NEW MCKENDREE METHODIST CHURCH CONGREGATION -- ONE OF JACKSON'S OLDEST

Next week New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson will welcome many of the church's former pastors back to celebrate the church's rich history.

In 1840 the first Methodist church in Jackson was erected on lot 13 on the corner of High and Washington streets where the old CutMart station is located. The property was sold by Judge Greer H. and Elizabeth Davis for $150 to the following trustees: Greer H. Davis, David H. Davis, Caleb Crane, Welton O'Bannon, Judge John E. Cook, Hiram Gilliland and William D. Randol. This first church, a log building, was destroyed during the Civil War by soldiers when they used it a as stable to shelter their horses.

In 1868, a building committee met with the following members: William Williams, O. R. Penny, A. D. Leach, G. C. Henderson, and chairman, Alex Moreland. Later in 1870, a frame building was erected on this lot. In 1895, this church was updated with brick veneer and with an additional outside entrance. Inside the cornerstone, a time capsule was placed with church papers including a list of all the 1895 members.

Due to rapid growth resulting in crowded conditions, the members of the Methodist congregation resolved to build a new church on a more desirable location. Louis Houck, being the owner of a beautiful corner lot on First South (now Adams) and High streets, willingly exchanged this valuable corner lot for the old church site and building. The 1907 building committee consisted of R. M. McCombs, C. H. Wolters, Ed Howard, William D. Henderson, William Byrd, A.R. Byrd, and R. W. Russell. The cornerstone was laid in 1908.

The church bell was moved from the old church to the new one. The new church was constructed of Bedford stone, with Gothic art glass windows, three of which are beautiful works of art. The main auditorium is a large room with a cone shaped ceiling forming an almost perfect pyramid. The congregation erected a magnificent church costing about $30,000.

On March 7, 1909, the congregation led by Rev. Marvin T. Haw marched from the old church to the new one. The pulpit Bible was carried by Mr. W. D. Henderson. The members walking two abreast while singing hymns and were accompanied by the church orchestra. It was gala occasion. At this time, the new church was large and elegant for a community of Jackson's size and was capable of seating two thirds the population of Jackson.

A splendid pipe organ operated by water power, was installed, one of the best and largest in Southeast Missouri during its time. The building was lighted by hundreds of electric bulbs. As a whole it was one that the congregation and the city of Jackson was proud of. The congregation was a large and lively one, numbering 475 in 1910.

Sunday, Sept. 25, 1910 was a day long to be remembered by the Methodists of Jackson as the culmination of one of the greatest undertakings ever attempted in a town of this size. The event marks the dedication of one of the most handsome and substantial houses of worship in the state irrespective of the size of town or wealth of congregation. The credit for the consummation of this gigantic effort cannot be attributed to any one individual but to the entire congregation and community collectively, led by the untiring and energetic pastor, Dr. Marvin T. Haw.

The church continued to grow through the years. In 1952 plans were begun for an educational building, completed in 1958 under the pastorate of Rev. Chester Yoes. In 1972 an extensive remodeling was undertaken and a new 16-rank organ installed.

In 1995, the church acquired the old City Hall on the corner of High and Jefferson Streets. This building which houses the church's administrative offices, the Child Development Center preschool, a community Food Pantry, and a banquet hall was named Cox Memorial Hall after John Cox whose estate's benefacted the purchase of the building.

Senior pastor, the Rev. Scott Lohse, has been at New McKendree since 1995. Other members of the staff are: Associate Pastor Don Covington; Pastor Emeritus David Griffin; Youth Education director Susan LaPierre; Educational Assistant Betty Henry; Financial Secretary Sue Jones; Administrative Secretary Beth Free; Treasurer Nell Cochran; organist Linda Thompson; Chancel & Cherub Choir director Tom Martin; Kids Khoir director Ruth Masterson; childcare coordinator Kia Abernathy; and custodians Gene King and Rhonda Johnson.

Today New McKendree has grown from its small beginning in 1840 to a membership of more than 1,000 members. Worship services average about 450 in weekly attendance. New McKendree United Methodist Church is truly "A historic church with a great future."

LORENE E. RHYNE

JACKSON -- Lorene E. Rhyne, 89, of Jackson died Sunday, April 13, 1997, at Heritage Gardens in Jackson.

She was born July 7, 1907, at Kurreville, the daughter of Lewis and Wilhelmine Haupt Schmidt. She married Felix Rhyne on May 12, 1952, in Arkansas. He died March 16, 1975.

She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church at Gordonville and had worked at shoe factories in Cape Girardeau and Jackson for more than 20 years.

She is survived by three sisters, Rosina Sanvoss of Cape Girardeau, Emma Bodenstein of Memphis, Tenn., and Minnie Bush of Jackson; two stepsons, John Parres of Bonne Terre and Herman Amschler of Perryville; and two stepdaughters, Pat Schremp of Perryville and Rosella Fahrner of Fairview Heights, Ill.

She was preceded in death by a sister and three brothers.

Interment was in Christ Lutheran Cemetery at Gordonville.