The earliest existence of the Spring River group is rather difficult to establish for lack of records. In the "History of the Dunkers and the Brethren Church (1901)", Bro. H. R. Holsinger makes mention of this congregation being in Jasper County in the vicinity of Carthage, and having been organized in 1872, and placed under the care of Elder Addison Baker. He refers to the later ministerial assistance of Wm. M. Harvey and Joel Garber, and under eldership of George Barnhart. The source of his information is not known. The first known recorded and published District meeting of Southern Missouri (while Middle and Southern Missouri were still one district) was held in the Spring River congregation October 14, 1880. Seventeen churches were represented. The Spring River Church delegate was Joel Garber. Dry Fork (north of Carthage) was represented by Wm. M. Harvey.

Bro. Christian Holdeman, who had been called to the ministry in the Mohican Church in Wayne County, Ohio, came with his family to the area in November, 1880. A son, William Holdeman, of Covina, California, gives this as the time they came. Some had supposed that Bro. C. Holdeman had been the original founder of the congregation, but as he did not arrive until after the District Meeting was held in October of the same year, gives fair proof that the church was organized before he arrived. The fact that Bro. Christian Holdeman's name does not appear in any connection with the District Meeting held there in October, 1880, nor earlier, but does appear regularly with church and district activities thereafter, tends to prove that November, 1880 was the correct date of his coming to the area.

Upon arriving in the area, Bro. Holdeman became the active leader of the Spring River Church group. Services were alternated principally between the Summerset and Charter Oak school houses. The Summerset district was large, and in 1889 was divided into two districts, Empire and Sunflower. In 1890 the church group purchased the Summerset school house and remodeled it for the Spring River church house. It was located toward the southeast corner of Bro. Holdeman's farm, and was adjoined by a cemetery for which he had donated the ground, now called Summerset Cemetery. The location was 2 1/4 miles west and 1 7/8 miles north of Avilla.

Before the church building was acquired, such special services as Love-feasts were usually held in the Holdeman barn or in a tent, the double hay mow being divided with curtains for sleeping quarters for the young people from a distance, young men on one side, and young ladies on the other. The older guests attending were provided lodging in the homes.

When Bro. Holdeman and family immigrated from Ohio in 1880, a number of other families came soon afterward. The following were some who came with their families: Oliver E. Holmes, Samuel Gault, Daniel Shank, Henry McFadden, John Ebie, and Nathan Buterbaugh. Numerous other members moved in from different areas and others were baptized, which developed into a sizable and interesting congregation. Bro. Christian Holdeman, who was ordained to the eldership in October, 1883, had the fostering care of the church to such extent that many called it the "Holdeman Church". The decision for a sunday school to be organized was passed February 16, 1889.

About 1883 Elder George Barnhart, then of the Shoal Creek Church in Newton County, Missouri, moved into the area and the work was divided between the two until 1893 when the Carthage, Missouri congregation was organized, with Bro. Barnhart as the principal leader of that new group for many years. The Spring River Church had likely reached its peak at about that time. Several of their membership moved into the area of the new Carthage church, while some others moved away. The trend was quite conservative, which may have resulted in loss of appeal to some, particularly the young folks. As Bro. Holdeman declined with age, the church, also, declined accordingly. Services were discontinued about 1908 or 1909.

Elder Christian Holdeman and wife Susannah moved to Jasper, Missouri in 1910 under the care of the Dry Fork Church, and to be near one of their sons living in Jasper. The Spring River Church was continued as a congregation on account of some members living near Aurora, Missouri, and referred to as the "Aurora Mission". Elder Noah Oren of Carthage did considerable work at Aurora on a regular basis. In 1918 the report of the Aurora Mission (Spring River Church) by Bro. Oren stated : that he had made 13 trips, preaching 20 sermons, held 2 councils, baptized 1, elected 1 deacon, held 1 communion, lettered out 11 members to other locations, leaving a membership of 7. It was decide to discontinue their church organization and to include those remaining in the nearest congregation. His report was accepted.

The papers and other effects belonging to the Spring River Church were turned over to the Carthage Church, the church building was torn down and removed. The cemetery which had been donated for public use was left intact under the name of Summerset Cemetery. Mr. George McFadden of Carthage, Missouri placed a large stone at the cemetery entrance as a memorial to his parents who were early members of the church, and are buried there. He has contributed freely to the care and upkeep of the cemetery.

Some officials that were chosen to office during the years were: Chosen to the ministry-A. I. Miller (before 1890); December 15, 1888, Nicholas Stevens, Samuel Gault, and August 23, 1890 these two were advanced to the 2nd degree ministry. Three deacons were chosen December 15, 1888-Ard S. George, T. S. Bastin, Jeremiah Shank, and Cletus E. Holmes to office of deacon August 29, 1899 (installed later). Choice for minister September 30, 1889-Ard S. George. Two deacons chosen September 30, 1889-Henry Shrantz, Joseph Root. On November 16, 1889 Joel Garber received with his full office. Chosen to ministry August 6, 1904, Cletus E. Holmes; advanced in 1908 to 2nd degree ministry.

Bro. Holmes assisted in the activities of the Spring River Church and taught school in that vicinity for a time. The securing of more education took him away and eventually he located in the state of Washington where he grew along with the apple producing industry and actively engaged in church developments of that growing field.

As Bro. Holdeman became aged, he was unable to hold the church interests in the face of the changing times, and means of travel which took folks to more distant points of interest. Thus, the Spring River Church passed from many years of usefulness, to a steady decline until discontinued.

---