USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 30
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This congregation is an offshoot of the Long Point Church. At
the beginning there were one hundred members, all swarming from the old hive. This occurred in March, 1868, and the officers of the new church were T. A. Pritchett Elder, and George Wree and Griffin Chamberlain Deacons. The present house of worship was completed and occupied in May of that year, and is valued at $4000. The following ministers have served here; Prof. B. J. Radford, (now Professor of Greek in Eurcka College) one year ; Dr. L. A. Engle three years ; J. W. Ballinger, beginning his labors in March, 1874, continued for five years-until the time of his death, which occurred May twenty-fifth, 1879. He was a good man and a faithful preacher, and falling in the prime of life, his loss was deeply felt and sincerely mourned not only by the Niantic Church, but by a large circle of true friends as well. He rests from his toils, and his memory is blessed. The present pastor, A. C. Foster, took charge of the congregation in September, 1879. Successful pro- tracted meetings have been held here by Dr. L. A. Engle, who at one time added forty to the church ; D. R. Lucas, G. M. Goode, H. R. Trickett and the present pastor. The Sunday-school was begun with the church in 1868 with thirty-five attendants. It has con- tinued without intermission, and now numbers one hundred, and pays twenty-five dollars per year for its own charges, and ten dollars or more for missions. Three hundred and fifty persons have been connected with this church, but many have removed and some have died, so that the number now is one hundred and seventy. The amount paid this year for home work is five hundred and fifty dol- lars, with forty dollars for missions. The present officers are A. C. Foster, Pastor ; T. A. Pritchett, George Wree, J. W. Pritchett and Elias Ford, Elders ; H. Jacobson, C. A. Hall, P. T. Chamberlain, F. H. Kiger, William Seelig and John Stahl, Deacons. This is the only church in the village, and the people very generally attend its services. Its strength is undeveloped, and its usefulness lacks a great deal of being at the maximum. Its opportunities are many and its responsibilities are great.
BLUE MOUND CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church was constituted by Elder A. D. Northcutt, January 4th, 1874. Thirty persons entered into the organization, nearly all of whom had previously held membership in a congregation three miles west, in Christian county, at what was once called Randal- ville. The officers chosen were John Deatley, Abel Farnsworth and J. C. Rose for elders ; and James Wilcox and John Seelig for dea- cons. A. D. Northcutt has preached for this church most of the time since its formation, and is still in charge, except one year, during which J. W. Ballinger ministered to it. George F. Adams, an evangelist, held a successful revival meeting here in September, 1875, at which time more than sixty persons were added to the church. There was also a profitable meeting conducted by C. T. Cartwright in February, 1877. The church property was pur- chased of a gentleman who was compelled to take it for a debt due him by its former possessors. The price paid him was $2,000, but the first cost of the house was $3,300 ; it was built one and a-half miles south of the village, but after its sale was removed to the present location. There had been a Union Sunday-school in pro- gress in the town for several years up to 1876, when a school exclu- sively under the control of this church was begun with fifty persons. It now has an attendance of one hundred, and pays for its supplies this year $50; Oscar Fuller is superintendent. About one hundred and twenty persons have belonged to this church, one hundred of whom still have membership here; these represent forty-five fami- lies, while some sixty families are helped by the church's ministra- tions. The value of church property is $2,500, and is free from debt. Expenses for home work this year are $300. The present
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officers are : Elders, Oscar Fuller and Dr. W. S Roger ; Deacons, J. E. Wilcox, J. C. Rose, William Ellis and J. W. Ford. This church greatly needs pastoral care and more persistent and prayer- ful endeavor in the Lord's work. It has a large field for usefulness.
Among those who have contributed much to the prosperity of this church in the county, honorable mention should be made of Judge John Rucker and his son, James C. Rucker, both deceased ; also of Father Tyler, who has stood in the line of battle almost from the first. He came to Macon county in 1835 : he was at that time a Baptist pure and straight, but in the spring of the next year he united with the Christian Church, and has been unflinching in his fidelity ever since.
There are nine churches of this denomination in the county, with a seating capacity of 2,650, valued at $28,400; the number of mem- bers 1,165, with a Sunday-school attendance of 765. The aggregate paid by church and schools for home and mission work this year is $4,580.
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. W. H. MOORE.
The American branch of the holy catholic church, known in law as the "Protestant Episcopal," has a parochial organization in Decatur, a chapel in East Decatur, and a mission station at Maroa.
St. John's church, in Decatur, situated on North Water street near Eldorado, was organized September 10th, 1855. The Rev. Stephen R Child, a priest of the diocese of Illinois, was the first pastor, forming the parish and continuing its rector until his death in November of the same year. Of the original members there remain but five : Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Fuller, and Miss Emily Luttrell. The venerable Cyril Fuller still remains the senior warden of the parish, to which he was elected at the organization. The Rev. Wm. L. Bostwick succeeded to the rectorship in 1857. During his administration the parish, which had occupied a rented hall, took steps for building a church edifice. The church was completed and occupied in 1858; it was conse- crated in 1860 by the Rt. Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse, D.D. LL.D, Bishop of Illinois. The same building, much enlarged and im- proved, is yet used by the parish as its place of worship.
Mr. Bostwick was succeeded by the Rev. E. P. Wright in 1859, and he in turn by the Rev. Wni. Stecl, the present rector of Cen- tralia. During the Rev. Dr. Tatten's incumbency, from 1863 to 1866, a parish school was successfully conducted in the school-house next south of the church building. The Rev. Mr. Pulford and the Rev. Philip McKim held successively short pastorates. The Rev. W. W. D. Wolf becam erector in 1872. His name is yet a house- hold word among the people whom he loved, and who honored him as he deserved. His successful work was ended by his death in the summer of 1875. It is to be hoped that an enduring memorial of this faithful and well-beloved priest will be placed in the church to perpetuate the memory of his noble life.
Mr. D. Wolf was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen H. Granberry in 1877. He resigned in the following year, and the vacancy was filled February, 1879, by the Rev. Walter H. Moore, the present incumbent.
The present officers are: Cyril Fuller, senior warden ; Wm. J. Quinlan, junior warden ; J. F. Tricst, treasurer ; George Moeller, secretary, and L. Burrows, H. H. Bishop, L. L. Ferris, J. B. Dinges, Charles L. Carnean and L. L. Burrows, vestrymen.
The house adjoining the church on the north is the property of the parish, and is occupied by the rector.
In December, 1879, the parish purchased the property in the east part of the town known as the "Rolling Mill Chapel." It was remodelled and furnished, and opened as the " House of Prayer." Its officers are : H. M. Palen and Thomas Casley, wardens ; A. E. Waughop, treasurer. The rector of St. John's church acts as the pastor of the chapel for the present.
At Maroa services are maintained by the rector of Decatur, who visits the town every month. There is no formal organization as yet.
Until 1877 the Church in Illinois was organized as one dio- cese, the bishop residing in Chicago. Under such a distant super- vision, the Church in central and southern Illinois suffered for lack of personal oversight and administration. In 1877, however, the state was divided into three dioceses. Macon county is included in the " Diocese of Springfield," the bishop being the Rt. Rev. George F. Seymour, D.D. LL.D. The rapid growth of the Church in the new diocese in the last three years is at once a justification of the division of the state and a hopeful promise of future strength.
CHURCH OF GOD.
BY REV. I. S. RICHMOND.
According to the most authentic history the first Church of God in the United States was organized near the city of Harrisburg, Pa., toward the close of the year 1829, by Rev. John Winebrenner. Mr. Winebrenner was a man of sterling integrity, thoroughly edu -- cated, and defended primitive truth with ceaseless vigilance. The origin of the Church of God is strikingly exhibited in Mr. Wine- brenner's own language. Her illustrious and adorable founder is the Lord Jesus Christ. He bought her with His blood (Acts xx., xxviii). He founded her on the rock. He first commenced her gathering ; He continued her establishment by the ministry of the Apostles, and by the dispensations of the Spirit. There must be a deeper work of grace in the heart than the simple conforming to external things. The institutions of the Church are three : Burial with Christ by baptism once backwards in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; The washing of the saints' feet as taught in the 13th chapter of John, and the Lord's Supper. The Church of God accepts nothing as a rule of faith and practice but the New Testament. So far as the title "Church of God " is concerned, it is the only divinely inspired title recognized in the New Testament. The first Church in Macon county, Ill., was organized at Boiling Spring, three miles north-west of Decatur. In the absence of a church building the Church was organized in the dwelling of father Joseph Rife, January seventeenth (17) 1852. Elders Thomas ยท Hickernell and George Sandoe, two zealous missionaries, effected this organization. The number of members when organized reached 75. The first elders were Jacob Shrull and Joseph Rife, Sr. When the proper timc arrived the brotherhood conceived the idea of crecting a chapel for the worship of God, that resulted in the building of the bethel now occupying the site adjoining the residence of Mr. Joseph Rife, Sr. The present numerical strength is 80. The Church is now under the Pastorate of Elder S. D. C. Jackson, a minister of more than ordinary ability. In late years the Church erected a parsonage in the neighborhood of the church building. Total valuation of church property $2500 (twenty-five hundred).
DECATUR.
The Church of God was organized in the City of Decatur, May 1st, 1857, by Rev. A. J. Fenton, who continued pastor until April 1st, 1858. During the year 1858, the Church erected a building for divine worship. It was dedicated by Rev. John Winebrenner
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
on the 17th of October the same year. The house was re-papered in the year 1866 by A. B. Bender, at a cost of one hundred and forty dollars. The present membership does not exceed one hun- dred, with quite a flourishing Sabbath-school under the control of Mr. Wm. Stare. The present spiritual and financial condition of the Church is good; peace and harmony prevail. There are no debts hanging on the Church in any way whatever. The present pastor is Rev. I. S. Richmond. The church building is very pleasantly located on the corner of Water and Cerro Gordo streets.
Fairview .- The Fairview Chapel is located ninc miles north of Decatur and two miles west of the village of Forsythe. The country is charming. The Church was organized March 14th, 1871, by Elder M. S. Newcomer. The original number of mem- bers amounted to sixty-five. The whole number admitted to the communion of this Church was 162. Many, however, have moved away, others have died, leaving the number at the present time 60. Its present pastor is Rev. D. S. Weigel, who was one of the original members. The Sabbath-school is quite an auxiliary to the Church. The average attendance about 75. The superintendent is its present pastor, D. S. Weigel. Valuation of Church property $2,000.
Belle Prairie .- The Church was organized in November, 1871, by Rev. M. S. Newcomer. The original number of members con- sisted of 12. There is no house of worship at this place ; the con- gregation worship in a school-house.
Pleasant Grove, two miles east of Oreana. There is a small organization here. Rev. D. S. Weigel is its present pastor. The Church worship in a Union Meeting House. Rev. J. Schock, a minister of the Illinois Eldership, lives near by. The Church was organized by Rev. Gregory.
Warrensburgh .- The Church at this place was organized by Rev. I. E. Boyer, in the month of May, 1875. The original number of members was 8. The Church worship in a chapel belonging to Mr. S. Richey. The chapel is valued at one thousand dollars. The Church at this time numbers over one hundred members. The Sabbath-school of 120 scholars are under the efficient control of Mrs. Richey. The present pastor is Rev. S. D. C. Jackson.
Centre Bethel .- There is a flourishing organization at this point. But the statistics not arriving in time I am unable to give them to the public.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
BY A. H. CHITTENDEN.
The first service held in this county by a United Brethren preacher was some five miles south-east of Decatur, in the spring of 1848, at the residence of Rev. M. T. Chew, by Rev. James Parks, which resulted in the organization of the first United Brethren class in Macon county in the same year.
Decatur .- Through the labors and instrumentality of Rev. M. Ambrose in-1856, a society of the above-named church was organ- ized in the old Masonic Hall. The members at the time of the organization were the seven following: S. B. McClelland, J. E. McClelland, Rachel McClelland, S. W. Hamsher, Sarah Hamsher, Jacob Bohn, and Mary Bohn. In 1857 the society succeeded in erecting a good substantial brick church on the corner of Cerro Gordo and North Main streets at a cost of $3,500, which they con- tinued to occupy till 1873, when the church purchased two lots on the corner of Broadway and El Dorado streets at a cost of $2,350, and erected a new and commodious house of worship at a cost of
$5,000.00. The present membership is 122. A good and success- ful Sabbath- school of 100 scholars, with the requisite number of officers and teachers. Church sittings 400. Probable value of Church property $7,000.00.
Pleasant Hill .- This society is located five miles north-cast of Decatur. Was organized by Rev. James Parks in the ycar 1850. In the year 1865 they built a neat though small brick house of worship, at a cost of $1,400.00. Was dedicated by Bishop J. Weaver, D. D. Church sittings 300. Present number of mem- bers 104. A good Sabbath-school numbering 100.
Union .- Was organized March 25th, 1866, by Rev. J. Blake. This society worships in a Union Church house, which is free to all, built by the people of the neighborhood in which it is located. Dedicated by Bishop J. Dickson, D. D., of the U. B. Church. There is a good Union Sabbath-school at this place quite largely attended. Present membership 43.
Fairview Chapel .- Rev. A. Wimsett, December 8, 1868, organ- ized this society. They worshiped in a school-house till 1871, when they erected a neat substantial frame house, costing them $1,700; it was dedicated by Bishop D. Edwards, D. D. This house has a sitting capacity of 350. Present number of members 22. Good Sabbath-school with an attendance of 60.
Cherry Grove .- This society was organized by Rev. J. Herbert, Jan. 15, 1867. This Church is located on the line between Macon and Piatt counties. The house is a substantial brick, witlr sittings for 400, costing $1,500. Present membership 23. Sabbath-school with 30 attendants.
Newburgh .- The first U. B. Church in Friends' Creek township of Macon county, was at Newburgh, and was organized by the Rev. J. Murphey, in November, 1852. At its organization there were but five members. Present membership 33. A good church house worth $900. A flourishing Sabbath-school with an atten- dance of 95, including officers and teachers.
Blue Mound .- The first organization of this Church in Blue Mound, for some reason unknown to us, after accomplishing much good, was dissolved. The present organization was formed in 1874 by Rev. J. Corley with a membership of 17. They erected a house of worship in 1875, and it was dedicated the same year by Bishop J. Dickson, D. D. Church sittings 300. Probable value of Church property $1,500. A splendid Sabbath-school, with the large attendance of 100.
Wheatland .- This society is located at Elwin, 6 miles south of Decatur, was organized by Rev. S. P. Hoy, in the year 1866. There is here a large commodious brick house and lot worth $2,000. A fine Sabbath-school with an attendance of 50. Church sittings 400. Present membership 26.
Oak Ridge-was organized by Rev. M. G. Chew, Jan., 1879, with a membership of 17. Present number of members 30. A Sabbath-school conducted much to the credit of the neighborhood, numbering 40.
Casner Chapel .- This Church is located at Casner station on the I. D. & S. R. R. east of Decatur. Was organized Feb. 18, 1877, by Rev. J. H. Crowder, with a membership of 31. Present mem- bership 38. Since the time of their organization they have erected a splendid Church house worth $1,600. They have a good, successful Sabbath-school with about 50 in attendance. Church sittings 400.
Union Hall .- This society was organized in the fall of 1867, by Rev. -. Elwell, with six members. In 1870 this society was transferred to the Lower Wabash Annual Conference ; was trans-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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fered back to the Central Illinois Annual Conference in 1878. Present membership 24.
Mt. Pleasant .- Located eight miles north of Warrensburgh, was organized by Rev. L. D. Ambrose in 1868, with about 30 members. Present membership 45. A good frame church valued at $1,000. A Sabbath-school in successful operation with an attendance of 40. Church sittings 300.
Center Chapel .- This society is located 5 miles north-west of Niantic ; was organized by Rev. P. Flack, in 1873. Membership when first organized 6. Present number of members 18. In 1874 hey erected a frame chur ch house at a cost of $1,500, it was dedi- cated by Rev. A. L. Best. Their Sabbath-school here is well attended.
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
MT. ZION CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In an old-fashioned log school-house, situated at that time some four miles in a south-westerly direction from Decatur, the Rev. John Berry preached the first sermon ever delivered to this denomina- tion in Macon county. On the 24th day of April, 1830, at the residence of Rev. David Foster, the Mt. Zion Cumberland Presby- terian Church was organized, and the following persons constituted the charter members : Andrew Wilson, Mary A. Wilson, Alexander W. Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Catharine Wilson, Robert Foster, Mar- garet Foster, David Foster, Anna Foster, Win. C. Foster, Isabel Foster, Nancy Allen Foster, Allen Travis, Peggy Travis, James D. Campbell, Lovina Campbell, Andrew Davidson, Asseneth R. Davidson, William D. Baker, Marilla Baker, John Davidson, Rhoda Davidson, Rebecca Travis, David Davis, Polly M. Davis, John Smith, Peggy Smith, Elizabeth Bell, Alexander Bell, Nancy Jane Bell, Eleanor Davidson, Robert Smith, Nancy Smith, Samuel Davidson, Elizabeth Davidson, Nancy Davidson.
The pastors of this church in the order of their succession have been, Revs. David Foster, founder of the church, Neil Johnson, Dan- iel Traughber, Samuel Ashton, John D. Cowan, J. T. A. Henderson, John C. Smith, R. T. Marlow, R. T. Lester, R. G. Carden, N. M. Baker and P. H. Crider.
The first pastor, Rev. David Foster, organized at Mt. Zion, the first Sunday-school of Macon county. This was in the year 1831. The first superintendent of the school was James Scott. The pres- ent membership of the church is about one hundred and eighty-five, and the Sunday-school cighty.
NORTH FORK CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Was organized in April, 1855, at the Emmerson school-house, Rev. John C. Smith being the founder. At the time of organization the number of members was fifty-four, forty-eight of whom had been connected with the Mt. Zion church. The several pastors in suc- cession have been, Revs. Daniel Traughber, John C. Smith, Joseph R. Lawrence, G. W. Kinsoloing, W. P. Baker, M. Dillow, W. L. Bankson and N. M. Baker. The first Sunday-school in that neigh- borhood was organized by Miss Charlotte Emmerson, sister of Judge Emmerson deceased, the latter being superintendent .and teacher. This occurred in the year 1840, in a small building situated in her father's yard.
BETHLEHEM CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.
This church was organized by the Rev. John C. Smith in 1850 It originally numbercd fifty-one members, part of whom had
formerly belonged to the Mt. Zion and Mt. Carmel churches. The successive pastors of this church have been, Revs. John C. Smith, Abner Lansden, James Pantier, N. M. Baker, W. Pinckney Baker, --- Ryan, Thomas Montgomery, J. T. A. Henderson, Robert G. Gardner, J. R. Lawrence, T. G. Stansberry and W. L. Bankson. The present membership is about one hundred and five, and that of the Sunday-school connected with the church about seventy.
MADISON CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church, too, was instituted by the Rev. John C. Smith, the original members having formerly belonged to the Bethlehem and Mt. Carmel Churches. We have been unable to obtain the names of the pastors or the number of members. There are churches of this faith near Argenta, in Friends' Creek township; at Prairie Hall, in Mt. Zion township, and at Shady Grove, in Wheatland township, but of these we have failed to find the necessary data for historical sketches.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church .- The first Catholic service ever held in Decatur was conducted by Rev. Father Pendergast, in July, 1853, at the residence of Mrs. Marvin, on west Main street. At the close of that service, Mary Phalin was baptized, she being the first child baptized in the Catholic Church at Decatur. Father Pendergast continued his labors as rector of the Catholic organization in Deca- tur one year. In 1854 Rev. Father Cussack was sent to Decatur, and remained rector of the church five years. Services were held in the court-house and at private residences till 1857, when Father Cussack raised money enough to erect a frame church on West Prairie street. This building was afterwards moved to east North street, and is now occupied for parochial school pur- poscs.
In 1859 Rev. Father Voght was sent to be rector of the church, and remained in charge till 1870. The corner-stone of the present large handsome brick edifice was laid March seventeenth (St. Pat. rick's Day), 1863, and was occupied for worship the following win- ter.
Father Walsh succceded Father Voght in 1870, and remained rector till 1873, when Rev. Father Hickey became rector, and con- tinued till November, 1876. Rev. Father Joseph Macken succeed- ed Father Hickey in 1876, and is still rector. St. Patrick's Catholic Church has established two flourishing parochial schools in this city, viz : the St. Theresa Academy for girls, and a separate school for boys, both of which are well attended. The former, a three-story brick building situated on El Dorado street, was founded in 1875, and at present is under the supervision of Mother Superior Theresa assisted by a faculty of seven Sisters. The curriculum of studies includes all the English branches found in a collegiate course, the German language, and vocal and instrumental music. The attend- ance last year (1879) was 180, which would have been much larger had boarding pupils been received. The boys' school, situated on North street, just cast of St. Patrick's Church, had an enrollment last year (1879) of 120 pupils. St. Patrick's Church has about two thousand communicants. The value of the church property, in- cluding the schools, &c., is $30,000.
St. James' Roman Catholic Church .- In 1877 Rev. Father Joseph Spaeth founded the St. James' Catholic Church of Decatur, and officiated as rector till July, 1879. He was succeeded by Rev. Father Lammert, who is still rector. The church is a commodious frame building, situated in the south-east part of the city. It has a
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
seating capacity for about two hundred persons, and a membership of seventy-five families. The building and grounds are valued at $4000. The church maintains a parochial school for boys and girls which, at present, is conducted in a part of the church building. The course of study embraces all the ordinary English branches, and a thorough training in the German language. The school had eighty pupils in attendance last year (1879.) On a lot adjacent to the church is situated St. Mary's Hospital, which is under the con- trol of the church. Sister Rosa is Superior of the hospital, and is assisted by five other Sisters of the order of St. Francis. Patients are received from all ranks of society, and the Sisters, when re- quested, visit the sick and suffering in all parts of the city. The value of the hospital and grounds is $3000. It will be regularly incorporated the coming year.
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