EAGLEVILLE MO AREA CHURCHES

In 1859 a lot was procured in the southwest part of town and a frame house of worship was erected there.  Because of the Civil War the church was not completed until the cold winter of 1863-1864.  Services were held before there was a floor and benches were used as seats.  The first church building had one room with a belfry, a porch and two doors on the east.  The porch was built on pillars which was convenient for a wagon or buggy to drive up to it and let the family step directly on to it.  There was a partition about three feet high built through the church.   The women entered the door on the north and sat on the north side of the partition while the men entered through the south door and occupied the south side.  The mothers usually kept the infants and smaller children with them but as soon as the little boys were old enough to behave they were privileged to sit with the men.

Deeds on file show the date of 1874 so it is assumed the owners were allowed to build a church on the lot and later given permanent possession of it for the sum of $50.00.  The west side of the land was deeded to the trustees in 1869 by Joel and Martha Hall, and James B. and Elizabeth Brower.  The parsonage was built on this land.

From Mr. Walter Wyant's story of the church it was interesting to note before there was any stock law the high porch pillars were a place where pigs liked to scratch and often church services would have to stop until the disturbance was cleared away.

Joseph Hunsicker made the first seats of native walnut lumber.  He had to kiln dry it before he could plane it to make seats.   His son, James, a teen age boy used to sit up all night to watch the fire in the kiln.

The first funeral held in the church was that of Arthur Herider, who was a member of the church and a soldier in the Civil War.  He was mustered out of the service and started home but became ill and died December 10, 1863 in St. Louis, Mo.  A message was sent his wife that he was ill and she left for the city to be with him but found upon arrival he had died and the body had been sent back to Eagleville.  The body was placed in the uncompleted building and preserved easily because of the bitter cold weather of that winter and remained there until his wife could return. 

excerpt transcribed by: Melody Beery
Source: Eagleville Memories 1851-1969 
by: Elsie Herron
 

The Eagleville Christian Church

The Eagleville Christian Church congregation was organized sometime in the 1860's by Elder Lockhart who held a revival meeting in the village, the result of which was 60 conversions.  They held their services in the Methodist church, public hall and other places until 1875, at which time a good frame building 30' x 50' in size was erected. On Feb. 18, 1902 the Christian Church building burned with all the contents, including records.  On Feb. 23, 1902 the members met in the bank building to consider rebuilding.  The congregation voted to rebuild and appointed James Miranda, John Barber and G.D. Cramer as building committee.  M.D. Russel, father of Carlos Russell, was the master carpenter.  Geo. Hunsicker's grandfather Loy hauled the bell for the church from Princeton, Mo with a team and wagon.

excerpt transcribed by: Melody Beery
Source: Eagleville Memories 1851-1969 
by: Elsie Herron

The Baptist Church

The Baptist Church was organized by Elder John Woodward of Cainesville, April 23, 1864 with 13 members.  For ten years they worshiped in the M.E. church.  In the fall of 1874 they built a beautiful frame house of worship at a cost $1,500.00.  Pastors of the church were:  John Woodwar (6 years), J.H. Burrows (4 years), John Woodward (2 years again), M.N. Allen (a short time) and V.M. Harper (2 years).

excerpt transcribed by: Melody Beery
Source: Eagleville Memories 1851-1969 
by: Elsie Herron

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