BRIEF HISTORY OF THE

MEDORA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Compiled from previous writings of history)

Fragmented records confirm that Wesley Wright, a cousin of Elder Jacob Wright, was able to homestead a hundred acres in different parcels of land. All of those claims were clustered and located in Carr Township.

The largest portion of his claims were located in Section 34 & 35 and best identified legally as T4N-R3E in southeast region of the county called Jackson. From these claims, Wright surveyed and laid off what would later become Medora. And to that town would come several converts of the restoration movement, which had been proclaimed so effectively by Alexander Campbell. Many of his followers ventured into southern Indiana to find homes where they could remain faithful to Jacob Wright’s exhortations of truth.

It was Wesley Wright who became one of the charter members of the Medora congregation of Disciples is well known. After a few years and the decline of membership, the religious interest in Medora almost died out. By 1850, steadfast commitment of the few families had vanished. The congregation dwindled to the point of death.

Back in Medora many years later in August 1909 records provide details of its early years of existence. A handwritten statement of faith proclaims for everyone to understand “that we, the members of the Church of Christ here assembled, re-establish the Church” -- carried unanimously. The following resolution was then made and passed:

“We, the undersigned members of the Church of Christ of Medora, County of Jackson, Indiana, therefore invite all baptized believers to unite with us upon ‘the Bible alone” as a sufficient rule for faith and practice; wherefore we have subscribed our names this 22nd day of March, 1909. “

On August 2, 1909 the official board met at the office of Mr. Hague and selected a building committee: Dr. D.J. Cummings, C.V. Weddell, J.C. Kennedy, W.H. Shortridge, Moody I Massena, and George Summa. C.V. Weddell was elected as secretary and W.H. Shortridge as treasurer.

(The following is an excerpt of the history written by Bernice Tanner) “Later the initial public meetings were held in a tent on the corner across the street in 1909. After the tent meeting wherever or whenever night meetings were planned, Mr. Cross was very particular that the meetings were on moonlit nights for Medora had no streetlights then. The girls who became Christians during the tent meeting sold bricks for a penny apiece. Most gave us a dime, quarter, or sometimes fifty cents. Mother told me to go to Gabe Turmail’s. He gave me a check for ten dollars. I had never had a check before and was so excited I was carrying it along not knowing what to do with it.”

Members of the church met in the Medora School Building on February 15, 1910 to discuss plans for a new church building. The grounds were purchased from Newton and Sarah Luck on June 5, 1909 and the deed was recorded at the Court House in Brownstown on June 8, 1909. The building was made of Medora Brick, and the stone was donated by Albert Luedtke. The chapel, which is the front portion of the building at present, was dedicated September 11, 1910.

The Brownstown Banner publication of September 14, 1910 stated that a special B & O Railroad train brought 200 persons to the dedication services. It was estimated 350 wee inside the building and hundreds outside. About 1500 persons had dinner at noon on the school grounds. Harley Jackson, pastor of the Seymour Christian Church, preached the dedication sermon, and asked for donations to financing the structure. At the close of the service, $2100.00 had been raised. Many were baptized in to Christ.

Following revival services of September 6-20, 1953, held by Gene Dulin, a fellowship meeting was held in a rented recreation hall on September 22, followed by a pitch-in supper. Later, Gene Dulin stated that the purpose of the meeting was to approve plans by the building committee, which consisted of C.D. Hague (Chairman), John R. Jackson, Wm. Gardner, J.C. Hedges and Gene Dulin. Their plans for an annex were as follows: 50 feet long and 36 feet wide. On a motion by Sonia Hall, it was voted unanimously to adopt the plans. Original cost estimate was $15,000.00.

The first supper was held July 30, 1954 with Elder Crouch of Columbus as speaker and his wife as soloist. The offering was $1,025.27.

On August 29, 1954 the new annex was dedicated. Dedication of the building was led by Gene Dulin, with prayer by James C. Brown. This marked a great day in the history of the Medora Christian Church. James C. Brown succeeded Gene Dulin as our minister.

At the end of Brown’s ministry it was decided to purchase ground from C.D. and Vera Hague and is the present site of a then 5-room brick home with garage. This was to serve as our parsonage. Robert Parish and his wife were the first to occupy it.

Ministers who have served this church to date have been: John Cross Charles V. Weddell William Shaw John Bare Jesse Reynolds R.B. Dailey Joseph Hill Elmer E. Peddicord William Richmond John W. Phelps Gene Dulin James C. Brown Robert Parish David Pettit James Kaslor Tom Crafton Mike Wall Stan Thomas

One of our very outstanding meetings was held two weeks by Paul Taylor and his father. Paul was the song evangelist and was billed as the boy Caruso.

The revival was a great success and Paul’s singing was marvelous. He died in the terrible flue epidemic of 1919.

During some years during the war, there were not enough men to serve as deacons and elders and had it not been for the women who held the church together there wouldn’t be a church here today.

Then Joe Hill came. On Saturday mornings he arrived at 11:00 AM on Number 7. After church Sunday evenings he went to Seymour with Chauncey Hague, slept at the depot until the train came at 4:00 AM and went back to Cincinnati Bible Seminary.

Bro. Phelps preached here longer than anyone else—eleven years, but we had only evening services. He preached at Brownstown mornings.

Following John U. Phelps was Gene Dulin who also preached at Brownstown Sunday mornings and Medora Sunday evenings. He also worked with the Sparksville church.

Jim Brown came as our first full time minister. He and Bob Parish each stayed six years.

They were followed by David Pettit and Jim Kasler.

Since 1970, Tom Crafton, Mike Wall and Stan Thomas have served as ministers of the Medora Christian Church. Stan Thomas and family moved into the Medora Christian Church Parsonage in October of 1977. During Mike Walls ministry a bedroom, family room and bath were added to the parsonage structure.

The physical structure of the church has seen many changes over the past few years.

During the year of 1986, we also purchased the two homes south of the church one of which was torn down and the other was rented. Since that time, that house has also been torn down, the yard leveled and landscaped. We look to the future of the Medora Christian Church as it seeks to expand and meet the needs of the people.

In July of 1984, a New Building/Construction Fund was established. In 1990, it was decided more space was needed and plans for construction began. July 1991, it was decided to raise $125,000 before any construction began. The goal was reached in Nov. 1993. Ground breaking took place on Sept. 18, 1994. The new building was dedicated June 25, 1995. With donation and special offering taken the first Sunday of each month, the church debt was paid in full on June 8, 1998. The mortgage burning was held September 20, 1998 at the All Church Family Reunion.

From that time to the present, we have worked to continue our witness for the Lord using the facility to win souls. We look to the future, and expect great and wonderful things to happen. May we continue to be fishers of men.

We ask your prayers in behalf of our leadership, our membership, our youth…the church of today and tomorrow and our minister. We pray that God will send laborers, for we know that “the fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are few.”

Brief History of the Medora Christian Church Buildings

1909-2005 The first Christian Church was located on the southwest corner of Adam and Perry Street. The property was deeded on May 7, 1878. The Church was still active in 1889. It became inactive before February 1903 when property was sold.

Elder John N. Cross held several evangelistic meetings in Medora and several were converted. A number of these Christians decided to reorganize and re-established the Church March 22, 1909. Property was purchased on June 5, 1909. The Chapel was dedicated September 11, 1910.

A kitchen, 2 restrooms, baptistery and 7 classrooms were dedicated August 29, 1954.

In 1969 property west of the Church to the creek and south to railroad was purchased for a parking lot.

In 1986, the 2 houses south of the Church were purchased. On September 18, 1994 a ground breaking was held for new sanctuary. It was dedicated June 25, 1995.

In 2003, the property south of the Church was purchased and is the location of The 237 Building. This name was suggested by Minister Joshua Deering to represent Acts 2:37 for the new “Family Living Center” type building and has been adopted as such since.

Past Ministers

John Cross, Charles V. Weddell, William Shaw, John Bare, Jesse Reynolds, R.B. Dailey, Joseph Hill, Elmer E. Peddicord, William Richmond, John W. Phelps, Gene Dulin, James C. Brown, Robert Parrish, David Pettit, James Kasler, Tom Craftun, Mike Wall, Stan Thomas, Joshua Deering, Bob Manuel, Chad Taylor, Jacob Breedlove