USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 28
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May 12, 1849, Rev. Norman Parks, missionary agent of the General Association of Illinois, was here, and presented the claims of the Association. The committee reported that the use of the Presbyterian house of worship eould only be secured for the second Sabbath in each month, which was accepted. August 11, 1849, at a regular meeting the first letter from the church to the Springfield Association, prepared and read by the clerk, W. S. Frink, was adopted and read as follows :
Beloved Brethren .- On the 23d of November, 1848, a number of brethren and sisters formerly members of the Baptist Church at Stonington, pursuant to previous arrangement assembled at Taylor- ville, and with the assistance and co-operation of the Rev. G. S. Bailey of Springfield, Illinois, and Rev. Paris Pray of Stonington, organized a Baptist Church ; since last spring Rev. Paris Pray has labored under the patronage of this church one half of the time, dividing his labors between Taylorville and a neighborhood at the south part of our county, where his labors seem very acceptable.
We have no meeting-house, nor are we at present able to build one, but we are permitted to occupy the Cumberland Presbyterian house one Sabbath in each month. Our settlements are not very dense. Our Methodist brethren are erecting a meeting-house, and the number of persons who usually attend meeting at Taylorville, are not sufficient to make three respectable congregations, so that we deem our present arrangement the best that ean now be made ; eon- nected with our and the Presbyterian Church, we have a Sabbath- school of over one hundred members, a Union S. S. Library of some 400 volumes. Our S. S. is a very interesting one ; since its organization (April 1848), several conversions have taken place among the scholars, some of whom have united with our church here. We have no special revival season to reeord since our organization, but we have the satisfaction to say that a spirit of harmony, union and oneness of feeling has evineed that we have in some degree at least, enjoyed the approving smile of the great Head of the Church, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our number at organization 12, by letter 1, total 13. " Jaeob is very small, by whom shall Jacob arise ?"
The church united with the Springfield Association as above, and individual subseriptions were taken for the purpose of procuring and sustaining an itinerant through the bounds of the Springfield Association. September 12, 1849, T. S. Leachman was ordained deacon, after the evening service, by Rev. G. S. Bailey and Rev. Paris Pray. Oetober 13, 1849, the first persons were baptized into this church, viz: Simeon Brents, Mary W. Brents, his wife, and Ellen Pearee, by Rev. Paris Pray.
May 11, 1850, at a regular meeting of the church, W. S. Frink, deacon ; T. S. Leachman and Robert Welch were appointed trustees, and authorized to seeure a lot in the village of Taylorville, whereon to ereet a meeting-house for the use of the Baptist Church. Total membership reported this year to the Springfield Association held at Manchester was 29. Resolved at this meeting, that the church
approves and ratifies the reception of members at the late meetings held at South Fork, and hereby gives to Rev. Paris Pray and such others of this church as may be hereafter there assembled, to receive in the same manner as the church does at this place, any and all such persons as may present themselves, being found in the estima- tion of the members present, worthy ; and this authority to remain in foree until rescinded by act of the church. In the year 1851, January 11, it was voted at a regular meeting that the brethren and sisters residing on the South Fork, members of Taylorville Baptist Church, have permission if they think it expedient, to organize a Baptist Church, and when so organized and recognized as a Baptist Church, to report to this church the names of all such members as go into the organization, also that the church cordially invite Rev. Jacob Knapp to hold a series of meetings with this church at such time as will best suit his engagements. Mareh 22, 1851, the following named brethren and sisters were organized into a new church, viz : Francis S. White, Polly Skinner, Henry Riggs, Malinda Riggs, Robert S. Welch, Mary A. Welch, John Ishmael, Susannah Ishmael, John MeClery, Sursia McClery, Duane Skinner, Elizabeth Skinner, Jonathan Clark, Minerva Clark, James F. White, Robert E. White, James Virden, William Crail, Susan Crail, Van W. Williams, Mary C. White, Lucy Skinner, Elizabeth Wileox, Emily Wilcox, Nancy E. Pearee, Martha Williams, Bridget Robinson. April 12, 1851, a very thin attendance, owing probably to the existence of a case of small-pox in the village of Taylorville. Additions during the year 30, dismissed 32, leaving a membership of 27 only. During the year 1852, elder Dodson labored with the church one Sabbath in each month. A Union monthly prayer-meeting was held in the village of Taylorville during this year by the different denominations in behalf of the S. S. interest. A meeting-house was commeneed in the spring of this year 32x36 feet in size; during the year 1853, Rev. George W. S. Bell, a lieentiate, preached for the charch. Membership reported 39 The Rev. S. W. Nuston preached to the church from October 1st of this year, and was granted the opportunity by vote to preach to the Bear Creek churel one Sabbath in each month. J. H. Leaeh- man died this year, and resolutions of respect to his memory were passed and reported upon the church book. The " Female Bible Society " during the year donated to the ehureh a good Bible, and the church edifice was duly dedicated on the second Sabbath in September, 1853. Prior to this the church met in a little school-house 14 feet square. Revs. E. Dodson, Paris Pray and Bell were present at the dedication. Membership reported for year 53. November 11, 1854, James II. Ryan and Elizabeth E. Ryan, presented a letter from the 1st Regular Baptist Church of Springfield, Ohio, and were unanimously received. Mrs. Mariah A. Good- rich and Miss Lydia E. Frink departed this life during the month of November, and a preamble and resolutions were recorded on the church book to their memory. At a meeting held January 13th, 1855, it was unanimously voted to give Rev. Cyrus Miner, of Attica, New York, a call to the pastoral charge of this church, and pledged the amount of $500 for his salary. In the month of April, 1855, letters of dismission were granted to Zack Harris, Athalia Ilarris, Aaron Behymer, Naney E. Behymer, Jonathan L. Pugh, Mary Swift, Rebecca Mosidon, done for the purpose of uniting with others in organizing a church at Clear Creek, about seven miles N. W. of Taylorville. August 11. 1855, Rev. C. S. Miner tendered his resignation to the Church. W. Allen, a licentiate from N. Y. State, supplied the church some months during the year 1856, then returned to New York, and died of consumption. June 1st of this year, W. A. Goodrich was appointed delegate to sit in council at Bear Creek for ordaining Rev. B. F. Chapman. In
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the year 1856, November 18th, Rev. Thomas Reece was elected pastor. July 27, 1857, Daniel and Margaret A. Barnes were re- ceived by letter from Decatur, Illinois.
At a church meeting, May 7, George Duke was expelled from the membership of the church. On request of Rev. W. Reece, deacon T. S. Leachman, W. S. Frink, J. H. Ryan and W. A. Goodrich were appointed delegates to meet in council with the brethren at Pana, Illinois, on the 21st day of July, 1858, to assist in organizing a church at that place. During 1859, Rev. Paris Pray, who had moved from Stonington and settled in Taylorville, supplied the church with preaching occasionally, but the church was without a pastor until September, 1861, when Rev. John W. Terry was called to labor with the church, at a salary of $250 per annum, which was afterward raised to 8300; but he closed his labors at the end of the year 1861. Deacon T. S. Leachman, one of the constituent members, died May 7, 1863, and a record of his faithful services were made in the annual letter to the Springfield Association. No minutes during 1864. James S. Ryan appointed as delegate to the Spring- field Association, held at Decatur ; number of members reported 26. March 27, 1835, at an appointed meeting, the church endorsed and approved of Rev. J. M. Maxwell for appointment by the executive board of the general association of Illinois, to labor with this church for one year, from March 18, 1865, at a salary of $450, asking the association to appropriate 8150, which was done. May 13, 1865, Daniel Barnes was elected to the office of deacon for this church. June 7, 1866, Edward Overand and wife from Hartford, Conn., presented their letter and were received by the church ; a parsonage was built and an organ secured during the year. W. S. Frink was elected deacon of the church, July 11, 1867. Two members died during the year, viz : Rev. V. R. Watt and Sarah Frink, one of the constituent members. In the month of February, Rev. Edward Jones from Nokomis, began preaching each alternate Sabbath, and was called as regular pastor July 10, 1868. Annie Goodrich from West Jefferson, Ohio, united with the church in April of this year. The church was afflicted by the death of deacon Daniel Barnes, much to their sorrow and regret as expressed in " Chicago Standard," of July, 1868. January 31st, Charles E. Barnes united by baptism with this church. Rev. E. Jones resigned the pastoral care of the church October 2, 1870, and W. S. Frink, Joseph E. Ellicott and Rev. Paris Pray were appointed a committee to draft and furnish the church with resolutions expressive of the feelings of the church, in view of this severance of the relations of pastor and people, for publication in the " Chicago Standard," and the city papers; about the middle of November, 1870, Rev. E. Jones again resumed the pastoral care of the church, and again resigned the last of April, 1871 ; he was an earnest, faithful minister of the gospel.
On May 17th, 1871, Rev. R. P. Evans was invited to preach for the Church, which he did, with much satisfaction, until the following September, when he was elected pastor. The follow- ing members of the Church were appointed to sit in council at Morrisonville, Christian County, Ils., August 12th, 1871, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church at that place, which was at that time accomplished, viz : Rey. R. P. Evans, Rev. Paris Pray, Ed Overand, W. S. Frink and J. P. Ellicott. Rev. R. P. Evans returned to the Theological Seminary of Chicago, about the 15th of September, 1871. Number of members reported this year, 97. On Tuesday, January 2d, 1872, at a business meeting, W S. Frink, who had served the Church as clerk over twenty years, resigned the office, and C. E. Barnes was dlected to fill the vacancy. E. Overand, at the same meeting, was elected as deacon of the Church. January 220, 1872, Penny, Brown and Ellicott were appointed a committee to confer with the other
Churches of the town, with the object of securing the same evening for prayer-meeting, and Wednesday evening was selected. The Church called Rev. J. D. Cole to the pastorate, and he entered upon his labors in May, 1872, at a salary of $700 per annum, and the parsonage for a residence. May 7th, same year, W. S. Frink re- signed the office of Trustee of the Church, and a committee was appointed to present to Deacon Frink its warm regards, and grati- tude to him for his many years of faithful service for the church. The Church unanimously called to the pastorate, July 15th. 1872, the Rev. John Jones recently from Wales, at a salary of $700, and use of the parsonage. The "Springfield Association " met with the Church this year, and a committee was appointed by the Church to receive the delegates. August 30th, 1872, I. N. Richardson was elected Clerk. Nov. 5th, the Church adopted the weekly system of collecting the Pastor's salary, to hand in as a col- lection every Sunday morning. Sept. 3d, Rev E W. Dannels, of Zanesville, O , was called as Pastor of the Church. April 1st, 1873, on motion, which was duly voted and recorded, the hand of fellow- ship was withdrawn from Samuel Brown, on charge of extortion, slander, and disorderly conduct, unbecoming a Christian. During this year the following sums were contributed for benevolent pur- poses : For Ministerial Education, $87 00; Foreign Missions, 27 00; Home Missions, $50 00; Church Edifice Fund, $40 00; Theological Union of Chicago, $60 00. The experience of the Church, relative to financial matters, was " We have adopted the weekly envelope system for procuring money for all expenses of the Church, and find it. to be quite a success, and would recommend it to our sister Churches, where it has not been adopted." Nov. 1st, 1873, Rev. E. W. Dannels resigned as Pastor of the Church, much to their regret, and resolutions expressive of their feelings were presented to him. Rev. M. C. Clark was called to the Pastorate, Dec. 1st, of same year, and presented letters from 1st Baptist Church of Gosport, Ia. April 7th, 1874, a committee of one was appointed to inform the trustees of the Church, that it is the desire of the Church that the meeting-house be used for nothing but de- votional exercises. Rev. M. C. Clark resigned the pastoral care of the Church, Nov. 29th, 1874. Rev. D. W. Morgan of Ohney, Ill., was called to the pastorate, Jan. 1st, 1875, at a salary of $700 and all that can be raised over that amount. At a called meeting, June 7th, 1875, W. A. Goodrich, Wm. Chamberlain, Levi Witherill, James M. Taylor and W. C. Griffith were ap- pointed a committee of five to decide on the Iccation of a new Church edifice, and to act as a building committee. On the 18th of June, 1875, the committee reported that they had sold the ol l house of worship for the sum of $230, reserving the bell an l seats, and had purchased lots cast of the square. On June 21st, 1875, a regular Church meeting was held, and after some discus- sion as to the authority of the committee, ete., it was voted " That we indorse the action of the committee and request them to go on with the work of Church building." Oct. 12th, 1875, Deacon E. Overand resigned his office; Levi Witherill also resigned as member of the building committee. On the 23d of August, 1875, the following resolution on motion was accepted from the building committee : " Whereas, the subscriptions for the building of the new ('hurch edifice are made payable in one, two and three years, 1875, '76 and '77, and it is necessary, in order to enclose the building and finish the lecture-room and parlors for use the coming winter, that money be borrowed enough to enclose said building, to be met by subscriptions coming due as aforesaid. Resolved, therefore, that the Trustees of this church be, and they are hereby requested, authorized and empowered to borrow the sum of $2500, and seenre the payment of the same upon the lots and building of the church,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
that sum being necessary to enclose said building, and do the work necessary to be done this fall," which was carried, also to lay the corner-stone of the new church building Monday, August 30th, at 3 r. M. The clerk was also instructed to prepare a list of names of members of the church, with other matters of the church history, to be placed in the corner-stone. Jan. 4th, 1876, Rev. Paris Pray was duly elected to fill the office of deacon, made vacant by the resignation of E. Overand, and N. Burch to fill the office of trustee to supply the place of John Reed, resigned, and J. M. Taylor was instructed by the church to cast the vote for the election of W. S. Frink as treasurer. F. Cook was elected clerk. July 18th, Wm. Chamberlain was elected by ballot as assistant deacon of the church. Rev. D. W. Morgan resigned the pastorate Aug. 29th, 1876, and Rev. S. D. Badger was called to the pastoral care of the church by unanimous vote, June 12th, 1877, at a salary of $600 per annum. July 3d, 1877, a motion was carried to call an ecclesiastical coun- cil for the purpose of ordaining to the ministry, Rev. S. D. Badger, said meeting to be held Saturday, August 11th, 1877, at 2 P. M., and the following churches were requested to send two delegates, each to sit in council : First Baptist Church of Springfield, North Church, Springfield, Assumption, Moawequa, Stonington, Pana, Shelbyville, Decatur, Sadorus, McLean and Oreana. Rev. A. A. Kindrich, D. D., of Upper Alton, and Rev. J. M. Gregory, D. D., of Champaign, were also invited to participate in the action of the council, and be members of the same.
The following is a partial report of a financial committee, which is well worthy of notice, said committee being composed of James M. Taylor, Albert R. Peck and W. A. Goodrich, May 27th, 1877: Your committee would suggest, that it is necessary not ouly that more subscriptions, but larger ones, be paid. They find upon ex- amination of the list of contributions for previous years, when the expenses were much larger, and were promptly met, that the eon- tributors numbered about thirty-five, and that the poorer members of the church contributed nearly, if not quite, as much now as they did then, but that the falling off in contributions is more in the amount contributed, and the hard times seem to have struck the wealthy instead of the poor members of the church, they having reduced their subscriptions, with a few exceptions, from one-half to one-fourth their usual and former contributions, all of which is re- spectfully submitted.
A lieense was granted at this meeting to enable O. E. Badger to preach the gospel. James M. Taylor was elected treasurer in place of W. S. Frink. A baptismal committee was also ap- pointed, consisting of W. A. Goodrich, M. A. Goodrich and Sarah Morrison. On September 2d, 1878, James E. Low resigned his position as clerk of the church, and Albert R. Peek was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy caused by resignation, April 1st, 1879. At a regular business-meeting held April 1st, 1879, the trustees were instructed to repair fence around the church-grounds, and also to put out hard maple trees around the outside of said grounds. Rev. Paris Pray resigned his position as deacon, which vacancy was filled by Albert R. Peek. Rey. S. D. Badger's pastorate commenced May 25th, 1877, and closed at his resignation.
Aug. 27th, 1879, at a special business-meeting, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Oswald Snell, who had been laboring on the field for some wecks to supply the church as minister for three months; and at the end of his four months' service, a very unani- mous call was given him by the church to become its pastor, at a salary of $650 per annum for an indefinite time, to be terminated by either party giving three months' notice, when desirable so to do. The church, at the commencement of Elder Snell's labors in it, was in a very low and almost hopeless condition. Many of the
members despaired of ever keeping the large church, worth $6,000, in their possession, as a mortgage of $2,800 was bearing upon it ; and it was the common expression among worldly men that either the Roman Catholics were going to get the church, or else it would be turned into a theatre; but, in the providence of God, they found a man who could live by faith and inspire others with hope, and things in a few months began to brighten. About this time a bequest of $2 000, which was left by Mr N. Sanders, of Stonington, Christian Co., Ill. (for purposes hereinafter mentioned ), engaged the attention of the church and its pastor, and negotiations were entered into to secure the use of the money ; and by raising about $820 more in cash, the indebtedness on the church was paid in this city, and this church forever saved to the denomination.
It is expected that at an early date the church edifice will be completed, and we doubt not the completion of such a house of worship, as an ornament to the town, will be gratifying to our citi- zens, and all will be willing to do what they can to help in this object. Elder Snell, who has been supplying the church and lead- ing in this work since July last, much to their satisfaction and encouragement, has recently received and accepted a unanimous call to become permanent pastor. The church started out anew with hope revived. On the 14th of January, 1879, Elder Snell be- gan a revival meeting in the church, and though small in its begin- ning, increased in influence and interest, until the whole town was interested and the country for miles was moved upon. Three or four other protracted meetings began with the ending of the week of prayer, and this continued on until the temperance campaign work began, when the meeting was adjourned for two weeks, (so as not to conflict with the temperance meetings, ) and was afterwards carried on, and the Lord poured out His Spirit upon the meeting, and some forty or fifty souls were hopefully converted. About 35 additions were the results of the revival at the Baptist Church ; about 25 of these by baptism. Rev. D. C. McBride, of Stoning- ton, came about the fourth week of the revival meeting and assisted the pastor very much by speaking and singing in the meeting about fourteen days. The Kev. C. Starkey, of Bethalto, Illinois, also rendered assistance for about a week in this meeting, and the Rev. J. N. Hobart, D.D., General Missionary of the state of Illinois, was also present one day and night, and encouraged much by his kind, earnest words. The workers in this glorious revival meeting, some of the most depraved and hardened men, came to Christ and were saved ; several young people and many heads of families. It is expected to finish the church edifice this year D. V. This, with- out exceptions, has been the most successful year, spiritually and temporally, for the church in Taylorville since its organization. Hundreds left for want of room during the revival meeting, and often now people can not gain admittance, hence the church feels the importance of finishing the edifice, when its seating capacity will be about six or seven hundred when required. J. M. Taylor is the active, earnest Sunday-school Superintendent, and we have averaged the past six months about 125 scholars cach Sabbath. Judge Frink is still living and in his 90th year, and walks half a mile to church every Sabbath; reads still withont spectacles. Albert R. Peck is still the faithful clerk of the church, as well as deaeon, and some two years since laid down his hammer to study law in the office of the successful lawyer, J. M. Taylor. Gus. Goodrich, who was for some years our worthy county treasurer, retains his office with Nich. Burch, as trustee of the church. Par- son Pray still pursues the even tenor of his way, and occasionally the Rev. Hobart, D.D., our venerable and much esteemed general missionary of the State of Illinois, puts in an appearance at Tay- lorville, and by his kind words of advice and sympathy, eneour-
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ages and strengthens the things that remain. The present pastor, Rev. Oswald Snell, a man mnuch esteemed and respected in this city by all who know him, is now pushing forward the work of com- pleting the beautiful Baptist Church edifice, which is said to be one of the finest in Christian county, averaging about 50 by 90 feet in size. 'Tis pleasant, as this church history draws to a close, to real- ize, as we take a retrospect of the past, how much improvement there has been in our county and state, socially, morally, and spiri- tually, and that the great moral governor of the universe, though he buries his workman, still carries on his work. Should any of the numerous readers of our County History come this way, pastor and people will be glad to welcome them by the hand of fraternity, and bid them God speed on their way.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BY MRS. MARY H. VILLARS.
THE Grove City Station is the outgrowth of a Methodist Class organized in 1833, at the residence of Col. Peter Porter, and sup- posed to be the oldest Methodist society in Christian county. The class was organized by Rev. J. H. Benson. For some years the society held their meetings at Col. l'orter's residence, until a house of worship was ereeted, which was completed in 1852. Dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Jonathan Stamper, of Decatur. The church was called " Wesley Chapel," and was built on land given for the purpose by John M'Kenzie, about two miles east of Col. Porter's. The society occupied this house until Grove City Church was built in 1866, when the class was transferred to the latter place. Grove City Church is a frame structure, sightly in appearance, and cost $6,000. Dedicatory sermon and services by Rev. H. Buck. The society has generally been quite prosperous, and numbers at present 165 members.
Col. Porter's house was a preaching place for our carliest pioneer preachers. Richard Bird, Peter Cartwright, Peter Akers, and others of the early pioneers, preached there. The house has been moved away some years. Formerly the charge was in the form of a circuit, but became a station in 1867. Pastors, Leonard Smith, J. W. West, J. B. Colwell, Ira Emerson, I. T. Roberts, J. L. Robinson, the present pastor.
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