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Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church turns 100
SIKESTON — The congregation of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church in Sikeston celebrated the church’s 100th anniversary with fellowship, music and a meal May 19.
During the celebration on May 19, the band, Cotton Ridge, performed. On behalf of the Presbytery leader, the Rev. Ryan Landino, the Rev. Dr. Brandan Eddy, stated clerk for the Office of the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery Giddings-Lovejoy of St. Louis, presented a proclamation for the 100th anniversary of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church in Sikeston.
The 10 longest-attending members of Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church in Sikeston were acknowledged during the celebration on May 19. Members and their dates of attendance include: Marilyn Starks, May 3, 1955; Richard Montgomery, March 5, 1961; Barbara Sailors, March 26, 1961; Richard Howard, April 11, 1963; Alice Jackson, May 22, 1966; Lynn and Fred Thornton, March 28, 1971; Evelyn DeCota, Oct. 31, 1971; Barbara Marsh, Dec. 24, 1971; Ed Cowan, October 1972.
On May 14, 1924, a third attempt was made to establish a Presbyterian church in Sikeston, according to the church’s minutes. Six elders and five deacons were elected. The Rev. J.P. Smith of Charleston charged the people and Sen. Oliver of Cape Girardeau charged the newly elected officials. It was determined the new church would be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Sikeston. The first meetings of the congregation were held at the Odd Fellows Hall, with the rental being $1 per Sunday.
Elder R.B. Drummond was elected clerk of the session and Verla Pierson was elected pianist. In January 1925, plans were considered for erecting a church building on a lot located at the corner of East and Matthews Street on property donated by George A. Dempster. The ground breaking was held on May 15, 1925, and the building was constructed with the same design at the Presbyterian Church in New Madrid. Members of that congregation included Lela Mae McElroy, Louise Boston and Mr. Poage.
The Rev. D.D. McAdams accepted a call to the church in March 1940 at which time the congregation outgrew its facilities on Matthews Street and began planning for the erection of a new building. Ill health caused McAdams to leave in September 1943 and this marked a decline in the fortunes of the congregation. Without a pastor for a period of time, the membership dropped to 23. Bartley Schwegler was again called to serve as acting pastor and on Jan. 4, 1945, the congregation, by a vote of 10-4, decided to continue their witness in Sikeston and worship at the Matthews Street church.
The calling of the Rev. Joseph Suitor in October 1950 brought about an increase in the membership of the congregation until it reached 137.
Plans were again considered for relocating the church building. Suitor moved before the planning was finalized, and the Rev. Edwin R. Short was called as pastor in November 1953. During his pastorate, an agreement was signed to accept a building site in Hunter Acres with the ground breaking held in October 1955, and the cornerstone laid in April 1956. In recognition of the grant of land, the congregation petitioned the Presbytery to rename the church as The Hunter Memorial First Presbyterian Church.
The membership was 209 when Short moved away from the Sikeston area. Following Short was the Rev. Donald Davidson III who became pastor in 1958, but who only served until October of the next year. In 1960, the Rev. F. Edward Watson was called as pastor and, during his pastorate, several new programs were initiated.
In 1961, a program for mission was established with the use of Advent and Lenten coin folders and the congregation accepted partial support of Paula West, a missionary to Mexico. In order to retire the building debt and to provide funds for the construction of additional classroom space, a “Forward in Faith” campaign was held. The educational wing was started in 1964 and the next year, a week-day kindergarten was begun under the care of Betty Summers.
The Rev. Lindy M. Cannon became the pastor in October 1966. The first Living Nativity was held on Dec.10, 1966, a tradition that continued annually for the next 25 years.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Bass became pastor in February 1971 and served this congregation for the next 23 years. During his pastorate, the congregation was instrumental in the establishment of an Ecumenical Vacation Church School involving Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, and Roman Catholics.
In 1984, the youth group began a fundraising campaign to support a mission trip. Chocolate Easter Bunny suckers were made and sold by the hundreds, along with several very successful grapefruit sales projects at Christmas time.
Also in 1984, the choir began the Christmas caroling tradition to brighten many lives during the holiday season each year. The Camp Energy weekend retreat became a fun, light-hearted addition to the overall church program. Other events that were introduced from 1971 to 1990, when Bass was the pastor of Hunter Memorial, included: the establishment of the Middle School Youth Group in 1986 and a scholarship fund to provide financial aid to any member attending college, the New Year’s Eve family night bowling event was organized and the kitchen was moved to a new location. By 1990, the session minutes showed a church membership of 225 on the active list.
On May 6, 1990, Bass announced he had accepted a call to a church in Monroe, Iowa. In August 1990, the Rev. Ralph Kerr accepted the position of interim pastor and a Building and Planning committee was organized to begin consideration for the remodeling and expansion of the existing church facilities. After the death of Kerr in 1991, the congregation called the Rev. Ken Jarvis to serve as pastor, a position he filled from July 1992 to January 1997. During this time, the Women of the Church began fundraising activities for money to be used to purchase supplies and equipment for the kitchen. This began the first of many very successful Christmas cookie tray sales.
At a congregational meeting on July 9, 1995, approval was given to lengthen and redecorate the church sanctuary and the addition of a covered entrance. The new sanctuary was dedicated on Oct. 6, 1996.
The congregation called the Rev. Cecilia Raske-Barnett to serve as interim pastor. She filled this position until Jan. 11, 1999, when she received a call to the Tyler Place Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.
On Jan. 17, 1999, the congregation voted to call the Rev. Rufus McLean as pastor. Under his leadership, Hunter Memorial sought to re-establish itself as a “purpose-driven” church. McLean was called to a church in his native North Carolina and resigned on Oct. 31, 2003.
The Rev. John Goodwin served as pastor from Nov. 28, 2004, until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2016. One highlight during his time with the church was leading a 34-week overview of the entire bible titled, “Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study.”
Deborah Tracy, Gap minister, provided support and leadership to the congregation while the search for a new permanent minister was undertaken.
On March 20, 2022, the Rev. Karen Dumey was installed as minister. Dumey retired on March 31. “She was a loving and kind pastor to our congregation, delivered inspiring sermons, and was a knowledgeable teacher of the Word during bible studies,” according to a church member.