USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 24
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To avoid the danger lurking in this symptom of centralization of power ; to avoid being "managed ;" to reconquer from custom the right to govern them- selves out of the hands of "Ecclesiastical Bosses." this plan was devised and provides a method at once simple, just and clear for the selection of the standing committees of the general assembly so that all sections and interests of the church may be fairly represented.
In brief, the plan conserves the fundamental principle of Presbyterian church government, viz .: an equitable distribution of administrative power. To this end the church is geographically divided and grouped by Presbyteries or Synods into twenty districts, there being twenty-two standing committees consisting of twenty-two members each-the commissioners from the whole church make up twenty-two electing sections, which are numbered consecutively in the order in which the standing committees are numbered. The commissioners constituting an electing section assigned to it from a certain given territory assemble at the sitting of the general assembly, elect their own chairman and secretary, vote directly for moderator, and choose either a minister or an elder, as may be its province ; to each one of the standing committees, from their own number such persons as may be thought best fitted for the discharge of the respective duties required of them.
The plan briefly stated is that the odd numbered sections in odd numbered years elect a minister to the odd numbered committees, and an elder for the even numbered committees. The even numbered sections elect the other com- mitteemen and in even numbered years the committees are reversed and the
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
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OLD CHRISTIAN CHURCH
UNION CHAPEL
HALE MEMORIAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
sections elect reversely. This gives each district a member, either an elder or a minister, on each standing committee, each year, and to every committee its proper number of members.
This plan adopted after lengthened discussion and amendment became what is known as standing rule No. 5, and since its adoption the standing committees of the general assembly have been named by the commissioners themselves, as- sembled in their electing sections and with general satisfaction to the church.
"WOMEN, WHO LABORED WITH US "
Much credit for the many achievements wrought in these regions, by the church is justly due to the piety, presistence and devotion of the women, who have "manned" the various aid and missionary societies in the churches of Peoria county.
They have in many localities, through the drouth of summer and the biting cold of winter, maintained local religious interest, kept up the church services, repaired the house of worship and at the same time have been large factors in promoting the work of the church in other fields and in other lands.
By mutual counsel, by interchange of religious ideas, by social intercourse, by consecrated womanly ways, by practical efforts to relieve distress among the unfortunate and the ill-circumstances, they have succeeded in setting forward the kingdom of Christ.
In their planning and their doing, they have furnished a stimulating example to the "Presbyterian Brotherhood," a men's organization, for which there is great and pressing need as well as large room.
EDUCATIONAL
It is a peculiar mark-one of the signal glories of the Presbyterian church- part of her heritage from John Calvin, that she has favored and fostered liberal learning and wherever she has gone on her mission to men, she has planted the school and the college as well as the church and sought to provide every educational advantage for her constituency.
She has believed in popular and progressive education. She has never sought to supplant but rather to supplement the early training of our common school, with the higher and more advanced forms of education.
The early Peoria county Presbyterians were not remiss in this particular. In the early 'fifties, they planted academies at Brunswick and Princeville, pro- jected Peoria University in 1857. Here on the Bluff they began the erection of a brick building, which when all ready for the roof, was wrecked by a tornado in 1858. Because of the general financial depression prevailing throughout the country at that time, the stress of which fell heavily on the west, the re-financing of the project was too heavy a burden for the limited means of its promoters, the local enterprise was therefore abandoned and the attention and the means of the church were turned to the larger institutions, like Knox College and which ever since have had a fair share of the patronage and financial support of Peoria county Presbyterians. In the west as in the east, Presbyterians have sought to bind together thorough scholarship and practical religion, that thus they might do their share in the development of the moral and religious character of men and make as large a contribution as possible to humanity's uplift. That in this undertaking they have made a creditable showing, is witnessed by deeds of loving and notable service to men and a loyal allegiance to Jesus Christ, the changeless, eternal Head of the church.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This church was first organized as a Presbyterian society in December, 1834, and so continued until 1847, at which time it dropped its connection with Vol. I-11
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the Presbyterian church, adopted the congregational form of government and changed its name to that of the Main Street Congregational church. Rev. William H. Starr became pastor under the new organization and ministered to the people until October, 1848. In November of that year Rev. Levi Spencer was called to the pastorate and so continued until April 14, 1853, when his death occurred. During his pastorate a new church was erected at a cost of $8,000. For some time following Rev. Spencer's death there was considerable dissension in the church and eventually twenty-two members withdrew to form a new con- gregation known as the Union Congregational church. This was consummated December 8, 1857, and was organized as a Presbyterian church, known as the Fulton Street Presbyterian church, identified with the "New School" branch of that denomination. Rev. Isaac E. Cary was pastor of this newly organized society from the time it came into existence until August 29, 1860, and his suc- cessors were Revs. Wilber McKaig, November 2, 1860-June 2, 1862; Samuel Wykoff, November 24, 1862-October 3, 1864; Asahel H. Brooks, July 3, 1865- March 4, 1868; Horace C. Hovey, January 5, 1869-April 13, 1873; Robert Condit, October 27, 1873-November 10, 1874.
The two branches (Old and New School) of the Presbyterian church, having in the year 1870 become united under the name of The Presbyterian Church of the United States, and there being at least four churches of that denomination in the city, and there also being in the Fulton street church a large element in- clined to the Congregational form of government, a movement was set on foot which eventually resulted in the union of the Fulton street church and the Main street Congregational church, known as the First Congregational Church of Peoria. This was consummated January 31, 1875. The pastors of the church as it was originally organized, succeeding Rev. Levi Spencer, have been: Revs. J. W. Marsh, January 2, 1853-May 1, 1854; Henry Adams, September, 1854- November, 1855; J. Steiner, December, 1855-July, 1856; A. A. Stevens, Decem- ber, 1856-June, 1866; G. W. Phinny, June, 1866-June, 1867; J. A. Mack, April 1, 1868-June 8, 1870. In September of the latter year, Rev. A. A. Stev- ens was again called to the pastorate of the church and so continued until Febru- ary 1, 1882, and it was during his term that the New School, or Fulton Street Presbyterian church, became united with this church, and that the commodious church building at the corner of Monroe and Hamilton streets was erected. Rev. Stevens resigned in February, 1882, but during the last two years of his service here he had had an assistant in the person of Rev. J. Homer Parker. The present magnificent church structure was completed and dedicated September 9, 1883, at a cost of nearly $90.000, and the pipe organ. costing more than $5,000 was donated by the ladies of the congregation as the Stevens Memorial. The successors of Rev. Stevens have been: Revs. E. Frank Howe, 1882-87; D. K. Nesbitt, 1888-92; Caspar Wistar Hiatt, 1893-97; W. C. Haskell, 1898; John Faville.
Out of this congregation have grown the Plymouth church, South Peoria Congregational church, the North Peoria Congregational church, the Averyville church, Pilgrim Mission Sunday school and Washington Street Mission Sunday school.
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In the spring of 1869 the First Congregational church established a Sunday school at the corner of Fourth and Spencer streets. This was given the name of Plymouth Mission. Funds were at once secured for the erection of a house of worship, which was twenty-eight by fifty-six feet in size, and cost $2,000. From time to time the question of organizing a church was raised but this plan did not materialize until December, 1888, and it was not until June 2, 1889, that a society was duly organized, with ninety-six members. The pulpit was sup- plied by various pastors until 1889. when, on the 13th of February of that year,
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Rev. C. C. Harrah was installed as the first regular pastor. Those who have served the church since that time are : Revs. D. B. Spencer, 1890-94; S. W. Meek, 1894-98; F. G. Smith, 1898-1900: J. W. Nelson, 1900-
In the summer of 1896, the old church having become inadequate to the needs of the congregation, a magnificent brick structure was erected on the site of the old church, at a cost of $14,000.
UNION CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCII
July 20, 1884, a Union Sunday school was organized in the northern part of the city of Peoria and immediately a frame church was erected at a cost of $2,000, this being located at Pennsylvania and California aventies. January I, 1890, a church society was organized, first as a Union church, but in 1893 it was changed to the Union Congregational church. In 1894 a new church was built at Illinois and Dechman avenues. This structure cost $14,000 and was dedicated December 1, 1894. The list of pastors who have served the church are: Revs. E. S. Chandler, 1890-92; D. G. Stouffer, 1892-94; Alexander Monroe, 1894- 1900; W. J. Johnson, 1900-
GERMAN CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCII
This society was organized December 6, 1895, with a membership of sixty, many of whom withdrew from the German Reformed church. In 1896 a church edifice at a cost of $8,000 was erected at Reed and Maple avenues. The following have served as pastors : Revs. T. H. Schmidt, 1895-98; William Fritz- meier, 1898-1901 ; William F. Essig, 1901-
ST. PAUL'S PARISHI ( PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL)
This society was organized in 1848 by Rev. J. S. Chamberlain, minister in charge. In 1850 a small brick church was erected on Main street and in 1854 this building was enlarged to meet the needs of the growing congregation. In 1873 plans were procured and arrangements made for the erection of a new church, and to this end the old church was demolished and a temporary structure built at North Jefferson and Jackson streets. But about this time a division in the congregation occurred, which resulted in the formation of the congregation of the Reformed Episcopal church, and this rendered it impossible to carry out the proposed plans. The temporary building was then removed to the site of the old church and was occupied until the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $33,000.
Prior to the organization of the Reformed church, St. Paul's parish experi- enced many difficulties, resulting mainly from difference between the high and low church elements. Although there was an organization in existence at a very early day, known as St. Jude's parish, yet it seems to have fallen under the ban of the bishop, after which only a mission was maintained until 1848, when St. Paul's was regularly organized. Later a new parish, known as St. John's was formed and a building was erected at the corner of South Jefferson and Liberty streets, which was later occupied by the Jews, but this parish was short lived. St. Paul's is now in a prosperous condition. The rectors have been : Revs. J. S. Chamberlain, 1848-50; John W. Cracraft, 1850-57 ; Henry N. Strong, 1857-60; Joseph M. Wait, 1860-65; Warren H. Roberts, 1865-69: J. W. Coe, 1869-70; J. WV. Bonham, 1870-72; L. Townsend, 1872-75; William Bryce Morrow, 1875-81; Robert Ritchie, 1881-89; Sidney G. Jeffords, 1889 --.
ST. ANDREW'S PARISH
This society is the outgrowth of a donation of land made by John Birket many years prior to his death. On the 7th of November, 1857, Mr. Birket con-
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veyed to Henry J. Whitehouse, bishop of Illinois, and to his successors, in office, certain lots, including those upon which St. Andrew's church now stands. The organization of this society was effected July 10, 1897, with thirty members. A handsome stone church was erected in the fall of 1897, at a cost of $20,000, and a rectory was built, at a cost of $10,000, the property being located at North Madison avenue and Mary street. Rev. Samuel G. Wells became the first rector of the church, assuming charge November 22, 1897. His successor was Rev. Webster Hakes, who took charge June 15, 1900. The present rector is Rev. Thomas Hines.
CHRIST CHURCH ( REFORMED EPISCOPAL)
The contest between the high and low church elements in the Protestant Episcopal church, which led to the separation of one party from the other and the formation of the Reformed Episcopal church, was waged with vigor in the diocese of Illinois. The bishop was uncompromising in his high church pro- clivities, while among the laity there was a tendency toward a more liberal church government. When news was received of the organization of the Re- formed Episcopal church in New York, December 2; 1873, the movement was regarded with favor not only by the low church element but by members of other churches. An invitation was extended to Bishop George D. Cummings of the Reformed church, to visit Peoria to look over this field, with a view to establishing a church. The members of the Second I'resbyterian church offered the use of their church that the Episcopalians might hold a meeting, and this offer was accepted. A meeting was held December 16, 1873, at which time an organization was effected. Subscriptions were solicited for the support of a rector and so liberal was the response that Bishop Cummings was authorized
to secure a rector. At the time of the organization there were fifty members but this number was soon increased to one hundred. Rev. Mason Gallagher, of Brooklyn, New York, delivered the first sermon on the first Sunday in January, 1874. A call was extended to Rev. Joseph D. Wilson, of Pittsburg, and on the 17th of February, that year, he began his labors. Steps were at once taken to erect a church and in July, 1874, the building was completed, at a cost of $13,000. The congregation also owns a rectory on Perry avenue, which was built at a cost of $5.700. Rev. Wilson was succeeded by Rev. E. B. England, who re- mained with the church about six years, his successor being Rev. J. W. Fairly, who remained ten years. Rt. Rev. B. B. Ussher then came and remained two years, and was followed by Rev. Henry F. Milligan.
BACON MEMORIAL MISSION
This mission grew out of a mission Sunday school, organized on Thanksgiving day, November 29, 1888, under the auspices of Christ (Reformed Episcopal) church, by Rev. J. W. Fairly, who was at that time the rector, and members of the church. Meetings were first held in a store building at No. 206 Bridge street, and later at No. 602 South Adams street, until October 9, 1892, at which time the new church, erected at a cost of $8,000, on Chestnut street, between Adams and Warner avenues, was completed and occupied. It is named in mem- ory of Charles F. Bacon, a prominent member of Christ church, who was called from this life in the midst of his useful labors. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon, later went to India as a missionary but was soon called from this life and an orphanage and chapel at Lalipur, India, have been established as a monument to her memory. Rev. Edward T. Munns, assumed charge of the congregation, September 9. 1891, and has been with the church to the present time.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The Baptists were among the first to organize a society in Peoria and the First church congregation built a house of worship, which was dedicated October 17. 1846. On the 14th of November following, Rev. Henry G. Weston was called to the pastorate and continued with the congregation for twelve years. During his term of service the church became self supporting, it having formerly received aid from the American Baptist Home Missionary Society. June 10, 1859, about twenty-five members withdrew and formed themselves into a society known as the Tabernacle church, but after four years the two congregations were reunited. A number of years later, however, twenty-four others withdrew and organized what became known as the Peoria Baptist church. July 27, 1864, the First church congregation exchanged their property on Hamilton street for a lot and church building at the corner of Madison avenue and Fayette street, where the Women's Club building is now located. In 1890 an elegant and com- modious building was erected at Hamilton boulevard and Glen Oak avenue, the cost being $65,000. Out of this church have grown the Bethany church and Olive Street Mission. Those who have served as pastors of the church since Rev. Weston, who was the first regular pastor, are: Revs. D. E. Holmes, 1862- 63; A. Jones, 1864-66; A. H. Stowell, 1866; J. D. Page, 1867; S. A. Kingsbury, 1869; Alexander McArthur, 1872-74: C. J. Thompson, 1874-80; C. E. Heath, 1880-90; D. D. Odell, 1890-93; L. Kirtley, 1894-1900; George H. Simmons, 1900-
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCHI
This society is the outgrowth of a mission Sunday school, organized in 1877. by W. C. Tapping. In 1882 a chapel was erected on North Jefferson street, between Hayward and Abingdon, at a cost of $1,600. A church society was not organized, however, until May 10, 1891, with thirty-eight members. In the following year, 1892, the church building was removed to its present site, North Madison avenue and Hayward street, and greatly enlarged, at a cost of $7,000. Rev. E. O. Lovett was the first regularly installed pastor, who served the church from its organization until December 1, 1895. He was succeeded by Rev. R. S. Sargent, who assumed charge May 11, 1896, and remained until November 1. 1897. Rev. J. W. Bayles took charge July 10, 1898, and remained until March 4, 1899, and on the Ist of May of that year Rev. T. K. Reynolds took charge.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
This society was organized August 24, 1853. by Rev. John H. Krueger. who had been engaged as a missionary of the Baptist Home Missionary Society, and held services sometimes in the courthouse, while at other times services were held in his own home. He was chosen as the first regular pastor, remaining until November, 1860, when, on account of his health, he was forced to resign. The membership gradually increased and worshipped in the basement of the First church until 1862, when a lot was leased on the corner of South Jefferson (now Warner avenue) and Maple streets, where a small frame church and parsonage were erected. In 1875 they purchased a brick building on Monson street, be- tween Fourth and Fifth, which had been erected by the Cumberland Presby- terians. This building was remodeled and built to, at a cost of $3,200. In 1897 a new structure was erected at Fourth and Fisher streets, at a cost of $3,000 and the congregation still occupies the same as a house of worship. The pastors who have served this church since 1860, at which time Rev. Krueger resigned, are : Revs. C. D. Menger, 1862-66; J. Merz, 1866-69; S. H. Downer, 1869-78; H. S. Deitz, 1878-81 ; J. Albert, 1882-86; F. Frederick, 1887-90; A. Vogel, 1891- 96; A. Jansen, 1897-1901 ;
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH (AFRICAN)
This society was organized in April, 1876, with a membership of twelve. In 1879 a neat house of worship was erected at Seventh avenue and State street, at a cost of $5,600. Rev. Benjamin N. Murrell is the present pastor.
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE TRINITY CIIURCH
The denomination to which this church belongs is not of foreign origin as might be supposed, but was founded in Pennsylvania nearly a century ago, by German speaking people. It was originated by Jacob Albright, a devout man, of Methodist proclivities, after whom it was sometimes called the "Albright church." The official designation appears to be the Evangelical Alliance, or the Evangelical Association of North America. In all essential points it follows the organization and polity of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The church has a general conference, annual conferences, bishops and pre- siding elders, and also an order of deaconnesses similar to the Methodist Epis- copal church. The main difference seems to be in the fact that their bishops and presiding elders are elected for specific terms of four years each, and then must abide by the decision of new elections. The bishops have coordinate general supervision. They have twenty-two conferences in the United States and all bishops reside in this country. They also have a conference in Canada, two in Germany, one in Switzerland, and one in Japan, and missions in China and . · Russia. They have publishing houses in Cleveland, Ohio, and in Stuttgart, Ger- many; also colleges in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, and Ruetlingen, Germany, and seminaries in Tokio. Japan, and Naperville, Illinois: also a Deaconess Home and Hospital in the city of Chicago. This church has the itinerant system, the pastors being assigned to the various churches by the conferences.
The church in Peoria was organized in 1843, with fifteen members, Bishop John Seybert preaching the first sermon. However, they had no fixed place of worship until 1847, when they erected a small church building on Chestnut street, between Prairie street and Warner avenue, costing $600. In 1853 they built a church at the corner of First and State streets, at a cost of $2,500, which was occupied until 1873, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $5,700. This building is now for sale and the congregation contemplates the erection of a modern church building. On account of the frequent changes of pastors, it is not deemed advisable to enumerate here all who have served this people in nearly seventy years. The presiding elder of this district at the present time is Rev. H. J. Kiekhoefer, there being four districts in Illinois. The present pastor of Trinity church is Rev. G. W. Engelter. Mrs. Mary S. Harsch is Sunday school superintendent.
The board of trustees consists of George Koerner, C. P. Schlenker, John Rudell, J. W. Green and H. J. Kopp. The Sunday school enrollment is 100, organized into classes, home department and cradle roll. The Young People's Alliance, with B. F. Shirer as president, has about 120 members. The denomination maintains old people's homes at Buf- falo, New York, and Cedar Falls, Iowa, and an orphanage at Flat Rock, Ohio. We have been thus specific about this church because probably very few Ameri- can church people know anything concerning it.
There is a second church of this denomination in the city known as
GRACE CHURCHI
This church is located at the corner of Stanley and Humboldt streets. Regular preaching services and Sunday school are maintained. Rev. G. J. Degenkolb is the present pastor.
This church was commenced as a mission German Sunday school in 1896, in the South Peoria town hall, by Rev. M. G. Hallwachs. Under G. C. Gasser,
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a small church was built and dedicated January 1, 1905, and all services were changed into the English language. This church was served in connection with Trinity church until April, 1911, when the present pastor was assigned in charge. There is now a church membership of twenty. They have a Sunday school of 150 members, also two young people's societies with sixty members, and a Ladies' Aid Society of thirty. George Koerner is Sunday school superin- tendent, Miss Nettie Sturm, president of Young People's Alliance, Clarence Powers, president of Junior Alliance and Mrs. H. Allowby is president of the Ladies' Aid Society.
The board of control consists of G. J. Degenkolb, pastor; George Koerner, president ; Miss Nettie Sturm, secretary ; J. Harry Kopp, treasurer ; C. E. Lott- man and George Umdenstock, stewards; also Mrs. C. E. Lottman and Mrs. George Umdenstock.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN (ST. PAUL'S) CIIURCII
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