USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 47
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Rev. Joseph Lemen, son of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. and Catherine Lemen, was born in Berkley county, Virginia, September 8, 1785. Came with his parents to Illinois, in 1786. United with the Bap- tist church and became a prominent minister of the gospel. He married Mary Kinney, settled in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, and reared a large family, who embraced the Baptist faith and united with that church ; five sons and one daughter are yet living. He was an active laborer in the cause of his Master, his field of la- bors extending from Iowa to Kentucky, and for a period of more than half a century called men to seek repentance and salvation. In the course of his labors, he assisted to organize many churches. He was a devoted student of the Bible, and was always happy to call men to follow it as their guide. For many years, and from its organization down to 1851, he, with his brother James, supplied
Bethel church with ministerial labor, (except for a period when Rev. Moses Lemen was pastor of the church) and his labors were blest, as the church increased greatly in strength through their la- bors. He died at his residence in Ridge Prairie, June 29, 1861, aged nearly 76 years. Mary K. Lemen, wife of Rev. Joseph Le- men, joined the Baptist church in early life. She was a devoted mother and earnest Christian. She died at Mount Vernon, while visiting a daughter there, June 1, 1863, aged 71 years. She was interred in the family cemetery, by the side of her husband, near the old homestead, in St. Clair county.
Rev. Benjamin Ogle was a native of Virginia. He came to the Illinois country in 1785, united with the Baptist church, and be- came a minister of the gospel, and accomplished much good in those early days by his gospel labors. He died at a ripe old age, es- teemed by all who knew him.
These were the men and women who founded Bethel church, and gave it their labors, and prayers, and tears. They have long since passed away ; but the church which they founded has gathered many a hundred to its fold, and has witnessed their grand declara- tion for the common brotherhood of humanity take its place in the grand edifice of our national constitution.
Rev. James Lemen, who assisted to constitute this church, and who, with his brother Joseph's assistance, for forty years furnished its pastoral supply, was a son of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. and Cath- erine Lemen, and was born in Monroe county, Illinois, October 8, 1787. In early life he united with the Baptist church and became a minister of the gospel. He assisted in the ordination of his father, Rev. James Lemen, Sr. He was a man of liberal reading, and he served for several terms, some sixteen years, in the house and sen- ate of the Illinois legislature, and was a member of the convention which made the first constitution of the state, under which it was admitted as a state into the union. He preached in Illinois, Mis- souri and Kentucky, and assisted to organize many churches, but his labors were largely given to the church of his youth, old Beth- el, which church he joined at the same session at which it was con- stituted. He married Mary Pulliam, December 8, 1813, located in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, and reared a large family, who all united with the Baptist church. Three sons and a daughter are yet living. He died at his residence in Ridge Prairie, February 8, 1870, aged 82 years. He was the second child born of American parents in Illinois, Enoch Moore being the first. Mary Lemen, wife of Rev. James Lemen, was an earnest Christian and a devoted wife and mother. She united with Bethel church after her marriage, and was an earnest supporter of the cause of religion. She died at her residence, February 23, 1876, aged 81 years.
In 1810, March 3, this church in session passed a rule to be called Canteen Creek church, and for some years after was known as "The Baptist Church of Christ, Friends to Humanity, at Canteen Creek " This style was generally used until July 2, 1825, when the mem- bers had completed a meeting-house, and at that time had met in the house in church session for the first time. The records of that meeting call this meeting-house " Bethel," and from that date they seemed to be gradually by public usage, assuming the name of Bethel church, or Bethel Baptist church.
Their meeting-house had a capacity of about 250, and was located a few rods south and a little east of the present church building.
From 1809 to 1825, the church sessions and worship were held here and there at the members' houses ; and it was no unusual affair for one of these old farmers to feed fifty horses and a hundred peo- ple on such occasions. Sometimes half a beef and other provisions in proportion would be consumed in one day. In looking over the venerable records of this church, it seems there was much progress
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in numbers and strength during this period. Here and there was an old camp follower, who worried the good people with his native and uncultured rhymes and dreadful music, tried the patience of the real preachers by following their sermons with wild, windy and unprofitable harangues, and consumed their chickens and beef with the avidity of a Roman emperor or a hyena, but these harmless old fellows were tolerated in Christian charity.
General progress continued to attend the church after they built their meeting-house in 1825; and preceding this, and some years later, a large number of earnest and active workers had united with the church, and a larger house had become a necessity,-and they proceeded to build their new house-the present church building in 1838 and '40-at a cost of $4,000. It is sixty by forty feet, and was built in accordance with the specifications of a commit- tee on plan for a house, appointed in church session April 7, 1838. The committee were : Joshua Begole, Merlin Jones and Samuel Seybold. Making their new house was to call forth the best energies of their members; but a noble hand of workers, consisting of Joshua Begole, Merlin Jones, Robert Lemen, John Cook, Rev. James Le- men, Samuel Beedle, Rev. Joseph Lemen, James H. Lemen, Samuel Simpson, William Hart, Peter Bowler, Warren Beedle, Samuel Baird, Isaac W. Lemen, David La rence, James Hogan, Sylvester Lemen, and others, carried the enterprise forward to success ; and the new house was dedicated the first Saturday in September, 1840, the Rev. John M. Peck preaching the dedicatory sermon. On this occasion a vast concourse of people attended, and a series of meet- ings continued for ten days, resulting in the conversion of fifty persons, many of whom united with Bethel Church.
In 1851, Feb. 1. Rev. John M. Peck was chosen Pastor of Bethel church. From its organization to this date, Revs. Joseph and James Lemen had furnished the pastoral services, except for a pe- riod in 1846 and 1847, when Rev. Moses Lemen, their brother, was pastor. During this period of about forty years, while the Lemen brothers, Joseph and James, labored in the church, other ministers from every section of the country often preached and la- bored at Bethel, in revival meetings and at other times, and ren- dered great aid and encouragement to the church ; but the labors of these two pioneer ministers were rewarded with a degree of suc- cess in advancing the interest and strength of the church, which brought with it a consciousness of duty well discharged.
Rev. Moses Lemen filled the pastorate of Bethel churchi for a period in 1846-7, to the satisfaction and progress of the congrega- tion. He was a well-read man, and possessed much power as a speaker. He was a devoted minister of the gospel, and gave his time largely to the Master's service. He died in Montgomery co, Illinois, March 5, 1859, aged 62 years.
John M. Peck, D. D., was Pastor of Bethel Church in 1851, and the church prospered under his care. Dr. Peck moved from the east and located at Rock Spring, St. Clair county, Illinois, at an early day. He was a man of universal reading, and as a minister of the gospel of the Baptist faith was devoted, and commanded a wide influence. He was the founder of Shurtleff College, which sprang from Rock Spring Seminary, Dr. Peck's school. He died at his home at Rock Spring in 1858, before he had attained a very great age. The scene at his death-bed was very impressive. Several of his ministerial and other associates had visited him, and but a short time before his death he reached his hand to Reverend James Lemen, and shaking his hand, ' earnestly exclaimed : " The Saviour reigns !" It was a beautiful and fit ending of a life, whose labors had left their mark upon the literature and piety of his age, and which had made the name of John M. Peck a house- hold word throughont the country. Rev. James Lemen preached
the funeral discourses commemorative of Dr. Peck's life and labors at Alton, Bethel, Belleville, and one or two other points.
Since Dr. Peck's pastorate, Rev. D. M. Howell, J. H. Heigh, E. J. Palmer, H. S. Deppe, J. M. Cochran, W. S. Post, L. C. Carr, W. Wright, and W. R. Andereck, who is pastor for half his time, have constituted the succession of pastors of Bethel Church ; and during that period the church, at times, enjoyed great seasons of revivals and large additions to its membership, and at other times expe- rienced depression and discouragement. At this time, under the pastoral care of Rev. W. R. Andereck, who with his family now resides in the parsonage, the condition of the church is satisfactory. Mr. Andereck possesses good natural powers as a speaker, and a liberal culture, and is much esteemed by his congregation and the community.
With perhaps one or two exceptions, those early members, who bore the heat and burden of the work in making Bethel what it once was and now is, to a certain extent, have passed away. They were noble men and women, whose memories it were well to embalm in gratitude. Among the last of these who died in Bethel community was Joshua Begole. He came to Illinois at an early day, and during a long life contributed largely of his time and means to build up Bethel church and the cause of religion generally in this section of Illinois. Joshua Begole was a man of liberal reading, and served the people in St. Clair county as justice of the peace for many years ; married Mary Terry, and settled in St. Clair county, where they accumu- lated a handsome competence-reared a large family of children, who were all believers, and seven of whom united with the Baptist Church, and are earnest and liberal supporters of the cause. He was a liberal, earnest Christian, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He united with Bethel Church Aug. 4, 1827, and for nearly half a century he stood by this old church with his means and his toils and his prayers. He died at his residence, a quarter of a mile west of Bethel, March 2, 1874, aged 82 years. His widow, Mrs. Mary Be- gole, who resides at the old homestead, near Bethel, united with Bethel Church Oct. 6, 1827. More than half a century separates her now from that day, but through these long years she has con- tributed with a liberal hand and sincere purpose to the interests of that church, while she has been a generous supporter of the cause of religion generally ; and none, more justly than she, is esteemed for their piety and benevolence.
Bethel Church has sent out many ministers of the gospel of the Baptist faith. Revs. Joseph Lemen, James Lemen, Sr , Benjamin Ogle, Joel Terry, and several other members of the gospel minis- try, have been ordained, and have gone out from this church to preach the Word of God. The deacons of the church since its or- ganization were, Stephen Terry, Gideon Scanland, Samuel Mc- Clain, John Hart, Elisha Freeman, William Hart, George C. Hart, Samuel Baird, Benjamin Scott, Warren Beedle, Jaines B. Lyons, Augustus Beedle, Samuel Simpson ; and the present deacons are, Levi Piggott and F. B. Lemen. The clerks were, Robert Le- men, Sidney Hart, assistant clerk at one time; James H. Lemen, G. W. Bowler, S. Whitlock ; and the present clerk, L. W. Beedle. The treasurers were John Cook, Joshua Begole, Warren Beedle, James H. Lemen, present treasurer ; and Gideon S. Lemen. From time to time, the church has renewed its board of trustees by elec- tion.
Bethel Church is, and always has been, missionary in spirit. It has given thousands since its organization for religious and eleemo- synary purposes ; and it has not been wanting in patriotism. By its record of July 3 1847, we find an act relieving its members who were in the Mexican war from church expenses for some time, and when some of its members and friends were in the late war, the
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church, or its members, held festivals for the purpose of sending extra comforts to their friends at the front ; and on one occasion, with Mr. William Begole as president of the evening, four hun- dred dollars were collected and donated for that purpose.
Ordinarily, without it is when the pastoral supply is partial, the church holds meetings every Sabbath. Their church meetings occur monthly, the first Saturday, and their communion seasons are observed quarterly.
Bethel Church is now the oldest Baptist Church iu Illinois. The church property consists of a church house, and a few acres of land, on which there are a comfortable house for the pastor and a cemetery. The property is worth $4,000. The church house is in good repair, and has a capacity for six hundred comfortable sittings. The church is well supported and cared for by the de- scendants of its early members, who reside in the vicinity of the church, and who generally belong to it, together with other per- sons who have settled in that locality and united with the church. The financial strength of the membership generally is considerable, and in addition to meeting the obligations of maintaining the church, they contribute of their means to a liberal extent in otber religious missions. The strength of the church at this time, Feb. 1881, consists of 109 members. Usually a Sunday-school is con- ducted at the church, at hours when worship is not in progress, and the interests of the children are thus looked after. At this time the Sunday-school is under the control of F. B. Lemen. In their music, congregational singing has always been the custom at Bethel Church, but for some time this has been reinforced by the organ.
We have given the scene where the early members of Bethel Church labored ; it is proper to name the spot where they rest. The church have a cemetery near the northern limits of their land, neatly enclosed and taken care of; many of the early laborers of the church are interred elsewhere, but a large number of them rest here; and if the Christian's hope be not a myth, and his Bible an idle legend-and they certainly are not-they have joined that throng whose faith made the toils of this life, with death and the grave, but steps in their progress to a happier sphere and blessed immortality. They have gone to that reward which God has promised the faithful.
OLD SILVER CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH.
The old Silver Creek Baptist Church, of Lower Silver Creek, (now extinct), was organized March 21, 1811. The constituent members were Abraham Teter, Mary Teter, Peter Mitchel, Hannah Mitchel, Rebecca Griffin, Mary Radcliff and Barbara Shook. Peter Mitchel was the first clerk. The ministers who served as pastors at different times were Revs. Mr. Ross, Gaskill, Joseph Lemen, James Lemen, Moses Lemen, Harris, Howell, Stilwell, Arnott, Keele, Brown and Huggins. This congregation built a house of worship in 1856, and at that time the membership was 159. By the last record in 1864, there were 62 members; some had united with the Baptist church at Freeburg, some went to Fayetteville, some to Mascoutah and elsewhere, and through those causes the or- ganization of the church became extinct. But its influence had ac- complislied much good ; and indirectly that influence yet lives and is exerted elsewhere through its old members or their descendants, who are members of the Baptist faith elsewhere.
THE FREEBURG BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. H. S. Deppe preached the first sermon in Freehurg, late in the year 1856. The 4th of January, 1857, he organized a church there, called the Freeburg Baptist Church. The constituent members were Solomon Teter, Jacob Wilderman, Joseph Hill, Elizabeth Hill,
Theresa Wilderman, Sarah Thrift, Polly Griffin, Patience Leinen and Elizabeth Hill. Rev. H. S. Deppe preached for the church for six years, Rev. John Peters for two years, when Rev. H. S. Deppe was chosen pastor again, and preached five years. Rev. John Peters followed for one year, when Rev. H. S. Deppe was again chosen pastor, and after six months resigned. Rev. Mr. Jackson preached for a short period in 1875 to this church. Rev. H. S. Deppe was again chosen as pastor, and served the church for two years. In 1879, Rev. Mr. Wright preached some eight months. In May, 1880, the church again elected Rev. H. S. Deppe pas- tor, since which time he has been preaching there. Solomon Teter has served the church as deacon ever since it was constituted. Joseph Hill, now deceased, was also deacon. After Mr. Hill died, Lewis Holcomb was chosen as deacon, and served until his death. John T. Lemen was church clerk from its organization until 1869, when G. C. Paterson was chosen, and served until 1871. Robert Lemen was clerk until 1873; F. Holcomb until 1874. A. Anthony was acting clerk a few months. Lewis Holcomb was then chosen, and served until his death in 1880, after which W. A. Wilderman was chosen clerk, and is now serving.
The meeting-house has a capacity of some 300 sittings. It is worth, with its two lots, $2,000. The church increased in numbers till 1869 when its membership was 160; but removals and death have reduced the number, while a few have been excluded. The present membership is 75. The county is peopled largely by Ger- man-Americans, who generally adhere to their own churches, which in some sections make it difficult for the English Baptist churches to increase in numbers. The church maintains a Sunday-school of 40 scholars.
Rev. H. S. Deppe, of Freeburg, who was the chief mover in call- ing this church into organization, has been one among the leading Baptist ministers of Southern Illinois for many years. He is of German nativity, and is a liberal German scholar, and a good English scholar, being a man of vast reading in everything pertain- ing to sacred literature. He is an eloquent and forcible speaker, a devoted minister of Christ and a successful evangelist. He has or- ganized many churches, and his preaching has added hundreds to the Baptist faith in Illinois.
This church contains a number of active, faithful workers in the Baptist cause. Prominent among them is Solomon Teter, a man eminent for his piety and devotion to religious interests, and con- manding the confidence and esteem of the churches and the com- munity throughout the county. On the list of its members who have passed away, are also the names of some who toiled for the church, and whose Christian lives exercised a wide influence with the people of the community. John T. Lemen, who for a long period was a member of this church, was a faithful Christian, whose large means and influence did much for the Baptist cause and for the general interests of religion and learning in St. Clair county. He was universally esteemed by all who knew him, and in his death the Baptist churches and the community throughout the county lost a strong man. Lewis Holcomb, clerk and deacon of this church at the time of his death, was another good and faithful worker in the interests of this church, and highly esteemed by his brethren and the community generally.
THE O'FALLON BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist Church at O'Fallon, was organized January 20, 1867, by Rev. H. S. Deppe, Rev. J. W. Swift and Rev. I. D. Roach ; messengers from the sister churches of Bethel, Belleville, Collinsville, Oak Hill and Lebanon attending. The constituent members were : Rev. D. D. Roach, A J. Roach, C. Roach, Geo. W.
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Darrow, Drusilla Darrow, L. Simmons, Jane Smiley, E. Enda, W. S. Scott, Mary E. Scott, Micah A. Scott, Mary Scott, John J. Scott, Sallie B. Scott and Edwin Swift.
At the first meeting after organization the following trustees were elected : Geo. W. Darrow, W. S. Scott, J. G. Scott, and at the same meeting the latter was chosen church clerk. The first deacons were J. W. Shook, W. S. Scott and J. G. Scott.
The church edifice cost $4,050.50, and the house was dedicated and the church recognized June 23, 1867. Dr. D. Read preached the dedicatory sermon ; and in the evening Rev. H. S. Deppe preached a sermon, after which the brethren constituting the O Fallon Bap- tist Church, were recognized as a Baptist Church of the regular faith and order. Rev. J. W. Swift was chosen as the first pastor, and served about two years. Rev. T. W. Green followed Rev. Swift as pastor for a few months, when he resigned and the church elected Rev. H. S. Deppe, who served half his time for a period. Rev. Mr. Cole followed as pastor, and succeeding bim Rev Mr. Evans served. Rev. Mr. Wright followed Mr. Evans, and Rev. W. R. Andereck of Bethel, followed Mr. Wright, and is now pastor for half time.
The clerks of the church were J. G. Scott, S. H. Wiggins, J. D. Hodge, S. B. Daniels, and Evan Davis, in the order mentioned. Geo. W. Darrow is deacon.
There is yet some $600 indebtedness on the church house. The house will seat 400 persons. The present membership is 25. The present condition of the church is that of peace and brotherly good feeling. Value of the church property about $3500.
The Marissa Baptist church, of Marissa, St. Clair county, was organized March 9, 1875, at the close of a protracted meeting held by Rev. J. C. Wilson. The constituent members of this church were, M. W. Borders, James W. Stewart, Mary Stewart, John W. Wells, J. S. Short, John W. Hesker, Louisa Hesker, H. J. Stein. heimer, Josephine R. Steinheimer, Robert C. Wyllie, James W. Green, Wm. Stewart, Geo. W. Rector, Chas. Gates, Samuel U. Morris, John Bredenhoeft, Jesse Campbell, Robt. J. Vaughn, E. Alice Coulter and Mattie E. Burns.
Arrangements were immediately made for building a house of worship, and John W. Hesker, James W. Green and John W. Wells were elected trustees. A church was built costing $3500, having a seating capacity of about 300.
The Deacons of the church, chosen soon after its organization, are James W. Stewart, J. S. Short, and John W. Wells. Rev. J. C. Wilson continued to serve as pastor of the church until the fall of 1875, and was succeeded in the spring of 1876, by Rev. J. M. Ben- nett, who was pastor until the fall of 1878. Mr. Bennett was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. A. Jarral, who supplied the church half his time, preaching also for the Baptist church at Pinckneyville. Mr. Jarral moved to Texas in the summer of 1880, having received a call from the Baptist church of Weatherford in that state. In Sept. 1880, Rev. Jacob Cole undertook the pastoral care of the church, dividing his time between this church and the Baptist church at Oak Hill, in this county.
At the organization of this church the Baptist strength here was reinforced by the addition of a large number of persons who had never before belonged to that faith. With the exception of James W. Stewart, J. S. Short, H. J. Steinheimer, Josephine Steinheimer and George Rector, the constituent members of the church consisted of such persons. During the few years in which the church has been in existence, nearly all the active members of the former Bap- tist church at New Athens, have been received on their statement of former membership. The entire membership of the church since its organization has been one hundred and twelve. The present
membership, Feb. 1, 1881, is seventy-two. The church is entirely out of debt, a greater part of the cost of the building having been donated by the members themselves.
The condition of the church is peaceful, and the promise for it to continue to grow in influence and strength is hopeful. After the organization of this church, a considerable number of Baptist people, who belonged to a church at New Athens, united with this congregation, and the organization at New Athens was dissolved.
The Baptist church of Oak Hill, located two and a half miles east of O Fallon in St. Clair county, in a beautiful and fertile farming district, was organized February 10, 1851, by elder R. Keele, aided by dea- cons Martin and Butler Badgely. The following are the names of the constituent members : Madison Ely, Rosella Ely, Wm. D. Ross, Emaline Ross, Sarah Ross, G. W. Darrow. The first officers, Rev. R. Keele, pastor, G. W. Darrow, clerk. The meetings of this body were held in the Oak Hill school-house until November 12, 1854, when the present church-house, costing $1260, was completed and formally opened for worship by the Rev. J. M. Peck assisted by elder Keele. The church increased in members until at the close of the year 1857, the number of members was sixty-nine, (69) and at that time great interest was manifested in the welfare of the good cause. The future seemed bright, the church was in perfect harmony and worked together in fellowship and love. Rev. Wm. Storrs was unanimously chosen pastor. Such a feeling dwelt in the hearts of the people that the Rev. J. M. Peck in his remarks during the exercise of inducting Rev. Storrs into the pastoral office; and in view of his declining years, adopted the language of Simeon, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation," and " a more interesting meeting was never held in this settlement," as affirmed by elder Peck. But this state of things was not destined to exist long. In the year 1858, from imaginary or real causes, or perhaps both, quite a number of members refused to fellowship, or recognize the authority of the church, and were necessarily excluded. This caused a great many unchristian words and acts, and from this time the progress of the church was slow until 1861, when D. Mason Howell was chosen pastor. He began his work under very inauspicious circumstances. But he was a man whose soul was filled with love to God and man ; a man whose unceasing prayers, and labor, and love God was pleased to bless by the restoration of those gone astray; and by the addition of fifty-eight, by experience and baptism. Perhaps no pastor ever commanded a more unanimous love and respect, than Rev. Howell did of the Oak Hill people. But in the midst of his successful work God saw fit in his wisdom to call him to his re- ward.
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