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)

Thlopthlocco is a religious center located in Okfuskee County about nine miles south and one mile east of Okemah, Oklahoma. For years it has been a meeting place for religious workers such as Training School for Sunday School workers, District Conferences, Annual Conferences and woman's District Conference, zone Institutes and several other meetings.

Christianity began about 1870 and the first missionary preachers sent down to Thlopthlocco Community were the Rev. Rolly Cawake and Knockney, at this time great majority of the old Creeks were opposed to the whiteman's religion, no good thing comes from the white men they said. But a few caught the spark of Christianity and began to meet and heard the good news gladly, soon the gospel began to spread like a wild-fire and many Indian hones became the houses of prayer or assembly place for worship.

In 1873 the meting place of Thlopthlocco Tribal Town became their house of worship, (this building was used for both Tribal Town meeting and worship.) The charter members were Ocie Marv, Emv Harjo, and Tustanvke Harjo, these men came from Alabama State.

In 1880 a church building was built using the native wood, a log cabin church, this was used until a better building was made. The prominent members at this time were: Rev. Tamvs Yahola, Rev. Moses Deer, Tame Halle; William Hill; Mille Yahala, Wise Deer, Picce Halle, Lane Hill. Other converts were Morihece, Cahmelv, Fekhvmka, Cile Koke, Mike Hvoco, Hokose, Montvhle, Losana.

In 1892 under the leadership of Rev. Mose Deer a neat frame building was erected and was used for several years, and those who had a part in planning this house of Prayer were: Rev. Mose Deer, Tamvs Yahola, William Hill, Joseph Yahola, Sate Dekvn, Defe Dunson, Andy Dunson, Louis Dunson.

Thlopthlocco was in Seminole Circuit which had three Churches, Arbeka Thlopthlocco-Hitchite, and their first licensed preacher was the Rev. Thomas Little, (Seminole Indian) who labored faithfully with us for several years. Later Thlopthlocco became a Station as the converts were many and could take care of all expenses and the church was held every Sunday for several years, about three years ago Thlopthlocco went back to Seminole circuit as the members have deceased by deathand we meet twice a month. Other Sundays we worship with Arbeka, Hitchite and other nearby churches.

In 1922 the members of this church decided to build another church, large enough to accomodate several hundred people. A stone building was erected with a very little cost, which stands to this day. The committee who planned this stone building were: Rev. William Hill, Tom Dunson, Jeff Canard, Wallace Cook and Reuben Cook.

Thlopthlocco church has another building, a big arbor which can hold about 400 or 500 people and this is used during the hot summer months. It also has several camp houses belongizg to a family members of this church, meals are served in these camp houses.

Thlorthlooco has had the pleasure and privilege of serving the Indian Mission about three times, the Indian Mission conference is one of the most important gatherings of Indian Methodism.. it lasts from Thursday to Sunday night. Hundreds of Choctaws, Plains Indians from the West, Creeks, Seminoles, Euchees, and others are included in this Mission. The entertaining church kills serveral beeves and hogs to feed the crowd which usually are about one thousand people, men, women and children. These meeings are expensive but each church is happy for the privilege.

The history of Thlopthlocco is not complete without mentioning the late Rev. Johnson E. Tiger, a devoted christian, teacher and a leader among us, he served as a pastor of Thlopthlocco church, he organized Sunday schools, woman's societies and several other organizations which are still active to this day. He was made a presiding Elder of Creek District and he served more than 15 years, he was still holding that important office when that Eternal voice, which all of us hsall hear in our appointed time, called him. During the years of his christian ministry our association had been close, he was a preacher and I was a singer, of Creek Hymns, so he took me along to different Indian churches, and also white churches, we went as far as Memphis, Tenn., Columbus, Ohio and other General Conferences of the Methodists Church. I became a preacher in 1907 and was a circuit preacher and have carried the Gospel of Christ Jesus for over 30 years, I was on the road every Friday going to my appointments which sometimes took me as far as Tulsa county, cold or hot, this was my work and I enjoyed it all.

The year of 1945 a great movement called "The Crusade for Christ has been started by our Methodist Bishops and we are going to do our best.

Our present pastor is Rev. George Long of Holdenville. He comes once a month. The present preachers are:

Rev. Louis Dunson, Retired Minister
Rev. Lon Dunson
Rev. T. H. Dunson
Rev. Thomas Lewis, 1942
Rev. Hon Hill
Rev. Willie Tiger, 1944
Rev. Wayne Cook, 1944

by Louis Dunson

This page was last updated on 10/12/11

 

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