Hazelwood Bible Chapel, Hazelwood, St. Louis Co., MO (OB) +1936-1987+
- St. Louis Gospel Hall / Kossuth Avenue Gospel Hall

Itinerants

Dr. Edgar Ainslie 1947
Henry Armerding 1948
Leonard E. Brough 1939
William Brown 1953
Mrs. Viola Decker 1962
Dan Dunnett 1947, 1962
Fred Elliot 1962
Edwin Fesche 1953
Alfred Perks Gibbs 1945
Charles Gray 1959
George Gray 1944
Ernest A. Gross 1961, 1974
Abe Hartsema 1948, 1959
James Humphrey 1945
Leonard E. Lindsted 1964-1965
Joe Nieboehr 1948
George Rainey 1947, 1956, 1963
- He also moved to Hazelwood in 1969, to live with his son Ross.
Leslie S. Rainey 1961
John Sims 1962
August Van Ryn 1944, 1952, 1961
George Watmough 1962

Ministry Reports

1940's

LOI 1940-2: L.E. Brough (Yakima, WA): "The scene of labors at the last writing was Centreville, Iowa where a precious season of three weeks in November was shared with the saints, preaching and teaching the Word. This ministry was not in vain. From Iowa the door opened to preach the Word in St. Louis, Missouri. Here it

was a joy to enter a rather varied ministry in fellowship with several assemblies. The meetings were shared with Maplewood, Kossuth Ave. Bible Hall and the Southside assemblies. The testimony bore fruit under the blessing of God.

It was a joy to speak at several children’s meetings and to preach the Gospel to a large group of homeless men in Sunshine Mission at their regular noon—day meetings. It was also a joy to assist the Kossuth Ave. meeting in the baptism of six, who desired to follow the Lord in further obedience. From St. Louis the door has opened to go over into Illinois. Pray for the going forth of the Word.

1944

L&L 1944-1: St.L, MO: "Thanksgiving Day meeting at Kossuth Ave. Gospel Hall was a season of happy Christian fellowship in the things of the Lord. We were greatly pleased to see goodly numbers from the various

nearby Assemblies coming in and joining in with us in thanksgiving and praising God."

L&L 1944-7: June 13: "Leonard E. Brough, Yakima, WA spent two weeks at Colorado Springs, also a few days at Kanorado, Kansas. He had a happy season at St. Louis, Mo., with the saints in the following assemblies: Kossuth Ave., Maplewood, South-Side and Bible Hall. An impressive baptism service was held at Kossuth Hall, when, at the request of the brethren, it was a joy to baptize thirteen. All this reflects the faithful allegiance of the saints to the truth of God in His word."

1945

LOI 1945-1: St.L, MO: Kossuth Avenue Gospel Hall: "Our all day meeting Thanksgiving day, was again a season of much blessing, with much refreshing and a building up in the things of the Lord. Many of the nearby assemblies were well represented, and also some from distant places, so that we were greatly pleased to have such a large number coming in to enjoy the good things of the Lord together. Our brother Van Ryn who has been having a series of meetings here; and brother Gray of Kansas City; both took part in giving the word at the evening meeting. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many dear ones, who so kindly helped in serving the meals. We can again say at the close of the day 'How good is the God we adore; our faithful, unchangeable friend.'"

L&L 1945-1: St.L, MO: "The meeting on Thanksgiving Day at the Kossuth Ave. Gospel Hall was again a season of blessing. Many gathered from far and near. August Van Ryn, who has been having a series of meetings here, and George Gray of Kansas City took part in giving the Word at the evening meeting. Thanks to all who helped in making the day an honor to the Lord."

LOI 1945-11: Present and Future Efforts: Alfred P. Gibbs, 5829 W. Ohio St., Chicago, IL:
- Oct. 28th - Nov. 9th: Hamilton, Ont., Bethany Hall
- Nov. 11th - 29th: London, Ont., Hamilton Rd. Hall
- Dec. 2 - 14th: St. Louis, Mo., Kossuth Ave.

1946

L&L 1946-1: StL, MO: Kossuth Avenue Gospel Hall: "Our all day meeting at Thanksgiving Day proved again a blessing as souls were refreshed in the things of the Lord. Prayer and praise were made in the forenoon. J. Humphrey of Chicago ministered in the afternoon and evening. Psalm 68:19."

LOI 1946-1: StL, MO: Kossuth Ave. Gospel Hall: Edwin E. Zipprodt: "Our all day meeting, Thanksgiving Day, proved again to be a day of much joy and soul refreshing in the things of the Lord. The A.M. meeting was left open for prayer and thanks to God and to the reading of His precious word and in Hymns of praise in remembrance of all His many tender mercies to us along our pilgrim journey. Special thanks were rendered for the awful war being ended, and for the joy we have of many of our dear boys now returning home.

Many of the nearby assemblies were well represented and also some from distant places. A most blessed Soul refreshing season was enjoyed in the A.M. meeting, many taking part with a word of thanks and praise, and in hymns of praise and with many precious cheering portions of God's word being read: with many comforting and cheering soul refreshing remarks. After this blessed soul refreshing season, God in His loving, tender, providing care, also provided for the need of our bodies, and a moment later we were kindly invited to the room downstairs to enjoy a lovely meal which many of our dear sisters had so kindly prepared for us.

Bro. J. Humphrey, of Chicago, gave the message at the afternoon and evening meetings, and gave a very timely and profitable word to a large number who had gathered in to hear the precious word. So that at the close of another day, with all its many soul refreshing seasons, we were able to say (like the one of old) Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits... Psalm 68:19. We wish to kindly extend our heartfelt thanks to all the dear ones, who so kindly helped in providing and in serving the meals. May God richly bless them for their labor of love for Him."

1947

LOI 1947-3:
- Joe Nieboer, Erie, PA: "Brother Nieboer is finding that the children's work offers most encouragement in Erie. In addition to the children's meeting in the hall, which is slowly growing in attendance, he has a meeting for children in their home once a week. He expects to start a third children's meeting in the auditorium of a Federal Housing project. This project is in a fast growing neighborhood with no fundamental church in the vicinity. In the early part of January, brother Nieboer was in St. Louis at the conference and spoke at the Kossuth Ave. Hall. He also visited Belleville, Ill."
- St. Louis, MO: "The all-day meetings on Thanksgiving Day proved a time of spiritual refreshment. At the morning session several brethren took part in prayer and thankgsgiving, while brother O.G. (sic?) Magee was responsible for the ministry in the afternoon and evening meetings."
- Kossuth Avenue, St. Louis, MO: "St. Louis conference was held on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in the Maplewood Chapel. All seemed to enjoy the Word and the fellowship was sweet. Those taking part were brethren Tom McCullagh, Cyril Brooks, P. McGee and Joe Nieboer."

L&L 1947-4: Kansas City, Missouri (Kossuth Gospel Chapel): "Dr. Edgar Ainslie has been holding a series of meetings here during the month of February."
- typo is either in the location or the assembly.

L&L 1947-9: George Rainey: "The Lord has given us profitable meetings in Maplewood and Kossuth Assemblies in St. Louis, Missouri. Then in Trenton, New Jersey and Brantford, Canada. I go on to Foxmead, Bancroft, Stirling and Belleville, Ontario. My brother Leslie Rainey gave help in Brantford and at present is in Foxmead with Ross our son giving help in the assembly there."

1948

LOI 1948-1: St. Louis, MO: Kossuth Ave. Gospel Hall: "The yearly Thanksgiving Day meeting was a time of sweet fellowship and blessing. The morning session was an open meeting when several brethren ministered as led by the Spirit. Bro. Dan Dunnett shared in the afternoon ministry and Gospel meeting at night. Several unsaved were present and we felt the Spirit's presence. We hope to hear of salvation to some."

L&L 1948-8: Joe Nieboehr, 1158 W. 29th St., Erie, PA: "Just got home from a trip to Southern Ill., and St. Louis. Had meetings in Sparta, Tilden and Belleville in Illinois and at Kossuth Ave., Maplewood, South Side and North End. Stopped in Cincinatti for a Lord's Day on the way home. The saints seemed to enjoy the Word. We are hoping to get started on our new building here in Erie soon. Meetings are going on well here."

AA 1948-12: Missouri, StL: "The Pell Brothers (Peter J. and Wm. J.) have had large and appreciated meetings in the Maplewood Gospel Hall, using their model of the tabernacle to illustrate New Testament teachings and Gospel truths. Brother Harold Harper spent a week at the South Side meeting and brethren A. Hartsema and H. Armerding were with the saints in Kossuth Avenue Gospel Hall."

1950's

1952

LOI 1952-8: August Van Ryn, 834 S.W. 13th Ave., Miami, FL: "For about ten weeks I was away from Miami and was kept very busy all the time. I visited Yonkers, N.Y. for a week, then came to Kenilworth, N.J. From there I came on to Cleveland, made a short trip to southern Ohio (St. Clairsville) and then went to St. Louis for two weeks meetings at Kossuth Hall. At Centerville, Iowa I had two weeks meetings and enjoyed the Des Moines conference which, in my judgment, was one of the best I ever attended. After this I went to Eddyville for four days, to Detroit for a week, and then to Pittsburgh for a week before returning to Miami."

1954

L&L 1954-1: "Edwin Fesche, 734 E. 34th St., Baltimore, Md., spent some time during the Fall with the Chicago assemblies, including Wheaton. Later he went on to St. Louis and stayed three weeks. Nine days of meetings in the Maplewood Chapel were encouraging. The Egypt to Canaan Chart was used. An appropriate time was spent on Thanksgiving during the morning at the Kossuth Chapel. Wm. Brown and myself were present. We also enjoyed three days of meetiags at Columbus, Ohio. The attendance was around thirty in spite of meeting in a home. However, the brethren hope to build shortly."

1956

L&L 1956-8: "Geo. Rainey, Box 675, Sorrento, Fla., during the month of June gave appreciated help at Maplewood, South Side and Kossuth in St. Louis, Mo. During August plans to be in Trenton, Kearny and Nutley, New Jersey, then on into Canada for meetings in Bancroft, Trenton, Brantford, Toronto and Foxmead."

1959

Charles Gray and his wife visited the Kossuth assembly one week, discouraged from returning due to their interracial marriage. They later joined Emmaus Bible Chapel (a hive from Kossuth started in 1956) where they stayed for the remainder of their lives. This incident played a key role in a majority of folk leaving Kossuth in 1959 to restart their meeting in Hazelwood.

L&L 1959-2: "Abe Hartsema, 694 Amity Ave., Muskegon, Mich., enjoyed a time with saints at Jacksonville, Fla., who presently are meeting in Y.W.C.A. but expect to build on property in a new area. During early January gave help at Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Lakeland. On return to Michigan stopped enroute in Gallion, Ala., Marble Hill (El Nathan), St. Louis (Kossuth & Emmaus) and Peoria, Ill."

1960's

1961

L&L 1961-11: "Ernest Gross, Box 1113, Greenville, So. Car., had an appreciated series of two weeks meetings in Hazelwood Chapel, St. Louis, Mo., and from there went on for a series at Beechwood Chapel, in Pittsburgh,

Penn., and Newport News, Va."

=1962

LOI 1962-5: W. Ross Rainey: Of recent date, we have appreciated the ministry of visiting speakers such as Messrs. Fred Elliot, John Sims of N. Rhodesia, and Dan Dunnett. Also, the ladies held a special meeting toward the end of March with Mrs. Viola Decker of Hong Kong as the speaker. In May, we look forward to a visit from Mr. George Watmough."

1963

L&L 1963-7: George Rainey reports as of May 27: "We had good days with the saints in Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, Texas, and now we are busy with the small meeting in Tulsa. We look to the Lord to cheer His dear children and we hope for fruit should the stranger come into the Chapel without Christ. Go on to Atchison, Kansas, and Hazelwood, Mo., from here. Plan to be in Canada alone this summer. Mrs. Rainey is gaining in health. Praise God. At the beginning of August will be in Rutherford, Kearny and Paterson, New Jersey. Prayer will be valued on this coming trip, (D.V.)"

1964

L&L 1964-10: "Leonard E. Lindsted of Wichita, Kan. and Ben Tuininga of Minneapolis had well attended tent meetings near Virginia, Minn. One definite conversion and possibly others. Bro. Lindsted plans meetings at Union Ridge, Ill. and Hazelwood, Mo. in September and October. Bro. Tuininga is giving help at conferences in Minnesota and Iowa.

L&L 1964-11: Leonard Lindsted: "The Lord gave help and blessing with meetings held at Forest Park, Illinois and Hazelwood, Mo. Pray for help and blessing during special meetings to be held in Wichita, Kansas with help of Stan Hanna."

1965

L&L 1965-8: W. Ross Rainey, Hazelwood, MO: "On June 20th it was a real joy to baptize five believers, all adults, at the Hazelwood Bible Chapel. We praise God for His encouragement. During July and August I expect to be busy in my home area. Over the Labor Day weekend I look forward to being at the annual "Youth Conference" in Augusta, Ga. In October I expect to be at Sea Cliff, N.Y. Toward the middle of September we expect to have Brother Leonard Lindsted with us for a series of young people's meetings, and I look forward to working with him in this purposed effort."

1969

LOI 1969-6: "After 23 years in Florida, George Rainey is moving to Hazelwood, Mo., to live with his son, Ross, who is also in the ministry. However, he is continuing active in preaching, having had meetings recently in Raleigh, Wilson and Zebulon, N.C. and in Washington, D.C.. He is in good health. The assembly at Maitland, Fla., in giving him a farewell, asked him to return for special meetings and to winter there."

1970's

1974

LOI 1974-6: Ernest A. Gross, Greenville, SC: April 2: "I have been in St. Louis a little over three weeks to take the regular services at Maplewood, Southside, Hazelwood and Emmaus, with a few extra meetings. I will close on the 17th and then go home. Attendance and interest has been good."

Sources

Assembly Annals (AA): 1948-12
Help and Food (HAF): 1940-2
Letters of Interest (LOI): 1940-2; 1945:1,11; 1946-1; 1947-3; 1948-1; 1952-8; 1962-5; 1969-6; 1972-1; 1974-6
Light & Liberty (L&L): 1944-1,7; 1945-1; 1946-1; 1947:4,9; 1948-8; 1954-1; 1956-1,8; 1959-2; 1961-11; 1962-2; 1963-7; 1964:10-11; 1965-8;

Visiting Ministry at Hazelwood Bible Chapel, MO

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