Uncovering the History of West Antioch

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

Over the years, there has been some confusion and misinformation about West Antioch. Most people living in central Clark County are somewhat familiar with the village of Antioch and its location.

The village of Antioch—or what is left of it—is located at a sharp corner of a T-junction on Missouri Route 81, Section 29, Jackson Township, about nine miles south of Kahoka. It was once a busy little village with two stores, one of which contained the post office and a locker store where frozen items could be kept. There was also a poultry house south of the store where chickens were dressed and sold to Henderson Produce of Monroe City, as well as a blacksmith shop. A Baptist church was located there, along with a country school, Antioch District No. 77, which stood a short distance south of town. There are no records indicating how the village got its name.

Clarifying the Misinformation

This is where the misinformation may have started. An article published by The State Historical Society of Missouri, Clark County Place Names, 1928–1945, suggests that the village of Antioch was named for the West Antioch Church, located five or six miles from the village. This is not accurate, as the village of Antioch was settled in the late 1830s, with the post office being established in 1883. The West Antioch Church was not built until 1895 and was located in the southwest part of Clark County.

What Was West Antioch?

West Antioch was a small settlement consisting of a few houses, a country store and a church. It was located in Washington Township, T63, Sections 6 and 7. The local school was a short distance to the south.

The West Antioch Methodist Church was built around 1895. The pastors resided in Gorin and traveled to West Antioch by horse and buggy. Church services were held twice a month in the morning and evening. Sunday school was held each Sunday morning, and a prayer meeting took place every other Wednesday evening. By 1921, membership had begun to decline, and the remaining members decided to disband and attend other churches. The church building was sold in 1922.

A photograph taken at the West Antioch Methodist Church provides a glimpse into the people who once gathered there. Among those pictured are Mark Alderton; Fred, Lizzie and Lloyd Bogener; Charlie and Florence Funkenbush; Reverend Lisenbee; Fletcher McMurry; George and Virginia Mileham; George, Bee and Ralph Phillips; Ethel Russell; Nan, Maud and Bob Foust; Tom and Cleave Speer; Momen and Harry Scifres; John, June, Ora, Lena and George Hottle; Elijah Weber; and Russell Walker.

The West Antioch Store was located across the road from the church. Some of the proprietors were Pearl Packwood, Henry Smulling, and Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Hottle. The store closed in the 1920s or possibly earlier. A post office was never established.

The Local School

The local school, Arkansas District No. 92, was originally Township School No. 2. Land records show that District No. 2, located in Section 8, Township 63, Range 9, was recorded in Book 30, Page 339, with a quitclaim deed dated Nov. 5, 1872, and filed Aug. 26, 1876.

In 1910, when the county established a new countywide identification system, this became District No. 92, making Arkansas the last school district to receive a number. The school closed at the end of the 1951–52 term and consolidated with Fairmont District No. 70 in 1952.