Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 144

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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As an illustration of the ideas and methods of that "day of small things," which were also the beginnings of great things, the pastoral call of Mr. Ellis is here quoted: "The congregation of the Jacksonville Church, being on sufficient grounds well satisfied of the qualifications of you-John M. Ellis-and having good lessons from our experience of your labors, that your ministrations in the Gospel will be justifiable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly calı, and de- sire you, to undertake the pastoral office in said congregation, promising you in the discharge of your duty all proper support, encouragement and obedience in the Lord. And that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we

hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the sum of four hundred dollars, and rely upon the Home Missionary Society to pay one hundred and fifty of the same, promising to re- lieve the said society in whole or in part as soon as our circumstances will admit, in yearly pay- ments, during the time of your being and con- tinuing the regular pastor of this church. In testimony whereof we have respectively sub- scribed our names this 15th day of March, 1830."

The subscription list that accompanied the call included amounts in money, wheat, pork, corn, wood, flour, potatoes, rent, chickens and store goods, making a total of $250. He was in- stalled on the first Sabbath in April, 1830, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Jack- sonville. At the end of 1831 he resigned the pastorate of the church. He had actively and influentially labored for the location of Illinois College in Jacksonville, and procured for it a large amount of real estate, and the plans which also resulted in the founding of the Jacksonville Female Academy and procured its beautiful grounds, were formed in his house. These insti- tutions will ever be a monument in honor of him and his highly accomplished and talented wife, to whose wise and active efforts those in- stitutions most largely owe their existence and their long and valuable career.

After his retirement from the pastorate Mr. Ellis entered at once upon the service of the American Education Society in Illinois. In April, 1832, he engaged in the work of the In- diana branch of the Presbyterian Education So- ciety at New York. Besides the institutions named, several other like schools in other Western States are credited to his wise and sagacious leadership. An account of his life and achievements is given in the preceding por- tion of this work ("Historical Encyclopedia"), on page 157.

In 1838 occurred the division in the Presby- terian Church in the United States, resulting in the formation of what came to be known as the "Old School" and the "New School" organiza- tions. The Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, like many others throughout the country, was rent in twain by that division. There were three elders in the Jacksonville church at the time of the division: William C. Posey, David B. Ayers and Daniel C. Pierson. Mr. Posey and a minority of the church, who sympathized strongly with the Old School Assembly, adhered

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to that body, subsequently organizing the Sec- ond Presbyterian, known as the "Old School Church of Jacksonville.'

The First Presbyterian Church thereafter be- longed to the branch known as the "New School." The first church building, although it was the best Presbyterian church in the State at the time of its dedication in 1831, in ten years had become uncomfortable and unsatisfactory by reason of the poor quality of the material used in its construction. After much consulta- tion, advice and prayer, the ladies of the church unanimously decided to assist in the erection of a better church by their own efforts, labor and self-denial to the amount of $2,000. They were greatly stimulated in that purpose by Gov. Jo- seph Duncan, who proposed that Mrs. Duncan should be one of five ladies to pay the sum of two hundred dollars. He was so deeply inter- ested, and so highly did he approve of the un- dertaking, and so valuable were his advice and co-operation, that it was regarded as due to him more than to any one else, that the building was begun, although in three short weeks he was numbered with the dead. The undertaking, however, lived, and in 1847 the frame meeting house was superseded by a more commodious brick structure.

The first day of December, 1861, was a sad one to inany persons in Jacksonville, but especially to the members of the First Presbyterian Church. Twenty-four hours before a large con- gregation rejoiced in that they had a holy and beautiful house where they could worship God, and which for fourteen years had been their spiritual home. Just at that time (1861) it had been refurnished with cushions, carpets, paint and a new organ. Now, nothing remained but ashes and smoldering ruins, the consuming fire having devoured everything.

Strawn's Hall, but recently erected, proved a needed place of refuge for the homeless church, which they occupied for some time for all Sab- bath services, while the week-day meetings were held at the Female Academy. After walting two years and a half for more prosperous times to come, preparations to build were commenced in the autumn of 1863. and the corner-stone of a new and still greater temple was laid with ap- propriate ceremonies August 4, 1864. The work of erection proceeded steadily, though slowly. The Lecture and Sunday School rooms were set apart for their appointed use June 28, 1866.

Finally the finishing touches of the upholsterer and painter rendered the large and beautiful house ready for its intended use-a consumma- tion so long waited for by many working and praying members of that large churchless con- gregation-and their splendid temple was dedi- cated January 5, 1867. The building was of the Romanesque style of architecture, from designs by W. W. Boyington, and the entire cost of the building was $60,000, the estimated value of the property, including ground, amounting to $75,000. That large and beautiful church, with its splendid organ and complete appointments for all purposes, with its elegant furnishings was destroyed by fire on the 26th of September, 1883, for the second time the congregation hav- ing thus been rendered homeless through fire. By invitation the congregation worshiped with the Central Presbyterian Church until the con- pletion of their new edifice. The work of re- building began in July, 1884, on the northeast corner of West State and Church Streets. The building is modern, commodious and more ele- gant than any former place of worship occupied by the church. On the completion of the new church edifice the two Presbyterian organiza- tions, the First and the Central Churches, were united. The name adopted by the united con- gregations is the State Street Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. The new church was dedicated December 27, 1885, the dedicatory ser- mon being preached by the pastor, Rev. A. B. Morey, D. D., who has continued as pastor for many years up to the present time.

The Second Presbyterian Church .- After the di- vision of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1838, resulting in the formation of what became known as "The Old School" and "New School" organizations, William C. Posey, an elder, and forty-one members of the First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, sympa- thizing strongly with the Old School Assembly, adhered to that body, and formed the Second Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. They se- cured the services of Rev. Andrew Todd as pas- tor, who entered upon his pastoral work in the autumn of 1838. They worshiped first, for a few months, in a frame building which stood on the north end of the lot on the public square on which the Park House now stands, the use of which was given by Governor Joseph Duncan without charge. Afterward the Congregational Church edifice was secured at a nominal rent.

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That building then stood on the east side of the Central Park, on the ground now occupied by the furniture store of Johnson & Hackett, after- wards known as "Union Hall," which was de- stroyed by fire. In the meantime preparations were being made for the erection of a sanctuary. In the year 1840, about two years after the di- vision of the church, a frame building on the north side of West State Street and east of West Street, on the ground now occupied by the Chambers Block, was completed, at a cost of $1,800, the lot having been donated by Col. John Hardin as his subscription. In that house the congregation worshiped for nearly thirty years. In May, 1869, Rev. W. W. Harsha, D. D., was called to the pastorate of the church. A short time after entering upon his work he began to plan for the erection of a new church. The northwest corner of West State and Church Streets was selected as a site of the new edifice. The work of building was soon begun, and had sufficiently advanced as to allow the use of the lecture room by the congregation in 1871. The house was completed, and was dedicated April 19, 1874. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. N. L. Rice, D. D., one of the ablest and most distinguished ministers of the Presby- terian Church. The cost of the building was $25,000, and with the lot valued at $33,000. The beautiful communion table was the gift of one of its younger members, Mr. H. P. Huntsinger. At, that time the name of the church was changed to the Central Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. The new church is a splendid edi- fice. While modest in style, it is pleasing and imposing in architectural effect. At the time of the dedication the statistics of the church showed that, in the thirty-eight years of its sep- arate existence, 688 persons had connected them- selves with it and enjoyed its privileges and fel- lowship. Of those 342 had begun their religious life through its instrumentality. Dr. Harsha continued as pastor of the church for fifteen years, resigning in June, 1884. After his resig- nation the church gave a unanimous call to Rev. A. B. Morey, D. D., to become its pastor, which he accepted, and entered at once upon the work November 1, 1884. On the completion of the State Street Church building the First and Central Churches were united, and formed the State Street Presbyterian Church of Jackson- ville. Permission was given to a minority of the members of both former churches to form a

new organization, which having been done they continued the name of the Central Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. After a few years' ex- istence the church sold its building to the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, and its mem- bership was transferred to other churches.

Westminster Presbyterian Church .- On Sunday, May 14, 1860, about forty members of the First Presbyterian Church were organized into a sep- arate society, known as the Westminster Pres- byterian Church (New School) of Jacksonville. The services for that purpose were held in the Congregational church, the sermon being preached by Rev. Cyrus L. Watson, of Farming- ton, Ill., in pursuance of the order of the Pres- bytery. Mr. D. A. Smith and Dr. Henry Jones were unanimously elected elders. The congre- gation soon erected a substantial and comfort- able house of worship, with a bell tower, and furnished with organ, altar and frescoed walls, on the northeast corner of West College Avenue and Westminster Street. The church was dedi- cated in September, 1860. Rev. D. H. Hamilton, D. D., of New Haven, Conn., became pastor of the church in October, 1860, under whose able and faithful ministry the membership was largely increased. A few years since the con- gregation erected a large and beautiful stone church on the same site, modern in style and in- cluding all conveniences of recent church archi- tecture, rendering it the most elegant and im- posing church edifice in Jacksonville. The cost of the building and furnishings was $33,000. The church has a large and influential membership.

Portuguese Presbyterian Churches .- On Novem- ber 14, 1849, a band of 350 Protestant Portu- guese, led by Rev. Daniel M. Lathrop, of New York, reached Jacksonville. They were wel- ccmed by a committee consisting of President Julian M. Sturtevant, D. D., of Illinois College, Governor Augustus C. French, and Rev. Albert Hale, of Springfield. On November 28th of the same year, 80 more came to Jacksonville under the leadership of Rev. J. M. Gonsalves. A few of these colonists settled at Waverly, in Morgan County, and the remainder, in about equal num- bers, settled permanently at Jacksonville and Springfield. On November 24, 1849, a Portu- guese Sunday School was organized in the base- ment of the First Presbyterian church, of which Rev. L. M. Glover, D. D., was pastor at that time.

On the 25th day of May, 1850, the Portuguese Church of Jacksonville was organized by Rev.

John djordon

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

A. DeMattos, of the Free Church of Scotland. Their first house of worship was dedicated Au- gust 19, 1853, by Rev. Robert F. Kalley, D. D., of Scotland. In 1854 the church was divided, and the Second Portuguese Church was organ- ized in 1855, but their church building was not completed until 1863. Rev. A. DeMattos con- tinued pastor for the First Portuguese Church until 1869. Rev. McKee succeeded him as pas- tor, till 1872, when Rev. Henry Vieira, of West Indies, became pastor. The best known minister of the Second Presbyterian church was Rev. Robert Lenington, who, beginning in 1862, served the church at three different times cov- ering a total period of sixteen or eighteen years. These pastoral ministrations were separated by seventeen years of missionary service in Brazil. The Second Portuguese Church was divided about 1874, and a third church, the Central Portuguese church, was organized, and minis- tered to by Rev. E. N. Pires until 1887, when the Central and First Portuguese churches were united under the name of the United Portuguese Church, with Rev. E. N. Pires pastor. He con- tinued a very useful pastorate until March, 1896, when he was stricken .by death. In October. 1900, the two Portuguese Churches were united under the name of the Portuguese Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville. It was also decided to discontinue the usc of the Portuguese language in the services of the church at the time this union was formed. In June, 1901, Rev. Roger F. Cressey was called to the pastorate, which has been continued to the present time (1905). The present membership is 450 communicants.

BAPTIST CHURCHES OF MORGAN COUNTY.

It is now impossible to fix the exact date of the organization of most of the first Baptist churches in Morgan County, but it is certain that they were among the earliest religious so- cieties in the county, and included in their inin- istry and membership many of the most promn- inent and useful citizens. Among the former of those was Rev. William Crow, a Separate Bap- tist preacher, wno was widely known, and is yet kindly remembered by many still living. His life and character were strikingly and proverb- ially excellent, and his good name as a man, and his ability as a preacher. extended far and near. Having accomplished a grand mission, at a ripe age he was gathered to his fathers. Rev. Thorn- ton Shepherd, who resided on Big Sandy, was

also a noted and worthy pioneer Baptist preacher. Peculiar in manners, and quaint in his form of public address, yet he is affection- ately remembered as faithful and true to God and humanity. He was highly esteemed for his noble traits of character.

About the year 1822, the Rev. Samuel Bris- tow, a Baptist minister, brought a colony com- posed of the Box, Reid, Curlock and Boyer fam- ilies. They settled about three miles northwest of the present site of Jacksonville, and formed a religious organization. That Baptist church continued for many years, but was finally disbanded. Mr. Bristow was called to fill a number of civil offices in the county. In that list of worthy ministerial names should also be enrolled Rev. Porter Clay, half-brother of the famous Henry Clay, of Kentucky: Rev. W. F. Boynton, D. D .; Revs. Henry L. and Andrew J. Johnson (brothers) ; and Rev. Andrew W. Jack- son (colored). In this pioneer list should also be included "Uncle Benny and Aunt Polly John- son," father and mother of five Baptist preach- ers, and the accredited parents of the Sandy Creek Association.

Hon. William Thomas says: "The first ser- mon that I ever heard in Jacksonville was in the fall of 1826, in the frame court house, near the northwest corner of the public square, subse- quently burned, preached by a Baptist minister named Kenney. The sermon was prepared for mothers, the only female in attendance being Mrs. Joseph Fairfield, who had no child."

One account says that Rev. William Drink- water was the first Baptist minister in Morgan County, about the year 1822. Another witness says that Mr. Drinkwater was a Wesleyan Meth- odist, who devoted his life to preaching the gos- pel and doing good; whose example and good life were long remembered by the old settlers. He had his residence in a hole on the bank of Indian Creek about a mile and a half above Babb & Horn's mill. Afterwards, for a number of ycars, he lived below the mill, and on his way to the distant Oregon, he died and sleeps with the early preachers.

The Baptists held meetings at the house of Major Peter Conover, in Jersey Pralrie, then in- cluded in the territory of what Is now Morgan County, possibly as early as 1821; also at a few other places in that part of the county. All re- ligious services at that time were held in pri- vate houses, there being no public places erected

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for that purpose. Major Conover was a native of New Jersey, and a man of more than ordinary ability and intelligence, and was an active mem- ber of the Baptist church. He was the first President of the Morgan County Bible Society. He also filled a number of public civil offices.

In 1877, Rev. M. T. Lamb, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, reported thir- teen churches of that denomination in existence in Morgan County, representing a membership of 1,000, or one to every thirty of the population. In Jacksonville there were, he said, between 350 and 400, including the colored Baptist church, who then outnumbered the white Baptists.

First Baptist Church, Jacksonville .- Deacon John Humphrey has the credit of being the promoter and prime factor in the organization of the Bap- tist Church of Jacksonville. Having ascertained the names of the few persons who were favor- able to the organization of a Baptist church, he established cottage prayer meetings, and invited Rev. Alvin Bailey, of Winchester, Ill., to come and hold occasional services for the little band. The first service was held in a little house-on Court Street, used by Miss Sarah Melindy for a day school. After much earnest and prayerful work the church was organized in the home of Mr. Moore C. Goltra, on West State Street, Feb- ruary 1, 1841. The twenty-four constituent members were Dr. Chapin Allen, Mary Allen, W. R. Adams, Mrs. Melinda Bibb, Emmons Burdett, Henry Cassell, William Dunham, Susanna Dun- ham, Augusta Dunham, Jeannette Dunham, Su- san Dunham, Stephen Dustin, Lucretia Dustin, John W. Goltra, Moore C. Goltra, John Hum- phrey, Elizabeth Humphrey, William H. Pol- lard, Lucretia Pollard, William R. Prosser, Mrs. Margaret Prosser, I. D. Rawlings, Hester Raw- lings and Ellen Spencer.

The public recognition of the organization was held in the Christian church, on North Main Street, June 27, 1841. The services of recogni- tion were performed by Rev. G. B. Perry and Rev. Alvin Bailey. John Humphrey was chosen the first deacon and Dr. Chapin Allen, clerk: Rev. Alvin Bailey was the first pastor, officiating from 1841 to 1847, inclusive. Services were held occasionally in the court house that stood in the public square. A hall was also fitted up on the second floor of the market house that stood in the northwest corner of the public square. Rev. Porter Clay, half-brother of Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, frequently preached for the con-

gregation. During Mr. Bailey's pastorate the church, at great sacrifice, built a house of wor- ship on the south side of West State 'Street, opposite the present Scott Block, which was dedicated August 3, 1845. In June, 1851, Rev. A. J. Bingham became pastor of the church, continuing a year and a half. During his pas- torate Rev. Jacob Knapp, a celebrated evangel- ist, held a meeting of six weeks, when nearly one hundred persons united with the church. A new house of worship was begun in 1856, at a cost of $15,000. It was located on the site of the Scott Block, on the north side of West State Street, and was dedicated April 7, 1858. The church continued to occupy that building until January, 1898, having previously purchased the Central Presbyterian church on the northwest corner of West State and Church Streets, at a cost of $5,000. At a large expense the building was remodeled and made one of the most beau- tiful, convenient and commodious churches in Jacksonville. It was re-dedicated January 30, 1898, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. E. B. Rogers, D. D. It has a large and ex- cellent organ, the gift of Mrs. A. E. Goltra and her daughter, Miss Mabel H., in memory of their deceased daughter and sister, Miss Corinne Goltra. The purchase and improvement of this new church home was accomplished under the leadership of Rev. I. W. Read, the pastor of the church at that time. Rev. Thomas Harley Marsh has been the popular and successful pastor of the church from March, 1900, to the present time. From the beginning the church has num- bered among its membership many of the lead- ing citizens of Jacksonville and vicinity, and is one of the most prosperous and efficient church organizations in the city.

OTHER PROTESTANT CHURCHES.

The Congregational Church .- The Congregation- ists of Jacksonville, like others of their faith in the West, worshiped with the Presbyterians up to the year 1833, under the arrangement, entered into by the highest judicatories of the two de- nominations in 1801, known as "The Plan of Union." The Jacksonville Congregational Church was organized December 15, 1833, in the Methodist Episcopal Church, then located on East Morgan Street, the soci- ety having kindly offered the use of their house of worship for that purpose. The sermon on the occasion was preached

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

by Rev. William Carter, a young licentiate, who had already been engaged to become their pas- tor, but was not yet ordained. Professor J. M. Sturtevant propounded the creed and covenant to the members of the new church, composed of the following persons: Timothy Chamberlain, Abraham Clark, Mellicent Clark, Elihu Wolcott, Jeremiah Graves, Mary Ann Graves, Benjamin Allyn, Edwin A. Mears, Sarah Mears, Maro M. 1 .. Reed, Elizabeth L. Reed, Daniel Mann, Ben- jamin B. Chamberlain, Asa Talcott, Maria Tal- cott, Salem Town, Joseph Town, Eliza Town, Jesse B. Clark, Ralph Perry, Robert B. Lord, James K. Morse, Edwin Schofield, George B. Hitchcock, Elizabeth Scott, Mary Chamberlain, Abigail Chenery, Eliza Hart, Lucy Town, Frances J. Wolcott, Abigail Graves. Three days afterwards the following names were added : George T. Purkitt and Calvin Beach.

In 1883, at the "Golden" anniversary of the church, the venerable Dr. Truman M. Post, of St. Louis. in his sermon referred to the organ- ization as follows: "The little band which gath- ered in that upper chamber contained elements of strong character for the enterprise it had un- dertaken. It numbered among its members, earnest, intelligent, true-hearted, devoted, stal- wart men; some bringing much of the granite of the Old Rock: some with something of the metal of the Cromwellian Ironsides in their veins, to blend with the charm of gentle, culti- vated, brave and saintly womanhood, in the composition of the infant church."

The first meetings of the church were held in the house of Elihu Wolcott, which stood on the block at the southwest corner of the Central Park, afterwards in a log building on West State Street, where Williamson's store now stands. In a short time the society began the erection of a frame church building, with a brick basement, on the east side of Central Park, where the Trade Palace store now stands. The church was dedicated in September. 1835, Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, D. D., preaching the ded- ioatory sermon. It was then the most commo- dious religious edifice in Jacksonville. The building was sold in 1858 to aid in the erection of their present church on West College Avenue. It was known long after as "Union Hall," and was burned in September, 1876. The church was abundantly prospered from its organization. More than twenty young men from its member- ship werc licensed to preach the Gospel. It was

the third Congregational Church organized in the State, the other two being organized in Adams County in the same year, and these three were at that time the only Congregational churches within five hundred miles of Jackson- ville, being the pioneer enterprises of Congrega- tionalism in the Northwest. Rev. Truman M. Post, D. D., becanie the second pastor of the church, succeeding Rev. William Carter, serving from 1840 to 1847, inclusive, being at the same time a professor in Illinois College. The new church on College Avenue was dedicated De- cember 4, 1859, the dedicatory sermon being preached by its former pastor, Rev. Truman M. Post, D. D., then of St. Louis, Mo. It is a spa- cious and well furnished church, located in a beautiful part of the city. An interesting event occurred in the celebration of the fiftieth anni- versary of the organization of the church in the month of December, 1883. Rev. Julian M. Stur- tevant, D. D., who was present and assisted in the organization of the church, preached an his- torical sermon; and the next day Rev. Truman M. Post, D. D., the second pastor, preached the Golden Anniversary sermon to the people. Both these men were pulpit giants.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 144

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286