The East Sedalia Baptist Church
The East Sedalia Baptist Church was organized under the direction of Rev. E. T. Brown Friday, March 19, 1875. The following persons constituted its first members: Rev. E. T. Brown, Mrs. E. T. Brown, Elder J. B. Hopps, Mrs. J. B. Hopps, Miss M. Hopps, S. H. Olmsted and wife, J. L. Thomas, sister Emma Hubbard, sister L. Pickard, sister Retta Titus. S. H. Olmsted was the first church clerk and Rev. E. T. Brown the first pastor. April 17, 1875, the church called Elder Brown to its pastorate, and with the exception of one year, in which Rev. John Letts was pastor, Elder Brown continued to minister to the church till 1879. Elder Brown was the prime mover in the establishment and building of the Baptist Church in East Sedalia. He built the church at a cost of $3,000, with his individual means, except about $200 in work and lumber contributed by other parties. Rev. S. D. Fulton was the second pastor. The present East Sedalia Baptist Church building, corner of Fifth street and Summit avenue, was built in 1909 at a cost of $30,000. The building is a commodious brick, modern and is furnished with oak pews and pipe organ. The main auditorium will seat about 600 people and the basement, equipped for Sunday school, will seat a like number. Present membership of the church is 750, with Sunday school attendance of 350. George Smith is superintendent. The boards of officers are: Deacons, R. A. Stanley, chairman; Fred Pierce, R. A. Miller, Joseph Hancock, M. V. Patterson, George K, Smith. Joseph Hancock is chairman of the board of trustees. The East Sedalia Baptist Church has a mission church located at 129 East Saline street. This mission was organized in 1915.
(History of Pettis County Missouri by Mark A McGruder 1919)