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1907
Draw United Methodist Church.
"The sign was made by Walter Venson Caswell
and Norman Ledbetter in memory of Walter's father, Vernon Caswell." - Regina
Barnes
Photo courtesy Rick
Vanderpool, 2010 |
Lynn
County is celebrating its 100th year and I have been helping to work on the histories
of various places and businesses. I am Regina Barnes Crutcher, daughter of the
late Boyd Barnes and Fern Caswell Barnes. The Caswells moved to Draw
(nearer to the Double U Ranch) in 1928 when my mother was 4. I grew up there as
did my three siblings. I have attended and belong to the Draw United Methodist
Church all my life. The church is still going strong, approaching its centennial
in 2007. We are a shared pastorate with the O'Donnell UMC.
The first
family to settle in Draw was the W. A. Waller family.
Prior to their arrival, cattle roamed freely and drank from natural ponds on their
way to market up north. As other families followed the Wallers the cattle drovers
sought other ways to the north. First families included the Sherrills, the LeMonds,
the Greenwoods, the Caswells, the Williams, the Duckworths, and the Sewells.
In the winter of 1906-07, a one-room school was built with R. A. Duckworth
teaching all grades. Athletic teams were dubbed the Draw Longhorns with [school
colors] red and black. The last year for elementary classes in Draw
was 1949. Middle and high school classes were bussed to O'Donnell.
The last business in Draw was the Draw Paymaster
Gin which ginned their last bale in 1993. |
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| 1907
Draw United Methodist Church.
Photo courtesy Regina Barnes Crutcher, 11-2003
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As
with most rural communities, church was the only social experience offered in
towns of that size. Since the Methodist Church is the only church still active,
I will give an abbreviated church history.
Rev. J.O. Gore from the Tahoka
UMC began preaching to a Methodist congregation on March 1, 1907 with the following
charter members: Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Waller, their daughters, Sadie, Emily, and
Willie; Mrs. Kittie LeMond, and Mrs. R.A. Duckworth. Sunday school was organized
at that time with 18 regular members and 30 members listed.
The present
building was dedicated in 1924. Rev. Hamilton Wright was the first pastor to live
in the parsonage on church grounds in 1927. The Draw Women's Missionary Society
was organized in 1928.
In the 40's and 50's, congregation attendance
regularly hit the 80's. Young couples were prospering in business and crop production
and Draw supported a full-time pastor at this time.
But in 1965, after
years of dwindling population, Rev. Robert Brown was the first pastor since 1925
to travel from O'Donnell to
Draw every Sunday morning.
Draw UMC has
sponsored five men from their congregation who have dedicated their lives to the
ministry. Currently services are held each Sunday A.M. at 9:15 with Rev. Ken Peterson
minister. Mrs. Mary V.Sherrill continues to teach Sunday School, a position she's
held for over 75 years.
Thank you.
- Regina Barnes Crutcher,
June 2003
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