Author tells church story
Shannon Walter
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: TruLife
The merger of the two churches happened in 1906 when the pastor of Cumberland resigned. Their members were invited to the old First Presbyterian, and they began to worship together.
Jeanette Hartje is a current member who has been very involved in the church as a deacon, an elder and a member of the congregation since 1957.
"When I first became a member, the sanctuary extended in the front where the choir used to sit, and the organ was there," Hartje said. "The organ pipes were exposed, and it was really beautiful."
The church has added on to the original building several times, according to "The History of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirksville, Mo." In 1922, much of the construction was completed, and in 1923 the new sanctuary, activities area, Sunday school classrooms, offices, a kitchen and restrooms were completed.
"We have added on so many different times," Hartje said. "So now the brick doesn't match perfectly, and the newest portion of the building is a huge maze."
The newest addition, known as the Traver's Addition, was constructed in 1985 to the back end of the church. The wing has classrooms, a kitchenette, restrooms and easy access from the parking lot for elderly members.
Mary Giovannini grew up as a member of the church. She said that much has changed throughout the years but it has been interesting to watch the church through its ups and downs.
"When I was growing up in the '50s, we had a wonderful minister," Giovannini said. "I still hear stories about him from people in town that don't even attend this church."
Walter's book contains the church's history from 1846 to 2006. In the back of the book, stories and occurrences that didn't fit in other places are listed by year.
According to Walter's book, "an interesting episode occurred in the fall of 1989 when someone noticed that the crosses in two of the stained glass sections of the doors to the main entrance were upside down. The anonymous person donated money to have them corrected."
"We wonder how long they had been like that," Walter said.
The church has a service and Sunday school classes every Sunday and welcomes to new members, students and visitors.
Jeanette Hartje is a current member who has been very involved in the church as a deacon, an elder and a member of the congregation since 1957.
"When I first became a member, the sanctuary extended in the front where the choir used to sit, and the organ was there," Hartje said. "The organ pipes were exposed, and it was really beautiful."
The church has added on to the original building several times, according to "The History of the First Presbyterian Church of Kirksville, Mo." In 1922, much of the construction was completed, and in 1923 the new sanctuary, activities area, Sunday school classrooms, offices, a kitchen and restrooms were completed.
"We have added on so many different times," Hartje said. "So now the brick doesn't match perfectly, and the newest portion of the building is a huge maze."
The newest addition, known as the Traver's Addition, was constructed in 1985 to the back end of the church. The wing has classrooms, a kitchenette, restrooms and easy access from the parking lot for elderly members.
Mary Giovannini grew up as a member of the church. She said that much has changed throughout the years but it has been interesting to watch the church through its ups and downs.
"When I was growing up in the '50s, we had a wonderful minister," Giovannini said. "I still hear stories about him from people in town that don't even attend this church."
Walter's book contains the church's history from 1846 to 2006. In the back of the book, stories and occurrences that didn't fit in other places are listed by year.
According to Walter's book, "an interesting episode occurred in the fall of 1989 when someone noticed that the crosses in two of the stained glass sections of the doors to the main entrance were upside down. The anonymous person donated money to have them corrected."
"We wonder how long they had been like that," Walter said.
The church has a service and Sunday school classes every Sunday and welcomes to new members, students and visitors.
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