In 1927 Women’s Missionary Society had a sock social. Ladies were given a sock to fill with change to fund church needs, and challenged to “give at least twice your sock size.”
Taken from a 1944 newspaper: Sunday School attendance was 103 with an offering of $7.87
The first person buried at Locust Grove was Mary Beaver in 1854 who died while visiting her daughter, Mrs. Obed Klar, after whose husband the community was named.
In 1868 a 4-week revival meeting resulted in 55 conversions. In these early revivals some people walked as may as five miles to hear the gospel.
In August 1920, 17 young people began reading the entire New Testament at 5am, taking turns every 30 minutes, and finished reading at 7:06pm.
In the 1950’s Reverend Mershon wrote an article stating “the rural church has been staging a modest comeback since 1940. We must literally lift ourselves by our own bootstraps.” St Mary’s and Locust Grove were the only two functioning churches in Pickaway township at the time.
Evangelist Elton Crowell spoke to large crowds at union tent meetings held in Carl Jesse’s pasture 1949-1952. Sermons ranged from People Are Blinder Than Bats, The Scientific Accuracy of the Bible, Excuses, The Hydrogen Bomb, and The End of the World. Overflow crowds found some remaining in their cars, some driving as far as 50 miles, just to listen over the loudspeaker.
Found in Obed items after announcement of marriage of Robert and Emma Lou Primmer in 1952: “This about exhausts the matrimonial possibilities in the Obed community so far as eligible young men are concerned. The one or two remaining are too wary and cautious to desert bachelorhood.”
From a1963 2nd quarter report of Locust Grove EUB: Church receipts $2239.61, church expenditures $1622.66 ($924.00 for the minister’s salary). The average Sunday school attendance was 82, morning worship 75.
In 1967, Chester & Cecile Mathias presented the American and Christian flags to the church in memory of their sons, Wayne, Marvin and Oran.
In 1972 Pastor Chuck Travis did a weekly youth radio broadcast on WSLY called Getting It Straight. On Saturdays he contributed on the Pastor’s Study broadcast.
During Darrell Spicer’s pastorate, the church’s administrative board gave the trustees authority to offer the United Methodist conference $3500 in order to obtain clear title to all church property and withdraw from the conference.
In early 1900’s the Pinkston family reserved Saturday for washing and polishing their five buggies right down to the spokes on the wheels. They caravaned in a line to Locust Grove a few miles away as those who ordinarily did not attend church looked on.
IN 1859 Obed Klar who lived just west of the Obed school house and store on the corner, deeded one half acre to George Hott and Daniel Moll who served with him as trustees of the already established Locust Grove Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
In 1887, Wm Pontius deeded real estate with a house to the trustees A.B. Weakley, Jesse Weakley, and G.W. Bricker for the church parsonage for the sum of $400.00. In 1905 the house burned to the ground.
In 1919, the church at Obed was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in a half hour. The church was rebuilt in 1920 with pledges valued at $10,000.
In 1920 the Ladies Aid voted to pay $10 to build tables and $5 for curtains. They decided to have a chicken and fish fry to raise money to rebuild the church. With the chicken and lard donated, they cleared $222.19. Dues were raised from 10 to 25 cents a year.
Ronald Cole was elected S.S. Supt in 1934 and was known for his devotion and quick wit. He often incorporated object lessons in his talks on Sunday mornings, like using a wedge to represent discouragement, a tool of the devil. He was nicknamed “Happy”.
In 1945, Orville Cole was ordained into the ministry. It was a blessing to commission one of our own to full time service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In 1938, the board of trustees checked into the cost and requirements of the church connecting to the REA highline. Merle Tolly and Noble Stump were designated to see that the church was properly wired. In 1941 the parsonage was wired after money was raised.
In 1946 due to a merger, we became known as Locust Grove Evangelical United Brethren Church. In 1969 due to a merger, we became known as the Locust Grove United Methodist Church. IN 1973, we severed ties with UMC and became known as Locust Grove Church.
Rev Darrell Spicer was the first minister of our independent congregation. A church discipline was written, read aloud and approved by the members present. Council chairman, Glen Cole, signed the corporation papers at the courthouse in 1975.
The first annual congregational meeting of the LGC was on Jan 4, 1976, Genevieve Mathias presented the first historical book and reports were given.
Rev J O Neal came as pastor in 1946. While on a visit to his sister in IN, he passed away.
Rev W A Mershon preached a revival in 1947 and became pastor in 1948 to 1953 when he left to take up mission work in Kentucky.
In 1953 the trustees installed a water system and bathroom at the parsonage. A cistern was dug at the church in 1954 and restrooms were installed in the church basement in 1957.
In 1953 the trustees farmed the parsonage acres and the proceeds were applied to the pastor’s salary.
Rev Glen Huffman reported making 39 calls, 23 sermons, read six books, assisted at one funeral, held an 8-day evangelistic service and finished college during one quarter in 1956.
In 1964 the church got a facelift—the ceiling in the sanctuary was lowered, new windows installed, walls painted, and new railing and lights at the front entrance. In 1966 electric heat was installed in the basement, 1972 air-conditioning and new carpet was installed.
In 1966 the congregation designated the last Sunday of the month as Missionary Sunday and an outreach committee was appointed. In 1976 missionary giving was increased to $200 per month.
Pastor George and Levon Constant accepted the pastorate in 1976. Pledges rolled in to remodel the parsonage. With carpentry experience, he joined forces with our men to create a more comfortable home for them without need for a mortgage.
The first farmer’s day made history in 1976. No neckties were allowed, but Pastor George didn’t think it applied to him. Dick Saddoris provided the scissors to enforce the dress code. The largest attendance on record is 168 in 1979.
In April 1978, the Ladies Aid hosted a breakfast at the church with the Sanner Chapel ladies as guests. Approximately 100 attended the mother-daughter banquet in May.
Florence Gregory served 16 years as our janitor in 1978. Pastor George and Levon took over the responsibility. He installed new lights in the basements and blinds in the sanctuary.
Bowling started for the men’s church league August 1979 in the new bowling alley in Moweaqua. They won the playoffs in 1986.
Horace and Stella celebrated their golden anniversary at LGC in Dec 1979 with 29 family members present for worship and nearly 200 came for the afternoon reception. Their son-in-law, Rev Chas Jacobs brought the morning message.
In March 1985, the council approved the purchase of 2.29 acres south and east of the church that had come available for $9160.
In July of 1981, the church was to have a new roof. The work began with tragedy as contractor, Wendell Minor, fell from the bell tower to his death.
In 1983, the youth participated in a Bible-Read-A-Thon. They raised $227.05 and placed 3rd in the contest. Mary Jo Mahon read the most chapters.
By 1985, the new fellowship hall construction was complete. The first activity was the annual oyster supper. Overflow sanctuary and three classrooms were part of the expansion project.
Children from the church appeared on the TV’s “Get On Board” program with Miss Jill in June 1985.
In 1896 the Missionary Society quarterly dues were $1.00. In 1905, the motion was passed to save all eggs collected on Sunday for the missionary cause for the quarter.
From a record book of the Ladies Aid in 1935: Load of corn husked by six women for $22.50. All projects were to help the needy and in church and parsonage improvements.
The communion table still used today was given in memory of James D. McKay by his wife Grace. Brass candlesticks and cross were given to the church in memory of Jack Pinkston, a men’s Sunday School teacher and friend to all in the community for many years. The bronze bible stand was in memory of Clarence and Edith Cole. The bronze vases were in memory of Flossie Hawley.
The brass hanging cross suspended in our sanctuary was given in memory of Dick Saddoris who served as Sunday school superintendent in 1978. The wooden lighted cross was in memory of Neal Jordan who was active in FFA, 4-H and youth group.
The first P.A. system was given in memory of Walter Cole. The electronic screen was given in memory of John H. Jordan, organs were given in memory of Chester Mathias, and later of Emerson and Genevieve Mathias.
The library bookshelf was given in memory of Hazel Jordan; the memorial book display case and kneeling bench in memory of Charles Weakly, the choir music bookcase in memory of Lynn Eirhart, and the foyer table and registry in memory of Stella Jordan.
When visiting the church of her childhood one morning, Amy Bridgman Dugan took a fall on the steps leading into the sanctuary. In her will she gave the church a generous gift to make the entrance easier to access. We are thankful for all those who gave for building improvements in memory of loved ones.
In 1986 the bible school kickoff was held at Scovill Zoo. This was the first year bible school was held in the evenings allowing several working mothers to help.
In 1987 an ordination service was held here for Brent Winters who had been called to Navy chaplaincy service.
January 1989 began with receiving nine new members into the fellowship and three baptisms at Little Flock. Average attendance here was 63 for morning worship.
A monthly missionary march was designated in 1989 for offering and devotions. A mission fair on family night drew a crowd of 75 with foods from different countries, tables and costumes, a children’s poster contest and parade of flags. The first Navajo night for Flagstaff was in 1989.
The Christmas cantata, “Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace”, was finally performed in February 1991 after weeks of bad weather.
Marvin and Betty Jordan traveled to Flagstaff Mission in 1990 to deliver quilts and bags made by the women of the church. Larry and Linda Cole stuffed their van with clothes, curriculum and a check for the new Dennehotso church at Flagstaff in 1994.
Worship services were held at Lazy S Timber at Henton for the annual Sunday school picnic for several years beginning in 1994 until the owner decided not to rent the facilities because of insurance reasons. Everyone enjoyed the fishing, boating, swimming, eating and great outdoors
Thanksgiving evening 1897 the missionary society held an oyster supper. Expense was $2.05. In 1900 an ice cream supper they made $6.75 which was sent to India Relief fund.
In 1987 the Ladies Aid and Missionary Society combined forces and goals. There was a churchwide contest on a new name for this group, and they were known as Women United. The women began meeting in the evenings in 1992 to allow working women to attend.
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