Stories of Early Oklahoma - A collection of interesting facts, biographical sketches and stories relating to the history of Oklahoma, Assembled by Hazel Ruby McMahan (Mrs. James W.), State Historian for Oklahoma Society Daughters of American Revolution, 1945. (Copy at Oklahoma Historical Society Library, call number F/699/S7)

This is a summary of the establishment of the First Christian church in Weleetka, Oklahoma; written in the month of April 1934 by E. L. Blackman and taken from some preserved records and from memory.

It is now thirty two years since the beginning of this organization, and in order to bring the picture out more intelligently, I feel that some explanation of the orgin of the town is necessary.

On the 10th day of February 1902, there was no town here. Where the business part of Weleetka now stands, was then a cotton field, with deadened trees standing where they had grown. The Frisco railroad was in operation having been extended from Sapulpa, Oklahoma to Sherman, Texas in the year 1900. There was no depot here because this was two years before there was a town. Two miles south there was a station called Alabama, which consisted of two stores (the post office in one) a depot and section house. A post office could not be established there by the name of Alabama, on account of conflicting names with another office, so the name was turned backwards and the post office address made Amabala. The Ft. Smith, and Western was a contemplated line from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to Guthrie, Oklahoma. Three surveys had been made for this proposed road; one through Alabama, one through Bryant, about seven miles northeast, and one where it now is, which was finally approved, and actual construction through here commenced during the summer of 1902. 'What I have related above is Just to show the utter nothingness from which the town started.

The growth of the town was rapid and within sixty days business enterprises in most all lines was represented. Among the first substantial frame buildings was the Weleetka Hotel, located on lots 1 and 2 in block 17. It was in the unfinished dining room of this hotel that the first Sunday School was started on April 20, 1902, with an attendance of 40. The next Sunday we met in an unfinished store toom on lots 21 and 22 in block 7. The next meeting on May 4, 1902 was held in a small frame building on lot 3 in block 28. On May 11 and 18, services were held in the unfinished home of T. W. Blackman located on lots 1 to 6 in block 72. On May 25, 1902 services were held in an open grove on what is now lots 17 and 18 in block 62. The seating arrangements for this meeting was constructed of lumber borrowed from the Brown and Sims Lumber Co., consisting of 2x12s set on edge, and supported by stakes driven in the ground, with similiar material laid crosswise for seats, and a small standtable was used for an alter, and I distinctly remember the day was beautiful, and very conductive to the worship of our Creator.

At this service Brother A. M. Harrel was present and preached the first sermon that morning. The next day, May 26, 1902 this congregation was organized with eleven charter members, who are as follows: J. S. Ball, G. F. Clarke and wife, Mary Clarke, Mrs. Logan Fish, T. W. Blackman and wife, Sarah Catherine Blackman, Will and Cleola Blackman (children of T. W. Blackman) Sadia McNees, Clara Lawley, and E. L. Blackman.

Owing to the limited number of members at the organization of the church, the greater portion of the adult members were organized as a church board, and consisted of the following; Elders:  T. W. Blackman and G. F. Clarke, Deacon: E. L. Blackman, Deaconess: Clara Lawley and Sadia McNees. E. L. Blackman was chosen clerk, and Clara Lawley treasurer. At this far removed date (l934) Clara Lawley is still Clara Lawley, while Sadia McNees is now Mrs. E. W. James, and still residents of Weleetka. Also, T. W. Blackman and E. L. Blackman are the only male members of the original charter members now living in Weleetka. Will Blackman is now living at Klamath Falls, Oregon and Cleola Blackman, now Mrs. W. R. Blake is living at Lubbock, Texas. Mrs. G. F. Clarke, wife of G. F. Clarke (deceased) is living at Henryetta, Oklahoma and the whereabouts of the other members, if living, I have been unable to learn. The membership continued to grow, and on January 1, 1905 (Just happened to have the record on that date) there was a membership of 38 members.

At the time of the organization, plans were started for a church building, and the building, about 30x60 feet, a frame structure, was not only planned but financed and built, and ready for services on Sunday, June 8, 1902 and located on lots 25 and 24 in block 7. These lots were donated to the church by G. F. Clarke and Lake Moore, the townsite promoters, the labor was largely donated, and C. C. Barnes was contractor and builder. The material was furnished at cost, minus some donation by the Brown and Sims Lumber Co. The approximate outlay of cash was $1,000 donated by G. F. Clarke, William Blackman, T. W. Blackman, and E. L. Blackman, each contributing $250.00. Through the blessings of God this was made possible by the 11 charter members. From then on, the membership grew, and as this advanced, finances did also, and from then on until February 1, 1905 Brother A. M. Harrel came twice a month from Okmulgee to preach here.

About this time Bro. R. W. Tener was called for full time pastor. I do not have any record of his exact stay here, but some time that summer he was called to California. The church was without a pastor until June 26, 1904. In the meantime Sunday School and Communion Services were held, I wouldn't say without interuption, but nearly so, and a Bro. Hodkinson held us a short meeting in November and December this same year.

Again referring to the organization of the church and in view of the diversity of meeting places as given before, it might be well to explain that this organization was made, not in any building but out in the open on the lawn at the home of E. L. Blackman, then located on lots 13, 14, 15 and 16 in block 5.

A Brother Hudspath preached one or two sermons in February 1904, and a Brother Haltom preached 3 or 4 evenings in May. Then in June Brother F. Hooker Groom was called as full time pastor, commencing June 26, 1904, and remained until some time in 1906.

During the time from 1906 to 1913 there is no definite record of their time of service here but the following is the rotation in which all the different pastors worked here. Bro. G. W. Hilderbrandt, Bro. S. A. Roberts, Bro. R. W. Woodside, Bro. J. H. Henderson, and Bro. Preston Bell Hall was called as full time pastor, from December 8, 1913 to December 8, 1915.

Brother Otto B. Irelan was pastor from January 1, 1916 to August 1917. Brother C. H. Gilmore was pastor from January 1, 1918 to January 1, 1920.

There seems to be a lapse of nearly three years without a pastor, from January 1920 to December 1922, when Brother F. H. Shaul was called, and remained until December 1926. Next was Brother Harold F. Shimeal from April 1, 1927 to January 1, 1929. Then Brother Harry O. Carr from June 1, 1929 to March, 1932. Our present pastor, Brother Hayes Luna took up the in November 1932.

The building described in the beginning of this record was known by the familiar name of "The Little White Church", and was used with some few changes until the year 1925, and then sold to the colored people for a church building and moved to the north part of town. During the year 1923 the brick building located on lots 25 and 24 in block 72 was planned and built; a full record of which may be found in the records of the church clerk.

Brother Luna resigned to take a position as Army Chaplin the first week in June 1934. The church was without a pastor until September 1934 when Brother Wayne B. Ford, formally of Bransdall, Oklahoma was called to the pastorate. As a member of the board I did not much favor the calling of Brother Ford, but after a short time I considered him one of the most polished pulpit pastors I had ever heard or seen and sermons the most interesting and inspiring. His delivery was measured and distinct and entirely without notes. But outside the pulpit he was not a success, and he left the pastorate in October 1934.

The church was then without a pastor until April 3, 1936 when Brother F. H. Shaul was recalled from Monrovia, California after an absence of nearly ten years. It might be interesting to note that at this time the church membership is about 250 members, and the board members are as follows: Elders; T. W~ Blackman, E. L. Blackman, J. F. Davis, J. W. Gregory, N. J. Hughey, E. S. Gray, and L. S. Wright. Deacons, G. C. Blackman, V. W. Burrows, G. S. Carson, P. A. DeMoss, Leonard Davis, H. B. Douglass, E. E. Cobb, D. W. Johnston, W. R. Johnston, M. A. Jones, W. J. Perry, T. R. Gardner, Ferd Williams and Roland Hinds.

The calling of Brother Shaul was rather unique, in that it is seldom that a pastor is recalled after an absence of approximately ten years from the time of a former pastorate and also that there was entire unanimity, without a dissenting voice in extending the call. His former untiring energy and magnificent influence of his wife who was remembered by the church membership, as a symbol of perfection as a minister's wife and church worker.

/s/ Kathryn Blackman Smith

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