Plymouth Magazine-Fall26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 13
“Mrs. Frisbie, wife of the late Dr. A.L.
Frisbie for whom our school was named
came to our Mother’s club and gave such
a splendid talk that we thought we should
like to have her suggest a motto for our
school. Martha Frisbie chose the words
“Fight for Your Best.” ..it was the subject
of a lecture that Dr. Frisbie delivered at
a high school commencement.” (Des
Moines Tribune, “Mrs Frisbie Visits
School,” April 1, 1921.)
Frisbie served as Pastor and Pastor
Emeritus at Plymouth for 50 years. Martha
Frisbie continued to be active at Plymouth
after Frisbie’s death sending letters of
encouragement to church leaders and
participating in many events of the church.
Chapel and Sunday School rooms off of the Sanctuary.
Late in life, Martha Frisbie lived with her
daughter Mabel Clark at 850 Polk Blvd.
On her 80th birthday Mabel held an open
house for her.
“During receiving hours Mrs. Clark will
be assisted by members of the Frisbie
Club, which was organized and taught by
Mrs. Frisbie for many years while the late
Dr. A.L. Frisbie was pastor of Plymouth
Church….She dexterously arranged her
household and teaching affairs so as to
be free to accompany Dr. Frisbie when
making calls upon parishioners.” (Des
Moines Tribune, April 1, 1921)
According to her biography in the DSM
Women’s club archives, “in 1876 she came
to Des Moines as his bride and became a
most helpful and gracious minister’s wife,
carrying on many unusual activities besides
her home and church duties. When a new
church building was proposed, she startled
not only her husband but the congregation
by personally pledging 50 dollars. She set
about organizing the first group of women
for intellectual study held in Des Moines…
She charged ten cents for each person
attending… In a few months she paid her
50 dollars pledged to the church.”
Church
Ladies’ Parlor
ChapelLibrary
and Sunday School rooms off of the church Sanctuary.
Sanctuary Balcony
Kitchen
Martha Crosby Frisbie died at age 90
on March 27, 1931, and is buried with
her husband in Woodland Cemetery,
Des Moines.
Congregants gather for a meal in the church basement Dining Room.
Plymouth Magazine 13
