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Beech Christian Disciples of Christ
Beech Christian Disciples of Christ Church, Union Township, Beech, IA, church built in 1916, sold September 8, 1974.
The photo and history of Beech Christian Church was written by Mrs. Anna Spurgin Doty and her daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Spurgin Walker and copied from “Data on Warren County Churches” at the State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, film # War-56 (LDS film # 1034022)
The Beech Christian church (Disciples of Christ) located in Union Township, was organized sometime in late 1914 or early 1915. Land for the site of the church was donated by Charles F. SPURGIN, and his mother, Mrs. Jordan SPURGIN, gave the first $100.00 for the erection of the building of the Christian Church. Other funds were donated by the people of the area. Building of the church progressed with Walter LUXFORD, the carpenter, and men of the community helping, and it was finished in 1916.
Formal dedication of the church was in June 1916. The dedication attracted a large crowd from all of the surrounding area. A bountiful dinner was served by the ladies of the community to every one attending. A large group came representing the churches of Hartford and Pleasantville to assist in the dedication.
The dedication services were conducted by Rev. Walter SANDY of Sandyville and various other ministers assisting. Some of the ministers of the Beech church were: Rev. LOWE, Rev. LOCKHART, Rev. ZIMMERMAN, Rev HUGHES, Rev WYCOFF, Rev. George LOCHARD, Rev. STRINGFELLOW, Rev. ROBB, Rev. William LOCHARD, Rev. AUGUSTINE and Rev. MURROW.
Some of the families that were active in the early years of the church were: Ned SPURGIN, Allen HEINY, James GREEN, Oscar O'DELL, Bill McVEY, Carl FRUSH, Jeff BAUGH, William LAMAR, Mac HAWORTH, Dr. L.E. HOOPER, William GREEN, Sam LUKENBILL, Amzi BASSETT, Charley SPURGIN, Elmer BASSETT, Claude SPURGIN, Rose ANTHONY, Alec GILDERBLOOM, Sylvester LUKENBILL, and John SPURGIN. Church school classes have been held regularly and a Ladies Aid has been very active all these years.