Seminole Sentinel (Seminole, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 4, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 23, 2005 Page: 17 of 20
twenty pages : ill. ; page 23 x 15 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Church History....from Page 4B
(1910-11), J.W Gregg (1922-
26), R.P. Kelly (1927-40), Fred W.
Tyler (1941-42),. Homer C.Akers
(1942-46), Collis S. McKinney (1948-
50), Edward E. Mulliner (1950-54),
D. Burke Kerr (1954-59), Cleve C.
Wheelus (1960-62), James D. Caldwell
(1963-68), James W. Cory (1968-70),
George Alexander (1971-74), RuLkil
B. Lewis (1975-91), Robert L. Hyatt
(1992-96) and Gayle Perkins (1998-
present).
Perkins became the church's first
woman pastor and came to serve the
church following her graduation from
Austin Seminary in 1997.
In October of 1979, the First
Presbyterian Church of Seagraves
became a chapel of First Presbyterian
Church in Seminole, with a transfer of
the Seagraves membership.
Three Seagraves elders have
served on the Seminole FPC session,
Dan Calfee, Toni Polyak, and Jerry
Xan Hamilton.
The Seminole minister conducts
services at the Seagraves Chapel on
the first and third Sundays of each,
month.
Sawyer Rat Presbyterian Church,
a key Gaines County church in the early
1900's, saw congregation members
transfer to the Seminole church in
1937, upon the consolidation of what
is now Loop ISD.
Residents in Sawyer Rat studied
at home with literature distributed by
Presbyterian missionary, Rev. Kerr, of
Abilene, and met in the school building
at Saywer Flatt for numerous years.
Ministers from Seminole
Presbyterian Church would travel over
to Sawyer Flat on alternate Sundays,
to preach.
A large building was built in 1923
to accommodate more children and a
larger, prospering church group, but
with the school consolidation in 1937,
and the transfer of church members to
the Seminole church, the building was
eventually taken by Loop ISD and
stands today as a teacherage.
During the interim pastorate
of Cheryl Homsher (1997-98) First
Presbyterian opened the Bob Lewis
Memorial Mission, offering food,
Bibles, and a coat closet to those who
are in need.
Also during Perkins’ pastorate, the
church has experienced an increased
awareness of it’s mission outreach
obligation by working with it's sister
church, El Tabernaculo Presbiteriano
Maranatha in Socorro.
Seventeen members and Perkins
traveled to Socorro in July of 2002 to
conduct the Vacation Bible School for
children at the church, and do so every
Spring.
The church celebrated a historical
feat on Sunday, July 24, as the church
officially honored it's 100th year of
existence with a special celebration
commemorating the event.
. First United Methodist
First United Methodist Church
of Seminole celebrated its 100th an-
niversary October 15-16, 2005, with
a variety of services and events in
observance of the occasion.
The church was organized on July
- 18, 1905, following a revival held at
Hackberry Grove, a popular gathering
place for picnics and family gatherings.
The Reverend A. B. Roberts, a retired
Methodist preacher, living in Gomez,
led this revival, inspiring those attend-
ing to start an organized church.
Rev. W. C. Hinds, was the first
pastor to be appointed to the newly
organized church. He came in the fall of
1906 and oversaw the construction of
the first building, which was one {oom
made with lumber hauled by wagons
from Stanton and Midland. The front
seats of this new church filled first, es-
pecially in the winter since the building
was heated by a coal-burning stove at
C the front. The pews were handmade
C wooden benches using one-by-fours,
; With about an inch space between the
; slats.
When the Baptist organized
a church they used the Methodist
Church two Sundays each month
—-until their building was completed, so
PULPIT, in which he told of expe-
riences in Seminole.
Other pastors are remem-
bered for interesting reasons. The
Reverend A. D. Hill walked to all
services regardless where they were
held. Reverend M. L. Moody mar-
ried Harry Stone and Mattie Slaton
hr ceremonies -at the Slaton home.
Following the wedding the couple
proceeded to the Methodist Church
for morning services with Mattie still
in her wedding dress. Mattie Stone
was honored as the oldest living ac-
tive member of the church at its 75th
Anniversary Celebration on July 27,
1980.
During the pastorate of the Rev-
erend Preston Rorence, beginning
in 1936, a new rock church building
was built complete with a sanctuary,
classrooms and a pastor's study. A
parsonage, also of rock was build
beside the church
The Reverend H. B. Coggin, who
was assigned in 1944, designed an
addition to the church facility that in-
cluded more classrooms, a fellowship
hall and a kitchen. ,
During the days of the oil boom
and the pastorate of the Reverend
Horace Brooks, the membership
almost doubled to about 600. The
need for a larger sanctuary became
evident. In 1956 the church family
gathered for the groundbreaking
ceremony for a new sanctuary. On
Easter Sunday morning of 1958,
the Revered Lester Hill conducted
the first service in the new sanctu-
ary. The hand-carved mural depicting
the Last Supper, which adorns the
front of the sanctuary, is of special
interest and adds to the meaning of
Communion as partakers kneel at the
altar.
A new parsonage was built at
509 SW Avenue D. Formal dedi-
cation services for the sanctuary and
the parsonage were held on Sunday,
July 19, 1954 with Bishop Eugene
Slater presiding.
The Reverend Newton Daniel
and his family were the first to live in
the new parsonage. Brother “Newt”
had a talent for remembering names
and could call everyone by his or her
first name.
Under the leadership of The
Reverend R. L. Kirk the old rock
church was razed, making way for
a new modern educational facility
which was used for the first time on
Sunday, June 4, 1967. In addition
to the congregation’s dedicated
giving to the building project, Mrs.
M. S. Doss made a generous contri-
bution toward its completion as well
as other programs through the years
and was honored, along with her late
husband, in the naming of the M. S.
Doss Chapel, a part of the classroom
wing of the church.
The rock parsonage still remains,
having been used through the years
for living quarters, a meeting place for
the ladies Gleaners Sunday School
Class.and for youth activities.
Many successful programs have
been introduced resulting in spiritual
growth of the church’s membership.
A strong Sunday School program
abounds along with adult and
children’s choirs and a strong youth
program. Bible studies, occasional
revivals, mission programs and spe-
cial observances add to the interest
and spiritual growth of the congre.-
gation. A strong visitation program,
local caregivers and outreach efforts,
Parents’ Day out program, Luncheon
Encounter for school children of all
denominations, summer camps have
all been conducted with great suc-
cess.
BITS & PIECES
* The local church joined Meth-
odist Churches throughout the coun-
try, to become First United Methodist
Church in 1968.
•The most significant growth
of the First Methodist Church was
the period during the oil boom in
the 1950s. During this time the
pews were full to overflowing. Very
talented musicians were among the
newcomers and an impressive choir
Norway, Sumatra, and others.
• For several years ladies of the
church cooked and served the Sem-
inole Lions Club each week. Many hours
went into the preparation. The Women’s
Society of Christian Service was active
and raised more money than any other
church in the district They also published
a cookbook with recipes of many of the
ladies of the church. A new cookbook
has been published in celebration of the
church’s 100th anniversary.
• Seminole United Methodist
Church has had ups and downs as
does any church or organization but it
has been blessed with some great min-
isters, people, experiences and growth.
Talented youth directors, choir directors,
musicians and secretaries have come our
way.
• Children have always had an im-
portant place in Seminole FUMC. Strong
Sunday School programs with dedicated
teachers, choirs and Bible schools have
kept our children in forefront of church
activities.
• Fellowship has been another
important part of Seminole FUMC. Cel-
ebrations big and small occur throughout
each year in addition to frequent potluck
gatherings. Each November the member-
ship looks forward to Harvest Festival,
which is a sumptuous Sunday dinner
and time of thanksgiving. This is a time
also that members contribute generously
toward the budget and special needs of
the church.
• The Meals on Wheels program was
started by the Methodist Church and also
on the local level by Seminole FUMC.
At first, volunteers delivered meals for
the whole week, then later when other
churches began to participate, one day a
week. Our church delivers each Monday.
At Harvest Festival meals are also deliv-
ered to the Meals on Wheels recipients
with the help of the Youth.
• A fire caused smoke damage to
the extent that the congregation met in
the M.S. Doss Community Chapel until
repairs were completed. However, the
quick discovery of the fire by a Sunday
School teacher making preparation for
her class on Sunday prevented much
further damage and loss.
• The Rev. Lyman Wood served the
Seminole for only one year, but his work
was notable. He oversaw the dedication
of the new Educational Bujlding and M.
S. Doss Chapel on Jan. 26, 1969.
• The Rev. Tilden Armstrong joined
our congregation in 1969. A recent wid-
ower, he was comfortable with all age
groups. He especially enjoyed fellowship
with the youth, attending summer camps
and other activities. A new Allen organ
was donated and dedicated while he was
here.
• The Rev. Rodney Williams fol-
lowed Tilden Armstrong in 1972. Dur-
ing his time in Seminole new stained
faceted glass for the sanctuary windows
were installed. The church was able to
contribute two registered calves for the
new Methodiist Home Boys Ranch. After
a visit from a Methodist missionary, W.
L. Armstrong, the congregation raised
enough money to contribute to the build-
ing of a sanctuary in Sumatra and Mrs.
Doss bought a new bus for the youth.
• The parsonage was added on to to
accomodate the large family of the Rev.
Wayne Norrhan.
• Unfortunately, The Rev. Shell
Dennison, who excelled in dramatics and
hospital visitation, passed away suddenly
in 1997. Rev. WilliamsMcReynolds, are-
tired minister from Midland, Texas came
to fill the pulpit for the rest of the year.
He and his wife Dorothy became a trea-
sured part of our church family. While in
Seminole, Rev. McReynolds found in an
old journal that an uncle was secretary of
the quarterly conference in the Seminole
church during 1916 and 1917. Also that
his grandfather and grandmother oper-
ated a hotel in Seminole. He found his
grandmother’s grave in the Seminole
cemetery.
• Derrell Evins, who had the lon-
gest tenure in Seminole, had to deal
with heavy rains and hail that damaged
the roof and caused the ceiling to fall in
and damaged the grand piano. It was
during his tenure that the kitchen in the
Fellowship Hall was remodeled. Rev.
Evins was active in the Walk to Emanus
(games County
■
I
%■.
•mfe - 1
/
iv'
Timeline of Memorial Hospital
1946 - Dr. Dow & Dr. Koberg opened a hospital located near 209 SW Ave D
- Dr. Toomes & Dr. Johnson also had a hospital just a few blocks down
1952 - 1954 - New hospital was built at 704 Hobbs Hwy (currently the Library). It was a 28 bed
facility.
Between 1965 & 1971 - Changes in building code regulations spurredtheneedto make significant
structural changes to the 704 Hobbs Hwy hospital. The most cost effective way to meet the new
the Methodist and Baptists combined
for services.
Each pastor who came to minister
to the Methodist Church in Seminole
made an important contribution to its
growth both in number and spiritu-
ally. Some, after gaining experience in
Seminole, became known for other ac-
complishments as well. The Reverend
Tom Brabham, who served Seifiinole
as his first pastorate, became in later
years, president of McMurry College.
The. Reverend J. A. Scoggins wrote
a book entitled, FROM SADDLE TO
was developed. The first organ was
purchased during this time.
• In past years, revivals were
conducted by well-known Christian
evangelists such as E. Stanley Jones,
Clovis Chappell, Gaston Foote and
Ed Robb. Many other visiting pastors
have shared the enriching message of
Jesus with us.
• Missionaries from near and
far have visited our church to share
information about their work and
ministries in various countries, Japan,
program.
• A Lunch Encounter was begun in
1998 by Youth Director Donald Ward.
All interested youth were invited to lunch
on Thursdays followed by a brief sermon.
The Lunch Encounter continues today
under the direction of Denice Upton.
• Four local youth received their
call while in Seminole and have become
Methodist pastors. They are Bert Afleck,
Albert Lindley, Tommy Isbell and Craig
Curry.
regulations would be to build a new nospital. Itwas ultimately determined that Seminole would form
a Hospital District that followed the same boundaries as the School District. The formation of the
Hospital District would provide funding to build and support the hospital.
April 1971 - The State government had to develop and pass the enabling legislation allowing
Senjinole to form the Hospital District. Senate Bill 443 was passed in April 7, 1971 to provide for
the development of the Seminole Hospital District of Gaines County Texas. Effective April 29, 1971.
Seminole Hospital District was officially established. The provisional board members were Jamiel
Aryain, Brom Marchbanks, Paul Condit, Don Moore, James Phillips, Delbert Warren, and Ken
Willis.
October 1988 - Memorial Home Health Care was opened
October 1988 - Swing Bed Program
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Wright, Dustin. Seminole Sentinel (Seminole, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 4, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 23, 2005, newspaper, October 23, 2005; Seminole, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth824950/m1/17/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Gaines County Library.