Bronco Court
Marker honors St. Stephens’ history
One of Clarendon’s oldest churches received well-deserved recognition last Saturday, September 17, when a state historical marker was dedicated at St. Stephens Baptist Church.
A crowd of about 40 people were on hand to commemorate the founding of the Texas Panhandle’s first African American church and the pioneer spirit embodied by its earliest members.
Donley County Historical Commission member Jack Moreman gave the welcome as the Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion presented the colors and led in the pledges to the Texas and American flags. Donley County Historical Commission Chair Jean Stavenhagen then read the history of St. Stephens.
The creation of St. Stephens Baptist Church followed the pathway of first came the congregation, then came the church on its journey into history.
In 1887, the small settlement of Clarendon moved south to the newly built railroad and became known as New Clarendon. Jobs were plentiful following the rush to buy land, build homes and establish businesses. People came from all over the area to find work including black families. They found jobs on this new frontier where they built homes for themselves and settled to work.
New churches were being quickly built for the citizens of the new town and some may have been attended by the black families, but they wanted a church of their own – a place where they could worship in their own way. With the help of a legendary black cowboy named Matthew “Bones” Hooks, the people organized their church and named it St. Stephens for Rev. Sid Stephens who became their first pastor. Hooks had met Stephens on the train as he travelled to Clarendon to break horses for Charles Goodnight.
In the years that followed, the congregation gathered for worship and Sunday School in vacant shelters, unused buildings, and in their homes. The long line of pastors who followed Rev. Stephens came from surrounding towns and churches to preach at St. Stephens. But the little church struggled at times when attendance was low and money was too scarce to pay the preachers. Places to worship were sometimes hard to find. Often the women of the church baked and sold pies, cakes, cookies and sometimes barbecue to raise money which allowed the congregation to hold on their church.
In May 1918, the church building was destroyed by a massive flood. However, under the leadership of Rev. Pickford, the congregation found a new location, and in spite of declining membership, the church remained strong. In 1930, Rev. J.J. Hayden organized the first choir who sang at church services and performed for the public on special occasions.
In the 1950s, an abandoned church in Lelia Lake was donated to the St. Stephens congregation. It was moved and placed on property owned by Alfred McMurtry, a prosperous local citizen. In September of 1968, McMurtry sold two lots of the property to the trustees of St. Stephens for $10. The church had finally found a permanent home and remains on the same property today.
The congregation of St. Stephens celebrated their 103rd anniversary on September 14, 2000. It was a grand event with choirs, pastors, and members from other churches attending. Dinner was served at the Clarendon Lions Hall to a large crowd during that celebration.
“St. Stephens Baptist Church in Clarendon was the first church for black families in the Panhandle,” Stavenhagen said. “It has struggled much, but it has given much. May it continue throughout another century.”
Following special music by Jim Shadle, Stavenhagen presented certificates to Pastor Roy Williams, Beverly Alexander, Joann Brown, Doris Gardner, and Bobbie Ruth Louis for their assistance and efforts in researching the church history.
Pastor Williams also thanked the crowd and those responsible for helping secure the state marker for St. Stephens before closing the ceremony with a prayer.
Cookoff to be held Saturday
The Old West will come to life this weekend at the Saints’ Roost Museum during the 22nd annual Col. Charles Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff this Saturday, September 26.
Fourteen wagons are scheduled to compete for top prizes, and other activities include an art exhibit entitled, “The Life and Times of Texas Icon Charles Goodnight” by Lee Cable. Businessman James E. Parkman of Houston is the owner of this collection and is sharing his the works with Texas museums this summer.
The wagon teams will arrive Friday to host area students for a day of learning about the chuckwagon and cooking the cowboy-way. Friday afternoon will also include the junior cookoff, which pairs kids, ages 8-17, with mentors on participating wagon teams to learn the ropes of cooking over an open fire.
The big day for the cookoff will be Saturday when the wagons square off to battle for top prizes. The tradeshow starts at 10 a.m., and museum tours will be available throughout the day. Local and area entertainers will also be performing.
The authentic wagons will serve at 1 p.m. with the traditional chicken fried steak dinner, and other activities will include a hay auction and the Goodnight family reunion.
Admission is free. Tickets for the Chuckwagon meal are $15 each and can be purchased in advance at Every Nook & Cranny or by calling (806)874-2746.
CC Regents take steps to approve mobile lab
The Clarendon College Board of Regents learned about a new mobile lab that will enhance workforce education opportunities in the CC service area during their regular meeting on September 15.
Regents approved the curriculums for the mobile lab, which will include instructional capabilities for coursework in Certified Nurse Aide, welding, and Commercial Drivers License.
More details will be released soon about the new lab which is scheduled to be ready for spring semester dual credit classes.
Regents also approved an updated college calendar to reflect adding new eight-week sessions to the cosmetology program.
The board approved the new college catalog and personnel handbook as presented, acknowledged the resignation of Bennie Douglas, and ratified the hiring of Leah James as an administrative assistant.
In his president’s report, Dr. Robert Riza addressed the college having its second highest enrollment in history with a headcounty of 1,482 following the 12th class day. He also reported on a grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Board for $35,000 to help teacher’s aides earn teaching credentials. Dr. Riza will also be attending a small college consortium with local legislators hosted by the Texas Tribune.
CEDC makes 24th award under façade grant program
One of Clarendon’s newest businesses is the recipient of the latest façade grant from the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation.
The Buckin’ Bean, located at US 287 and Parks Street, received a check for $542.50 to help with the cost of signage for the new establishment.
Owners Chris and Monica Childers erected a new building next to the Family Dollar and opened for business just a few weeks ago, serving lattes, espresso, cappuccino, drip coffee, and flavored teas. The Bean serves both hot and cold beverages and a limited food menu also.
Mr. Childers said he and his wife first learned of the façade grant program during a Small Business Seminar hosted by Herring Bank last year. He also said that Jody Berry of Signs Plus had also encouraged them to apply for the funds.
“We’ve been on a tight budget, so the grant was very helpful,” he said.
The Buckin’ Bean is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Since the Façade Grant Program began in 2008, the CEDC has awarded $30,382.04 to property owners in Clarendon. The Façade Grant Program provides 50-50 matching grants, up to a maximum of $2,000 per project, which could be any of a wide variety of projects, such as a coat of paint, new signage, sidewalk improvements, or a complete rehabilitation of a storefront.
The program grants awards to eligible properties located in the city’s entire Central Business District and on the US 287 corridor. Property owners interested in Façade Grant funds must get approval from the CEDC board before beginning their projects.
For more information or to apply for a grant, stop by the Clarendon Visitor Center.
Broncos dominate Greyhounds
By Sandy Anderberg
The Greyhounds never had a chance in the Broncos’ total domination of their game Friday night in Gruver. The Broncos outplayed the Hounds in every aspect of the game and came home with a 36-0 shutout. Clarendon has had a great start going 4-0 thus far and are on track for many more wins in their season.
Gruver was out of sync all night and only posted 77 total yards in the game. The Broncos racked up 392 in the lopsided game. The Broncos’ ground game was on fire as they had 296 yards rushing.
Offensively, Keandre Cortez scored three times on runs of seven and 22, and ran back one interception. Damarjae Cortez, at the quarterback position, was throwing right on the money according to head coach Gary Jack. He also had two passes dropped that were potential TD’s.
“It was a good game for us,” Jack said. “We really dominated from the beginning and things were going good for us.”
After Cortez scored the first touchdown, Bryce Grahn threw a strike to D. Cortez for the two-point bonus. On the other four touchdowns, Clay Koetting kicked the extra points. The Broncos’ other scores came when Andy Davis grabbed a pass from D. Cortez that was right on target and Daquawne Oliver earned the last six when he ran it in from five yards out. “We have four running backs plus our quarterbacks who all run the ball,” Jack said.
“Our rushing yards are spread out, so that other teams cannot concentrate on just one runner. Our O-line was great, also.”
Defensively, the Broncos were unstoppable. Oliver and Nick Shadle each had eight tackles and a sack. Oliver also caused a fumble and Shadle recovered one. Caton Grahn had seven tackles and a sack and Taylon Knorpp and Seth Greer each had a sack. Davis helped with five tackles in the game. The Cortez brothers and B. Grahn each had an interception for the Broncos.
Jack said they will begin to prepare for Homecoming next weekend.
“We will have Booker for homecoming,” Jack said. “We are pretty healthy right now and the kids are playing well. We are looking to go 5-0 after next week’s game.”
The Broncos will host Booker next Friday night, Sept. 23, for the Homecoming game, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Bronco Stadium.
The queen and her court
Honored Co-Captains
Sandell donation
CC fall enrollment increases almost 10 percent
By Ashlee Estlack, Clarendon College
Clarendon College fall enrollment is the second highest in the school’s 118-year history with 1,482 students enrolled on the 12th class day.
Total enrollment settled at 1,482 following the 12th class day last Thursday. That’s up 9.8 percent from the Fall 2015 enrollment of 1,350.
Several factors have contributed to the increased number of students.
“Our growth is due to increased enrollment in the correctional units, dual credit programs, and distance education,” CC President Dr. Robert Riza said.
“The Second Chance Pell for students in correctional facilities as well as new program offerings at the Roach unit along with increased marketing for online programs have contributed to the increase we’re seeing this fall.”
This fall’s enrollment is a 23.6 percent increase over the Fall 2014 semester, and Riza said that is the result of hard-working employees.
“I am happy with the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff to continue to increase enrollment each year,” Riza said. “We hope to continue to provide opportunities for our service area and build on the success we’ve seen in the last two years.”
The increased enrollment this fall comes in spite of some changes to programs at the College.
The Vocational Nursing program start dates were pushed back from this fall to January 2017 to better align with the Associate Degree Nursing program.
The VN program enrolls 40-50 students that would have been reflected in the fall enrollment, but will now be included in spring numbers.
In addition, this fall the College implemented 8-week start dates for the Amarillo Cosmetology program to better meet the needs of students, and a new cohort will start this October.
Dual credit enrollment is at 621 compared to 541 in fall 2015. Enrollment at the Jordan and Roach correctional units is at 142, up from 44 last fall; and distance education is at 118, up from 55.
Enrollment on the home campus in Clarendon is now 290 compared to 328 last spring. The Pampa Center has an enrollment of 230, down from 266; the Childress Center is at 46 students compared to 73 last fall; and the Amarillo Center is at 35, down from 43.
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