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Metz Christian
Church
Metz, Vernon County,
Missouri |
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The Metz Christian Church was
organized October 12, 1898. Charter members were Mrs. Emma King,
T. J. Pond, Mrs. L. P. Pettit, Mrs. W. W. Penrod, Dr. J. T. Hornback and
wife, J. W. McKibben and wife and daughters Blanche and Nellie, Frank
Bennett and wife, Mrs. M. J. Plew, Mrs. Lee Scrutchfield, Mrs. Elijah
Stout, Mrs. Rosa Usrey, Mrs. Mary E. Willis, Mrs. Mary Baze, Lillie
Baze, W. S. Earhart, Elmer Charles and wife, Mrs. Belle Cline, Mrs.
Syrenus Cline, Mrs. Delieu Blake, Ella Berry and Marion Bouse and wife.
Elder R. R. Coffee was the first pastor. (1911 History of Vernon
County)
After over 100 years of continuous
organization, the Metz Christian Church was disbanded in 2004. The building,
which stood on the northwest corner of Elm Street and West Street, was
sold and has since been torn down. Many elements from the building were given to or purchased by
various individuals or groups. The pews were purchased by the Old Order Mennonite
Church and were
moved to their building in northern Vernon County, which was previously
the Bethel Baptist Church.
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This 2004 photo shows the
front (east side) of the church building. Click on the picture to
see a larger view of it. |
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This view of
the east and north sides of the building clearly shows where the 20 x 40-ft addition was built on in
1908, giving 2,000 feet of floor room,
as the congregation grew and a larger building was needed. Click
photo for a larger view. |
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Before
electricity, the Church had several lamps which set on brass
holders/reflectors on the north and south walls. When electricity
was available, the lamps and reflectors were removed and stored in the
small room on the west side of the building and eventually were
discarded. This lamp was "rescued" and preserved by the Claude
Pettit family and was donated by Mrs. Virginia (Pettit) Peterson to the
Bushwhacker Museum. Photo
courtesy of her son. Click on the photo for a larger view of the
old lamp. |
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Very old photo
identified as Metz Christian Church 1890 with the Modern Woodmen
Association group standing in front of building. The 1911 History
of Vernon County says that the building was built in 1890 and the church
organized in 1898. Click photo for
larger view -- it may take a while to load. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Virginia Peterson. |
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This is the
cover of a program leaflet for the "Baptistry Dedication and Baptismal
Services at the Metz Christian Church, March 18, 1928, 3 p.m. Earl
Bingham, Minister." To see the inside of the leaflet,
click here. Photo courtesy of Mrs.
Virginia Peterson. Click photo for a larger view. |
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This is a 1927
announcement of Metz High School Baccalaureate Service and Graduation
Exercises held at the Metz Christian Church. Faculty: J.
Verl Groce, Mrs. Allie Lee Strole, Miss Katie M. Blake. Photo
courtesy of Mrs. Virginia Peterson. Click photo for a larger view. |
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This is a
leaflet of a County Convention of the Young People's Society of
Christian Endeavor which was held July 26 and 27, 1913, at the Metz
Christian Church.
The 1911 History of Vernon County tells us that
the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor met at the Christian
Church every Sunday evening. The society had a membership of about
fifty-five at that time.
Click on the leaflet to view the schedule for the
2-day program. Copy of leaflet courtesy of Mrs. Virginia Peterson. |
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Do you have photos or
memorabilia from the Metz Christian Church which you would like to share
here? If so, please contact us and we will scan or photograph the
item(s) and add to the Metz website.
To History of Metz
Churches
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Metz, Metz Township |
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