Local church one of only two in U.S. with designation

By Jessica Breger Special to the Monett Monthly

The Monett Historical Society and Museum is inviting locals to visit a special exhibit during June. 

The Museum is displaying art and artifacts from Monett’s Waldensian Presbyterian Church, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this month.

A presentation was given at the May meeting of the Monett Historical society by Waldensian Pastor Randy Crane and Jim Hyde on the history of the Waldensians and their journey to Monett. 

The Waldensian church has deep roots in Monett, as the city’s first mayor, Stephen Courdin was among the early Walsdensian settlers in the 1870s.

As persecutions from the Roman Catholic church rose against Wadensians in Europe, the people practicing the religion sought safer homes for their families. 

According to displays at the Monett Historical Society and Museum, the Waldensian church was even called the “Mother of the Protestant Reformation.”

The Waldensian people fled to Uruguay in the 1850s. The group had to relocate once again to escape civil war in the Uruguayan countryside.

The Monett Waldensians were among the first to settle in America in 1875. The congregation members found their way to Monett after arriving in America through New York and traveling by train to Missouri. 

Today Monett is home to one of only two Waldensian churches in the US. The 40 acres of land the church sits on now was gifted to the Waldensians by the Railroad Company. 

By 1877, the first Waldensian church in Missouri was erected by congregation members and neighbors. 

On display at the Museum are several ledgers and photo albums documenting these early settlers. Visitors can read through original and updated accounts of the lives and challenges the settlers faced. 

One well documented Waldensian was Monett’s first Mayor, who has several articles and artifacts displayed.

Stephen Courdin was appointed Mayor when the town of Monett was incorporated into Barry County in 1888. 

While Courdin eventually left Monett to explore westward, his time as a Waldensian settler and inaugural mayor are well displayed in the museum today. 

To learn more about the Waldensians and their journey to Barry County, the museum is inviting locals to its display During June. 

The Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Monett has also invited locals to celebrate the 150th anniversary June 27-29.

The church will have its annual ice cream social Friday, June 27. Saturday the church will host an open house, bluegrass concert and hog roast dinner. The weekend event will end Sunday with a special bell choir concert lunch following services.

The Museum is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.