Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-10-23
The Methodist Episcopal Church
of Dodge CITY.

Va DVuSO OASys
The announcement Of the dedication OF the
Methodist Episcopal church Of Dodge City, in an
other column Of the THss. has caused US to have
prepared this article at considerable cost of time
in research, to secure for the Methodist people q
history which no local record contains, and which
to most il not all of them, and the friends Of the
church Of this place, will be item Of interesting
news. The growth Of church is slow and its op-
positions sni discouragnents m,ny. The chang
ableness Of population in new place, has its ef-
feet on the church, and this the Dodge Methodists
have felt to the fullest extent. For convenience
We not only divide these scraps of history into
years but also into eras. representing the stages
through which history has brought this congrega-
ton Of worshipers.
FIRsT-PROsPECTING ERA-1S73 TO 1877.
1873. At session of the Kansas conference,
Rev. J. McQuiston wac made the presiding elder
Of the Wchits district, and in the list Of appoint
ments was "Dodge City, to be supplied In due
time Elder McQuiston appointed local preacher
named C. Vantressc, as pastor in charge, hut for
some cause, he never put in an appearance, and
at the end Of the year made no report to confer
enee.
1874. The State Of Kansas had been for eighteen
years in conference and this year it is divided
and the South Kansas organized. Allen Buckner,
the lighting chaplain" is appointed presiding
elder Of the Wichita district. The presiding
Bishop again recognizes Dodge City as an ap-
pOintment, bat leaves il last year ito be sup
Piled" Elder Buckner secured the services of
Rev. S. A. Newell, local preacher, and on June
18th, 1874 he organized ''eght ten persons in
to the first class. This was the beginning Of
church life in Dodge. Into this class came Metho-
dists, Presbyterians, and Baptists. This being the
first church organization in the city. all christian
people naturally came to it. \ covenant was sign
ed by which all who desired were to have letters
when other denominations were organized. Some
who are leading members Of the other churches
to-day, were ten years ago made welcome in the
original Dodge Methodist class. No report being
made at conference by The pastor, we cannot tell
of the success Of his labors. To-day QSs4) not
one Of the original band is left to Dodge Metho-
dism. Removals, other denominations, death and
the adversary Of the souls Of men, doing the des-
troying work.
1875. The conference appointed one Of its own
members, Rev. n. F. Upton, AZ pastor at Dodge.
He labored faithful year. and at conference re-
ported, six practitioners. ffty-hve MEMBERS one
adult and six infant baptisms, and pay in money
the sum Of $3.50, Of the 5000 promised.
1876. This year the Hutchinson district was Or
ganzed, and Rev. j. W. Fox made presiding elder.
For some cause the Bishop united Dodge City with
Larned, and Rev. C. Martindale was appointed to
the work. Mr.. Martindale resided in Larned, and
never came to Dodge, even for a visit. With no
leader the flock became scattered.
1877. This year all work west Of Larned was
connected with it. The name of Dodge is drop
ped from the minutes. Truman Weed is at Larned,
and does nothing to revive the dying enbers.
SECoND-TRANsIrORY ERA-1S7S TO 1882
1878. This year tho Larncd district is organized
and Bro. Fox continued as its elder. On this new
portion Of his old district, Hodgeman, Ford and all
counties west andsouth were organized into Hodge
man Center Circuit, and d. W. Jessup appointed
pastor. Presiding Elder Fox now became interest
ed in the west end Of his new district, and Aug
4th, 1873, he came to Dodge City, preached and re-
organized the old class. They demanded services
more frequent than Mr.. Jessop could give, and
Adam Holm was appointed as junior preacher,
with headquarters at Dodge. Mr. JessOp made no
report at conference, hence we can give no statis-
tics, but from the report of the elder-J. W. Fox
we gather the following
"HOdgeman Center was we'll served by D. NJ
Jessop and Adam Holm The latter for several
years was principal Of Epworth Seminary, in Iowa
Bro. Holm has labored in the western part OF the
circuit, including Dodge City and Cmarron. The
church grew, both in numbers and power A bless
ed revival crowned the efforts put forth in Dodge
City, which Is he county seat of Ford county, and
some think the most wicked city in the State 1t
contains about 1000 people. Wcare happy in re-
cording, that through the preaching of the cross,
its prestige for dark and frequent crime is rapidly
departing. Some years since, on sacramental
occasion there, totally depravcd rough came
forward while read the invitation and bowed
with me, most devoutly assisting in the cOnsecrc-
ton of the elements. The occasion was one Of
peculiar and prolonged interest. Before dismisa-
ing received him into the church on the presen-
taton Of military voucher
1879. dodge City is again conference name.
All east Of it on the old circuit, being put into
the spearvillc circuit Bro. Holm is stationed here
by the Bishop at conference. He again reports for
duty but his health failing, Rev. Vim. Furguson, Of
Spearville, was given charge.
1880. dodge City and Spearville, to be suppl
ed, is the simple conference record Rnv. n S.
the hard WORKER" is made
presiding elder, who appoints Henry Shipe as pas
tor. He continues his labors year and is gone
1881 Dodge City is separated from Spearvillc, but
left to be supplied. Ansel S. Buzzel is the mar
tyr on whom the mantle Of responsibility fell He
makes no report at conference
1892. The conference is again divided, and the
South West is formed. Mr.. Buzzell is stationed
at Dodge. His health failing, he is obliged to
cease preaching and supported himself by ceiling
books. No minister had remained in charge for
so long time as he. He made no report this year.
hence We have no statistics. His memory is still
sweet and those who knew him best loved him
most. Some ten or twelve were converted under
his ministrations.
THIED-ERA OF GRowrH-1SS3 TO !!
1888. Dodge City and spearvlle arc again unit
ed and as usual left ITO be supplied Early in
the conference year Bishop Harris transferred Rev.
A. P. George. from the South Kansas conference,
and placed him in charge Early in July he arriv-
ed and took charge. A correspondent Of the Kan
sas City Times was present at Mr.. Georges first
service, and wrote NJ follows:
1.-THE sermon had but few hearers, but they were
devoted and attentive listeners His discourse
was thoroughly practical, no can't no hypocricy,
no attempt ut show, and besides was thoughtful
and possessed the very meat Of a good sermon-.he
eloquencc Of earnestness. God bless Brother
George. should feel awful meanly of myself if 1
could not say single word Of encouragement, Of
hope and aspirations for SO brave and generous,
and self-sacrifcing young spirit as this who at
the bidding of.conscience and duty comes ont here
and gives the best years of an intellectual and am
billions young life to attempt at least to strengthen
and conserve the better forces Of society, and
build up a stronger and better community.
would think there would be power in religion,
and power more OF religion in the country than