History

Smith Chapel is one of the oldest Methodist Churches in western Missouri; yet, we are today’s church meeting the needs of today’s people. We are a congregation that is reaching out to our community and growing in our relationship with Christ.Smith Chapel exists to serve God by providing an intimate, secure atmosphere for the community to worship and fellowship, to obtain spiritual fulfillment through growth in knowledge, faith, and relationship with Jesus Christ. We shall work to bring those outside the faith into relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In 1824 the “Jonesboro Methodist Organization” began meeting in the homes of its members. The group decided in 1857 to erect a building to house the church members for its meetings. With the donation of $300.00 and five acres of land from Crawford Early Smith and the leadership of Gervas S. Smith (no relation), the money was raised and the church was built. In honor of these two men the church was named Smith Chapel.

Smith Chapel has had two locations.  The first building was located about two hundred and fifty feet west of the present sanctuary.  As the congregation grew additional room was needed; and in 1894, a committee met and planned the new building.  Using some of the timbers from the original church, the church was built as a duplicate of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church north of Marshall, Missouri.  The men of the church added a basement in 1939.

In 1999, as the new millennium approached, the church developed and implemented a plan for spiritual and physical growth. In 2001, an addition to the building, built by the members, was completed. This addition contains the fellowship hall, kitchen, and Sunday school rooms.

Today the congregation is growing both spiritually and physically. Our historical past, through God’s leading, has brought us to the present. We are a church that is seeking to be the church that God calls us to be. We are seeking to be today’s church meeting the needs of today’s people as each of us seeks to grow in our relationship with Christ. We seek to serve God by providing an intimate, secure atmosphere for everyone to worship and fellowship, to grow spiritually and to grow in faith, knowledge, and their relationship with Christ.