In 1933, the Gallatin North Missourian marked the 100th anniversary of the Grand River Church near Jameson, one of Daviess County’s oldest institutions, by printing a history compiled by Editor Allen F. Wade of the Jameson Gem. At the time of this anniversary, the church, cemetery and a nice grove was located in the country about 1.5 miles east of the town of Jameson with the property kept in splendid condition. The following is Wade’s account:

“The first settlement in what is now Daviess County, according to history, was made in 1831 near the center of the county. On Dec. 29, 1836, Daviess County was organized from a part of Ray County, and named in honor of Col. Jo Daviess of Kentucky. About this time the Mormons settled in the center of the county and founded old Diamon. More or less trouble existed between the Mormons and the first settlers, therefore the Gentiles, as the pioneers were called, met with considerable opposition.

“Facing more or less difficulties from the beginning, the pioneers were earnest in their purposes and the first church organized in this county was a Baptist church called “Grand River” on Dec. 14, 1833, composed of the newly arrived settlers.”

This Baptist church building was relocated from Daviess County, MO, to William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. This is the 3rd building of the Grand River Baptist Church which represents the continuation of the oldest Baptist Church congregation in Daviess County and among the oldest in Northwest Missouri. This 50’x40′ Wood frame building was dedicated on Sept. 18, 1918. It features two large gothic windows and seven smaller ones, each containing panes of frosted glass. The building was built by G. Johnson/T. Brown/H. Brown. It was located 1.5 miles east of Jameson of Route P, then 3/4-mile north on Route UU on the east side of that road. (Source: Imo Brown)

The first organization consisted of 25 charter members. By this church’s 100th anniversary, 31 ministers had served the congregation with eight clerks serving over those years to look after the welfare of the church’s business.

Charter members were: Wm. Gea, Nancy Gea, John Tarwater, Ruth Tarwater, Abigail Morgan, Sarah Sherrington, George Rhodes, Delitha Rhodes, Mary Black, Libbie Tetherow, Catherine Nolan, Isaac Redding, John Muican, Elizabeth Redding, Moses Netherton, Jane Netherton, christopher Nation, Phoebe Nation, Margaret Leach, Caleb O’Dell, Isaac Smith, Katherine Smith, Benjamin Smith, Ann McBrayer, F. Leah, a colored woman.

Following is a list of pastors during this first century: Christopher Nation, Samuel Trulit, Enjamin Smith, Thomas Campbell, Benj. Wheeler, Wm. Baldwin, Jeffery Christie, John L. Netherton, James C. Poe, T.M. Kenney, Israel Christie, O.E. Newman, M.L. Kemp, Wm. Merritt, H.B. Tillery, Dan Willis, J.B. Cash, B.W. Brandom, J.H. Dotson, F.E. McNeely, E.W. Dow, Lee Moran, B. Venable, Luther Rossin, Wm. Vanover, Wm. Needham, Charles Roberts, Floyd Rolf, Roy Boatwright.

Clerks serving the congregation were George Rhoades, Moses Netherton, S.W. Pugh, J.L. Netherton, James Roysteon, W.R. Tribbey, E.A. Croy, Virgil Jinkens.