Flora First Christian Church - Flora, IN

The E.H. Holloway Corporation of Indianapolis rebuilt the pipe organ for $12,878. It had been installed in 1917. New furniture and paneling improved the choir loft. The adult choir had around 20 members led by JoAnn Smith, Organist and Director.

They started lighting candles prior to each worship service. They also enjoyed the 24 hour prayer vigil. Dick Curts was the worship chair.

Nine were baptized, four transfered their membership. There were 262 resident members; 31 non-residents. Maude S. McNeil was the Clerk.

Three went to Chi Rho camp, and five to CYF at Camp Barbee. Martha Hoffman chaired the Christian Education Department.

The Disciples Choir had 20 regular members, although only two boys.  They met weekly, and provided music for one worship service a month, and led the congregational singing the second Sunday of each month.  Maxine Humes was director, Mary Lou Stout was assistant director, and Lois Ledman was the pianist.  In January, Mr. Bill Helvie treated the choir at the Krauss’ restaurant.

Mrs. Lawrence Douglas led the Flora Daily Vacation Bible School.  The average attendance in 1960 was 200; 1961 was 144 and 1962 was 163.  Our church had quite a number of children attending, and a few helpers.  We were lacking in our quota of adult teachers.

Kathern Shope was President of the CWF.  About 300 books were read, and 13 members received certificates for their reading.  They had representatives at the International Convention and Quadrennial.

CYF had about 20 members.  They went to Turkey Run, planned a cook-out, bowling, horseback riding and swimming.  President was Jan Harmon; Sec-Treasurer, Debbie Sisson; Study Chair, Bill Walker; Worship Chair, Darrell Hoffman and Service Chair, Kurt Harmon.

The Chi Rho was organized in October, 1961 with Naomi Butcher as the counselor and JoAnn Smith and Mildred Curts as assistants.  Eleven Jr. High youth participated.

Minister’s salary:  $5,200. (2006 was $29,200)

Choir Director:  $260. (2006 was $2,043)

Organist:  $156. (2006 was $2,043)

Custodian: $780. (2006 was $5,368)

A Pre-Easter program of Evangelism was carried forth resulting in 13 additions to the membership of the church.

This was submitted by Dick Curts.

In 1951, Russell Hensley was called to be Pastor. His wife, Charlotte, became choir director. During the short time she directed, she selected George Baum, Galen Shope, Devere Hoffman and Dick Curts as the quartet for the choir. George sang bass like no other could, Galen sang melody, Devere sang baritone, and Dick sang first tenor.

The quartet traveled several places in Indiana. They sang for conventions, funerals and other occasions. One noted occasion was the time they sang for the Christian Church in Indiana’s annual convention held in the Indiana Hotel at Fort Wayne, Indiana. JoAnn Smith, church pianist and organist, accompanied the quartet during its existence of over 15 years. The quartet was disbanded when Galen Shope passed away, and a replacement could not be located. The wives of the quartet members usually traveled with the quartet.

After the church fire in 1954, Dick and Mildred Curts were selected by Clayton Ayres, Chairman of the Trustees, to be custodians, replacing Harry Sibray. They served the church in this capacity for over 15 years, and then Tom and Terry Helvie took over the position.

Dick Curts served as Chairman of the Evangelism Committee when committees were formed in 1953.

While Russell Hensley was pastor, a softball team was formed to play in the Flora church softball league. They were top winners each year, and won the tournaments at the end of the softball year.

W.C. Aschanhort, Pastor

Elders: N.B. Grandstaff, Everett Cochran, Charles Budrow, Wilbur Kenrick, Frank Parks, Guy Kenrick.

Deacons: William Ayres, Guy Sharp, William Pattengale, Dr. Wiley, Lee Eikenberry, William Niewerth, Nola Finney, John McCloskey, Harve Calhoun, Charles Cochran, Harry Foster, Lawrence Yerkes, Clayton Ayres & Roy Good.

Chairman of Board: Guy Kenrick

Choir Leader: Mabel Holmes

Organist: Ruth Bell