Now that it became evident that there was going to be a town, people began to arrive in larger numbers. In the fall of 1854 Charles Dobson put in his appearance, and with Americus Pogue, opened the first grocery store. In December of that year the Minonk post office was established and our Mr. Dobson became postmaster. Jonathan Macey opened the first hotel. It stood on the site of the Woodford Hotel. The first child born in Minonk was Miss Clara Christians, whom some present may remember.

The community continued to attract settlers. The land was still government land and could be had by riling a fee of sixty-five cents an acre. It was extremely fertile. The black soil was a matter of wonder to the people of the East. One old Yankee called it a mixture of tar and mud. Also this portion of Woodford County was very marshy. Many willow swamps dotted the landscape, and they were filled with stagnant water and croaking frogs. Otherwise prairie grass higher than a man on horseback was everywhere. There were scores of rattlesnakes, and prairie chickens without number. Houses were poorly made and on wintry nights snow would sift through the cracks between the shingles and the wolves would howl without. Then in summer came the ague from the miasmic swamps. Quinine was the only remedy to rid this malady.

After Minonk was firmly established, the advance guard of the various denominations began to appear. First came the Presbyterians, followed by the Methodists, and then the Baptists, with whom this historical statement has to deal. The Minonk Baptist Church was organized June 6, 1858 and enrolled the following:

A. H. Danforth, Mary Spandan, Hannah Danforth, Anthony Spandan Mrs. T. Jury, John Terry, Richard Denby, Mary Sheplar, Margaret Denby, George Evans, Frederick Spandan, Louise Evans, John Spandan.

A. H. Danforth was chosen as clerk.

The first meetings were held in the old east side schoolhouse. Funds for an independent structure were not available at that time. On July 30, 1859, after a year and a month without a pastor, Rev. C. D. Merit accepted a call and on the same day was received by letter.

Benjamin Hall, who succeeded A. H. Danforth as clerk was instructed by the church to collect $11.00 for the purpose of buying a lot for an edifice. Lots were cheap then; for it was mostly open prairie. Our present lot was finally purchased.

After having been without an edifice for six years, the Baptists finally had the satisfaction of seeing a new structure completed and dedicated on October 30, 1864. The building committee consisted of Rev. C. D. Merit, D. P. Kenyon, G. P. Danforth, S. D. Cushing and M. A. Cushing.

From the church minutes, I quote the following report of the building committee: "A building has been erected according to plans and specifications and accepted by us at the cost of, including furnishings and organ, $3,691.27."

The dedicatory exercises took place in the forenoon of a bright and clear Sunday.

The membership of the church had now expanded to two hundred and the building was too small. Plans were therefore made to remodel. An extension of sixteen feet was added to the north end of the building at a cost of $850.00. This amount was raised by subscription.

The church was now passing through an era of prosperity. New members were being received at each monthly business meeting and many on Sundays. Incidentally, the pastor's salary was now $1,000.00 a year. Originally it had been $200.00 a year.

On March 4, 1877, Rev. Sutherland became the next preacher. According to reports his pastorate was an uneventful one. During this time, however, they did purchase a new organ. Twenty dollars was allowed for the old one, and the remainder of the debt was to be paid in sixty days. Rev. Sutherland resigned on April 5, 1879, having held the pastorate for two years. He was a quiet, amiable man and later became president of the Grand Island Theological Seminary at Grand Island, Nebraska.

Rev. Caldwell came next and filled our pulpit from January 1, 1880 to May 16, 1881.

Rev. Murch came next, and filled the pulpit from October 8, 1882 to January 20, 1884. After his resignation the vacancy, was temporarily filled by Rev. S. B. Rundle. The next pastor was Rev. Coffman and he, was followed by Rev. Burnham.

Up to this time we had no parsonage, it being necessary for the ministers to occupy any house that was available. It seems that Rev. Burnham sparked the idea of a parsonage. It was finally built just east of the church where it now stands, and was to cost not over $800.00. The date must have been 1882 or 1883. As far as we can estimate, our present parsonage is the original one; but doubtless has been remodeled.

In 1891 the old church building was again remodeled. There had been two entrances at the south end. Instead, they placed one in the center. Cherry colored connected chairs replaced the old unpainted benches. In fact, the church was quite "up to date."

Rev. Shipp again resigned in 1892. He; was followed by Bro. Swift, who was a most energetic and gifted young man, as his name might indicate and while here was ordained to the ministry. Rev. Wylie came in June 1893. This same year the church received word of the death of our first pastor, Rev. Merit. Rev. Wylie remained with the church for four years. He was a powerful revivalist, and conducted his own special services.

That same year the old structure was torn down and the present one commenced. Rev. McCormick was our pastor at the time. Temporary services were held upstairs in the Pickard building, and also in the old German Baptist church, which stood where John Denson's home now stands.

In November 1907, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid. Work progressed during the winter and the following summer, and during the holidays of 1908 the completed structure was dedicated.

Then came Rev. N. J. Hilton who stayed with us from November 1, 1917 to March 21, 1922. While he was here, Dr. Charles Shepherd, a young returned missionary from China supplied the pulpit for a couple of months. He became interested in a local girl, Miss Esther Parks, and they were married on June 1, 1918.

Rev. L. C. Taylor followed Rev. Hilton and he remained here from September 17, 1922 to December 16, 1928. We all liked him and he remained for almost six years.

We next called Rev. S. L. Buchanan. He came from New York, and was highly recommended. We were well pleased with his pastorate and with his fine family. Rev. Buchanan was with us almost 12 years, being second only in years of service to our pioneer pastor, Rev. Merit.

Rev. Kennell filled our pulpit from July 23, 1945 to September 30, 1947. He was a young man of sterling quality. It was during his pastorate that the new Hammond organ and chimes were purchased, which have always added so much to the effectiveness of our services. The organ and chimes were dedicated to the memory of our young men who at that time were serving in World War II. The lighted cross was given to the church by Mrs. Jessee Underwood in memory of her husband who made the supreme sacrifice in the same war.

Rev. E. R. Williams was with us from October 22, 1950 to November 30, 1953. He was an admirable young man, and besides his good preaching, was a fine singer.

Rev. Charles Auerswald was with us from February 21, 1954 to October 6, 1957. After he left the church gave a call to Rev. J. Leon Furrh. He accepted the call and delivered his first sermon on June 1, 1958.

So ends the succession of pastors the Minonk Baptist church had in one hundred years. They were all dedicated men of God and all of them tried to the limit of their ability to justify their work here. From the first pioneer pastor to the current one, they all taught the word of God.

The church thanks Rev. Robert L. Taylor for the work he has done here in the past several months. He has been our minister pro tem in time of need, and we will not soon forget his efforts.