Oakland

(Marysville)

(1868-)

Christian Family Companion Sept. 27, 1870 page 605 Vol. VI No. 38

  Brother Holsinger: Allow me to say through the Companion that we had the pleasure of a visit from elder Jesse Crosswhite and Joseph Sherfey for several days, and the brethren here thought it a good opportunity to organize our church more fully and elect a deacon.  With solemn prayer they proceeded to an election, by which brother J. W. Byrne was chosen.  We then agreed to hold a love-feast, and we trust all the members returned home more fully resolved to live nearer to God than ever.  We have now eleven members with good prospects for the future.  And now, if any brethren in the north wish to avail themselves of our fine climate, they may rest assured that they will find loving hearts here to receive them.   S. Z. Sharp.

Brethren at Work Oct. 21, 1876 page 4 No. 1 No. 5

From Tennessee,

Oakland Church, Blount Co., Tenn.

Dear Brethren: — With your consent, I will give a sketch of this missionary field, for such, in fact, it is. We are on the South-western border of the Brotherhood striving to bold forth free and unadulterated gospel. Six years ago there was not an organized church within sixty miles of this place, and scarcely a brother within fifty miles. At that time this church was organized, numbering eight members: and soon after we began the building of a church thirty-five by forty feet, well lighted, ceiled and seated; all of which was done when the entire assets of all the members amounted to less than one-fourth of what is possessed by a "well to do" brother in the North. We received some help from brethren at a distance, but the main burden remained on us.

  We felt very happy when we had a place where to worship, which we could call our own and where could enjoy each other’s society. Others came from without to enjoy our happiness with us, and all seemed bright before us, but Satan envied us, and raised up foes without and trouble within, and we had to have our days of sorrow and humiliation of which our Savior himself did not escape. But our general progress has been steadily onward. The doctrine of the Brethren is well grounded among the people here.

Last Saturday, Sept. 30th, we had our Love-feast, when several precious souls were added to the church. Brethren Abram Molshee, aud Jno. Colliuns labored very effectively among us during that time, and deep impressions were made upon the people. Many were almost persuaded, and shed bitter tears. We pray that God may bless the work as well as the instruments by which It was done. S. Z, Sharp

Brethren at Work Nov. 15, 1877 page 8 Vol. II No. 46

From Oakland – Dear Brethren: — Until recently we were on the Southwestern border of brotherhood. Our church organization is about seven years old, have forty-three members, twelve of whom were added during this year, and prospects good. Organized will, eight members and began the building of a church 35 by 40 foot. This church was built with but very little aid from others, and at a time when the entire assets of all the members were less than $5000. . Instead of relying on other churches  for help, we (five brethren) shouldered our axes and week after prepared the time and pit up the building, a neat frame structure and one of the most comfortable in the State.

  Our pathway at first was rough and sometimes perplexing, but we had our seasons of refreshing. Ministerial labor mostly confined to one until recently. This Autumn we had two Love-feast just two weeks apart. The effect on the members and outsiders was very good. In our church all wash feet, yet we can closed at 8 o’clock, P. M., and treat of all the subject in the usual order. 

  This is the last day of October and the weather is still mild. Roasting ears and watermelons can still be found and the forest still wears its Summer mantle, only somewhat changed in hue to more crimson and god. The birds from the North are sojourning with us now. To-day a sportsmen brought down ten plovers at two shots

S. Z. Sharp.

Primitive Christian May 29, 1883 page 350 Vol. XXI No. 22

From Tennessee.

Dear Primitive:

  Oakland church, Blount Co., Tenn., was favored with a visit from Elder F. W. Dove, of Washington Co., Tenn., who held a series of meetings. A church meeting was called the 28th of April, to set the church in working order, and an election was held to strengthen the ministry. The choice fell on brethren John Bowman, and John E. Klepper. May they faithfully discharge their duties, in preaching the Gospel of Christ, to a sin ruined and dying world. There was, also, an election for deacons. The choice fell on brethren Thomas Krous, Eddie Bowman, and Thomas Marsh. All being duly enstalled and assigned to their work, they seemed to revive the church and awaken her latent energies to a new life, to march on in her spiritual progress, to higher aims, and nobler aspirations for that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. There is a large field here, white and ready to harvest, and the laborers are few. There are many brethren living in places where land is high, and they are not able to buy, but must rent, and pay high rates. Here, land is low, where brethren, with small means, could purchase a few acres, more or less, and make a pleasant little home, and help us to build up the church. Brother Dove labored at two points, Oakland and Miser's station, preached fifteen sermons, with much interest manifested by old and young. Much good seed was sown in the hearts of the people, and we hope some fruit may be gathered in time. There were no accessions to the church by baptism, though some were reclaimed. His last sermon was the funeral of the aged sister, Elizabeth Krous who died while he was with us. She was 81 years of age, lacking one week, living with her son Nathaniel T. Krous, an eminent physician, a dutiful son to his aged and affectionate mother.

D B. Klepper.

The Gospel Messenger Nov. 6, 1883 page 276 Vol 21 No. 44

From Blount Co., Tenn.—Oct. 15.

Dear Brethren:—

   Our Love-feast came off a week ago; all in union and harmony; four were baptized, making in all eleven persons since the middle of July, and prospects for more additions.

  The Oakland church met the second Saturday of September last, and organized a church at Miser's Station, with twenty- two members. Bro. John Bowman is their minister, and brethren Thomas Kraus, Eddie Bowman, Thomas Marsh and Dr. N. Kraus their deacons. Two members have been added since, making twenty-four in all, leaving thirty in the Oakland church, with two ministers and two deacons. There seems to be an increasing demand for the Gospel doctrine, as held forth by the Brethren. Some twelve years ago, Bro. S. Z. Sharp came to this county, and a church was organized at Oakland with a few members, Bro. Sharp their minister, afterwards made their Elder. He was a faithful and active worker in the glorious cause of Christianity and education. His mind was turned towards northwestern fields of labor. His mission being ended here, we were left in a feeble condition to grapple with the enemies of truth; but, through the blessing of God, the little vine at Oakland is beginning to spread its branches into all directions. D. B. Klepper. 

 The Gospel Messenger July 24, 1915 page 474 Vol. 64 No. 30

The Oakland Church.

  In answer to a call for information regarding the history of the Oakland church, Blount County, Tenn., we are able to present the following: Aug. 19, 1868, Bro. S. Z. Sharp and family located at Maryville, Tenn., about one hundred miles beyond the nearest church of the Brethren, and at once engaged in teaching. He also began preaching in the country schoolhouses, and in the neighboring towns in churches, where the ministers had been driven away during the war. His circuit embraced about sixteen miles, and sometimes be went as far as fifty miles. A few months later Bro. John Bowman and wife, Bro. Ira Vaughn and wife, and Joseph Frye and wife, of Sullivan County, Tenn., and Bro. J. C.

Yoder, of Pennsylvania, also located at the same place. In the fall of 1868, Eld. Joseph Wine, of Blountville, and Eld. Abraham Molsbee, of Hawkins County, came to Maryville to organize the few members there into a church. Brethren John Bowman and Joseph Frye were elected deacons and, with their wives, installed into office. At the same time Bro. Sharp was ordained to the eldership and placed in charge of the church. In the autumn of 1869 the church decided to build a churchhouse, forty by forty-four feet in dimensions. Bro. Sharp paid for all the material necessary, and the four brethren named erected the building, with only one day's work donated by an outsider. The house was well finished and seated.

   The next year Bro. J. W. Byrne, a well-educated man, who came to assist Bro. Sharp in his teaching, was elected to the office of deacon. New members were added by baptism, and also by immigration, so that, at the end of ten years, sixty-five members were enrolled. Bro. N. B. Sherfy, while attending school at Maryville, was elected to the ministry. He is now an elder in Blountville, Tenn. Next, Christian Detweiler was called to the ministry. He has now gone to his reward. Later Bro. A. G, Crosswhite, now pastor at Roaring Spring, Pa., while attending school at Maryville, was elected to the ministry. Bro. Sharp was professor in Maryville College, a Presbyterian Institution, when he was elected president of Ashland College, Ohio. He left the Oakland church in care of Eld. Jesse Crosswhite, and went to Ohio, to take charge of the college.

The Gospel Messenger Jan. 1, 1921 page 11

From the Limestone, Tennessee

 At our Mission board, Dec. 2, it was decided that one of our number go to Blount County, Tenn., to investigate the conditions of our church property. Having a call to come to Maryville.  I left Dec. 11 for Knoxville, where Bro. Bailey was ready to take me to this home. Arrangements were made for service and baptism, which was at Babcock, in the suburbs of Maryville. The preaching service on Sunday morning was the first meeting of our people. In the afternoon two young brethren and three sisters were baptized. These were converted at the recent meeting, held a Beaver Creek, Knox County, by Bro. Laughrun.  We have several families of members in that community now. Monday morning Bro. G. A. Bailey, with his car, took me to the Old Oakland church, sic miles from Maryville. The church is in a dilapidated condition – much worse than when I was there a few years ago.

  It was here that Bro. S. Z. Sharp came, after the war, when conditions were bad, as both armies had their part in destruction.  Bro. Sharp was a school-man and a church-man. He realized what the conditions were, here in the Southland, and came to help. He was one of the best educators, but he did more – as he was first in organizing a church and building a house in which to worship. It was in the early seventies, as the deed was made in 1874. The house is a frame building. No services have been held there for the last few years. We have only a few members there now, though once there was a good membership.

  At our last District Conference the business of church property at Oakland was placed in the hands of the Mission Board, to do with it as they may consider advisable.   P. D. Reed

The Gospel Messenger March 3, 1923 page 134 Vol. 72 No. 9

The subject of slavery in East Tennessee—one part of the people sympathizing with the North and the other with the South—divided families, churches and lodges. When a principal for the school was proposed who sympathized with the South, the Northern sympathizers objected and vice versa.

  Under these circumstances, when I proposed to lease the school buildings, I was well received by the trustees, but they wanted a little time for consultation.  In the meantime they wrote to Lancaster City, Pa., to one of their lodges, to ascertain what my position was during the war and as to the attitude of my church toward the Civil War. When they found out that our church took no part in the war, they were quite willing to lease the school building to me. Here is one instance when the position of the Brethren, on the subject of war, was to their honor and advantage.

  All the time I lived in the South, I was on friendly terms with both parties. They rented me the building for one term on trial, and then offered to lease it to me for twenty-five years. I kept it for a few years until a system of public schools was adopted. Then I accepted a professorship in Maryville College.

  A few weeks after I came to Maryville, I found so many churches unoccupied, that I rented a horse every Sunday to preach in one of the churches within a radius of sixteen miles. The attendance was good, but the horrors of war, had a hardening effect on the minds of the people. Despite that, I had some success, and before the end of the year I had enough members to organize a church. Two elders from upper East Tennessee came to organize it. Two deacons were elected and the minister was ordained to the eldership. This was in 1868.

  The members thought we must have a church of our own, in which our doctrine could be preached without any restriction. Here is an example of what may be done by determination and self-sacrifice. All the members were poor. The value of the property, owned by the entire congregation, did not amount to over thirty-five hundred dollars.

  My father-in-law owned some land in the neighborhood of Maryville, and from him I obtained an acre of land, and timber to build a church. Three of the members were carpenters. They cut the logs, hewed and framed them into the building. I paid for all the lumber, windows and hardware. The church was forty by forty-four feet in size—well-built and furnished. After it was dedicated, we held a love feast our doctrine being new, we had a crowded house that evening. My school-work and the support of my family kept me very busy, which prevented me from holding a protracted meeting, yet I succeeded in enrolling sixty-five members, while I stayed in the South.

Fruita, Colo.