Patterson Church

(1911-)

The Gospel Messenger June 17, 1911 page 384

Patterson. – Brethren J. W. Deardorff, J. C. Seibert, and L. E. Miller, from Empire, Cal., came over June 3 to organize our little band of members into a church body (eleven in numbers) We chose Bro. Deardorff as our elder, and Bro. W. F. Haynes as foreman. We also elected our Sunday-school officers for the next six months.  Bro. O. S. Gilbert is our superintendent.  We decided to hold Christian Workers’ Meetings, with the writer as president. Bro. E. C. Overholtzer came June 3, and on the evening of June 4 began a series of meetings, to continue at least two weeks, to close with a love feast.  June 4 our little chapel building was dedicated.  Bro. J. C. Seibert delivered.  Bro. J. C. Seibert delivered the discourse. – Etta B. Haynes, Patterson, Cal., June 6.

The Gospel Messenger June 24, 1911 page 396

Empire. – By action of the Empire church a new congregation was organized at Patterson June 4, this place is abut thirty miles west of Empire.  This is the first division of our territory. We regret to be separated from the dear members which at Patterson, yet we are glad for the growth and prospects which, for the time being, to hold their services.  Plans are also being made for the erection of a churchhouse as soon as it is considered proper to do so.  There are twelve members living at Patterson, and several letters are to be read yet. A minister and a deacon are now living there. Bro. Leavell, a minister, recently located at Denair, twelve miles south of Empire.  This is another mission point of the congregation, where we hope to organize a church in the near future.  We are glad for the growing condition of the Empire church, was decided that the Sunday-school have a program on the Fourth of July. – Myrtle M. Julius, R. D.  Box 213, Modesto, Cal., June 15.

The Gospel Messenger May 25, 1912 page 334 Vol. 61 No. 21

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PATTERSON CHURCH, CAL.

Two years ago, last November, the writer and his family moved to the Patterson colony before any of the land was for sale. Not being able to even buy a town lot, we were given the right, by the foreman of the large wheat ranch, as it then was, to build a " shack," as the western people call it. This is but a small dwelling-house, in comparison with the ones which the eastern people occupy. We built this along the main canal, about one mile from town. Here we lived during the long winter months, without the privilege of religious worship of any kind. Our nearest church was at Empire,—a distance of twenty-seven miles.

   May 12, 1910, Bro. J. W. Deardorff and two other brethren, of Empire, came to us. With their help we organized a Sunday-school. Bro. D. D. Hufford, of Rossville, Ind., who was here at that time, was chosen as superintendent, and served in that office until he went to his home in Indiana.

  Preceding all this, we had rented a tent in which to hold our services. Then we decided to have preaching every two weeks in the evening. Many a time the writer has preached to an audience of two. This we kept up until late in the fall and winter.

  Bro. J. J. Reppert, of Cerro Gordo, 111., Bro. O. S, Gilbert, of Butte Valley, Cal., and Bro. B. W. Hayes, of Legrand, Cal., then located here. These .brethren, with their families, swelled our membership to the number of eleven. By that time our tent was too small and almost worn out, and we decided to build a more convenient place of worship. With the solicited funds and donated work we decided to erect a house 28x40. This was completed by June 3, when we met for church organization. Brethren J. W. Deardorff, J. C. Seibert and Miller came from the Empire church. With Bro. Seibert officiating at the meeting, we were organized into a working body, Bro. Deardorff being chosen as elder in charge. Sunday morning, June 4, we dedicated our church, Bro. Seibert preaching the sermon for the occasion.

  The first series of meetings in the church at Patterson was conducted by Bro. E. C. Overholtzer, and one was added to our number. Other members moved in and two more were added by baptism. We now have thirty-nine members. W. F. Haynes.

Patterson, Cal., May 7.