Plattsburg Church

(Smith Fork, Walnut Grove)

(1866-) (1874-1950?)

Christian Family Companion, Vol. II, No. 50, p. 401, December 18, 1866

   Brother Holsinger: On the 29th of Nov. Brother David Brower and brother John Thomas, from Iowa, came here and had meeting on the evening of the 27th, at the house of brother P. B. Shoemaker, about 6 miles from Plattsburg. On the evening of the 28th at Fairview School-house; a large congregation and good order. 29th, One added to the church by baptism; also same evening, had meeting; the brethren spoke in demonstration of the spirit, which caused two more souls to turn in with the followers of the Savior, and were baptized. On the 30th, meeting day and evening, ad on the 2nd at 11 o’clock A, M. One more added by baptism. Meeting in the evening. The brethren then took their leave for home. It was a hard thing to part with those brethren who labored among us during this series of meetings, and accomplished so much good. Many more are convinced and convicted that the doctrine that is preached by the Brethren is right, but as we have no speaker I fear they will grow cold again. I have been at a great many meetings, and when they were over I felt loath to part, but there were still some more appointed, but when this meeting broke up there was more appointed. But we hope and pray that the Lord will send us a minister, as we are in great need at present. Oh, dear brethren, think of us who live here in the far West. We have an organized church here; it was organized on the 4th of August last; it is called the Smith Fork branch; there are 23 members in this congregation.

   We hope that the brethren will remember us who are in need of a speaker. Everything is peaceable and in a flourishing condition at present, and has been ever since we are in the State.

   From your weak, yet sincere brether [sic] in the Lord,                      

                                                                                     Wm. B. SELL.

   Plattsburg, Mo.

Christian Family Companion Sept. 6, 1870 page 556

 This Church is in the northern part of Clinton Co., Mo. The only Church building in the state belonging to the brethren, is situated 1 1/2 miles, north of Plattsburg, the  county seat of Clinton Co.  It is a large and commodious frame, with a stone basement, costing in all over $3000.  The ground for the church, (3 acres) was given to the Church by Isaac Shoemaker, who came here in the year 1845. - Himself, wife and daughter were the first members in the county.  Two of them, Isaac and his daughter Margaret, now lie buried in the churchyard.  The old sister yet lives and rejoices to see the small vine they planted, in this then a wilderness, growing stronger every day.  Brother Shoemaker preached here till 1854, then he was called home. For years after his death there was no preaching here, only by brethren traveling through the country. In 1866 the Church was partly organized by Elders Gish and Bower of Kansas.  A. Sell was elected Speaker.  George Sell and Jacob Spawn deacons.  But in 1867, 10 of the 22 here at the organization moved away - among them A. Sell. - Then D. D. Sell was called to the ministry. On the 21st and 22nd of May 1870, the church was filly  organized, by Leers Gish, and Haller of Kansas, and Leonard Furry of Pa. - D. D. Sell was elected to be elder, D. B. Gibson to the 2nd, and C. L. Hobbs to first degrees.  The deacons  are P. B. and J. Shoemaker, Geo. Sell, and Saml. Stretch.  The Church  is in a prospering condition, now numbering between 70 and 80.  The address of the above named speakers and deacons Plattsburg, Mo.

  J. S. McFadden 

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 19, 1921 page 721

Smith Fork. - Oct. 23 we held our love feast and communion service, with most of the membership present. Afterward an election was held for church officials, and all were installed into office. Bro. Truman Grogan was installed as into the ministry, and the following members into the deacon's office: Brethren T. W. Tracy, B. F. Bricker and Il L. Ellenberger and their wives. Bro. J. L. Zimmerman and wife were reinstalled. Bro. J. S. Kline, of St. Joseph, officiated at these services. - Ada Sell, Plattsburg, Mo., Nov. 6. 

The Gospel Messenger Sept. 9, 1916 page 589 Vol. 65 No. 37

THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SMITH FORK CHURCH, AT PLATTSBURG, MO.

On Thursday, Aug. 3, being the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Smith Fork church, near Plattsburg. Mo., an all-day meeting, with a very appropriate program, was held at the church. It was well attended by many of the community, as well as some former residents of this congregation. A basket dinner was served on long tables on the lawn, and all enjoyed the feast, with social intercourse for two hours. The program rendered was as follows:

  The morning hours, beginning at 10:30, were taken up with a " Retrospective or Historical View of the Church Work for Fifty Years," by Bro. D. D. Sell, who is the only one now living' of the twenty who went into the organization, and who has resided at this place continuously since the church was organized. It could be readily seen that many sacrifices and hardships had been endured to make it possible for us to enjoy our church home today. The growth has been steady. Today we have 135 members within the borders of this congregation. However, many have come in and gone out in these years. The organization was conducted in a log farm house, about four miles from the present church location, the church having been built two years later. Bro. Sell was chosen to serve in the ministry within the second year and went into active service at once, there being no resident minister here then. He was installed as elder a few months later and given full charge of the work, which he had held for almost forty years, giving it up as the afflictions and infirmities of age came upon him.

  Some of the work done in this church was the following: There were eleven brethren installed into the ministry, all in active service yet, except two who have gone to their reward. The ministers elected in this congregation are as follows: D. D. Sell was the first minister, elected in Missouri in October, 1867, received second degree four months later, was installed into the eldership on twenty-seventh birthday, May 23, 1870; D. B. Gibson, Cerro Gordo, III.; Chas. Hobbs, now dead; Samuel Stretch, now dead; J. E. Ellenberger, Polo, Mo.; G. W. Ellenberger, Mound City, Mo.; Win. Ellenberger, McClave, Colo.; E. A. Orr, Tacoma, Wash., still preaching, but for another denomination; Paul Mohler, Rossville, Ind.; Bruce Williams, Plattsburg, Mo.; Perry Williams, Chicago, 111. Thirteen deacons have been chosen and served the church here and elsewhere. Many active Sunday school workers and teachers have done a good part of building up the work. Twelve other ministers, besides those chosen here, have resided here arid done active service, but all have gone. The church has reached out a helping hand in all avenues of usefulness, assisting our colleges by endowments as well as other contributions. Missionary endeavor, Sunday-school activities and work of aiding the destitute has been done.

  "The Retrospective View" was followed by a "Vision of the Future Church or Prospective View," by Bro. Oliver Austin, who was conducting the revival services at this place. He pictured to us the great possibilities that the present membership, with all our talent and educational advantages, might accomplish through well directed and consecrated efforts. He also directed our minds to the needs of better building, equipment and trained leadership, with which to meet the needs of the future generation, now coming into the church. Bro. G. W, Ellenberger and wife, of Mound City, Mo., who have charge of the two churches in that locality, occupied most of the afternoon session. They were former residents here, and were chosen to serve in the ministry at this place. Their talks were much appreciated and enjoyed, as their part of the service was an inspiration at this particular time. Bro. Ellenberger's address on "Faith, Hope and Courage" was especially well directed, as he briefly referred to the past years and directed the minds of all to our present duty and future anticipations. Sister Ellenberger's message was directed to the mothers and daughters, and was of tenderest advice from a motherly heart.   

  Bro. C. A. Miller, pastor of the South St. Joseph church, closed the program by summing up all the work of the day in the real key-word of our mission as Christian people,—that of " Service."

   The afternoon service was interspersed with Intermediate and Junior Sunday-school " class songs."

  As we thus stand at the close of fifty years' work and look backward, we thank God for what has been done, and for the examples of godly men and women in the past. As we look into the future we pray that those of us who may remain, and try to serve here, may be used of him more to the extension of his Kingdom in this part of his vineyard. At present the church has for her pastor, Bro, D. H. Heckman, formerly of Quinter, Kans., with Bro. E. G. Rodabaugh, of Stet, Mo., as elder in charge. The work is moving along pleasantly and during the past year thirty have united with the church by baptism. Plattsburg, Mo., Aug. 24. Ada Sell.