USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois, 1810-1962 > Part 21
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As nearly as he could reconstruct the events, this is what must have happened: the sun, shining through the gallon of kerosene, had focused a bunning nay on the straw and ignited it. The heat of this straw fine burst the jug, and the kerosene had created an inferno. Whether or not his premise was premise, his wagon was ruined and he had to buy another one. He also got a new tin can and hunted up a potato to fit.
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LOCAL HISTORY OF OPDYKE
(EDITORIAL NOTE: This history was written by Evelyn Burnett in 1919-1920. It is included because the early history is authentic. It will be noted by friends of Opdyke that many changes have occurred in the over-forty years since it was written. )
In 1950 the land where our home town of Opdyke is now situated was a vast prairie. This land was purchased by .I. A. Jones in 1057, and it was decided to build a small trading center.
In 1070, 2. C. Jones, J. K. Jones, G. D. Jones and D. T. Phillips laid the plat for the little town. That same year a gang of surveyors come through surveying for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Among the surveyors was a German by the name of George Opdyke, whose home was in New York. He told the people that he would donate the money to build the (L&N) railroad through their little town if they would name the town for him .... so the little town was named Opdyke.
The first depot was then built, in 1070; but later it was destroyed by fine and a new building replaced it, which is still standing, at the present date. (CDUTORO, IL NOT : 1920)
The first grocerymen and merchants of Opdyke were: S. K. "Men, George Yost and John Estes. The stone building which is now occupied by n. H. Garnison was erected by S. K. Allen. George Yost erected a stone building which stood west of where Dn. Jack's office is now located. The building was later occupied by Hanry, Plummer and was destroyed by fine. John Estes erected the stone building which is now owned by George A. Golden.
The Opdyke Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1070, George Opduke donating the first bell for the church.
In 1070 a flour mill was erected by john Keller and James K. Jones. This mill is now owned and operated by .I. T. hobley.
The first residences of Updyke were built by Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Stonemetz. The buildings are still standing.
The liasonic Lodge was organized in 1260 at what is now known as the Ham residence, which is located about two miles southwest of Opduke. Laten a hall was built over the school house at Lynchburg and the liasonic Lodge was held there; but in later years it was moved to Üpdyke.
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In 1876 the Oddfellows Lodge was moved from Lynchburg to the hall over the drug store.
I hannes shop was erected in 1872 by A. C. Jones.
The first post office was located in the ware-room of A. C. Jones, the first postmaster being S. W. Alexander.
The first school house was a frame structure, being, located where the graded school is at present. A brick building was later built in its place.
The first medical doctors were Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Stone- metz.
A telegraphy school was organized by J. C. Tucker. There was an enrollment of about forty students, and the school was located in the hall over Garnison's store.
A boarding house which was known as the "Travelers Rest" was kept by Czekial Knapp. The building is now occupied by nose Stanley. în apple evaporator was built west of the Montgomery nesi- dence, the proprietor being j. W. Rentschler. The building is still standing, but in. Rentschler resides in Belleville.
The first sawmill was located northeast of Dr. Montgomery's residence, Tobias Boman being proprietor. This was a success for many years, but no signs are left of it at the present date.
In 1881 a new flour mill was built which cost about $20, 000; but this was later destroyed by fine.
The Jpduke Baptist Church was erected in 1885. George Opdyke had promised to furnish the first bell for this church; but when the committee wrote to him, they were promptly answered by his son stating that his father had died and he did not feel responsible for his father's promises. The church is Located in the east part of town (1920).
There has been a stock buying market at Opdyke for many years, conducted by the istes brothers. The buying now is in the hands of kr. Estes' son-in-law, R. S. Rhodes.
The Opdyke Bank organized and opened for business January 11, 1909, with (. ). Kern, T. B. Williamson, G. G. Kenn and John Shetler as officers. It was then reorganized September 10, 1910, capital being $10,000, with G. S. Brown as president, B. F. Conklin vice president and g. 1. Kenn cashier.
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A second bank was organized later; it was known as "Security Bank," with ". P. Estes serving as cashier. (EDITORIAL INTE: This is the bank which later moved to Int. Vernon. )
The town at present has two hardware stones, four grocery and dry goods stones, one barber shop, one depot, two banks, two churches, one post office, one flour mill, one grade school building, with two rooms, and one community high school with 27 intelligent stu- dents under the direction of Miss Lettie E. Bristol.
By Evelyn Burnett
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PARK AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
The first Park Avenue Church building was completed and dedicated on November 24, 1907.
However, prior to that time a Rev. Richard Thomas, a Baptist minister, held a tent meeting at Tolle Road and Park Avenue. After this tent meeting Mrs. Martha Neff, a widow, opened her little grocery store (where the Kenneth Sandusky stone is today), and she and her four sons and a few neighbors held Sunday School each Sunday. The next year a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Surface, held a meeting in the orchard (Located where Helen Wannen now lives). All of the land east of the Tolle Road was in apple orchard.
The congregation soon outgrew the Little stone, and it moved to a langer stone building, empty at that time and owned by R. H. Stout, at the corner of Seventh and Park Avenue. Soon others were attracted to the little mission and the attendance grew. People from the First Baptist Church began attending, and brought song books and Literature for the Sunday School and taught classes.
Soon it became evident that a church should be organized and a date was set for a decision as to what denomination should organize the church, as there were Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians attending the mission. The Baptists won the majority vote.
Park Avenue Baptist Church was organized with seventeen chanter members who were: William Whitsell, Nellie Whitsell Johnson, Ella Perkins, Joe Grissom and wife, Joe and Nona Moulding, lin. and lis. George Parmlee, Pappy Myers, Frank Burnett, Mrs. Carrol, Harvey Neff, Earl Neff, Martha Neff, Daisy Rote and Freddie Dale. Bro. A. A. Todd, paston of the First Baptist Church, supplied the pulpit and organized the church. Mr. G. W. Reid was the first Sunday School superintendent. The congregation called the Rev. L. M. Darnell as its first pastor.
Park Avenue Baptist Church was the first full-time church in Salem South Association, and the first W. M. U. was organized in 1918.
The first church building was soon outgrown, and in 1922 a basement was put under the building. In 1932 the auditorium was enlarged,
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The winter of 1931-1932 was a great one for the church. A nineteen-weeks revival, led by the paston Rev. Cyrus Moulding, during which there were 380 professions and during which 220 persons were baptized, was probably the turning point which destined the church to grow from a small congregation to one of the city's larger churches today.
The congregation again outgrew its building and in 1948 ground was broken for a new $300, 000 church, including a new educational building and sanctuary.
The educational building was not completed until 1952, and the congregation continued to meet in the old building during its building. The educational building was to the north of the old building and was completed sufficiently in 1952 that it could be used.
For five years the worship services of the church were held on the top floor of the educational building with the various classes meeting as best they could in this same building. The original building and the church went ahead with the building of the new sanctuary, which was joined the educational building and was built. over the site of the original building.
The congregation moved into and dedicated the beautiful new sanctuary on September 15, 1957.
The parsonage stands on the lot to the west of the church, and the church property extends from Ninth Street to Tenth Street on the north side of Park Avenue.
The membership of the church at the end of 1961 stood at 749.
The ministers who have served this church include: A. A. Todd, L. M. Dannell, A. L. Smith, J. D. Mooney, J. D. Hooker, Ola Allen, J. R. McDuffy, L. L. Tucker, J. R. Kelly, J. R. McDuffy (second time), Bind Green, Cyrus W. Moulding, H. A. Todd, Dr. W. K. Sisk, Fred Propst, Ross Partridge, Leonard Whitlock, Allen Stephens, and Everett Lemay.
Several ministers and missionaries have gone out from this church to ministries in many parts of the world. Among them are: Orville Harlow, Gilbert Waud, Ross Partridge, Raymond Pierce, Arthur
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Smith, Paul Bellamy, Harold Clark, Thomas L. Cook, Bob Atchison, W. T. Atto, and Roy Johnson,
Among missions which have been sponsored by the church ane: Summerville Baptist Church, Old Union Baptist Church and Bethel Bap- tist Church.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(EDITORIAL NOTE: Early history of this church was prepared by Miss Jessie Hill on the occasion of the observance of the one hun- dredth anniversary of organized Presbyterianism in Mt. Vernon on October 19, 1941. Subsequent information has been supplied by various members of the congregation, most of it coming from the booklet pub- lished for the congregation and its guests for the centennial worship service on February 21, 1954. )
Presbyterianism in Southern Illinois owes much to a few time- less missionaries. Two of them should be mentioned in connection with the history of this church.
The first, B. F. Spillman, is described by one of his con- temporaries as "an itinerant missionary in middle and southern Illinois for seventeen years before he settled as paston of the church at Shawneetown in April, 1842. " He was a great uncle of Mr. E. E. Willis, Senior Ruling Elder and Treasurer of First Presbyterian Church for many years. It was B. F. Spillman, "rugged and stalwart Kentuckian, blunt and familiar in his mannens, " who in 1841 first organized a Presbyterian church in Mt. Vernon. At that time Presbyterians in the United States were divided into two groups known respectively as "Old School" and "New School, " the division having taken place with reference to disagreement and agreement with a "Plan of Union" with the Congre- gational Churches of America. The church organized here was of the "Old School" group, and was under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. It was never a flourishing congregation. It had ten members and two ruling elders at the time it was organized. Among those who served it as ministers were B. F. Spillman, Alexander Ewing, and Blackburn Leffler. Its most noted member was Judge Walter B. Scates,
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a member of the State Supreme Court. After eleven years the congre- gation was dissolved at its own request, and its members were attached to the Gilead Presbyterian Church which was located northwest of lit. Vernon not far from the town of Dix. In 1861, since it had only one member, the Gilead Church, too, was dissolved. This brought an end to Old School Presbyterianism in Mt. Vernon.
But within two years another tireless missionary from Ken- tucky, Robert Stewart, arrived on the scene and organized a "New School" Presbyterian Church. This was in the year 1854, and the church was organized under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Alton. Though divisions and reunions have taken place, the church history has been continuous since 1854. The church is fortunate to have the original minutes of the organization meeting and a part of the "Articles of Faith" signed by the charter members, who were: Rev. Min. Robert Stewart, William D. Johnston, George Mills, Louisa li. Bogan, Juliana Gray, Hannah Mills, John S. Bogan, Dr. John C. Gray, Warner White, and Sarah A. Tanner, Eliza White joined the group by letter.
At the organization meeting on February 21, 185%, ruling elders elected were Wanner White, George Mills and John. L. Bogan; George Mills, John C. Gray and John L. Bogan were elected trustees. The Meeting was held in the home of Dr. John C. Gray, who was a brother- in-law of the Dr. Green who practiced medicine in lit. Vernon for many years and whose family home stood on Broadway at Seventh Street where the Armony now stands. Mrs. Letcher (Katherine) Irons and Mrs. Lois Goodale were grand-daughters of John S. and Louisa Bogan.
For the three years following the organization of the church, the congregation held its meetings on the first floor of the Odd Fellows' Hall, which stood on lain Street between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets, Then, in 1854, a brick edifice was erected on Lots 7 and 8 in Casey's Addition across from the Appellate Court building. William H. Pernin, in his "History of Jefferson County," quoted A. C. Johnson, an authority on early local history and at one time a minister of this church, as saying that the first design was for a one-story house, but some of the members wanted it to be two stories in height and promised that the extra $2000 would be raised to have it so. The
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plan was changed, and the money was raised by Mr. Mills, Mr. Bogan and Dr. Gray. The house was finished at a cost of about $4000. To finish paying for the house, the trustees secured a loan of $500 from the Presbyterian Board of Church of Erection. The final payment on this loan was made in 1871. This structure was torn down in 1934. The list of ministers who served this "New School" Presby- terian church, which we hear referred to as the "Old Church", includes: Samuel R. Wylie (1854), William H. Bind, (1855), Hillery Patrick (1856), Charles Kennone (1858), Samuel Gibson (1858), R. G. Williams (1869-70), Gideon C. Clark (1871-73), Soloman Cook (1873-74), Adam Clark Johnson (1874-76), M. M. Cooper (1876), George B. McComb (1876-73), J. J. Graham (1878), Eben Muse (1882), E. P. Lowis (1885), W. R. Hosken (1891), Mr. Cooper (1894) and H. B. Douglas (1895-1905).
Adam Clark Johnson, quoted above as an authority on early local history, was the son of a local Methodist minister, was educated as a physician, practiced medicine, was at one time a Methodist minister, later was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. After he had served the filt. Vernon Presbyterian church as pastor, he remained in litt. Vernon as a Sunday School missionary.
There was a period of eleven years, 1858 - 1867, when the Presbyterian people had no settled paston in litt. Vernon. The Presby- ter's missionany, Joseph Gordon, visited the church frequently; occasionally other ministers came. However, Sunday School and prayer meetings were held regularly, and in time the church was again able to have a pastor. William Pernin, in his "History of Jefferson County," states that in 1882 the church had 100 members, paid its pastor $700 per year, and had a Sunday School of 130 members with twelve teachers.
But not long after that a division occurred in the church. On April 26, 1895, a request was presented to the Session signed by forty-three members asking for "letters of dismissal in order to assist in organizing the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of litt. Vernon." In the month which followed, more members asked for letters of dis- missal. These requests were granted, and the paston, Rev. fr. Cooper, resigned. Cairo Presbytery, now the Presbytery of jurisdiction, met here on May 22, 1895, to investigate the difficulty and appointed Rev. H. B. Douglas to supply the church at least half-time.
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The group of fifty-six members who left the New School church met in Home Protection Hall on April 30, 1895, with Rev. H. Clay Yates and Rev. C. W. Yates and organized the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of ilt. Vernon. The elders elected were Samuel Gibson, W. H. Damon, and Morris Emmerson. The deacons were James L. Pollock, A. H. Wheeler and Dr. Letchen Irons.
On May 8, 1895, a Sunday School with eleven classes and eighty-three members was organized at the Opera House. On this date a pastoral call was extended to Rev. H. Clay Yates at a salary of $900 per year. For several years services were held in whatever place was available, usually the Opera House. On July 16, 1897, it was decided to build a brick church on North Tenth Street between Main and Harrison Streets. A year later the architect's plan was approved and the building contract was let, the building to cost $6, 853.69. Fi-
nancing the building was quite a problem. The pastor's salary was cut from $900 to $700 a year, and a loan of $1500 was"secured from the Presbyterian Board of Church Erection. Most important of all, the pastor, through his friendship with William J. Gibson of Lawrence County, secured a Loan from the latter of $3000. Fortunately, the generous Ihr. Gibson later decided to make this sum a gift rather than a loan. The new building was completed and dedicated in 1899.
Rev. H. Clay Yates continued to serve the church until 1900, and was succeeded by Rev. George H. Turner, who remained only one year. In January, 1902, the church called the Rev. E. B. Johnson as pastor at such salary as could be raised by subscription. In September, 1903, Mr. Johnson resigned, and was succeeded one month later by Rev. E. B. Surface.
During the period of ten years when two Presbyterian con- gregations were endeavoning to maintain churches in a town big enough for only one, indications of friendship and cooperation between the two groups are worth noticing. Such occasions were the times when they came together for revival services. "Old School." and "New School" branches of Presbyterianism had now become ne-united. Thus the older Presbyterian congregation in lilt. Vennon had become a local church of "The Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. " At the turn of the century there was a strong movement toward ne-union on a national scale of the
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Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This national movement found local expression, and steps in that direction were taken by both churches here, The First Presby- terian Church, the older congregation, had been without a paston since Rev. Douglas left in August, 1905. The Rev. W. M. Maxton of DuQuoin served as moderator of its business sessions.
On March 26, 1906, the official boards of the two local churches met together to consider the question of neunion. At a later meeting it was agreed to petition their respective Presbyteries for consent to consolidate. This was obtained, and reunion was achieved.
On May 27, 1906, the first meeting of the session of the neunited church was held. The elders were J. F. Mickelvey, Samuel Gibson, Letchen Irons, J. H. Grant, W. H. Damon and & & Willis, According to the terms of the reunion, the building of the former Cumberland Church was to be used, and the name of the older organization, The First Presbyterian Church, was to be retained. Rev. E. B. Surface remained as paston of the neunited church. The old church property near the Appellate Count building was sold, and the church acquired a manse, the large frame building which stood for years on the corner of Eleventh and Harrison Streets. The duplex envelope system of church finance was adopted. In the year 1910, when fin. Surface ne- signed, the church had 263 communicant members.
Rev. W. V. McAdoo served as paston from 1910 to 1914. During these years the church building was remodeled, the balcony opened, the pipe organ was purchased and installed, the chancel was moved from the northwest conner to the west center of the sanctuary, and the pews were ne-arranged accordingly.
Dr. Manion Hull was the next paston of the church, and served from 1915 to 1918. In this pastonate the church acquired the lot at the corner of Tenth and Harrison Streets.
Dr. H. M. Thomas succeeded Dr. Hull in 1918 and served until 1925. In this period the church basement was enlarged and finished, the church kitchen built and equipped, the old manse was sold and a new manse at 1019 Harrison Street was built.
Dr. O. W. Pratt came to the church as its pastor in 1925 and remained until 1929. In his pastonate the congregation adopted
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the Service Pension Plan. The Board of Deacons was discontinued and the Board of Trustees was increased to nine members with responsibility for the management of the temporal affairs of the church. A Board of Women Visitons was also installed.
Dr. Robert B. Guthrie came to the church in 1929. He proved himself a very able Leader in the spiritual life not only of this church but also of the whole community
Rev. Robert F. Freytag became Assistant Minister in June, 1955. Da. Guthrie netired on January 1, 1957, and Rev. Freyicg suc- ceeded him as paston,
Many times First Presbyterian Church has opened its doors to serve the community. After the memorable tornado of 1888, the church was used by the Red Cross as a base of supplies, and cooking for the sick and homeless was done in the first floor rooms. Miss Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was here at that time. The first floor rooms were also used for a public school at one time. In later years it has often been opened for meetings for civic and fraternal groups. liany of the men and women who lebored to keep this church an effective force for good have also left the mark of their sterling character on the civic life of the community. lilany of them have worthily filled public office and one of them, Louis L. Emmerson, was entrusted with the governorship of the state.
At a congregational meeting held January 16, 1948, it was voted to sell the church property located on North Tenth Street and to erect a new church building west of Oakwood Cemetery on the Ashley Road,
On September 8, 1949, thirteen months after the construction started, the first worship service was held in the new church building. The main chapel was unfinished and much work remained to be done on other parts of the building. Public worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall until the chapel was ready for use.
The new church building was dedicated November 30, 1949. The dedicatony address was given by the Rev. Clifford & Barbour, PH.D., modenaton of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
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The various organizations of the church deserve recognition in the growth of the church. The Sunday School with its organized classes has been a strong Lacton. The women's organizations, including the Missionary Society, the Presbyterian Woman's Club with its fone- munnen the Organ Cincle, have labored tirelessly for the improvement and the welfare of the church. The Camaraderie Club, the Young People'. Society, and the Boy Scouts have all had a shane in building the church life and program. The Westminster Society, the Senior High Fellowship, Presby-teens, and the Junion Choin also deserve mention for their contribution to the growth of the church.
PLEASANT GROVE METHODIST CHURCH
(EDITORIAL NOTE: Most of this history was prepared by Rev. = L. R. Seymour in July, 1920, and by Verne S. Melton in October, 1951.) The history of Pleasant Grove begins with the first white settlers of Jefferson County. Isaac Casey with his family came from Cave-in-Rock in 1816 and settled where Mt. Vernon is now located. The Maxey's came from Tennessee the same year. These families purchased land under the Bit Act for twelve and a half cents an acre. Thomas Casey, the third, and eighteen years old, son of Isaac Casey, married Hanniet Maxey on October 5, 1819. Their marriage license is the third on record in Jefferson County, the other two being recorded on the same date. During the winter months the young man selected a place north of lit. Vernon and built his own home a quarter-mile west of the present brick church. The snow was naked away and a nail pen built with a roof made of weight poles. He moved his household goods in and took possession in his independent way.
On July 9, 1820, a still born child came to the home and was buried on the ground where Pleasant Grove Church now stands. The grave is marked with the following inscription, "In memory of an Infant, first child of Thomas M. and Harriet Casey, which was still born July 9, 1820. The above was the first interment made in this Church yand, the land being donated by its parents to the Methodist Episcopal Church for burial and other purposes forever. " There is only one older grave in Jefferson County. A Maxey child ten months old was buried in
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