The M.E. Church, the Brethren, and the Chautauqua

I went to the M.E. (Methodist-Episcopal) Church in Sheridan. Sometime along the line, and I do not recall when, the M.E. Church was changed to Methodist. I didn’t hear much discussion about it. It was rather subtle as far as I knew. I remember hearing the word "split" and that was about it. I didn’t know enough about the "political" differences for it to matter to me then.

As long as I can remember, we went to Sunday school and church (preaching).  Little kids were expected to sit still and not cut up. One time my little friend, LaVera, and I were sitting in our usual place on the front bench. The sermon didn't seem very interesting probably so, for some reason, we turned around and gawked at people. After church was over and we had gone home, my dad told me that we looked like a couple of hoot owls and to not do that. Some of my fondest and vivid memories from early years happened there.

My dad’s parents belonged to the Brethren Church. It was about a mile north of the Star of The West schoolhouse, so it was a little country church.  Some people called it the Dunkard Church. Dad went there until he met Bessie, who sang in the choir at the Methodist Church in Gaynor. The Brethren Church had vacation bible school for two weeks during the summer; we kids went there too. What was real exciting was that each summer the Chautauqua came and performed. That was something we never wanted to miss. They were usually in early evening as I remember. The entertainment was very variant. When the speeches got too long, we kids might try to sneak out and get a penny candy (this would have been at the town of Parnell which we attended as often as possible also). I especially liked the comedy, music, and singing. A blind man from St. Joe (Miner Clites) played all of the popular songs of the day. He performed at Parnell and also at the Brethren Church grounds. There were skits and plays and magicians and so on. They were very exciting, but we had to take our hand fans! Evening started at 3:00 PM I was told.

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