FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
YOKENA CHURCH
CELEBRATED WITH AN ALL DAY SERVICE
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A half- a century ago In the southern part of Warren county six scattered residents of the section grouped together to form a church. Yesterday their children, grandchildren, friends and associates celebrated with an all day service the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Yokena Presbyterian church. Over 300 people from the surrounding section were present for the services.
Of the organizing members of the church only one survives. Rev. C. A. Hyland who was present yesterday and at the morning service gave some reminiscences of the early days of the church.
Rev. C: P. Colmery was called as
pastor of the church In 1888 and has served the people of the community
continuously since that date. Rev. Colmery conducted the anniversary services.
The history of
the church prepared from the church records by Rev. Colmery was read by Mrs.
Josephine Hyland Inge, a great granddaughter of Rev. Chamberlain, pioneer
Presbyterian minister. During the reading of the history early members of the
church when mentioned were called to stand. Among those present were Rev. C. A.
Hyland. Mrs. S. B. White, Mrs. Mittie Stephens and Aubrey Russell. The church, the
history showed, was organized In the Bogue-de-shea Baptist church about three
miles from the present church site on March 30, 1884. Rev. Thomas Cummins. D. D.
and Ruling Elder J. D. Gilland of the Vicksburg church were commissioned by the
Presbytery of Central Mississippi to effect the organization. Five persons
entered into the organization namely; Mrs. Cinthis Eunice Wright, Mrs. Martha
Gould, Miss Fannie Hullum, Miss Sue Hullum and Mr. Charles Augustus Hynald.
Mr. John B. Wright entered the organization by letter from the Bathesda
Presbyterian church.
Tribute was paid
to the late Mrs. Martha Isabel Gould who later became the wife of an outstanding
Warren county citizen, W. S. Hankinson.
Mrs. Hankinson zealously worked in the
church and it was through her efforts mainly that the splendid building which
the church now occupies was built.
Mrs. C. P. Colmery sweetly sang
one of Mr. Hankinson's favorite hymns: "Some Day the Silver Cord Will Break."
Reminiscences
Rev. Hyland in giving reminiscences of the founding of the church stated it was
not organized at the very first meeting but at a later meeting. He said he
recalled that at a revival meeting at the old Redbone Methodist Church he and
"Mr. John Wright were sitting on a log talking when Mr. Wright suggested it
would be a good thing to start a Presbyterian church. Rev. Hyland said a paper
was then started which residents of the community signed and ; from this
petition the Presbytery, commissioned the organizing of the church.
Rev. Hyland stated that before the
church was organized, Mrs. Hankinson who was Mrs. Gould at that time, taught a
Sunday school class in the old frame church. She had no idea, he said of
organizing a church of any kind. Two of her early pupils who survive are Sam
Russell and Tobe Owens.
The offertory was beautifully
sung by Mrs. Wilhelmina Simrall accompanied at the piano by Miss Marguerite
Gathright.
“The Hidden Power of God" was
the topic of Rev. Colmery's sermon at the morning service. The beloved minister
stated to the congregation that the day was a great day in his ministry and he was delighted to see so many people present.
The hidden power of God is the genius of Christianity, the minister declared,
and works as does leaven in bread. From a small beginning the church through the
power of God grew to alter society, to gather all nations into the kingdom of
God. "How wonderful does God bring about His works. The leaven of the
Kingdom took root in the hearts of a few people in this community fifty years
ago. It spread and expanded, many coming under its Influence. It is a living
evidence of the power of God in the hearts of men and women. The Power of the
kingdom of God burning in the hearts of a few noble men and women has gone out
through the years touching others, bringing many under this influence. The
kingdom is here, the heritage is ours. We see in this the hope of the world
through the power of the kingdom of God."
Speaking of
his long ministry of the Yokena Presbyterian church, Rev. Colmery stated: "I
have never doubted God called me to preach to you forty-six years ago. I have
had offers to go to larger fields but have been convinced God placed me here and
not wishing to disrupt a harmonious pastorage
have remained here and God willing I will preach to you the remainder of my
life. I am thankful my lot has been among so congenial and cooperative a people and I
have enjoyed my work to my heart. I once more dedicate my young life to God's
work here. This is a red letter day in my ministry. I love every one of
you.
Adjutant Leonard Van Egmond of the Salvation Army and Rev. T. B. Grafton, pastor
of the Vicksburg Presbyterian church were among the visitors present
for the occasion and were called on by Rev. Colmery to offer prayers.
Basket dinner
was served under the cool of the old shade trees I surrounding the church.
[See
Photo's]
YOKENA
CHURCH TO CELEBRATE
The fiftieth anniversary of .
the ounding of Yokena Presbyterian Church will be observed will homecoming
exercises next Sunday, with the Rev. C. P. Colmery of There will be two services on this occasion, one to the morning the other in the evening. At noon, a luncheon will be spread on the grounds with everyone invited to join in enjoying the tasty food. The Rev. Mr. Colmery and members of the congregation are extending a cordial invitation to friends and members of the Church to join in the impressive tribute to fifty years of soul winning contributed to Warren county and Yokena by the Church. |
Thanks to Sonny Rule,
Church Historian.
February 11, 2006