Submitted by Laurie Selpien
More information about the church is in the book "Olive Branch Baptist Church: Records, Wayne City, Illinois, 1873-1910", by Hazel Neff (see books 4 sale).
WAYNE COUNTY RECORD
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1952
OLIVE BRANCH CHURCH HISTORY COVERS THREE GENERATIONS
O.C. DRAPER DIGS INTO EARLY RECORDS TO SHOW HOW
CHURCH NEAR WAYNE CITY WAS BUILT ON WORK, FAITH
(BASED ON MATERIAL COMPILED BY O.C. DRAPER)
One of the fine old Wayne County churches that, through more than three generations has made its solid and substantial contributions to the moral strength of this area, is the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, six miles southeast of Wayne City.
It was on June 27, 1873, only a few years after the Civil War, that a a group of settlers in the South Wayne County met at the Morlan School to create a church.
THOSE PEOPLE, as do their successors today, recognized the vital need of a strong church, spreading its influence for good throughout the area.
The Morlan School was located south of what was then known as Old Baltimore, a pre-Civil War trading post in the section known as Frog Island.
Settlers meeting on the spring day organized the United Baptist Church which later became the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church. They had a little idea their efforts would bear fuit down through the years.
The value of their contributions and of those who have kept the church alive and strong through each new generation, can never be measured.
THROUGH THE YEARS, the church has functioned continuously. Soon after the organization a building was erected on the half-acre plot which is the site of the present beautiful and modern place of worship.
The first church building lasted only a few years. Sometime near midwinter of 1886 fire of unknown origin burned it to the ground. But those early founders were hard to discourage.
IN THE NEXT summer Elder William Mayberry appointed a building committee to plan a new building on the same site. Members were the Rev. E.P. Richards, R.A. Jenkins and William Draper. It was this building that now serves the Olive Branch congregation.
THE NEW CHURCH, under direction of the building committee, like the original place of worship, was built by thrifty and determined members and layman. Donations of cash, labor, lumber and other materials made it possible.
The frame was of hardwood interior walls and ceilings of pine, the floor of rough lumber and the seats were home made of rough lumber.
Large wood box stoves, one on either side of the church, were mounted on brick bases. There were four windows on either side to provide abundant light. there were none at the front or rear. Two doors were at the front.
TODAY THIS fine old church with numerous improvements stands straight and proud, carrying on the tradition of service to its organization. it is regarded as one of the most attractive church buildings in the vicinity.
IN THE SUMMER of 1899 members and friends of the church once more donated cash, labor and materials, this time for a belfry, close the old doors on either side of the front, and install new double doors.
In the third story of the belfry a huge new country church bell was installed, a noted bell that still peals out its message over the countryside, its thrilling tones preclaiming the advancement of a great cause, the spiritual salvation of the human race.
IN RECENT YEARS another addition has been made to the church, this time to the east end. This section now provides ample room for the pulpit, piano, choir, and visiting ministers. Another addition has been made on the north side, extending the full length of the building. This addition can be closed off for the classrooms or opened for large congregations.
For nearly 80 years the work of the church has been carried on by faithful workers, all of whose names could never be listed in even a lengthy news account.
BUT SOME can be listed. The certificate of organization was signed by Elder E.W. Overstreet moderator; J.W. Mateer and J.L. Overstreet, first trustees: William L. Draper, president; E.P. Richardson, clerk and R.A. Jenkins, treasurer.
Some of the early pastors were: E.W. Overstreet, J. M. Mateer, William Mayberry, Daniel Ballard, J.B. Smith, T. W. Dickey, William Standifer, J.H. Voliva, E.P. Richardson, I.O. Simpson, Ambrose Mayberry, and J.P. Richardson.
THESE MINISTERS, of course, served the congregation without the aid of cars, hard roads or telephones. They rode miles on horseback over poor roads through winter gales to preach "THE WORD" to help build what has become in fourscore years a noted and sacred spot in the hearts and minds of late generations.
SOME OF THE LATER Baptist ministers serving this area were Elders George W. Hall, H.H. Mayberry, Roy Richardson, T.B. Draper, N.A. Williams, John T. Baker, Otis Fenton, Willie Gammon, Ennis Mayberry, Archie Akers, Loyd Trotter, Bobby Gene Trotter, Harold Hagel and present pastor and moderator, Oakley Miller of Sims.
In the early days of the church everyone went to church either on foot or on horseback or of clumsy farm wagons. In the winter, quilts, made at quilting bees, were spread on hay in the wagons and provided comfort for children and adults.
DURING PROTRACTED meetings sometimes extending into the late night hours, quilts, blankets and coats placed in a corner or on a bench made cozy beds for the children.
Back in the 1880's and 1890's Saturday afternoon church services were the rule. Frequently there would be services on Saturday afternoon, Saturday night and sunday morning.
O.C. Draper, a member for 50 years recalls: " I well remember the kind of clothes I and many other boys wore to services. Included homemade cotton pants, homemade calico shirt and a tencent pair of suspenders. The whole outfit would not have weighed eight ounces. No shoes of any kind in the summer months, just bare feet, but clean. No dirty feet went to church".
THERE WAS no organ or piano in those days. Worshipers sang, prayed and preached and everyone was happy the year round.
It was a wonderful age in which to live, probably no greater if as great as the present age, but with much less speed and high tension nerves. This friends is an incomplete record of the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, but let us remember the ideas of the founders and the faithful work of all those who have been a part of this church since it organization.
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