This is a quiet, little village in Southwestern Missouri. From one of the oak-covered hills, which surround the village, flows the fountains that begin the Spring River. As early as 1872 our people began to make their homes here, some coming from the state of New York, some from the mines of Carthage, MO., and others directly from Sweden. In the fall of 1872 was the first Swedish Sunday School organized in the home of J. W. Bjorn. A young minister, J. H. Gustafson, was sent by the Ansgaril Synod and the Lutheran church was organized June 10, 1874. N. P. Walgren came here in 1876 and their church was built the following year. The salary paid was as follows by each family: One bushel potatoes, two of wheat, one of rye, two of corn, two shocks of corn fodder, one half cord of wood, one ton of hay and 25 cents a month a family. The community was blessed with a revival in 1878. The first Baptists in the place were Mrs. and A. G. Erikson and Mrs. Aug. Ackerson. Two young ministers, E. Thornquist and A. O. Thornquist, both of Springfield, visited the place. On the 16th of June, 1884 a meeting was held in the home of A. G. Nordberg, led by E. Thornquist. The following persons were baptized: J. B. Nelson, Ingeline Nelson, Lars Johnson, Johanna Johnson. The baptism was performed in the Spring River and, after the act, these four together with Andrew Johnson and wife were organized into a church. In the summer came A. G. Carlson from Kansas City and many more were converted. By confession and baptism were received Mrs. and Aron Johnson, Mr. And Mrs. Aug. Erickson, Aug. Ackerson and John Lundberg. Soon after came Mrs. and John Smith, the brothers, Jim, John and Nels Ackerson, Nels Anderson, Magnus Anderson and others. Ten members were received by letter. The church was build in 1886. In December, 1890, came M. Lind from Minnesota as their pastor but after two years he was compelled to leave as the church felt unable to support him. A parsonage had now been built. A. G. Carlson served again, mostly on his own charges, till Eric Thornquist moved here from Texas in 1899 and was pastor for two years. Before this a trouble had come up, that caused great damage and sorrow to the church. It seems to have been loose accusations, which, however, became like a burning match, causing a terrible conflagration. The church was divided in two groups and the trouble came even before the courts. After a council in 1900 all was settled and brotherly love rule[d] again. Near by Verona is a little place with the big name of Globe, where is a Swedish M. E. church. Their pastor, C. G. Anderson, became a Baptist and was ordained a pastor of the Baptist church in 1902. A great revival came this year under John A. Erickson’s preaching and twenty-nine persons were added to the church. A new building was now erected worth $3,000.00. This beautiful building was erected during the year 1904 and dedicated August 5-7 of that year. The ministers present were the missionary John A. Erickson, Carl Vingren of Kansas City, Mo., and A. G. Lagerquist of Chanute, Kansas, who had drawn the plans for the building.