USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 29
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Father Bruner, as he is familiarly called, is the oldest member of Grove City charge, was born in Washington county, Maryland, October 5th, 1795. Moved to Frederick in 1812. In 1817 ro- moved to Washington City, where under the labors of Rev. Burch he was converted and united with the Old Foundry M. E. Church, in a Love-feast held September 26th, 1817. Joined a class of men which met at Sunrise, Father Lovejoy, leader. Returned to Frederick in 1818. Resided there until his removal to Illinois in 1842. Father Bruner has been a class leader for over fifty years. Is more than an ordinary man in piety, devotion and intelligence. Has been very useful to the church, and even now is very active for one of his age, being in his 85th year.
H. C. and J. M. Lindsley are among the "reliables " in the church, stewards and class Icaders, and men of sterling Christian character, greatly esteemed by the entire community. S. J. Sad- dler, a large land owner and stock dealer; Wmn. Mckenzie, a man powerful to " prevail with God," and David Henshie, unassuming and quiet, and thoroughly pious, may also be numbered with the leading men of the Grove City charge. The verdict of one of the pastors of this charge may be of value to those interested. " This is one of the most pleasant charges in the llinois Conference."
Limburg Cirenit, takes in Edinburg, Sharpsburg, and Bethany, in the bounds of Christian county, comprising a membership of
250, including probatieners; the Sabbath-schools aggregate over 200. In 1864, under the pastorate of Rev. Gunn, Edinburg erected a house of worship. Sharpsburg church was built in '74. Bethany in '67. The first class formed, on what is now Edinburg Circuit, was in 1845 or '46, at Robt Richardson's. In the early Methodism of Edinburg we find the name of Wm. Halford as a leader in church enterprise and devotion. Later that of J. B. Eaton.
At Sharpsburg, S. B. Sheldon was for many years a faithful and devoted servant of the church. ITis kindly services with those of his estimable family will be recalled to mind by the early itinerant with feelings of gratitude. Jared Young, now in Nebraska, Father Nash and family, and Wm. Hargis, were also leaders in every good word and work.
Among the present workers at Sharpsburg may be mentioned O. M. Sheldon, Robt. Nash, G. W. Stewart and Dr. A. F. McNeil.
At Bethany, Robert Richardson and Father Whitman, at whose homes the itinerant Methodist preached, as early as 1840, were the leading spirits of Methodism of early days. In later years we find the names of A. F. Snow, R. Graham, Geo. Waymick, Isaac Rich- ardson, Frank Whitman, John Richardson, Wm. M. Dolby and E. T. Ogden.
The following are the names of the different pastors : Revs. Gunn, A. Orr, John Staples (supply), J. C. Kellar, J. B. Haas, H. Miller, J. J. Dugan and W. W. Curnutt, the present pastor.
MT. AUBURN M. E. CHURCHI.
In 1843 a class was organized at the house of John Benson, one mile west of where the village of Mt. Auburn now stands. The . class consisted of Mr. and Mrs. John Benson, Eliza White, and three others named Rice. Soon after the organization of the class, six others united, making twelve in all ; Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Virden, Mr. and Mrs. James Potter, and Mr. and Mrs. George Wilcox.
A church was built in 1859, eosting about $3,000, and in 1869 a parsonage was erected at a cost of $550.
The membership has increased considerably in number at differ- ent periods. 'The first members here are nearly all gone to their reward. The present does not probably exceed 20, and for the past three or four years there has not been regular preaching kept up.
The Morrisonville and Palmer Circuit organized in 1871, is com- posed of six preaching places, Morrisonville, Palmer, Shiloh, King's School-house, Providence and Maple Grove. The Shiloh Class is the strongest appointment in the circuit, numerically and financially. Morrisonville is preparing to build a good church during the coming year. During the past winter (1879.80) the church was so unfor- tunate as to lose their parsonage by fire, but with commendable zcal and courage, the circuit began at once to raise funds for another, and in less than four months after the fire, the pastor and his family were installed in a new parsonage, larger and much better than the former. The society numbers 200 members. J. B. Haas was preacher in charge in 1871. J. R. Reasoms, present pastor.
TAYLORVILLE M. E. CHURCHI.
There is no record of the first organization of the Methodist Society at Taylorville. There was a class there for several years, and it was the head of what was known as the Taylorville Circuit. It was made a " Station " in 1866, and it is probable the first class was organized twenty-five years previous, but the records here have been lost, and personal recollections have been the only source of information. The society in the town numbered 100 members, and two country classes having about 30 members in all, were united with the town society and formed Taylorville Station. The Taylorville Church was a small brick (2-1x36 feet), built in
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
1848-9. In 1869, the present house, a substantial brick edifice, was erected (40x70 feet), with a seating capacity of over 400. The church also owns a good parsonage. The society numbers 174 members, and is out of debt, in a prosperous condition, and bids fair to make one of the strong appointments of the Illinois Conference. Official board at time of making it a station : J. II. Moore, P. E .; J. B. Colwell, P. C .; A. M. Dunevan, L. D ; John A. Hall, L. P. ; Jacob Max- well, F. Young, J. Fraley, J. R. Vanderbelt and J. Demotte, class leaders. H. Maxwell, J. Demotte, John Copeland, J. Maxwell, J. W. Young, stewards. M. C. Long, J. Young, W. F. Hayes and M. L. Young, trustees.
Official Board of 1880: W. W. Anderson, A. Scaman, L. B. Slater, A. Demotte, F. O. Bulpit, M. C. Long, D. McCaskill, J. Shatter, C. S. Blenkenship, A. McCaskill, S. W. Lantz and Mrs. Meda Simpson.
Pastors from 1861-80: D. P. Lyon, A. T. Orr, John Staples, J. B Colwell, H. C. Adams, G. J. Barrett, R. W. Travis, D. Bardsick, J. C. Rucker, J. S. Akers, J Montgomery, P. C. Colwell, Anderson Orr, W. S. Mathens and W. A. Smith, present pastor.
PANA M. E CHURCII.
The first M. E. Class in Pana was organized in 1855, by Green Walker, who was at that time proprietor of a boarding-house in Pana. Mr. Walker was leader of the class, and is said to have offered the first public prayer in Pana. The class consisted of Green Walker and Millie Walker his wife, their daughter Deborah A. Walker, now Mrs. J. C. Stout of the Kentucky House in Pana, Henry Slack, Rachel Slack, Miss Irving Sanders and Mrs. E P. Sanders; seven in all. The first class-meeting in Pana was held in the freight house of the Illinois Central R. R. The first Methodist Sabbath school was held in the same place for over a year, Jesse Heath superintendent.
The first regular Methodist preaching was in the " Yaney House," a small frame house unplastered, fronting on the Illinois Central R. R., and just north of where the Harrison House now stands It was in this house that the first Quarterly Meeting of Pana Metho- dism was held in the spring of 1856, Rev. Huckstep, P. C .; J. L. Crane, P. E. There is no record of the Quarterly Conference (business meeting), of this year to be found, and the facts were aseertained from parties who were present at the Sabbath services.
The earliest records show the names of the following parties as members of the Quarterly Conference of Pana Circuit, in the spring of 1857: J. L. Crane, P. E .; J. P. Prickett, P. C. ; J. W. Housten and R. L. Pulower, local elders ; Jonas Thatcher, class leader ; H. L. Rose, W. H. Shockly, stewards.
First revival services of M. E. Church in Pana were held in winter of 1857-8, under the pastorate of S. S. Russell and W. A. Wilmer. The services were held in what is now known as " Law- rence Hall," during which quite a number of souls were converted and added to the church, some on probation and some by letter. The following year the church commenced to build a house of worship, but it was not completed until the autumn of 1859. It is a frame structure, and was situated just north of St. James' Hotel, but as the town built up, it was found to be too far from the centre of popula- tion, and in 1866 when the appointment was made a station, it was deemed advisable to move it two blocks south of the St. Louis railroad, and two blocks east of Illinois Central railroad, where it now stands. Since its removal a spire has been added, also a study and a chapel, gi. ing the whole church a scating capacity of about 500.
The church in Pana has been served by the following pastors: Huckstep, J. C. Prickett, B. Hungerford, S. S. Russell, J.
.H. Aldrich, W. B. M. Colt, Wm. P. Paxton, R. IIolding, Wm. B. Anderson, G. J. Barrett, J. H. Holloway, C. P. Baldwin, J. Shaw, E. D. Wilkin, A. C. Armentrout, J. T. Orr, and I. Villars, present pastor.
Presiding elders : J. L. Crane, H. Birch, R. W. Travis, J. II. Moore, J. I. Davidson, C. B. Baldwin, James Leatin, H. Buck.
Official board of 1880. J. P. Mooney, W. W. Morrison, E. C. Reece, W. J. Moore, S. M. Haywood, P. M. Nichols, Phillip Jage- man, Wm. Hoppok, J. W. Cox, J. T. Albright, A. M. Jewell, J. E. Neely, J. C. Essick.
Sabbath-school numbers about 325, including primary department, and is in a flourishing condition. The Primary department is superintended by Mrs. P. M. Nichols, a very efficient and devoted worker. This department numbers about eighty names. Is con- ducted in the class system, with eight young ladies as teachers, subject to the direction of Mrs. Nichols.
The church in Pana has had its drawbacks and hindrances. but to-day stands on decided ground, condemning the wrong and firm for the right. The testimony of one who is not a member of the M. E. communion, and has resided in Pana from its earliest history, will perhaps express the position of the church on the temperance question. " Pana Methodism ever since the organization of its first class has been noted for its opposition to the traffic in alcohol. The members of the first class made it their business to oppose the sale of intoxicants in the town; and the society has been fighting whisky ever since." A statement which could probably be applied with perfect propriety, not only to Pana and Christian county Methodism, but to Methodism generally.
The society at Stonington was organized in 1867 by Rev. W. H. Furgison, a local preacher. The class was organized at Wash- ington school-house, which stood one-half mile south of the vil- lage of Stonington. The class was composed of seven members: Mr. and Mrs. James Furgison, Mr. and Mrs. William Liner, Mrs. Livergood, Wm. Marion and Nancy Williams. In 1873 the society built a good church at a cost of $3,000. The membership at present numbers between 60 and 70. James Furgison, B. C. Chapman and Mrs. J. M. Luster are among the leading members of the society. The pastors since '67 have been W. H. Furgison, John Staples, Joseph Pellatt, J. W. Warfield, J. M. McElherron, R. W. Travis, F. C. Bruner, G. D. Furber. At present Stonington belongs to Blue Mound circuit, and is under the pastorate of J. K. Crawford.
ASSUMPTION M. E. CHURCII.
Assumption society was organized in 1860 with eight members: Joel II. Abbott, class leader, J. L. Demotte, Ann Demotte, W. Demotte, J. P. Stark, Anne Stark, Hulda Custing and J. K. Mor- ton composed the class. It now numbers 77. The society has a house of worship, built in 1868-9, costing $4,000. In 1876 a par- sonage was built which cost $750. The society is not very strong financially; but there is a goodly number of earnest working Chris- tians, and their influence is being felt for good in the community. H. II. Tobias is Sunday school superintendent ; Amos Kerr, E. W. Mohr and E. J. Fribley, stewards; Isaac Campbell, J. A. Wemple, H. II. Tobias, E. W. Mohr, Amos Kerr, trustees. The circuit con- sists of Assumption, Millersville and the Wright school-house. The pastors were E. E. Cowperthwait, A. Y. Graham, J. K. Craw- ford and J. W. Warfield, the pastor now (1880) in charge.
MILLERSVILLE M. E CHURCH.
This soeicty was organized in 1870 by Rev. Moses Tichnell. Twelve persons composed the class at the time : Thomas Miller, Jane Miller, Jemima C. Miller, George Miller, Sarah C. Miller, M.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
G. Oakey, Elizabeth Oakey, J. Shaw, Anne Shaw, Susanna Dusen- berry, Wm. Maxwell and Wm. A. Maxwell. The society has a small but neat frame church built in 1871.
ROSEMOND M. E. CHURCHI.
The Rosemond charge consists of four appointments : Rosemond, Buckeye ch: pel, Owaneco and Fairview. Although Rosemond is the head of the circuit, it is the youngest of the four classes, being organized in 1867. The society consisted of eight members at the time of its organization : Alex. Simpson, Eliza Simpson, Thomas Hartop, Anna Hartop, Wm. W. Morrison, Ellen Morrison, Henry Bess and Naney Bess. Since that time, the class has grown con- siderably in numbers and financial strength. A house of worship was built the same year as the organization of the class. The circuit owns a parsonage near the Rosemond church. The charge has been served by the following pastors : G. Miller, G. J. Barrett, J. M. West, J. E. Lindley, W. Murphy, T. M. Dillon, Wmn. McK. Good- ing, C. E. McClintock and P. S. Swart, the pastor now in charge. Henry Bess is leader of Rosemond class, and he and his wife are among the faithful and devoted workers of the church. Stewards : J. F. Warner, J. L. Brown ; trustees, Wm. Guthrie, Joshua Osborn, John Hathaway, S. Winter and Win. Weaver; Sunday-school superintendent, Charles Stites.
BUCKEYE M. E. CHURCHI.
At Buckeye chapel there is a flourishing society, organized in 1855 by Rev. M. Shunk. The society belonged to Taylorville cir- cuit until the formation of Rosemond charge, when it was included in the latter work. The class was organized with fifteen members : Samuel Cowgill, Louisa Cowgill, Wm. Hunter, Susan Hunter, Mary Hunter, Dr. W. H. McCoy and Mrs. McCoy, Sanmel Large, Maria Large, Noel Rape, Elizabeth Rape, Rebekah Baker, and two sisters of Mrs. James Whitlaw-names not given. The society is strong numerically, financially and spiritually, and is an old- fashioned Methodist appointment, in the grandest sense of that phrase. Thomas Bonnell and S. S. Kanaga are local elders; Henry Millard. Wm. Large, class-leaders; Philip Ebert, J. W. Hunter, stewards ; Joshua Gimlen, H. L. Mull, T. Bonnell, George Mc- Guire, S. S. Kanaga, J. McGaw, J. W. Hunter, Samuel Large, trustees.
OWANECO M. E. CHURCHI.
This society organized in 1862 by Rev. D. P. Lyon, with ten members: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Baker, Nancy Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brown, and Annie Bradley. The society has a good frame church built in 1873. Class leaders, J. W. Resler, J. M. Shuler; stewards, J J. Danford, A. B. Leeper ; trustees, J. J. Danford, J. M. Shuler, James Hogne, Royal MeShea, J. Millhorn, Charles T. Becker, E. W. Stout, HI. B. Leeper and J. C. Hunter. Sunday- school superintendent, J. J. Danford.
FAIRVIEW M. E. CHURCH.
Fairview class was organized in 1869 with 26 members. The following are the names of members: E. Denton and wife, R. I'm- bleby, Lila Embleby, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lusader, Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Walters, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Umbleby, Harriet MeMiller, Mary MeElroy, J. W. and Emma MeElroy, J A and AAnnie J. MeElroy, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cherry, Mr- J. Watkins, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Johnson, and Mr. and Mr -. Peter Johnson. The house of worship was built in 1868, and dedicated Jan. 8th, 1869, by Rev. W. N. MeElroy, son of Mary MeElroy, and brother to J. A. and J. W. MeElroy, und at
that time pastor of 1st M. E. Church, Bloomington, now presiding elder of Bloomington district. The church was built and dedicated before the organization of the society, a very unusual proceeding for a Methodist society. But the people of the neighborhood felt the need of a house in which to worship, and many who were not at that time professing Christians gave liberally. Andrew Miller, not a member of the church at that time, gave the site for building and $500 in money as a beginning. Of course, the church was soon paid for. Among the most active members at the time of organiza- tion were E. Denton, Wm. Walters, J. M. New. Leading members now: Dr. McDivitt, E. Denton, J. M. New, E. McChristy and C. W. Wilson. Mrs. Mary MeElroy, mother of W. N., J. A. and J. W. McElroy, is the oldest living member of Fairview class. Born in 1801, she was converted and united with the M. E. church in 1818, and consequently has been a Methodist for sixty-two years; and those who knew her now and during previous years will testify that hers has not been a merely nominal church-membership. She has been an earnest Christian worker; and while performing Christian duties measured by the very highest standard, she has also had the Christian's spiritual enjoyment. With a heart overflowing with love to God and man, to her " duty has never secmed a load," nor "worship proved a task." A happy, hopeful Christian, with an experience of the "deep things of God," she is truly a "mother in Israel;" and many will bless her memory long after she is called to her reward. Among other elect ladies of Rosemond charge, might be mentioned the names of Mrs. Tichnell, Mary J. Warner, Jane Stites, Anna Sutton and Jane Rosenberry of Kosemond; Margaret Danford, Catharine Millhorn and Angeline Fox, of Owaneco; Fran- ces New, Emma McElroy, Matilda Lusader, Nancy Umbleby and Mary Graham of Fairview; Kate Bonnell, Charlotte Large, Mary A. Large, Martha IIunter, Catharine Hunter, Rebekah Lakin and Mattie C. McGuire, of Buckeye. Total membership of Rosemond circuit, 396 The total number of communicants in the M. E. Church in Christian county is about 1,800, inelnding probationers. There are seven pastors, with an average salary of $725.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI. BY REV. FREDERICK SCHULZE.
The beginning of the Roman Catholic Church and its organiza- tions in Christian County dates back almost to the first settlement. Though the membership was smaller in the commencement, one may count between 400 and 500 families at present, who are di- vided into five congregations or parishes in the following places, viz: Taylorville, Assumption, Pana, Morrisonville and Stonington. According to times and circumstances, the progress and improve- ment was different in each of these five parishes.
As Taylorville was the first organized town in the county, here also the organization of the Catholic Church made its start. It was about the year 1846. This district, like the whole State of Illinois, was at that time under the spiritual charge of the R. C. Bishop of Chicago. A few familie- that had come from the State of Kentucky and settled around Taylorville, joined together and erected a small frame building, to serve as a chapel for religious service. The building still exists as the entrance part of the new church. There was no priest residing in the county at that time, and even the attendance of a neighboring clergyman was very rare, as communication was difficult for want of railroads. The place used to be visited about three or four times a year by a priest from Springfield, in the adjacent Sangamon County. This continued till the time when the Catholic congregation of Assumption was organized, about 1860. Henceforth the priest residing at Assump-
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tion eommeneed to attend Taylorville onec a month. Since the number of members had increased and the monthly attendance was not very regular, the Catholies of the latter place made some efforts to have a pastor of their own residing with them. Hence they commenced with the building of a new priest-house. This was about 1871. They bought three lots of ground, one bloek further south of the old church. The house was built by Father Recouvreur, who was for a long time at Assumption, and was then moved to Edwardsville. However, he did not complete the work. This was done by Rev. Father Claus, who was appointed by the R. C. bishop of Alton, as a resident priest for Taylorville, in the year 1872. He finished the building of the house. At the same time he got the old chureh moved from the former place t) the lot where the new pastoral residence had been erected in the year 1874. On this occasion they put a new addition to the older part and a sacristy. Father Claus, after his first coming had been sent to Ruma, and again returned after half a year; still he did not reside in Taylorville very long, but soon moved to Morrison_ ville, and attended Taylorville every other Sunday from the latter place. This continued till December, 1877, when Father Schulze was sent by the R. C. bishop of Alton to Taylorville with an order to reside there. Thus it stands to-day.
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The number of Catholie families amounts to about seventy at present, of whom far the greater part live in the country ; about one-fourth of them are of German descent, the rest English-speaking people. The church is entirely too small, but we hope a new building will be erected at a time uot far distant. The next Catholic church was organized at Assumption, in 1857, by Mr. E. E. Malhiot. Hc donated ten aeres of ground, and with his own money, built a little chapel and priest-housc. The first resident priest was Father Gonaud, a Frenchman. After about three years he was succeeded by Father Dutour, who remained four years. Father Bedart followed him for three years, and then Father Re- couvreur. The latter remained only three months. Next was Father Jaeque, a native of Alsatia. He remained at Assumption for six years, and greatly improved the Catholic church and con- gregation. A new briek church was commenced under his guidance. He also built a new priest-house, since the old one had been de- stroyed by fire. When Father Jaeque left Assumption, lic was followed by Father Withopf, who remained there three years, till Fenyen came, who remained only three months. Father Dechene succeeded him in November, 1878, and is pastor at the present timc. Since he came he has finished partly the inside work of the church and priest-house, built by Father Jaequc.
The number of Catholie families at present amounts to about one hundred and twenty, partly French, Canadians, Irish descent and a few Germans. The church is a strong and large brick building, situated in the suburbs of the town. There is also a Catholic grave-yard not very far from it.
The Catholic church at Pana was built in 1860, by Father Cusack. It used to be attended from Shelbyville and different places in the neighborhood. Father Cusack's sueeessors were Father Turmel, Father Jacque and Father Lohmann. Rev. Father Storp, who eamc there about 1876, remained a short time and moved to Shelbyville Hc attends Pana every other Sunday. The number of Catholic families is about one hundred, of which ucar half live in the town itself.
The Catholic congregation of Morrisonville was organized about 1870 by Father Lohmann of Hillsboro, who built the church at that time. The first residing priest was Father Claus, who moved there from Taylorville about 1873 and attended cael place every other Sunday. It was by him, that the priest-house also was built.
He was succeeded by Rev. Father Teppe in 1877, who is yet pastor ; he attends, also, the Brown settlement, eight miles west, in Mont- gomery County.
The number of families at Morrisonville amounts to seventy ; about twenty of these are Germans, the rest Irish.
The Catholic congregation of the latest date in Christian county is that of Stonington, ten miles north from Taylorville. It was in- corporated about the year 1873. Father Kane, at that time pastor of the ehureh in Macon, was the first one to encourage the Catholics around the little town of Stonington to build a ehureh and organize themselves as a congregation. The R. C. Bishop Baltes of Alton, when asked, gave his consent. Hence a subscription was taken up; but for different reasons, the work failed at that time, and was stopped till 1877. This was the time when Father Schulze came as a resi- dent priest to Taylorville. For about half a year he visited Sto- nington one Sunday in cach month and held mass-service in different dwelling-houses. The people were again encouraged to take up the work of church-building. Another subscription was raised and the first steps taken. Two lots of ground were donated by Mr. Covington, who was not a member of the church. The ground having been deeded in the name of the congregation, the building of the new ehureh was commeneed in the fall of 1878. Mr. Lukas Pfeiffenberger, of Alton, made the designs and superintended the work. The latter was given by contract to Messrs. Cotton & Cromwell, two mechanics of Taylorville, who completed it about June, 1879. From that time the church has been attended cvery other Sunday by Father Schulze from Taylorville.
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