History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 28

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

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It has a Sunday-school consisting of forty scholars, superintended by the pastor, and also a parochial school with about the same number of scholars, also taught by Rev. Schaer.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT CARLIN- VILLE.

BY REV. B. MIESSLER.

During the year 1854 and '55 several Lutheran families came and located in this city from St. Louis, Missouri. Here they united themselves and organized the Evangelical Lutheran congregation. The first minister to preach for the little congregation was Rev. F. Buenger, of St. Louis.

In 1856 the Rev. E. Multanowski was engaged, and was the first settled pastor. He officiated until 1860. Under his administration the congrega- tion grew in membership, wealth and influence; the congregation erected a church building, adopted a constitution, wherein the church is named, the German Evangelical Zion church and congregation, unaltered Augsburg Confession.

Mr. Multanowski's successor was Rev. L. Geyer, under whose ministerial labors the congregation continued to grow. In 1869 a new church edifice of brick was erected at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. Rev. L. Geyer continued his pastoral charge for sixteen years, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. B. Miessler. At the present time the congregation consists of fifty-six leading members, some sixty families, and two hundred and twenty communicants. The church also supports a parish school and teacher. Mr. G. Karder has officiated at this school for the last fourteen years. The number of pupils varies at times from sixty to eighty.

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT STAUNTON

In the year 1847, Rev. F. Lockner, of Pleasant Ridge, Madison county, Illinois, visited this place and organized the church. At that time there were but few Lutheran families residing in the neighborhood. Subsequent- ly Rev. Pirkman and Rev. Schliepsick occasionally preached here. The first settled pastor was Rev. F. Reisner, who took charge of the parish, January 1st, 1851. He died the same year while faithfully serving the Master. He was succeeded by the Rev. F. Besel, who remained in charge until March, 1855. His successor was Rev. Mr. Rennicke, who adminis- tered for a time faithfully to the religious wants of his flock, and was fol- lowed by Rev. C. Schliepsick, and he by Rev. R. Voigt, and his successor was Rev. L. Muckel, who officiated from May, 1865, until his death, which occurred in November, 1870.

On the 25th of January, 1871, Rev. T. M. Hahn was called and in- stalled as pastor, and has remained as such to the present. He is a very faithful and efficient worker in the vineyard of the Lord. The parish num- bers about seventy families. In the year 1864 a new church edifice was erected at a cost of $4,152. The congregation has also a parsonage which cost about $1,500. There is also a parish school in connection with the church.

SPRING COVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. From data furnished by Nicholas Challacombe.

The Spring Cove Presbyterian Church was organized June 21st, 1834, by Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D. D., and Rev. Samuel E. Blackburn, his son.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The following persons were elected elders: Samuel Tull, W. H. Carson, John Brown, John B. Carson and Grundy H. Blackburn. The original membership of this church was twenty. The ministers who have served this church as stated supply are Rev. Samuel E. Blackburn, Rev. Wm. Cham- berlin, Rev. J. A. Ranney, Rev. Hugh Barr, Rev. Wm. T Bartel, Rev. J. R. Dunn, Rev. S. P. Lindley, Rev. Thomas Reynolds, Rev. H N. Wilbur, and Rev. Wm. R. Adams.

The present membership of the church is fifty-eight, and the whole num- ber since organization two hundred and five. The present elders are J. M. Carson, John Ashill and N. Challacombe.

There has been a Sabbath-school in connection with the church ever since its organization, but no record has been kept until of late years. It has been held as a union-school in connection with the Baptist Church.

The original church building stood in what is now Nicholas Challa- combe's pasture, one-half mile east of his residence. It was constructed about the time of the organization of the church. The building was com- posed of posts set in the ground, weather-boarded with clap-boards, and a puncheon floor. It is the oldest Presbyterian Church in the county, the Carlinville branch having been organized afterward. The church was moved about 1844 to a location north of Macoupin creek, half a mile east of the Blackburn bridge.

The change of the location was made in order to hold the membership of the church, as several persons who lived in the village of Chesterfield were desirous to form another separate church at that place. The Presbyterians of Chesterfield, however, decided a few years later to form a separate con- gregation at that place, and took their letters from their church in 1874, and formed the Chesterfield Congregational Church.

Shortly afterwards the church was taken to pieces and moved to Summer- ville, and now forms the church at that place, still known as Spring Cove Presbyterian Church.

The Spring Cove Church has been the parent of the Chesterfield Congre- gational Church, organized in 1847 ; the Presbyterian Church of Plainview, organized in 1851; the Nokomis Presbyterian Church, at Nokomis, in Montgomery county, which was organized by families who arrived from Macoupin county at Nokomis. The church has continued to grow, and is now in a healthy condition.

The church at Carlinville was organized June 30, 1834, by Rev. Gideon Blackburn, with the following original members : Ellen Moore, Lucy Ste- phenson, Julia A. White, Alice Good, Lucy M. Greathouse, Harlan Parks, Melvina Hoxsey, Edward Plant, Elijah Harlan and James Parks, who were received by letter ; John S. Greathouse, Thomas D. Moore and Ruth Holton were received on examination.

The first elders elected and ordained were Elijah Harlan, James Parks, Thomas D. Moore and Edward Plant. John S. Greathouse was appointed clerk.

The first regular pastor was Rev. Samuel Emmons Blackburn, son of Dr. Gideon Blackburn. He preached until his death, which occurred soon after he assumed the charge. The pulpit was for a time thereafter filled by his father, Rev. Dr. Blackburn.

The next regular pastor was Rev. John G. Simrall, who assumed charge April 23, 1836. He was a Kentuckian by birth, and a man of considerable culture.

Among those who have officiated as pastors for this church may be men- tioned the following : Revs. L. S. Williams, Thomas Spillman, J. A. Ran- ney, J. S. Graves, A. M. Dixon, C. A. Leach, Edward McMillen, J. S. Newton, J. B. L. Soule, John Patchen, Hugh Lamont, S. A. Whitcombe, W. W. Jeffries. Since February, 1879, Profs. Hurd and Nutting have been the supply. The membership now numbers one hundred and twenty- five. The present elders are R. B. Minton, Charles Campbell, P. Braley, D. T. Patchen and James Venable.

The first meetings were held in the old log court-house, afterwards in the old seminary building. The first church edifice was erected in 1836, and was a small brick structure. It stood on the lot occupied by the present church. The first sermon preached in it was by Rev. John G. Simrall, before the church was finished. The present handsome church edifice was erected in the vear 1869, at a cost of 89,000, including the furniture. It is constructed of brick. In 1874, the congregation built a parsonage and chapel at a cost of $3,500.

There is a Sabbath-school in connection with the church, which was organized March 25, 1848. The most active person in organizing the school was Rev. J. S. Graves. It has prospered from that time, and now numbers

one hundred and fifty scholars, with an average attendance of one hundred. The library contains about four hundred volumes. R. B. Minton is super- intendent and Charles Nutting assistant superintendent.

DRY POINT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

FROM DATA, BY J. C. PENTZER.

In giving the history of the organization of this church, it is necessary to make this extract from the record :

" In pursuance of a resolution of the Presbytery of Kaskaskia, adopted on the 14th day of October, 1839, appointing Thomas A. Spillman and George Donnell a committee to visit Macoupin county, and if thought ex- pedient, to organize a church ; the said Thomas A. Spillman, according to notice previously given, met a number of persons at the court-house in Car- linville, on Saturday, the 7th day of December, 1839, and the names of sundry persons were enrolled as an incipient step towards the organization of a church."

After public worship at the same place, on the following day at 11 o'clock, A. M, the following persons gave satisfactory evidence of having been mem- bers of the Presbyterian church : George Harlan, Margaret Harlan, David Nevious, Jane Nevious, Rainy L. Berry, Mary Jane Berry, Sarah S. Bar- rick, Mary M. Fishback, Mary B. Parks, Elizabeth Brown, Julia Win- chester, Lucy Stephenson.

The above named persons, having expressed a desire to be associated in a church capacity, Mr. Harlan was chosen and installed as ruling elder.

Thus a church was organized in this newly settled county, to be known for the present as the Presbyterian church of Carlinville.

At the next meeting of the session the names of Henry Fishback and Charles Fishback were added to the list of members.

By the report made to the Presbytery on April 1st, 1842, we find that the total number of members was twenty-three, and that up to and including that year, Rev. T. A. Spellman, remained as stated supply.

On the 10th of August, 1844, the minister in charge, Rev. A. Allen, met those of the members who lived south of Carlinville, at the house of George Harlan, and organized a separate body known as Dry Point church, having ten members, with George Harlan, E. Harlan, and Henry Fishback as ruling elders. Rev. Allen was succeeded, as a minister, by Rev. P. D. Young in 1847, and in 1848-9 by Rev. V. Pentzer.

By report to Presbytery, April 1st, 1849, the total number of members was fourteen. The place of meeting was held at the house of George Har- lan, or in the neighboring school-house. If the weather was pleasant and the congregation large, temporary seats and a stand were placed in the grove where services were held.

Great credit is due these early pioneers for their perseverance in an effort to establish and maintain a branch of their church under such discouraging circumstances. They were struggling hard to make homes in a new coun- try, and were without many of the conveniences of life, yet a portion of their time and means were given to this cause. The solemn earnestness of the people, the able discourse of the minister, the fervent prayer and the sacred song, in which they expressed their faith and piety, were well calcu- lated to make a lasting impression. This sketch would be incomplete with- out a tribute of respect to the memory of the founder of the church, Mr. George Harlan, who died May 1st, 1851. He moved to this county, and settled in Gillespie township in 1833. He not only possessed all the quali- ties which make a good citizen, but was ever ready to assist in any work that would be a benefit to his community. No call, in case of sickness or distress among his neighbors, was ever unheeded. He was ready to encour- age by kind words or to assist with material aid any who stood in need of his services. Although many years have passed away since his death, his memory is still cherished by his neighbors and friends as one who lived a consistent life, and of whom it may truly be said he was a good and true man.

Rev. P. Hassinger was their minister from about 1851 to 1855, and their membership had increased to twenty-one.

During the time that Mr. Hassinger was minister, the place of meeting was changed from Mr. Harlan's neighborhood to the school-house near the farm of Mr. Giles Adams, and afterwards to the school-house near where

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Mrs. Parks now lives, both being in what is now school district No. 2. The records are so incomplete that it is almost impossible to give a correct list of the clergy.

Rev. W. L. Mitchell served the church during the years 1861-62. He was succeeded by Rev. A. N. Denny, of Moro, Illinois. During the year 1867, a building partly built by the Christian church at Baylesstown, was bought by this church, and completed at a cost of about $1,000. It has since been their place of meeting. W. P. Teitsworth was minister in 1868, and the membership was twenty-nine. At present the church is practically disorganized, having neither minister nor elder.

Of those who organized the church in 1839, Mrs. Mary P. Parks is the only one, after a lapse of forty years, whose name still stands on the records as a member.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SHIPMAN.

BY J. J. GREEN.

The First Presbyterian Church of Shipman was organized August 3d, 1856, by Rev. A. T. Norton of Alton, with the following members: Joseph Rogers, Mrs. Dorothea Meriwether, Mrs. Mildred Floyd, Mrs. Jennie Law, Miss Elizabeth Law, Mrs. Frances Pollard, Mr. A. F. Pope, Mrs. Margaret Jane Pope, John J. Green and Mrs. Virginia T. Green. J. J. Green and A. F. Pope were elected elders, the former as clerk of the church. Rev. Mr. Barton was the first pastor.

Rev. T. B. Hurlbut became pastor May 24, 1857, and continued for one year, and was succeeded by Rev. L. L. Williams who remained for six months. On the 12th day of February, 1859, L. A. Williams and A. Parks were elected elders.

In 1859 Rev. W. Robertson was pastor for six months, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Reynolds, who filled the pulpit for three years.

In the year 1867 C. A. Preston, was elected elder. Rev. E. W. Tylor was then chosen pastor, and continued for three years, and was followed by Rev. W. R. Adams, who was installed as pastor of the church for four years.

In 1874, Aaron Myres was elected ruling elder. In 1875, Rev. G. C. Clark became pastor. During the year 1878 Rev. Mr. Nutting, of Black- burn University, supplied the church most of the time.

Since the fall of 1878, Rev. W. R. Adams has been pastor. There is but one elder left, J. J. Green. The number of members is twenty-six; the value of the church building is about $2,500.

A Sabbath-school was organized in 1856, which consisted of forty-four scholars and five teachers, the superintendent being William Wilson.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT PLAINVIEW.

The First Presbyterian Church of Plainview was organized as " The Union Church," at the house of P. Brown, January 27, 1851, by Rev. Geo. Spaulding, by appointment of the Alton Presbytery. The organizing mem- bers numbered nineteen, with four elders, viz. : Halliburton Parks, Ephraim M. Gilmore, Henry Merriwether and Peter Brown, clerk. Mr. Brown re- signed the clerkship in 1860.

August 23, 1855, the name was changed from " Union Church " to the "First Presbyterian Church of Plainview."

The first pastor was Rev. H. D. Platt, who continued for four years. Rev. Samuel P. Lindley served as pastor two years, and was succeeded by Rev. T. C. Hurlbut one year. Rev. Wm. Rankin was pastor for six months; Rev. W. R. Smith, one year; Rev. Thomas Reynolds, two years; Rev. E. W. Taylor, six years, and is the present pastor.

The present elders are: Samuel Brown, Samuel Welch, and W. W. Gu- lick.

The present deacons: George Morrison, J. C. Brown and Wm. H. Welch. The communicants at present number 109. The Presbyterian Church at Shipman is a branch of this church. The value of the church building is $1800, and the parsonage is valued at $1200.

There is a Sunday-school in connection with the church. About 100 pupils attend. Peter Brown was the first superintendent.

The above is written from data furnished by Mr. Samuel Brown.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF VIRDEN.

BY REV. W. L. TARBET.

The Presbyterian Church in Virden was organized June 3d, 1854, by Rev. John G. Rankin, Josiah Porter, A. M. Dixon and Elisha Jenny. The original members were John I. Beattice, his wife, Lucy, and his daughter, Letitia, from the Presbyterian Church in Carlinville; Rufus W. Lend, his wife, Jane, and his daughter, Elizabeth Jane, now Mrs. Coultas, from the Presbyterian Church in Winchester, III .; Mrs. Lucy D. Hardin, her daughter, Emily, from the Second Presbyterian Church at Springfield, and from the church in Chatham. These eight persons were organized into a church, to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Virden. John I. Beattice and Rufus W. Lend were elected and ordained as ruling elders in this church.

Preaching was supplied until the spring of 1859 by members of the Illinois Presbytery, among whom may be mentioned Albert Hale of Spring- field, Rev. Joshua Porter of Chatham, Rev. John C. Donner of Carlinville, and others whose names have not been preserved.

In the spring of 1859 the Rev. W. L. Tarbet, from Bethany Church, Giles county, Tennessee, became the stated supply. He preached his first sermon in Virden, May, 1859. The number of members were forty. In April, 1860, the Presbytery of Illinois sent a committee consisting of Albert Hale, Edward McMillan and John G. Rankin, to install Mr. Tarbet pastor over this church. Mr. McMillan preached the sermon ; Mr. Rankin gave the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Hale charged the people. During my ministry up to 1876 there were added to the membership of this church 214 members; 87 by letter and 127 on examination, being an average of thirteen per annum.

The elders who have served this church since its organization, are : Rufus W. Lend, until his removal to Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1871 ; John I. Beat- tice, from the beginning until the present; Oliver T. Peabody, from May, 1860, until his departure to the Baptists, in 1866; George W. Simons, from 1865 until the present. In 1870 Messrs. Lumsden, Johnson and Brown, who had been elders in other churches, were requested to serve this church as ruling elders, which they consented to do, until 1874, when the fol- lowing were elected: John I. Beattice, Nathan Johnson, George W. Simons, W. W. Post, Richard Ball and W. Wilder, Messrs. Post and Wilder have re- moved to other places, leaving the present bench of elders to consist of John I. Beattice, N. Johnson, R. Ball, and George W. Simons.

In the autumn of 1856, the first move was made towards erecting a house of worship ; the church having been allowed the use of the Methodist and Baptist houses. The building was finished Dec., 1857, and the church was dedicated March 24th, 1858. The ceremony was conducted by W. D. San- ders, D. D., of the Illinois College and Rev. Wm. G. Galleher, of Jackson- ville. The entire cost of the building was 84,000.

The original trustees were, R. W. Lend, T. J. Witt, John Davis, James Lumsden and George Fortune.

The present membership, as reported to the General Assembly, is 122. The Sabbath-school numbers about 75.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT BRIGHTON.

On the first Sunday in January, 1847, a meeting was held in the Baptist church at Brighton, for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church. Rev. Wm. Chamberlain presided. At that time there were sixteen per- sons of this faith in the village, viz. : Nathan Johnson, L. B. Stratton, Wm. Reed, J. W. Gilson, John J. Green, Henry Boulter, Thomas A. Brown, M. D, and their wives and Mrs. Mary Cunningham and Mrs. Barbara David. Nathan Johnson, J. J. Green and Henry Boulter were chosen elders, and L. P. Stratton clerk. The first four couples above named were then members of the church at Monticello Seminary, and five of the num- ber were providentially hindered at the time of the organization, but joined three months later. Rev. George Spaulding soon became minister, and was installed pastor of the two churches-Brighton and Woodburn. He moved to Bunker Hill in 1849, and in April, 1851, Rev. H. D. Platt took charge and remained with the congregation until 1858. During 1858 and '59 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Samuel K. Sneed, Rev. Joseph S. Edwards and Rev. T. B. Hurlburt.

Early in 1860, Rev. David Dimond was engaged as pastor, and continued

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

till October, 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. George E. Tucker, who re- signed in April, 1867. Soon after, Wm. R. Adams received the charge, and continued for three years. In October, 1870, Rev. David Dimond, D. D., was invited to the pastoral charge and installed May 25th, 1871. The whole number of members received has been about 200. The largest number at any one time, about eighty. Dr. T. A. Brown, J. W. Gilson, L. P. Stratton and Edwin Amos have served as elders. The choice of a church clerk above noted was a departure from the regular Presbyterian order. Henry Boul- ter was installed elder April 18th, 1867, and Hezekiah C. Clark and Wm. Boulter were installed in 1872, and are the present elders.

In April, 1867, a large number of members separated from this church for the purpose of forming a Congregational church, which is now prosper- ous and useful by their side.

Early in the history of the church, steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship, and a small brick edifice costing about $800 was built and dedicated in 1851. The Rev. Thomas Lippincott performed the ceremony. Rev. Lippincott supplied the church during the first years of its existence, both before and after the pastorate of Rev. Spaulding.

In 1868 measures were taken to erect the new edifice, which was dedica- ted, in Aug., 1869, by Rev. Bailey, D. D., of Carlinville. The house is 36x56 feet, with projections in front and rear. The tower rises to the height of ninety feet. The church cost $6,400, and is the most beautiful structure in the village.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

" Not faith alone, but works as well, Must test the soul, pealed forth a bell, No fetters here to clog the soul ; No arbitrary creeds control The free heart and progressive mind, That leave the dusty past behind."

The Christian church of Palmyra * was organized in the fall of the year 1858. The first members were Samuel Lair and wife, Isaac Strait, James Lair and wife, John Richardson and wife, W. L. Patterson and wife.

At the time of organization, Samuel Lair, John Richardson, and Isaac Strait were elected elders, and W. L. Patterson, deacon. The first regular pastor was Samuel Strait. He was succeeded by Elder G. M. Goode. The present pastor is Elder W. H. McGinnis, who has entered upon the fourth year of his labors. Elders Sweeney, Patterson, Jarrot, Corwin, Goode, and others have held successful protracted meetings. This was also for many years the home church of Elder Robert Foster, widely known in this and other states for his brilliant and successful ministerial labors.

The church edifice was erected in 1868 at a cost of $1,800. Its present value is about twelve hundred dollars.

The Sabbath-school was organized in 1868. Dempsey N. Solomon has been its faithful and efficient superintendent from the beginning. The school is now in a flourishing condition. The present church officers are D. N. Solomon, J. W. McPherson, John Richardson, John Ridgeway, and J. W. Butcher. The church numbers at present about seventy-five members, who have a fervent desire for the spread of primitive Christianity. There is also a Christian church near Vancil's Point in North Palmyra.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT GIRARD.

The Christian church edifice was erected here about the year 1859 or '60, and Dr. Jesse H. Smith preached the first sermon. Prior to the building of the church, services had been held in Wolf's Hall, on the north-west corner of the public square ; afterwards services were held in the Universalist church, until the congregation built the church edifice as above stated. The last regular preacher was Elder S. M. Conner.

The other Christian churches are the ones in Dorchester and Nilwood townships ; the one at Sulphur Springs dating back as far as 1850.

SHAW'S POINT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Is located near the north-west corner of section 35, and was an outgrowth of the Sulphur Springs organization of Nilwood township. The church edifice was erected in 1866; and the first preacher in charge was Elder J. S. Sweeney. The following clergymen have had charge in the order men- tioned: A. P. Steward, R. Foster, J. B. Corwine, who remained until 1876,

since which time they have had no regular preacher. The number of mem- bers with their families approximate about one hundred and twenty, and the Sabbath-school numbers sixty scholars, and has an efficient corps of teachers.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

BY REV. THOMAS POTTER.

Bethesda ( now Palmyra ) congregation was organized by the Rev. Gilbert Dodds, on the 24th of March, 1832. In the organization the following names were enrolled, Thomas Hampton, Jacob Rohrer, Artemisia Rohrer, Mary Rohrer, John Crawford, Margaret Crawford, Elizabeth Ashlan, Rebecca Cherry, Cynthia Cox, Mary Chandler, James Shook, Nancy Shook, James Young, Hannah K. Young, Newton Berry, Polly Berry, Hugh Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Rachel Berry, Elizabeth Berry, Margaret Berry, John Hamilton, Mary P. Clevenger, John Berry, Jemima Robison, George G. Hamilton, and Eleanor Hamilton. The first church edifice was built of logs, in township 12 range 8, on section 34, in the year 1840. It is now used as a stable by Newton Berry. The "supplies" or pastors of this church are as follows, Gilbert Dodds, Thomas Campbell, J. G. White, A. H. Goodpasture, Adam Beard, G. W. Reynolds, A. W. Lausden, J. R. Lawrence, John Barclay, John M. Berry, W. C. Bell, J. W. Carter, F. Bridgman, Wiley Knowles, W. C. Roach, J. H. Viney, O. F. Bettis, Thomas Potter, and Rev. Thomas Potter is the present pastor.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 28

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

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