OF
CLEO SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA
January 16, 1902 to October 8, 1989
On Thursday, January 16, 1902, the First Christian Church was organized in Cleo Springs with thirteen members. It seems the principle force in the organizational effort was a Mr. R. S. Smedley, who was a visiting preacher, as he is not listed as one of the charter members as named below:
Work was started on the building February 7, 1902, only 22 days after the organizational meeting, and all the members of the building committee were declared members of a soliciting committee for raising funds. Two months and eighteen days later, on April 25th, 1902, the building was completed. Installation of the pews was complete at 5:00 p.m. on that date, and two and one half hours later, at 7:30 p.m., the first service was conducted in the church, and an offering was taken amounting to $3.50.
The first revival meeting for the new church started May 24, 1902 with J. A. L. Romig as evangelist. The meeting continued for four weeks and sixteen members were added to the congregation, making a total of 29.
The temporary organization was made permanent at a meeting of June 8, 1902, and at that time C. J. Chaistain was named to succeed W. D. McCoy as treasurer and W. E. Chaistain was chosen as clerk.
It would seem, from existing records, that the first church building cost approximately $1,500.00. It was probably two-thirds paid for at completion, since at a meeting held on September 19, 1902, the membership voted unanimously to secure a loan from the Church Extension Board in the amount of $500.00 "to pay the balance of our indebtedness". During the building period a loan had been secured from a Mr. W. H. Abling for $500.00, and although some payments had been made on it, there is a possibility that a part of the Extension Board loan was used to pay the balance.
It is interesting to note the great change in the economy in these past years. The pews and pulpit purchased in 1902 cost a total of $237.00 including freight, and a minister who came to preach on August 11 received a salary of $5.00 plus "15 cents for bus fare".
In other action taken at the September 19th meeting a committee was chosen to have screens put on the windows and finish the bell tower. Chaistain Brothers Hardware was authorized to secure lamps and a heating stove, and A. L. Shamrock was requested to "see about the cost and quality of a bell".
The second evangelistic meeting was held December 11 to December 29, 1904 with A. E. Wrentmore doing the preaching. Twenty-one members were added to the small congregation making a total of 60 members without taking into consideration any having been lost from membership.
The records of several years are not very productive as far as this record is concerned, although financial records were adequate and membership rolls were kept reasonably current. The long roster of ministers can be ferreted out, but although a record of those ministers will be attached to this report, the absolute accuracy of the list is certainly suspect.
We have no minutes of any board meetings that might have been held between the dates of December 27, 1903 and January 14, 1906, and none from that date to January 7, 1910, nor during the ware years of 1912 through 1918. The financial reports from those periods indicate that the church operated with problems common to small churches.
On Saturday, February 18, 1939, the original building, a wood-frame structure, was completely destroyed by fire. It was covered by $1,200.00 insurance.
Plans for rebuilding were started immediately and church services were held in the J. T. Grimes residence until a new building was completed. It should be noted that our friends of the Methodist faith offered to share their facilities with us.
The new structure of tile and stucco placed on the same location, as the one that burned was considerably larger and had a full basement. The estimated cost of the building and furniture was $3,800.00 and when completed was entirely free of debt. This was accomplished with the use of the insurance money and donations of funds, material and labor, all of which were taken into consideration in reaching the estimated cost.
Dedication services of the new building were held November 5, 1939 with Dr. I. N. McCash, President of Phillips University as principal speaker.
The next building program came late in 1947 when plans were started to erect a parsonage on lots adjoining the church property.
On December 17, 1947, the church purchased the Hog Ranch school house, salvaged the material to use in the building, and on January 21, 1948, ground was broken for the new parsonage. Much time and material was donated to this project and it was completed and dedicated June 12, 1949 at a cost of $4,082.91. The last indebtedness on the parsonage was paid off August 7, 1950.
Realizing that they had out grown the building erected in 1939 the church started a project to add an annex to the west end of the sanctuary to provide more classrooms, a pastor's study, and an baptistery located in the center of the front of the church. Construction was started in February 1961, and completed later the same year at a cost of $5,946.95. Dedication of this unit was made in a service on February 17, 1963, with a former pastor, David Nixon, delivering the address.
The painting, showing a view of the River Jordan, was done by Mrs. Gracie Halstead and added to the baptistery later. Mrs. Halstead had visited the Jordan area and had painted several such scenes. She was not a member of our congregation but was a relative of Claude Couch, a long-time member.
In the fall of 1960 the church board appointed a committee to revive and operate their Cattle Project. They were authorized to purchase cows to be boarded free by the farmer members of the church, with the profits from the sale of the calves going into the "Cattle Project Fund". In October the committee borrowed $1,340.50 on a three-year note, interest free and purchased nine cows and one calf and distributed them among members willing to participate in the program. In February 1961, the committee made a second such note for $547.80 and bought two more cows. By June 30th, 1963 the committee had paid off both thir notes, transferred $520.23 into the general fund of the church, had a balance of $197.84 in the project account and still owned most of the cows. As time passes, situations change. Some farmers moved away, and some retired. The cattle situation changed and the last cow was sold January 20, 1972. When the Cattle Project Account was closed in June, 1973, they transferred their balance of $672.77 to the general fund, had $2,000.00 on deposit with the Board of Church Extension, had purchased an air conditioning unit for the sanctuary at a cost of $1,448.29 and had in the 13 years of its operation, transferred a total of $3,820.00 into the general fund. It should be noted that all this revenue was made possible because of the pasture, feed, care and management donated by those farmers who participated in the project, some of whom were not members of this church.
A record of this nature would not be complete without mention of the great work done by the women's organization of the church. They have worn many names, ranging from Ladies Aid to Dorcas to C. W. F., but in any instance the efforts of those Christian Ladies have been a moving force in the promotion of God's work here. It is difficult to catalogue the many improvements that were made possible by the funds they raised from their many projects. The sanctuary piano, the rebuilding and equipping of the church kitchen, carpeting in both the sanctuary and the fellowship room, much of the material to re-do the walls of the fellowship room the redecorating of the sanctuary including wainscoting and upholstering of the pews, extra tables and chairs for classrooms, furniture and carpet for the parsonage, and much more was made possible because of the efforts the ladies made. Their bazaars, held annually just before the Christmas Holidays, have become an institution the community would miss.
It seems a shame to write a history of events covering these seventy five years without mentioning the families and people who contributed to this long Christian experience, but so many have given so much that if we tried to record it all, to paraphrase the Apostle John, "the church could not contain the books that would be written".
The same is true of the ministers who have served here. According to our best count our present pastor is the 60th preacher to serve this church. [From Seventy-five Years in His Service] Some served only a few months, very few more than two years because nearly all of them were students at Phillips University with a primary goal of completing their education.
Each of these young men contributed something to our church, and it would be unfair, even unwise, to try to evaluate their efforts on the basis of our memory and what little can be gleaned from our church records.
A list of those former pastors will be attached to this record, but we realize there will surely be errors. One minister, Erskine Scates, was pastor here in 1926, or maybe in 1927, or perhaps both years, but we cannot find his name mentioned in any church records, and we regret such deletions.
January 1977, found our church with a membership of 66, not far either way from what it has been down through the years. Some of those listed as members are not very active in the program of the church, as has always been the case, but many, if not all, appreciate the many improvements in our church properties, recognize the opportunities to use them for service of God, and salute those hundreds of former members who have brought this Christian fellowship to this 75th anniversary.
Dedication was held June 27, 1982, for the newly purchased organ. It had been purchased through Ron Brockway for $3,000.
In the spring of 1987, it was decided to hire a full-time minister. On November 15,, 1987, Sam Justice was called to accept this mission and its many challenges.
During the next spring Dan Baker began tearing down the building north of the parsonage in order that we could eventually add on to the present facility. In June the parsonage was sold at auction and moved away.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on October 2, 1988, for the new sanctuary, narthex and fellowship hall. In December cement was poured and the walls started up.
Also in December Warren Powell began working on the stained glass windows. The first, "the anchor" was finished and on display at the candlelight service on Christmas Eve.
By late December the first door was on the new sanctuary. Winter cooperated and many nights and Saturdays were spent in work and fellowship. Insulation began in March. During April, sheetrock was put up, the wood ceiling was started and brick laying began. The rains began on May 12. This was the first weather that hampered the building project.
"Children's Day was June 8. Eighteen children and many adults came to help stain the baseboards. The sanctuary ceiling was finished that month, and the cabinet doors were put on. During July the wooden folding doors were hung, stained and finished. The chandelier was hung in the narthex. Gravel was delivered for the driveway. Painting was completed.
During August the bathrooms were painted and papered. The carpet for the entire area was laid on the two days of August 21 and 22. The cornerstone was brought on August 29. September 3 was the last service in the old sanctuary. Many special "memories" were shared during the morning worship that day. The next week began the transition of moving into the new sanctuary. The pews and other furniture were moved. September 10 was the first service in the new sanctuary.
Some events at our church since 1989
Write notes of what you remember of events and happenings during the '90's, 2000 and 2001 and submit them to Pastor Connie so that next year we can present a history of the First Christian Church that is current.
On Thursday, January 16, 1902, the First Christian Church was organized in Cleo Springs with thirteen members. Steps were taken at once toward erection of a church building. Work was started on the building February 7, 1902, only 22 days after the organizational meeting, and all the members of the building committee were declared members of a soliciting committee for raising funds. Two months and eighteen days later, on April 25th, 1902, the building was completed. Installation of the pews was complete at 5:00 p.m. on that date, and two and one half hours later, at 7:30 p.m., the first service was conducted in the church, and an offering was taken amounting to $3.50.
Steps were taken at once toward erection of a church building, and at a subsequent meeting, for which no date is given; a building committee was formed consisting of W. D. McCoy, A. D. Lemon, C. J. Chaistain, and J. H. Antrobus. C. J. Chaistain was named chairman, J. H. Antrobus, secretary and W. D. McCoy, treasurer.
October 1988 - Ground Breaking Ceremonies
"We are standing on 'Holy Ground'. What an exciting day for our church family."
December 1988 - "Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." A faith vision manifested, the beginning stages of our church narthex and sanctuary.
During the next several months, all eight of the sanctuary windows were finished in addition to the baptistery window and the rose and the lily in the fellowship hall. These windows were installed on August 8, 1989.
October 1989 - After many days of hard work, "the fruits of our labor" is complete, the finished sanctuary!
November 1989 - "Our work is never done!" The beginning construction of our new church parsonage.
December 1991 - "Not a Creature was Stirring". One of our Christmas productions. A lot of rehearsals and a lot of fun!!!
May 1994 - "Balloon Launch" - Up, up and away!!! Where will our Good News message balloons land???
September 1998 - Labor Day - In Cleo Springs, we have an Annual Watermelon Festival on every Labor Day. It has been a tradition in our community for many years. Of course, with every festival there
is a parade and of course, floats. Our float was "We're all just seeds
in God's hands."
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