Grand Prairie

From Lane Co Oregon

Grand Prairie

In October of 1853, Edward (1825-1888) and Helen Adkins arrived in the Alvadore area from Kirksville, Missouri. Immediately they built a log cabin and a few families gathered in their home for prayer and Bible study. From this they formed a church and in 1855, called Philip Mulkey (overland in 1853), son of John Mulkey, Sr., to be the minister of the congregation - known as The Grand Prairie Church. "At the end of another year, 1856, the meetings were held in the new Grand Prairie School House on Meadowview Road."

James A. and Elizabeth Bushnell united with this congregation in 1855. Helen Adkins was a sister of Mr. Bushnell. Visiting preachers included Gilmore Callison, John A. Powell, John Rigdon, John E. Murphy and Joseph H. Sharp.

The booklet Past is Prologue to the Future, published by the Oregon Disciples, carries this added information about the Grand Prairie Church: "During the Civil War, the church split over divided loyalties to the North and the South." The booklet indicates the Civil War issue was a factor in the establishment of the Junction City Christian Church.

Early members included: Edward & Helen Adkins, Allen Watson & Rachael Gross Bond, Allen & Rachael Robinson Bond, Helen J. Bond, Isaac William and Hettie McClure Bond, Vincent Scott & Etta McConnell Bond, J. W. Bond, Joseph Wolfe & Mattie Zumwalt Bond, Robert Bruce & Belle Gibson Bond, V. S. Bond, William Loretto Bond, James A. & Elizabeth Bushnell, Elizabeth Greene, A. R. Hobbs, George Hobbs, C. T. Jennings, J. C. Jennings, James F. & Nancy Bruce McClure, Vincent Scott & Sally Bruce McClure, C. A. Nott, J. H. Nott, John & Hetty Amanda Bond Parker, Lou E. Bond Robertson, Rufus & Louisa Elizabeth Bond Robertson, G. L. Smith, M. A. Smith, Clara F. Bond Spencer, Halvor & Eliza Catherine Bond Wheeler, William L. & Emma Jane Bond Wheeler, and Charlie and Mary Ellen Bond Withrow.

The Grand Prairie Church slowly dissolved into several groups more convenient to their constituents.