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 49
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After the church organized, it elected its trustees, deacons, clerk and treasurer, and from time to time as occasion required or vacancies occurred, it filled those offices again. It has held Sabbath worship with the usual regularity of our other Baptist churches, which at times are without pastoral services, and its business sessions occur at stated intervals on Saturdays. The pre- sent numerical strength consists of fifty members. S. P. Badgley is its present clerk. Congregational singing is the prevailing mode in the music of the church. Death and removals, as in all the other churches, have at times reduced the membership in this church, but by other additions its strength is renewed and increased. This church has accomplished a mission of great good, and the pro-
mises are auspicious that it will yet do much more in the good Master's cause.
THE SOUTH DISTRICT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
The South District Baptist Association at this time comprises the Bethel, Belleville, O'Fallon, East, St. Louis, Oak Hill, Freeburg, Lebanon, Richland, Collinsville, Pleasant Ridge and Troy Baptist Churches. The latter three are in Madison County. The Asso- ciation was organized in 1820 and meets annually, on the Thurs- day before the first Sabbath in September, around from time to time at the different churches in the district ; and its meetings held continually until the following Sunday. It is composed of the ministers and pastors of the several churches in the district, to- gether with such members as the several churches may respectively appoint as delegates or messengers. The objects are the discus- sion of and associated efforts in the general interests of religion and educational missions.
Its sixtieth anniversary was held at Bethel Church last year- 1880, September 5, 6, 7, 8. The officers were Rev. John Powell, Belleville, Moderator ; Rev. W. R. Andereck, Collinsville, Clerk ; and Deacon Charles Gooding, Belleville, Treasurer. The officers are chosen annually. The next meeting of the Association will be held at Troy Baptist Church, on Thursday before the first Sabbath in September, 1881. The introductory sermon will be preached by Rev. J. Cole, of Champaign.
The Baptist churches in the Southern part of the county gene- rally belong to associations in connection with Baptist churches beyond the Southern limits of the county.
The following gentlemen-leading members of the Baptist faith -have rendered much assistance in collecting and preparing the data in the foregoing sketch of the Baptist churches in St. Clair County, and their intelligent services are thankfully acknowledged : Hon John Wells, Marissa ; Rev. H S. Deppe and Solomon Teter, Freeburg ; Oscar Lemen, Collinsville; H. E. Patterson, Lebanon ; N. S. Robertson, Smithton; G. W. Darrow and E. Davis, O'Fallon ; Rev. R. C. Keele, Salem; W. L. Beedle, Caseyville; Rev. John Powell, Charles Gooding, S. P. Badgley, and E. Alexander, Belleville.
It should be observed that the foregoing sketch of the Baptist churches of St. Clair County, brings their history down to a period in February and March, 1881 ; and founded as it is upon the data derived from their several records, it is hoped it may be found to be a faithful reflex of the origin, development and progress of the Baptist cause in this county. It covers a period of ninety-four years, including the first act of associated worship by Baptist campers in the groves of St. Clair County, down to the present time; and in brief outline indicates what the Baptist people here have done for their churches and faith.
As all organizations are but the combined effort of individuals ; and as the leaders among these always impress their characteristics upon the organization they direct, a few representative laborers in the Baptist cause from each church have been traced briefly in their personal attributes and qualifications with the view to illus- trate the characteristics of the men who have, so far as mere human agency may be concerned in the progress of the church, directed and advanced the Baptist cause here. There were and are hundreds of other noble leaders in the Baptist cause here, who with equal propriety might merit personal sketches, but it would have been incompatible with the necessary limits of this history : enough of these have been portrayed in their personal attributes to illus- trate the characteristics of the worthy people who have planted and upheld the Baptist cause in St. Clair County.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Though reversing the order of history, perhaps it would not be inappropriate to conclude this sketch by relating the incidents at- tending the first baptism by immersion in Illinois. In point of absolute time and fact, Rev. James Lemen, sen., was the first person so baptized in the State : though immediately following on the same occasion, at the same stream and by the same minister- Rev. Josiah Dodge-his wife, Catherine Lemen, with John Gibbons and Isaac Enochs were also baptized. Rev. Josiah Dodge was a resident of Nelson County, Kentucky, and was a Baptist minister of liberal learning and great powers as a speaker, who at that time, 1794, was preaching for a few weeks among the people at New Design, Monroe County. James Lemen, sen., had been a Baptist in principle for quite a number of years, and in 1787 had made a public profession of religion, but was not baptized until this occasion. In later years he became one of the founders of Bethel Church in this county, and he and his wife were two of the consti- tuent members in that church. The baptismal scene occurred at Fountain Creek, Monroe County, February, 1794. The neigh- bors, far and near, collected on this occasion. The ice had to be cut and removed. When this was done, Rev Mr. Dodge and James Lemen entered the water, and amid the profoundest feeling of the spectators, the minister, in the words of the beautiful sen- tence in the rite which invokes the Triune God as a witness, bap- tized by immersion, the first subject in Illinois.
THE AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
In proportion to the colored population in St. Clair County, the colored Baptists are strong. These people have churches at Brooklin, Belleville, East Carondelet, Lebanon, and Mount Zion (sometimes called Mount Olive); and at East St. Louis, and several other points they have Baptist congregations and casual meetings, which the colored Baptist ministers attend.
The Mount Zion (sometimes called Mount Olive) Colored Baptist Church is located three miles north of O'Fallon, and con- sists of some fifteen members. They own a small lot of land where the church house stands. The house will accommodate some seventy-five persons, and with the lot of land, is worth about $200. This church was organized some fifty years ago. The venerable John Livingston, a colored Baptist preacher, who died some years ago at the great age of over 100 years, gave much of his labor to this church in former years; and he, with Rev. Henry Smith, organized it. He also labored with much success at other points in the interests of the salvation of his race. Lately some of the white friends labored with that church in expounding the Gospel and in building up their Sunday-school. The Rev. Allison, a colored Baptist minister, and others have also labored at that church.
The Brooklin Colored Baptist Church, organized many years ago, now have there a house of worship ; their membership is strong and a large congregation attend their meetings. The Rev. Allison labored at that church for some time, and the Rev. Mr. Livingston labored there at an early day. The church is prosper- ing, and has accomplished much good. The Belleville Colored Baptist Church secured a church house some years ago, where they hold their meetings. The membership is not numerous, but the church is prospering and effecting much good under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Wellard.
The Lebanon Colored Baptist Church constituted some years ago, have built a church house which accommodates their congrega- tion. The church consists of some 75 members, and has done and is doing much good work among its people. Rev. Mr. Smith is
now pastor. The Colored Baptist Church at East Carondelet have built a house of worship. The membership is strong, and the church is advancing and achieving much good.
At all these churches the cause of Sabbath-schools is encouraged; and each church generally maintains its school. The colored Baptists of the county are taking much interest in the cause of their churches, and are laboring to improve their condition in all respects. They take an active, intelligent interest in educating their children, and a large measure of success attends their efforts.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. J. D. GILLHAM.
The history of the M. E. Church in this county dates back to about 1795. A class was organized near that time a short distance from what has been known for many years as Shiloh, and this be- came the Shiloh Church.
The records of the early history of the church in all parts of the county it seems have not been preserved, and hence it will be out of the question to give exact dates in most instances. I am indebted to Rev. E M. West of Edwardsville, Ill., Master Mitchell, of Belle- ville, and others for important data.
The probabilities are that this class that became the Shiloh Church was the first Methodist class organized in the State
And the old log church built there in 1806 has been thought by some to have been the first Methodist Church built in the State, though it is claimed by others that there was one built in 1805 in Madison County.
* I gather the following from an article published April 29, 1871, in the Christian Advocate, which contains a description of the old Shiloh Church. The correspondent writes as follows : " The Shiloh Church of to-day is the third one that has stood on the Shiloh camp- ground. The first was a log-house, and is said to have been the first Protestant church of the Illinois territory, and was probably built about 1810." (From the best information I can get I am inclined to think it was 1805.) "Among its first members were Revs. John and Robert Thomas, local preachers, and several Scott families, whose descendants still live close around the homes of their pioneer fathers.
The second church was of brick, and was built in the year 1819. Mr. John J. Thomas, a druggist of Belleville, Ill., is a son of James D. Thomas, and a grandson of Rev. John Thomas, who found the original subscription paper among his grandfather's papers, and presented it to the church on the night of our supper. The follow- ing is a true copy of it, and the sum that each one subscribed :
" Whereas, The public worship of Almighty God is essential to the happiness and tranquility of society, both civil and religious, as
* In the year 1805, there was a Methodist Church built in the Goshen set- tlement, Madison County, on Thomas Good's land, two-and-a-half miles south of Edwardsville called " Bethel," which was the first protestant church built in Illinois territory.
The second session of the Illinois Conference was held there in October, 1817. Bishop Roberts presided. .
There has been from the building of that church to the present time a Meth- odist society in that settlement, and a neat brick church now stands within one- and-a-half miles of the place where the old church stood, the name being changed to " Centre Grove."
It is, however, a matter of some dispute as to which was the first church edifice that was erected, at Shiloh, or at Gushen. Gov. Reynolds in his Pioneer Ilistory of Illinois, and Rev. Peter Cartwright in his book, snd also many of the old pioneers of St. Clair county claim that the church built at Shiloh was the first M. E. Church erected in Illinois. We append this note hoping it will be the the means of eliciting investigation, and establishing the fact as to which was the first church.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
well as individuals, and the best security for the organization of good government among mankind, And,
" Whereas, the building at Shiloh is insufficient for the purpose aforesaid, being only intended as temporary. In order, therefore, for the continuance of public worship at said place, and for the erection of a suitable building for that purpose, we, the undersigned, promise to pay to the trustees of said meeting-house, or to their successors, or to their orders, the several sums annexed to our re- spective names in the following manner, (that is to say) one-half of the amount on the first day of March next ensuing, and the re- mainder at or so soon as the building may be completed.
September 27, 1817.
SUBSCRIBER's NAMES :- Sam. Mitchell, $30; Risdon Moore $20; Benj. Watts, $20 ; Robert Thomas, $20; Joseph Scott, $20; Jacob Ogle, $15; William Scott, Sr., $30; Paul Kingston, $20; Peter Wright, $10; Daniel Wise, $10; Joseph Ogle, $20; James Wrath, $10; James McCan, $10; Peter Drew, $12; David Everett, $20; William Biggs, $10; Albert Hewitt, $4; Thomas Piper, $2; A. Bankson, $10; C. R. Matheny, (the father of the extensive Matheny family of Sangamon county) $10; John Thomas, $20; James D. Thomas, $10; John Simmons, $5; Solomon Teter, $5; Samuel Scott, $24; William Moon, $5 ; Daniel Bayley, $5; Abel Fike, $5; John Jarvis, $10; George Davidson, $1; William Owens, $5; Josias Wright, $5; Jesse Bell, $3 ; Josias Randle, $10; William Meons, $20 ; R. R. Mclaughlin $5 ; E. R. Kane, $2; J. W. Whit- ney, $2; John Reynolds, $5 ; A. C. Stewart, $2 ; William A. Beares, $5; Joshua Barnes, $8; Joseph Dicks, $10; James Walker, $5; Henry Allen, $10; John O. Prentice, $3 ; Hugh Alexander, $10; John Craim, $3; Meredith Cooper, $3; Anthony Thomas, $5; William A. Calbroath, $10; David Alexander, $5 ; William Alex- ander, $5; Nathan Winters, $10.
All of these old pioneer fathers have passed away. The mortal remains of many of them rest in Shiloh Cemetery. The house they built has long since passed away, and another one has been built in its place years ago, and it is now considered an old house nearly ready to be laid aside for a new one to take its place.
Shiloh is a sacred place to thousands of souls. Many who are in heaven doubtless look back with joy to old Shiloh, where they were born the second time. And many who are now living, and are scattered throughout the great West, many of whom have grown old and gray in the service of the Lord, can look back to old Shiloh where they were first forgiven. And throughout the West is frequently heard, in love-feasts and class-meetings, "I was con- verted in such a year, and month, and on such a day, at old Shiloh camp-ground."
Since the above was written another handsome building of brick has been built 35x57 feet, with basement story, at a cost of $6700, and was dedicated November 28, 1875, by Bishop Thomas Bowman.
Peter Cartwright says in his autobiography : "The real pioneer and leader of Episcopal Methodism in the state of Illinois, was Captain Joseph Ogle, who came to Ill., in 1785, and was converted under the preaching of Joseph Smith, (Baptist) of Kentucky, who visited and preached in June, 1787."
The first Methodist preacher was Joseph Lilliard, who visited this state in 1763, and formed a class in St. Clair Co., and appointed Captain Ogle leader.
The next Methodist preacher was John Clarke, who was origi- nally a circuit rider in South Carolina, from 1791 to 1796, when he withdrew on account of slavery. He was the first man who preached the gospel west of the Mississippi, in 1798. The Rev. Hosea Riggs was the first Methodist preacher who settled in Ill.,
and he revived and reorganized the class at Captain Ogle's, formed by Lilliard, which had dropped its regular meetings. Hosea Riggs settled in Turkey Hill neighborhood in 1796. It was he who, in 1803, left his blind wife and went to Mount Gerizim, in Kentucky, when the North-west Conference was in session, and laid before that body the necessities of Illinois, and induced the Conference to ap- point Rev. Benjamin Young the first Protestant missionary to Illi- nois. He preached in what are now Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair and Madison Counties. It is thought by some that it was he who organized the Shiloh Society.
Hosea Riggs lived in this county many years, preaching and in every way he could, doing good.
He died at his residence two miles east of Belleville, Oct. 29, 1841, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
In 1804, Dr. Joseph Oglesby was appointed to the Illinois Cir- cuit, which included St. Clair County. He is said to have been a fine preacher, and to have done much good.
In 1805, Charles R. Matheny followed Dr. Oglesby on the Illi- nois Circuit. He married a Miss Ogle of St. Clair County. Was an efficient and influential Methodist preacher. He did not con- tinue a traveling preacher long, and subsequently removed to Sangamon County, where he filled several civil offices.
In 1807, Bishop William McKendree held a camp-meeting at Shiloh. It is said there were a great many conversions at this meeting and much excitement. Several persons had what was then called the Jerks. How much this singular, muscular movement was due to the influence of the Holy Spirit, I am not able to say. This year, Jesse Walker was on the Illinois Circuit. One party said to me that he had seen him take off his coat and preach until it seemed to him he could smell brimstone.
From Reynolds' history we quote the following :- " He was the undaunted, and a kind of Martin Luther patriarch of the church of the West, and bore triumphantly the standard of the cross throughout the wilderness country, as well to the red men as the white." He resided a number of years in the vicinity of Shiloh.
For want of both time and space we are compelled to pass over many names and incidents connected with the early history of the church in this county that would doubtless be of interest to many.
I believe the first session of the Illinois Conference was held at Shiloh, but of this I cannot speak with certainty.
But the fifth session of the Illinois Conference was held here Sept. 13, 1829, Bishop Roberts presiding. There was a camp-meet- ing held in connection with this conference. It is said there were a hundred camps and tents and about 180 conversions. It was a wonderful time.
Samuel H. Thompson was Field Marshal, and called it "a grand jubilee," " a pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the people." The father of Rev. E. M. West of Edwardsville, and Benjamin H. West of Belleville, had a tent, or rather a house on the ground, built of logs and partitioned into rooms. Day and night for over a week the meeting lasted. It is related that at the close of this meeting, the Bishop and preachers formed in linc and marched around the encampment, then coming to a halt, the people all formed in line, and marched by the Bishop and ministers, all shak- ing hands, and singing that grand old hymn,
" Hear the royal proclamation, The glad tidings of Salvation, Publishing to every creature, To the ruined sons of nature, Jesus reigns, etc., etc."
The effect upon all the people, it is said, was electrifying.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Two brothers, Edward and Samuel Mitchell, were marked men at this meeting. They had, with a large family connection, in- cluding the West family, emigrated from Virginia two years before, emancipated their slaves and preferred the hardships of a new frontier country to an easy life with slavery influences in the forma- tion of the character and education of their children. Three of the sons of Samuel became noted ministers, and several of the grandsons of Edward, amongst whom was Rev. William W. Mit- chell, for many years a much beloved and highly honored member of the Southern Illinois Conference. He was a brother of Mrs. B. J. West and Mrs. S. J. Krafft, of Belleville.
Other camp-meetings have been held, and many gracious seasons of revival have been enjoyed at old Shiloh since this early date that we have not space to mention. In 1853, a camp-meeting of great power was held under the pastoral charge of Rev. Charles M. Holliday, of precious memory, and who but recently passed to his reward. As a result of this meeting, one hundred and eight were added to the Shiloh Circuit, and many others were converted who went elsewhere. But by removal and death the Shiloh Church has been greatly reduced in numbers, and the membership at the present time is very weak. But may we not hope that the day may yet come when this time-honored place, the scene of so many signal victories for the Lord, this starting point of Methodism in this great State, shall be visited with the mighty power of God, and the shout of victory shall go up to heaven in the conversion of many souls ? Rev. P. C. Bascom is the present Pastor.
THE CHURCH AT O'FALLON
Is connected with the Shiloh Circuit, and was formed out of what was first called the Redmond class, from the man at whose house it was held. Afterward it was held at a Mr. Ogle's, then in the Vernon school-house, and called the Vernon class.
Henry Mace, Redmond's, Ogle's, Oglesby's and Teter's families made up the larger part of the class.
This was at an early date. When the town of O'Fallon was started, the class was moved to the school-house, and the name changed to the O'Fallon class. Their present neat church was built in 1864 at a cost of $7500. Their membership at present numbers about sixty.
M. E. CHURCH AT LEBANON.
The first society was organized probably about 1825. By whom, and with how many members, I am not able to say. Lebanon Cir- cuit is first mentioned in the General Minutes of 1829. Previous to that it seems to have been a part of what was known as the Kas- kaskia Circuit.
Their first place of meeting was an old log school-house that stood north of the public square, on the site of the present German M. E Church.
Next for some years, a frame school-house on north-west quarter of square. Then from 1828 or '29, the chapel of the Lebanon Seminary, and that of Mckendree College till 1852, when the first brick church was built on the site of the present Presbyterian church. It was 40 by 60, with basement fitted up for a Ladies' Seminary, at a cost of about $7500. This building was destroyed by fire in 1860, and was a total loss, as there was no insurance on it. The principal contributors to this building were, Benj. Hypes, Jos. Hypes, Dr. Riggin, N. Horner, Dr. Goheen, Dr. Chamberlin, and others.
The College chapel was used for several years as a place of wor- ship, after the above building was burned. In 1867 the present beautiful church edifice, 47 by 81, with basement, was erected.
This was completed and furnished in 1870, at a cost of $17,000. But a heavy debt of between three and four thousand dollars was incurred, which has been hanging over them for years, but under the efficient labors of their present Pastor, Rev. T. H. Herdman, the entire amount has been provided for, and nearly all of it actu- ally paid.
This church also has a fine large two-story brick parsonage, having ample grounds, built in 1873, at a cost of $3600. Their present membership is about two hundred. They have a prosperous Sunday-school, numbering about two hundred and fifty, superin- tended by J. M. Chamberlin.
In the years gone by, the church at Lebanon has enjoyed many gracious seasons of revival; the more notable of which were those under the labors of Revs. J. S. Barger and J. H. Benson, in 1838. In this meeting one hundred and six conversions are reported. There was also a very extensive work of grace in 1868, under the labors of Dr. and Mrs. Palmer. Also, under Dr. R. Allyn, in 1864 and 1865, there was a good revival. Also, during the pastorate of Rev. G. W. Hughey there were a good many conversions.
The following ministers have served the Church at Lebanon as Presiding Elders :
Peter Cartwright, Jno. S. Barger, Simon Peter, Charles Halliday, John Dew, G. W. Robbins, Jas. B. Corrington, John Van Cleve, Jos. Earp, T. A. Eaton, W. H. Corrington, Geo. W. Hughey, A. B. Morrison, J. W. Locke.
And the following have served the Church as Pastors:
John Dew, Asahel Phelps, S. M. Otwell, W. L. Deneen, W D. R. Trotter, Smith L Robinson, N. S. Bastian, Samuel H. Thomp- son, John Van Cleve, W. W. Mitchell, J. H. Benson, G. G. Worth- ington, Norman Allyn, W. C. Cummings, J. S. Barger, W. S. McMurray, L. D. Bragg, Jas. Edmonson, E. Gentry, Jas. Hadley, C. M. Holliday, N. E. Cobleigh, J. A. Scarritt, T. F. Houts, Jos. Earp, T. A. Eaton, Robt. Allyn, T. O. Spencer, J. A. Robinson, John Frazer, G. W. Hughey, J. M. Green, J. W. Phillips, T. H. Herdman.
BELLEVILLE M. E. CHURCH.
The first organization of the church in Belleville was probably about 1825 or '26. The first class was composed of the following members :- Richard Randle and wife, James and Annie Mitchell, James Harrison and wife, Susan Dennis, and Caroline E. Black- well, (now Mitchell). Richard Randle was the leader, and they met in what was called the Dennis school-house.
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