USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 55
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
township, that is served by the same minister. These two branches number about 150 members.
Elba Chapel and Bethel M. E. Churches .- The former church is situated in Elba township one mile west of Elba Center. It is a neat frame structure 30 by 53 feet in size, and cost $2,500. The society was organized in French Creek circuit in the fall of 1856 hy Creigh- ton Springer. The latter was organized in 1876.
African M. E. Church, Galesburg .- This church structure is on Tompkins street between Cherry and Prairie streets. It is a good frame building 40 by 60 feet, with main audience room above and lecture room in basement. It was erected in 1876 at a cost of $4,000. Rev. J. W. Malone is the present pastor.
The First M. E. Church of Wataga was organized in 1857, by Rev. J. D. Taylor. Their church edifice, which is a wooden structure 60 by 40 feet, was erected on Church street, in 1868, at a cost of $3,000. Rev. N. G. Clark is the present pastor.
Wataga M. E. Church .- The Swedish Methodist Church of Wataga was organized in December, 1857. The first pastor was Rev. V. Witting. The church edifice stands on Summons street, and was erected in 1857, and its value is about $1,500: The present member- ship is fifty. The officiating pastor is Rev. Oscar J. Nelson.
Summit M. E. Church .- The church edifice of this congregation was erected in 1864. It is a good frame structure, located in the town of Suminit. Rev. H. S. Humes preaches here every alternate Sunday.
Bethel M. E. Church .- This is one of the four good churches of Persifer township. The building stands on section 30. It is a good frame structure and was erected about 1863.
Maxey Chapel M. E. Church .- This church building stands on section 4, Persifer township.
Yates City M. E. Church .- This church building was erected in 1866-7, at a cost of $5,100.
Henderson M. E. Church .- The church building was erected in 1874, and is a neat frame worth $2,500. The present memberhip is about 35; pastor, Rev. H. S. Humes. A Union Sunday School is held in connection with the United Brethren, of which Mrs. Barbara Nel- son is Superintendent.
Maquon M. E. Church-Much zeal and energy was displayed by earnest workers before a 'church was erected in Maqnon, and many were the failures, until it seemed almost impossible to establish a church there. Persistent effort, however, succeeded and the beautiful edifice was completed, and Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1877, was dedicated by
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Bishop J. T. Peck, of Syracuse, New York. The entire cost of the church and grounds was $6,739.14.
SWEDISH M. E. CHURCH OF GALESBURG.
This church edifice stands at the corner of Waters and Kellogg streets in Galesburg, and was erected in 1872 at a cost of $18,700. The congregation was organized in 1852 by Rev. Unice Hedstrom with between 15 and 20 members, and Rev. Peter Newberg pastor. The present membership numbers 282. There were raised for all purposes last year $2,757.47. In the Sunday school are 140 scholars; annual contribution $70; S. J. Johnson superintendent.
CHRISTIAN.
Abingdon .- The Christian Church of Abingdon was organized in . 1840 by Hiram Smith and Richard Johnston. The first church building was erected in 1849, and cost $1,000. The present. building was erected in 1855, being the chapel of the old building of Abingdon College. The pastors at present are, Marvin Baker, M. Jameson and J. W. Butler.
Knoxville Christian Church .- Monday, Feb. 27, 1871, this organ- ization was effected and consisted of 13 members. The Broad Street Presbyterian Church building was purchased. for $2,000, and the ser- vices of Elder J. H. Garrison was secured for one-fourth his time. The present membership numbers 40. The property is worth $3,000 Sunday School organized in May, 1871.
Christian Church, Galesburg .- After the organization of this con- gregation for some time meetings were held in the office of Dr. Viv- ion, when the old building of the Swedish M. E. Church was purchased for $1,000. It then stood on E. Ferris street, but has since been removed to the corner of Cedar and Tompkins streets, and refitted and remodeled. The church has met with many difficulties, and but little progress has been inade toward increasing the membership, which at present numbers 60. Dr. J. B. Vivion, Elder; Henry Bruner and J. B. Scheitlin, Deacons.
The Jefferson Street Christian Church, Abingdon, was organized in Oct., 1874, and now meets for worship on the corner of Washington and Jackson streets.
Wataga Christian Church .- In 1875 a neat frame structure was. erected, costing $2,000. The membership is about 25. The pulpit has been supplied by Elder Burton and J. S. Edwards.
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PRESBYTERIAN.
Galesburg .- The history of the Presbyterian church in Gales- burg begins with the foundation of the colony. For some years the Presbyterian church which was organized in 1837 was the only church in the place. But that church having, however, gradually adopted the Congregational polity, steps were taken in April, 1851, to organize another Presbyterian church.
Thirty-seven members of the First Church sent a fraternal and respectful letter to that church, requesting letters of dismissal. These persons were organized into a body as the Second Presbyterian Church of Galesburg, on the 29th of May, 1851, by a commit- tee of Knox and Peoria Presbytery. The first public service of the Second Presbyterian Church was held in Knox Academy, June 29, 1851. There was preaching in the morning by Rev. Glen Wood, and in the afternoon communion service was conducted by Rev. Geo. W. Gale, D. D., and Rev. Glen Wood, at which time John McMullen and W. A. Wood were installed as elders. The church continued to worship with the First Church until near the close of the year 1851, when they commenced holding regular services by themselves in a building erected near the present site of the First Baptist Church for a session room, and presented to the church by Sylvanus Ferris, Sr. They continued their services in this build- ing until 1856, when a larger building was erected on the corner of Main and Kellogg streets, with the expectation that a still larger and better edifice would soon be built. In 1863 they entered upon the work of building a permanent church edifice upon a lot front- ing the College park on Cherry street. This structure was completed during the autumn of 1864 at a cost of about $20,000.
The Galesburg Presbyterian Church was organized with eighteen members, on the 30th of December, 1854. The first and only church building was on Cedar street, near the site occupied by the residence of Mr. A. S. Hoover. It was afterwards removed to the corner of Prairie and Simmons streets, where it was destroyed by fire in 1870.
During the winter of 1869-70, when it became apparent that the two great branches of the Presbyterian church in the United States were likely to be brought together in organic union, the question began to be agitated whether the interests of the cause . of Christ in Galesburg, so far as represented by the Presbyterians, might not be better promoted by a union of the two churches than by preserving a separate existence. After a few weeks of fraternal negotiations upon this subject, an arrangement was effected by which
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the Second Presbyterian Church of Galesburg and the Galesburg Presbyterian Church ceased to exist as separate organizations, and united as one, under the title of The Presbyterian Church of Gales- burg. The union went into effect on the 1st day of March, 1870. The congregation still worship in the building that formerly belonged to the Second Presbyterian Church.
Knoxville .- The Presbyterian Church of Knoxville was formed by the union of the New and Old School churches, the result of a joint conference held November 4, 1870, at which a committee was ap- pointed to draft a plan of union. The united congregation took pos- session of the Main street church the first Sunday of January, 1871. The first pastor, after the union, was D. W. Bradford; present pastor J. M. Waddel.
Altona .- The Presbyterian Church of Altona was organized April 25, 1857. Eighteen members united with the church at this meeting. The present membership numbers 46, who contribute $700 per annumn.
Presbyterian Church of Elba was organized about 1861, but many of the members a few years later removed to the West, and the or- ganization was discontinued. After an interval of 12 years, by the effort of Rev. J. E. Carrethers, Rev. Reasoner and W. B. Mathews, another organization was effected and steps were at once taken toward the erection of a church building, which was completed in 1874 at a cost of $3,000; present membership 37, with Rev. T. S. Scott as pastor.
Presbyterian Church of Oneida was organized May 4, 1863, at the school-house in district No. 3, by a committee appointed by the Pres-
bytery of Schuyler Rev. C. B. Bristol preached a sermon, when the committee proceeded with the organization. Mr. Joseph Findley and James B. Ralston were chosen, ordained and installed elders; and the church was-then fully organized under the name of the First Presby- terian Church of Ontario. Again, on September 24, 1865, by order of the Presbytery of Warren, the name of this church was changed to that of the First Presbyterian Church of Oneida.
Yates City Presbyterian Church .- This church edifice was built in 1866-7 at a cost of $5,000. The congregation numbers 135.
Abingdon Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized at Cherry Grove, in 1835, by Rev. James Stockton, and in 1866 the congre- gation built a nice edifice in Abingdon, which was dedicated February 3, 1867.
" FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST," GALESBURG.
The history of the "First Church of Christ" differs from that of most pioneer churches in several particulars. It passed through no
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period of infantile growth, but sprang into existence at once, strong and well disciplined, with efficient men and women to labor and pray for its success, and experienced officers to guide its affairs. Instead of receiving aid, it has always ministered to others, now and again sending forth of its strength to build upon other foundations, thus be- coming the "Mother of Churches." Its relations with Knox College have been intimate, and it has received permanent benefit from the labors of presidents and professors, and the youthful zeal of students.
The founding of this churchi was embraced in the same plan which gave origin to Galesburg and Knox College, and a detailed account of the whole movement will be found in its appropriate place in this volume.
In the fall of 1836 more than thirty families were located in cabins on the south side of Henderson Grove, awaiting the approach of spring, when they were to begin in earnest the erection of buildings and the opening of farins. These families were homogeneous in their character, partaking of the spirit, as they sprang from the blood, of the Pilgrim Fathers of New England. They loved the Bible, the Sab- bath and the sanctuary. They cherished, with slight or no variation, the same views of gospel truth, and felt, as their fathers felt, the im- portance of transmitting the institutions of religion to those who should come after them, as the richest inheritance they could leave.
Nor were they, the first winter, without the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Jolm T. Avery, visiting his friends in their new home, spent several weeks aiding the officiating pastor. The way for the organization of a church being thus prepared, the profes- sors of religion met at the school-house in Henderson Grove February 15, 1837. The ministers present were Rev. John Waters, who pre- sided, and Rev. Geo. W. Gale. It was resolved: 1st, "That it is ex- pedient, as soon as practicable, to form a churchi in this place;" and 2d, " to hear each give an account of his or her hope." February 15th, 17th, 21st and 25th were spent in this way, and, when completed, a confession of faith and covenant were unanimously approved. Rev. Mr. Noel, of Knoxville, was also present, he having been appointed by the Presbytery of Schuyler to assist in its formation. Sunday, February 26th, the confession of faitli and covenant were adopted, and the or- dinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper were administered. April 5th it was unanimously resolved " that it is expedient to organize the church fully as Presbyterian, and to choose three elders and two deacons." Nehemiah West, Nehemiah H. Losey, and John Kendall were chosen elders, and Thomas Simmons and Abel Goodell deacons. April 9thi these were all installed in office, and the church was declared
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organized by the name of the Presbyterian Church of Galesburg. Rev. Geo. W. Gale reported to the church, April 25th, that it had been received under the care of the Presbytery of Schuyler. Thus the church began with eighty-one members, sixty-three having pre- sented letters, and eighteen uniting on profession of faith.
During the summer of 1837 meetings in the village were held in the school-house, which stood on the north side of Ferris street, be- tween Broad and Cherry, till December, 1838, when the Academy building was used till the erection of the church, in which the first service was held June 21st, 1846. This building still stands, plain and unpretentious, at the southwest corner of the Public Square, a monument to the sacrifices of those who built it. Its value cannot be named, for it was the work of the community, and every beam and nail was consecrated by self-sacrifice.
The additions to the church in 1837 were: by letter 35, on profes- sion 6. By the close of the year 1839 the number of niembers was 190, 26 more having united by letter, and 42 on profession. .
The whole number of members received to July 8, 1878, is 1,319, of whom 682 were received on profession: 11 of these became ministers of the Gospel. Of the whole number of members, 47 have become ministers, of whom 31 were college students; 520 have been students in the departments of Knox College, and 350 of these entered the church on profession. The church now numbers 419.
For the last twelve years the collections have averaged $4,631, of which $1,568 a year have been given to the various missionary societies and other benevolent objects. The remainder has been employed in paying the pastor's salary, $1,800, and other expenses.
The church was at first strictly Presbyterian. Various modifica- tions took place up to June, 1845, when a compromise was adopted, which secured to the Congregationalists and Presbyterians their pre- ferences, and gave the church a double ecclesiastical connection. 1n 1855 the church withdrew from the] Presbytery "on account of slavery." In October, 1856, the name was changed from "First Pres- byterian" to "First Church of Christ."
May 29, 1851, 37 members were dismissed to form the Second Pres- byterian Church of Galesburg, and within two years 11 others were dismissed to unite with the same church.
Again, November 9th, 1855, 47 members were dismissed to organize the First Congregational Church of Galesburg. There were 82 dis- missed to unite with that church between November, 1855, and February, 1858.
The doctrines of the church are evangelical, having been the same.
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as those adopted in 1831 by the Presbytery of Oneida, New York, until July, 1858, when a confession of faith identical with that of the New England Church of Chicago was adopted. The church polity is that of independence. The church recognizes no right of appeal from itself to any ecclesiastical body; it however acknowledges the frater- nity of churches, and chooses a delegate to the General Association of Illinois, and is also represented in the nearest local association. Annually, the church chooses two elders and two deacons, who hold office three years, and the twelve officers so chosen constitute a Board competent to adjudicate any case of discipline, the member against whom charges may have been preferred having at the same time the option of being tried by the church, the decision in either case being final.
BAPTIST.
Galesburg .- The First Baptist Church of Galesburg was organized in 1847. During the first ten years of their existence, they purchased the lot on the corner of Broad and Tompkins streets, where they built a house of worship and continued to worship until the year 1857, when a portion of the membership withdrew and formed what was afterward known as the " Cherry Street Baptist Church." More or less prosperity attended them in the years following up to the latter part of the year 1864, when the two churches united, and formed what is now known as the First Baptist Church of Galesburg.
In the spring of 1865, the church called to the pastorate the Rev. W. D. Clark, who served with acceptance during the three years fol- lowing, and during which time the present house of worship was erected, completed as it was in the spring of 1868, at a cost of some $32,000. The dedicatory services of the present church building were held on the 9th of April, 1868, the exercises being conducted by the Rev. J. H. Griffith, who had settled as their pastor. He continued to min- ister to them until the month of November, 1872, when he resigned and was soon followed by the Rev. William M. Haigh, who continued as their pastor until the first of August, 1877, at which time he resigned. The Rev. J. W. T. Boothe, D. D., is their present pastor. The present membership numbers 360. Annual church expenses $2,500. In connection with the church is a large flourishing Sabbath-school of 370 scholars, of which Mr. M. S. Smalley is Superintendent.
Ontario .- The Baptist Church of Ontario was organized in April, 1854. The character of its growth has been gradual, though it has passed through several seasons of refreshing revivals. Rev. C. C. Moore is the officiating pastor. The church has a present member- ship of sixty. Their church edifice was erected in 1851. The value
Geo Wick.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
of the building is about $3,000. The church has a parsonage worth $1,500. The salaries paid to pastors average $800 per annum. The gross amount raised by the church for all purposes is $1,100 a year.
Second Baptist Church, Galesburg .- This congregation is com- posed of colored people, and was organized in 1865, by A. W. Jack- son. The church edifice, which stands on the corner of South and and Cherry streets, is a good frame building and cost several thousand dollars. The present value of church property is about $10,000. Present pastor is Rev. J. C. Graves, who has been with the church for 10 years. The present membership number 89. The average salary of pastor is $500; $700 are raised annually for all church purposes. In the Sunday school are 48 scholars.
CONGREGATIONAL.
Ontario .- This congregation worship in a frame building, 48 by 26 feet, which stands on the southwest corner of section 31. It was erected in 1851 and dedicated November 4 of the same year. The society was organized August 12, 1848. The original members num- bered 17; of these, 9 have since died. Rev. Henry M. Tupper, the present pastor, has supplied the pastorate since February, 1872.
Victoria .-- Congregational Church of Victoria. The society was organized by Revs. Gale, Waters and Wright, as a Presbyterian Church. It was changed to Congregational in 1849. The church building was erected in 1851. This church has a branch, five miles east, which is recognized as a part of the same church, and is num- bered with them and served by the same pastor.
Wataga .- The First Congregational Church of Wataga was organ- ized June 10, 1855. The church property consists of church edifice, which was dedicated September, 1860, costing with lot about $3,300, and a parsonage built in 1875-76, at a cost of $2,200. H. P. Roberts is the present pastor.
Galesburg .--- The First Congregational Church was organized November 9, 1855, by members of the First Church. A commodious churchi edifice was erected shortly afterward, on Broad street, between Tompkins and Simmons streets. The present membership numbers 306, of wliom 116 are males and 190 females. During 1877-78, 61 were added. Rev. Alfred A. Ellsworthi, the present pastor, was called to tlie pastorate in 1876. Salary $2,500. The benevolent contribu- tions, for the year ending March 31, 1878, amounted to $1,625.20; church expenses $1,340. Total expenditures for all purposes $5,465.20. Value of Church property $33,200. Frank D. Bellows, church clerk. Attendance at the Sabbath-school 230.
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Oneida .-- The Congregational Church of Oneida was organized by a council on Saturday, Dec. 22, 1855. This church has always occu- pied advanced ground in the reforms of the day, such as anti-slavery and temperance, and has maintained from the first a vigorous and efficient Sabbath-school, holding firmly the great cardinal doctrines of the Christian system.
Orange .- This church was organized April 12, 1872. The mem- bership numbers 14,-7 inales and 7 females. W. T. Rowles, clerk. The attendance upon the Sunday-school is 80.
LUTHERAN.
Galesburg .- The First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Galesburg, situated on the corner of Seminary and Waters streets, is a frame building 55 by 110 feet, including tower. It was erected in 1869, at a cost of $13,500. The society was organized in 1852 by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist. The present pastor is Rev. S. P. A. Lindahl. The present membership numbers 900. The value of church building and lot is $18,000, and of parsonage and lot $2,500.
Knoxville .- The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organ- ized in 1853 by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, D. D. Rev. J. F. Borg is the present pastor of the church.
Altona .- The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Altona worship in a frame building 35 by 70 feet and eighteen feet high, erected in 1864 at a cost of $4,000. The congregation was organized in 1859. Rev. A. Lindholm is the present pastor.
Wataga .- The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1856. The first church edifice was erected in 1860, and on July 17, 1875, was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire. The following fall the present commodious structure was completed. Rev. J. F. Borg is the present pastor.
Galesburg .- The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church building of Galesburg, which is located on the north side of Simmons street between Kellogg and Seminary, was erected in 1869. The society was- organized August 21, 1868, by Nickolaus Bergenskold.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF THE CHRISTIAN CONNECTION.
Ontario .-- This church is not of the "Disciples of Christ," some- times erroneously called "Campbellites." . The church building is located on the northeast corner of section 2 of Ontario township. It was erected in 1866, at a cost of $2,000. The society was organized
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in 1853 by Rev. Samuel Croy; present pastor is Rev. G. Atwood Brown.
UNIVERSALIST.
Galesburg .- The Universalist Society of Galesburg was organized January 20, 1856, with some twenty-five or thirty members. Any person sustaining a good moral and religious character and subscrib- ing to the following "Profession of Faith," may be admitted a mem- ber of the society:
" Art. I. - We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the. duty, interest and final destination of mankind.
" Art. II .- We believe that there is one God, whose nature is love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and hap- piness.
"Art. III .- We believe that holiness and happiness are insepar- ably connected, and that believers ought to be careful to maintain order and practice good works; for these things are good and profit- able unto mnen."
The church was organized in October, 1860.
Yates City Church .- This congregation has a neat churchi edifice which cost $3,400. The present membership numbers 75.
CATHOLIC.
Galesburg .- There is but one Catholic church building in the city of Galesburg. This church edifice, called after the name of St. Pat- rick, is located on Academy street. It was built over fifteen years ago. The congregation was organized about twenty-two years ago, by Rev. John O'Neil. Rev. Joseph Costa is the present pastor.
Wataga Catholic church was erected in 1877 at a cost of $2,000, Rev. P. McGair in charge.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
Galesburg .- The Grace Church Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Galesburg was organized in 1859; present rector is G. H. Higgins. The church building is situated at the corner of Prairie and Tompkins streets; is a wooden structure and built in Gothic style.
Abingdon Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1839 or '40, and now owns and occupies a well arranged building, erected some 11 years ago, at a cost of about $6,000.
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