United Methodist Church (1840-Present)

California

From Goodspeed's 1889 History of Cole, Moniteau, etc Counties, Missouri:

The German Methodist Church dates back to 1842, when Rev. S. C. Barth preached at old California and other points having Jefferson and Boonville in his circuit.

From the Thursday, April 2, 1914 Moniteau County Herald:

The Methodist Church

The first Methodist Episcopal Church, South, (which is now the machine shop) was built in the fifties, some years before the war.

All the charter members, or nearly so, have gone where the sad farewell never falls on the ear. Among the few we remember, were Bart Jobe and wife and Giles Lee and wife. The old church was taken possession of by the soldiers and used by them for headquarters until 1868, at which time the ladies of the church cleaned up the building and old Brother Hardy (God bless him) commenced services and continued them until conference sent Rev. James Hogan to the church, which then belonged to a circuit, -- Services were held only once a month for many years.

On May 11^th, 1890, the present building was dedicated by Bishop E. R. Hendricks. Christians, Presbyterians and Baptists used the old Methodist building until they erected houses of their own.

Our membership at the time of the dedication of the present building numbered about one hundred.

The oldest members now are Harvey Rogers and wife, Emery Moore and wife, Mrs. Rohrbach and Mrs. Mary E. Moore, the latter of whom united with the church February 17^th, 1865. At that time, Rev. James Logan was pastor and Rev. J. A. Murphy presiding elder.

Many good and great men have filled the position of pastor. In addition to those named above, we recall the names of Rev. Messrs. Givens, during whose pastorate the present house was built, Long, Burton, Beasley, Millis, Harris, Stouffer, Smith, Lyons, and Hargrove. The pulpit is now very acceptably filled by Rev. S. P. Clayton.

Pastors from 1840-1879. The earliest extant records date back to the 1880s and no record of years of service are known for these men.

From Ford's 1936 History of Moniteau County:

According to the Annals of Methodism, in Missouri by E. W. Stephens, the California Methodist church was first organized in 1840 on Brush Creek in the home of Perry Bailey. Charter members were Perry Bailey and wife, Andrew Bailey and wife, Thomas Hightower and wife, and Edmund Snodgrass and wife. Perry Bailey was afterwards licensed to preach. The services were moved to California in 1847 and the congregation met in the court­house until a church was built in 1855. A second building was erected in 1889. It was completely remodeled, with basement, enlarged auditorium and brick veneer, in 1925­26. The church has a membership of 240.

Stewards include J. T. Lee, George A. Wagner, T, B. McKnight, Roy Handley, R. M. Embry, George P. Stegner, W. S. Lemen, H. W. Crum, Herman Schaffner, Marvin H. Crawford, and Joseph N. Gattermeir.

From the Thursday, June 20, 1940 Moniteau County Herald:

California Methodists Celebrate Centennial

Graphic Report of History of Church

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Mrs. L. W. Fuerst as Chairman of the History Committee Writes from Record With Comment

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Written for the One Hundredth Anniversary Celebration, June 16, 1940, by Mrs. L. W. Fuerst, Charman of the History Committee.

The California Methodist Church, rich in history, was organized one hundred years ago this year. It was organized at the home of Perry Bailey on Brush Creek, a few miles north of California. The records show that Mr. and Mrs. Perry Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Bailey, Thomas Hightower, and Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Snodgrass were charter members. Mr. Perry Bailey in whose home the church was organized was the class leader, Exhorter and in after years the local preacher. He was the grandfather of one of our faithful members, Mrs. J. R. Elliott. Also Mr. J. D. Hill and the late Mr. J. T. Allen. Mr. Benjamin Bailey, one of the charter members was the grandfather of another of our loyal members, Mrs. C. W. Meyers. the descendants of Benjamin Bailey are legion, scattered throughout the United States. Miss Nell Walser of Hibbing, Minn. is the grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Snodgrass and so far as known the Hightower and Andrew Bailey families have no descendants.

The class met in the homes of the members until 1847 when the congregation moved to California and worshiped in the court house until a church was built in 1855 on the site where we now worship. This was the first church in the town. Rev. J. M. Hardy, then a local Elder was mainly instrumental in building the first church; which was dedicated by Rev. W. M. Prottsman. When the second building was built in 1889 the original building was removed to the site of the present post office where it served as a garage for many years, until razed in 1937 for the erection of the new post office building.

Among the earliest members after the congregation moved to California were J. D. Wood and wife, Luke Baron and wife, Ira Heald and wife, the Jobes, the Kinseys, the Rodgers, the Appersons, and the Hannas. Mr. David Hanna was the father of our oldest living and most loyal member, Mrs. W. L. Meyer. John Phillips was licensed to preach from this church and Misses Lou and Mildred Phillips went from here to China as Missionaries.

California was made head of the church in 1849 and following pastors served: S. S. Calburn, J. N. W. Springer, M. E. Paul, J. D. Read, J. C. Thompson, A. R. Sollers, L. H. Boyle, W. W. Williams, J. F. Hogan, L. Pullian, H. N. Watts, J. P. Gibson, W. J. Brown, W. R. Litsinger, J. C. Given, M. Barenburg, F. A. Briggs, A. C. Briggs, J. M. Hardy and J. C. Cross.

The first building met the need of the congregation until 1889 when a new building was built on the present site, under the ministry of Rev. E. Y. Ginn and was dedicated in May 1890, by Bishop E. R. Hendrix. The building committee was J. M. Alexander, E. L. Priest, Pinkey Bruce, H. C. Rogers, Jno. D. Wood, Frank S. Meyer, and D. P. Moore. Mr. Frank S. Meyer, a brother of the late W. L. Meyer, now lives in Daytona Beach, Florida and is the only member of this committee now living. Many pleasant and happy recollections travel down memory's lane as we recall today the services in this old building. It was here we worshiped, married our young, from her buried our dead and held our social gatherings. The faithful attendance of member like Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Rodgers was such an inspiration to the pastors. Mrs. Rodgers, the totally deaf was always present in her pew. Well do we remember the two old box stoves, one on the north and one on the south side of the church, the small pipe organ pumped by hand, the red carpet on rostrum, the bright colored window panes that stood out like Easter eggs; but to us it was the prettiest place in town. It was our church.

In 1870 California and Tipton were together with W. F. Mister as pastor, and from 1873 to 1875 California and Otterville were together and served by J. L. D. Blevans and Joab Spencer. From 1880 to 1905 California was in the Boonville district, from 1905 to 1919 it was in the Marshall District, 1919 to 1939 in the Sedalia District and in 1939 was placed in the Jefferson City District, after the Union of the three Methodist churches at the St Louis Conference.

On March 31, 1925 the program for building the present church began with the election of a building committee with R. M. Gattermier as chairman. This was during the pastorate of Rev. George E. Hargis, who labored unceasingly. In September R. M. Gattermier died and the late H. E. Gattermier was elected to take the place of his brother on the committee, and the building program was carried to completion by the following committee: J. T. Lee, chairman; R. E. Gattermier, secretary; F. C. Harra, treasurer; Charles Collett and George Wagner. In September 1925 the quarterly conference authorized the construction of the building and work was begun in October and the building was completed by the last of March 1926. The church was dedicated March 28, 1926 by Bishop McMurray, Superintendent over the three Missouri and Colorado conferences. Bishop McMurray spoke in the morning using the text "This is none other but the house of God and this is the gale of Heaven." The dedication service was at 2:30 in the afternoon. Rev. Dewar, pastor of the California Presbyterian church and president of the Ministerial Alliance, offered the prayer. Rev. Posey and Rev. Alexander, other ministers of the city assisted. Bishop McMurray preached at this service on the Lord's Praye: Matthew 6:9-13. At the close of the sermon the officers came to the altar and presented the building for dedication using the words: "We present to you this house, to be set apart from all unhallowed or common uses, for the worship of Almighty God." The Bishop pronounced the dedicatory sentence and offer the dedicatory prayer. At the evening service Rev. Rand, the presiding Elder, preached the sermon and sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. As we think back over the many blessings this congregation has enjoyed we would not forget the gifts of the late Mrs. J. M. Alexander. The piano used in the Sunday School, the chairs in the primary department, the communion Service and the pipe organ we so enjoy were all gifts to the church from Mrs. Alexander, who loved and served her church faithfully.

Two grand-daughters and one grandson of the organizers of the church are living and members of the church today, namely: Mrs. C. W. Meyers, Mrs. J. R. Elliott and Mr. J. D. Hill; and numbered among our members are also the following great-grandchildren: Mrs. H. W. Crum, Miss Ruth Elliott, Mrs. J. M. Demasters, Brent H. Elliott, Fern Hill and Hugh Hill.

The following pastors have served since 1880:

Presiding Elders:

District Superintendent: Dr. Fred Bailey, 1939 to present [1940]

These men of God have labored faithfully in the vineyard and the church owes them an unbounded debt of gratitude. the congregation here, never a large one, has much to be thankful for. With the exception of the third Sunday evening, when the pastor preaches in the Clarksburg Methodist church, the church here enjoys the full time of the pastor. All departments actively function, the Sunday School, the Young People's Department, and the Missionary Society. Let us lift our hearts to God in Thanksgiving for his endless blessings to us, the California Methodist Church.

From the 1980 History of Moniteau County:

The California Methodist Church was organized in 1840 at the home of Perry Bailey on Brush Creek a few miles north of California. Mr. Bailey was the first leader and later the local preacher.

It was the first congregation with a church building in California. Its original house of worship, built in 1847, was at the site of the present church, and each of its buildings has been at the same location. The present church, built in 1889, after many remodeling, remains the framework of the present Sanctuary.

In 1953 the Education Building was added, and in 1963 the interior of the Sanctuary was completely modernized.

On October 17, 1965 the church celebrated its 125th anniversary.

In 1968 the Methodist Church united with the Evangelical United Brethren and formed the United Methodist Church.

This church is alive and well as we strengthen our lives in Christ and answer the call to His ministry.

The following pastors have served since 1942:

From the 2000 History of Moniteau County:

The California Methodist Church was organized in 1840 at the home of Perry Bailey on Brush Creek a few miles north of California. Mr. Bailey, who was spoken of as "a most able man," was the first leader and later the local preacher.

In 1847 the congregation moved to town and worshipped in the court house until a church was built in 1855. This was the first church to be built in California. Rev. J. M. Hardy was the local preacher and largely instrumental in the building of the church. It was dedicated by Rev. W. M. Prottsman. The original house was used as a garage in later years and stood on the present Post Office site.

A new frame church was built on the present site in 1889 and was dedicated in May 1890 by Bishop E. R. Hendrix.

During the pastorate of Rev. G. E. Hargis, 1922-1926, the church was remodeled and enlarged to include a comfortable sanctuary, a basement and a kitchen. The frame building was brick veneered at this time and a new organ was installed as a gift of Mrs. Mary Alexander. The building was dedicated on March 28, 1926 by Bishop McMurry.

In 1940 the 100th anniversary of our church was observed with appropriate services. This was during the pastorate of Rev. J. Allen Webb.

In 1953 plans were put into motion for an educational building. This building was completed in February 1954. At that time open house was held to give all interested people an opportunity to see it.

In 1963 while Rev. H. Jared Taylor was pastor, the church was completely modernized; with the new pews, organ, lights, carpet, altar, pulpit, lectern, and communion rail. The sanctuary was remodeled, the educational building re-decorated and extensive changes made in the front entrance and hallway. Work was sufficiently completed to begin using the church again on August 23, 1964.

The church celebrated its sesquicentennial on September 9, 1990 with Bishop W. T. Handy, Jr. bringing the morning message.

In 1992 the church once again embarked on a building project to change and improve the front entrance. A covered landing was added with six curved or arched steps. This project was completed in February 1993.

The church has for many years been involved with three year old playschool and the combined Vacation Bible School with the United Church of Christ and the First Christian Church.

In the mid-1990's the church began seeing the need to enlarge the sanctuary and provide more Sunday School rooms; so in 1998 a gathering area was added on the first floor with two new Sunday School rooms on the second floor and in 1999 the sanctuary was completely renovated and turned so that the congregation now faces west with the choir, pulpit and altar all in the west.

At the present (2000) time the church is moving forward in God's love with the Rev. Carol Koenig as the pastor.

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