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December 1909, Christmas Eve, the first Christmas program was
presented in the new church to a large crowd. Mr. Dana McGill played
the role of Santa Claus in this program.
The latter part of April 1910, a committee of three was
appointed to purchase a rug for the chancel floor at the church.
Serving on this committee included Miss Stella Snyder, Miss Abbie
Hatch and Mr. Loris Foltz. The committee members first shopped at
Cedar Vale for the rug, but not finding anything suitable they went
to the General Store at Maple City, which was then operated by Mr.
G. W. Gilkey, and if nothing suitable was found there they planned
to go to Arkansas City to try to make a selection. The records I
have available do not state where the purchase was made but there
was a rug purchased and it was used until the early 1930's when it
became so worn and soiled the Community Club ladies removed it and
replaced it with linoleum.
During the 1950's Mr. Elvin Mosier made the standards
for the Christian and American flags. The white cross which is
displayed on a small table at the back of the nave (the chief or
main body of a church, extending from entrance to chancel) was made
by Mr. Loel Moore. The Bible displayed on the same table is a
Masonic Bible and was given to Hicks Chapel by Mr. Jack Jarvis. The
ceramic baptismal basin was made by Lucille Drum, wife of Mr. Harold
Drum, the gentleman who built the altar.
January 23, 1961, Alan Rush as a premenstrual student
at Southwestern College preached his first sermon at Tisdale and his
second at Hicks Chapel at the morning service. Mr. Rush did not
continue to pursue the ministry as a profession after the close of
the college term in 1961. He later went into the field of
electronics.
For the year 1965 Hicks Chapel Methodist Church
received a Certificate of Recognition from the Central Kansas
Conference of the Methodist Church for acceptance in full of their
apportionment of the Faith of Action Quadrennial Program.
Faith in action is the program of World Service and
Annual Conference Benevolences of the Central Kansas Conference or
the Methodist Church.
July 1965 the annual Ice Cream Social was held with
proceeds of $57.07.
September 15, 1968 the fifty-ninth anniversary of Hicks Chapel
Church was observed with approximately 75 persons registered. The
morning service was conducted by the regular pastor, Rev. Don
Schlichting using as his sermon topic, "The Treasures of Home coming
begin in Your Heart."
The afternoon program was presided over by Alan Rush
with Mrs. Norman Christenson of Arkansas City, Kansas as guest
pianist, The program consisted of group singing, two musical numbers
by the Ross Sherwood family of Silverdale, Kansas; duet by DeGaye
Riley and Olive Rush who also sang a request number; reading of
letters 0f those who were unable to be present and the Memorial was
read by Mrs. Art Metcalf. Brief talks were given by Dana McGill and
Dan Rush. Plants were presented to Mr. Marion Martin who had
observed his 91st birthday, as the oldest man present, to Orva
Asbury of Bellingham, Washington as coming the farthest distance,
and to the Ross Sherwood family for having the largest number of
their immediate family present. Acknowledgement was made to Mrs.
Golden Wiley, who presented the altar a beautiful vase and flowers
in memory of her sister, Mrs. Lura Michel. Recognition was extended
to those present who had attended the original dedication 59 years
ago.
November 1968 the ladies of the church sponsored by the
Women's Society of Christian Service served the Otto Reschke farm
sale. August 14, 1969 the ladies served the Fred Minor farm sale and
October 1971 they served the Mildred Russell farm sale.
March 19, 1972 a large print, King James Version Bible
containing The New Testament and the Book of Psalms was presented to
Hicks Chapel Church by Rev. Lewis Helsel.
May 1972 Marquita Metcalf, eighth grade graduate and J.
C. Riley , Junior College graduate were given special recognition
and each received a gift from the church.
During 1972 and 1973 the Women's Society of Christian Service
collected rags and sold them to APCO for a money making project.
July 1972 the Women's Society of Christian Service.
bought linen for a cover for the communion table. It was hemmed by
Mrs. Lucile Metcalf.
December 24, 1973 Fred' Carl Minor passed away at San
Diego, California. Funeral services were conducted at the church
December 29. Rev. Rex Kelly officiated.
March 1974 in addition to other purchases made by
the United Methodist Women, they purchased two box fans to be used
at the church. (The Society name changed from Women's Society of
Christian Service to United Methodist Women in 1973.)
May 20, 1979, Jennie Newlin a long time resident of
this community and a charter member of Hicks Chapel Church was
honored with a farewell luncheon, which was held at the church.
Special table and altar decorations were brought by Mrs. Nellie
Mills of Cedar Vale, a longtime friend of Mrs. Newlin.
A guestbook titled, "Jennie, Our Queen for Today" was
kept and pictures were taken throughout the festivities and added to
the book and was later presented to the honoree. Mrs. Elton
Pettigrew presented a going-away gift, a grouping of four rural life
scenes, as a gift from neighbors and friends in a short service
following the luncheon.
Mrs. Newlin had been living in a mobile home in Dexter
since leaving the farm in this community in 1977. She left the farm
around Easter in 1977, therefore she was presented an Easter lily
from the church.
A few days following the farewell luncheon, Mrs. Newlin
moved to Lubbock, Texas to make her home, where her son and daughter
resided. She was retained as a honorary member of the United
Methodist Women. She had served as secretary of the society for
several years.
There were two memorials I failed to mention last year, one was to
Hicks Chapel in memory of Mr. Oliver Cox, who passed away in 1974
and the other one was to Hicks Chapel in memory of Mr. Otto Reschke,
who passed away in 1979.
August 1984 church services were conducted by Larry and
Betty Ankrom of Atlanta, Kansas in the absence of Rev. Helsel The
message was brought by Word and Song.
September 24, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Alice Helsel attended a
United Methodist Women District meeting at the First United
Methodist Church of Winfield, Kansas. This was an all day meeting
with the morning session including business reports, and the
recognition of retiring officers.
Following a sack lunch, a kitchen band and Sing-along
was enjoyed. The afternoon session included reports, discussion
groups and a report by Teri McCorkle, Metour speaker.
A banquet at six o'clock was attended by 150 members and friends.
The Rev. Janet Sevier, Winfield district superintendent brought the
message of the evening. Installation of district officers for 1985
and communion concluded the evening.
September 19, 1984 Mrs. Olive Rush attended a Winfield
district workshop on evangelism at the Oxford United Methodist
Church. Rev. James W. Cowell, director of congregational development
for the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship led
the workshop.
September 30, 1984 annual homecoming was held at Hicks
Chapel United Methodist Church honoring the 75th anniversary of its
organization with approximately 175 persons attending. Rev. Lewis
Helsel, regular pastor and former pastor, Rev. Rex Kelly were in
charge of the morning service with Rev. Kelly bringing the morning
message. A choir consisting of twelve members of the Fred Rush
family, including Fred's sister, Mrs. Bertha Hallman provided
special music for the morning service.
Following a, bountiful dinner at noon, the afternoon
program was presided over by Mr. Fred Rush. Highlights of this
program included the presentation of awards by Mrs. Marie Martin to
the following persons: Mrs. Gertrude Yeager for her many years of
loyal service as church treasurer: Mrs. Ruth Bryan, 91 years of age
as the oldest person present; Ross Latta, 2 year old son of Mr. and
Mrs. David Latta as the youngest person present; to Pearl Hicks
Sorokowsky of Manaimo, B.C. Canada, as the person coming the
farthest distance and to Mrs. Blanch Rush, for having the most
members of her immediate family present.
Mrs. Martin also presented awards to the eight couples
present who had had fifty years of marriage. The couples included
Fred and Olive Rush, Raymond and Marie Martin, Art and Lucile
Metcalf, Robert and Lois Hanahan, Ralph and Agnes Daniel, Rev.
Everett Vaughan, whose wife was unable to be present, Rev. L. Neal
Kennedy and his wife Murlene and Rev. Lyman Burgress and his wife
Ruby.
Seven ministers were present, five of whom were former
ministers of Hicks Chapel. They included L. Neal Kennedy, quentin
Prather, Rex Kelly, Lyman Burgress and the regular minister Lewis
Helsel. Other ministers were Don Bryan of High Ridge, Missouri,
Everett Vaughan and Henry Murray both of Newton, Kansas. They were
introduced and each gave a brief talk and reminisced about past
association with Hicks Chapel.
The four charter members present were each presented a
book containing "75 Years of History of Hicks Chapel." Receiving
these books included Blanch Carroll Rush, Ruth Pettigrew Bryan, Opal
Yeager Busby and Jo Pettigrew Rollins.
Laura Hicks and Margaret Hicks Hufham of Albuquerque,
New Mexico and Pearl Hicks Sorokowsky of Manamimo, B.C. Canada,
nieces of Miss Letita Hicks, the great lady Hicks Chapel was named
in honor of, were introduced and each gave a brief talk.
The remainder of the program consisted of several
musical numbers which included a vocal solo by DeGaye Riley Latta,
accompanied by herself on the guitar; a vocal solo by Ross Sherwood,
who sang "The Stranger of Gailee", which he dedicated to his
father-in-law, Mr. Raymond Martin for his 82nd birthday, which
occurred on this day; a song by the Rush family; a violin solo by
Bertha Hallman accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Alice Helsel, the
Memorial service by Mrs. Olive Rush and a short reminiscence period
after which the program concluded with the singing of "God Be With
You."
Throughout the day books containing "75 Years of
History of 'Hicks Chapel" compiled by Mrs. Pauline Mosier were
available. Also available was notepaper depicting a picture of Hicks
Chapel drawn by Ruth Riley and J.C. Riley. An added attraction was a
display of pictures and memorabilia for viewing.
October 29, 1984 a Halloween Party was enjoyed at the
Fellowship Hall by approximately 40 community members. The party
started with a wiener roast followed by games and group singing.
Mrs. Jane Badley, Mrs. Ruth Barger and Mrs., Debra Pettigrew were in
charge of arrangements.
Several meetings were held during August, September,
October and November in regard to Parish Development, These meetings
were held at the different churches involved with one being held at
Hicks Chapel in November. After months of conversation the United
Methodist Churches of Atlanta, Burden, Grandview, Prairie View,
Tisdale and Hicks Chapel proposed a plan for Parish Development to
their member congregation. The intent of this form of ministry is to
provide consistent and strong ministerial leadership and to resource
the participating congregations so that they may minister
effectively in their community.
Representation of the participating churches propose to do together
what individually is impossible for one church to do alone. After
further study the above named churches were given the opportunity to
vote as to whether they wanted to be a part of the proposed parish.
December 1984 the annual community Christmas dinner was
held in the Fellowship Hall with approximately 40 attending.
Following a delicious dinner a miscellaneous program was presented
with Mrs. Debra Pettigrew presiding. The Program included the movie
"Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus", and some musical numbers.
Santa Claus made his appearance at the close of the evening to the
delight of the youngster's present and distributed treats to the
group.
December 9, 1984 a group from Hicks Chapel visited the
Dexter and Cedar Vale Nursing Homes and a few community members and
distributed plates of fresh fruit as gifts and did some caroling.
December 23, 1984 several family members of Rev. and
Mrs. Helsel attended morning worship service. Instead of a message
from Rev. Helsel the worship -service consisted of special numbers
from the congregation, representing each family present. Also a
special collection was taken to aid the starving people in Ethophia.
A total of $186.00 was collected.
December 28, 1984 the Alan Rush family showed slides of
their trip to the Holy Land which they had taken earlier in the
year.
January 8, 1985 the United Methodist Women met at the
home of Mrs. Ruth Barger for an all day meeting. The ladies tacked a
comfort which they had pieced from double knit blocks some months
prior. The completed comfort was sent to the Urban Ministries at
Wichita, Kansas.
January 13, 1985 a second, collection was taken to aid
the starving people in Ethiopia. This collection amounted to
$182.00. Another event this Sunday was a covered dish dinner and
food shower given in honor of Mary and David Short, who had been
united in marriage June 12, 1984.
January 20, 1985 Rev. Janet Sevier, district
superintendent was present to discuss and answer questions
pertaining to the proposed parish. A covered dish dinner was held at
noon.
The latter part of January 1985 a petition was signed
by 16 persons at Hicks Chapel requesting support for the raising of
the drinking age to 21, and a "no" vote on liquor-by-the drink,
pari-mutuel and lottery gambling. The signed petition was mailed to
Senator Joe Warren at Topeka, Kansas.
February 1, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush as a layperson
representing Hicks Chapel, attended a special session of the Kansas
West Conference at Salina, Kansas. The meeting concerned the
proposed sale of Wesley Medical Center. The reason for management
recommendation to sell was the fear of the economic consequences of
the future.
Wesley Medical Center opened its doors as Wesley
Hospital October 1912 after the Southwest Annual Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church voted in March to establish a hospital.
The hospital expanded greatly during that 72 years but always
maintained a relationship with the annual conference.
A letter of intent to sell the 728-bed hospital for
$265 million to the Hospital Corporation was signed by the medical
centers board of trustees November 20, 1984. This action was greeted
by an outpouring of opposition from United Methodist Clergy and
laypersons. Bishop Hicks ask the medical center's board of trustees,
of which he was a member, to delay making a final decision until a
special task force could study specific implications of the sale.
These would include switching the hospital from a not-for profit
medical center to one for-profit hospital in a chain of such
hospitals the proposed buyers own.
Finalization of the sale, which the board of trustees
initiated was expected within 120 days of the November 20 letter
signing. After the task force studied and set up specific guidelines
for distributing proceeds of the sale of the center they recommended
to the conference in the special session which was called for
February 1 to sell the center.
The guidelines provided for the transfer of the
proceeds to the Wesley Medical Endowment Foundation and the transfer
of $32 million in cash and grants from the foundation to the
conference over a three-year period. They would establish a formal
relation ship between the annual conference and the Wesley Medical
Endowment Foundation that never existed before. The Wesley Medical
Endowment Foundation would receive proceeds of the sale from Wesley
Medical Center and hold them in trust for the health care mission
and purpose of the conference. In other words the proceeds would be
used mainly for health care missions.
675 clergy and 1aymembers from the 400 United Methodist
Churches in Kansas West considered the sale during the special
session. The voting which was done by secret ballot resulted in the
majority being in favor of the transaction. The sale was finalized
within the 120 day limit. Mrs. Rush voted against the
transaction.
February 20, 1985 the United Methodist Women met
at the home of Mrs. Olive Rush.
February 24, 1985 Hicks Chapel United Methodist
Conference was held following the morning worship service. The
meeting was conducted by Rev. George Gardner, pastor of the First
Methodist Church of Winfield on behalf of the district
superintendent, Rev. Janet Sevier, who was unable to be present. The
purpose of the meeting was to take the vote in regard to the wishes
of the church people as to whether they wished to be a part of the
proposed Eastern Cowley County Parish. All voting was done by
written ballot and the majority was in favor of being a part of the
proposed parish.
March 1,1985 a group from Hicks Chapel attended World
Day of Prayer which was held at Silverdale Community Church. Other
churches represented included Maple City Community Church and the
Baptist and Christian Churches of Dexter.
March 5, 1985 the United Methodist Women met at the home of Mrs.
Olive Rush. Mrs. Kathy Rogers of Tisdale was a special guest and was
in charge of the Quiet Day Service. The lesson she presented was on
"Women and Work" and dealt with the work of women allover the world.
March 15-16, 1985 Mr. Fred Rush attended the Methodist
Men's Retreat at Salina, Kansas.
March 19, 1985 the United Methodist Women of Rock hosted a mission
study on Peace. The study was led by Mrs. Paulette Rush of Winfield,
Kansas. Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Ruth Riley from Hicks Chapel
attended this meeting.
March 24, 1985, John Butler a representative of Gideon
International conducted the morning service in the absence of Rev.
Helsel, who with Mrs. Helsel were on vacation. Mr.' Butler told of
some of the work of the society and where Bibles are distributed,
with 35% going overseas and the remaining percent staying in the
United States, Bibles going to hospital, motels, hotels and prisons.
This work is made possible by donations. Hicks Chapel made a
donation to aid in this meaning full work.
March 28, 1985 the Atlanta Methodist Women hosted a
Bible study of the Book of Ephesians. The study was led by Rev. Jean
Wilcox of Leon Methodist Church. Mrs. Olive Rush and Mrs. Alice
Helsel were in attendance from Hicks Chapel.
March 31, 1985 a soup and dessert supper was enjoyed by
several including the members of the Rejuvenators, a group from the
Blessed Heights Church at Arkansas City, Kansas. Featured on drums
was Troy Shrope, grandson of Rev. and Mrs. Lewis Helsel. Other
program numbers was group singing led by Patricia Whiteman and an
original piano solo played by Kay Lennon both of the Timber Creek
Friends Church near Atlanta, Kansas.
April 3, 1985 the United Methodist Women met in the
home of Rev. and Mrs. Lewis Helsel of rural Atlanta, Kansas.
April 4, 1985 Maundy Thursday Communion Service was
held at the Church.
April 7, 1985 Easter Sunrise services were held at the
church. The Randy Norris family conducted the Sunrise services,
after which a Fellowship Breakfast was enjoyed by all present. The
Worship Hour was held at 9:00 a.m. with an attendance of 25.
April 10, 1985 the United Methodist Women of Hicks
Chapel hosted a mission study group on Korea. Rev. and Mrs. Jack
Robinson of Winfield, Kansas led the study. A luncheon was served at
noon which consisted of various dishes of Japanese food. Attending
were ladies from the following churches: Cedar Vale, Tisdale,
Prairie View, Atlanta, Grace Methodist of Winfield and Hicks Chapel.
During the latter part of April new window shades were
hung in the Fellowship Hall by Roy Barger and Orie Riley. These
shades were purchased and given to the church by Mrs. Ruth Barger.
May 5, 1985 Mrs. Isobel Sauer of Atlanta, Kansas conducted the
morning service in the absence of Rev. Helsel. He and Mrs. Helsel
were attending the National Friends Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
May 16, 1985 Hicks Chapel Methodist Women were guests
of the Cedar Vale United Methodist Women at Cedar Vale, Kansas for a
fellowship luncheon and afternoon program which included a book
review by Norma Knowles. Attending from Hicks Chapel were: Ruth
Riley, Marie Martin, Nell Marie Pettigrew and Rev. and Mrs. Helser.
May 20, 1985 Rev. Lewis Helsel conducted graveside
services for Ella May Metcalf at Hope cemetery near Arkansas City,
Kansas. Mrs. Metcalf had passed away May 17, at Wichita, Kansas.
May 21, 1985 the Hicks Chapel United Methodist Women
were guests of the Burden United Methodist Women at Burden, Kansas.
The lesson was led by Mrs. Alice Helsel, the topic was "Ever Since
Eve" and dealt with the changing role of women in the Methodist
Church.
The latter part of May 1985 a new screen to be used
with the overhead projector was purchased by Mrs. Ruth Barger and
financed from some remaining paint fund. This fund was made possible
by donations from the surrounding area.
June 2, 1985 Rev. Lewis Helsel conducted his last
worship service at Hicks Chapel as he is retiring after serving the
past 14 years as pastor at Hicks Chapel. During the morning service
Mrs. Debra Pettigrew on behalf of the church community presented
Rev. and Mrs. Helsel a going-away gift which consisted of a money
tree and a corsage to Mrs. Helsel and a boutonniere to Rev. Helsel.
The corsage and boutonniere both were designed from paper currency.
Following the worship service a covered dish dinner was held in
their honor in the Fellowship Hall with approximately 40 community
members attending.
June 3, 1985 mini blinds were ordered by Mrs. Pauline
Mosier for the windows in the nave. They were financed by the United
Methodist Women and were hung by Mr. Orie Riley assisted by Mrs.
Orie Riley.
June 3-7, 1985 a very rewarding session of Bible School
convened under the supervision of Mrs. Ruth Barger with an
enrollment of 18. The topic this year was "In the Footsteps of
Jesus."
Teachers were Ruth Barger, nursery class with an
enrollment of 5: Pauline Mosier, Beginners class with an enrollment
of 5; Iola Pettigrew, Primary class with an enrollment of 5; Ruth
Riley, Middle class with an enrollment of 3. Ruth Riley and Debra
Latta were in charge of the music, Rose Ann Riley was in charge of
crafts. Other helpers were Donita Pettigrew, Linda Norris, Olive
Rush and Nell Marie Pettigrew.
The program was presented the evening of June 7. Attendance awards
were presented to each child enrolled. The collection which was
taken each day for a missionary project amounted to $40.25 and was
sent to the United Methodist Youthville at Newton, Kansas. At the
close of the program cookies and punch were served to all present.
June 9, 1985 was the first Sunday for our new minister,
also the beginning of our participation in the newly organized
parish. After much intense study and many meetings the Eastern
Cowley County Parish became a reality. This parish involves six
churches and three ministers. Burden and Hicks Chapel share the same
minister, who is Rev. Cheryl Peters. She is also education resource
person for the six churches. The second Sunday in June, Rev. Peters
first Sunday, Hicks Chapel started holding service at 9:30 AM to
accommodate Rev. Peters appointment to two churches.
Key parish funds were received to start the parish and
to raise salaries. A parish council was organized to provide lay
leadership. Mrs. Debra Pettigrew and Mrs. Ruth Barger represent
Hicks Chapel on the parish council.
The parish council meets once each month and on June
24, 1985 a meeting was held at Prairie View United Methodist Church.
At this meeting a name for the newly organized parish was discussed.
There were several name suggested and Sunflower Parish was the name
chosen by receiving the majority vote. At this same meeting a fund
raising project was discussed. Funds were needed to underwrite the
parish budget for the year. The council voted to hold an Auction and
Ice Cream Supper to be held at Tisdale August 9, 1985.
June 12, 1985 the United Methodist Women met in the
home of Marie Martin. Plans were made for the annual Ice Cream
Social and Country Store to be held at the church July 12. Plans
were also made to serve a charcoaled Pork burger Supper.
June 20, 1985 the Farmers State Bank of Dexter closed
its doors because of insolvency. This bank had been a very important
asset to the community for over 75 years. The closing had a great
effect upon church and community. Hicks Chapel had been a depositor
with this bank for several years.
The first part of July two ceiling fans were hung in
the Fellowship Hall by Dwight Mosier assisted by Roy Barger and Orie
Riley. One of the fans was a gift from Fred and Olive Rush and the
other one was a gift from Roy and Ruth Barger and Dwight and Pauline
Mosier and a small amount of remaining paint fund.
July 12, 1985 the social event including the Ice Cream
Social, Country Store and Pork burger Supper was well attended.
Proceeds from the Ice Cream Social was $190.80. This amount went
into the church treasury to be used for church expenditures.
Proceeds from the Country Store and Supper totaled $263.75. This
amount went into the United Methodist Women treasury to help finance
the society's many projects.
July 12-14, 1985 Mr. Fred Rush accompanied by his sons
Ralph of Arkansas City and Alan of Winfield attended the National
Conference of Methodist Men at Purdue University, West Lafayette,
Indiana. Purdue '85 is the quadrennial gathering of United Methodist
Men.
August 9, 1985 several from Hicks Chapel attended the
Ice Cream Supper and Auction at Tisdale and participated in this
parish project.
August 8-9-10-11, 1985 Mrs. Olive Rush accompanied by
her daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Wise of Winfield attended the
Aldersgate '85 of the United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas.
Aldersgate is an event which has had a life transforming effect upon
thousands of Christians. '85 is the seventh National Conference on
the Holy Spirit which was sponsored by the United Methodist Renewal
Services Fellowship. Each Aldersgate Conference has been marked by a
fresh outpouring of God's spirit in grace and power.
(The three following paragraphs I unintentionally omitted in the
order they should have been listed.)
A memorial was established to Hicks Chapel in memory of
Rev. Rex Kelly, who passed away October 3, 1984. He will be
remembered as one of the ministers at Hicks Chapel who instigated
several changes and improvements while serving his pastorate there.
Rev. Willis Bussart passed February 21, 1985. He served as minister
at Hicks Chapel for only a few months.
May 1985 James Charles Pettigrew and Michelle Lewis
both eighth grade graduates were each presented a gift from the
church.
As I bring this history to a close and we come to the
end of another year for the organization of Hicks Chapel United
Methodist Church, I am reminded of the numerous dedicated caring and
generous people who have contributed and continue to in many, many
ways, some by gifts of money, some by using their God-given talents
and some by just being there. The combination of all of these
qualities and God's continued blessings is what keeps Hicks Chapel
the monument of the past, present and future.
May our church group be a blessing to future
generations, not because we serve in the Methodist Church but in the
Church of Jesus Christ. |
