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 51
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The first year of Mr. Thompson's pastorate witnessed an ingath- ering of fifty-eight new members, forty-four of whom united on profession of faith. One hundred and twenty in all have been re- ceived in the six years.
In 1879-80 a parsonage was built at a cost of over $1700. The ruling elders have been :- W. E. Chittenden and T. H. Kimber, elected 1839 ; Henry Batz and David Swyer, 1843 ; W. H. Under- wood, 1848; Charles T. Elles and Russell Hinckley, 1850; E. W. West, 1876 ; Joseph Small and James McQuilkin, 1879.
The church has now about one hundred names on the roll of active membership. It has always had a flourishing Sabbath-school. The church has enrolled altogether about three hundred and sixty- five members. It has raised for all purposes, buildings, pastor's salary, benevolence, etc., about $70,000.
Third Organization .- The Presbyterian church of Belleville, of which mention has been made, was in connection with what was known as the New School body.
On April 15, 1843, Rev. James Stafford organized a church ef eighteen members, in connection with the Old School body. Ten of these eighteen members were from the already existing church. Thomas Osborn was one of the ruling elders. The church had occasional preaching, the Rev. Dr. Potts of the Second Church, St. Louis, being among the number of its supplies. But it was found that both churches were weakened by the division, and in time nearly all the members of the Old School church united with the one in connection with the New School body, and the church was disbanded.
LEBANON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The town of Lebanon, in the northern part of St. Clair county, has long been known as the seat of Mckendree College, one of the early educational institutions of the State of Illinois. The institu- tion is under the auspices of the Meth. Epis. Church. It has been not only a power for good in that denomination, but an impor- tant factor in advancing educational interests in Southern Illinois. It has likewise long made its presence felt in the town, where a large church of that denomination has existed for many years. But Presbyterianism is of comparatively recent growth in Lebanon. It was not until 1866, April 8th, that an organization was effected in that place. The church was organized by Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D., of Alton, the veteran Nestor of Presbyterianism in the State.
The church was originally composed of nine members, namely : Dr. F. W. Lytle, Miss F. M. Lytle, Miss Amanda M. Johnson, Mrs. Margaret H. Woodworth, Mrs. Sarah J. Seaman, Miss Ruth Danforth, Mrs. Helen M. Atwood, Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, Mrs. Helen M. Horner. It has had as ministers, James Brownlee, William P. Teitsworth, and Lyman Marshall, the latter continuing pastor of the church for about nine years. Its ruling elders have been: Dr. F. W. Lytle, Charles Sayer, James H. Patterson, Robert Mills, Elmore W. Elethorpe, and Dr. C. A. Andrews Its house of worship was dedicated Nov. 10, 1867, and cost $4500.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EAST ST. LOUIS
Was organized by Dr. A. T. Norton and M. B. Gregg, July 14th, 1867, in the school-house on the island. The original members were :- Edwin E. Bassett, Miss Mercy B. Gregg, Mrs. Ellen V. Barrowman, Mrs. Ellen M. Hill, Mrs. Martha Ann Lowry, Mrs. Ann Brewer, Mrs. Lydia Chamberlain, Miss Emma Mockber, Mrs. Frances Todebush, Mrs. Mary Ellen Mahang, James H. Brooks, David Shield, Mrs. Euphemia Shield, Samuel Mccullough, Mrs. Sophia Mccullough, William Morrison, Mrs. Sophia Morrison, and Mrs. Virginia Raithel.
The services were first held in the upper room of a two story school-house on the island, since burned. A frame church edifice, with basement, was built the following year, 1868, at a cost of $6700. It was soon found that the population was moving away from the vicinity of the church, and that a removal of the church was necessary. A lot was accordingly bought on Collinsville ave., where a new building was erected, the material in the old church being used in part, at a cost of about $5000. The building was dedicated September 8th, 1878.
Its first minister was Rev. Martin B. Gregg, 1867, after the church was organized. He was succeeded by Rev. John D. Janes, who preached to the church in 1869-71; Samuel Sawyer, 1872-73. William L. Johnston began his ministry with the church, as licen- tiate, April, 1873, and continued for six years, until May 3d, 1879. Mr. Johnston left the field to accept an appointment as foreign mis- sionary at Sidon, Syria. His pastorate was a very efficient one. It was largely due to his unwearied efforts that the second church was built.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Rev. S. H. Hyde, the present pastor, took charge of the church Feb. 15th, 1880. It now has sixty members, with prospects of an increased membership amd usefulness.
LEBANON GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Was organized Feb. 16th, 1868, by Revs. James Brownlee and Charles W. Seaman. It had, at its organization, eighty members. It had church property, which was, however, involved and embar- rassed with debt. The church has not had a prosperous life. Only a very few now remain of the original number. They keep up a Sabbath-school, and have services on Sabbath afternoons, when an evangelical German minister, from Summerfield, preaches.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN.
BY REV. S. R. LYONS.
The United Presbyterian congregation of Marissa, St. Clair co., Illinois, is now in the eleventh year of its existence.
The congregation originated with thirty-two members from the Reformed Presbyterian (N. S.) congregation of Hill Prairie, St. Clair county. In order to fully understand the circumstances of its origin, we go back to a period shortly before its history opens. In 1869 the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church and the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church (N. S.), each ap- pointed delegates to confer and prepare a basis of union upon which the two churches might unite. A basis was agreed upon by these delegates, and in 1870 accepted by the United Presbyterian As- sembly. The Synod of the Reformel Presbyterian Church did not accept this basis of union. In Aug., 1870, the Western Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian church, at a called meeting in Coulters- ville, Illinois, agreed to enter the United Presbyterian Church. The ministers of said Presbytery at that time were Revs. Wylie, Hars- ha, McMaster, Bratton, and Martin. Rev. Wylie did not favor the movement. The Presbytery was received into the United Presby- terian Church at a meeting of the Synod of Illinois, at Paxton, in 1870. This movement caused a division of each congregation in this Presbytery, excepting that in Eden, Randolph county, Rev. Wylie, pastor, part only of each congregation entering with their pas- tor the United Presbyterian Church. The congregation of Hill Prairie was without a pastor at the time, but two members of ses- sion, Robert Wilson and Hugh Nairn, with thirty members of the congregation, entered the United Presbyterian Church as an organ- ized body, thus forming the present United Presbyterian congrega- tion of Marissa. In the summer of 1871 this congregation com- menced the erection of a house of worship in the new town of Marissa. The building was finished and ready for occupancy Jan. 1, 1872. The first pastor of the congregation, Rev. J. W. Glenn, began his pastoral labors Jan. 1, 1872, preaching about one-half time in Marissa ; but from Jan. 1, 1874, his full time was given to Marissa congregation until his death in June, 1879. The present pastor, Rev. S. R. Lyons, was installed Aug. 3, 1880. The congre- gation, beginning with thirty-two members, has received into its communion, in all, two hundred and six. Present membership (Jan., 1881), one hundred and twenty-three.
Early in the year 1872 a Sabbath-school was formed, which has since been steadily increasing in attendance, interest, and useful- ness, numbering at present in its average attendance nearly two hundred.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. J. B. CRAWFORD.
In the summer of 1842 the Reformed Presbyterian Church of St. Clair county, Illinois, had taken its rise. About twenty persons who had been instructed in and possessed a knowledge of the noble and precious principles of their Covenanting fathers, and of the holy religion, to which they were inseparably attached, entered into an organic capacity. This is the only congregation of Re- formed Presbyterians in St. Clair county, and is known by the name of the " Hill Prairie Church." In the fall of 1842 they suc- ceeded in calling, and had ordained and installed over them, the late Rev. Michael Harsha, who preached to them one-fourthi of his time. The country not being closely inhabited, their growth was by no means rapid. Yet they labored with the utmost patience and zeal, and with the brightest anticipations that success should some day crown their efforts. Their meagre supply of the stated ordinances by the Rev. Michael Harshaw continued only until August, 1846, when the union between pastor and people was dis- solved. From that time until 1857 a very small amount of supplies could be rendered them, and financially they were unable to obtain it. For about thirteen years they were without a house of worship. The private houses, however, were the sanctuaries of the Lord, where sociability and affection marked the character of every wor- shiper. Here the minister of Jesus Christ was most enthusiasti- cally received to unfold the word of truth and dispense the sacraments. Public worship was for the most part carried on in the houses of Mr. James Wilson, sen., and James Lyons, now deceased. Prosperity began to dawn upon them, and harmony and unanimity characterized the worshipers as men and women zealous of good works. In the spring of 1855 their ability and energy enabled them to erect for themselves a house of worship on Hill Prairie. It still stands for the worship of God, and is the joy of those who come hither to join in the sacred exercises. The town of Marissa is a quarter of a mile north of it.
In January, 1857, after having called Mr. N. K. Crow, he was ordained and installed over them as their pastor, who preached to them the one-half of his time, until March, 1864. Being largely endowed with a missionary spirit, and regarding it a greater neces- sity to carry the word of truth among the freedmen of the South, he was released of his charge in Hill Prairie. During his pastor- ate there was marked prosperity. His ministration was waited upon with eagerness.
Not long, however, were the congregation destitute of an under shepherd. The people who had been so faithful in maintaining the noble principles they professed, and who were so constant to the most grand of all the causes by which they were identified, had placed over them in July, 1864, the late Rev. John Nevin, who was unexcelled as a faithful pastor. During his pastorate in Hill Prairie he was eminently successful, and his labors were specially blessed. The membership of his congregation amounted to about one hundred and twenty. They possessed in a large degree the spirit of charity and liberality. They contributed largely to home and foreign missions, and other benevolent purposes. In August, 1866, death bereft them of their faithful and beloved pastor. This cast a cloud of sorrow over the whole community, and the bright anticipations of his beloved flock were blighted. For a lapse of about eleven years they were without the stated ministry. During this time some were anxious for a union between the Reformed and the United Presbyterian Churches, and in 1870 those who were favorable to this union withdrew from the Reformed Presby- terian Church and joined the United Presbyterians. Sixty-five
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
individuals, however, who still had respect to their principles, maintained their integrity and organization, and in 1877 J. B. Crawford having been called by them, was in May of that year or- dained and installed over them. Thus the congregation still exists.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
BY REV. C. KUEHN.
This church, at present, comprises various congregations in this county. All these congregations belong to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. A few remarks concerning this large and important church body are therefore justified, and will be of interest.
It was in the year 1839, the 19th of February, when the last division of a larger company of cmigrants, called the Saxon emi- grants, arrived at St. Louis, Mo. The sole cause of their leaving their native country was the decay and deplorable condition of the Lutheran Church in Germany, where from most pulpits the pure doctrine was no longer preached, but, instead of it, unbelief and skepticism. This sad state of affairs induced a great number of Lutheran Christians to come to America, hoping to be thus enabled better to provide for their own and their children's spiritual wel- fare. They, and amongst their number several ministers and candi- dates of theology, under the leadership of a certain pastor, chartered five ships to sail for their new home, four of which arrived safely at New Orleans ; the fifth was lost at sea, never to be heard of again. From New Orleans they proceeded by river to St. Louis A few of them remained there, starting a small congregation, while the rest selected a piece of land of 4440 acres in Perry county, Mo., where they finally settled. Meantime, their leader proving to be a hypocrite and an immoral man, they renounced him and cast him off. At last they divided themselves into four congregations, of which the several ministers mentioned above, to wit: E. G. W. Keyl, G. H. Loeber, M. Buerger, C. F. W. Walther, took charge. Rev. O. H. Walther was the pastor of the congregation at St. Louis. After his decease, in 1840, his younger brother, C. F. W. Walther, was called in his place by the congregation. He fills it to the present day, under the aid of four vicars. In 1844 he started a church paper, the Lutheraner, a well-known semi-monthly. After the endurance of many hardships, these congregations became thriving and flourishing.
During this time a number of Lutheran pastors had come to America to serve the church, of whom the most important were- F. W. Wyneken, August Craemer and Dr. Wm. Sihler. As mission- aries, they visited the States of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. The former at length became pastor of a congregation at Baltimore; the latter became the founder of one at Frankenlust, Mich .; while Dr. Sihler finally was called to Fort Wayne. These gentlemen were in communication with Rev. William Loehe, of New Dettelsau, Germany, who induced them to start a seminary at Fort Wayne, supporting them with money, and sending students and candidates of theology.
Chiefly by means of the Lutheraner, were they acquainted with their Saxon brethren at St. Louis and Perry county. Three of them journeyed to St. Louis in 1846, to become personally acquainted with them, and to speak about uniting in an ecclesiastical organiza- tion. This was carried out a year later at Chicago, then a city of about 20,000 inhabitants. From St. Louis had arrived the Revs. Walther, Fuerbringer and Loeber; from Fort Wayne, Dr. Sihler, Walter, Streckfuss, Ernst and Husmann, and some students. Be-
sides these, were present the ministers Fick, Poeschke, Buerger, Scholz, Trautmann, Richmann, Schuster and Craemer. After filing a constitution, sixteen ministers and twelve congregations united as the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. In the course of time, this Synod so increased in number that it was necessary to form several districts. At present there are seven of them, and, as is expected, two more will be added in a short time. The congregations of this Synod are located in nearly all the States of the Union, and their missionaries are at work in many Territories. About six hundred congregations and seven hundred or more ministers are members of this Synod; its president pro tem. is Rev. H. C. Schwan, of Cleveland, Ohio.
BRIEFS ABOUT THE CONGREGATION AT BELLEVILLE.
In the year 1861, several members of the United Evangelical congregation separated from it on account of disharmony, which arose during the building of a new church (on Jackson street). They separated with the intention of forming a new congregation, and the 17th of March they met for the first time, organizing them- selves under the name of German Evangelical Lutheran Zion's congregation. Of those first members are still living and having membership, Messrs. Hy. Rutter, Wm. Wehmeyer, F. Rutter, N. Schuessler, J. Schüssler, Casp. Nagel F. Nagel, Wm. Schlueter, C. H. Eggersmann, Wm. Winker, Ad. Loos, F. Endres, H. Stolte, Aug. Brandenburg and others.
In order to obtain a minister, they applied to the Synod of Mis- souri, Ohio and other States, respectively to Rev. Prof. C. F. W. Walther, at St. Louis, who proposed to them two candidates from the Theological Seminary of that city. Of these two candidates they elected Mr. E. Mangelsdorf, and called him as their pastor to Belleville, who took charge of the congregation in April or May. Under his labors and control the congregation increased and de- veloped. Their services were held in a small chapel of the Episco- palians, on Jackson street. A good constitution was adopted and subscribed to by all members.
In the next year, the congregation, encouraged by increase, and compelled by various circumstances, resolved to put up a building, in which its services could be held. They purchased a corner lot on Church and First North streets, for the sum of $500, and soon after commenced the building on Church street (30x40), with the under- standing that it should be the school-house of the congregation, which should be followed by a church building as soon as conve- nient. So this little building has been used both for school and church until lately.
Rev. Mangelsdorf commenced to teach school, and as soon as it was established several teachers in succession were called to take charge of it. The name of the present teacher is Wm. Fedder. In April, 1865, the congregation joined the Synod from which it had received its pastor and teacher, namely, the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States; and two years later they increased their property by building a parsonage beside the school. Shortly after, their minister was called as pastor to a Lutheran congregation at Bloomington, Ill., which call he followed, the vacancy at Belleville being filled in the person of Rev. Ad. Bilwend, a graduate of the St. Louis Theological College. He also remained but a short time, following a call to E. Boston in 1871.
Rev. C. S. Kleppisch, from Waterloo, Ill., took charge of the con- gregation, and remained for six years, till April, 1877.
Chr. Kuehn, a graduate of the St. Louis Theological Seminary, of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, was appointed his successor, and is the present pastor.
In the fall of 1879, it was resolved to build a new church. A few
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
months after, a subscription list was put up, and with the arrival of seasonable weather the digging for the foundation commenced. The second day of Pentecost (17th of May) the corner-stone was laid, and about a year later (the 27th of March), the dedicatory ceremo- nials, conducted by Prof. Schaller, Rev. Link, of St. Louis, and Rev. Gotringer, of Mascoutah, took place. The length of the church is 60 feet, with an addition of a 12-feet niche, and a projection 5 feet by the tower, making an entire length of 77 feet. The width is about 40; height of steeple, 128 feet. The building is carried out in Gothic style, and is pronounced by the papers an ornament for the city. This fine church building, including a beautiful 12-stop pipe organ (costing about $900), and two bells of 400 and 750 pounds, costs about $10,000. Mr. Wm. Wehmeyer is the one to whom the congregation is mostly indebted for attaining the desired end.
It may be of interest to learn that since the organization of the congregation, 1142 children have been baptized by its ministers ; 464 children have been confirmed ; 205 couple were united in mar- riage, and 303 persons have been buried.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION CHURCH OF MASCOUTAH, ILL.,
Was organized on the 8th of November, 1868, by Rev. Fred. Rudolf Herold, and is in connection with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. In 1869 the congrega- tion, then numbering about sixty members, erected a church edifice at the cost of about $6000.
No one can be or become a member, still less an officer, in this congregation, or participate in any of the rights of a member, ex- cept he who (a) is baptized; (b) acknowledges all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the only divine rule and standard of faith and life; (c) while he may perhaps be yet defi- cient in the knowledge of the collective symbolical books, at least knows and acknowledges the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Smaller Catechism ; (d) does not live in manifest works of the flesh (Gal. v. 19-21), but maintains a Christian deportment ; (e) does not belong to a secret society ; (f) frequently joins in the communion, when of adult age; (g) submits to the church regulations, which have been established by mutual consent, or which may yet be established, provided they are not contrary to the word of God, and . permits being corrected in brotherly love, when he has erred. The tests as to qualification for membership are the person's profession, when not contradicted by his conduct.
The present number of voting members (males over twenty-one years of age) is about 70. In all-men, women and children- about 425 persons belong to the congregation. After the death of Rev. F. R. Herold, which occurred on the 6th day of July, 1871, the present pastor, J. G. Goehringer, was called by the congrega- tion. He entered upon his new field of labor in July, 1872, and has been serving the congregation since that time. Besides the church building, the congregation has a parsonage and a school- . house of its own. The Sunday-school is attended by 150, the day- school by 60 scholars. The present teacher of the day-school, Mr. J. G. Wissbeck, was engaged by the congregation in September, 1880, and it is his duty to instruct the children attending the school in all the branches of science taught in the public schools, and in the faith and confession of the Lutheran Church ; so that they may not only become useful citizens, but, above all things, good, sound Christians. The present value of property owned by the congrega- tion (church, parsonage and school-house) is about $8000. The annual expenses, including the salaries of the pastor, the teacher and the sexton, insurance, repairs, etc., are about $1200, which are covered partly by subscriptions and partly by collections. Fairs,
suppers, lotteries and religious amusements for the benefit of the church, are not approved nor tolerated.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT DARMSTADT.
This congregation was organized in 1865, under guidance of Rev. J. P. Baumgart, of Venedy, Washington county, Ill., who officiated as minister of the new congregation until a pastor could be had. The congregation consisted at first of thirteen members only. The pastors having had charge of it are: Revs. M. Stuelpnagel, F. W. Pennekamp, H. Proehl, and H. W. Hoemann. The present pastor, Rev. J. P. Baumgart, organized the church as above stated. The church building was erected in 1866, at a cost of $2000.
At the present time, the congregation numbers seventeen families. There is a day-school connected with the church, under the manage- ment of Rev. Baumgart, the pastor.
The present trustees of the church are P. Hartenberger, G. P. Eckert and P. Schneider.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH AT MILLSTADT.
The first church building of this congregation was erected in the year 1849, when an organization was perfected. The membership was very limited, not more than ten, all told. Rev. Schieferdecker took charge of the small flock ; but the blessing of the Most High was with them. Their temple of worship was a small wooden edi- fice, erected at a cost of $800. The present worthy pastor, Rev. F. W. Holls, has been in charge of the congregation ever since 1851; he has seen it grow and prosper, numbering now about 400 souls. The wooden edifice of 1849 made room for a splendid church build- ing of brick, erected in 1871, at a cost of over $4000, including par- sonage and school-room. The church building proper will com- fortably seat 300 persons; has a bell-tower, and is provided with a fine organ. The parish-school, under the control of the pastor, is conducted at present by a competent teacher, G. Seboldt, and attended by about 45 pupils.
The congregation has another church building, in township 10, 1 north, erected in 1845, under management of the Rev. Schiefer- decker. It is now, and has been since 1851, under the charge of Rev. F. W. Holls.
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