History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 27

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 27

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Christ Church, at Bunker Hill, was organized in 1865. Prior to this occa- sion, services were held by Rev. Mr. Dresser, of Carlinville, in some church or school-house as opportunity might present.

It is believed that the first service of the Episcopal Church was held by him in the Congregational house of worship in the summer of 1862. Rev. Mr. Mitchell came to take charge here and at Gillespie in 1864, and from that time forward the ministers in both places have been the same.

Rev. Mr. Mitchell resigned in Sept. 1865. Rev. Mr. Portmess, succeeded him for one year, from June 1866. Rev. Mr. Zimmerman, then followed him for about six months in 1868; and he again in turn being succeed- ed by Rev. Mr. Johnston, who resigned July 1st, 1879, after having served four years of faithful and successful ministry. The church edifice was erected in 1875-6, after plans and workmen procured from St. Louis, at a cost of $ 3500, including the lot. The corner-stone was laid in Nov. 1875, by Rev. D. W. Dresser, Rural Dean, assisted by Rev. Mr. Chase of Alton and Rev. Mr. Johnston of Bunker Hill. An active interest in the church exists in Bunker Hill ; probably more so than at any other point in the county. The officers of the parish are-William N. Budd and R. J. Hornsby, Wardens ; Wm. M. Dorsey, A. N. Yancey and T. H. Richards, vestrymen. The commu- nicants are forty-four ; families twenty-six ; individuals who attend, or claim an interest in the church about one-hundred and fifty.

All the churches of this denomination in the county, are built more or less after the Gothic style of architecture. That at Carlinville, being the most complete in all its interior appointments, and that at Bunker Hill, especially elegant and attractive in appearance.

It will be seen, from the above that the Episcopal Church grows but slow- ly in this part of the world ; yet it is hoped surely.

Its peculiar characteristics are,-order and solemnity in worship ; and simplicity and sober conservatism in faith and teaching, and as things become

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

better understood and more highly appreciated the church, it is believed, will also grow rapidly as well as surely.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

BY REV. H. D. PLATT.

The Congregational Churches in this whole region of country, generally mark the places where the settlers were originally Independents from England, or Congregationalists from New England, or both. In many localities, they have carried to an extreme limit their love of Christian union, by giving up their preferences, even when they were a numerical majority, to join church organizations of other sorts. In other localities, they wisely formed churches of the faith and order in which they had been reared, and to which they were warmly attached.

There are four Congregational Churches in this county :- at Woodburn, Bunker Hill, Chesterfield and Brighton.

I. The Woodburn Congregational Church was organized March 25th, 1838, by Rev. Robert Blake. About forty persons became members on that day, and about 360 in all have been connected with it. The present mem- bership is 112. The clerk is Mr. Edward Hollister.

It has from nearly the first kept up an interesting Sabbath-school, has enjoyed many blessed revivals, and always maintained a warm fraternal spirit toward the other Christian forces, with whom union-protracted meet- ings have often been held.

In 1840, the name was changed to that of " the Congregational Church of Woodburn and Bunker Hill." This continued till 1842, when it was deemed expedient to divide the church, and the Congregational Church of Woodburn was re-organized on its original basis.

They have a neat brick church and convenient parsonage, worth, together, some 82,500.00.

The church has been served by the following (nine) ministers:

1. Rev. Robert Blake, from 1837 till his death in 1842. He was from England, was very highly esteemed during his life, and sorely lamented at his death. He is still tenderly remembered by the older members, and always as "Father Blake."

He was probably not rendered worldly-minded by a large salary, as there is an early record of a vote to raise him a salary of $150.00!

2. Rev. J. S. Graves, from the re-organization in 1842 to 1844, of whose subsequent history I am able to learn but little.

3. Rev. Geo. Spauding, from 1847 to 1852. He was a native of Massa- schusetts ; had been engaged in teaching school, and developing a talent for preaching, was put into the ministry by Alton Presbytery. Woodburn was the scene of his early, if not his first ministry. He has since labored in Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Minnesota, and for a part of the time has been engaged in business.

4. Rev. Donatus Merrill, from 1852 to 1853. He was a young man, from the East, of good education and fine culture, whose heart was very deeply in his work. He died at Woodburn, at his post, after a very brief illness.

5. Rev. Charles B. Barton, from October, 1853, to May, 1864. This was the longest pastorate the church has known. Mr. B. was a member of the first class which graduated at Illinois College, and in which were distin- guished men. His earlier labors were with the Presbyterian churches. Since leaving the pulpit at Woodburn, he has labored at Richview, Ill., has been partly engaged in farming, and recently has been preaching to a Portuguese church, at Jacksonville, Ill., where he now resides.

6. Rev. Gideon Clark, from May, 1864, to July, 1869. A native of Con- necticut ; his ministry has been mostly in Illinois; partly with the Congre- gational, but mostly with the Presbyterian churches. Large numbers were added to the Woodburn church under his ministry.

7. Rev. Enoch N. Bartlett, from 1869 to 1872. Mr. Bartlett was a gra- duate of Oberlin College, Ohio; had spent some years as pastor in Missouri, and was a man of ripe experience and good judgment. He is now at Colo- rado Springs.

8. Rev. Geo. Macardle, from 1873 to 1875. He had labored at Peca- tonica previously, and has since been employed at Olney, Pittsfield and Pecatonica, all in Illinois.

9. Rev. Charles Slater, from 1875 to 1879. Mr. Slater's early ecclesiasti- cal connections were with the Wesleyans in England, and on closing his four

years' labors with the Woodburn church, he has removed to a field in Min- nesota, where he hopes to enjoy more vigorous health. The pulpit is now vacant.

As the Dram-shop business has never flourished at Woodburn, the people have been more thoughtful and far more inclined to be religious, intelligent and benevolent than under the opposite conditions.

II. The Bunker Hill Congregational Church grew out of the Woodburn church, and dates its organization as a separate church, from September 13th, 1842. Father Blake preached the first sermon ever delivered in Bun- ker Hill. The early history of the church is closely connected with that of the Woodburn church.

From the imperfect records, and from the personal recollections of some of the older members of the church, it appears that their first minister was Rev. Wm. Fithian, during the year 1843. Mr. F. did not continue per- manently in the special work of the ministry, but was for a time agent of the American Peace Society, and latterly was engaged as a Temperance Lec- turer. He died a few years since in Missouri.

2. Rev. J. S. Graves seems to have served this church, after leaving Wood- burn, from 1846 to 1848.

3. Rev. Geo. Spaulding supplied the pulpit part of the time, from 1848 to 1852, preaching at Woodburn the rest of the time.

3. Rev. Donatus Merrill preached one-half the time at Bunker Hill, while he was at Woodburn.

4. Rev. C. B. Barton divided his labors between the Woodburn and Bun- ker Hill churches, from May, 1854, for about three years, to 1857. Salaries were not large during those years. Bunker Hill raised $200.00 for their half of Mr. Barton's services.

5. Rev. Jas. Weller gave his entire services to the Bunker Hill church, from 1857 to 1866. Mr. Weller is a native of England; studied for the ministry at Mission Institute, Quincy, Ill., and at Yale Theo. Seminary ; had previously had charge of the Congregational church at Waverly for ten years, and has since labored successively with two congregations in New York State. His present charge is Danby, N. Y. During his ministry the salary rose to $800.00 per year.

6. Rev. Wm. E. Holyoke, from 1866 to 1868. Mr. Holyoke received his ministerial education at Knox College, and at the Union Theological Semi- nary, N. Y. city. He had preached at Farmington, and at other important places in Illinois, and his salary for the first year, in the pecuniary prosperity which followed the close of the war, rose to $1,600.00. He has since preached successively at Chicago, Byron, Dover, Ill., where his present charge is.

7. Rev. R. C. Stone, from 1868 to 1872. He had been a pastor for some years in New England, then a teacher, and later a business man in St. Louis. He came to them in a vigorous old age, and gave way for the settle- ment of a younger man.

8. Rev. G. W. Bainum from 1872 to 1879. Mr. Bainum spent his early ministry and enjoyed a prominent place among the Wesleyan Methodists of this country. On joining the Congregationalists, he served for a time the Mayflower church at Indianapolis, whence he was called to Bunker Hill. He has just accepted a call and removed to Streator, Illinois, leaving the pulpit temporarily vacant.

This church has from the first held a leading position in the town, and at one time had the largest Sabbath-school in the county.

In connection with the Baptists, the Congregationalists built a substantial brick church, which was dedicated March 9th, 1849. The corner-stone was laid in August, 1847. This building was to be used in common by the two denominations, as long as should be deemed advisable, and then was to be- come the property of whichever church would make the highest bid for the other half. This joint ownership continued without serious friction for about eight years, when the Congregationalists bought out the Baptist in- terest in the house, and all was amicably arranged-one striking instance, where such a partnership did not produce a quarrel. In 1869 or 1870, the building was enlarged and improved, to its present imposing appearance and commodious arrangements. It now has basement rooms and handsome tower, and contains an excellent pipe organ. It is altogether one of the finest church edifices in the county, and with its grounds is valued at $9,000.00. Mr. W. W. Hays is the Clerk of the church and Superinten- dent of the Sabbath-school.

For several years this church, as well as the one at Woodburn, was con- nected with Alton Presbytery, on a plan of correspondence, provided for such cases.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Later, when the Southern Congregational Association came within reach, its relations were transferred to it, and a more satisfactory affiliation secured.

The recent failure of the Bunker Hill Bank has seriously crippled the church, financially, and brought pecuniary distress to nearly every one of its members. Still there is grit and grace enough to endure the shock. The present membership is 157.

III. The Congregational Church of Chesterfield was organized March 6th, 1848, and was at first composed of 15 members. A part of these came from the Spring Cove Presbyterian Church of Summerville.

Its ministers have been :

1. Rev. T. B. Hurlbut, who had been preaching to this people for some time previous to the organization, and who continued his labors with the church for two years, till 1850, when he went to supply the Presbyterian Church at Upper Alton, where he has resided ever since, ministering to neighboring churches, as his strength and opportunities permitted. For some years the infirmities of age have been creeping upon him, and he is still maintaining a cheerful and serene spirit, waiting " till his change come."

2. Rev. James R. Dunn, from 1850 to 1854. Mr. D., had been but a short time in the ministry, and divided his preaching between this and the Pres- byterian Church of String Prairie (now Walnut Grove), Green county.

He built a residence at Chesterfield, doing a large share of the work with his own hands, which after he left was purchased by the church, and did good service as a parsonage, for many years after leaving Chesterfield.

He labored for many years at Wenona, in La Salle county, but has for several years been in the Real Estate business at Jacksonville, Illinois, and preaching occasionally in the vicinity. His ecclesiastical connection is and has been with Presbytery.

3. Rev. S. P. Lindley, a part of the time for one year, when he took charge of three Presbyterian Churches in the county for a time. Soon after, he lost his standing in the ministry, and later, joined the ministry of another denomination in another State, and died of paralysis, March, 1878.

4. Rev. G. W. Stinson, one year, from 1855 to 1856. He was just from the Oberlin College and Seminary ; was ordained and married during that year, afterward spent a few years as Pastor in New Hampshire, and then removed to a parish in Missouri, where he very soon died.

5. Rev. J. C. Downer, for a few months in 1857. He was a Presbyterian minister, then financial agent of Blackburn University, but has since been preaching and growing fruit, at De Soto, Mo.

6. Rev. H. D. Platt, from 1858 to 1868, ten years and one month. A native of Connecticut; he had pursued his preparatory studies at Mission Institute (Quincy, Ill.), and at Yale Theological Seminary ; had supplied the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church at Brighton for nearly seven years; was called from his charge at Chesterfield, to the position of Home Missionary Superintendent for Southern Illinois, in which he labored for three years. Returning to pastoral labor in 1871, he was with the Lincoln Church for one year, and with the Danvers' Church for five years, and now resides at Brighton, where he has charge of the Congregational Church.

7. Rev. H. N. Baldwin, from 1868 to 1870. He had recently been licensed to preach, had spent a few months at Danvers, McLean county. On account of failing health, he resigned at Chesterfield, and spent a year on a farm; then labored for some time with the church at Plano, Ill., and afterward studied medicine. He is now a practicing physician in Chicago. 8. Rev. Elihu Loomis, from 1870 to 1878. He was called from the church at Littleton, Mass., and has now taken charge of the church at Memphis, Mo. He wrought much in the school-houses near, and was noted for efforts in the cause of Christian union.

9. Rev. Calvin Selden, the present minister; came among them in the autumn of 1878, dividing .his labors between that church and the one at Melville, Jersey county. He has had parishes in New England, in Jersey City, and different places in Illinois, and for several years been Agent of the American Bible Society, with headquarters at Aurora, Ill.

The Chesterfield Church was connected from 1850 to 1856, with Alton Presbytery-and since then, with the Southern Association of Congregational Churches. During the spring of 1855, a good house of worship was com- pleted, which, including $250.00 of aid from the Church building fund, cost some $2,000.00. The church property is now worth $1,500.00.

An unusual amount of education and culture had been enjoyed by the early members of the church, which made society exceedingly agreeable. All but two of the original fifteen are dead or removed, and many have been added from time to time. The church has been noted for its kindness to

its ministers, and for its liberal donations to benevolent objects. One hun- dred and sixteen members in all have been connected with the church. The present membership is 64. Rev. Calvin Selden is Clerk as well as Pastor.

IV. The Congregational Church of Brighton was organized by advice of a Council, June 6th, 1867. Some twenty-six of those uniting, brought letters from the Presbyterian Church of Brighton. It immediately connected itself with the Southern Association of Illinois,-worshipping in a Hall for a year or more. In Sept. 1868, a house of worship was completed and dedicated,- Rev. H. D. Platt preaching the sermon. Church-property is valued at $3,500.00.

The ministers have been :

1. Rev. John E. Wheeler, for a few months in 1867. He has had charges since in New England, and later in St. Louis. Is now without a charge.

2. Rev. Charles L. Tappan, from 1868 to 1870. He was a native of New Hampshire, had some experience as pastor and editor, had almost failed in health. Is now pastor of a Congregational Church at Sandwich, N. H.

3. Rev. Isaiah W. Thomas, from April, 1870, to July, 1876, a minister, till then, of the M. E. Church. He had recently returned from a prolonged tour in Palestine and the East, and his sermons and lectures were enriched by the scenes he had carefully observed. On leaving Brighton, he retired to a farm near Mulberry Grove, Bond county, Ill.

4. Rev. H. D. Platt, the present minister, was called in April, 1877. He divides his labor between this church and one at Kemper, Jersey county ; Brighton, Congregational Church, has at present 44 members. Clerk is L. P. Stratton-S. S. Superintendent, E. Amass.

These four Congregational churches are and have been strictly orthodox in doctrine, evangelical in sentiment, heartily union in spirit, for the most part, harmonious in action, and useful in their generation.

THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.

We have been disappointed greatly in our efforts to gather sufficient ma- terials to enable us to give a full history of the rise and progress, in this county, of the great ecclesiastical organization, which numbers in its ranks nearly one-half of the professing Christians of the globe. The ministers of this, the " Old Faith," who now reside here, have been here only for a short time, nor have the records of the church been accessible to us. We present the subjoined sketch, fully aware of its deficiencies, but as the very best pos- sible under the circumstances surrounding us during its preparation.

We are indebted to Bishop Baltes, of Alton, for the data from which the history of this church is written.

The first Roman Catholic church, built in Carlinville, was in the year 1859. There are now two churches of this denomination in the city. The English church, which was erected in 1867; and the German, erected in 1868. The former has about four hundred communicants, and the latter about three hundred and twenty-five.

Both edifices are new and beautiful structures. They are built of brick, and are large, commodious and substantial buildings, not only serving the purpose for which they were erected, but by their elegance and costliness add much in beauty to the city.

A fine view of the German Catholic church, of Carlinville, may be seen on another page of this book.

Father P. A. Ostrop, is pastor of the German church. He is a man of scholarly attainments, and is zealously devoted to his sacred cause.

The church at Shipman was erected in 1869. The congregation now counts about two hundred souls.

At Brighton the Catholics had no regular place of worship before 1869. The congregation now numbers about two hundred and twenty-five souls.

The Staunton church was built in 1867. There are now about two hun- dred communicants.

At Gillespie the first church is now in process of erection. The congre- gation numbers about one hundred souls.

In all the above places divine service was held in halls or private resi- dences, for many years before churches were erected.

Each church supports a parochial school, which does a vast amount of good for the communities in which they are situated.

At Bunker Hill, " in 1854, the Catholics, numbering ten families, attended service at Ridgeley. A year later, Bunker Hill was made a station, Father Pennigrau visiting once each month. Under his pastoral care, the congre-

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

gation rapidly increased, and he was appointed resident pastor. Services were first held at Mrs. James Carroll's house, and afterwards in the old town hall." In 1863 the first church was erected, Father Rinkers then being in charge.

It has subsequently been improved and enlarged, and a parsonage was erected in 1872. An elegant view of the church and parstoral resi- dence may be seen in this work. Father Clifford subsequently was ap- pointed to the charge, and he devoted his efforts mainly to the establishment of a parochial school. A fair was held in behalf of this object, and $800 realized. This sum was applied toward the erection of the present school building, which was opened in 1872, with forty-five pupils, under Miss Webster as teacher. Since that time the attendance has doubled under the administration of Mr. Kaltenbach.

In the same year the very neat and comfortable pastoral residence adjoin- ing the church was erected. Father Cleaver succeeding to the pastorate, it was found necessary to enlarge the church building. With that liberality so common to our people, $1,000 was promptly subscribed, and a front addi- tion, surmounted by a spire rising to a height of ninety feet, was commenced ; but before these improvements were completed, Father New (the present pastor), succeeded Mr. Cleaver and finished the work. A bell and organ were procured about the same time. The church is now nearly out of debt, and in a flourishing condition." *

EVANGELICAL CHURCHES. BY REV. GEORGE GOEBEL.

There are three Evangelical churches in Macoupin county which belong to the German Evangelical Synod of North America. This Synod strives for the unity of the Church based upon Ephesians iv. 3-6, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, &c. Especially does the Synod believe that there is not such great difference in the doctrines of the Lutheran and Reformed Church that they for this reason might not be united. Therefore it declares the Lutheran and Reformed confession as its own so far as they agree. In the few points of difference, such as com- munion, baptism, &c., it holds strictly to the Scripture relating to them.

The three congregations in this county are as follows:

The German Evangelical, St. Paul's Church, in Carlinville. This congrega- tion was originally united with the Lutheran Church of this city, and was at that time independent of any Synod. But as soon as the congregation received a minister of the extreme Lutheran Church, those more inclined to the Evangelical doctrine separated themselves in the year 1858, and organ- ized a church of their own, and bought for their house of worship what was formerly the Methodist Church, next to the public school. This congrega- tion was also at first independent of the Synod, and had the following minis- ters; Messrs. Rehle, Buechler, Muenter and Ruether.

In 1868, Rev. C. Witte received a call from the congregation, which he accepted, and was therefore the first minister of the Evangelical Synod of North America who preached in this church. In the year 1870 the church received a new constitution, and became at the same time an active member of the Synod. In the same year there occurred a change in the pulpit, and Rev. P. F. Mensch became pastor, and remained with the congregation until January, 1875, when he was chosen for professor of the Synod's Semi- nary, which is located at Elmhurst, near Chicago, Ill.

The Rev. George Goebel, of Missouri, was then chosen as pastor, but not being able to comply immediately, Rev. F. Stoerker supplied the pulpit for three months, and on the 1st of April, 1875, Rev. Goebel arrived, and assumed the pastorate of the church, in which position he still remains. Since the Rev. Goebel has been pastor there has been erected a substantial new church, which is located opposite the court-house. It was dedicated in October, 1878. The old church is used for their parochial school, which is superintended and taught by A. Spiegel. There are usually from sixty to seventy scholars. The Sunday-school consists of sixty scholars and five teachers.

The Evangelical Church, in Brighton. This congregation was organized in 1870, and a church erected, which was dedicated April 10, 1871. The Rev. Luterman was the first preacher, and remained one year, after which Rev. Hotz accepted a call, and was pastor until April, 1879. At present

* From the " Bunker Hill Gazette," July 6th, 1876.

the pulpit is unoccupied. There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church, having fifty scholars and four teachers.

The Evangelical, St. Paul's Church, in Staunton, was organized in 1858. Its original name was The Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1875 it was reorganized and received its present name, and connected itself with the Evangelical Synod of North America. In consequence of this change four- teen members left the congregation and joined the Lutheran Church, and through this departure the remaining members held together more closely.

The first minister of the new organized church was Rev. John Nollaw, who remained until 1877, when he was called to St. Louis, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. Schaer, the present pastor.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 27

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440