Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

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Having served as pastor three and a half years with great acceptance, Mr. Rickerson resigned, to the sincere regret of the entire membership of the church. He was at once an able minister of the Word of God, in word and in purlty of iife.

He was succeeded hy Rev. A. H. Ball, who served three years aud a half; Rev. O. O. Fletcher, five years; and Rev. E. B. Rogers, seventeen years, until September, 1909, wheu Rev. S. H. Bowyer hecame the pastor, and he is serving at the present time (1911) in that office.

In addition to the Ceutral Baptist Church in Springfield, with a membership of over one thousaud, there are two other churches that have grown from two missions, established and maintained for years, but organized as churches solue years since and uow supporting two pas- tors, to-wit: The South Seventh Street and the Elliot Avenue churches, numhering, respec- tively, the former three hundred, and the latter four hundred and twenty members. The ag- gregate membership of the Baptist denomina- tion. not including negro churches, in the State Capital. is, therefore, one thousand and seven hundred.

CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. (By Henry C. Latham.)

. As a preface to the historical sketch of the Christian Church at Springfield, it may be well to refer to the great ceutenuiai gathering of the Brotherhood, knowu as the Disciples of Christ, or Churches of Christ, held in the City of Pitts- burg, Pa., October 11, 1909. Primarily this was the annual meeting in cenvention of the three missionary societies of the church, known as the Foreign Christian Misslouary Society, the Amer- ican Christian, Missionary Society and the Chris- tian Woman's Board of Missions. The attend- . ance was estimated from 30,000 to 40,000.

In addition to the regular husiness connected with missions at this meeting, it was made the

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

occasion for a review of church progress aud growth for the one hundred years since the "Reformatiou," as these people are pleased to call the movement which resulted in its organ- ization. A document written by Thomas Camp- bell, entitled "Declaration and Address," pub- lished at Washington, Pa., September 7, 1809, con- tained the reasons which led to the new move- ment for religious reformation. The first church was organized at Brush Run, Pa., May 2, 1811, and from the little group of thirty there assem- bled the people of like faith have become an army of over one and a quarter millions.

This reformation which we represent-iuau- gurated by Thomas Campbell, and led by Alex- auder Campbell, Barton W. Stone, Walter Scott and others-called upon all Christians, as well as strangers to the covenants of promise, to reject human creeds, and search the Scriptures to dis- cover the simple, unadulterated teaching of the Savior and His Apostles. The leading purpose was, in this way, to ascertain a common infalli- ble ground, upon which all Christians might unite in one body. The men above named were quen of education and of great piety, and in a very forceful manner they promulgated the new teaching. They were Bible students of high order, as well as missionaries, and through their constant appeal to the Scriptures, they aroused the people to a more zealous study of God's word. These pioneer preachers came as far west as Jacksonville, and a church was organized in that town about 1830.

About the year 1832 there came to Jackson- ville from Kentucky one of the most eloquent men the Church has produced, and Josephus Hewitt became a factor in the early history of the Church of Illinois. Among the earliest rec- ords obtainable we find in the "Sangamon Jour- nal," published at Springfield, March 16, 1833, the following announcement: "Rev. Josephus Hewitt, of Jacksonville, will preach in the court house . in this town today and tomorrow. Ser- vices to commence at eleven A. M."

It thus appears that Mr. Hewitt was the first minister of the Gospel to promulgate, at Springfield, that interpretation of Biblical teach- Ing, accepted and advocated by the body of be- lievers known as the Christian Church or Disci- ples of Christ.

A few members of the Church had drifted into the Springfield neighborhood and these, with others interested, had been meeting at pri-

vate houses to search the Scriptures, princi- pally alternating between the homes of Philo Beers and Judge Stephen T. Logan. In this group of Bible students Mr. Joseph W. Ben- nett was an important factor and, through his influence, Mr. Hewitt was induced to come to Springfield, then a village of about five hundred inhabitants, and undertake to organize a church. His first visit was made some time in 1832. There were but two (or possibly three) church buildings in the town, but their pulpits were not open to Mr. Hewitt. - A building situated then in the outskirts of the town, now the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Capitol Avenue, called by contemporary citizens "The Carding Machine," was, secured, and later the Court House was obtained for the use of the brilliant young evangelist. A number of con- verts were made and baptized, the Sangamon River serving as a baptistry.

'Tbe only accessible living witness to the place of organization is Caroline Beers Kane, theu in her sixth year, who testifies that the church was instituted at the home of Garner Goodan, . near the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets upon the lot now occupied by the passenger sta- tion of the Chicago and Alton Railway Company. Of this beginning I quote from a paper read by Judge Charles P. Kane, at the sixtieth anniver- sary of the church, held the first Sunday in October, 1893 :

"All who have any knowledge of the first meeting to form a church agree that the number in attendance was twelve. And these twelve although they were almost immediately joined by others, were styled 'The Charter Members.' According to Caroline Beers, who claims to be corroborated by Judge Stephen T. Logan and others, the names of the twelve are these: Phllo and Martha Beers, Joseph and Lucy Ben- nett, Alfred and Martha Elder, Dr. James R. Gray, Mrs. Garner Goodan, Mrs. Ann McNabb, William Shoup, Reuben Radford and Elisha Tabor. Among those who at once or very soon after identified themselves with this little group of pioneers, were America T. Logan, Gen. James Adams, Lemuel and Evaline Higby, Mor- decai Mobley and wife, George Bennett and wife, Col. E. D. Baker and wife, the Woodworth family and others whose names are not obtain- able.

"On the 20th day of September, 1833, the little church purchased a lot on the north side

ST. AGNES CATHOLIC CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

* **

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of Madison Street, about midway between Fourth and Fifth Streets, being part of the lot now (1910) occupied by the Ide Engine Works. The meeting house on this lot was erected and occupied about the year 1834. The earllest enrolled membership is shown by the following letter :

"SPRINGFIELD, Apr. 24, 1833: This is to cer- tify that Mrs. Martha Beers Is a member In good aud regular standing in the Presbyterlan Church, of Springfield. As such she is hereby, at her own request, dismissed from us and re- commended to the communlon and fellowship of any Church of Christ, where God in His providence may cast her lot. By order of the session.

"JOHN G. BERGEN, Moderator."

Mr. Hewitt assumed the pastorship in the fall of 1834 and remalned three years. The second preacher of the church was Alexander Grahamn, who came from Tuscola, Ala., In 1836. While here he published "The Berean," a re- liglons monthly, and in the issue of July, 1838, stated that "the congregation of Disciples In Springfield now numbers about ninety members."

The practice of holding State meetings was in- augurated In 1840, the first belng held in Sep- tember of that year. The object of these meet- Ings, as set forth In a published notice, espe- cially urging "evangellsts, elders and deacons to attend," was "to become better acquainted with one another, to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and brotherly affection, to put as many evangelists in the field as we may be able to support, and to make one united effort to spread the truth through our country."

The first protracted meeting which was at- tended with marked results, was held by Wil- liam Brown, in July, 1841. Mr. Brown was a man of acknowledged power and subsequently acquired a prominent place among the preach- ers of Illinois, and was pastor of the church in 1847. This meeting resulted in about slxty converslons, among these belng the well known names of Jonathan R. Saunders, John G. Elkin. Henry and Carollne Beers, Sanford Watson, Mary E. Constant, James Walker, James Sin- gleton, and others. Thomas C. Elkln, the Ideal deacon, was baptized by Robert Foster the Feb- ruary preceding.

In 1843 Jerry P. Lancaster came to church as its third pastor, but remained for only one

ycar. In 1839 Andrew J. Kane took up hls residence in Sprlugfield, having been converted to the faith by John O'Kane. Ready of speech and a close student of the Bible, Elder D. B. Hill and other brethren prevalled upon him to enter the mlulstry, and he soon became a prom- inent figure among the preachers of the State. He was ordained to the ministry In 1842, and during a life-long pilgrimage, reaching through three-quarters of a century, spent more than two- thirds of that time in active duty as pastor evangelist, his, perhaps, being the longest service in the ministry among the Disciples of Illinols.

The Sunday School was started about the year 1848, with Joseph W. Bennett Superintendent ; B. F. Chew, Assistant Superintendent ; J. N. WIl- son, Clerk; and Thomas C. Elkin, Alfred Elder, Mary Logan, Sarah Brownfield, and others, as teachers. From that date the Sunday School was continued and has kept pace with the growth of the church. In its first house, Fourth and Madison Streets, the church met regularly for worship for about nineteen years.

Its most prominent members during this pe- rlod were America Logan, wife of Judge Ste- phen T. Logan, and their daughter, Mary Lo- gal. (who afterward became the wife of Hon. Mliton Hay), Joseph W. Bennett and wife, Phllo and Martha Beers, Mordecai Mobley and wife, Judge James Adams, Col. E. D. Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff during the Civil War; Andrew J. Kane, and Caroline Beers Kane, his wife; William Brown and wife; William F. Elkin and wife; Thomas C. Elkin; John G. Elkin and Evellne Elkin, his wife; D. B. HIll, Jonathan R. Saunders and wife; Willlam Lavely and wife. Judge Logan, though not a member, was devoted to its Interests and was one of its most llberal contributors.

All of the charter members of that organiza- tlon have gone to their reward and all of those taking membership during the occupancy of the first house of worship have passed away, with four exceptlons, namely : Caroline Beers Kane, who Is yet a member of the First Christlan Church ; Mrs. Evellne Elkln, who has member- shlp with the church at Mechanlesburg, Ill .; Mrs. Addle Rogers, of Tacoma, Wash .; and Mrs. Marjorie Jones. Mrs. Kane, wife of An- drew J. Kane, was the daughter of Philo and Martha Beers, who were charter members of this first congregation.

On February 15, 1852, steps were taken for

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

the disposal of the church building and on June 2nd a iot was purchased at the northeast cor- ner of Sixth and Jefferson Streets, where a new brick building, abont 40 by 60 feet was erected the same year, and dedicated October 22nd, Elder S. S. Church, of St. Louis, delivered the dedicatory address. This building (1910) is now occupied by Heury B. Davidson as a car- riage factory.

The first evangelistic meeting was held in the new house early in 1853, the exercises belng conducted by Elders A. J. Kane and W. W. Happy, both at that time of Jacksonville. On February 20, 1853, Jonathan R. Sannders, Wil- liam F. Elkin and William Lavely were chosen as Elders, and on March 13th, Lemuel Higby, Thomas C. Elkin, B. B. Lloyd and John Con- stant were selected as Deacons. John H. Ilughes became the first pastor in the new building, and the church soon received strength and encouragement by the addition of a num- ber who afterwards became active in its ser- vice. Among the accessions In 1853 were Arch- ibald and Maria Constant, Nancy Latham, As- bury H. Saunders, Richard and Margaret Latham and their son, Henry C. Latham; in 1834, Willlam T. and Dorinda Hughes and Mrs. Sarah Smith; in 1855, Aaron and Lavinia Thompson and Incy Latham, and about 1856 Willlam D. Logan and wife, Margerle and Mary Constant.

Besides the protracted meetings held by the regular ministers, evangelistic meetings were held from time to time by snch men as Isaac Errett, David Walk, J. H. McCullough, Geo. F. Adams, Dr. J. II. and John Ailen, Galen and Marshall Goode. During the meeting held by David Walk in 1864 Charles P. Kane, now Chalrman of the Official Board, became obe- dient to the faith.

Besides the three above named elected in 1853 there were elected as eiders during the occu- pancy of the second house, Andrew J. Kane, Jo- seph W. Bennett, Aaron Thompson, Richard Latham and James B. Hocker, and these, in the main, had the oversight of the church until, one by one, they were called to the rest that remains for the people of God.

The walls of this second church have echoed with the voices of some of the greatest men known to the church during its entire history, Including Samuei Church, Alexander Campbell, William K. Pendleton, D. Pat. IIenderson, John

S. and Zach Sweeney, Isaac Errett, Jacob Creath, John T. Jones, Barton W. Stone, George W. MInier.

To this building was added a baptistry and here the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, duly celebrated.

The ministers who served the church during the period from 1852 to 1882 began their respec- tive periods of service as follows: John II. Hughes, 1852; Alexander Johnson, 1854; B. F. Perkey, 1856; S. E. Pearre, 1862; Daniei R. Howe, 1864; L. B. Wilkes, 1866; Thos. T. Hol- ton, 1868-69; Jas. B. Crain, 1870; H. W. Ever- est, 1873; Edw. T. Williams, 1876; John MI. At- water, 1878; Jos. Buford Allen, 1880.

The church occupied this second bullding from 1852 to 1882, a period of thirty years. In 1880, however, during the ministry of J. Buford Allen, this house was disposed of, and a bullding well adapted to the growing needs of the church was erected at the northwest corner of Fifth and Jackson Streets. This building was dedicated February 12, 1882, the services consisting of Scripture reading and prayer by J. Buford Al- len, the pastor, a sermon by Elder A. J. Kane, a dedlcatory address by Mr. Allen, and celebra- tion of the Lord's Supper. There was great re- joicing, and with praise and thanksgiving the church, then numbering abont 400, entered upon a new perlod of its history. A special note of thanks was tendered Mr. Allen for his services in snperintending the erection of the house. He continued his ministry about two years, until 1884 when he was succeeded by J. Z. Taylor, of Kansas City. During two years of the lat- ter's service the congregation made rapid growth.

In 1885 E. V. Zollars, a graduate from Bethany College, was called to the pastorate, and for three years he rendered falthfnl and efficient service. In 1888 Mr. Zollars was eiected Pres- ident of Hiram College, Ohio, and resigned as pastor. Before his departure Elder J. B. Briney, who was to succeed him, had arrived. A reception and banquet was arranged to ex- tend greeting to the new pastor and bid God- speed to Mr. Zollars as he went to his new field of labor. The occasion was one of delightful fellowship. The two ministers were felicitous in their short addresses, while the venerable Elder A. J. Kane. on behalf of the church, spoke words of good cheer and invoked the blessing

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of God on the two ministers and on the con- gregation.

In the fall of 18SS, during the early part of Elder Briney's ministry, the Nationai Conven- tion of the Christlan Churches was entertained by the Springfield church. Elder Briney re- mained as pastor about two and one-half years. A revision of the church directory, January 1, 1890, showed a membership of 513.

For some months during 1891 the congrega- tion was without a reguiar minister, but Prof. James Kirk, then Assistant State Superiutend- ent of Public Instruction, frequently occupied the puipit and presided at the Lord's Table most acceptably.

In October, 1891, Elder A. P. Cobb, of Nor- mal, Iil., was called to the pastorate and re- mained about five aud a half years, during which time many were added to the church. In October, 1896. the church entertained for the second time the National Convention of the Missionary Societies of the Christian Churches. The meetings were held in the capitol building, about 1,000 persons being in attendance.

The first Sunday in October, 1893, was ob- served as the sixtieth anniversary of the church organization. At this meeting Judge Charles P. Kane read a carefully prepared his- toricai sketch of the Church from its organiza- tion to the occupancy of the second church building in 1852; Mr. H. W. Everest, a former pastor, preached tire memoriai sermou; T. T. Holton, another former pastor. also delivered an address, and IIenry C. Latham gave a brief review of the progress from 1852 to 1882.

The writer has already quoted freely from Judge Kane's paper, to whom he acknowledges himself greatly indebted. During the summer of 1896 Col. IIenry Davis presented to the con- gregation a fine pipe organ, costing about $2,500, as a memorial to his father and mother who, for years had been identified with the church.

During the year 1896 two men, grown old in God's service, who had long been Elders and whose lives had been cioseiy identified with the church-Andrew J. Kane and Aaron Thompson -were called to the Heavenly Home.

In 1898 J. Elwood Lynn was called to the ministry of the church. In March, 1899, Charies Reign Schovilie conducted a series of meetings which resulted in 260 accesslons, and at the ciosc of the year Mr. Lynn reported an increase of 285 during the year.

On September 17, 1899, Mr. Christopher B. Coleman was ordained as minister of the Gospel, E. V. Zoliars preaching the ordination sermon. Mr. Coleman, who is a son of Louis II. Coleman, one of the Elders of the congregation, had fitted himself well for his high calling, having gradu- ated from Yale and taken a special course of study in Auburn Theological Seminary and iu Chicago University. He now hoids the position of Professor of IIistory in Butler University, Irvington, Ind.

One of the notable events during Mr. Lynn's ministry was the New Century Banquet, ten- dered by the Christian Church to the Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Vestrymen and Stewards of the Protestant Churches of Springfield, January 1. 1901. The guests filied the room and the spirit of Christian fellowship prevailed. For the time being denominational differences were forgotten and aii were members of oue common Church of Christ, representatives from various churches participating in the exercises. Judge Charles P. Kane of the First Christian Church, officiated as toast master, while Rev. W. Fraucis Irwin, pastor of the Second Presbyteriau Cburch pro- nounced the invocation. The toasts, with speak- ers responding were as follows:

PART I. FRATERNAL.

True Fraternity-Rev. Thos. D. Logan (First Presbyterian Church) ;

Nineteenth Century Tendencies toward Chris- tian Fraternity and Coalition -- Cilnton L. Conk- ling (Second Presbyterlan Church) ;

Church Comity-James H. Matheny (Congre- gationai Church) ;

PART II. PROPHETIC.

The cali of the New Century to the Church- Rev. Eucild B. Rogers, (Baptist Church) ;

The New Testament Ideai; A United Church -Rev. J. Elwood Lynn (Christian Church) ;

When the World shall be full of the Knowledge of God-Rev. J. M. Francis (English Lutberan).

PART III. MARTIAL,

In the Enemies' Country-Robert L. Patton (Baptist Church) ;

Christlan Tactics, Column Right, March, Touch Elbows-Rev. Frederick W. Taylor (Episcopal Church) ;

Victory-Rev. David F. Howe (Methodist Church).

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

The rapid growth of the west part of the city ied the First Church to provide a building for the accommodation of the people residing there. In 1901 a lot on the southwest corner of State and Edwards Streets was purchased and a church building erected, costing, with the lot, about $15,000. (See West Side Christian Church.)

In the fali of 1902 the church called from Chi- cago two young men, Hugh T. Morrison, Jr., and Charles Ciayton Morrison (brothers) as co- pastors, and the relationship existed until Jan- uary 1, 1905, when Hugh T., wishing to continue further study in the University, left his brother, Charles C. Morrison, with the entire burden as pastor. In July, 1905, the latter held a series of incetings in a tent erected for that purpose in the southeast part of the city, which resulted in the organization of the Stuart Street Christian Church with about eighty-five members. ( See Stuart Christian Church.)

Mr. Morrison also held a tent meeting in the northeast part of the city the same year. After leaving Springfield, he became editor of the "New Christian Century," of Chicago, which position he continues to occupy.

On January 1, 1907, Elder F. W. Burnham, of Decatur, became pastor. During January, 1908, assisted by the Netz Sisters Quartette, he held a meeting continuing about three weeks, which resulted in seventy-two additions.

The first Sunday in October, 1908, was oh- served as the seventy-fifth anniversary of the first organization in Springfield. This was a memorable occasion. In the morning the pastor, F. W. Burnham, preached the anniversary sermon and T. T. Holton presided at the Lord's Table. In the afternoon was held the anni- versary rally, Dr. G. A. Hulett presiding. At this service two members were present who wor- shipped in the first meeting house, namely : Mrs. Caroline Beers Kane, still a member of the church, and Mrs. Eveline Elkin, now residing near Mechanicsburg. Each of these spoke a few words on "The past and present." Their pres- ence was a benediction. There were greetings from other churches and former pastors, and personal words from missionaries, Miss Rose T. Armbruster, of Japan, and Dr. Paul and Olive Wakefield, of China. The evening was given to memorial services. The program consisted of Scripture reading and prayer and the following papers :

Historicai Sketch, by Mary Logan Morrison.

Memoirs of Sixth and Jefferson Streets Church, prepared by Henry B. Kane, and read by Judge Charles P. Kane.

Tribute to the Mothers of the Church, Henry C. Latham.

Solo, "Memories of Mother," Miss Edith An- derson.

Address by former pastor, T. T. Holton.

In February, 1909, the noted evangeiist, Wiii- iam A. Sunday, with his helpers, commenced a series of meetings in a tabernacle near the Capitol. All the protestant churches of the city joined in a great union meeting which resulted in the conversion of several thousands. Of these about 300 connected themselves with the First Churcil, while large numbers were added to the West Side and Stuart Street Churches. During the present pastorate of F. W. Burnham, there have been added up to date, 569 persons, making the present membership about 1,200.

The total missionary and benevoient offerings of the church last year were about $2,500. The first church is a "living iink" in the Foreign Christian Missionary Society, contributing annually $600 to that society, and is also a "living link" in the Illinois Christian Missionary Society, contributing $200 annually. Three of our members are missionaries in the foreign fieid, Miss Rose T. Armbruster in Japan, and Dr. Paul Wakefield and his wife, Olive Wake- field, in China.

I quote from Judge Kane's paper :

"From the beginning the church was singu- iarly happy in its eldership. There was Mor- decai Mobley, still tenderly remembered by the eidest of us ; he was probably the first to assume this responsibie office and justified the eariy preference of his brethren. There was Daniel B. Hill, Mayor of Springfield in 1843, late of Palo Alto, Miss., whom his contemporaries styled the model elder, a man of gentle mauners, of firm clear judgment, intelligent in the Scriptures, discreet, judicious. One said of him, when Brother Hill examined a cause and gave his decision, such was the unbounded confidence in the man, no further questions were asked. There was the venerable Father Hewitt and Thomas Hewitt, Jr., father and brother of Josephus; the latter, like his brother, "silver tongued," whose touching and instructive talks at social meet- ings were often said to be worth many sermons. There were also Alfred Elder, Joseph W. Ben-

FRANKLIN C. THOMPSON

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

nett, William Dillard, Dr. Brookie, Father Will- iam F. Elkin, Richard Latham, Jonathan R. Saunders, Willlam Lavely, James B. Hocker, Andrew J. Kane and Aaron Thompson.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864