History
Early Years
The church was organized on September 15, 1882 as the Church at the Edmondson Schoolhouse northwest of Prairie Hill. There were twenty-nine members, and was operated as an Independent Christian Church. The first elders were J. B. Naylor and J. H. Fleet. The deacons were Herndon Wright, Clark Naylor and S. Sterner.
Membership soon grew to about fifty, and in a few years moved their meeting place to the hall over the Farris and Colley Store. The church remained there until 1889 when it moved into a newly constructed one room wooden frame building at the present site. The pews were wooden straight chairs bolted together with an aisle down the middle.
The church did not have a baptistery, usually they went to the Chariton river or ponds. Once a large watering tank was used to baptize three new members following a revival meeting. This was a very impressive, moonlight night, and the presence of God seemed very near.
This was the church house until 1923 when it was razed and construction was started on a new brick building. From 1923 until 1925, the church met at the former Holiness Church.
The basement for the new church was dug with fresnos, and scrapers pulled by teams of horses and mules owned by Russel Minor, H. A. (Gus) Harmon, Sr. and Lannie Garhart. Sand for the basement was hauled from a creek near Thomas Hill. Lumber was purchased at cost from Charles Naylor who operated a lumber yard in Prairie Hill. The bricks for the exterior of the building were hauled from Salisbury. Fred Neuser of New Cambria came to Prairie Hill to lay the bricks. Various people of the community both members and non-members donated their time and effort toward the construction of the new church building.
In the fall of 1925, after two years of hard work, Brother James Ramsey held the dedication services and the church took the name of the Prairie Hill Christian Church. The school in Prairie Hill was dismissed for the grand occasion and a large crowd attended the services.
Sunday School and communion was held every Sunday, and preaching was held once a month. Some of the early ministers coming to Prairie Hill were met at Salisbury train station and brought to Prairie Hill to conduct worship services.
In the late 20’s and 30’s it was a custom to have sunrise breakfast at the church on Easter Sunday morning. A complete breakfast was served, with a program following.
In1933, the first community Christmas program was held with other churches in Prairie Hill. Large crowds attended the program and were entertained by the young people. The last community program was held in 1966.
In January of 1938, a generous contribution of several acres of land was given to the church by Tommy Thomas. This has proved to be of great financial assistance thru the years for additional income. Another contribution of property came from Mrs. Beulah Conn.
In December of 1938, the property south of the church was purchased from Lena Bradshear.
At times money was not plentiful and the church board decided to instigate the Lord’s Acre Program in 1954. This meant that a person would pledge an acre of beans, corn, wheat, or other crop or a hog or calf to be sold and the proceeds to be given to the church. This program was successful and lasted approximately three years.
Some Improvements
Also in 1954, a change was made in the church. The building was modernized with a men’s and women’s bathroom in the basement and a sink was installed in the kitchen. This was a wonderful improvement for everyone in the congregation.
Things progressed along steadily and later in November 1956, another update was made with the purchase of a gas furnace from Westlake Hardware Store in Moberly. This eliminated the janitor building a fire and removing coal ashes in the winter and thus improving the Lord’s House.
Further improvement was made when in 1958, a refrigerator was presented to the church by a member of the congregation. Storm windows were also purchased in this year for the windows, this helped to keep winter weather out and warmth inside; also protecting our beautiful stain glass windows.
New fluorescent lights were installed in the basement in 1966. Beautiful red carpet was installed in the sanctuary on February 11, 1971. Further changes in the sanctuary occurred in November 1974, when four members of the congregation re-upholstered the communion and pulpit chairs with beautiful crushed red velvet and made a cover of red velvet for the communion table; thus improving the interior of the church. A new canopy over the entrance was installed in 1974, also.
Additional property was donated during the seventies. In May of 1972, Fred Behring gave the lot north of the present church. This was cleared and gravel was hauled to make a parking area.
Then in April of 1979, John and Howard Ratliff donated a lot south of the church. One of Prairie Hill’s old stores stood here and had to be torn down. This increased the parking facilities on the Southside.
Today
A look at the Prairie Hill Christian Church building today shows a much different structure then the original. A large fellowship hall dominates a section behind the original structure and improvements are underway now as we are expanding and remodeling our Sunday School department. But the most important part of the Church remains strong and intact, our commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior and our belief that God has called us to impact our world for Him.
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