Pike County Missouri Churches

Historic Smyrna Church Restoration Underway
By Hazel Moore

Plans are underway to restore the Smyrna Presbyterian Church, a landmark of Pike County, located about three miles southwest of New Hartford off Highway 161.

This church was established under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in July 1853. The Rev. George Rice served as first pastor. The group was small, but by the cooperation of the good citizens, and the will of God it grew into a prosperous church, according to a report of the day.

The first step was the purchase of three acres of land from the Trower family for $5.00 for the purpose of erecting the “House of Worship” and the churchyard burying ground.

Elders were chosen and work got underway.

Among the names of the first elders and their families who served and worked to promote Gospel through the years were: the Trainers; the Wesley Trowers; the McDonalds; the Vannoys; the Wagners; the Blackmores; the VanArsdels; the James; the Beedles; the Moores; the Thompsons; the Olnhausens; the H. Trowers; the Hobbs; and the A. Trowers.

In 1899, two additional acres were purchased for $20. The congregation worked faithfully “at the little country church in the wildwood,” until changes came, and they could not continue to hold regular services. This is thought to be somewhere about 1920 or 1921 The Rev. Alonzo Pearson is thought to be the last pastor to serve the church.

About the year 1925, due to shortage of money, membership, and attendance, the services were discontinued. But each year a decoration day and annual homecoming is held at the church and cemetery on the fourth Sunday in August with a march, carrying the American flag, song, prayer, and decoration of graves paying homage to the Civil War veterans, other military men and loved ones buried there. A basket dinner on the church lawn is followed by the program with friends of the community participating.

George W. Trower, who was killed In August, 1862, in a tattle at Ashley was buried in the Smyrna Cemetery. This date marks the annual memorial service and homecoming. He was the son of Wesley B. Trower from whom the first land was acquired.

Relatives, friends, and loved ones have continued through the years to make donations and donate labor to keep this historic church in good condition. Now the time has come more money is needed to repair the church, buy a new roof, paint the building to keep this beloved Pike County landmark beautiful for those who drive to Smyrna.

Those donating to the restoration project are: Mrs. Annie Olnihausen, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Carey Motley, Mr. and Mrs. Willie VanArsdel, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gayhart. Mrs. Susie (Trower) Buchanan, Mrs.. Dora Richard, Ralph James, Ed Hopke, Elton James, Mrs. Bessie Cunningham, Jesse James, Mr. and Mrs. Gayle McWhirt, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne James, Mr. and Mrs. Malcome A. Moore, Hazel Moore and Mrs. Hester (Wilson) Pargeon.

Also Mrs. Della (Dunlap) Fox, Mrs. Lydia (Moore) LovelI, Mrs. Lou (Moore) Strother, Mr. and Mrs. William Brewster, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Brewster, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Trower, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Fitzgerald, Mrs. Hepsie Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Shepherd, Mr. and Mrs. Rupert Shepherd, Mr. and Mrs. Samie Lee Harelson, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Trower, Mr. and Mrs. Sam E. Trower, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Worrell, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Trower, Mrs. Bessie Thompson, Charlie May, Floyd Butler, Caryll Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. John Wagner, Mrs. Ira Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Glen VanArsdel, and Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Trower.