hist1

This is a brief sketch of some of the happenings in our congregation during these years. For much of the early history, we are indebted to Florence Smith who wrote her recollections of this time.

In the time immediately after the Cherokee Strip run, there were members of the Christian Church settling the land Days were hard and there was much work to do to change the wild territory into a settled land. We can only assume that Disciples in this area must have spent some of their free time either individually or as families worshipping God. We are indebted to these pioneers for our beginnings in this new land.

Dean England writes of the first "formal gathering" of the Disciples in Pawnee. It is the spring following time openning of the Strip. Six women whose souls were hungry for the necessary spiritual strength came together In one of their homes (actually more of a tent against a wagon] to observe time Lord's Supper. What better formal beginning could a church have than this? From the hearts of these earlier settlers and in particular these six women, First Christian Church, Pawnee, Indian Territory and now Oklahoma was launched.

After the success of this simple service, these wonren's thoughts turned to the children in the area. They decided to hold Sunday School for the spiritual nurturing of these children.

Soon the attendance at these Communion services increased to the point that their one small room was two small. Another loving soul offered the use of their home of two rooms. The "church" would now meet in a real honse, weather boarded and shingled.

Although our modern minds might think such meager surroundings would not be conducive to worship, our early day members had pleasant memories of this two room house. They held both services and Sunday School, even though they had to carry chairs from their homes or sit upon goods boxes. The work of the Lord spread and the hearts of people were touched and changed in these humble surroundings,

Soon, the two rooms were filled and it was decided to build a tabernacle and hold meetings. The size of the tabernacle was sixteen by twenty-four foot with canvas sides, a floor and board roof . In addition to this structure, the members contacted Daniel Dunkelberger to hold a meeting.

The efforts of our early brothers and sisters were rewarded. We now had twenty-one menrbers. Life in Pawnee at this time was still hard. People would come to work their claims and found the could not make it. Businesses would come and go. As a result, there were several transient members. In fact, depending on the season, especially during spring and summer, there were either a number of members or virtually no members.

The church filed articles for incorporation on August 22, 1895. The trustees at this time were C. W. Bacon, J. W. Suthard, and J. W. Nevil.

Besides the transient nature of those early members, summers were also hot and the intensive heat generated on the roof of the tabernacle made it so uncomfortable that only those who were intensely interested attended.

Of course for our early members, going to meetings was only part of their work for the Lord. Our members would visit each other to spread the news of God, they would seek our children to invite them to Sunday School. They would hold sewing circles. One of the first outreach efforts was directed towards the people who lived in "Tent Town" on the east side of town.

As the membership grew, it was obvious that the tabernacle would not suffice. The lot on which the tabernacle stood was offered to the church with the stipulation that they would build a permanent structure upon it. It was a generous offer, but even with growth, the congregation was "so small" they could not find the necessary Funds and had to abandon the project.

Frustrated, but not discouraged, the members contineed to pray for help and for helpers, for they knew their strength was through the Lord. What those early memhers lacked in numbers and funds, they more than gained through their faith.

Finally, the tabernacle became so uncomfortable that it was abandoned. The next location of the congregation was in a vacant residence. Later they moved to a store building. The congregation was certaining on the move in those early days ... unfortunately it was simply shifting locations. As the weather became cooler attendance would pick up and with the warmer weather, attendance would fall again. Finally a hard decision had to be made. The early members decided very relunctantly to give up meeting until they could have a permanent gathering place.

In the winter of 1899, the member's faith and work located a building they could use, Congregational church. A meeting was called and V. E. Shirley of Nebraska presided.

A new vitality was seen as the church finally established a permanent minstry in Pawnee. Although the Congregation church building was only a temporary venue, the members also held Services over the calatboose, in the city hall, tents and in the court house.

In 1900 Rev. Robertson was called as pastor. Our first truly formal structure was built in 1901 at a cost of $2,000. During the next several years, the pastors were a bit transient. Finally, M. F. Ingraham was secured as a settled mhrister of the congregation at a time when the church work was at a very low ebb. Fortunately, with Ingraham's cheerful attitude and creative spirit the church grew.

There was not a baptistry in the church, so to conduct baptisms the congregation would hold services at the old Rocky Ford north of town. As witnessed by our later members, there were a number of services held at this ford.

Brother Ingraham would remain the minister tlere until 1908 when he became the Indian Farmer at the Pawnee Agency During his last year or so at the church, there were a number of deaths and people relocating.

Our next minister was a student from the Bible college at Phillips University (Enid, Oklahoma). Arthur J. Aikins would asist the church and following his graduation was called as our pastor. During Brother Aikins' term it was decided that he should be employed on a "full time" basis. As a result of this change in ministry, the church board voted to increase his salary from $10.00 to $15.00 per week Seven months after this motion, the congregation voted to raise the $100 for the note that was due to pay Brother Aikins's salary. Rev. Aikins was well liked and served the congregation until Easter, 1911. It was during this period that the church board was reorganized and voted to initiate the pledge system to meet financial needs. The board also voted to donate to the Foreign Christian Missionary Society tile sum of $1.00.

The next pastor to serve after Rev. Aikins was A. J. Bradshaw. Rev. Bradshaw would serve our congregation for three terms of ministry. His first term of sevice was from 1911 until 1914 when he moved to Galena, Kansas. The church grew in numbers during his time with us.

Following Rev. Bradshaw's first term a Californian, H. H. Clark, would come and serve the congregation for a few months while in route to a pastorate in Colorado.

After his leaving, the church alled a Rev. Cummins from Missouri. After Serving only a few months he returned to Missouri to relocate his family to Pawnee. While on this trip, Rev. Cummins died and M. F. Ingraham was called to provide services until a permanent minister could be called.

Lutlher Moore came and ministered for a period of about two years to our congregation. Rev. Moore was a good scholar and spent hours in biblical teaching.

After Rev. Moore left, a young college student, Roy Curtis would be called to serve. It was during this time that the old church building would be sold. Part of this structure would be torn down and part would be moved to the farm of Leo B. Smith.

Brother Curtis would leave and another young man, J. Walter Turner would begin his ministry here in July 1918. It was during Brother Turner's time that a second tabernacle was built on the present site of our church building today. Giving was generous during this post World War I time, for records show that the church had a missioonary budget for all departments of $400. An increase of some 400% over the $1 sent in 1909.

After only a year filling the pulpit, brother Turner would submit his resignation. 'I'he membership once again turned to Rev. A. J. Bradshaw for leadership. The issue of a church building again arose. It was decided that a new, permanent. structure would be built and Rev. Bradshaw would be called with the understanding that a new structure would be built at this time. In November, 1919, Brother Bradshaw arrived and within four months the congregation moved to the Old South Methodist Church to worship. This structure was purchased and the pews from the tabernacle removed to it. The tabernacle was torn down and in the spring of 1920 the ground was broken for the structure which has continue to house the sanctuary ever since.

It had been decided that the new strnctnre would be of native rock As a result, the rock face was token from Pawnee Bill's Ranch site and the other rock ffrom around the Pawnee area. When you examine the rock formations, you will fold that the builders also added some "pictures". You can find a horsehoe shape (appropriately turned in teh direction of good luck}, a ball glove and ball, and other shapes. The church had committed itself to being a permanent structure within the Pawnee community. On August 2, 1920 the corner stone of the new building was laid. This stone reads on the North face: "Laid by the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M.; Aug. 2. A. D. 1920;. A. L. 5920; Frank H. Derr. M. W. G. M.". On the West side, it reads: "Christian Church; Organized 1899; Built 1920". Perhaps we were only the "Christian Church" rather than the "First Christian Church" in those days. History has shown, however, that the organizing date on this cornerstone is incorrect. Some say that in everything we do, there should be a "Theological Error" which means that only God can create perfect. Perhaps the date is our structure's "Theological Error''.

The new structure was completed by November of that same year. It was built at a cost of $24,300. The concregation also spent around $6,000 for new furnishings.

Looking at this new building, one of the charter members, Mrs. Florence Smith, would write: "Now that we are about to go out of the old house into the new, about to build the first modern chorch in Pawnee, let us pray that our spiritual standard may be as high as our temporal, pray that we may be first in good works, first in pure lives, and first in holding higg the banner of the Cross. May the town and community be better, infinitely better, because of our larger Building, our larger opportunities, our larger usefulness."

On December 12, 1920 the new structure would be dedicated. By any standards, it was "done right". M. F. Ingraham was invited to share in the day-long dedication. Throughout the course of three services on that day, the building was dedicated to the glory and service to God and the congregation rededicated themselves to the Lord's work here in Pawnee.

Brother Bradshaw would continue to serve the congregation for another three years after the dedication of this building.

Following A. J, Bradshaw, the Rev. A. C. Hornbaker of Cleveland, Oklahoma was called in 1924. After a short term he was followed by Rev. F. E. Gray who came to minister in 1926.

Brother F. E. Gray added many people to the rolls of this congregation. It was quoted that Brother F, E. Gray would say, "An Addition a day will keep the Devil away," [Oklahoma Christian, 5/15/28, p. 1] To achieve this goal, F. E. Gray added 156 members to the church during a 150 day period. During this time, Brother Gray would preach every night in the week in the surrounding communities and twice on Sunday in Pawnee. He would also preach Sunday afternoons in some of the neighboring school house. The Men's Bible Class had 95 in attendance, the young Matrons Booster Class had 90 and the Bible school had a total attendance of 459. On any Sunday, there might be more people in worship at the Christian Church than the total of six others. It was written in the Oklahoma Christian that:

Thirteen years after the church building was dedicated, the congregation found itself with a building that had been neglected and in need of repair. A..T. Bradshaw would write later that the church had gotten into debt and the roof of the church building itself was leaking. With a promise to become more active under his leadership, the congregation called A. J. Bradshaw for a third term. Brother Bradshaw would arrive in Pawnee in the rnidst of the depression year of 1933 and continue to serve until leaving in the post World War II year of 1947.

This term of ministry is the longest single term of any of our ministers. Brother Bradshaw saw to tire needs of the congregation in the midst of national financial crisis and the difficult days of World War II. In the summer of 1941 it was decided to build a new baptistry. During the next year, the Bates and Miller windows were installed in the front of the sanctuary. The church bolstered its treasury to the point in 1943 a new parsonage was purchased at 910 Sixth Street in 1943. This was the second parsonage the church had owned. The first was at 513 Cleveland and purchased in 1915. After three terms of ministry and nearly a quarter of a century of service to God's church here in Pawnee, Brother A. J. Bradshaw left the pulpit in the summer of 1947 for Chandler. Brother Bradshaw's memory continues today through his years of faithful service to the Pawnee community.

The year 1948 was another busy one for the church. Rev. Clarence E. Saint was called to serve the congregation. New choir robes were purchased and the minister's salary was now set at $3,432 a year, with an additional amount of $360 for expenses.

Brother Saint was followed by Rev. Ted Hurrst. Brother Hurst had just completed his seminary training and was familiar with the county, having relatives living in the sires. In fact, several of his relatives were members of the congregation.

Following Brother Hurst's ministry, the congregation called an interim minister. As is witnessed in this history, sevelral times an interim has served between pastors. Rev. John Elliott Foster would serve four months until April 1956 when Max Wolfe would come as our pastor.

It was during the ministry of Brother Wolfe that the church began to consider the addition of an education wing to the original sanctuary building. One of the young people Brother Wolfe baptized during his years here was his son Kipp. Kipp would later enter the ministry. Rev. Kipp Wolfe is the only "Timothy" of First Christian/Pawnee who was baptized as a child in the church.

Following Brother Wolfe's ministry, Dean Clifford Shirley of Phillips University served the first of his two interim terms for our congregation.

In April, 1960 the Rev. David Arnold began his ministry. In a yearbook of Rev. Arnold's early years it was written: Our Destiny

Our lovely Church Building awaits a companion .... a Splendid new Educational Building to provide Badly-needed class rooms and administrative facilities. We prayerfully, with a mind to dream and work, look to our Heavenly Father for guidance and direction in erecting this new structure. We are conscious of the adminition of the Psalmist who
said:

Follovving his graduation from Phillips University, Rev. L. Jim Anthis came to serve tile congregation on 1 June 1965. Just over three years, Brother Anthis would leave and Rev. James O. Michael would being a term as interim Minister. Like two others {Brother M. F. Ingraham and Dean Shirley} Brother Michael would serve two different times as an interim minister of this congregation.

Beginning on the first clay of a nev year, Rev. Graham F. Riggs began his service to the congregation on January 1, 1969. During this time the congregation would burn the $30,000 mortgage on the educational wing during the morning worship service on 15 February 1970.

Serving as interim prior to the arrival of Graham Riggs, James O. Michael is called as an interim to follow Graham Riggs in 1972.

Dr. Albert Johns was called as pastor. Dr. Jones would serve the congregation for five years. Rev. Elbert Whitwell was called as an interim in 1978. Rev. Ernest Leierer was called as the settled pastor for the congregation in 1978. It was during this period that the church would acquire their third parsonage. The new structure was built in the Reeves addition southwest of town. This structure remains today the parsonage for the church [though our present minister owns his own home and the parsonage is rented out.

Following Brother Leierer, Rev. Ed Butler was called as an interim in 1982. Later that year, Rev. Steve Churchill would be called as minister. BrotherChurchill would serve the congregation until 1988. Rev. Neal Kentch was called as interim in 1088 and would serve the congregation until Easter, 1989. During his
time, the congregation would call Rev. Tom Scott who was at the time serving as an oversees missionary to New Zealand.

Brother Scott began his ministry on April 2, 1989 and continues to Pastor our congregation. During these years a new roof was added to the Education wing at a cost of $22,000 and the narthex/foyer of the Sanctuary building was remodeled at a cost of $5,000.

On July 9, 1997 following choir practice and board meeting an arsonist struck at the building around 9:40 p.m. Pawnee Volunteer Fire Department worked hard and dilengently to save the building. The next morning, in the light of day, it was discovered that the new narthex/foyer was completely damaged, that inside, all parts was covered in soot. The heat and smoke had been so very think during the fire. At present, current estimates of the damage range from $500,000 to $750,000.