Following him came

Methodist Episcopal Church, Chaitki.i.

Dr. W. H. Babcock, who ministered to the sick in body and in spirit as well, for when not engaged in the duties of his medical profession, he preached good sermons wherever and whenever he found time and a few people gathered to listen. After the frame school house was built in Chappell, services were held there which was the start of real church activities in the town and county. No church building was erected until 1896, when the Methodist organization erected a frame structure and Reverend O. A. Trahue was placed in charge of the congregation. The members of the church at once began to show an increase; a Sunday School was organized which became larger and an influence for good in the community. The Methodist church prospered and, in 1915, twenty years after its first church was built, the new beautiful modern edifice was dedicated, when Reverend J. E. Hays was pastor. In 1921, Reverend L. V. Slocumb was given charge in January. He has taken an active part in increasing the membership of both the church and Sunday School ; is a man who works for the interest of church and community, and with the other auxiliaries of the congregation the Methodist church is taking a place of importance in the affairs of Chappell.

The Methodist church was also the pioneer religious organization at Big Springs, for Elder Stephens preached his faith all over the western part of Nebraska and the people there gathered for services at an early day. A church