New York Christian Church & the Round Barn Site

Whilst poking around online the other day I came across a beautifully designed and executed web site belonging to an outfit with the aspirational name, "International Center for Rural Culture and Art, Inc." Many of us know the center's physical location as the "Round Barn Site" --- located just east of Allerton in Wayne County --- and the home, as you might expect, of a round barn, plus a school, a church and a beautifully restored Queen Anne house.

I was looking for a place to refresh my memory regarding the New York Christian Church, once located quite near the farm where I grew up but picked up and moved during 1998 to the Allerton site after a lightning strike resulted in a fire that destroyed the center's original church, Spring Branch.

I had found the following report of a 50th anniversary celebration at New York Christian, published in The Chariton Herald of July 2, 1903:

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Over at New York on last Sunday, the membership of the Christian church celebrated their 50th anniversary with an appropriate all day program. In 1853, at Bethlehem, a congregation was formed and a little church home established in that sparsely settled community. In a few years the growth of the congregation required a new building, and the next church was removed to another point on the circuit, viz. New York. Several years ago this building burned and was replaced at once by a neat and more commodious frame structure, and  in this last church home the semi-centennial of the organization took place.

Only two of the original members are on this side of eternity, Hon. D. M. Clark of Fredonia, Kansas, and Mrs. Harriet E. Long of Corydon. In the morning, Rev. S. H. Hendrix of Allerton, a former pastor, preached the sermon. At noon a social hour was spent over a substantial basket dinner. A most interesting history of the church was given by E. H. Scales and letters of greeting from former pastors and members.  Hon. D.M. Clark and Mr. Amos Clark and their   wives from Fredonia, Kansas, were present and they were among the oldest members. The occasion was a memorable one, full of enjoyment throughout.

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I've written several times over the years about New York, New York Christian Church and the Round Barn Site, but will link this morning instead to the center's web site. There's enough information and beautifully staged images to keep any history geek happy --- at least for half an hour  or so.

You'll find the home page here and the section devoted to New York Christian Church here. Have fun!