THE COMMUNITY PROTESTANT CHURCH

Pilot Grove, Missouri

The beginning of steamboat traffic on the Missouri in the 1840’s and 1850’s brought change to Cooper County. The greatest change to the rural area was the arrival of German immigrants. In the Clear Creek area where the prairie meets the Lamine River German Methodists, Catholics, and Evangelicals steeled in large numbers. All practiced their faith and schooled their children in their native language.

From California, Missouri, Rev. C. Hofmeister periodically conducted home services for the Evangelical Reformed group. A small Methodist church on Henry Schozhauer’s land became their schoolhouse with a log building on land donated by Christian Schupp used as a church. In decided to build a new church across the road.

Brick Amaking took place in the Churchyard. Water, clay, and timber were available nearby and the job completed before it was realized that due to insufficient firing or faulty clay the bricks were not strong enough. Undismayed, the congregation felled trees and built the church using the spoiled brick between the posts, a method used by the French. Dedication of St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church took place September 25, 1870.

Art glass windows and a reed organ were added as the Church grew. The 50^th anniversary in 1915 was celebrated occasion. Two ministers were ordained from the congregation: Rev. P.W. Meisenheimer and Rev. Eugene Schupp.

The present brick building dates from 1929, and was built at the same location under Rev. II.E. Meuller, to accommodate the stained glass windows from the old church. The altar and pulpit light were gifts of the Meuller family. In 1957 a new parsonage was built for Rev. W.H. Sabbert. The Church exterior features patterned brick with limestone trim and metal turrets and bell tower. The steeple cross includes a weather vane of pierced metal and a star.

In 1960, in a spirit of ecumenism the congregation became the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and joined with local Methodists and Presbyterians to share the services of Rev. Robert Scholes as leader of the union. Recent reorganization resulted in the name being changed to the Community Protestant Church of Pilot Grove. The combining of denominations has been successful and has helped preserve this unique building and cemetery. Across the road (Highway N) where the original Church stood is the oldest cemetery of the early settlers with many of the tombstones inscribed in German.

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