Franklin Baptist Church Open House Well Attended

Seymour Herald - 14 July 2011

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  A large number of persons attended the open house at the Franklin Baptist Church of Livingston in Franklin Township, Appanoose County, IA, Sunday afternoon, July 10.

  The church has recently been renovated and restored using as much of the original church as was possible with era specific renovation where needed.

  During removal of the old floor covering, the original baptistery was discovered and was opened for display during the open house. The bell, which is housed in the bell tower, was rung at the beginning of the event. The pews used in the building were gifts from the Numa Christian Church when it closed several years ago. Gifts of a 1913 era pump reed organ and a communion table which were used in the 1860s Heartland Church from north of Ottumwa were given by Richard and Faye Mullenix of Red Oak. The Mullenixes were present at the open house. Mrs. Mullenix played hymns on the organ during the afternoon and at times accomanied her husband and Don and Art Bryant as they sang.

  Plans are for the building to be used for church activities and other events in the future.

Livingston Baptist Church Open House, 10 July 2011

The Seymour Herald - 23 June 2011

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  The Franklin Baptist Church at the former Village of Livingston has been undergoing major restoration and renovation. Construction is nearing completing and an open house has been planned for July 10, 2011, from 2-4 p.m. after Church in the Park and lunch during Seymour's Old Settler's celebration.

  The church is located east of Seymour on J46 about three miles to 135th Avenue then south about three miles.

Franklin Baptist Church 

at former Village of Livingston

  The church building was built in 1880 and dedicated in 1881. The Franklin Baptist Church served as a spiritual and moral guide to the neighborhood of Livingston for many years. Services ceased to be held there in the early 1970s.

  The church has been recognized and listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to the life of Livingston Parker and his involvement and service to this church, community and country. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in this building in a two-day ordination service after he served in the Civil War.

  The empty building began to decay until it was rescued from its demise at the turn of this century. It has now been restored and is ready to be dedicated.

  The renovation features an 8 foot wooden cross on the interior of the church at the east end. The baptistery has been preserved and will be open for inspection.

  Pews, which were a gift from the Numa Christian Church when it closed, are being installed in the sanctuary. A replica of the original bell tower has been constructed and a large melodious bell has been installed in the bell tower. Although the church was not originally wired for electricity, the church building now has electric lights (with period fixtures), ceiling fans and heating panels along the sides of the sanctuary. The vaulted ceiling and walls had to be renovated but the original wainscoting has been preserved.

  It is planned that the church will be used for church services, homecomings, weddings, funerals and other special events.

  Historic Livingston Foundation welcomes everyone to come see this historic building.

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  See earlier articles posted in The Jerome Journal:  Franklin Baptist Church in Livingston and Town of Livingston in Franklin Township.

Franklin Baptist Church in Livingston

Seven Generations Have Worshiped in Franklin Church

-- Now 100 Years Old

  Although a celebration and homecoming are planned for summer or fall, the 100th anniversary of Franklin Baptist church in Franklin township, Appanoose county, is today, April 12 [1962]. The church stands about seven miles southeast of Seymour and once was part of the town known as Livingston.

  The history of the church was prepared and sent to The Herald by Mrs. Clara Hatfield, 804 W. Jackson, Centerville.

  (Clyde Pettit of Seymour says that three of the founders of the church were his grandparents, Noah and Judy Pettit, and his father, J. H. Pettit. Other descendants of the founders live in the Seymour area.)

  A meeting was called at the home of Peter Angle April 12, 1862, for the purpose of organizing a church. The home of Peter Angle was about 3 1/2 miles west and 1/2 mile north of where the church now stands. This was also used for their place of worship until May 17, 1864, when it was changed to the E. O. Smith home.

  The constituent members were R. G. Chapin, Peter Angle, Noah Pettit, Judy Pettit and J. H. Pettit. R. G. Chapin was appointed deacon and Noah Pettit, clerk. It was moved and carried that his organization be called "The Franklin Baptist Church."

  Feb. 1, 1863, J. W. Bolster accepted the call as the first pastor, conducting a revival meeting in which many souls were saved.

  In 1866, L. G. Parker was the first preacher ordained to preach from this organization. The place of worship was also changed to the home of L. G. Parker in 1880.  ...years later the Livingston school house was built and it was used for the place of worship.

  Feb. 8, 1880, the congregation appointed a committee consisting of Bros. Allen Pettit, R. A. Huxtable, and L. G. Parker to make plans to erect a church and dedicate it to God's service.

  Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Smith sold and deeded to the trustees 1 3/4 acres of ground for the sum of $50. The trustees were as follows: L. G. Parker, Allen Pettit, R. B. Wilkinson, I. W. Stevens, E. O. Smith, R. A. Huxtable and George Noe.

  Rev. E. A. Spring, being pastor at this time, agreed to preach for $375. One hundred of this was to be paid in house rent, coal, wood, pork, lard, flour and such things as were needed to supply his family.

  Feb. 5, 1881, the group met in the new church for its business and covenant meeting.  On Feb. 17, 1883, the building committee was discharged. Rev. C. Lippit was pastor.

  These are among the families who assisted in the good work:  Angles, Pettits, Stevens, Wilkinsons, Melsons, Parkers, Bells, Albers, Bales, McCabes, Condras, Smiths, Chapins, Noes and others.

  Some of the pastors were: J. W. Holster, L. G. Parker, Turten, Archer, Benton, Sutton, E. A. Spring, C. Lippit, S. H. Gum, A. E. Clemens, William Beard, G. W. Smith, J. F. Catlin, Stevenson, R. F. Legrand, Isaac Cochran, A. W. Miller, Pete Thomas, H. Robison, Glenn Reed, Fred Dieiderick, W. M. Cleeton, Glade Yost, Caleb Ball, Sidney Sloan, John Ver Steegt, Virgil Baily, Edwin Cline, Glenn Hall, Eugene Boyer, and Kermitt Gladfelder, who is present pastor.

  Men who have been deacons include Peter Angle, R. G. Chapin, J. W. Stevens, Allen Pettit, William Condra, R. B. Wilkinson, Peter Bales, W. A. Fox, John Barr, E. R. Bell, A. B. Crouch, Ray Leonard, John M. Jones, Gaylon McAnelly, John Reed, John Hibbs, James Fisk, Connie Clinkenteard, Harry Wray and Forest Elliott, Edgar Fisk, Eddie Steeth and Roger Lewis are now acting deacons.

  Clerks have included Noah Pettit, Lane Angle, R. G. Chapin, J. W. Stevens, J. H. Pettit, Nickolas Angle, A. L. Davidson, S. N. Bell, R. B. Wilkinson, J. C. Putnam, E. R. Bell, Della Bell, C. H. Boden, Luella Draper, Helen Stoner Burkhiser and Clara Kimm Hatfield, present clerk. Luella Draper was church clerk for 37 years.

  During these 100 years other denominations have used the church for their place of worship. Since 1862 the seventh generation from Peter Angle is worshipping with this congregation now. It has been 80 years since the church building was built.

  A number of preachers were ordained from this church and a number of weddings have been solemnized in the church. A girl who was a member of this church and her husband are now missionaries in Japan.

  "I believe I am correct in saying that a Thompson was head carpenter when the church was built," Mrs. Hatfield writes. "Many changes have taken place. The greatest is the changing of kerosene lamps to electricity."

  "If you name is not listed as an officer, do not feel bad because some of the more humble had as much to do with making this a success as the officers have. And may we all say this verse as a prayer in all humbleness and sincerity: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in they sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.  Psalms 19:14."

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  Transcribed from a newspaper clipping from The Seymour Herald of 12 April 1962 included in the Scrapbook of Louise Harl - Item #9 on the FHL Film #1007930.