USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 12
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elected Rev. J. G. Stanger, and he came in January, 1869, and stayed till June, 1876. In the vacation Rev. L. v. Rague preached in the evenings for about three months. Rev. Father Koerving was here preaching as vicar. In December, 1876, Rev. H. Buchmueller followed the call of the congregation, and is working there since. The St. Paul's church has forty members. The church property without any debt.
4. The German Evangelical ST. LUCAS CHURCH was organized in the spring of 1861. In 1862, the congregation built a church five and one-half miles south-west of Nashville, on the Elkton road. Rev. P. Altmueller preached as an out-parish from Elkhorn prairie. In January, 1863, the church, a frame building, was dedicated, and on the same day the installation of Rev. H. Erni took place. After his departure, Rev. P. Stumpf was minister till the spring of 1868. Then came I. Kaminski till October 1, 1871. In January, 1872, Rev. J. Schlundt followed the call of the congregation, and is working there faith- fully and patiently. In 1877, the congregation enlarged the parsonage. The membership is twenty-two.
5. The German Evangelical ST. PETER'S CHURCH at Okawville, Washington County, Illinois, was organized by Rev. A. Mueller in 1863. The first mem- bers had been a part of the first Evangelical St. Paul's church at Okawville, or Grand prairie. The congregation built a brick church and brick parson- age. In 1869, Rev. A. Mueller received a call of a congregation at St. Louis, and left Okawville. His successor was Rev. G. Maul till 1872. In the fall of 1872, Rev. F. Schulz was elected, and is working there at present. The congregation numbers fifty-one members.
6. In 1863, a part of the St. Paul's church of Nashville, living in North prairie, constituted and organized a filial congregation. A church was built, and parsonage also, as property of the German Evangelical ZION CHURCH in North Prairie. The constitution was subscribed in 1865. At the same time the first minister of this church, Rev. Ph. Karbach came. The congregation grew in the following years and received many new members. As the most of the members lived around Hoyleton, it was concluded to re-organize the congregation and build a new church at Hoyleton. A brick building was erected, designed for a school-house, but to be used for church until a new church could be built. The parsonage was moved to Hoyleton. In Novem- ber, 1874, Rev. Ph. Karbach left the congregation, and in December, 1874, Rev. L. v. Rague followed the call and is working there at present. In January, 1879, the congregation determined to build a new church of brick, and the lumber of the first church at father Krughoff's to be used as much as possible. Subscriptions are being taken, and it is hoped that the church will be finished this year. This congregation is a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. The congregation numbers ninety families at and around Hoyleton.
The Zion's church is also co-manager of the Seminary at Hoyleton, and elects half the number of the trustees. In connection with the Zion's church is an institution of young ladies as a boarding-school conducted by Mrs. Grabau. This institution was erected in 1876, and is doing a good work.
7. The German Evangelical ZION's CHURCH at Addieville, Washington County, Illinois. This congregation was organized by the first minister, Rev. J. Haack, in the summer of 1871. A constitution was adopted and subscribed by thirty four members. It also was concluded that a frame church should be built 32x56 feet, with steeple, and a parsonage 16x24 feet. In July, 1872, the members concluded to build a frame school-house 22x34 feet, for a Ger- man school. At the close of the year 1874, the congregation had expended for these buildings $5,240. In 1875, a new school district was formed in connection with the German school, so that the children have weekly three days English, and two days German tuition. In 1876, an organ was bought for the church. Rev. J. Haack left the congregation in May, 1876. His suc- cessor was Rev. J. Lang, September, 1876. As the parsonage was very small the congregation enlarged the same in 1877, by building more rooms to it.
On June 30th, 1877, the lightning struck the steeple of the church, tore some of the boards off the steeple, sprang across the roof, tore several hun- dred shingles off, but without more damage. Rev. J. Lang is working here at present. The membership is fifty-four.
8. The German Evangelical ST. MARCUS' CHURCH at Du Bois, Washington County, Illinois. This congregation was organized in 1875, by Rev. J. Kramer. A constitution was adopted, and subscribed by eighteen members. This church is an out-parish of Du Quoin up to this time. In 1875-1876 a frame church was built at Du Bois, and in May, 1876, dedicated. The membership is now twenty-six. In December, 1878, Rev. J. Kramer followed the call of a congregation at New Orleans, La., and Rev. R. John, Jr., preaches
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the gospel there at present. In the summer of 1878, also Rev. G. Stanger preached at Du Bois for some months.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY REV W. H. CARNER.
In the history of the Baptist denomination in Illinois we find that the first Baptist Church, and it is said to have been the first Christian Church in Ilfi- nois, was organized at New Design, then in St. Clair county, February 28th, 1796. It was organized by Elder David Badgley, aided by Joseph Chance. It was composed of twenty-eight members, who were scattered through the American settlements for a considerable distance. Through the efforts of the ministers of this church Elders Badgely, Chance, James Lemon, Sen., and John Simpson, aided after 1818 by the faithful missionary Elder, J. M. Peck, many of the churches of Southern Illinois were gathered. The three most closely connected with Washington county were Joseph Chance, David Badgley, and J. M. Peck. Of the first we find this record : "Joseph Chance was a good man, loved religious meetings, was faithful to his appointments, and performed much itinerant service at his own expense." He was ordained in 1805, and while on a preaching tour through the country died in Washington County, Illinois, April 20th, 1840, aged seventy-five years. Elder Peck, in his many trips through the country, is remembered as having preached to the earlier churches. Of Elder Badgley we shall speak again.
The first Baptist Church in Washington county, Mr. Greenville Roun- tree informs us, was organized at the house of Benj. Chesney, in the west end of the county, by Elders Wm. Rountree and David Badgley, and others. As Elder Badgley died in St. Clair County December 16th, 1824, the church must have been organized prior to this date. It afterwards took the name of Grand Prairie Church. Having become extinct it was dropped from the minutes of the Nine Mile Association in the fall of 1868. The second church we find at Elkton. The records of the first organization are not now in the county, but a second church of the same name, " Baptist Church of Christ at Elkton," was organized July 3d, 1842, and the records of this church show that Elder Wm. Rountree, John S. Brown, and Nathan Arnett were received into the church by permission of the old Elkton Church. The ministers constituted the organizing council. There were thirty-one (31) constituent members
Elder Arnett was elected Pastor; Wm. J. Cunningham, Chief Clerk ; A. G. Jackson and Joseph Kinyon, Deacons. The last record of this church bears the date June 1st, 1867.
LIVELY GROVE.
In the fall of 1866 a church was organized at Lively Grove, of which the constituent members James R. Laney, A. J. Laney, W. R. Land, F. M. Land, Mary A. Laney, Margaret A. Laney, Nancy J. Laney, Sarah Land, and Susan Land had been members of the Elkton Church. The council organizing this church consisted of Elders John H. Spauldin, Joseph Gaskill, and W. H. Hutchings. They have had as Pastors : Elders A. J. Steven- son, David Huggins, W. S. Gee, and J. C. Wilson. They erected a church house in the fall of 1873. Present membership, 49.
CONCORD.
The Concord Church was organized December 5th, 1841, by the Rev. Peter Hagler, who, in a sketch of his life and ministry writes: "As the result of my out-station labors, there is Concord Church which was taken from Nine Mile," Perry County. It may seem a long distance from the parent church, but he tells us "the people would come five, ten, and fifteen miles to those humble meetings." The six constituent members: John R. Hutchings, Deliah Hutchings, Jordan Stilley, Mary Stilley, T. H. B. Jones, and Jerusha Jones, now numbered with the dead. There have been 405 additions to the membership, which now numbers 80. The Pastors have been: Elders Peter Hagler, J. R. Hutchings, J. S. Brown, J. B. Faulkner, P. W. Jones, D. Huggins, W. W. Hutchings, and Alex. Rice, present Pastor. W. W. Hutchings was ordained at the call of this church, September 22, 1861; was their Pastor about fourteen years. Their first church house was built in the spring of 1851, but was destroyed by fire February, 1870. A second house, 36x26, fourteen feet high, well furnished and neatly painted, was built. It was dedicated December 20, 1872.
DUBOIS.
The church at Dubois was constituted about twenty years ago, under the labors of Peter Hagler. In the Council were Elders Hagler, Wm. Thornton,
and perhaps others. Among their Pastors are Elders Rice, Tilley, Williams, and Adams. They have a good frame meeting-house. Present member- ship, 26.
MUD PRAIRIE.
From the church book of the Mud Prairie Church we have this record : "Saturday, January 8th, 1870, 11 o'clock, A. M. The congregation met at the school-house in section (36), township (3), S. R. (2), W. 3d P. M. R., Wash- ington County, Illinois, appointed Elder W. W. Hutchings, Moderator ; Elder A. Rice, Clerk of present meeting ; and organized with twenty mem- bers. Deacons W. H. McElhanan and T. J. Rice were present from other churches. Pastors: Elders A. Rice, W. W. Hutchings, and V. Senter. Present members, 88.
IRVINGTON.
The Baptist Church at Irvington was organized in the spring of 1866, with seven (7) members. Organizing Council: Elders I. S. Mahan and J. Peters. First Pastors: Elder I. S. Mahan, his successor and present incum- bent, Elder J. Peters. Present membership 40. House of worship, a neat frame. Dedicated July 20, 1867.
ASHLEY.
At Ashley a church was organized the second Sabbath in May, 1863, and was recognized June 28, 1863, by a council from Duquoin, Richview, Horse Prairie, and Mt. Pleasant Churches. Early in 1866 a house of wor- ship was erected and dedicated to the service of God, June 10th, 1866. Among their Pastors we find the names of David Huggins, J. W. Brooks, S. A. Martin, - Benney, J. Thompson, P. Hagler, J. M. Billingsley, and W. H. Carner, the present Pastor. Present members, 50.
NASHVILLE.
At a convention in the village of Nashville, Washington County, Illinois, on the seventeenth (17) day of May, 1855, a Baptist Church was organized by Elders D. Huggins and E. M. Brown. Sermon by Elder Huggins. Bible presented to the church by Elder Brown. The constituent members were Hardy M. McCoy, Sterling Brown, J. W. Farmer, Margaret A. Far- mer, Martha Brown, Mary J. Lamb, Betsey A. Martin, Anny Kimbro, E S. McCoy, and Rebecca Bryant. It was styled, "First Baptist Church of Christ in Nashville." Its Deacons were: J. W. Farmer, John Foster, S. Brown, and still later, Robert T. Coffey, now of Ashley. Elder D. Huggins served the Church as Pastor three years. " Elder E. Jayne, one year, in 1859. Elder T. A. Morton was elected Pastor, and continued to serve the church a part of the time up to his death, which occurred at his home near Carbondale about July 20th, 1867. Elder Morton was a native of Scotland, and moved to this country while in the prime of life. He was above the average preacher, was educated in Scotland for a lawyer, but preferring the ministry he gave himself wholly to the study of the Bible and the work of preaching. This organization became extinct in 1868 or '69. A second church was organized in 1870, which Elder D. C. Adams served as Pastor for a few months, and having no Pastor the organization again went down.
In 1873 the church was again organized through the efforts of Elder W. H. Carner, with the following membership: K. C. Mason, Ellen Mason, James Ervin, Lena Ervin, J. M. Mason, L. J. Mason, Nancy Wright, Lucy Walker, E. Gosney, and Jane B. Rountree. One hundred and ten (110) have been added to the membership. Present number, 74. Elder Carner became our Pastor November 3d, 1873, and is still with us, having labored faithfully for the good of the cause. By the aid of many kind friends through the country a house of worship was built during the year 1874, and dedicated November 1st, 1874, Rev. J. Bulkley preaching the dedicatory sermon. The house is of brick ; size, 32x50; height to ceiling, 16 feet. Cost about $3,000.
Of the remaining churches I have only the minutes of the Nine Mile Association as a guide to their history The Grant Point and Mt. Pleasant Churches are among the oldest churches in the county. The first is the church home of the Faulkners and the Jolliffs. Both churches shared largely in the labors of Elder Huggins, who came to Washington county in 1852, and remained here until his death April 23d, 1877. Both of these churches have houses of worship. Present number at Grand Point, 85; at Mt. Pleasant, 36; Oak Hill, 30; Pleasant Grove, 43; Richview, 53.
Present Pastor of Richview Church, Elder William Mitchell.
Number of Baptist Churches in Washington county, twelve (12).
Total membership in Washington county, six hundred and fourteen (614).
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
GERMAN METHODISM IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BY REV. WILLIAM KOENECKE.
The Germans have become a prominent element in the population of Washington county. The first marked movement of German emigrants to establish homes in this county was followed up by the German missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first missionary visiting this terri- tory came from the contiguous county of St. Clair. He established regular preaching places among the settlers in Grand Prairie, Little Prairie and Crooked Creek.
The accommodation in Grand Prairie not being sufficient to meet the wants of the community, the people who heard the missionary gladly united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and proceeded to erect the first Ger- man Methodist Church of Washington county. It was of course a small one, but still sufficient for their day.
In the fall of 1853 the several appointments in the county were united and organized according to the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church into a circuit, and a minister appointed to serve the same. Rev. Peter Hin- ners being the first preacher in charge and Rev. Henry Koeneke the supervising Presiding Elder.
At the first meeting for organization the membership numbered 22. These with a commendable zeal determined to plant themselves firmly by uniting to build a parsonage at the county seat, as centre for future work. Before the year closed the preacher had occupied the home of the circuit.
The first official board of stewards elected, consisted of John Huegely, Christian Brink, Wm. Grote, Ernst Hoffman, John Geisel.
In the following year (1854) a neat church was built near Crooked Creek, now known as the North Prairie Church, in Covington Precinct, the leading spirits of which were Christian Brink, Fred. Hake, Ernst Hake and Louis Huck.
Up to 1858 the German Methodists of Nashville had held their meetings in private houses or homes of the several members. Although having a home for their preacher they had no home for themselves as a Christian Church.
After bearing these inconveniences for a period of four years they resolved to have a church as a necessary adjunct to their development, and a frame structure was the result, amply accommodating membership and friends that wished to worship together. For eighteen years the society developed in this new home until finally their house became too small, and another ad- vance movement became an imperative necessity.
In the Centennial year the old structure was torn down, and on its site was reared the present handsome brick church. The whole membership with commendable liberality bore the necessary sacrifice, and on dedication day, which occurred December 11th, 1876, had the proud satisfaction of knowing that their house of worship was free of all encumbrance. The church with its surroundings speaks not only for the interest the society has for the up- building of the kingdom of Christ, but is also an ornament to the city in which it stands. In the same year the society at Hoyleton erected a house of worship.
The year following, the societies having strengthened, it was found advis- able to employ two preachers upon the work in the county. The Nashville Church therefore asked and obtained a stationed pastor. The rest of the church circuit was organized and became known as the North Prairie and Hoyleton Circuit.
Considering the changed state, the North Prairie Society proceeded to erect a neat parsonage contiguous to their church, and thereby made a new home and centre for future undertakings in the advancement of the interest of the church.
We now proceed to give a list of supervising Presiding Elders and pastors that have served the church in Washington county since its commencement in 1853 up to the present time.
PRESIDING ELDERS SUPERVISING.
Henry Koeneke .. .from 1854 to 1856
George Boeshenz
" 1856 to 1860
Wm. Schreck " 1860 to 1864
Gerhard Timken. " 1864 to 1868
Ph. Naumann .. 4 1868 to 1872
John Schlagenhauf. " 1872 to 1873
Wm. Koeneke
= 1873 to 1877
Charles Rodenberg.
" 1877 to -
MINISTERS SERVING DURING THE HISTORICAL PERIOD.
Peter Hinners. .from 1853 to 1854
Henry Schulze.
" 1854 to 1856
John Ritter. . 1856 to 1857
Paul Hetzel " 1857 to 1858
Henry Pfaff " 1858 to 1860
Justus Baab. " 1860 to 1862
Henry Schulze.
" 1862 to 1865
Wm. Kleinschmidt
4 1865 to 1867
George Buchner
" 1867 to 1870
L. Hannel .....
" 1870 to 1871
Gerhard Timken.
" 1871 to 1874
Charles Rodenberg " 1874 to 1877
Wm. Koeneke
" 1877 to -
J. M. Rinkel.
" 1877 to -
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. JOHN C. WAGAMAN.
The first organization was made October 23d, 1832, at Sawyer's Point, under the name of Elkhorn Presbyterian Church.
The committee appointed at a previous session of the Kaskaskia Presbytery to organize the church consisted of Rev. John Mathews and Rev. John Montgomery.
The parties desiring organization met with the committee at Sawyer's Point and signed the necessary covenants. Their names were, Cyrus Sawyer, James B. Sawyer, Stephen Balch, A. P. Balch, Rebecca Sawyer, Prudence Sawyer, Emeline Balch.
An election for ruling elders resulted in the choice of Cyrus Sawyer, J. B. Sawyer, and Stephen Balch. They were ordained on the 11th of November following by Rev. John Mathews, their first minister.
On the 21st June, 1834, the session received its first new members, Calvin and Jane Balch.
On the 3d of November, 1837, Rev. Cyrus Riggs succeeded Rev. Mathews as pastor of the church. The society continued to grow slowly but steadily. In August, 1846, Rev. William Gardiner succeeded Mr. Riggs, and sup- plied the church with preaching for one year. He was followed by Rev. John S. Howell, in July, '48, and served the church until April, 1850.
On the 12th April, 1849, members of the church met at the house of Hugh Adams, and James Wilson was chosen to the office of ruling elder, and ordained by Mr. Howell. As the church increased in membership and ma- terial wealth, it was deemed necessay to add more officers, and in April, 1850, Geo. S. Lyon was made an elder, and in the following year, '51, Hugh Adams was chosen an elder. The county seat having been located at Nash- ville, which was not far from Sawyer's Point, it was deemed advisable to move the place of preaching to the town. The church obtained leave of the Presbytery to change the name from Elkhorn to Nashville Presbyterian Church. In the absence of any church building the residence of Mr. Zenas Vernor was used as a place of worship when not occupied by the Methodists.
In 1851, a frame building was erected near the center of the town as a place of worship, on a corner lot opposite the Court House Square, at a cost of about $1,400; this, however, was not the whole cost of the church, which would have been greater had not several of the members donated their labor to aid its erection. Some of the lumber was hauled by ox teams from a saw mill in Jackson County.
Mr. Gardiner continued his labors with the church and removed from Car- lyle to Nashville. He became infirm in health, and was not able to preach in the new church although it was built under his auspices. He died January 3d, 1852. The charge remained vacant until April, 1853, when Rev. A. D. Wallace was invited to supply the pulpit for one year, and in June, 1854, he was regularly installed as pastor of the church. He was the first regularly installed pastor, although the church had enjoyed preaching at stated times for about twenty-two years.
The first record of the Kaskaskia Presbytery meeting with the Nashville Church is April 8th, 1853, and the following statistics appear in the session book : Members added on certificate, 4. Total in communion, 38. Infant baptism, 1. Number of families, 20. Monies collected for Domestic Mis- sions, $12. Foreign Missions, $12. Presbytery tax, $4. Congregational, $360. Mr. Wallace continued to serve the church until April, 1863. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. N. Darsey, who filled the pastorate until the spring of 1854,when owing to ill health he was compelled to cease preaching. His successor was the venerable Mr. Stafford, one of the early pioneer preachers. He remained with the church during the year and was followed
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
by the Rev. William Bridgman, of Ohio, who preached one year, and was succeeded by the Rev. T. D. Davis, who likewise preached a year. On the 1st December, 1868, Rev. J. C. Wagaman was called to the pastorate and remained until May, 1872. The church continued to grow in numbers, in- fluence, and material wealth.
In 1872 Mr. Wagaman gave up the charge, being in bad health, after which a young man named Henderson supplied the pulpit for a few months, and was succeeded by the Rev. Wm. Rodgers, and he by Rev. A. K. Crowe, who remained but a short time. Mr. Tucker, a licentiate, was employed to preach, and was in a short time succeeded by Rev O. S. Thompson. The church under his charge continued to thrive. There were likewise added to the eldership, L. M. Sewall, G. W. Cone, C. F. Hartman, while L. Krughoff and James Anderson were chosen deacons.
Mr. Thompson being called to the Belleville Presbyterian Church, the pulpit remained vacant for a season, when Rev. H. O. Tucker returned and was employed to preach. He served the church about a year. The recent financial embarrassment affected the church, and it continued without a regular pastor for some time. Meantime the Sabbath-school was carried on under the superintendence of George S. Anderson; and the prayer-meeting was also kept up. During 1878 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. E. W. Clark, of Richview. Mr. Wagaman having returned to Nashville has also preached occasionally, and during the winter of '78-'79 has preached alter- nate Sabbaths.
OAK GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The members composing this organization were taken entirely from the roll of the Nashville Presbyterian Church. They were mainly the families of Mr. Hugh Adams, Mr. JJ. Duncan, Mr. J. Wilson, Mrs. Anderson, Mr. John Boyle, and Mr. George Henderson, in all twenty-five persons. Preach- ing by Presbyterian ministers had been kept up at the residence of Mr. Hugh Adams for over thirty years. On the 31st of May, 1872, the com- mittee appointed by the Presbytery of Cairo, consisting of Rev. I. Stebbins, Rev. J. C. Wagaman, the pastor, and elder J. J. Sawyer, met at the new church, near the residence of Hugh Adams. They dismissed the parties de- sirous of going into the new organization from the Nashville Church.
Hugh Adams and J. Duncan were elected elders. A neat and comforta- able church building had been erected for the organization. The house was dedicated in the fall of 1872, by Rev. C. Foote, of St. Louis. Mr. Wagaman resigned the charge and moved north, when Rev. W. Templeton was called and continued preaching until 1877, when the pulpit became vacant. At the present writing Mr. Wagaman is supplying the pulpit.
RICHVIEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized about 1863. Known as the First Presbyterian Church of Richview. Prof. R. G. Williams, then in charge of the seminary at that place, and also a licentiate of Palestine Presbytery, supplied them with preaching for a time. The original members numbered about twenty- five. They erected a commodious brick edifice, which was dedicated in 1865. They have had the services of different ministers, among whom were Mr. Bridgman and Mr. Buck. In 1869 Dr. Candel was called and installed in June of that year, by the committee, Messrs. Stebbin and Wagaman, who tilled the pulpit until his death. At the present writing Rev. E. W. Clark, Professor in the Washington Seminary, is supplying the pulpit.
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