Tiny {West Texas} Church Saddles Up for Centennial

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 04-25-04 | Pratt, Beth

[Theodore R.]

Tiny church saddles up for centennial By BETH PRATT A-J RELIGION EDITOR

PETERSBURG — About 120 people gathered Saturday afternoon to hear and see what may well be the most unusual gospel presentation ever given in the 100-year history of Carr's Chapel.

Horse trainer Chip Sugar of Abilene said that when God called him to preach, he could never have guessed that God would use his skills in horse training as an avenue of ministry.

"God put it on my heart to use this round pen (for training)" as a means to describe the relationship God seeks with humanity, Sugar said, while putting the horse through the beginning paces and explaining each step.

Not many will sit through a three-hour sermon, but this one was too good to miss, combined as it was with warm sunshine and cool breeze, along with a tent for shade.

The centennial event at the tiny United Methodist church a few miles north of Petersburg began at noon with a fish fry that drew visitors from throughout the area, many of them reminiscing about the years when rural communities thrived and country churches abounded.

Olive and Henry Hinton of Dougherty were among the visitors.

She grew up at Sandhill, another Floyd County community west of Floydada. When country churches had revival services, it was common for families to attend services in adjoining communities.

"I remember the little room at the back of the church," she said. Before the preaching service, "Mrs. Mather Carr used to take the children there for Bible stories and prayer."

By partnering with the First United Methodist Church in Petersburg, the aging members of Carr's Chapel are able to maintain 9 a.m. worship services on Sundays, with the Rev. Ted Wilson of Petersburg preaching.

Such partnerships, Berry said, enable small churches to continue in ministry.

Carr's Chapel was begun by the Rev. W.H. Carr, a circuit-riding Methodist minister who started several churches, including ones in Lockney and Petersburg.

Berry said in talking with other superintendents in Kansas and Nebraska, she learned that some ministers have as many as five or six churches at which to minister on a schedule.

"We are facing the day when we may well go back to the old circuit rider," she said.

Looking around the crowd, Berry said she could recognize many of the descendants by their red hair, a distinctive feature of the Williams and Carr families.

Olive Hinton said one tradition she recalls is serving as a flower girl at her grandmother's funeral at Carr's Chapel. After the service, the flowers were handed to the granddaughters to carry to the cemetery only a few yards from the church.

Another highlight of the afternoon was a brief concert by noted pianist and composer Doug Smith, whose grandparents still attend Carr's Chapel.

Smith said he sometimes drives over to the small church for inspiration in his work.

"I sit at this old piano," he said.

The church began as The Harmony Society, but by 1914 had outgrown its building. Members joined with the Allmon community Methodists to build a church at a cost of $1,300. Dedication services were held Nov. 29, 1914.

Designated a state historical site, the church represents a way of life fast fading, but one from which those who have gone out still draw strength, Smith said.

beth.pratt@lubbockonline.com 766-8724

[Theodore R.]

Petersburg (population 1,300) is located NE of Lubbock in Hale County.

[CindyDawg]

look at this :')

[deport]

Cowboy churches are springing up in various places thoughout the States....... Some include buckouts, etc.
Here is the Cowboy Ten Commandments as posted in Fraile Texas....

The classic Ten Commandments are posted in a little sign on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas. But all the "shalt" and "shalt not" biblical dictates are delivered with a cowboy twang:

Just one God.
Honor yer Ma & Pa.
No telling tales or gossipin'.
Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
Put nothin' before God.
No foolin' around with another fellow's gal.
No killin'.
Watch yer mouth
Don't take what ain't yers.
Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

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