La Junta tribune., 1909-11-27
Till thou at last art free.
Leaving thine out grown shell by life's
unresting sea-"
GEO. L. HESS.
METHODIST CHURCH.

now elapsed since the organization
of the Methodist Episcopal church in
La Junta Comfy of spirit has been
in evidence from the beginning be-
tween the denominations in the city.
The Presbyterians were first on the
ground and by the aid OF the mission
airy society had erected building
and organized class. But ii was
hard shedding in those days. Being
few in number and irregular In pull
pit supply the work was permitted
to lapse for a period Of six or eight
months. Behold the royal spirit OF
our brothers in the faith, They per
mitted the Methodists to come into
their building, hold services and or
ganize class. And then loaned to
the Methodists their first superinten-
dent for the Sunday school, which
for some months following was car
ried on in Jones' hall That loaned
superintendent being none other than
the genial and enthusiastic friend and
supporter of every subsequent move
ment for civic or social Improvement
in our city-Geo. A. kilgore.
On March 10. 1887, Rev. Alexander
Bruner, then pastor at Pueblo. came
TO La Junta and preached and or
ganized the first Methodist class.
There were twelve charter members.
Only four OF these are living today.
And only one OF that number resides
in La Junta. She is known to all,
Her faithfulness to the church and
her devotion to duty have been wor-
thy the emulation Of the scores and
hundreds that have followed her into
the church. We refer to Mary Gil
christ, still. living at 3ls San Juan
and without the church who have
been the recipients OF her benefac-
tions through these years. Other
charter members still living are: Mrs.
DIR. France, Baldwin, Kan; Mrs. Al
exander Bruner. Baldwin, Kan; and
Mrs. Alexander, Fresno, Calf.
Rev John II. Wood was the first
pastor appointed to the charge. Many
live to remember the kindly bearing
of this man of great heart and giant
frame. He was not long in the field
until things were under way for a
new church. Lots were secured at
the corner of Santa Fe avenue and
Fourth street. and twenty-one years
ago the building, which for many
years was the largest meeting place
in the city. was completed. sundry
improvements and additions have
been made under succeeding pastors,
The most important improvements
being those made by the Rev c. o.
kimball at an expenditure Of about
$4,000. The old building was then
raised, a lecture room. study and
kitchen put beneath and two wings
added TO the main auditorium.
Following are the pastors and the
term OF years each has served:
John X. Wood. three years.
J. A. Smith, two years.
A. W. Nicolson, one year.
w. ]. Taylor. one year.
A. X. Stabler. one year.
w. Z. Collett. two years.
II. b. Collins. two years.
J. l.. vallow. one year.
Kenneth Money. two years.
Clarence o. Kimhall. two years.
VIM. X. Ashby. one year.
w. G. Barron. two years
Rollin II. Ayres. now In third year.
The membership has had steady
growth and In spite OF the fluctua.
tions incident to railroad town a
certain permanency has builded into
the society. To the nucleus OF twelve
charter members many hundreds have
been added and many hundreds have
gone out from us by transfer. The
u flourishing Sunday school and Ep.
worth League. The ladies' Of the
church are organized into the W. II.
NJ. 3. and the W. +. n. S. and the
Ladies' Aid Society.
There is a feeling In the air that
the Methodist organization has out
grown its present quarters and that
at no distant day commodious and
substantial cdifice will Supplsnt the
one In which services arc now held.
ROLLlN II AYRES.
REFORMED PRGeDvTERlAN.