USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 63
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Bethel still continued to flourish, and in 1×5> there were over 280 communicants. At an earlier date there were over 350 communicants.
In 1>60, another congregation called Smyrna, was or- ganized in Opossumden Prairie, on the southwest. James C. Wilson and John HI. Breckenridge, were ordnined elders, and the membership numbered 32. After receiving supplies for a few years, it became disorganized, most of the members returning to Bethel.
In 1867, the United Presbyterians organized a congrega- tion, about six miles north of Eden, and a number of families belonging to Bethel, residing in that vicinity, connected with it.
During this year and the year following, the entire de- nomination was stirred up, over the subjects of psalmody and communion. Geo H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, a leading elder in the church, and a member of the General Synod at its meeting held in May, 1868, in Pittsburg, Pa., for in- subordination to the Synod, expressed with reference to her rules, on the subjects before mentioned, was suspended. This action led to the withdrawal of quite a number of ministers and members from the fellowship of General Synod. Bethel was affected by it. The Scotch element in the congregation almost unanimously, withdrew and subsequently effected an organization in Sparta, in connection with the Old School Presbyterian Church. This church was organized on the 5th of June, 1869, with 60 members, most of whom were formerly members of Bethel. As many as 70 in all with- drew on this account.
In 1870 the question of union between the United and Reformed Presbyterian churches, was again agitated. A basis of Union, framed by a committee from the two bodies, was laid before the General Synod, in May, 1870, but was not adopted. It was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church.
The ministers of the Western Presbytery, with the excep- tion of Rev. Dr. Wylie, in August, 1870, withdrew from
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Concord, Hill Prairie, and Grand Cote, were divided, about one-third of the mem- bership of each going into the U. P. Church. In Bethel, no new organization was attempted, but quite a number of families withdrew and connected with the United Presby- terian church in Sparta.
Previous to this action however, Rev. Dr. Wylie had at his own request, been released from the pastoral care of Bethel congregation. His release took effect on the 20th of February, 1870, when he had entered upon the 81st year of his age. That day being the Sabbath, he explained Psalm 90: 13-17, and preached in the forenoon from Rom. 8. 28, and in the afternoon from 2 Cor. 13: 11.
He still remained in the congregation, preaching as op- portunity offered, in the different congr gations, now desti- tute by the death or withdrawal of their pastors, - until called to his reward, March 20th, 1872.
He fell asleep peacefully, in the 83d year of his age, hav- ing nearly completed the 54th year of his labors as a mis- sionary in that field, and the 57th of his ministry.
His last public service was at the opening of the new church in Grand Cote congregation, Jan. 14th, 1872. He explained l'salm 84, and preached the sermon from Hebrews 12:28
On the 28th of December, 1871, he presided in the mo- deration of a call for a pastor in Bethel. The call resulted in the choice of the writer, who accepted the call and was ordained and installed on the 5th of June, 1872, in the church of Eden.
Though the congregation had been greatly reduced through repeated divisions, it has since enjoyed a good de- gree of prosperity. In the spring of 1876, it was decided to remove from Eden, and locate in Sparta. Accordingly, the Methodist church, which was then offered for sale, was bought and completed, and the services of the congregation have been held in Sparta, since the first of July, 1876.
The records, as far as preserved, show that over a thous- and members were received into full communion, during Mr. Wylie's ministry. The present membership is about 170 (Jan. 1883.) The financial affairs of the congregation are managed by a board of trustees, and a treasurer. The present members of the board are : S. F. Hyndman, J. F Blair, Wm H. Wilson, J. C. Wilson, J. M. Lackey, S. Baird, and Wm. C. Fullerton. J. C. Boyle is treasurer of the congregation.
The session consists of the pastor, W. J. Smiley, and the following ruling elders : John McCaughan, S. T. Nisbet, John Temple, J. G. Wylie, W. W. Hemphill, Wm. Mc- Intyre, Hugh Nisbet, Neal McIntyre, and D. R Stormont. The following persons have entered the ministry, from this congregation, viz : Gordon T. Ewing, Hugh A. McKelvey, Wm. T. Wylie, Robert Brown, R. C. Wyatt, and John B. Galloway.
List of Ruling Elders in Bethel Congregation, with time of entering upon office.
* William Edgar, May 24, 1819.
* Samuel Little, May 24, 1819.
* James Munford, April 28, 1820.
* James McClurken, April 28, 1820.
* Archibald McMillan, April 12, 1623.
* Thog. G. Armour, 1826 probably.
* James Coulter, May 5, 1831.
* John K. Taylor, Aug. 11, 1832. * James Blair. Aug. 11, 1832.
* Thomas Blair, Aug. 11, 1832.
* William Pattison, April 11, 1834. * Samuel Nisbet, April 11, 1834. # William Jamison, April 11, 1834. * John Fulton, May 30, 1835.
* James Wilson, April 29, 1837.
* John Campbell, Sept. 11, 1841.
* James Wilson, Jr., Sept. 11, 1 -41.
* John Richman, Sept. 11, 1841.
a David Munford, Sept. 11, 1×41. * Charles MoKelvey, Feb. 23, 1843. John McCaughan, Feb. 23, 1×43. * Henry Wilson, Feb. 23, 1843.
* Robert W. Marshall, M.D., about 1850.
* William McHenry, Oct. 14, 1852. * John Wilson, Oct. 14, 1852.
b James Craig, April 19, 1855. a Joseph Mc Henry, April 19, 1855. * Sam'l L. Boyd, April 19, 1855. * deceased.
b James Crawford, April 19, 1855. a Samuel Neil, Oct. 31, 1861.
a Samuel W. McKelvey, April 30, 1863. James F. Blair, April 30, 1863.
b James B. Anderson, April 30, 1863. Samuel T. Nisbet, April 30, 1863. * Milton McMillan, Sept. 21, 1871. John Temple, Sept. 21, 1871. James G. Wylie, Sept. 21, 1871. Wm. W. Hemphill, Oct. 19, 1876. Wm. MeIntyre, Oct. 19, 1876. Hugh Nishet, Oct. 19, 1882. Neal, Melntyre, Oct. 19, 1882. David R. Stormont, Oct. 19, 1882.
a now in the United Presbyterian Church.
b now ia the Presbyterian Church.
Forty-two persons in all have been ruling Elders in Bethel, of whom but seventeen are now living.
Messrs: Edgar J. Munford, A. McMillan, and J. Wilson were elders in South Carolina ; Messrs. Little, Taylor, and James and Thos. Blair in Tennessee ; Mr. Fulton in Ohio ; Dr. Marshall in Hill Prairie; and Mr. M. McMillan in Concord , though the last two were members of Bethel before Hill Prairie and Concord were organized:
BETHIEL SYNOD.
This congregation is a part of the original Bethel, and its separate history dates from the division of 1833.
At that time its members chose the new church building, still unfinished, and agreed to pay those in connection with General Synod the amount subscribed by them for building the church. Rev. Daniel Steele of Ohio was the first minis- ter who visited them. In the summer of 1834 he preached here and in Old Bethel and Elkhorn. During his stay he organized a congregation in Elkhorn, in connection with Synod, which obtained Rev. S. Mckinney as pastor in 1835. This congregation does not claim connection with Bethel, al- though Mr. Wylie had labored there and gathered in some members before the division.
Beth I was dependent on supplies for several years. The first effort to obtain a pastor resulted in the choice of Rev. J. B Johnston on the 17th of September, 1839. The call was declined. On the 27th of January, 1840, a call was made in favor of Mr. Hugh Stevenson. Having accepted the call, he was ordained by the Presbytery of the Lakes, July 13, 1840, and soon after began his labors in Bethel, and was installed pastor on the 15th Oct:, 1840. He died, greatly lamented, on the 15th of May, 1846, in the 38th year of his age During his pastorate 76 persons were received into full communion.
The next pastor was the Rev. James Milligan. He began his labors in March 1848. The congregation still increased in numbers, and during his pastorate the Church Hill con- gregation in Grand Cote Prairie was organized. He was released from his charge, at his own request, on the 9th of August, 1854.
On the 13th of August, 1855, Mr. D. J. Shaw was called to become pastor, but declined the call.
Mr. D. S. Faris was called on the 26th of March, 1857. He accepted the call and was ordained and installed Oct. 7, 1857. From that time until the present Mr. Faris has con- tinued to discharge faithfully the duties of his office, and his pastorate is now the longest in the whole community.
In 1874 the old church and lot were sold and a new brick church 40x60 feet was built in Sparta, at a cost of over
247
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
$5,000. It was first used for public worship on Sabbath, Feb 21, 1875, the pastor preaching the opening sermon from John 4: 23. The number of members at present is 94. Among those who have entered the ministry in the Reformed Presbyterian Church from this congregation may be named : A. C. Todd, and T. P. Stevenson, editor of the Christian Statesman, published in Philadelphia in the interest of na- tional reform.
The following is the list of officers in the congregation, and the time of entering on office :
RUIING ELDERS.
DEACONS.
Archibald McMillan. James Coulter.
James Preston, Feb. 1×41. do.
John Hunter.
Alexander McKelvey, do.
Alexander Moore.
Robert Sinclair, Feb. 6, 1845.
Robert Miller. Feb. 6, 1845.
Isaac H. Haves, Sept. 4, 1×56.
W'm. Boyd, do. do. Juseph Patton, (et. 31. 1x50.
Charles Preston, de.
(. H. Stormont, October 14, 1×59.
Matthew Preston, do.
R HI. Sinclair, April 27, 1sb5.
Chas. R. Miller, sept. 4, 1:36.
R. J. Mider. April 19, 1877.
Alex'r J. Edgar. do. do.
John Stuart, do. du.
W'm. A. Stevenson, Oct. 14, 1×59.
James Finley, April 27, Iar5.
R. H. Sinclair, May 7. 1sos. Damel Dickey.
A W. Hunter, April 19, 1877. John E. Wilson, do. do.
Present Members of Session are :- Those now serving are :- Isaac H. Rev. D. S. Faris, Pastor : J. Patton, C. Hayes. Charles Preston, C. H. Stormont R. Miller. D. Dickey, A. W. Hunter and and R. J. Miller J. E. Wilson.
OLD BETHEL CONGREGATION.
Old Bethel was organized by act of l'reshytery, Nov. 5th, 1831. Twenty-seven families joined in the request for a separate organization, and at the first meeting of Bethel session after this, three other families asked to be certified to the new congregation.
As they opposed the building of the new church, and had with them the first elders of Bethel, they claimed to be the original congregation ; and, to make sure their claim, pre- fixed the term "Old" to the original name " Bethel," and are so known. The records of the congregation for a period of nine years are lost.
In the division of 1833 the congregation, with the excep- tion of a few families, went with the Synod. The congre- gation received supplies until the settlement of their first pastor, Rev. James Wallace, Nov. 1st, 1840. Before this time, Alexander J. Edgar and James Finley had been added to the session.
The first election for deacons was held January 11, 1841, when John Finley, William Edgar and Robert Weir were chosen and ordained on the 20th of the same month. Archi- bald Rodgers was added to the session Sept. 26. 1845.
On the 10th of December, 1846, Archibald Hunter and William Weir were ordained to the eldership, and David Ewing was added to the board of deacons. James Mathews and Robert Redpath were chosen deacons Sept. 11th, 1850 and ordained in October following. Thomas Donelly was chosen ruling elder at the same time. On the 3d of Feb , 1853, J. A. Brown and Robert W. Lyons were invested with the office of deacon, and at the same time James C. Lynn was added to the session. James Mathews was added to the session Feb 1, 1855, and John Weir, April 15th, 1858. At the latter date, John Lynn and Joseph B. Mathews were added to the board of deacons. On the 5th of May, 1865, Hugh Mathews, John Houston and Wm J. S Cathcart were invested with the office of ruling elders.
On the 16th of May, 1867, Mr. Wallace having received an appointment to bring the subject of National Reform be- fore the people of Illinois, asked to be released from his con- gregation. His request was granted, and the pulpit was declared vacant on the first Sabbath of July following. His pastorate extended over a period of nearly twenty-seven years. After filling his appointment in the interests of Na- tional Reform, he continued to labor in the work of the ministry as opportunity offered, until his death, May Ist, 1877.
The first house of worship was built about the time that Mr. Wallace became pastor. It was a frame building, and stood on the hill near Adam Wylie's residence. It was de- stroyed by fire in 1852. A brick church was built the fol- lowing year on Plum Creek, more than a mile S. W. of the old site, and the congregation still continues to worship in it.
About the same time a part of the congregation that had been sceking a separate organization for some time, built a frame church on John Lynn's farm, about two miles N. W. of the site of the old church.
Failing to obtain a separate organization, some united with other congregations under eare of synod, and the rest deelined the authority of Synod and organized in connection with the Reformed Presbytery.
In April, 1868, a call was made out for Mr. James A. Black, a licentiate of the Pittsburgh Presbytery. It was declined. A year later, a call was made upon Mr. W. J. Gillespie, a licentiate of the same Presbytery. This call was accepted, and Mr. Gillespie was ordained on the 14th of October, 1×69. After laboring with much acceptance for a year, he joined the United Presbyterian Church, and became pastor of the congregation in Sparta. In November, 1871, a call was made upon Mr. S. J. Crowe, which was declined. Another call, made October 7, 1872, in favor of Rev. N. M. Johnston, was also declined. In the spring of 1874 a call was made for Rev. P P. Boyd, of Cedarville, Ohio.
Heaccepted the call, and was installed pistor July 20, 1874, a relation which he still sustains.
During his pastorate the following members have been added to session-Thos. Finley, Thos. Orr, Louis M. Patter- son. Their ordination took place Dec. 4th , 1875. At the same time J. T. Weir, J. H. Marshall and D J. Reid were ordained deacons.
The congregation is in a flourishing condition, and stronger than at any former period of its history, The present mem- bership is 168. J. McDonald and J. M. Armour entered the ministry from this congregation, and J. M. Finley, licentiate was also brought up in it.
III.I. PRAIRIE CONGREGATION.
( Reformed Presbytery). That part of Old Bethel congre- gation referred to above as seekinga separate organization was known as the Hill Prairie society of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
In August 1857, twenty members of that society petitioned the Reformed Presbytery for an organization. The request was granted and on the 4th of Nov. Rev. David Steele and .James Williams, (ruling Elder) committee of Presbytery,
Wm Miller.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
organized a congregation consisting of twenty-three members. Joseph Keys, Wm. R. Lynn and John Tweed were chosen candidates for office of ruling Elder, and ordained on the 12th of the same month, and the first communion was held on the Sabbath following.
In March 1858 a unanimous call was made upon Rev. David Steele to become pastor, the congregation asking for one halt of his time. The call was signed by twenty-three members as follows : James Elder, Jenny C. Holmes, Mary Fowlds, Ellen Cathcart, Joseph Lynn, William R. Lynn, Nancy Lynn, Joseph Keys, Ellis Keys, John Cathcart, Mary Cathcart, Hugh Tweed, Jennet Tweed, Jane Cuthbertson, David Tweed, Amelia J. Tweed, James E. Wilson, Ann Wilson, John J. Marshall, Elizaeth Marshall, John Tweed, Nancy Tweed and Robert J. Ritchie.
Mr. Steele began his labors in June 1858, and continued to do the work of a pastor among them about eight years, though he was never formally installed pastor over the congregation. At the end of that time he removed to Phila- delphia having accepted a call from the congregation in that city.
On the 17th of October 1861, M. H. Lynn M. D, was added to the session. In May 1863, the congregation had increased so that the communicants numbered forty-five.
Session having become disorganized by the death of all its members, except John Tweed, on the 27th of May 1867, J. H. Marshall and Hugh Tweed were chosen candidates for the Eldership. On the 6th of June following, Mr. Marshall was ordained, Mr. Tweed having declined to serve. The membership at this time was 35-The congre- gation alterward decreased but there is still a remnant which is supplied from time to time by the Presbytery.
GRAND COTE R. P. CHURCH.
Grand Cote was the fourth congregation formed from Bethel in connection with General Synod after the division of 1833. At the fall meeting of the Western Presbytery in 1849, Bethei session was authorized to organize a congre- gation in Grand Cote Prairie if the way should be open, This decree was carried into effect on the 8th of Feb. 1850, at the house of James Robb ; James Robb and A. R. McKelvey were chosen ruling Elders and their ordination took place on the first Thursday of March in the Bethel church in Eden The congregation consisted of sixty mem- hers and took its name from the paririe in which it was located The site chosen for the church was within the limits of the present town of Coulterville. The first building was a frame 40 x 50, erected in 1851 though not finished for some years afterwards.
Starting under such favorable circumstances they soon sought to obtain a pastor, and on the 15th of August 1850 in connection with Salem made a call upon Mr. James Pearson This call was declined. Another call was mads soon after in connection with Unity, in favor Mr. G. R. McMillan, but was also declined.
Mr. Pearson having been released from his charges in Washington congregation was again called by the Grand Cote congregation in connection with Unity in the spring of 1853. Having accepted the call he was installed on the 18th
of August following and continued to labor with success until laid aside by disease which terminated in his death on the 28th of March, 1856.
In the spring of 1857 a call was made upon Mr. Matthew McBride, but it was not accepted.
The next effort to secure a pastor resulted in the choice of Mr. Wm. S. Bratton on the 24th of October 1859. He accepted and was ordained and installed over the congrega- tion on the 15th of Dec. following. He labored diligently, even beyond his strength, publicly and from house to house, for nearly eleven years. The congregation increased to such an extent that it became necessary to enlarge the house of worship.
In August 1870, along with most of the ministers of the Western Presbytery, Mr. Bra:ton withdrew from the Reformed and joined the United Presbyterian Church. About one third of the congregation went with him, and he contin- ued to preach to them until his death Jan. 11th, 1873. The congregation was again dependent on supplies.
In the fall of 1871, the old church was taken down and a new frame building 40 x 60 erected on the same site. On the 16th of April 1872 a call was made upon Mr. W. J. Smiley to become their pastor. This call was never presented in- asmuch as the candidate has already accepted a call from the Bethel.
On the 22nd of July 1873 a unaminous call was made upon Mr. Robert Hunter, to become then pastor. This call was accepted and the pastor elect, after completing his course in the Seminary began his labors in March following and was ordained and installed on the 15th of May 1874. He labored succesfully here for a period of seven years when on account of the failing health of his wife he was compelled to seek a change of climate. He offered his resignation of his charge which was accepted, the release going into effect on the 15th of May 1881.
The session at its first meeting consisted of three members, viz: James Wilson, James Robb, and A. R. McKelvey. The first named was an elder in Bethel, and belonged to that part of the congregation set off to form the new organ- ization. David Munford also an elder in Bethel was chosen an elder in Grand Cote Jan. 20th, 1852. Robert Mathews one of the original members of Hill Prairie session was chosen to that office here on the 30.h of Oct., 1852. Sam'l Douglas, James R. McKelvey and Wm. Munford were added to the session June 20th, 1859.
James W. McMillan, Robert James, and Wm. J. Mathews were likewise added April 30th, 1863. Wm. W. Jamison declined serving.
Session having been reduced by the death of some of its members and the removal of others from the congregation, was increased April 4th, 1873 by the installation of James Kemps and Jno. Boyle, who had been ordained to the elder- ship in the Unity congregation at the time of its organization a few years before, and the ordination of James Walker. James H. Carlisle, Charles R. McKelvey and Matthew S. McMillan were chosen at the same time but declined.
The last addition to the session was made Oct. 26th, 1876 when Jno. C. MeKelvey and M. S. McMillan were ordained
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and installed Elders. James S. Kell, formerly an elder in Princeton congregation, chosen at this time, declined serving. The members now are Jamies Robb, Robert Mathews, Wm. J. Mathews, James Kemps, Jno. Boyle, James Walker, Jno. C. McKelvey and Matthew S. McMillan.
On the 13th of September 1882, a call was made upon Mr. James B. McCool, a licentiate of the Philadelphia Presbytery to become pastor ; which has since been declined.
In March 1868 a congregation consisting of thirty-seven members was organized in Elkhorn Prairie Washington Co. it took the name Unity and was recognized as a branch of Grand Cote congregation and enjoyed a share of the pastors labors for a time. In 1870 most of the members went into the United Presbyterian Church and the organization became the hasis of of the Oakdale U. P. Congregation.
Abont six hundred and fifty members in all have been connected with the Grand Cote congregation. The present membership is about two hundred.
CHURCH HILL CONGREGATION.
This congregation was organized on the 17th of July, 1854, by a committee of the Illinois Presbytery. It was originally a part of the Bethel congregation Eden. Fifty-nine mem- bers were received from that congregation, and enrolled as members of the new organization.
Alaxander Moore, Sr., J. G. Miller and John Robinson, were elected Ruling Elders, and Samuel Elliott and Wm. Woodside, Deacons.
A church building had been erected some time previous to the organization on what was familiarly called " the mound" in Grand Cote pairie, the present site of the village of Coulterville, Damed in honor of its founder James Coul- ter, the oldest resident of the prairie.
The congregation was able from the first to support the regular ordinances. Accordingly the moderation of a call was granted them and on the 6th of November 1854, Rev. James Milligan (who bad resigned the charge of Bethel congregation) was chosen pastor. This call was never pre- sented, but Mr. Milligan was continued stated supply for a considerable time.
On October 26, 1857, a call was made on Rev. H. P. McClurken. This call was presented and declined.
Another call made October 28, 1859, on Rev. A. C Todd, was also declined. On the 14th of November, 1859, a call was made on Rev. W. F. George, which was accepted, and his installation took place on the 5th of March, 1860.
June 21, 1858, Samuel Woodside and M. K. Mawhinney were ordained elders, and Thompson Moore and Andrew Thompson, deacons.
October 18, 1860, D. II. Coulter and Alaxander Moore were added to the session ; also, Wm. Woodside and W. B Whittaker on the 16th of october, 1863.
April 15th, 1864, Willson Moore and Alexander Camp- bell were made deacons.
Another election January 9, 1867, resulted in the choice of Willson Moore and David Mearns, as elders, and on the 28th of February following, they were ordained and in- stalled.
At the same time, W. McKelvey, J. O. Mawhinney and Robt. Cathcart were invested with the office of deacon.
Rev. W. F. George, after laboring faithfully in the con- gregation eleven years, was, at his own request, released from his charge on the 3d of May, 1871.
In December following, a call was moderated in favor of Mr. S J. Crowe, but it was not accepted.
On February 11, 1873, a call was made out in favor of Rev. J. M. Faris, which was accepted, and on June 19, 1872 he was installed pastor by a commission of presbytery.
February 4, 1875, J. D. Elder, R. S. Edgar, J. M. Wylie, R. K. Wiseley were added to the session.
On the 15th of March of the same year, R. R. Mckelvey, R. B. Elliott, W. J. Crawford and J. J. Torrens were added to the board of deacons. M. H. McKelvey and J. W. Pres- ton were also invested with the office of deacon on the 14th of November, 1881.
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