USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a record of its settlement, organization, and three-quarters of a century of progress > Part 54
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The temporal affairs of the church prospered and the pulpit was successively occupied by Rev. H. Messner (1869-70), E. C. Condo (1871-73), D. B. Byers (1873-76), C. Schmucker (1876-79), W. H. Bucks (1879-80), D. B. Byers (1880-82), W. H. Fouke (1882-84), S. A. Miller (1884), W. Caton (1885- 88), W. H. Fouke (1888-91), J. H. Keagle (1891-94). In 1893 came a break The Dubs faction withdrew from the Illinois conference, and with it went Salem congregation all except two members who. remained outside. These leaders together with some others became the founders of the present Trinity church. The old Salem church was left to the faithful two and the members of Trinity sought a new place. A house and lot were bought on the corner of Union and Pleasant streets, where the present building stands, and a frame edifice was erected, the house being made over into a parsonage.
Following J. H. Keagle, who will always be remembered by the congregation of Trinity for his untiring labor and enthusiasm, the pulpit was occupied by : S. P. Entorf, 1894-1898; B. R. Schultze, 1898-1900; John Divan, 1900-1903; F. W. Landwer, 1903-1906; L. C. Schmidt, 1906-1910.
The period of Rev. L. C. Schmidt's occupancy was a time of rapid growth and increase and at this time the present church building was built. The project was talked over in 1906, and the following year it was definitely decided to build a new church. The old parsonage and frame church were removed, and a large, handsome structure of colonial brick was erected on the old site. The new church which cost about $25,000 is a credit to the congregation whose labors helped to build it. It is surmounted by a tower, not crowned with a spire, but of unusual height, and is built throughout in the modern style of church architecture. The cornerstone was laid in 1907, Bishop Heil presiding, assisted the presiding elder C. G. Unangst, and the church was soon finished.
In April, 1910, a parsonage, at 40 Broadway was bought to take the place of the old one which was removed when the new church was built. The price of the new parsonage was $4,200, the building being an up to date one with all
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modern conveniences. The total valuation of the church property, including the parsonage, is about $25,000. Trinity church is in a prosperous condition at present under the leadership of Rev. J. G. Eller, who succeeded Rev. L. C. Schmidt in January, 1910. The congregation number three hundred and four, and the Sunday school two hundred and eighty-two.
FIRST GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.
The early history of the First German Reformed church has not been preserved with any great accuracy. It is only known that at some time during the year 1862 a little band of adherents began holding meetings in a hall over the drug store of F. Weise on the corner of Galena street and South Galena avenue (then Exchange street). The Rev. Mr. Seaman was the first pastor and the congregation embraced a small number of names, most of whom have been lost to us, among those ascertainable being Henry Schulte, Henry H. Frank, Conrad Rodeke, Peter Belger, H. Billiker, and Mr. Ode. Mr. Seaman stayed only a short time and during his residence the church did not thrive very greatly, owing to dissensions among the congregation. Rev. O. Accola who succeeded, was able to unite the warring factions and all joined in the common cause of of securing a church building, which was put up on a lot at the corner of Union and Williams streets. After a short time Rev. Accola resigned and for some time the church was without a pastor. During this time it became disorganized and scattered and it seemed at one time as if the members had completely dis- banded. Several years after in 1869 it was again united by the Rev. A. Schrader who came to take charge of the pastorate.
Rev. Schrader remained in Freeport five years and built up the cause in a inost gratifying manner, after which the Rev. John Wernly came to fill the pulpit. Rev. Wernly remained here for a long time and under his direction the present church edifice was built in 1879 on the site of the old one. It is a simple and unpretentious structure of brick, with a spire one hundred feet high and cost about $3,000. In 1873 a parsonage was built on the land ad- joining the church, at a cost of about $2,000.
Rev. John Wernly was followed by J. J. Jannett, E. Brunochler, and William Rech. Under Rev. Mr. Rech's occupancy the church was entirely remodeled and repaired throughout at a cost of a thousand dollars. Rev. Rech remained from 1898 until 1904, the parsonage being repaired in 1903. He was succeeded by Rev. Ernst Traeger, who still fills the charge. In 1909, the church building was also repaired and remodelled, also at a cost of $1,000. The structure was painted and otherwise improved and today presents a most satisfactory appear- ance. The German Reformed church is in a fairly flourishing condition, but has lost much of its membership through the establishment of the English Re- formed church which occurred recently. The membership embraces about one hundred and fifty voting members. The Sunday school has a roll of one hun- dred with an average attendance only a trifle smaller. The church property has risen in value since paving on both sides has been accomplished and with the parsonage is worth today about $10,000.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
GERMAN IMMANUEL.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel church was founded in 1877 by the Rev. T. J. Grosse of the Lutheran Seminary at Addison, Du Page . County, Illinois. For some time after the founding of the Freeport church, Rev. Grosse continued to be identified with the Addison Seminary, but on Feb- ruary 23, 1877, took charge as first pastor. During the first year of its existence the church increased in membership until it reached the mark of thirty-seven. In the same year, a lot was purchased on the corner of Union and Pleasant streets. On it a small church was erected, which still meets the needs of its congregation, which has more than trebled during the thirty-three years since 1877.
At the time of the founding of the church a parochial school was established in connection. This school embraced about fifty pupils under the instruction of Professor F. Gase. Instruction was given both in German and English in the elementary and advanced branches. The school is still maintained and has an attendance about as large as when it was organized.
Rev. T. J. Grosse, who founded the church, remained with it only a very . short time. In October, 1877, in the same year that he came, he departed after an occupancy of only eight months. The congregation immediately ex- tended a call to the Rev. F. Behrens who accepted and came to take the charge, which had increased in numbers to fifty-five. Since the time of Rev. Behrens there have been few changes in pastors, the Immanuel church being distinguished for this particular fact. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit since the foundation are Rev. T. J. Grosse, 1877; Rev. F. Behrens, 1877-1880; Rev. H. D. Schmidt, 1880-1899; Rev. A. C. Landeck, 1899 -.
Rev. A. C. Landeck still holds the pastorate with a congregation about one hundred and thirty. The Sunday school is also maintained with an average attendance of about one hundred.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
St. John's German Evangelical church is one of the oldest in the city. It was founded in 1847 by the following men and their families : H. Kochsmeier, P. Tewes, A. Mengedohd, A. Boedeker, B. Boedeker, B. Huenkemeier, F. Hanke, W. Mundhenke, C. Riesenberger, C. Lesemann, C. Beine, C. Altenberg, F. Bod- mann, H. Burkhard, and E. Bine, elder.
Meetings were held by the Rev. E. Beine in a schoolhouse in the western part of the city, then known as "Knowlton Town." These meetings were continued for several years and no church was formally organized until 1850. In that year the organization was duly effected in accordance with the laws of the Ger- man Evangelical Association of the West, and in 1850 a lot at the corner of Union street and South Galena avenue (then known as State street) was pur- chased and a church building 33 x 40 commenced.
In 1852 the old church was finished and dedicated, the records naming as trustees Adolph Boedeker, William Mundhenke, Henry Burkhard, and August
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Mengedohd. A year later the Rev. J. Zimmerman was called as pastor, and in 1854 the congregation became a part of the German Synod of the West. In 1856 a parsonage and schoolhouse was erected on the church lot and a parochial school, afterward abandoned, was begun.
In 1855, Rev. Zimmerman was succeeded by the Rev. W. Kampmeier who remained for ten years. During the ministry the old church was abandoned . and a new stone edifice erected on the site. This edifice is standing today and has undergone a number of alterations except for which it presents practically the same appearance as when built in 1856. The building, which cost $5,000, most of which was immediately subscribed for by the congregation, was in size 44 x 75 and held an audience room capable of seating six hundred persons. The building, while substantial, was plain and unostentatious, being entirely without adornments save for a spire one hundred feet high.
In 1866 the Rev. P. H. Hoefer became pastor and remained in charge for four years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. D. M. Fotch. He has since been followed by the Rev. C. Hoffmeister, the Rev. Martin Otto, a pastor who will long be remembered for the loving and efficient service which he rendered the church, the Rev. N. Severing, who died May 20, 1896, and finally the Rev. F. Holke, the present incumbent. Rev. Holke has filled his post most ably and has proven one of the most popular and beloved pastors of St. John's church.
Various improvements have been made upon the church building which today presents a far different appearance from the original stone structure. In 1887 it was thoroughly repaired and remodelled and again ten years later in 1897. At the latter time extensive alterations were made in the structure and all the modern conveniences were added. The steeple was rebuilt, the height was in- creased and a new front entrance to the church was built. The size of the audi- torium has also been increased. But the most noteworthy improvement was the addition of a set of sweet toned chimes, the finest in the city. The interior was completely redecorated and changed, and the resulting edifice is practically a new church, having that appearance both inside and out.
The congregation is large and steadily increasing in numbers. A Sunday school is also maintained. The church property including a parsonage located back of the church on Union street is valued at about $25,000.
THIRD PRESBYTERIAN.
The Third Presbyterian church, while no longer in existence, is still of suf- ficient importance to claim a place in this history. It disbanded only a short time ago for various reasons, and the property on South Galena avenue for- merly occupied by the church is now for sale.
It was in 1867 that a little congregation of Germans who embraced the Presbyterian faith decided to unite and hold services in their native tongue. This little band, fifteen strong, under the Rev. John Vanderlass, met first in the old courthouse building, which had so often afforded a shelter for struggling little churches in their infancy. But the Third Presbyterian congregation did not occupy the old courthouse long. In the following year, they decided to erect a house of worship of their own. Their plans were carried into effect and
GERMAN M. E. CHURCH
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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the present church edifice on South Galena avenue near Dexter street (then Exchange and Prospect streets) was erected and dedicated. It is a small white frame building with a steeple, like so many of the early churches of the city and county. It occupies land 34 x 56, has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty, and cost, with the adjoining parsonage, $4,500.
After three years of effective labor, Mr. Vanderlass was succeeded by the Rev. E. A. Elfeld, who retired in September, 1879. For almost a year after that the church was without a pastor, but on the Ist of July, 1880, Rev. C. Buettle accepted the charge and remained for two years.
The remaining history of the Third Presbyterian church is one of succes- sive periods of quiescence and revival. For several periods the pulpit was un- occupied, and at several times a revival in interest took place. Among the pastors who followed were the Revs. F. W. Witte, William Diekhoff, etc. Fol- lowing a period of declining interest, the congregation decided to disband. It was, doubtless, a wise move, although one much regretted by the older members of the congregation. The reason is evident. There was no longer a need for a German Presbyterian church. The younger members of the Third church were all acquainted with English, most of them better than with German, and preferred to hear sermons in that tongue. As a result, the Third Presbyterian church has gone out of existence. There may be a resuscitation, but it is doubtful if the church will attempt another reorganization.
GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.
To the Rev. Mr. Vosholl must be assigned the credit for the establishment of the German Methodist Episcopal church. In the early days of the county's history there were a large number of Germans who adhered to the faith of John Wesley, and many of them could speak English only with very great difficulty. To overcome this inconvenience, Rev. Vosholl was appointed missionary to Freeport where he arrived October 3, 1854. Soon after reaching the field of his future labors, Rev. Vosholl collected a congregation and held services in the basement of the First Methodist church while raising funds and complet- ing arrangements for the erection of a permanent house of worship. In the year 1858 a church edifice was erected on the corner of Chicago and Spring streets, at a cost of $1,500 and occupied until 1872, when it was razed to give place to the present one. In 1887 the present house of worship was removed to the corner of South Galena avenue and Jackson street, where it still stands. In 1880 the congregation numbered about fifty members, but from that year owing to continual drafts made thereon by reason of removals, the number diminished until the membership numbered but twenty-two. Since that time the church has taken on new life and the membership has increased to the pres- ent number of seventy. A large and flourishing Sabbath school of fifty-five is also maintained.
About seventy of the younger people of the church have joined the Epworth League, and are actively promoting the interest of that body and of the church itself. Since the establishment of the church the following pastors have of- ficiated: Revs. H. Vosholl, H. Richter, F. Fiegenbaum, R. Tillman, C. Holl,
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Charles Schueler, George Haas, E. R. Irmsher, B. Becker, E. J. Funk, F. Schmidt, A. Brenner, G. E. Hiller, E. Uhl, H. Wellemeyer, W. V. Schlung, E. Christ, C. Hess, Stetter, and J. H. Klaus, who left in 1896.
In the same year he was succeeded by the Rev. J. F. Hartke, under whose occupancy the church and parsonage were remodelled. The rear portion of the church was removed and placed as an addition to the parsonage. It was then replaced by a larger and more commodious addition to the church itself. Rev. Hartke stayed until 1899 and was followed by Rev. A. F. Hilmer who stayed only one year. In 1900 the Rev. F. O. Barz came to Freeport and under his pastorate a new furnace was placed in the church and the roof raised and re- paired. Under Rev. W. C. Bergmann's occupancy, which followed the five years of Rev. F. O. Barz, a large expense was caused by the paving which was done on both South Galena avenue and Jackson street. This caused a debt of about $1,200.
The church is now in charge of the Rev. H. J. Loemker, who came here in 1909 from Garner, Ohio. The property, including church and parsonage is worth at least $6,000, of which the church is worth $3,500 and the parsonage $2,500.
SALEM CHURCH.
The early history of Salem Evangelical church is identical with that of Trin- ity church which is treated elsewhere. In April, 1867, the movement which re- sulted in the establishment of Salem Mission was started. Nothing was done, however, until two years later. On the twenty-seventh day of April, 1869, the organizing meeting was held, presided over by the Rev. D. B. Byers, presid- ing elder of the Freeport District. Rev. H. Messner, the pastor, was present, and P. W. Rockey officiated as secretary. Articles of incorporation were adopted, and a board of trustees, consisting of Rev. D. W. Grissinger, John Woodside, P. W. Rockey, John Barshinger, and Simon Anstine, was appointed. The charter members of the church included Mr. and Mrs. John Woodside, Mr. and Mrs. John Barshinger, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfinger, Mr. and Mrs. John Dickover, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Anstine, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Pease, Mr. and Mrs. T. Y. Fiss, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Bamberger, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Clark, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Spitler, Mr. and Mrs. J. Fox, Mr. and Mrs. John Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Hime, Rev. D. W. Grissinger and Mrs. Grissinger, Samuel Clair, Mr. and Mrs. J. Baymiller, Miss Susan Baymiller, Aaron H. Barshinger, Mrs. H. Dengler, Miss E. Dengler, Mr. and Mrs. John Fritz, Miss C. Fritz, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Koonz, Mrs. Carrie Klock, Mrs. Mary Kaufmann, Mrs. Sarah Kyle, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Penticoff, Mrs. E. Neuman, Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Rockey, Miss P. H. Reinhuber, Miss Re- becca Rohland, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Shaffer, Mrs. Anna Stibgen, Aaron H. and Thomas H. Woodside, Mrs. Sarah Woodside, Misses Mary and Lizzie Wood- side, the Revs. D. B. Byers and Henry Messner, Mesdames Byers and Messner, and Mr. and Mrs. Elias J. Duth.
For a short time services were held in "Commercial Hall" on Stephenson street, where a Sunday school was also organized and all the requisite machinery set in motion. Meanwhile a committee was appointed to procure a suitable
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site for a church building, and to secure funds for the erection of the same. A lot was soon purchased of David Sunderland, on Pleasant street for $2,500 and a Gothic frame building 40 x 60 feet and two stories in height was erected. The building was accomplished for the most part by the members of the congregation themselves with the pastor acting as foreman, and so effectu- ally was the work pushed that the lecture room was finished and occupied in November of the same year. In the following year the church was finished and dedicated.
The following pastors have officiated: H. Messner, 1869-1870; E. C. Condo, 1871-1873; D. B. Byers, 1873-1876; C. Schmucker, 1876-1879; W. H. Bucks, 1879-1880; D. B. Byers, 1880-1882; W. H. Fouke, 1882-1884 ; S. A. Miller, 1884; W. Caton, 1885-1888; W. H. Fouke, 1888-1891.
In 1890 a break came and the Dubs faction of the Illinois Conference with- drew, taking with it all the members of Salem congregation except two. This faction in Freeport remained in control of Salem church until April, 1893, when the supreme court of Illinois decided that all property belonged to the Evangelical Association, and must be turned over to it. The Dubs adherents of Freeport then withdrew and founded the present Trinity church. The faithful two to- gether with some others remained the congregation of Salem church.
Following the Rev. W. H. Fouke, the Rev. H. A. Kramer was sent by the Illinois Conference to rebuild the society. In 1894 he was succeeded by the Rev. W. B. Rilling, who put in four years of faithful labor, being followed by the Rev. H. A. Kramer again from 1898 to 1900. Rev. J. A. Giese came in 1900, going away in 1904, and then the Rev. F. C. Neitz, who stayed two years, leav- ing in 1906. The Rev. W. H. Heinmiller, who followed, stayed until the dis- banding of the congregation in 1908. The causes which led to the disorganiza- tion of Salem church were deep seated. In the first place, the members of Salem Mission had originally been members of the Emanuel Evangelical church, and the congregation was for the most part made up of people who had come over from that church because they were dissatified that the conference had not allowed English preaching in the church on alternate Sundays. This obstacle be- ing removed, and the conference permitting English preaching in the Emanuel church on Sunday evenings, there was no longer any reason for the separation of the two congregations. Futhermore, the two churches felt that in union was strength, and that the merging of Salem and Emanuel would be a wise move. It has so resulted, and although the Emanuel church lost nearly half of Salem congregation to other churches when the transfer was made, the church is pros- pering today and there is every indication that the decision was well timed.
EMANUEL EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The Emanuel Evangelical or Oak Street Evangelical church has always been described and one of Freeport's "most substantial" churches. It is also one of the oldest, having been founded as early as 1851. At that time the following membership made up the first congregation: John Krinbill, Fred Asche, Joseph Miess, John Marter, Jacob Heim, H. Thomas, G. Thomas, G. Mainzer, A. Brenner, L. Metzger, M. Metzger, John Mayer, Christian Mainzer, B. Mainzer,
1
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
Mr. Lemberger, Catherine Stoskopf, William Ellebrecht, J. Wolf, J. Frey, and H. Fahringer.
The original membership was very soon increased by the stirring revivals ' which took place and before long a church building was being discussed. Joseph Miess, a member of the congregation donated eighty acres of land, which was sold for $450, and the proceeds used, together with other contributions, for the erection of a small brick church on Oak street midway between South Galena avenue (then State street) and Empire street. In 1868 it became necessary to occupy a new church, and plans were formulated for building the present struc- ture. These were, however, not immediately carried into effect and it was 1874, six year later, before the building was finally finished and dedicated. The present church, which is located at 18 and 20 Oak street is of brick, painted white, with an ornate tower, and affords a seating capacity for three hundred and fifty persons. It was completed under the pastorate of Rev. A. Fuessle, F. Mayer, E. Viergge, F. Heim, and F. Asche constituting the building com- mittee.
A large number of pastors have served in the Emanuel church since its organization. Most of them have remained only for a year or two, but for the last twenty years the term of occupancy has been somewhat longer. The pastors who officiated have been the Revs. H. Rohland, C. Augenstein, J. G. Escher, L. H. Eiterman, J. Reigel, C. Kopp, E. Musselman, D. B. Byers, D. Kraemer, J. Schneider, H. Messner, A. Stahley, W. J. Walker, M. Stamm, A. Fuessle, Wil- liam Schrims, A. Huelster, E. R. Troyer, Theodore Alberding, Carl Hauser, N. Wunderlich, William F. Klingbeil, and J. C. Schaefer, the present minister.
In 1908 the congregation of Salem church united with the Emanuel church, since when preaching has been held in English at the evening service and in Ger- man in the morning. The congregation numbers about one hundred and ninety- two, with a Sunday school of one hundred and seventy-two. Most of the societies of the church, and particularly all the young people's societies conduct their meetings in English. Most of the Sunday school classes are in English, but a few are taught in German. The present pastor, Rev. J. C. Schaefer, has been in charge but a short time, having come here from Washington, Illinois. The financial affairs of Emanuel church are in good condition. The church itself is valued at $13,000 together with the lot upon which it stands, while the parsonage, which is next to the church at 14 Oak street, represents a valuation of $6,500 making a total of nearly $20,000. The value of the Oak street property has risen of late years owing to the improvements in the way of paving that have been made in the vicinity.
FIRST FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
The history of the First Free Methodist church of Freeport is one of alter- nating periods of activity and quiescence. There was an early church previous to 1865, but absolutely nothing can be learned of its origin or activity. From 1865 to 1877 there was no church at all, but in 1877 the church was re-organized and consisted of the following members: Ferry Crowden and wife, Jacob Mease and wife, and David Moon. The Rev. J. Buss was called to the charge, and
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aided by these faithful few, he succeeding in reviving the church. Services were held at first in covenient halls and elsewhere, until the latter part of 1877, when the churchi building now in use was completed. This stood at first on South Galena avenue but was later removed to a location on Broadway. The cost of the structure was estimated at $1,000.
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