On the evening of the 21st of
September 1897 a small number gathered at the home of R. N.
Simpson, seven miles southwest of Paris, Missouri to establish a
mission to work in connection with Paris Baptist Church. Those
present at that meeting were Rev. W. R. Painter, Rev. L. P. Smith,
D. M. Simpson, W. J. Baker, R. N. Simpson and wife. The
possibilities and probabilities of a church being organized at
Strother at some future time were discussed, no one knowing what
the outcome might be.
Preaching commenced on Friday night of
that week at Strother. Failing to get the use of the school house,
a tent was obtained in which to hold meetings.
Two weeks later a building lot was
purchased and the church building commenced. Brother Smith was the
life and soul of the enterprise, preaching at night, working on
the building by day, visiting other churches to raise money and
paying largely himself.
It was then decided to organize, others
being added to the little band from time to time and the pastor
and deacons of Long Branch Baptist Church responded to the call to
act as council for the organization which was effected on the
third Sunday in October. From that time the work went rapidly on
the church and it was ready for dedication on the second Sunday in
November. Rev. W. R. Painter preached the dedicatory sermon from
the text, “Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the
world.”
Dedicated
November 14th, 1897
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