Walnut Grove Church

Church in 1892

The two doors as seen in the above picture were in the front of the church one was for the women and the other for the men. The women and the men sat on opposite sides of the church during the services. There was also two large pot-bellied stoves that were located on either side of the room. A low pulpit was built along the front with a few short seats on each side, creating the Amen corner.

The following article was one my mother [Reba Doris (Emery) Mc Kee]had cut out of a newspaper it bore the hand written date of 20 July 1938; it is assumed that I would be The Bloomfield News in which it was published.

Walnut Grove Church

In 1891 a minister remembered as Bro. Love, held a meeting in the Walnut School, He urged the people to build a church. They appointed seven men to solicit funds. They were George Sparks, Dr. Love, Joe Ockerman, John Fearnot, Henry Roach, D. C. Roach, and Joes Carmichael. Bro. Love sold a old log house for $50.00 and he donated this to start the church fund. They soon had enough funds to start work.

The question of a location arose. Some wanted it located across from the school and some next to the cemetery. It was finally built next to the cemetery so that it would be convient for funerals. The land where the church stands was purchased from George Sparks for $75.00 bby the trustees: Henry Roach, John Fearnot, Wm. Combs, Jeff Jones and Jorgan Good. The carpenter employed was John Dobbins. Yhe church officers were: Dave Mitchel, treasurer; D. C. Roach, Secretary; and John Fearnot, chairman.

Some of the congergation donated money, some gave lumber, and some gave their time. It is recalled that Bud Stanfield gave the poplar lumber for the pulpit and seat. These were bmade by Jessie Collings. Jeff Jones gave the church bell. Henry Roach gave a large red oak tree. This was sawed into lumber and made into seats by Jessie Collings.

The church was completed and dedicated in 1892. The first minister in the new church was Bro. Love. The officers and ministers have changed many time since that date.

In 1932 the congergation decided the church was not large enough. Again donations were solicited.

The church was made larger and a basement was added. Ode Collings was the carpenter. The ladies of Walnut Grove paid $200.00 on the remodeling expenses.

The church was re-dedicated on Nov. 20, 1932. This is one of the best known churched in Eastern Greene County.