Remembering the past, securing the future

On a June day 175 years ago, 13 people gathered under a tree on the bank of Whitewater Creek on the old Farmington-Jackson road about a mile east of Heitman's Mill. That was the first official meeting of what is now Whitewater Presbyterian Church in Sedgewickville, Mo., according to information provided by board member Larry Bollinger.

The church is the oldest Presbyterian church west of the Mississippi River to be in continuous service since it was organized.

Three of the original church elders were named Bollinger. In 1796, Maj. George F. Bollinger came from North Carolina and brought with him a colony of settlers. He later brought in the Rev. Samuel Wheyberg, who changed his name to Whybark; his son was one of the early elders of the Whitewater Church.

The church's roots in Bollinger County run deep.

Whitewater Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary June 10 at the church. The day will begin with worship at 10:30 a.m.; fellowship and cemetery visitation will be at 11:30 a.m., followed by a silent auction to raise money for the deacons fund and building improvement fund. A potluck lunch will be served at 12:30. At 2 p.m., the anniversary service will begin, featuring a church history, presentations and speakers.

In her congratulatory message to the church members, U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson commented, "Three notable components of the special service for the anniversary stand out. You will visit the cemetery and remember the men and women who represent the church's past. You will hold an auction to help secure the church's future. Finally, you will fellowship with one another as a community of faith. These three activities symbolize how the Whitewater Presbyterian Church gained its strength, endured, and now offers great promise for the future."

A number of people attended Whitewater Presbyterian Church's annual picnic in 2006. (Submitted photo)

Whitewater Presbyterian was one of several Presbyterian churches that formed in the early 1800s when settlers began moving in. Initially, the congregation met in homes of the members, and eventually a house once used as a distillery became a makeshift church and school. As the area continued to grow, the need for a church also grew. D.R. Conrad gave five acres of land about eight miles east of the original meeting place near the creek for a church and a cemetery. In 1842, according to board member Peggy Whaley, a log cabin was built. Later, eight more acres were added to the cemetery,

According to information Bollinger provided, the old log cabin had a partition through the center running in front of the pulpit to the back of the house. It was the custom at that time for the men to sit on one side of the partition; the women and children occupied the other.

Construction of a new, larger white frame church began in 1893 at the same site and took three years to finish. Also during this time the church bought its first organ.

"There have been two additions and some improvements since," Whaley said.

One of the earliest ministers to have been reared in Whitewater Presbyterian Church was the Rev. Jacob Conrad, who joined the church at 16 in 1832. The wife of a missionary gave him books to read which led to his enrollment in the Mission Institute near Quincy, Ill. He was licensed as a minister in 1845.

Other ministers and missionaries have emerged from Whitewater Presbyterian Church. Over the years the church has grown and changed.

Like other rural churches, Whitewater has its challenges. Whaley says only 40 members remain, but the church meets faithfully every week.

A retired Methodist minister, the Rev. Donald Blaylock, is the current pastor. He's also a neighbor, Whaley said, and lives just minutes from the church.

"We're very happy with what we have," she said.

The last anniversary the church celebrated was its 150th in 1982. Its board of directors says its membership "prays for God's guidance and leadership as we move toward our 200th anniversary."

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160