USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of the Baptist churches of Woodford County, Illinois > Part 3
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of 1908. Elder Krause served as pastor until August 20th, 1909. Brother H. Weddington became pastor in the fall of 1909. Rev. Tharp received a call December 20th, 1911, and is still pastor. The officers at present are: Pastor, Rev. M. Elmore Tharp; deacons, A. H. Tallyn, George Nellinger, F. C. Tucker; trustees, C. A. Tallyn, Paul H. Davison, E. M. Tallyn; treasurer, F. C. Tucker; clerk, Alpha M. Tallyn. Present membership 85.
CHAPTER X.
The Roanoke Baptist Church.
A T a regular covenant meeting of the Richland Baptist church on April 12th, 1865, letters of dismissal were asked for by thirty of its members to form a new church on the prairie to be known as the Roanoke Baptist church, and, after due deliberation, were granted to the following members: E. A. Fisher, Amelia Fisher, Thomas Marshall, Martha Marshall, M. L. Fuller, Jr., Anna Fuller, Elder M. L. Fuller, Albert H. Fuller, Elvira B. Fuller, Myron A. Fuller, Stillman Fuller, George B. Fuller, Milo E. Fuller, Elijah R. Marshall, Martha S. Marshall, Cyrus R. Mar- shall, Elvira Marshall, Virginia Lamb, James Hewitt, Martha Hewitt, Rosina Terry, Josiah Rogers, Miranda M. Arnold, Sam- uel Butterfield, Mary Butterfield, Charles Avery, Angelina Hall, Georgia Smith, William Lamb.
On June 5th, a council was held for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church composed of the names just given. They met at the school house four miles northeast of Metamora, the following churches sending delegates: Metamora, Elder Graham and P. A. Coen; Richland, Deacon Hammers and Abner Mundell; Washburn, Elder S. S. Robinson, and Elder Vaugan of Lacon, being present was invited to sit in council with them. Elder Graham was chosen moderator and P. A. Coen clerk. After hearing the request to organize a Baptist
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
church, and being convinced that they were able to sustain a church, the council voted to proceed with the organization ex- ercises as follows: Reading of the scriptures, Rev. S. S. Rob- inson; prayer, P. A. Coen; sermon, Elder Vaugan; recognition prayer, Elder S. S. Robinson; address to the church and hand of fellowship, Elder Ira Graham; P. A. Coen, clerk. E. A. Fisher was elected the first deacon and held the office until he moved to Kansas, and Myron Fuller was the first clerk. On June 13th, 1865, the following brethren were chosen as trustees, E. A. Fisher, E. R. Marshall and M. L. Fuller, Jr. March 31st, 1866, Elder S. S. Robinson became pastor half time, and in January of the following year the church secured his services full time. He continued as pastor until March Ist, 1869. On September 12th, 1865, the church was received into the Illinois River Baptist Association, meeting that year with the El Paso church. On June 13th, 1865, at a meeting held at the school house near Elder M. L. Fuller's, it was decided to build a church one mile south and one mile west, the church being built by Smith, a contractor from Washington. It was dedicated August 22nd, 1866, the following brethren taking part: Scripture reading, Elder M. L. Fuller; sermon, Rev. C. D. Merrit; prayer, Rev. S. S. Robinson, pastor. On March 21st, 1869, a call was extended to Elder W. E. James to become pastor, he to preach one half time, which was accepted. He continued to serve as pastor until November 29th, 1870. Elder J. W. Berry was the next pastor, serving the church one half time, dividing with Metamora, from Nov. 19th, 1870, until Nov. Ist, 1872. On May 3rd, the church called Brother I. W. Read to become its pastor and on the 15th of May the church met for the purpose of arranging for the ordination of Brother I. W. Read and to call a council of the following churches: Richland, Washburn, Belle Plain, Meridian, Minonk, Clayton, Panola and Metamora and the following brethren, Elder Wm. Parker, S. S. Robinson, J. M. Berry, M. L. Fuller and F. Ketchem.
June 19th, 1872, in accordance with the call of the
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church for the ordaining of Brother I. W. Read to the gospel ministry, the following churches sent delegates: Richland, Belle Plain, Minonk, Clayton and El Paso, also M. L. Fuller, of Peoria county, and Elder Wm. Parker, of Richland. The meet- ing was called to order by Elder C. D. Merrit, and Rev. M. L. Fuller was chosen moderator and Brother James A. Hammers as clerk. After hearing his Christian experience and his call to the ministry and finding him sound in doctrine, the ordination exercises were as follows: Sermon, Elder C. D. Merrit; prayer, Elder M. L. Fuller; charge to candidate, Elder J. W. James; charge to the church, Elder William Parker; hand of fellowship, Elder G W. Read, brother of the candidate. On November 9th, a call of the Fairbury church was received for delegates to participate in the ordination of Brother J. C. Read, a brother of 1. W. Read. The following brethren were appointed: Brother M L. Fuller, Jr. and Deacon E. A. Fisher. Elder Read con- tinued to serve as pastor there until the summer of 1874 and on December 10th, 1874 the Roanoke Baptist church decided to call a council for the purpose of setting apart Brother J. C. H. Read, a brother of I. W. Read, to the gospel ministry. The following churches were invited to send delegates: Belle Plain, Clayton, Washington, Washburn and Cazenovia, and Rev. W. Parker. The council convened by electing W. E. James as moderator and Joseph Plank, clerk. Having examined him in regard to church doctrine and finding him satisfactory the ordination proceeded as follows: Ordination sermon and prayer, Elder W. E. James; charge to candidate and right hand of fellowship, Elder W. Parker: charge to the church, Elder A. B. Tomlinson. Elder J. C. H. Read served as pastor of the Roanoke church from about June 26th, 1875 to February 5th, 1876. On May 27th, 1876 a call was extended to Rev. David Fielding to become pastor for one year but owing to failing health he was compelled to resign July 22nd, 1876. After Brother Fielding the church again secured Rev. J. C. H. Read, he served as pastor from September 16th, 1876 until June 21st,
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
1877. April 5th, 1876 a call was extended to Brother Wood, a student at Morgan Park, to serve six months and on December 31st, 1879, Deacon Fisher reported that he had secured Brother Wood to preach every Sunday afternoon for $3.00 a Sunday. Brother A. H. Wilson commenced his labors as pastor August 21st, 1880, preaching every Sunday afternoon until January 2Ist, 1882. A call was extended to Brother J. J. Gorham to preach every two weeks in the afternoon until April Ist. On November 9th, 1879, Brother M. L. Fuller, Jr., and A. F. Mar- shall were sent as delegates to the ordination of Brother George E. Dye, of the Clayton Baptist church.
At a meeting of the church held on the fifth day of Aug- ust, 1882, the following brethren, Deacon E. A. Fisher and A. F. Marshall were chosen to sit in council with the Baptist church at Washburn for the purpose of ordaining Elder J. J. Gorham to the gospel ministry. The church having been without a pastor for some time a call was extended to Elder J. W. Coffman for one year. He remained until January 4th, 1884, and on November 5th, 1885, the church extended a call to Brother A. Gregory to become pastor, and on January 17th, 1886, at a meeting of the church Deacon E. A. Fisher and Brother A. F. Marshall were appointed as delegates to sit in council called by the Cazenovia Baptist church to ordain Rev. A. Gregory to the gospel ministry. He served the church as pastor until Septem- ber 1887. At a covenant and business meeting, the pastor and two brethren were appointed to sit in council at the Clayton Baptist church to ordain Brother J. W. Neyman to the gospel ministry. Deacon E. A. Fisher and Brother W. H. Peard were appointed as such committee. On September 25th, 1887, the church called Brother M. M. Lewis to preach every Sunday morning. He served as pastor until September 1889. On the 12th day of October 1887, Brother Booth, a student of Chicago University, became pastor. He remained two years. After the resignation of Brother T. W. Booth, Elder Young supplied the church for a while and about March 12th, 1892, Elder E. C.
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Cady commenced to preach. Just how long he remained the records do not show. On October 8th, 1892, the church sent as delegates, Deacon J. T. Peard and wife, to sit in council at Minonk to ordain Brother Fuller Swift to the gospel ministry.
In October 1892, perhaps one of the greatest events in the history of the Roanoke Baptist church was the farewell for Brother and Sister Young, just before their departure for the foreign field. It was certainly a red letter day for the Roanoke Baptist church. The following pastors took part in the exer- cises: Brother J. W. Tanner, of Normal; Rev. W. B. Riley, of Bloomington, and Rev. Fuller Swift, of Minonk. At the close of the exercises Sister Young was baptized, she having formerly been a member of the Presbyterian church.
On October 14th, 1893, Elder Herrick commenced his labors as pastor, serving until November 10th, 1894, when the church called Brother Anderson to preach every other Sunday during the school year, while he was attending Chicago Uni- versity, and every Sunday during the vacation. Elder J. F. Sparks was the last pastor, commencing his labors November 9th, 1895, and remaining for two years. The church was sold during the year 1904 for $ 300 to the Mennonites and the money turned over to the Bloomington Baptist Association.
CHAPTER XI. The German Baptist Church of Minonk.
T HE German Baptist church of Minonk was started as a Mission of the German Baptist church of Peoria, and was continued as such until 1867, a church build- ing having been erected the year before (1866). 'In the summer of 1867 it was decided to organize a church consisting of 13 members as follows :- Rev. Fredrich Melchert and wife; John Aggrerle and wife; Fredrich Rocho and wife; John H. Memmen and wife; G. J. Pielstick and wife; Henry Fulse and wife; Aaron Memmen. A Sunday school was maintained throughout the life of the church, Superintendent,
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
John T. Jochums. G. J. Pielstick was the first clerk. No Deacon was elected for 15 years, the pastor filling all the offices. The first Deacons elected were William Holman and Fredrick Melchert Jr. who served for many years.
The first pastor was Rev. Frederick Melchert who served for 13 years. After Rev. Melchert came Rev. Fellman who served for 12 years, The next pastor was Rev. F. Hoff- man, remaining 3 years. "Rev. G. A. Geunther then took up the work and remained as pastor 4 years. Rev. Wm. Pfeiffer came as the next pastor, remaining 3 years and was followed by Rev. H. Bens who served 3 years. The next pastor was Rev. Albert Hinz who remained 4 years. After him came Rev. D. Zwink who served I year and 9 months and he was followed by Rev. G. E. Lohr who remained 3 years, and after this pastor Rev. H. Bens filled the pulpit again for a short time. The last pastor was Rev. Schroeder, how long he served the records do not show.
In order to make a deed to the property a meeting was called November 18th, 1910, of all the church members left, and proceeded by electing Rev. J. Meis chairman, and H. Vos- berg, John Funk and John T. Jochums trustees and Miss Meta Garrels, clerk. It was voted unanimously to deed all the church property in Minonk to the German Missionary society of the German Baptist church of North America. This closes the history of the only German Baptist church in Woodford county.
CHAPTER XII. NEIGHBORING CHURCHES.
HILE the Deer Creek and Belle Plain churches are not W located in Woodford county, they are situated on the border of the county and drew a large share of their membership from this side of the county line, and it is theretore deemed appropriate that their history should be included in this volume.
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Deer Creek Church.
On January 2nd. 1868, at the home of B. C. Allen, seventeen persons, members of the Baptist church living south of Washington met and considered the propriety of organizing a Baptist church. At this meeting it was decided that if twenty could be found they would organize a church to be known as the Deer Creek Baptist church. They adjourned to meet at the home of Christopher Shaffer January 22nd. At the meeting at Brother Shaffer's a church was organized, electing A. J. Am- merman moderator and J D. McNutt secretary. The church consisted of thirty-five members coming from the church of Washington and other churches. At this meeting the following were elected deacons: Christopher Shaffer, William Lockwood, William . Huxtable and B. C. Allen. Mr. Allen was elected clerk. On the same day at the same house the church was organized, Peter Vance being chosen moderator, T. C. Brown clerk, Rev. Pope, of Peoria, preaching the sermon. February 22nd, Rev. A. J. Ammerman was called to serve the church one half time and from May 20th to serve the church full time. During all this time the organization had met all the time at the homes of the brethren. On February 22nd they voted to build a church to be located on a half acre leased from the farm of William Huxtable. The church was erected and used to worship in until the spring of 1889, when it was moved to Deer Creek.
May 29t.), 1875, the church called George Sutherland to serve four months and he was ordained June 22nd, 1876, Rev. T. Campbell preaching the sermon. April 21st, 1887, a call was extended to Rev. W. E. James for six months for half time and later for full time. His ministry closed October 1877. September 8th, 1878, a call was extended to Rev. H. A. Nixon to supply for the fall and winter and on March 9th, 1879 he was called to serve the church regularly. He was ordained June 8th, 1879, and served as pastor until February 1884. May 31st, 1885, Rev. J. E. Thomas became pastor of the Deer Creek and Washington churches. This pastorate seems to have closed
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
on September 7th, 1887. Rev. Charles Eye served as pastor from August 27th, 1887 until April 27th, 1889. The next pas- tor was E. O. Lovett who served from April 5th, 1890 to Feb- ruary 1891. Rev. C. Hemmenway served the church from April 19th, 1891 to October 24th, 1891. Rev. E. K. Reynolds was the next pastor, beginning his labors January 30th, 1892. He was ordained April 16th of that year and closed his labors November 3rd, 1894. Rev. R. Willoughford was pastor from January 5th, 1895 to January 1897. May 26th, 1897 Rev. S. F. Whitcomb began as pastor, closing his work in June 1898. On November 29th, 1898 J. H. Baker commenced as pastor, closing his work in that field October 5th, 1901. Rev. Benj. Spencer supplied the church as pastor for a while about Novem- ber 30th, 1901. December 1902 Rev. Smith became pastor, closing August 6th, 1905. Rev. J. D. Crumley began his labor June 19th, 1906 and is still pastor.
The Goodfield church was erected in 1891 and the pastor who served the Deer Creek church since that time has preached at Goodfield every alternate Sabbath.
The church officers at the present time are: J. D. Crum- ley, pastor; H. R. Nixon, clerk; J. M. Cornwell, treasurer; S. C. Nixon, J. S. Nixon, R. M. Lockwood, W. H. Marshall, W. S. Smith, deacons; H. M. Robinson, O. P. Mitchell, W. H. Marshall, J. S. Nixon, J. C. Culbertson, trustees.
Belle Plain Baptist Church.
We whose names are hereunder signed having, this 26th day of February, 1852, met together for the purpose of organizing ourselves as a Church at Belle Plain, Marshall coun- ty, Illinois, do adopt the following church covenant.
As we trust, we have been brought by Divine Grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of His spirit to give ourselves up to Him, so we do now solemnly cov- enant with each other, that, God enabling us, we will walk to-
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gether in brotherly love; that we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke and admonish one another as the case may require; that we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together nor omit the great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and for others; that we will participate in each others joys, and endeavor with ten- derness and sympathy, to bear each others burdens and sor- rows; that we will earnestly endeavor to bring up such as might be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; that we will seek Divine aid to enable us to walk circum- spectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; that we will strive together for the support of the faithful evangelized ministry among us; that we will en- deavor, by example and effect, to win souls to Christ; and, through life, amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
William Brooks Nancy Loyd Elizabeth Davison
R. W. Rains James P. Lucas Amos West
Susan P. Rains
Chas. H. Davison Nancy West
Nancy McCalla John P. Davison
The meetings were held in the Belle Plain school house and the fourth Saturday in March 1852 it was decided to meet the second Saturday in each month at 3 o'clock p. m. R. W. Rains was elected moderator and J. P. Lucas, clerk.
July 16th, 1852, a number of the brethren met together to take into consideration the propriety of setting apart, A. William Brooks to the work of the gospel ministry. The fol- lowing delegates were in attendance from other churches: Steuben, Elder W. G. Gordon; Spring Bay, Elder E. S. Free- man; Chillicothe, Elder C. D. Merit; Half Moon, Brother S. Carton; Stamping Ground, Kentucky, Brother S. Lucas. After due deliberation it was decided to proceed with the ordin- ation exercises which were as follows: Sermon, Elder C. D. Merit, 2nd Cor. 3-6; prayer, Elder E. S. Freeman; charge, El-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
der W. G. Gordon; charge to church, Elder C. D. Merit. The second Saturday in January, 1853, A. C. West was appointed deacon. Regular meetings were now held with Elder Brooks as pastor. Thomas C. Spencer was elected treasurer in Octo- ber 1854. At a meeting held June 2nd, 1855, Thomas Rich- ardson, A. C. Lucas and J. P. Lucas was appointed trustees. A committee consisting of William Brooks, T. Spencer and J. P. Lucas were appointed to raise money to build a meeting house and E. Tharp, G. Bocock and G. Holman a committee to look up a location for the building. December 15th, 1855, T. C. Spencer was elected clerk in place of J. P. Lucas and Abe Frye was elected treasurer.
January 26th, 1856, a special meeting was held to de- cide on a location for building a church. Two locations were presented, one near the Hazelwood school house and one in the grove on Crow Creek near Thomas Bennington's. The latter place was chosen the ground being donated by A. J. Frye for the purpose. On May 31st a meeting was held to reconsider the vote taken on January 26th to build a meeting house on the lot of A. J. Frve. Three cites for a meeting house were then presented. One near the Hazelwood school house, one near the residence of Brother Wineteer and one in the grove on Brother Fry's land. On motion the one near the Hazel- wood school house was selected. A new committee of five, consisting of W. A. Brooks, J. E. P. Bell, A. J. Frye, T. C. Spencer and John Wineteer were appointed to raise funds for the purpose of building a meeting house. October 18th, 1856, the building committee recommended that the church build a house 50 feet long, 36 feet wide and 16 feet to the eaves. A building committee consisting of W. A. Brooks, T. C. Spencer, J. E. P. Bell, John Wineteer and Harrison Simpson was ap- pointed. November 15th, 1856, Deacon A. C. West resigned his office as deacon on account of delicate health and Harrison Simpson was appointed. December 20th, 1856, J. E. P. Bell was elected treasurer in place of A. J Frye. December 11th,
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1858, the pastor, together with H. Simpson, John Wineteer and J. E. P. Bell were sent as a committee to assist in the ordination of B. F. Scrivin at the Meridian church. On January 8th, 1859, a committee consisting of the pastor, A. C. West, F. C. Simpson and J. E. P. Bell were sent to meet with other churches, meet- ing to be held six miles northwest of 'Panola, and if thought proper, to assist in recognizing them as a Baptist church.
April 17th, 1859, the church received a communication from the Meridian Baptist church asking it to join with them in calling an ecclesiastical council to settle some difficulty in their church. The request was denied and on April 30th, a second com- munication was received and request was again denied. August 20th, a letter from Elder B. F. Scrivin, pastor of the Meridian church, was received saying that a council is invited to meet with the Meridian church at Jefferson school house on August 24th.
Also received a communication from Elder G. S. Baily, asking us to take action in regard to forming a new association to be composed of the churches of the Illinois River Association on the east side of the river. Vote taken by ballot and resulted in 27 for and one against a new association.
August 21st, 1859, Elder Brooks resigned as pastor, having served since his ordination in 1852. September 17th, 1859, Elder W. M. Brooks, H. Simpson, J. E. P. Bell and T. C. Spencer were appointed as messengers to go to Metamora on the 2Ist, to meet with the messengers from the several churches for the purpose of organizing a new association on the east side of the Illinois river.
February 4th, 1860, the church voted to elect another deacon. S. R. Davison was elected. February 23rd, a call was extended to L. L. Martin as pastor.
March 23rd, 1860, the following churches were invited to sit in an ecclesiastical council to examine Brother E. D. Davison's qualifications as a candidate for the ministry and if thought best to ordain him. Said meeting to be held at our place of worship, on the 15th day of March: Tonica, Panola, Metamora, Richlar.d
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
Valley, Rutland, Clayton, Richland, Lacon, Minonk, Meridian, Washburn. March 15th, the council convened with the follow- ing churches represented: Rutland, Belle Plain, Minonk, Meri- dian, Washburn and Richland Valley. Motion was made that in view of the small number in attendance that we adjourn till March 28th. On that date the council convened with the following churches represented: Tonica, Rutland, Minonk, Meri- dian, Clayton, Washburn and Belle Plain. Brother E. D. Davi- son was called upon and said under the circumstances he would rather withdraw his application if agreeable to the feelings of the church and council. On motion his request was granted.
March 22nd, 1865 Elder Martin declined to accept the call extended and April 28th, Elder C. D. Merrit was elected pastor.
August 22nd, 1860, voted to build a church 30 feet by 44 feet and 16 feet high to the eaves. A building committee was appointed consisting of C. D. Merit, S. R. Davidson, H. Simp- son, R. M. Smilie and J. E. P. Bell. September Ist, 1860, the building committee was invested with power to decide where the church should be located and in September the committee reported that they had bought a lot in the grove of about two acres. Four new trustees were elected as follows: J. E. P. Bell, S. R. Davison, John Wineteer and H. Simpson. Novem- ber 9th, 1861, a committee was appointed to raise money and buy more ground to be used as a burying ground. February 15th, 1862, the building committee reported that they had col- lected from all sources for the erection of the meeting house the sum of $1331.70, that they had paid out for building said house and the purchase of land on which it stands the sum of $ 1332. 36.
Elder Merrit resigned October 18th, 1864, having served four and one-half years as pastor. February 25th, 1865 Elder J. Cairns was extended a call but declined and on June 17th, Elder H. M. Danforth accepted a call to preach one half the time. Elder Danforth preached one year and on June 16th, 1866, the church voted to invite Brother E. D. Davison to preach one half the time and extended a call to Elder C. Cross to preach
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OF WOODFORD COUNTY, ILLINOIS
the other half. Elder Cross preached but ore year when a call was extended to Brother Nailer who preached from June 15th, 1867 to November 30th, of the same year, when he resigned. March Ist, 1868, Elder Parker was elected pastor. He preached for two years. On April 21st, 1869, Louis Wineteer and L. Fisher were ordained as deacons. April 16th, 1870, Eld: r Ben- ton was hired as pastor for six months for $200, and on Feb. IIth, 1871, Elder James was hired to preach one fourth the time for one year. At the end of the year he was hired to preach for full time and continued as pastor till October 1875 when a call was extended to Rev. Charles Sands who preached one half the time and at the Meridian church the other half. Elder Sands acted as pastor of the two churches for about seven and one-half years. During the month of February, 1877, a series of revival meetings were held which resulted in the conversion of twenty-nine persons, seventeen of them uniting with the Belle Plain church and twelve with the Meridian church. Sev- eral more were received by experience. Elder Sands resigned in the spring of 1883 and in August of the same year Elder A. J. Ammerman took up the pastorate for one year after which no regular services were held.
In 1885 a meeting was held and it was decided that Elder Sands, who still lived in the neighborhood, be authorized to issue letters of commendation to those asking for same, where he had good reason to believe them worthy, and the church disbanded.
In 1887 an informal meeting was held with Baptist brethren and sisters of other churches interested, for the pur- pose of consulting the propriety of repairing the church and organizing for church work. James M. Davison of Meridian church and Lee Goodell of Washburn church were appointed as a committee to solicit subscriptions. On January 28th, 1888, the committee reported that repairs were made and paid for and had hired J. Q. Berry as pastor. February 28th, 1888 J. J. Faw, Louis Wineteer and James M. Davison were elected trus-
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES
tees. In October 1888, Brother Berry resigned and Brother Brisley was elected pastor who preached till May 188) when Brother P. H. Falk was hired as pastor for one year. At the expiration of the year he agreed to still continue as pastor if the church would agree to pay his expenses from Morgan Park and return each alternate Sunday and pay him a Salary of $ 300 per year. An effort was made to collect the amount necessary but there being so few Baptists left in the neighborhood it was finally decided to discontinue preaching services.
The old church still stands in the grove, about eighty rods west of the old Belle Plain postoffice, but is very badly in need of repair, as no church services of any kind have been held there since the preaching of Elder Falk in 1890.
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Conclusion.
F ROM the foregoing history, the reader may draw the conclusion that the strength of the Baptist churches in Woodford county, is on the decline, but it is merely a repetition of the experiences of other denominations that flourished in the early days of the county's development. Members have moved away, settling in new regions, and their places have been taken by those affiliated with other organizations. It is a condition due to the shifting of the population of the county, and it is by no means indicative of a loss of interest in the Baptist church, the scenes of the activity of its members have simply changed to other regions. The Baptist organizations that still exist in this county, are churches of wide influence and great helpfulness. Thru their consecrated ministry the cause of Christ has been made dear to many a heart, and great numbers can look back in memory to the first steps in Christian life, as taken in the Baptist church. The field of usefulness has not been limited to the boundaries of Woodford county, but the leaven of Christian teaching, as received in the various Baptist churches of the county has been carried into many widely separate parts of the earth, carrying with it the sunshine and the love of Christ into many homes that would have otherwise been dark and cheerless.
In the preceding pages I have presented as concisely as possible the history of our church in this county, but its full history will only be revealed when the record of the lives touched by its benign influence is brought to light in the Realm of God.
THE END.
DEMOCRAT-JOURNAL PRINT EUREKA - ILLINOIS
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 3 0112 031890731
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