Grayson County TXGenWeb

Sherman Democrat
April 21, 1967
pg.9
by Mrs. Earl Caughey

Friendship Methodist Church To Mark 100th Anniversary

Friendship Methodist Church will observe its 100th birthday with much ceremony Sunday. The congregation of the century-old church will participate in the dedication of a Texas State Medallion for the church and a historical marker for the cemetery in the churchyard.

Roots for the congregation were actually put down in the year 1830 when a few settlers from the north came to Grayson County and located on the head waters of Post Oak and Rock Creeks. The community was called "Yankee Town."

The settlers faced many hardships of frontier life including Indian attacks. Then in 1860 came the devastating war between the states. Many of the men were called into service, property was destroyed, horses confiscated and the very existence of the settlement threatened.

It did survive however and after the close of the war and the return of the men the citizens began to realize the need of a place to worship and a place where their children could meet for school. Many children reached 12 years of age without ever going to school.

A site, on Rock Creek, near Friendship Cemetery, was decided on. The cemetery was established in 1861. Near by was a living spring of pure water. Madison Walsh donated one acre of land for the building.

The citizens of the community built a log house. Nolan Stewart, Mr. Walsh and "Uncle" Jack Harvey built the building. A former slave of Mr. Harvey's and indigent persons cut the logs. The seats were made of split logs with peg legs for support. When completed it was christened "Friendship."

Mr. Walsh was the first school teacher in the log building. Children and adults walked for a radius of 2 1/2 miles to attend. The boys and men went on rainy days when they could not work at farming. The girls went on the days when the males didn't attend.

In April of 1867 Hortio Waldo and Mr. Walsh organized a Sabbath School. Mr. Walsh conducted it for five years before his death. His son, W.J. Walsh followed his father as superintendent. IN 1870 there were 53 names on the roll.

April 5, 1874 the first missionary society was organized for the Friendship Church by D.L. Collins with 27 members. The organization included men as well as women. W.H. Yarborough was president. They met the first Sunday of each month. Church services and brush arbor revival meetings were held by circuit riders.

In 1892 the log church was replaced by a beautiful frame building, 48x28 feet. Sunday School classes were provided by curtains on a series of wires. The pews were made by J.E. Kern. This sanctuary was dedicated to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Rev. C.C. Cobb was pastor to a congregation of 72 members.

Rev. J.M. Binkley was presiding elder and Rev. Wilson was bishop. Other pastors of this era included J.M. McKee, J.H. (Uncle Johnny) Reynolds.

The community thrived and grew as it was built around the church. Dec. 11, 1904 twenty members were received by transfer from "Hope Chapel" when it was disbanded. Among the members received were Mr. and Mrs. Gus D. Brown and family, Mr. and Mrs. George Abicht and family, W.J. Abicth and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Boggs, Mr. and Mrs. Earhart, Miss Lilly Pitt, Susie Archer, and Mr. and Mrs. P.B. Reece. Rev. T.W. Lovell was pastor at this time.

Rev. T.W. Lovell was pastor from 1906 to 1908. IN 1907 there were 108 members enrolled, in Sunday School, Gus D. Brown was superintendent. One of the Sunday School teachers was Mrs. Amanda Jacob Hinkle who is still an active member of the church.

IN 1913 W.J. Abicht, Sunday School superintendent, organized the boys and girls in a club called "New Century Knights And Ladies." To become a member the young people had to promise to never use tobacco or liquor in any form.

In 1914 under the pastorate of J.H. Averett, the present building was completed. It included a sanctuary furnished with opera chairs, a balcony and five class rooms with comfortable chairs and tables for the younger children. For several years during this time the Sunday School membership stood around 100. An eight piece orchestra composed of young people furnished music for Sunday School, and the monthly church service. Two of the pastors who served from 1924 to 1929 plan to attend the services Sunday. Rev. Beard will bring the sermon Sunday.

During the time of the depression many rural churches disbanded. Friendship was able to continue to function and had a thriving Epworth League. In 1932 Rev. C.J. Graves first came to Friendship as pastor to serve for two years. A succession of pastors followed until in 1948 he came back on a circuit with Pottsboro. IN 1950 Friendship became a full time charge with Rev. Graves as pastor. He is still serving the congregation.

In 1958 a fellowship hall was built with rooms for nursery and pre-schoolers and a kitchen. This structure was named Graves Friendship Hall honoring the pastor.

In the summer of 1966 the sanctuary was refinished in ask paneling; cushioned pews replaced the opera chairs; a new pupil, choir pews, communion table and carpet was installed.

The pews were given by members and friends of the church in memory or in honor of former members.

Friendship today is a progressive rural church with an enrollment of 130 with 30 inactive members. It has an enthusiastic church school and an active Woman's Society of Christian Service.

Rev. Beard will deliver the Sunday sermon at 11 a.m. Mrs. A.P. Kumler will accompany congregational singing and a presentation by a quartet. Rev. Graves will dedicate the offering.

Basket lunch is planned at noon.

The cemetery association will meet at 1:15 p.m. beginning with a song service led by T.C. Abicht. Rev. Vernon Combs will give the invocation and Roy Dalton will give the welcome. Mrs. Wray Wible will give the history of the cemetery. County Judge Les Tribble will dedicate the historical marker. J.C. Taliaferro, chairman of the Grayson County Historical Survey Committee will dedicate the historical medallion.