IowaJones/Churches/Antioch Christian/Jackson Twp.

Antioch Christian
Jackson Township

HISTORY OF THE OLD ANTIOCH CHURCH
by Mrs. Albert Benadom, June 22, 1952

HISTORY OF THE NEW ANTIOCH CHURCH
Written and presented by Mrs. Albert Benadom at the Centennial and Re-Dedication Service of Antioch Church, Anamosa, Iowa, August 2, 1964

RE-DEDICATION PROGRAM
August 2, 1964

EXERPT FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH MINUTES
July 28th A.D. 1888

Elizabeth & Lillian Byerly submitted the histories and program information, Kevin Shoop supplied the photo, and Jim Christianson the excerpt from the minutes.

The Antioch Christian Church was founded by Elder Joseph Harrison Johnson, Michael Byerly and others in about 1860.

Elder Johnson preached his first sermon and was ordained at the same time in Moscow, Iowa. He came to Jones county about 1860 and the oldest gravestone in the adjacent cemetery is from that year. There is a memorial to him in the cemetery. Michael Byerly was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 10, 1818, and came to Jones county in 1846. He was a trustee of the church and held various township offices.

Nathan Potter was also associated with the church in its early days. Potter was converted to the Christian faith, taking up ministerial work shortly after his conversion, and in 1863, in Clayton county, Iowa, he was regularly ordained to preach the gospel in the Christian Church. When he assumed charge of the congregation in Jackson township, Antioch church was in an unfinished condition and he was instrumental seeing to the building's completion.

In 1882, Michael Byerly's son, Milton, married Elder Johnson's daughter, Marie, and they were very active in the "United Brethren church at Antioch." Charles Stivers says, "I found this in an obit that may lead me to believe that the Antioch Church may have been Methodist at one time. 'In December 1894, Rev. Lee received Mrs. and Mrs. Glenn into fellowship of the Methodist church at Pleasant Valley'." But the History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, by R. M. Corbitt (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910) mentions, "The Christian Church society have a small, brick church edifice in the northwestern part of the (Jackson) township."

According to his obituary the Rev. Albert McMurrin preached his first sermon at Antioch in 1925. He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, and went on to pastor Church of the Nazarene and United Methodist congregations. He is buried at the Antioch cemetery.

EXERPT FROM ANTIOCH CHURCH MINUTES
July 28th A.D. 1888
Antioch Christian Chapel, Church met according to previous notice at two o'clock p.m. Meeting was opened by song, reading scriptures and prayer by Elder W. C. Smith of Albion. Prayer and social meeting followed. The presence of the Lord was truly among us. This meeting and on the morow we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the organization of this church. Organized and known first at the residence of Brother Anthony Waggoner as the Bear Creek Valley Christian Church. All present spoke of their faith in the Savior. Present Elder W. C. Smith, Elder Nathan Potter, Deacons Anthony Waggoner, Michael Byerly, Eliza Waggoner, Clementine Potter, M. C. Porter, Almira Porter, Charles and Rhoda Brown and Maggie and Cora Beam.
Sunday and Sunday evening preaching by Brother Smith. Anniversary service at 11 o'clock at which time Charles and Rhoda Brown, J. L. Streeter and S. S. Streeter united with the church and Charles and Rhoda Brown were baptized by Elder Smith.

RE-DEDICATION PROGRAM
August 2, 1964

6:00 P.M. Family Picnic
8:00P.M. Invocation, Rev. Roland A. Badger
"Historyof the Old and the New Antioch Church" by Mrs. Albert Benadom
Song"Our Thanks To You," tune "Cold, Cold Heart")
Originalpoem (by the deceased Mrs. Arthur Meeks) by Mrs. John Meek
Song"Antioch Church" (words by Susan Hopkins Shellhammer), tune "The Church in the Wildwood" by Pam Byerly
Song(sing-a-long) "The Little Brick Church," (words by Raleigh Houstman, music by Rev. Roland Badger) led by Pam Byerly
Song"Brighten the Corner Where You Are" by congregation
Re-dedicatoryaddress by Rev. Roland Badger
ClosingPrayer
Guest Bookby Mrs. Francis Derga