History of Concharty Church

1884 - 1968

     In 1882 a band of Indians came from Georgia and settled in the neighborhood, of now, Miller Ranch.  They were a part of the Creek Indians, but called themselves "Kvncate" (pronounced gun - jadi) Indians.  Kvncate is short for Ekvncate meaning "red land".  They were peaceful and progressive people.  There were about 180 families who began building log cabins and started farming.  Later, when the war between the states started, they fled north, but after the war ended they came back to their cabins.

     In 1884 a few of them got together and organized a Methodist church near the present town of Stone Bluff.  They gave this church the name "Tvlofyoksv" meaning "end of town".  They held church there for several years.  The church eventually burned down.  With there being no church house to hold services, some of the church members went back to stomp dancing, where they were before they became Christians.  Those who were faithful Christians began holding church service in people’s homes or were ever they were welcome.

     Lucy Anders' house became a meeting house until they built an arbor west of what is now know as Miller Ranch.  They held meetings there until they bought acreage from Maggie Bruner, where the present church house now stands.  In 1904 they built a church house and give it the name "Concharty" which was derived from "Kvncate" From 1884 to 1904 there were no regular pastors.   Circuit riders came by every month or whenever they could.  In 1904 Bishop Brewer appointed Rev. Martin L Checote to be pastor.  He became the first appointed pastor of Concharty United Methodist Church.  The Indian mission was known as Brewer Indian Mission, named after Bishop Brewer.  Rev. M.L. Checote was pastor for several years, followed by Rev. D.L. Berryhill and many others.

     Those who were charter members were as follows:  Billy Bruner, John Bruner, Daniel Bruner, Lewis Isaac, Isome Peters, Louvine Colber, Addline Bruner, Lucy Anderson, Betty Bruner, Samary Wilson, Bessie Aldrige, Sarah Bruner, Mattie Anderson, Eddie Tecumseh, George Colbert, Willie Tecumseh, and Emma Tecumseh.

     In 1915, a circuit was formed called Okmulgee Circuit and the following churches were in this circuit:  Newtown, Concharty, Sapulpa, Talahassee, and Choska.  Rev. T. F Roberts, being presiding elder, appointed Rev. S. J. Checote as pastor for this circuit.  In 1919 it became necessary to build a new church house.  After 40 years, we built the present church house.  The new church house was dedicated in 1959.

     Bishop Brewer did not have a warm place to spend the night; he slept on the ground with the Indian people.  He was in danger at all times, as this country was wild.  He had to forge rivers and sometimes he had to ride a horse to get to the meetings.  The following were our Bishops:  Bishop E. D. Mouson, Bishop J. M. Moore, Bishop H. A. Boaz, Bishop A. Frank Smith, and Bishop W. Smith.