History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 81

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

SUMMARY.

Whole number received by baptism 3,083

" letter . 2,134

experience 263

restored. . 51

Whole number dismissed by letter 2,291

dropped 90

excluded 703

died . 532

Present number .

1,320

THIE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

COMPILED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE RT. REV. BISHOP P. J. BALTES.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Alton .- In the year 1840, we find some fourteen Catholic families in Alton, and its neighborhood. Amongst them were Andrew Clifford, Thomas Clifford, Sebastian Wise, Peter Wise, Christian Walter, Mr. Gutzweiler, Mr. Dooling, etc. At this date ser- vice was held in a small frame building in Upper Alton, owned by Mr. Clifford. Father George Hamilton, previ- ously residing at Springfield, Illinois, attended this mission. He resided here till the spring of 1841, and boarded with Mr. Clifford, of Upper Alton. In December 1841 Father Michael Carroll succeeded Father Hamilton, and resided here till 1857. In the spring of 1842, a lot was bought on Third street, on which site the Unitarian church now stands The erection of a stone church was commeneed during this year and finished in 1843. In 1853 this church was de- stroyed by fire. After this accident service was held in a hall on Third and State Streets, over Ilart's livery stable. Subsequently a lot was secured on State street, and a large stone church erected on it, which is now Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral. Service was first held in this new but yet unfin- ished church in 1856. The City of Alton was raised to the dignity of an Episcopal See by a Bull of Pope Pius IX., January 9th, 1857, and Rt. Rev. Henry Damian Juncker,

appointed its first bishop. He was consecrated by Arch- bishop Purcell, in the Cathedral at Cincinnati, April 26th, 1875, and arrived at Alton, the following month. Bishop Jimeker, was born at Fenestrange in the province of Lor- raine, France, August 22d, 1809, was ordained priest, March 16th, 1834, and died at Alton, October 2d, 1868. September 24th 1869, Rt. Rev. Peter Joseph Baltes was ap- pointed to succeed Bishop Juncker. He was consecrated in St. l'eter's church at Belleville, Illinois, January 23d, 1870, and came to Alton February 3d, following. Bishop Baltes is a native of the Rhenish province of Bavaria, Germany, born April 7th, 1827, and came to America, with his parents in the spring of 1833. He is the first Roman Catholic Bishop ever consecrated within the limits of the State of Illinois. When Bishop Juncker arrived at Alton there was not a Catholic church between Alton and Carlinville, nor between Alton and Jacksonville. Litchfield, East St. Louis, Grafton, and all surrounding places, for many miles which at that time had no churches, were attended from Alton.

1857

ST. MARY'S GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, ALTON.

The corner stone of this church was blessed in 1858. It was finished and service held in it in 1859. June 20, 1860, this church was blown down by a toruado. Rev. F. A. Os- trop, the first resident rector of the church who was-though not injured,-buried under its ruins, had it rebuilt soon after. To accomplish this, he took up collections even ont- side of the diocese, and delivered lectures for the same end.

Flourishing Catholie parochial schools have been in exist- ance from the time Bishop Juncker took posession of the see of Alton. For some years secular teachers had charge of these schools. In 1860, the Brothers of the Cross took charge of the parochial school connected with the Cathedral. The Sisters of Notre Dame have charge of St. Mary's paro- chial school since 1>75. Besides the above, the Ursuline Convent and Academy were founded in 1860. St. Joseph's Hospital in charge of the Sisters of Charity was opened 1865. The Bishop's fine palace was erected 1863. It was partly destroyed by fire May 25, 1877, but was immediately re-built. Alton has at present a Catholic population of not less than three thousand.

EDWARDSVILLE, ST. MARY'S CHURCHI.

In Edwardsville, service was first held between the years 1835 and 1840 in the dwelling-houses of Mrs. McCabe, Mrs. Bartlett and Mr. Michael Murray. The first two mentioned places were situated in that part of the city called " down towu," now the third ward ; the last mentioned place is situ- ated one mile east of the town, on the Hillsboro road. The first church was built in 1843 ; its title is " The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary." When service was first held the Catholic families numbered from seven to ten. After the separation of the Germans from it, it still has about seventy-five families. The congregation has had a resident rector since 1859, with an occasional interregnum. Rev. L. Hlinssen was the first resident rector,

320

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

EDWARDSVILLE, ST. BONIFACE'S CHURCHI.

About 1867 the Catholic Germans of Edwardsville came to the conclusion to creet a church for themselves. A place was bought, and brick yard erected. On the 2d of June, 1869, the corner-stone of St. Boniface's church was blessed by Very Rev. P. J. Baltes, of Belleville, Illinois. Rev. A. Rustige was its first resident rector. On the first Sunday of October of the same year service was held in the new church. There is a flourishing Catholic parochial school connected with this church. Of the two Catholic congregations of Edwardsville this is now the larger ; it numbers about one hundred and seveuty-five families.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, HIGHLAND.

The first Catholic Church of Highland was built and di- vine service held iu it in 1844. It was a frame structure, 40 x 25, which has been converted into a school-house for boys. There were about 25 families in ITighlaud at this time. Divine service was held in different houses as early as 1841. The new church, 110 x 45, was built under Rev. P. Lima- cher between 1854 and 1856. Its cost may be set down at $10,000; but to complete it took at least as much again. The first divine service was held in this church Easter Sunday, 1856. The Catholic school dates from 1851, taught at first by secular teachers. Under the Rectorship of . Rev. P. Peters, a convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame was erected at Highland in 1866 ; since that time the sisters of Notre Dame and a secular teacher have conducted this school. Iu 1878, under the Rectorship of Rev. Jos. Meckel the congregation erected a fine hospital of which the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have charge. The sick of all denominations are admitted to this institution. The congregation has had a resident priest since 1851. The number of practical families at present is about 250. The church of Highland is in a prosperous condition.

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH, AT COLLINSVILLE.

Catholic service was first held in this neighborhood by Father Carroll from Alton, in 1856, at the residence of Mr. Octavius Lumaghe's, east of Collinsville. It appears towards the close of the same year, Father Carroll, assisted by Fa- ther Cavanaugh, dedicated the first church, a brick build- ing, 25 x 50 feet, which still froms part of the present build- ing When the church was built, there were from 12 to 13 Catholic families here. It being a mining district, the popu- lation is fluctuating ; though there are over 200 families of Catholics, not more than 120 families can be counted practi- cal Catholics. The congregation has a good Catholic parochial school, taught by two lay teachers. 150 children are enrolled. Father Reiss appears as the first resident rec- tor. IIe resided here iu 1858. In 1850 the sanctuary and transept of a new Gothic church was erected, serviug at present as an addition to the old church. The new church will be completed within a few years, and then be numbered amongst the handsomest churches iu Madison county.

BLACK JACK.

St. John's Church, Black Jack, situated in Jarvis town-

ship. There was a frame church erected here in the country in 1856. This congregation never increased much, ou account of the large number of Catholic churches which sprung up in the neighboring towns, many of which were partially made up by families taken from it. The members of this church are generally well to do farmers, and have as a rule, kept up a Catholic school. They have a fine graveyard and other church property, but, the congregation being small, has never had a resident priest. It now num- bers about 25 families.

ST. ELIZABETH CHURCH, MARINE.

Marine formerly constituted a part of the congregation of Highland. The origin of this Catholic congregation may be dated back to the year 1856, when Jacob Brockhaus and Patrick Carroll, both old settlers in this section of the county, headed a subscription list for building a Catholic church by signing $300 each. The number of Catholic families here at that time being only about 15, others assisted their Catholic friends in raising the amount signed to $1500. The preseut brick building, (34 x 50 feet), was erected in 1857, on an elevated piece of ground (350 x 200 feet), partly donated by August Versen. Rev. Paul Limacher, rector of St Paul's church, Highland, of which congregation, as already stated, Marine had hitherto been a part, came to celebrate the first mass in this new building on Easter Mon- day, 1859. Rev. Peter Peters attended the congregation for nearly seven years, every third Sunday. The present par- sonage was erected in 1868, at a cost of about $3000. Rev. L. Hiussen was the first resident rector. The congregation has supported a parochial school since 1868, which s'nce 1877, was conducted in the new school building erected at a cost of $1,500. Last year a building fund was established for a new church, (38 x 75 feet), which will be erected next spring. The steeple will be over 100 feet high, and will contain a nice chime of bells, donated in 1879 by two ladies of the congregation. The number of families at present is about 100.

ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, BETHALTO.

Bethalto formerly constituted a part of the cathedral con- gregation of Alton. Catholic service was first held in 1858, in a little frame house belonging to the Madison Coal Compa- ny, two miles north of Bethalto. The church, a frame building, was put up in 1861 The Rt. Rev. Henry Damian Juncker, Bishop of Alton, blessed the corner-stone of this church in the month of May of that year. When service was first held there were about 27 Catholic families. The congregation has a good parsonage and a resident rector since 1879, but has not yet been able to keep up a Catholic parochial school. It has about 50 families.

ST. UBALDUS' CHURCHI, NEW DOUGLAS.

Servi. e was held here first about 1862, and from time to time up to 1871 in the following places or dwellings : First at Mr. Filley's, one mile west of town ; then at Mr. Andrew Newman's, half a mile south of town ; and lastly, at Mr. Louis King's and Mr. John Van Delft's, in town. The church was erected in 1871. The number of Catholic families in

321

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the New Douglas mission when service was first held there was seven. more or less. Now there are about 60. New Douglas has no resident rector ; it is attended from Edwards- ville two Sundays in the month.

ST. GERTRUDE'S CHURCH, SALINE.

The Catholics of this place formerly constituted a part of the congregations of Highland and Marine, from which they separated and built a church for their own use in 1872. To attain this end, a subseription of about three thousand dol- lars was made up by about thirty families. In 1877, a par- sonage was ereeted, and ever since that time, with some little interruption, they have had a resident priest. Under the direction of its first resident reetor, Rev. M. Weis, a school- house was erected, and the parochial Catholic school, which had hitherto been kept in the reetor's residence, was then removed to this new school-house. Under the same elergy- man's supervision, the church, which had never been plas- tered and had become too small to contain the congregation, was enlarged and finished and otherwise so improved as to make one of the finest churches of Madison county. The congregation now has a graveyard, and everything else re- quired to constitute it an independent Catholie community. The present rector of the Catholic church at this place is Rev. B. Hasse. The number of families belonging to this congregation is about 175.

ST. ELIZABETHI'S CHURCH, MITCHELL.

The building of this church was commenced September, 1871. The corner-stone was blessed October 1, 1871, by Rev. J. F. Mohr, assisted by Revs. F. A. Ostrop, F. H. Za- bel, D. D .. A. Rustige and C. Koenig. Service was held in the church soon after it was finished. Before that time, Rev. Zabel, then of East St. Louis, held service at Mitchell. In 1881, under the rectorship of Rev. P. Kaenders a fine par- sonage was ereeted, and since October 4th, of the same year, it has had a resident rector, Rev. P. Kaenders being the first in charge. The congregation has as yet no parochial sehool. It numbers about 40 families, mostly well to do farmers.

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, VENICE.

The first service of the Catholic church was held in Ven- iee, April 16, 1882, in the new church. Before this time, the Catholies here attended church in East St. Louis and St. Louis. After they had been ereeted into a separate eongre- gation by the Bishop of Alton, they at onee went earnestly about building a church for their own use. The corner- stone of this church was blessed October 25, 1881, by Rev. C. Koenig, assisted by Revs. P. Peters and P. Kaenders. There are about 32 Catholic families. Though there is no Catholic school yet, nor a resident priest, the prospects are fine, and the probabilities are that it will soon be a flourish- ing congregation, able to support its own priest and to keep up a Catholic parochial school. The mission is at present attended from Mitchell by Rev. P. Kaenders, under whose direction this church was put up.

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

BY A. M. POWELL, M. D.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States comprises sixty dioceses and missionary jurisdictions, (each presided over by a Bishop), with some three thousand and five hundred clergymen aud about three hundred and fifty thousand lay communicants. The Church possesses about twenty-five Universities, Colleges and Seminaries, and a large number of Societies, Hospitals, Orphans' Homes and other institutions devoted to the amelioration of the moral and physical condition of man ; while the contributions to its support aggregate from seven to ten millions of dollars annually. By far the greater proportion of its membership is to be found in the older States of the Union, as for ex- ample, in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The city of New York alone contains seventy-eight episcopal churches and nearly two hundred and fifty elergymen, with a corresponding proportion of lay membership.

Generally the Dioceses are eoextensive with the states in which they are situated, but in some large and populous States the territory has been divided into two or more Dio- eeses. In the year 1877, the Diocese of Hlinois, which comprised the entire State, was divided into three Dioceses, now ealled " Illinois, Quincy and Springfield ; " the bound- aries of the latter including all of the State lying south of the counties of Woodford, Livingston, Ford and Iroquois, and east of the Illinois river-in reality nearly one half of the State. As its name implies, Springfield is its See city, the residence of the Bishop, the chief pastor of the Diocese, and president of its Councils, which are held annually in that city, and are composed of all canonically resident elergy and one or more lay delegates from each parish or organized missiou.

At the first Convention of the Council, (or Synod, as the meetings of this body are now called,) held in December, 1877, the Rev. George Franklin Seymour, S. T. D., LL. D., Dean of the General Theological Seminary in New York, was unanimously elected the first Bishop of Springfield. Dr. Seymour declined the election, but upon the unanimous request of the Convention held in May, 1878, the Bishop eleet reconsidered his declination, and was consecrated in June following, and soon after entered upon his duties.

The first Bishop of Illinois, was Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, who was the Missionary Bishop of a vast territory compris. ing Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio ; and it was under his jurisdiction that the State of Illinois was ereeted into a Diocese at an early day in the State's history. So, also, was it under his jurisdiction that most of the parishes in Madison county were organized. The first of these was the

PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH, COLLINSVILLE,

which was organized by Bishop Chase iu the year 1835, and is the oldest parish organization in the Diocese of Spring-

322

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

field, (Trinity, Jacksonville, was organized the same year,) and is one of the oldest in the State of Illinois. About the year 1833, the Rev. Joseph L. Darrow, M. D., removed from New York to Collinsville, then a very small village, and entered upon the practice of Medicine, giving much of his time and energy, however, to Missionary work of the Epis- copal Church, of which he was an ordained minister. Soon after his arrival, Dr. Darrow determined to push the claims of his church in Madison county, and his pluck and energy were soon rewarded by seeing erected in the county three church edifices, which at that early day were considered commodious and creditable buildings, and erected almost solely by the Doctor's own personal means, added to contri- butions from his friends at the east. These buildings were put up in Edwardsville, Marine and Collinsville, and that in the latter' place still remains the house of worship of the parish, being in an excellent state of repair and a cosy, comfortable " home " for its occupants, though somewhat out of date as to style of architecture. It was consecrated by Bishop Chase, December 17, 1841. The Rev. Dr. Darrow remained the faithful rector of this parish until his death, which occurred on July 28, 1855, he falling a victim to Asiatic Cholera, a severe epidemic of which he had just practiced through, with characteristic energy administering uneeasingly to the wants of his patients, both as a physician and as a spiritual adviser.

After Dr. Darrow's death the parish remained vacant until 1860, when the Rev. A. P. Crouch took charge. He was followed in 1862 by the Rev. Robert Trewortha, and he again in 1865 by Rev. John Portniess, who served the par- ish nearly three years. Since that time the parish has been in temporary charge of several ministers, including the Rev. Dean Dresser of Carlinville. In September, 1881, the Rev. Gardiner C. Tucker, then of St. Louis, was called to the parish and is now its acceptable pastor.

Among the old and prominent citizens who assisted Dr. Darrow in his church work at an early day, were Daniel Ground, of Marine, John S. Clark and Hon.] George Churchill, the latter of whom was for many years Senior Warden of Christ Church, Collinsville. The present officers of that parish are: Dr. A. M. Powell, Senior Warden ; Thaddeus Kneedler, Junior Warden; S. Newson, Clerk, and W. H. Brown, Treasurer.

The Sunday School is in a flourishing condition, and the parish is making fair progress, and is entirely out of debt.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, EDWARDSVILLE.

"Trustees duly elected on Monday, April 26th, 1841, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, known as St. Andrew's Church of Edwardsville, in the County of Madison, State of Illinois, to hold the office until Easter Monday, 1842, and until others are elected, in conformity with the Act of General Assembly of the State of Illinois, entitled an Act concerning Religious Societies, approved February 6th, 1835. Given under our hands and scals this sixteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord 1841."

Comfort Roberts, A. J. Lusk, James L. Brackett, Wm.

T. Brown, Isaac Foster, Solon Stark, Horace Look, James H. Treadway. ORREN MEEKER.

" State of Illinois, Madison County, ss.

^ This twenty-sixth day of October. in the year of our Lord 1841, personally appeared before me, Erastus Whee- ler, an Acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, Solon Stark, who being duly sworn, deposes that the foregoing certificate is correct and true. Sworn and subscribed before me, Solon Stark."

ERASTUS WHEELER, J. P.

Orren Meeker, deeded to Trustees of St. Andrew's Church, Lot No. 125 in Edwardsville, Ill., for the sum of $1000-November 7th, 1841. Recorded, Dec. 15th, 1841.

The organization erected a commodious frame building, in which services were held for a number of years, under Dr. Joseph L. Darrow, the first pastor. He was followed by Dr. S. Y. McMasters, who was stationed at Alton, Ill. The Parish here being small, and a number of members moving away, the Church was rented to the Presbyterians, who held services in the same for several years. The Union Sabbath-school also met there.

At an election held at an annual meeting of the Parish of St. Andrew's Church in Edwardsville, Madison county, Illinois, on the 29th day of March, A. D., 1869, the fol- lowing named persons were duly elected Trustees of said Parish : S. E. McGregory, Richard B. Ground, Prince H. Jones, John A. Prickett, James R. Brown, Charles H. Spil- man, John Hobson. and Benj. D. Berry.

The above named Trustees deeded Lot No. 125, with all appurtenances to the trustees of the German M E. Church of Edwardsville, Illinois, on the 28th day of June, A. D., 1869, for the sum of $1500. The present edifice is a brick struc- ture, Gothic style, situated on the corner of Hillsboro and Buchanan streets, erected in 1870. Services were held in the same for a few years, when it closed for a time. Dr. John W. Burchmore, the present pastor, has held religious exercises for the last six months, including a flourishing Sunday school.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, ALTON.

The first services of the church in this county were said to have been held by the Rev. Amos Baldwin, who came to Alton and Edwardsville and preached in 1823.

The church in Alton received parochial organization in 1838, the Rev. Dr. S. Y. McMasters being the first Rector, who was succeeded in 1845 by the Rev. - Brittain. The Presbyterian house of worship at the corner of Third and Market streets, was bought at a cost of $2000. Subsequent- ly the Rev. MeMasters was recalled, during whose Rector- ship the present edifice was built on the site of the old one, and consecrated by Bp. Whitehouse, July 5th, 1857. The building of stone, 45×95, cost about $10,000 and seats com- fortably 300 people.

The church was unroofed, the tower demolished and bell- broken by the tornado, which visited Alton, June 2d, 1860, the last two of which have never been restored.

323

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The Rev. C. A. Bruce, the Rev John Foster, the Rev. Dr. McCullough, the Rev. C. S. Abbott and the Rev. Marsh Chase were successively Rectors, the latter succeeded in Dec. 1830, by the Rev. Thos. Haskins, the present incum- beut.

In 1870, Trinity Chapel was built in North Alton, (on ground given by Messrs. J. J. & W. H. Mitchell), at a cost of about $2,000, where services are regularly held, and which has a large and flourishing Sunday-school under the Superintendence of Mr. T. W. Radcliffe.

Among the wardens and vestrymen, now deccased. of St. Paul's Parish, were Judge Bailhache, Col. Long, Charles Trumbull, Utten Smith, S. R. Dolbee, M. M. Dutro, T. L. Waples, Harry Taylor, Charles Merriman. In 1881 the church building was extensively repaired at a cost of over $1200, two memorial windows added and the organ enlarged and repaired. A house and lot adjoining have also been purchased, upon which it is purposed to erect a Grammar School for the Christain education of the children of the parish. There are about eighty families couuected with the church.

The present lay officers, elected ou Easter Monday, 1882, are: William Huskinson, Joseph Gratian, Wardens. T. W. Radcliffe. F. H. Robe, Charles Brown, Thos. Cannell, Jacob Wead, Vestrymen.

THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST (CHRISTIAN).

BY REV. W. H. MCGINNIS. -

SILVER CREEK CHURCH.

This church was established July 4, 1830, being now almost fifty-two years old. The following persous were the original members: Solomon Taber, Elizabeth Taber, Johu Hoxey, Polly Hoxey, Abel Olive, Elizabeth Olive, Joel Ricks, Nellie Ricks, Sina Martin, John A. Wall, Temper- ance Wall. Elders Humphries, Austin Sims and Robert Foster were the early preachers, who laid broad and deep the foundation for the future prosperity of the church. Their names are held in grateful remembrance by all the older members. In later years, Elders Lucas, Birge, Philips, Kathcart and W. B. Foster have served as pastors and evangelists. More than three hundred persons have enjoyed the fellowship of this church. But many have gone to swell the ranks of the Lord in other states, and many others have entered their final rest. Many of the best citizens of the vicinity compose the membership at the present time. Though this church has passed through many vicissitudes, there has never been a time when the Gospel was not faith- fully preached, sinners warned. and the faith of the right- eous strengthened. The outlook of the future is hopeful. Thomas Vance labors in doctrine at present.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 81

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698