1897 to date, 1914.

William Butler, a favorite son and elder of this church, continuing to
serve it acceptably in the pastorate ever since he was made a licentiate
in connection with Forest has made a very noble record. He is a pastor
who has acquired the art of emphasizing in a very pleasant way the word
"come."

"Oh, come to the church in the wildwood,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb.

"From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night;
I would fain from this spot of my childhood,
Wing my way to the mansions of light.

"Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale."

MOUNT GILEAD CHURCH, LUKFATA

The Mount Gilead church at Lukfata was organized July 26, 1885, by a
committee of the Presbytery of Choctaw, consisting of Rev. John Edwards,
superintendent of Wheelock Academy, and Elder Charley Morris, a Choctaw.
The members enrolled on this date were:

Elijah Butler and Amanda Butler, his wife; Elisha Butler and Vina
Butler, his wife; Easter Butler, Francis Butler, Jane Butler, Francis
Burris, Daniel Burris, Kate Burris, Primas Richards, Rhoda Butler,
Nelson Butler and Adaline Butler.--14.

Elijah Butler and Elisha Butler, his son, and Primas Richards were
elected and ordained as the first elders. On Jan. 29, 1896, Matthew
Richards was ordained an elder.

This church was called "Mount Gilead," the home of the prophet Elijah,
in honor of Elijah Butler, one of the first elders, who, having served a
few years as one of the first elders of Saint Paul church, conducted the
first religious meetings among the colored people, that led to the
organization of this Presbyterian church at Lukfata.

Parson Charles W. Stewart held occasional services in the neighborhood
of Lukfata, two or three years before the church was organized in 1885,
and then continued to be its monthly supply during the next five years.

In 1890 it was grouped with St. Paul church at Eagletown and supplied by
Rev. William G. Ogburn from that place. From 1895 to 1899 it was
supplied by Rev. John H. Sleeper, who then moved to Frogville. From 1901
to 1903 it was served by Rev. Samuel Gladman, who then took charge of
Bethany near Wheelock.

Rev. Thompson K. Bridge