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This
congregation now worships in a frame building on section 26,
township 54, range 11 (Jackson township), which was erected in
1872, costing $2,400. Their first house of worship was constructed
in 1845, immediately following the organization of the church,
when E. Maddox and wife, William Fuhrman and Wife, Con. Brown and
wife, John Fuhrman, wife and family, Jesse Maddox and wife,
Charles Burton and wife, Gabriel Wood and wife and Wilson Maddox
and wife, composed the list of organizing members. It now boasts a
membership of 135. D. P. Henderson, Henry Thomas, Alfred Wilson
and Rev. Mason have ministered to the spiritual necessities of
this band of believers.
Union church west of Paris ,
where the county meeting of The Disciples was held last
week, is one of The oldest and most historic churches in this part
of the state. The following facts concerning it were taken from an
interesting address of welcome delivered by N. K. Curtright
Wednesday.
Union
congregation was organized in May 1835, with the following
members: John Holloway and wife, Benjamin Mason and wife ,Thomas
Watts and wife, James Hawkins and wife, James Foreman and wife,
Elzea Chapman, Mrs. Woodward, John Foreman and wife, Miss Mason
and W. H. Foreman, all dead. Henry Thomas was present at The
organization and was pastor for many years. The first protracted
meeting was held on the Woodson farm in 1839 and resulted in 17
additions. Alfred Wilson and Jacob Creath were present at this
meeting as was Barton W. Stone, next to Campbell himself, the most
famous preacher connected with the reform movement. The second
meeting was held on the old Judge Curtright farm by that grand and
good man T. M. Allan, and resulted in 26 additions. This
year land for a church building was donated by Judge Maddox and
the lumber furnished by Thomas Baker. Alfred Wilson, of sainted
memory, preached the dedication sermon.
The
present building was erected in 1867. In it was held D. Pat
Henderson’s big meeting, which resulted in 90 additions. Union
is still a strong church, supported by a God-fearing people, but
like many of the older congregations has suffered depletion by
migration and by newer churches being built up around it.
August
18, 1905
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