Carrington Baptist Church
Kingdom Daily News Sun-Gazette
September 29, 1983
Carrington Baptist Church marks its 100th anniversary.
By Karen Belsky, staff writer
Carrington Baptist Church stands proudly, the stark white of its clapboard exterior creating a focal point in the earth tones of the surrounding Callaway County hill side.
The church has reason to be be proud. For 100 years, it has served the residents of the Carrington Community as a meeting place and house of worship. Through its doors have passed a sucession of of fatihful pastors, beginninging with William Henry Burnham. The current pastor, Jerry Anderson, has led the church for 23 years.
Carrington Baptist hasn't always worn the same face.. The first church building, built in 1883 on an acre of ground donated by Judge William Carrington, was a modest frame structure costing $1,571.00. The entire amount was paid in advance. There was no need to take up a collection at the dedication service on Sunday, Dec. 9, of that year.
The church's look was changed when 23 years of growth made it necessary to build an addition. The updated building crowned with a belfry, was rededicated on Sept. 17, 1907.
Yet, Carrington Baptist was to undergo another physical change, the most drastic of all. On Sunday, May 8, 1927, a tornado's blast destroyed the church, the Carrington Store and half the homes in the community. But only one year later, with the aid of insurance benefits and friends, the church was re-built at that time, at a cost of $8,000.00.
Throughout its history, the church has witnessed the growth and decline of the Carrington community. The town was originally laid out in 1872 by William Carrington, whose parents, Randolph and Catherine Carrington, immigrated to the area in 1827.
Lynn Carrington, the great grandson of William, continues to make his home in the community, and is writing a detailed history of it. He says the town peaked at a population of 100 back in the days when the Chicago-Alton Railroad decided to opeate a lne though Carrington. At that time, in addition to the depot, the town could boast a post office, general store, drug store, millinery shop, telephone company office and a school.
The tornado of 1927 and the Depression changed all that. The railroad line was discontinued, and the source of business dried up. The store managed to last until 1968, when it burned, and Carrington School continued to operate until 1972, but the town never regained it's earlier momentum. The population slipped to it's current total of 35. But, for those 35 people, Carrington hasn't lost it's appeal.
Carrington Friendship Extension Club continues to hold regular meetings. There is a newly formed Carrington Crime Alert Group, and two businesses, a welding shop and a used auto sales lot are operated in the community.
As always, the chuch persevers as the center of many communtiy activities. It's 100th birthday was celebrated by a carry-in dinner and a special program on Sunday, September 15th. Fittingly, 100 people showed up. Organizers of the day's festivities were Lynn Carrington, chairman, Barbara Shaon, Reva Fleming, John and Geneva Wallace, Morris and Evelyn Connor and David and Judy Callahan.
Maggie Kemp, the church's oldest member [74 yrs] was at the centennial celebration. So was Morris Conner, who can claim the distinction of being Carrington Baptist's second oldest member. [60 yrs[.
In addition to special music and prayers, various individuals were reconized, and a certificate for 100 years faithful service from the Center for Baptist Historical Studies, sponsered by William Jewell College, was presented to the church by Lynn Carrington.
The occasion will long be remembered in the tiny community. It was confirmation that an institution is preserved, not by numbers alone, but by the hard work and dedication of a loyal membership.
