Information from Annals of Methodism in Missouri by W. S. Woodard, published 1893 by E. W. Stephens Publishing Co. An index for this publication is online at St. Louis Public Library at the following link: http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/libsrc/AMMP.HTM In addition to copies at the St. Louis Central Library, there is a copy in the rare books collection at the Library Center in Springfield, Mo. Mr. Woodard presents the history of Methodism in Missouri from 1802 until 1885. The Mt. Vernon circuit was assigned in 1847, part of the St. Louis district. It later became part of the Southwest Missouri district. Prior to 1847 the county was served by the Sarcoxie circuit. The M. E. Church (Methodist Episcopal) officially split at the meeting of the General Conference in 1844 in to the M.E. and M.E. South. Methodist ministers assigned to the Mt. Vernon circuit were: Abraham Millice J. T Davenport G. M. Winton W. S. Woodard Marcus Arrington (x2) Thomas James J. McGehee (x2) T. J. Smith S. S. Headlee J. McGehee Marcus Arrington D. L. Myers W. D. Stewart (x5) A. W. Thompson A. J. Hartle J. McGehee I. Stapleton J. A. Swift J. McGehee J. G. L. Mitchell M. L. McClure J. W. Bond I. M. Carter J. A. Mathews J. G. Huff J. A. Mathews Ministers assigned to the Aurora Circuit (1881 - Southern Methodist): C. L. Bridges J. N. Anthony Ministers assigned to the Pierce City Station (1882): M. L. Williams H. S. Shangle (x2) On pages 276-277 Woodard writes: “….. Mt. Vernon, in Lawrence county, to which I was appointed in 1850, was my first circuit. Starting from Mt. Vernon, I went up Spring River to Pherris’; thence to Browning’s near the Big Spring, which gives the river its name; thence south to Buck Prairie, Green Prairie, Crane Creek and James’ Fork; thence northeast to Grand Prairie, ten miles west of Springfield; thence northwest down Big Sac, across Rock Prairie, Turnback, Pennsylvania Prairie, and Limestone to Greenfield; thence south through Ozark Prairie, up Turnback, and across the prairie to Mt. Vernon. There were twenty-eight regular appointments on the circuit. There were three camp grounds and four churches, viz.: Liberty and Round Grove, in Rock Prairie; and Bryant’s Chapel and Wesley Chapel, on Stall’s Creek. The last was built in 1851, and dedicated by G. M. Winton. The local preachers were: Dryden, Winton, Box, Baldwin, McClintock and McGehee. The last named was licensed to preach by the first Quarterly Conference for that year (from 1850 to 1851) at Liberty, and is now a superannuated member of the Southwest Missouri Conference, has been itinerating thirty-three years, and has, probably, taken more persons into the church than any other member of his Conference. The names of White, Newman, Cotty, Pherris, Tilly, Browning, McClintock, Goff, Caldwell, Robinson, McDaniel, Yeakly, Williams, Buster, Kirby, Milburn, Stout, Bryant, and many others are yet remembered. Carthage was my ninth circuit, and the best charge I ever served before the war. The parsonage was at Carthage. >From here I went to Stith’s; thence across Spring River and Center Creek to Webb’s (now Webb City); thence four miles west to a church near Rader’s; thence south to Grand Falls, on Shoal Creek, passing near where Joplin now is, up Shoal Creek, down Spring River to Cave Spring; thence across to Red Oak, down to Avilla, across the Prairie to Coon Creek; down to North Fork, and back to Carthage. I greatly regret having lost a sketch of Red Oak class, furnished me by Rev. J. L. Hagler, whom, with R. L. Newbury, this circuit gave to the itinerancy in 1859. The names of the prominent Methodists were given in the sketch of Sarcoxie circuit.” Note that during this time period Mt. Vernon circuit included parts of Christian and Greene counties (Yeakly Chapel is located on old Hwy 66 in Greene County.) Part of western Lawrence county (Red Oak) was included in the Carthage circuit.