Haden Wells Church

Mobsters and Missionaries In Tennessee

Haden Wells Church

Tennessee was an isolated and rough country when the first Mormon missionaries come to the area in about 1835.  The only way to get around was by boat; on foot or horseback there were barriers such as high mountains and wide rivers. There was danger of being attacked by wild animals, Native Americans and mobs.  There was almost no safe place to lodge for the night.    

Parley P. Pratt and Wilford Woodruff were some of the first missionaries in Tennessee. Wilford Woodruff wrote in his journal, "A. O. Smoot and I preached at Mr. David Crider's, after the meeting Mr. Crider was baptized. A mob gathered and threatened us, and poisoned our horses so that the one I rode, belonging to Samuel West, died a few days after. This horse had carried me thousands of miles while preaching the gospel." (Wilford Woodruff, Leaves From My Journal, Sunday, the 31st of July 1836 Ch.8)  (Weakly County, Tennessee). 

It was in these parts in about 1840, that Haden Wells Church first heard of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. His cousin Molly Church Anderson wrote that when the visiting missionaries sang the first song Haden new they spoke the truth and desired to know more.   

With extreme opposition to these teachings about a living prophet Haden, the oldest son of Abraham Church headed out on a four hundred mile journey to Nauvoo Illinois to meet this Joseph Smith; the man they called a prophet of God.  Haden's bosom burned within him as he met the prophet Joseph Smith.  He would dedicate his life to this truth.  Haden was a school teacher 23 years of age and unmarried.  He was baptized in Nauvoo by Joseph Smith on April 5, 1841.   

Haden was excited about the knowledge of the restored gospel.  He was fully committed to this new religion.  Haden accepted the priesthood and the call of a seventy.  A seventy is charged with the mission of preaching the gospel to the entire world under the direction of the Twelve. (Haden Wells Church was ordained a seventy on Oct. 8, 1843 while serving his first mission.  (<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus>>,)

Haden would spend much of his life in missionary service in the face of mob violence, sickness, and rejection. A patriarchal blessing recognized this; " The Lord has called you to preach the gospel to push the people together from the ends of the Earth.  You shall go from Land to Land from Sea to Sea … and proclaim salvation to the children of men teaching them repentance and remission of sins and shall baptize thousands."

We do not have the journal of Haden Church.  We do have some journal entries of other missionaries that served with him. He served his first mission in 1843.

Haden's first missionary companion John Brown recorded in his journal. " I left home on the 29th of May, … in company with brother H. W. Church, on a mission to the south.  …  The night after we arrived there a mob of 18 or 20 prowled through the neighborhood, threatening to drive the elders from the country…After remaining a few days, brothers Haws and Church went to Mississippi, and I proceeded to Perry County…. About ten days after, brother Church returned from Mississippi and joined in with me again we had calls on every hand, prejudice gave away; and many embraced the truth.  We continued our labors there until we had baptized forty-five, and organized another church of sixteen members.  The spirit was abundantly poured out, and the word was confirmed with signs following. The saints spoke in tongues, and the interpretation was given, and many that were sick were healed by the prayer of faith in the name of Jesus."  

In another journal entry in which Elder Brown mentions H W Church he records, "On the 25th of Oct. 1843 I baptized Sarah Ann Arterbury."  Two weeks later, he recorded the baptism of Samuel Utley and his wife Maria and on the 7th of December he wrote, "We ordained Brother Elias Arterbury an elder."  (Haden would soon marry Sarah Arterbury and Samuel Utley is the great grandfather of Allen C. Feller.)

A.O. Smoot, a fellow missionary recorded this experience.  "On arriving at Dresden, Tenn., I rented the courthouse to hold a meeting in, and while in the act of preaching to a good-sized audience, a mob gathered outside and a shot was fired at me through the window. The bullet passed near my head and lodged in the ceiling, and immediately afterwards a few brickbats were also thrown through the window. Considerable excitement followed and the audience began to scatter, when a man by the name of Camp, somewhat noted as a fighting character, arose and called on the fleeing people to stop. He told them if they would only sit and listen to the preaching, he would go out and look after the persons who were creating the disturbance. (Four Faith Promoting Classics, Early Scenes in Church History, p.23) 

We do not know if Haden was present at this meeting but he surely had similar experiences as he preached the gospel in his home state of Tenn.

With very few safe places to spend the night the Church home became a haven to the missionary effort.  Haden's family lived in Duck Creek Tennessee.  Elder Roberts worte, "...the Church family were a reliable source of missionary sustenance in the south since their home was open day and night to the Elders."    (Elder B.H Roberts)

When the missionaries received the news that Joseph Smith had been killed they were called back to Nauvoo.  The trek back was no easy ordeal. Elder Smoot described the trip, “I was at Father Church's, on Duck river, in Hickman Co., Tennessee, when I received the news of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, six days after the consummation of that bloody deed. I immediately proceeded down Duck River to the Tennessee River by canoe, and, on arriving there, in company with three other Elders, purchased a skiff, and made my way to Paducah on the Ohio river, from which place I took steamer to Nauvoo. (Abraham O. Smoot recorded, Four Faith Promoting Classics, Early Scenes in Church History, p.24)

After returning to Nauvoo Elder Church did not stay long because there was more than missionary work calling him to the mission field.  Haden went back to Perry County Alabama held a conference with the saints and married Sarah Ann Arterbury.   (On Dec. 19, 1844 in Perry County Alabama Haden married Sarah Ann Arterbury with Samuel Utley performing the ceremony.)   

In 1845 they were in Nauvoo where Sarah Ann received her first Patriarchal Blessing The saints worked feverishly to complete the Nauvoo temple before they were expelled. Elder Haden W. Church and his wife Sarah Ann were some of the first to receive the ordinances and blessings that would help them withstand the trials to come. They were endowed in the Nauvoo Temple on January 9, 1846 and sealed there on January 21, by President Brigham Young.  

On February 4th saints began crossing the Mississippi river on the trek west.  It was a difficult time leaving the city “Beautiful” behind in the dead of winter with mob threats at their heels.  Hyrum Smith Church, their first son, was born during this time on Monday, March 9, 1846.

That summer on the plains of Iowa, Haden became "Private Church" when he enlisted as a member of the Mormon Battalion.  He left his beloved wife and five month old son.  He was in Company "B".  A private's pay was $27 a month.  In addition a clothing allowance of $42 was paid in advance to each soldier.  This pay and clothing allowance sent back to the destitute families provided a way for them to survive and buy crucial necessities for crossing the plains.

John Hess described service in the Battalion, "I feel that the year's service… is one of the noblest and grandest acts of my life, for the reason that Israel was on the alter of sacrifice, and the "Mormon Battalion", of which I was a member, went as the "Ram in the Thicket", and Israel was saved". (Hess, John W., Journal, fd. 2, 8-9, in John W. Hess, Autobiography and journal [ca. 1887-1895].)

After a long march to Santa Fe, Haden was released in the 3rd sick detatahment. The winter of 1846-47 was long and hard.  A soldier's normal food ration usually included eighteen ounces of flour per day.  This detachment was given a five -day ration of ten ounces per day for the three hundred mile trek.  This would be equal to a couple of waffles in the morning and a couple of waffles at night with nothing for lunch and no food on the weekend.  The sick men suffered greatly from such a meager ration while traveling in a mountainous country in the winter.  Haden arrived in Salt Lake City just a few days after Brigham Young. His wife and baby were not there yet.

Haden was anxious and excited to see his dear wife and little son.  He made his way from Salt Lake City half way back across the plains to be with them.  A journal entry from one in the A.O. Smoot Company reads: "Aug. 16, 1847, Bro. Church met with us and camped with us," A month and a half later on Sept. 26 the little family arrived in Salt Lake City. 

After living in Salt Lake for two years Haden was called to go to the British Mission.  He left Sarah and two young sons. This group of 45 elders was the first to leave the Salt Lake Valley as missionaries.  

The missionaries left their homes in the dead of winter to travel across the plains and fill this important mission call. Elder John Taylor wrote, (Dec 11, 1849) "We found our journey to be very toilsome and unpleasant at this inclement time of year, and were it not for the missions … we should have felt great reluctance of leaving our comfortable homes and firesides, to combat the chilling winds and pitiless storms of the Rocky Mountains and Desert Plains,"  

On The 12th of November a party of two hundred Cheyenne Indian warriors attacked the missionaries.  They escaped without harm.  They arrived in Liverpool on April 19, 1850.  

Haden had much success as a missionary. He cherished the letters he received from his wife and family.  He must have shed tears as he learned of the death of his mother-in-law and of his own father Abraham Church who was only 60 years old.

After serving for two years Haden was released from his mission and boarded the ship Ellen Maria to start the long trip home. He again walked across the plains with a wagon train under the direction of his friend and companion A. O.  Smoot.  They arrived In Salt Lake City About 3 years form the time they had received the mission call. (Aug. 18, 1852)

Imagine Haden's consternation the very next year in 1853 when a third mission call came in General Conference. Just before his 3rd little boy was born.   Haden received a call to go to the United States; back home to the Tenn. Alabama area to teach the gospel and combat the mob violence again. 

In a letter to Erastas Snow Haden wrote, "...as soon as I began preaching and baptizing it made both priest and people angry, yet that did not hinder or impede the onward progress of truth, as it is mighty and will prevail...In conclusion, we pray that the great work of Jehovah may continue to roll on, until every honest person may be gathered out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people under the whole heavens. Even so Amen.  H. W.  Church" 

On this mission Haden had the opportunity visit his mother and to preach and travel with his brother Robert R. Church.  He guided a group of saints from his wife's birth place, Perry Alabama as they started their trek to Salt Lake City.

After much success Haden was released and yet again he crossed the plains anxious to see his family.  The two month old son he had left was now two and a half years old, another son had just been baptized and his oldest son was almost 11.  Haden testified in Oct General Conference "to the truth of the work we are engaged in."  

            That spring Haden was asked to take another wife. He married Catherine Gardner. She was born in Hampshire England. Her English enunciation was a delight to the family. Aunt Kate was seven years older than Haden and was 46 when they married.  No children were born from this marriage.  Catherine needed a home and Sarah Ann needed company and help with the endless chores and income while Haden served as a missionary. (Marriage On March 15, 1857)

That summer Sarah had her fourth child, her first and only daughter Paralee Amanda. Two years later another son was born. 

In Oct of 1861 the family was called to help settle St. George.  Three hundred families were called to the Dixie Mission.  The first Christmas in St. George the pioneers planned a wonderful celebration.  Early in the evening it began to rain and it rained for a period of forty days. 

Haden was one of a committee of five to ascertain where to take water out of the Virgin River into a canal for irrigation. He was the first school teacher selected and sang in the first choir in Dixie.  

The history of the church states, "No missionary work was done in the United States during the civil war but it was opened again by Hayden W. Church. At the end of the civil war a Mission call was hand delivered by Erastas Snow and sustained in April Conf. 1868.  (Jensen's Encyclopedia History)

Haden attended the marriage of his oldest son, hugged his 10 year old daughter and other sons good by and once again headed out on the long journey.  As Haden walked across the country to his missionary labor he must have recited passages of scriptures and used his wonderful singing voice to pass the time. 

After two years in the mission field Haden, worn and tired had a welcome treat. He returned to Ogden, Utah by train, The Deseret News Reported.  "We were pleased yesterday to meet Elders Henry G. Boyle and Haden W. Church, just returned from missions to the East...Brother Church's labors extended through Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.  He suffered much from ill health during his absence, He has been absent a little rising of two years.  They brought a company of 70 persons."  Haden also brought with him a Negro Man that called Haden "Massa Church".

For the next five years Haden enjoyed being at home.  During this time he was able to do many baptisms in the Endowment House in SLC.  He was one of the first to do baptisms for the signers of the Declaration of Independence.   

Haden Church was to serve one more mission.  He left in May of 1875 to preach again in the south. A short six months later a Letter from Elder Boyle, reported the death of Haden Church,  "He was interned by the side of his father and mother, near the house where he was born and raised.  I was with him to the last.  There are five brothers and three sisters of the deceased, all living near here, all members of the Church...He died of typhoid fever.  Brother Church had not been really well since our arrival here.  But as far as his health permitted, he was faithful in the discharge of every duty, and died in the harness and at the post."

Typhoid Fever must have hindered Elder Church for years and took him at the young age of 58.  Haden Wells Church was a great instrument in pushing the people together from the ends of the earth bring many souls to Christ.  

One might wonder what happened to the rest of the Church family and the missionary efforts in Tennessee. (Thomas Haliday brother settled in Utah in 1877)

B.H Roberts wrote, "…Through Uncle Robert Church's generosity and kindness the missionaries rode a dun-colored horse named Old Travelor named after the one Parley P. Pratt had ridden. 

When Elder Roberts went back to Tennessee. as Mission President in 1885 he wrote,  "…my first official act was to return to Shady Grove District where my heart drew me, knowing I was home when Old Traveler ambled up and nudged me from behind and all our journeys and adventures flooded my memory." 

As the missionary efforts in Tennessee went forth the mobsters got more forceful. (See another story: http://amateurmormonhistorian.blogspot.com/2009/07/crockett-county-mobbing-part-2.html)

The mobsters gave the members four choices.  Deny the faith, move, do not openly practice or preach, or live the gospel and be persecuted.

The mobsters cut off the ears and tail of Old Traveler and let it be known that all Mormons were subject to the same treatment.  (Kenneth Travis a great grandson of Charles Houston Church)

The Church home in Shady Grove Tennessee served as the headquarters for the Church in Tennessee for many years. Missionaries received their mail there and returned there to rest. J. Golden Kimball was resting at the Church home when he heard about the massacre at Cane Creek. (<http://amateurmormonhistorian.blogspot.com/2010/07/home-of-abraham-church.html>)

 Robert Robins Church provided a wagon and drove to the site of the Tennessee massacre to recover the bodies of the slain elders and transported one of the coffins to the railroad in Colombia.  Elders Berry and Gibbs and two members had been killed while in the act of opening a meeting for the preaching of the gospel.  Local stories tell that there were three possible roads to Colombia.  Brother Church was not sure which rode to take as rumors were that a mob was waiting to hijack the wagons and the coffins.  He decided to let the reins loose and let the team select which fork in the road to take.  The team selected what common sense would say was the worst road,  but it turned out to be providential as the mob was waiting on the other road, and by the time the mobsters discovered what had happened, it was too late to intercept the wagons carrying the caskets of the slain missionaries.  (See full Account: http://amateurmormonhistorian.blogspot.com/2008/07/cane-creek-massacre.html)

The murders of the missionaries; and the events which followed proved to be too much for Haden's brother Robert Robbins.  Within weeks, he lapsed into a delirious reenactment of the scenes of the tragedy and soon died.  Mission President B.H. Roberts paid this tribute to him: "Uncle Robbins" open door and bounteous table had been an anchor of refuge to the elders for nearly forty years.   He had often lent them horses and had been fearless in his support of the missionaries in spite of threats of mob reprisal."

The Shady Grove area is in  the Franklin Tennessee Stake and many of the members are descendents of Abraham and Mary Jane Church.