Congregational Church
In 1901 Edna Gardner, Archie A. Myers, and Georgia Clark (later Mrs. Walter Styles) were received into membership at the Congregational Church.
The following year, James K. Gardner, Charles Breen, George Layman, Mrs. Ami Quick, Phebe Drake, Mrs. Shotwell, and Gussie and Edith Davenport were also received into membership. Rev. W.J. Carter was pastor from 1900 to 1903.
Methodist Church
Eldred’s Methodist Church had been built in 1859. Sometime after 1900 a steeple was added. There was also a wagon shed beside the church for the use of members who drove some distance to church.
The Methodist Church in Barryville was built in 1902. The parsonage at the Barryville Church was owned by both the Eldred and Barryville Methodist churches.
E.R. Kalbfus and Ira M. Austin of Barryville, along with James Boyd and my grandfather C.M. Austin of Eldred, were the original trustees of the property. Rev. S.O. Rusby was pastor from 1896 to 1901. Rev. F.L. Rhodes was pastor from 1901 to 1904.
The Methodist preacher who lived in the Barryville parsonage had the charge of the Barryville, Eldred, and Pond Eddy Methodist Churches.
In 1935 my Briggs grandparents Irwin Briggs and Myrtie Crabtree and their family would be the residents of the Barryville parsonage.
But in 1902, Irwin’s family lived in Nebraska where his father Clint homesteaded. Myrtie Crabtree and her family would soon leave their farm in Mondamin, Iowa, for Nebraska where Irwin and Myrtie eventually meet.
