day to this a steady march forward has been made in building of churches, schools, seminaries, publishing houses, "where dignity of man, liberty, equality and fraternity," are of first consideration.

American friends, along with the English, were liberal in support of these "noble oppressed people." After 1850, to 1940, many American writers and poets wrote inspiring accounts of the courage and martyrdom of the sainted earlier leaders. Among them being Edw. E. Hale (In His Name); John G. Whittier; Phillip Schaff (American theologian, historian); F. W. Gunsaulus, Eugene Lawrence, Geo. Waring, Washington Gladden, Scribners and Atlantic Monthly, Rev. A, Clot, Rev. C. H. Strong, Harpers, Eugene Lawrence, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Sophia Bompiani, Rev. T. Van Dyke, Ellen Scott Davidson, Dr. D. R. Richards, Ann A. Ebenshade, R. H. Bainton of Yale University, Dr. Revel and Rev. Wm. Sime, Dr. W. Craig Brownlee, and Dr. Robert Berg. In England, the Wesleys had printed many reports and articles on the history, life, and work among Vaudois or Waldenses, getting their information through personal visits or special envoys.

Louis Maritan moved from the Piedmont Valley, Italy, to New York in 1909 and to Monett in 1910 where he lived with the Bertalot and Balmas families. He married the former Ethel Lee in Monett and served three years in World War I. His three sons, Joe, Harold, and Gene, all served in World War II.

The first manse was constructed in 1886. Three hundred and forty-one dollars was donated for this purpose with the congregation doing most of the construction. In 1928, the new manse, a modern five-room bungalow, was built.

The present concrete stone structure with basement was built in 1907-1908 while Rev. Knotter was minister. In 1909, the old church was torn down and materials salvaged to use on a larger manse; this first church was too small for the fast growing congregation as there as many as 120 people present at both services each Sunday when Rev. Curdy was minister. Rev. Buffa had the first church repaired, finished with new pews.

A well was drilled in July, 1911, by William Shiels for which the Ladies' Auxiliary paid $100. Gurley Brothers of Purdy installed a pump at cost. Henry Avondet made the concrete base for the well pump, donating his time.

This church and colony ranks third in size according to the American Waldensian Aid Society with headquarters in New York City. At Valdese, North Carolina (with schools and factories), a larger church is located. The one near Monett was built and settled for the main purpose of religious and political freedom. The ritual of their church services differs little from Episcopal Methodist order. In so far as baptism, open communion is similar to other protestant bodies and hard to distinguish in common worship. A more simplified form of burial commitments, and presenting sacraments, also less symbols of apostolic church usage were observed.

The Ladies' Auxiliary was organized May 30, 1908, with Mesdames J. L. Knotter as president; Mrs. Alice Buffa , secretary, and Mrs. Catherine (Henry) Bounous, treasurer. Charter members were Mesdames L. B. Knotter, J. F. Mermoud, Henry Bounous, J. P. S. Planchon, Ami Cuendet, Marie Planchon, John Mourglia, Ana Courdin, Alice Buffa, Paul Stebler, Emile Combe, Paul Reynaud, Henry Malan, Marie Bounous, Fred Bounous, Clementine Reynaud, Martha Reynaud, Emile Arnaud, Mary Courdin, Louise Avondet, Albert Gaetz, Misses Emmeline Arnaud and Emma Combe.

Later, James Reynaud, J. Bouvier, Peter Planchon, Steve Courdin, Alex Bounous, Steve Balmas, Dave Lautaret. Sickness and distance prevented many from being active, though they became contributing members. Their first record-Proces Verbal de la reunion des dames de l' Eglise Vaudoise du 30 mai 1908-was written by Mrs. J. F. Mermoud who served as recording secretary for many years. The first secretary, Mrs. Alice Buffa, reported "Quelque dames oyante (?) vy l' ut ilite denne Societe des dames se sont assemblee le Samide 30 mail a l' Eglise et se sont organisles commesuit. Mme. presidente; Mme Alice Buffa, secretaries; Mrs. Henri Bounous, tresouvre. La prumiere reunion regrillere de la societe aura lieu Jeudi 11 Juln(?). On versera une quatisition trimestrielle de 25 cts. dans la caisse, afin de se procurer de materiaux pour les onurager rue la societe vont enterprenda. La seance ful laveei (?) a apres quoi les dames ont serviles refraichissement. Procedure Verbaliser."

The Waldense or Vaudois have a great heritage to perpetuate and preserve.

(Grateful acknowledgement is given the many friends who gave first hand information and assistance in collecting material for this church history, especially Mr. and Mrs. Henry Avondet, Mrs. Alma Gillioz Kiner, Mrs. Edith Mermoud Caleway, Mrs. Larry J. Glasby, Mrs. Chandler Griffin, Jules Frank Mermoud IV, Mrs. Lincoln Bartelsmeyer, Mrs. Norman Casper, Martha Mermoud Russell, Glorine Davis Reynaud, Alice Cuendet Stebler, Mrs. Peter Planchon, Mrs. Anna Courdin, Mrs. Fannie Combs Meadows, Mrs. Mable Combs Medlin, Shirley Banks Claybough, Patricia Boucher and my husband, J. Fred Mermoud, without whose encouragement, the history would not have become a reality.-- Mrs. J. Fred Mermoud).

NOTE -- There is a picture of the Waldensian Ladies' Auxiliary from 1945 accompanying the last of the installments of this article. Being from microfilm, it is hard to make out the faces, but the blurb that goes with it is the following:

WALDENSIAN LADIES AUXILIARY INCLUDES ORIGINAL MEMBER OF LOCAL CHURCH

Although 12 years old, this is the most recent group picture of the Waldensian Church Ladies' Auxiliary. Taken in 1945 at the Peter Planchon home in Monett, the photo includes Mrs. Martha Planchon who is the only surviving member of the original church group. Left to right front row are Paula Kay Bartelsmeyer, George Bounous, Mrs. Mary Balmas, Mrs. Joseph Miller, Mrs. Pauline Arnaud, Mrs. Martha Planchon, Mrs. Fanny Krueger and Mrs. Rachel Negre; second row, Mrs. Lincoln Bartelsmeyer, Mrs. George Bounous, Mrs. Anna Courdin, Mrs. Edmond Planchon, Mrs. Harlan Mann, Mrs. Stephen Balmas, Mrs. Arthur (Edna Courdin) Stebler, Mrs. Louis Maritan, Mrs. Fanny Combs Meadows, Mrs. Elva Malan Avondet, Mrs. Florence Reynaud Arnaud, Mrs. Peter Planchon and Mrs. J. Fred Mermoud; back row, Mrs. Alice Planchon Hancock, Mrs. George Mermoud, Mrs. Ami Reynaud, Mrs. Edmond Planchon, Mrs. Albina Etter, Mrs. Henry Planchon, Mrs. Alice Lautaret, Mrs. Albert Planchon, Mrs. Norman Casper and Mrs. Carl Casper.