The Churches of Holliday

First Church in Holliday - Presbyterian Church

The first church in the area was the Bethel or Cumberland Presbyterian Church built around 1840. A cemetery, later called the Bethel cemetery, was established in connection with the church. The steps of this church building were where the Charley Harpens grave stone now stands. This church held its last big camp meeting in 1856. The pastor, Willie Dysart, was the first minister to lived in Holliday.

The next church, also a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was built in 1885 where the present Odd Fellows Hall now stands. Rev. Sharp was the first minister. This building, which was later used as a garage, burned in 1932. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

In 1890 a church was built by the Disciples of Christ on the lot where the present church now stands. The land was given by Henry Glasscock. The church was a small one-room structure, heated by a wood stove, and lighted by kerosene lamps. 

The first church board was composed of Henry Glasscock, Greg Glasscock, W. P. Dysart, Robert Gwynn, and J. E. Brewer. The first minister was Rev. Randell. There were 49 members.  

The first church wedding in this church was that of Miss Love James and John M. Farrell in 1890.  

In 1917-1918 the present church was constructed. Dedication services were held June 23, 1918. Rev. Steve Owings was the pastor. 

The first wedding to take place in this church was a double wedding for twin sisters--Hattie Wilson and Leonard Akers and Flossie Wilson and Rev. W.H. Maurer.  

Some of the ministers who have served this church are the Reverends Randell, Stawn, Mountjoy, Connor, Hughley, David, Bailey, Grubbs, Narrier, Nichols, Lockhart, Weldon, Sears, Tarleton, Reavis, Owings, Nichols, O’Hearn, Johnston, Dugene, Maurer, Creech, Hoover, Phillips, Beincke, Van Etten, Van Hoosen, Buck, Gordon, Suttenfield and Sawyer.

 The present minister is the Rev. Stanley Fretwell. Justus Olney is chairman of the church board.  

The first church organist was Mary Dysart. Others have been Nannie Glasscock, Pearl Glasscock, Gertrude Dixon, Essie Arnold, Elton Miller, Hattie Wilson, Effie Akers, Blanche Curtright, Lois Halliburton, Elgelina Atterbury, and Barbara Olney. Mrs. Sally Secoy, Mrs. Mildred Howe and Mrs. Jane Akers serve as organists at the present time.

The first missionary societ6y society was organized in 1904 by Mrs. Q.T. Hall. This was replaced by the Ladies’ Aid Society in 1916. In 1931 an active Women’s Council was organized. Mrs. Will Blades was the first president. In later years the name has been changed to Christian Women’s Fellowship. Regardless of name, the work of the women has been very important in the life of the church. Mrs. Paul Callison is president of the C.W.F. at this time. 

BAPTIST CHURCH

In 1951 the Paris Baptist church with the pastor Rev. Jean Osborn and Rev Charles L. Norris took a religious census of Holliday to determine the number of people in the community of the Baptist faith. The census indicated that a Baptist work was needed in Holliday. On September 3 of that year a revival was held in a tent between the homes of Mrs. Lola Ensor and Tom Jones. During that revival, thirteen people came forward. One placed his membership in the Holliday Christian Church, while the other twelve placed their membership in the Paris Baptist Church until such a time as a church could be organized in Holliday. Following the revival meeting the Odd Fellows Hall was rented, and worship services and Sunday School were held there from October 6, 1951, to August 16, 1953, at which time the new church was occupied. The new church was dedicated on October 18, 1953.

The first funeral held in the church was that of Mrs. Alice Hartman on November 18, 1953, and the first wedding was June 3, 1072, that of Virginia McGee and Mark Thomann, performed by Rev. Bruce Mixen.

PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

The Holliday Pentecostal Church first purchased property in Holliday in 1959. The land, which was located east of the Bethel Cemetery, was purchased from Willard Adams.

When the church was first established it had a membership of 35-40 consisting mostly of young people.

Larger space was needed so in 1963, property was bought at the present location, east of the Christian church.

From the time of its establishment in Holliday, the pastors have been Rev. Marvin and Helen Bailey.