Centerville Gospel Chapel, IA

Correspondents

Forbush

• John Moffatt +1904+ (b. 1860 Scot. - d. 1914 Centerville, IA), evangelist;

What Cheer

• David Peacock +1904+ (b. 1850 Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scot. - d. 1929 Buffalo, Madison, IA), son of William Peacock (b. 1823 Dalkeith, Scot.) & Janet Thomson "Jessie" Crabb Peacock (b. 1823 Dalkeith, Scot.);

Centerville

• Jesse Elroy Butler +1904+ (b. 1875 Lincoln, IA - d. 1964 Lynchburg, VA)
  • PB +1904-1964 both died in fellowship with Central Gospel Chapel; m. Mae Belle White (b. 1873 Shenango, PA - d. 1966 Des Moines, IA)

News

June 3, 1932

May 8, 1947: "DAVID LAWRENCE LEADS PILGRIMAGE In Bible days it is reported that Disciples and Apostles went about the country preaching and teaching in all villages and towns. Turning back through the ages to adopt this custom of Bible times, David Lawrence of the Centerville Gospel Hall, is now leading a pilgrimage that will call at 96 villages and towns in a ministry tour.

The original apostles went on foot and found lodging with those to whom they preached. The present day apostles are different in that they will travel by auto equipped with loudspeakers and will also have trailer accommodations. The purpose of the apostles of old and the twentieth century apostles is the same however, and both find their commission in the words of Christ: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

These present day apostles will travel through the states of Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. The itinerary will bring the gospel messengers to Centerville June 7-8.

The company of evangelists and singers are travelling in an automotive caravan with trailer lodgings, equipped with public address system and preaching platform. They expect to hold many of their daily meetings in the open air. On this tour they expect to reach many who do not attend church services.

Co-founders and leaders of the tours are David Lawrence of Centerville, Iowa, and Arthur B. Rodgers of Omaha, Nebraska. David Lawrence was one of the first Pilgrim Preachers of the British Isles and compiled the chorus book used on those famous annual tours. Arthur Rodgers was director during World War II of the Christian Canteen of Kansas City, Missouri. Both are experienced Bible teachers and evangelists. Both are veterans of World War I, and other members of the party are veterans of the recent war.

In addition to the seven evangelists starting the tour there will be others joining the Messengers from month to month. A male quartet is included in the party. Beside their open air program of song and brief gospel talks with occasional indoor meetings, the Gospel Messengers propose to canvass each community with Christian literature.

Others in the party are:

• Albert Orcutt (Washington, IA)
• Karl Pfaff (Louisville, KY)
• George Leest and William Morgan (Los Angeles, CA)
• George Dvorshak (Duluth, MN)
• James Halliday, Jr. (Brooklyn, NY)

January 30, 1948: "Mr. and Mrs. Glen Johnson, Clarkdale, were hosts Thursday evening to the following group of young people from the Centerville Gospel Chapel, all from Centerville.  During the evening, games were played as well as several recordings were made by those present.  Refreshments of ice cream, cake and coke were served.  The Valentine scheme was carried out. 

• Jean and Jack Maxwell
• Paul, Angeline and James Geary
• Glen, Richard, Marilyn and Barbara Plowman
• Nancy Lewis
• Beverly Gardner
• Theresa Jordan
• Bea Fox
• Joann Gardner
• Elizabeth Hindley
• John Jas. Gerard 

Also See

• Who's Who at Centerville Gospel Chapel, IA (OB) 1887/1904-2009
• Forbush Gospel Hall, IA & What Cheer Gospel Hall, IA

Sources

• Centerville Daily Iowegian and Citizen: May 8, 1947 accessed 1-22-2019 by Doug Engle

• Centerville Daily Iowegian and Citizen: January 30, 1948 accessed 1-22-2019 by Doug Engle