Church
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Country Church Commemorating The Colfax Baptist Church and the LaFontaine Christian Church
In the early days, no pioneer settlement was considered complete without a country church. In the fall of 2015, the Wilson County Old Iron Club was pleased to complete construction of a small church on the show grounds. The club is especially honored to be able to provide a place to commemorate two former church communities in Wilson County - The Colfax Baptist Church, and The LaFontaine Christian Church. When the Colfax Church closed and the structure was going to be demolished, the remaining members donated church windows, floorboards, wainscoting, and a sizable monetary gift to get the project started. An additional monetary gift came from the Katherine and Francis Seiwert Estate. At about the same time that the Colfax church was closing, changes were also coming to The LaFontaine Christian Church. Upon the closing of that congregation, the former members donated the church bell, pulpit, communion table, hymnals, flags, and pews to complete the furnishings. As of this writing, the structure in LaFontaine is home to a new church family. Church histories have been preserved and are available for viewing at the Wilson County Historical Museum, Fredonia, and in the church on the Rollin ‘Red’ Vandever Memorial Park show grounds, home of the Wilson County Old Iron Club, Fredonia. 
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The first worship service in the new church on the Old Iron Club show grounds was held Sept. 27, 2015.
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Colfax Baptist Church History |
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The church, organized March 2, 1895 at the Village Creek Congregational Church, took its name from Colfax Township, Wilson County. The church had 10 charter members, and added another seven that April. Many of the settlers in this area had come from Sweden around 1868 to settle on “government land” purchased at $1.25 per acre. In August of 1895, Colfax Baptist Church was received into fellowship of the South East Baptist Association, a connection that remained throughout its history.
From March 1895 until July 1896, Colfax Baptist held services in members’ homes. Negotiations for a building site began in July, which resulted in J.F. Johnson donating land two miles north of K-39 on the Neosho/Wilson County line. The former building of a nearby church, Village Creek Baptist, was purchased, dismantled, moved and rebuilt at the current site. The building was heated by wood or coal and lit with kerosene lamps. Music was furnished by the purchase of an organ from a mail order firm for $45. The church building has been remodeled several times since to modernize and add space as the membership grew. The Colfax Baptist Church was led by many beloved pastors over the years. The first, serving from 1895-1897 was Pastor M. Frame. Leading worship at the time of the church closing in 2013 was Pastor Roy Varner. The church congregational life included weekly Sunday school for children and adults, organized in 1899, leadership training courses, Women’s Missionary Society, and Baptist Youth Fellowship. Declining attendance and a lack of young people in the church contributed to the difficult decision to close the church doors on December 29th, 2013 after the church service and to demolish the structure. Many of the remaining families had roots going back to the beginnings of the church. Despite the disbanding of the congregation, the love of God continues. |
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Lafontaine Christian Church History
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-Compiled from Lewis Cline in 1968, 100th anniversary 1988, 2013 additions, and recollections from Mary Compton 2015
In the late fall of 1870 Mrs. Skeneks, a Presbyterian sister, called on the neighbors to hold a prayer meeting at her home. There was a good congregation gathered and finding present Levi H. Jones, a Christian minister, they had preaching. Mr. Jones was J.P. Motts’ grandfather. After consultation they agreed to meet at the home of Mrs. Peter Welch on Duck Creek for the purpose of organizing a church on December 25, 1870. At this meeting there were 19 people present who enrolled as charter members. One of these was Mrs. Welch, the grandmother of Howard Welch. Howard is currently a member of this congregation. The Welch home at the time was near the present home of the Fred McGinnis. During the year 1981 many meetings were held and usually in the home of the members, with many additions to the congregation both by conversion and by letter. Many of those who came by letter were settlers from Pulaski and Adair counties inn Kentucky. Some of the names of those holding these meetings were Levi H. Jones, Joseph H. Cane, J.W. Randall and Thomas Miller. Records say that regular meetings were held by W.M. Bobbitt at his home once a month and sometimes more often until the Greenland schoolhouse was completed July 15, 1872, at the present town site of Lafontaine. Protracted meetings, as they were sometimes called, were held at the several school houses in the community, such as Union, Bell, Koger (Zion), and of course, at Greenland Dist. #78 which is LaFontaine. These meetings added many to the growing church in a newly settled and growing community. At a business meeting held by the Church of Christ at Greenland schoolhouse May 9, 1881, the following was moved and seconded to build a Church of Christ 24 x 36 x 12 feet high. A committee of five was appointed to select a building site. After five or so proposed sites and 3 or 4 meetings, it was agreed to build across the road from the Greenland schoolhouse. This would have put it in the area south of the present home of the Bob Compton’s, for it was in the area of their home that the LaFontaine or Greenland school then stood. This location was maintained for about five years until entry of the Missouri Pacific Railway. The right-of-way intersected these lots and cause the church building to be moved to its present location. A notable church wedding also occurred in the old building before it was moved, that of G.E. Williams and Miss Jennie Fry on December 6, 1885, by Thomas Miller, a pioneer minister of Altoona, Kansas. |
The Christian Church Sunday School was organized August 14, 1887, in a social meeting by J.D. Bobbitt, superintendent; S.F. Pitzer, asst. superintendent; R.M. Gastineau, secretary. A church charter was granted May 24, 1888 bearing the names of James Hayes, J.D. Bobbitt, A. Cook, Emory C. Certain, J.C. Starns, John Stroud and R.M. Gastineau, all former Kentuckians, possible except one or two.
The original church building remained on its present site until destroyed in the LaFontaine tornado, May 23, 1896. A new church was completed in 1902, a very creditable structure, due to untiring efforts of the membership and individual effort on the part of Mrs. John Costillo which should not be overlooked. Time rolls slowly on and similar events are soon forgotten after the goal is reached.
During the years that followed most of the preaching was shared with ministers from surrounding churches. Brother Carl Packard was one of those who served the church and was loved by many.
Many young men studying for the ministry have filled the pulpit. One of these boys, upon his graduation from Ozark Bible College, Jerry Whited, and his wife Helen, became our first resident minister at last in many years.
In 1959 a modern annex was built on the east of the church which accommodated a pastor’s study, classrooms, kitchen and fellowship hall. A much needed baptistery was added to the sanctuary in the spring of 1965. In early days and as late as 1935 baptisms were held in the creek at the present Junior Woollard farm. The lovely painting behind the baptistery was painted by Mrs. Howard Hardy of Fredonia, Kansas.
Some members of the congregation before 1901 were Alice (Decker) Risinger and Lela McKinney. Some of those prior to 1911 were Clara B. Williams, J.H. Risinger, Emma (McConnell) Surber, Roy Hutson, Dosha (Hutson) McClintick, Theodore Myers and Blaine McKinney.
In June 1968, the church wrote a resolution to the Disciples of Christ Year book committee and asked for the Lafontaine Christian Church be removed from their list. They adopted a policy as an independent church apart from any organized International Convention of Christian Churches.
Ozark Christian College provided fine young student ministers throughout the years. Weekend ministry worked well for the congregation.
An 80th year celebration was held at the church in May 1968. Old friendships were renewed and many new ones were made.
In the spring of 1969, the elders of the church decided to make an addition to the parsonage. Pledges were made and materials purchased, and a 14’ X 26’ area was added to the west of the parsonage, making the living room larger and an extra bedroom Paul Crawshaw was the carpenter and assisted by Junior Woollard.
The original church building remained on its present site until destroyed in the LaFontaine tornado, May 23, 1896. A new church was completed in 1902, a very creditable structure, due to untiring efforts of the membership and individual effort on the part of Mrs. John Costillo which should not be overlooked. Time rolls slowly on and similar events are soon forgotten after the goal is reached.
During the years that followed most of the preaching was shared with ministers from surrounding churches. Brother Carl Packard was one of those who served the church and was loved by many.
Many young men studying for the ministry have filled the pulpit. One of these boys, upon his graduation from Ozark Bible College, Jerry Whited, and his wife Helen, became our first resident minister at last in many years.
In 1959 a modern annex was built on the east of the church which accommodated a pastor’s study, classrooms, kitchen and fellowship hall. A much needed baptistery was added to the sanctuary in the spring of 1965. In early days and as late as 1935 baptisms were held in the creek at the present Junior Woollard farm. The lovely painting behind the baptistery was painted by Mrs. Howard Hardy of Fredonia, Kansas.
Some members of the congregation before 1901 were Alice (Decker) Risinger and Lela McKinney. Some of those prior to 1911 were Clara B. Williams, J.H. Risinger, Emma (McConnell) Surber, Roy Hutson, Dosha (Hutson) McClintick, Theodore Myers and Blaine McKinney.
In June 1968, the church wrote a resolution to the Disciples of Christ Year book committee and asked for the Lafontaine Christian Church be removed from their list. They adopted a policy as an independent church apart from any organized International Convention of Christian Churches.
Ozark Christian College provided fine young student ministers throughout the years. Weekend ministry worked well for the congregation.
An 80th year celebration was held at the church in May 1968. Old friendships were renewed and many new ones were made.
In the spring of 1969, the elders of the church decided to make an addition to the parsonage. Pledges were made and materials purchased, and a 14’ X 26’ area was added to the west of the parsonage, making the living room larger and an extra bedroom Paul Crawshaw was the carpenter and assisted by Junior Woollard.
A division occurred in the church in 1975, with several families going to Buxton, and starting a church there. Then both areas had places of worship, serving both communities.
The LaFontaine congregation helped support two local boys in attending Ozark Christian College. Preston “Sonny” Woollard graduated in 1985, and was ordained into the ministry in January 1987, at the Tyro Christian Church. In 1988, Sonny and his wife Mary and children lived in Flora, Illinois where he was youth minister.
Brian Rothgeb started to OCC in the fall of 1984. He was ordained in November 1985, here in the LaFontaine church. At the time, he was serving Elk City Christian Church as youth minister. In 1988 he was serving the Altoona Christian Church as their minister. The LaFontaine congregation was extremely proud of these fine young men.
Others have continued to serve the Lord in various ways. Danny Woollard served as the “Tootsie Roll Bomber”. He made an ultra light plane and flew over areas where children were playing and dropped tootsie rolls that had scriptures wrapped on them. This was his way of reaching out to young people. Radio commentator Paul Harvey mentioned Dan’s service to the Lord.
Sandra Kimzey Wimbisk, a former member of our church and her husband John served as missionaries in Ambon Maluku, Indonesia.
Church history written in May 1988 conveyed the sentiment: “Even though we are small in numbers we remain steadfast in our service to the church and the community. We are grateful to the forefathers who worked long hours in prayer and work to start the church 100 years ago. It is our prayer that we can continue to provide a place of worship for years to come.”
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The LaFontaine congregation helped support two local boys in attending Ozark Christian College. Preston “Sonny” Woollard graduated in 1985, and was ordained into the ministry in January 1987, at the Tyro Christian Church. In 1988, Sonny and his wife Mary and children lived in Flora, Illinois where he was youth minister.
Brian Rothgeb started to OCC in the fall of 1984. He was ordained in November 1985, here in the LaFontaine church. At the time, he was serving Elk City Christian Church as youth minister. In 1988 he was serving the Altoona Christian Church as their minister. The LaFontaine congregation was extremely proud of these fine young men.
Others have continued to serve the Lord in various ways. Danny Woollard served as the “Tootsie Roll Bomber”. He made an ultra light plane and flew over areas where children were playing and dropped tootsie rolls that had scriptures wrapped on them. This was his way of reaching out to young people. Radio commentator Paul Harvey mentioned Dan’s service to the Lord.
Sandra Kimzey Wimbisk, a former member of our church and her husband John served as missionaries in Ambon Maluku, Indonesia.
Church history written in May 1988 conveyed the sentiment: “Even though we are small in numbers we remain steadfast in our service to the church and the community. We are grateful to the forefathers who worked long hours in prayer and work to start the church 100 years ago. It is our prayer that we can continue to provide a place of worship for years to come.”
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History compiled after the year 2000 continues the church story as follows:
Since May of 1988, we have continued on in spirit and truth. Again various ministers have gotten their start in our church. As time has passed, we have done the usual repairs, new roof, belfry work, painting of the fellowship hall and hallways, and repair of bathrooms. Our fellowship hall floor was refinished by church members.
After water damage to the east wall of the Sanctuary occurred, and after it was determined that no paneling could be found to match the rest of the room, several church members repaired the damage with a unique picture of the glory of the cross.
Now we are ready for a new gas line and a sewer line. Donations for these two items, and our church volunteers keep us going. It s nice to have Kenny Richard’s experience in home building and repair. He makes repairs and arrangements for the work. Our building and yard is always in the best of shape. Sherry, our pianist, keeps working on the yard and the building. She has added much to the décor of the building and yard.
One of our ministers is Brian Rothgeb. He is a long-time member of the church. He has been preaching here for almost two years. He teaches and preaches. Our other minister is Kenny Richards. He does most of the calling. They work well together.
It has been over 130 years since LaFontaine Christian Church was founded. We pray that our church will continue for many years to come. Faith hope love, and prayers have made it this far and we pray that it continues.”
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A 133rd church celebration was held in July, 2013. Due to dwindling attendance, the final church service took place in November of 2013.
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Since May of 1988, we have continued on in spirit and truth. Again various ministers have gotten their start in our church. As time has passed, we have done the usual repairs, new roof, belfry work, painting of the fellowship hall and hallways, and repair of bathrooms. Our fellowship hall floor was refinished by church members.
After water damage to the east wall of the Sanctuary occurred, and after it was determined that no paneling could be found to match the rest of the room, several church members repaired the damage with a unique picture of the glory of the cross.
Now we are ready for a new gas line and a sewer line. Donations for these two items, and our church volunteers keep us going. It s nice to have Kenny Richard’s experience in home building and repair. He makes repairs and arrangements for the work. Our building and yard is always in the best of shape. Sherry, our pianist, keeps working on the yard and the building. She has added much to the décor of the building and yard.
One of our ministers is Brian Rothgeb. He is a long-time member of the church. He has been preaching here for almost two years. He teaches and preaches. Our other minister is Kenny Richards. He does most of the calling. They work well together.
It has been over 130 years since LaFontaine Christian Church was founded. We pray that our church will continue for many years to come. Faith hope love, and prayers have made it this far and we pray that it continues.”
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A 133rd church celebration was held in July, 2013. Due to dwindling attendance, the final church service took place in November of 2013.
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