USA > Illinois > Champaign County > Philo > Philo area centennial, 1875-1975 > Part 8
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Bongard in 1880, 14 years before Father McKin- nery built a frame church at Philo in 1894. The altar and pews for the Catholic Church were built in Chicago, and were expected with anti- cipation. The altar alone cost $300.
A thing of beauty - the new Catholic Church. Last Sunday being a fine day, hundreds of people came to see it, many of them driving from the neighboring towns.
In addition to the memorial windows in the Catholic Church, mentioned last week, there is one to Rev. Father Charles O'Brien, of lvesdale, and one to Rev. Father Thom. McKinnery, of this parish. There are also two others not hereto- fore mentioned, viz: one donated by the married ladies of the parish, and one by the young ladies." (From "The Philo Weekly Budget" - Saturday, November 9, 1895).
When the Rev. John P. Barry took charge of Philo and Bongard in 1897, he enlarged the Philo church and built a frame house, a combi- nation school, convent, and chapel, and a boys' dormitory there.
The Rev. D.K. Harrington became pastor in 1914 and organized St. Joseph's Academy, which was later discontinued. Father Harrington also moved the original rectory and built a new one. He was succeeded in 1928 by the Rev. Thomas Cleary, later Monsignor.
Toward the end of Father Cleary's pastorate in 1936, the rectory was destroyed by fire; and after Father Cleary left the parish in 1937, a number of priests administered St. Thomas' temporarily for the next year. Among them were Fathers
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St Thomas Catholic olic Church and Rectory - 1900
St. Thomas Catholic Church - 1975
.A. O'Connor and Nicholas Hunold, O.M.I.
The Rev. George A. Dzuryo became pastor in 938 and soon restored the rectory. Father )zuryo was succeeded in May, 1946, by the Rev. Daniel F. Monaghan.
Father Emmett Schleich was pastor from 1952 o 1957. Father John C. Hecht, the present pas- or, was named in 1957.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Members of the Lutheran faith came to this rea, especially after the Civil War, and took up arm land around the village of Philo. They came rom Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and from Ger- nany. The early records include the family names of Trost, Doss, Wollenzien, Anders, avenhagen, Krumm, Licht. Mumm, Guth, Kle- nick. Odebrecht, Buddie, Grischow, Priefert, Leff, Schultz. Grothe, Etter, Melohn, Plotner, Bickel. Consoer and Franks.
The congregation of Zion was organized in 1879. The first baptism recorded was in June. 1874, which indicates the members were meeting for worship as early as that date. Since they had ho church, they gathered at the Black Slough school house, one mile west of town. They were
supplied with Pastors from Champaign and Sa- dorus. Rev. E. Martens of Sadorus had charge from August 1876 to January 1879. He moved to Danville, and Pastor Baumann, a senior student at the seminary at Springfield supplied the con- gregation. When Pastor Baumann graduated, the Philo congregation, with the congregation at Broadlands, issued a call for him to become their pastor. He was installed in the newly formed parish on August 10, 1879, at Broadlands in the forenoon and at Philo in the afternoon.
Zion congregation continued to worship in the school house west of town until the newly built church was dedicated on the first Sunday of Ad- vent, 1879. This church was located on the north edge of Philo. The church, complete with furni- ture, cost $715.00.
During the following year a parsonage, the home now of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Taylor, was built at a cost of $525.00. In December 1880. Pastor and Mrs. Baumann took up residence there. They had been living in Broadlands. At that time there were 21 families in the congre- gation.
The next pastor, Rev. C. Mueller, served the parish two years, but when the parish was di- vided, he accepted the call from the Broadlands congregation.
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Lutheran Church and Parsonage - 1910
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Zion Lutheran Church - 1975
The next pastors were O. Doederlein, F. Schultz and J.L. Laufmann, each serving two years.
At a congregational meeting held on May 6, 1888, it was decided to call a pastor out of the Ohio Synod. There were 14 votes for the Ohio Synod and 6 for the Missouri Synod.
Pastor J. Allwardt was the next pastor. While he was here the church and parsonage were re- modeled. The church was enlarged and new pews, an altar and lectern were installed.
He was succeeded by Pastor Harry P. Long. Plans for a new church were made and funds for it gathered during his years at Philo.
Pastor A.J. Klintworth followed Pastor Long. Under him the beautiful brick church and the present parsonage were built and dedicated. The cost of the church was $11467.90 and the parson- age cost $2528.63.
The pastorates of Rev. Allwardt (1893-1902), Rev. Long (1902-1911) and Rev. Klintworth
1911-1923) marked the period of the greatest growth of the congregation.
The next pastors serving Zion were Rev. C.J. Kettler, 5 years; Rev. C. Pohlman, 2 years; Rev. W.H. Ruth, 4 years; Rev. Herbert Hafermann, over 4 years; Rev. O.L. Proehl. 71/2 years; Rev. F.C. Lutz, 2 years; and Rev. August Rettberg, bout 8 years.
During the fall of 1929 the church was deco- ·ated and in 1974 it was redecorated and a new urnace installed in the parsonage and a 'estroom in the church basement. In 1947 the arn was taken down and the lumber was used or a two-car garage. During September, 1949, a Wicks Pipe Organ was installed and dedicated he same month. In the fall of 1949 the Church furnace was changed to an oil furnace and a stoker was added to the parsonage furnace.
Pastor William Volkmann served the congre- gation from 1959 to 1963. Pastor Otto Dieter was Interim Pastor at different times, sometimes for several months, and served the congregation Faithfully whenever called to do so. Pastor Lothar Pietz came in 1963 and was here until the summer of 1967.
Pastor August Blobaum came here in June 1967 and served here until January 1, 1970, when he retired to their farm in Stanton Township. He served as Interim Pastor through 1970 until the summer of 1971, when our present pastor Rev. Paul Pfeffer came in August.
At a special meeting on October 12, 1969, it was decided to purchase three forced air gas fur-
naces for the church. The labor was done by the men of the congregation. A new roof was put on the church. In 1974 a lift was installed and the steps and walk of the west entrance were im- proved.
Philo United Methodist Church
The first Philo Methodist Church was organ- ized as part of a circuit in 1865. Rev. Anderson Orr organized a class of 18 in 1866 and the Illi- nois Conference organized the Philo Mission at the annual session in Bloomington in 1866.
Rev. B.F. Hyde, the first pastor served Philo, Yankee Ridge. Crafts and Reddick. Philo services were held in the school house until the first church was built and dedicated June 24, 1871.
The plans were started in the summer of 1868, under the supervision of Rev. D. Brewer. Failing health compelled Rev. Brewer to retire. Rev. Benjamin Bartholow was appointed minister, took up the work and proceeded to complete the church, plastering the walls with his own hands.
On Sunday evening, August 1, 1897, the church was consumed by fire caused by the breaking of a large chandelier of kerosene lamps as the janitor was lighting them. The chain broke and the chandelier and fourteen of the lamps were shattered, scattering burning oil. Nothing was saved.
The second church was built in 1897 and dedi- cated January 16, 1898 and served the Philo
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Methodist Church - 1907
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Philo Methodist Church burned Nov. 27, 1938
Methodists 40 years, when another fire of un- known origin destroyed the church on Sunday morning, November 29, 1938. Rev. D.O. Mc- Roberts was the minister at this time and the present church was built and dedicated on Sun- day, September 10, 1939. Rev. C.C. Kerr came to this church in 1942 and he had the opportunity of helping celebrate the 75th anniversary, on Sunday, November 14, 1943.
Very early in the history of the church, Mis- sionary Societies were formed. In 1940, the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were merged into one organization, the Women's So- ciety of Christian Service. Young people were or- ganized as the Epworth League and now are known as Methodist Youth Fellowship, or MYF.
Philo, a single charge until 1935 was joined by other churches; Bondville, Carley Chapel, Grace Methodist, Mayview, Savoy and Sidney. During Rev. Gene Priest's pastorate, the 90th anniver- sary was observed with an all day service and a dinner at noon, Sunday, November 9, 1958.
Rev. Floyd Brewer was minister in 1965, living in Sidney and the church was a Philo-Sidney charge. In April 1968, the Methodist Church merged with Evangelical United Brethren Church at a meeting in Dallas, Texas. The Church is now the United Methodist Church. The church held its Centennial Celebration in 1968, marked by a series of events, starting on Wednesday, November 13, with a Hymn Festival. Wednesday was the Historical Pageant, Sunday Worship, November 17 and Centennial Sunday November 24th.
The minister at the present is Rev. D.D. Follis.
Future plan for the Philo-Sidney Methodist church is to build a new church and parsonage, in the country, between the two towns, serving the Philo-Sidney area.
List of Ministers 1866-1975: 1866 B.F. Hyde; 1867 David Brewer: 1868-69 B. Bartholow; 1870
J.H. Kabrick; 1871 W.C. Avey; 1872 L.F. Walden; 1873-75 P.L. Turner; 1876-77 T.D. Weems; 1878-80 J.B. Martin; 1881 B.F. Hyde; 1882-84 R. Stephens; 1885-86 G.W. Bates; 1887- 88 G.B. Goldsmith; 1889 T.O. Baty; 1890 H.C. Adams; 1891-82 J.R. Reasoner; 1893-94 W.M. Goodling; 1895 H.C. Turner; 1896-97 W.A. Boyd; 1898-99 D.D. Kensil; 1900-04 H.C. Augustus; 1905 C.N. Cain; 1906-07 J.L. Minney; 1908-10 H.M. Derby; 1911 L.C. Moore, 1912 J.C. Enninger.
1913 C.M. Buck; 1914-16 D.L. Jeffers; 1917- 18 A.S. Maxey; 1919 Howard Leach; 1920 B.L. Rudd; 1921-22 J.C. McMahon; 1923 Laren Spear; 1924 Wayne Furman; 1925-26 Harmon Kelly; 1927-29 E.H. Duling; 1930-32 C.B. Snider, 1933-34 P.H. Lotz; 1935-36 H.W. Hart- man; 1937-41 D.O. McRoberts; 1942-46 C.C. Keur; 1947-49 Glenn Gothard; 1950-51 A.E. Johannes; 1952-53 Clarence Bigler; 1954-55 T.K. Shubert; 1957-59 E.L. Priest; 1960-61 J.E. Fries- ner; 1962-63 W.D. Root; 1964 J.R. Bogart; 1965- 68 Floyd E. Brewer; 1969-71 Arthur Scott; 1972- 73 Donald Morton; 1974-present D. Dean Follis.
Methodist Church - 1975
History of Philo Presbyterian Church
Among the early settlers and pioneers in the hilo community, some of them originally com- ng from the Berkshire Hills of Western Massa- husetts, others from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ken- ucky and other parts of the country, were a roup who had already been members of Pres- yterian churches in their previous homes or eaned toward the Presbyterian faith. Early in 868 many of these people began to feel it de- irable to organize a Presbyterian Church in Philo.
Their thoughts and discussions culminated in he filing of a petition dated May 16, 1868, to the Bloomington Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church asking for the establishment of the local church in Philo. This petition was signed by the following individuals: George C. Stewart, Eliza- eth Stewart, Deborah Love, J.P. Moore, Mrs. M.A. Moore, Helen Harnensworth and Betty Bradshaw. Also attached to the petition, ilthough not actually signing the document, was a list of eighteen "friends and supporters" of the movement. While many of the names on this list have been lost to time we do find names such as Hazen, Love, Burr and Cole which are still some- what familiar in the community.
Even prior to the filing of the petition or per- laps concurrent with it, the group had made ar- angements for securing a minister and in May f 1868 employed Reverend Thomas K. Chestnut
of Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve the group on a half- time basis at a salary of $300.00 per year, pay- able quarterly.
The petition filed for the new church received favorable action by the Bloomington Presbytery and on July 12, 1868, the new church was formally organized and installed by Reverend Robert H. Lilly acting for the Presbytery and Elder Alfred A. Barnard from the First Presby- terian Church of Champaign. At this meeting the first five signers of the petition, together with Elisha B. and Helen Hazen, became the charter members. Also at this time the first officers of record, James P. Moore as ruling Elder and G.C. Stewart as Deacon, were installed.
The first meetings of the congregation were held in the Philo School building, a two story frame structure which at that time stood on the site of the present Philo School. It was lost by fire several years ago. Later, when the Philo School building was no longer available the con- gregation met for several years in a country school about a mile from Philo. The church re- cords indicate that at one of the early meetings of the congregation the officers were authorized to buy the country school for $325.00 with the plan of using it temporarily as a church building and later moving it into Philo to convert to a dwelling and use for a manse. Apparently these plans never materialized.
The first communion of the congregation was held on September 20, 1868, at which time the
other two original signers of the petition together with many of the individuals listed as "friends" were received into membership. It is interesting to note that the descendants of a number of this original membership, now in the third and fourth generation, are still active in the church.
During the years 1870-1871 a new church building was erected at 105 East Jefferson St. and this original building, with additions and modifications is still in use today. It is believed that some of the lumber used in its construction was hauled from as far away as Indiana and the first church bell installed in the building is still in use today. The building was largely financed by the contributions of its own members al- though a loan of $500.00 from the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian Church was secured in 1871 to help with its completion.
In 1884-85 a manse was built on the corner lot east of the Church at a cost of $2000.00 and was first occupied by Reverend Jacquess, the pastor at that time. This building continued in use as a manse until 1960 when a new dwelling was con- structed on the same site. The old manse was sold and moved to 310 East Van Buren Street and is now occupied as the residence of the Mun- ger family.
In 1905 the Church building was remodeled, the entrance moved from the north center of the building to the northeast corner, an alcove added on the west side as a choir loft, and the south section divided into two rooms to provide better facilities for church activities. New pews and other furniture were also added.
In 1950, in order to provide better Sunday School facilities and a kitchen, an addition was built on the south side, thus adding a basement and dining room space. Much donated labor went into this construction under the supervision and direction of Mr. Frank Ray, a local con- tractor. The cost of approximately $18,000.00 was financed by donations and contributions of members over a period of several years.
Again in 1965, with the growth of the village and constantly increasing enrollment in the Sun- day School it became imperative that additional space be added. So a second addition was built to the south, the kitchen moved from the base- ment to the first floor and remodeled and the lower floor divided into rooms for classes. This new construction was under the planning and supervision of Charles K. Asklund and again a large amount of donated labor by members was available and used. The cost of approximately $12,000. was financed over a period of three years entirely by contributions of members.
On Sunday, July 14 1968, the Church appro- priately observed the 100th anniversary of its founding by an all-day meeting under the able direction of Dr. A.D. Smith, the pastor at that time. The honored guest speaker was Rev. Man- ley L. Mace of Wood River, Illinois, a former pastor. A noon dinner was efficiently supervised by Dorothy E. Burr and the occasion further fea- tured by the presentation of memorial plates worked out by Betty L. Rice.
In 1974, by virtue of a bequest from Luella Gulick, who was a descendant of the Love family so active in the early days, the sanctuary was completely redecorated, new lighting fixtures in- stalled, new pews (replacing those in use since 1905) provided and new wall to wall carpets added.
Philo Presbyterian Church - 1975
From the Philo area the following men and women have gone into the clergy, ministry, and religious teaching or nursing:
Priests-Father Thomas Cain, Father John Daly, Father Edmund O'Neill (deceased), and Brother Gerald Decker.
Sisters Mary Matthew (Grace Cain), Leo Marie (Marie Daly), Mary M. Richard (Mary Godsell, deceased), M. Lois (Lois Clennon), M. Agatha (Edith Clennon), M. Patricia (Ann Clennon), Eli- zabeth Marie (Beth Clennon), Agnes Regina (Edith Daly), M. Florentine (Mary Daly, de- ceased), M. Bonaventure (Catherine Keeler, de- ceased), Alice Marie (Agnes Sarringhouse), Immaculate Conception-Bongard, Rt. Reverend William Sloan (Deceased), Sisters M. Acquin (Pearl Wegeng), M. Cletus (Martha Mooney), Martha Mary (Martha Mary Waldo), M. Martin
(Josephine Gorman), M. Ethna (Ruth Gorman, deceased), M. Eunice (Gertrude Gorman, de- ceased).
Reverend Gary Lee Roberts, Apostolic Church; Reverend David Franks, Zion Lutheran; Reverend Michael Law, Apostolic; and James Reed, Christian Church.
The ABC Triplets
Anita, Becky and Cathy are the triplet daugh- ters of Mr. and Mrs. H. Paul Lincicome. They were born October 5, 1947 in Champaign. They moved to Philo when they were 11/2 years old. They have two brothers (Dennis and Fred) and one sister (Christy).
From the time the triplets were able to sit up, they were in the public eye. The girls modeled from the age of 3 months for the Jack and Jill Shop on Neil St. in Champaign. They were so identical, for many years that very few people could tell them apart.
During the years of modeling for Jack and Jill, the owner Mr. Stoddard, kept an advertising scrap book using pictures entirely of the triplets modeling. He entered the book in an advertising contest and won first prize which was a trip to New York. The triplets went along to accept the award. They were 10 years old at that time. The girls had been singing together for some time and while in New York were asked to sing at the Waldorf Astoria on the same program with Pat Boone and other notables.
A short time later, the girls were asked back to New York by a recording company and they re- corded two records.
They also sang on the Johnny Carson Show "Who Do You Trust," sang for Ed Sullivan on a benefit show in Chicago and performed on The Red Foley Show in Missouri. They also were on Ted Mack Amateur Hour and many others.
They sang and toured for the U.S.O. and tra- veled to Tuley Air Force Base in Greenland and entertained for a week.
The singing careers went by the wayside when all three girls got married. They are now Mrs. Barry (Anita) Gardner, Mrs. Robert (Becky) Gilbert with one boy. and Mrs. Steven (Cathy) Martin.
Aunt Minnie
"Hello, folks, this is Aunt Minnie!" This greeting familiar to thousands of farm women came from Mrs. Minnie G. Stearns over WLS radio around the 1930 period. She wrote her own scripts and talked each week day morning on a variety of timely and interesting subjects. Her philosophy was to tell it in her own way . . . her very own way. And that is just what she did!
The mother of six children, little did Aunt Minnie think as she worked so hard on the farm in Philo (Champaign County), Illinois, that some day she would talk to thousands of farm women
through a metal disc called a microphone. Twice each day Aunt Minnie gave advice on what to do with the farm, the poultry, the animals and the children; for there was no part of farm work she had not handled herself.
Minnie Stearns drew from life-experiences for her WLS programs by relating homespun hap- penings gleaned from life as an instructor, housekeeper, mother and farm woman. Hers were human interest programs that commanded vast numbers of listeners. She deeply appreciated the help given her by those on the WLS staff, es- pecially Sam Gaurd, Fred Petty, Edgar Bill as well as Dr. John Holland and Burridge Butler.
To understand how Aunt Minnie became a broadcaster, one must review her life.
Minnie G. Stearns was born February 18, 1864 at Monticello, Illinois, the daughter of Newton and Lucinda Garritson. She lived in the rural area, was a school teacher, and saw the very first buildings erected in the town of Philo.
As a young farm wife, she left teaching in or- der to raise a family and fully accept the rigorous demands of living on a farm. She lived on a farm near Philo until her health failed, when she made her home in Broadlands with a daughter and son-in-law until her death at ninety years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Church and the Philo O.E.S.
Early in her life as a farm woman, Mrs. Stearns became dissatisfied with scrubs and mongrels and bought one setting of pure bred eggs to begin an unusual breed of chickens.
Through advertising in a national farm jour- nal she sold these chickens all over the United States and even shipped large consignments to South Africa. The journal interested in this en- terprising farm woman asked for a personal letter about her success through advertising and for a picture of herself. When this picture was published, Aunt Minnie was asked for articles on farming by farm papers all over the United States, and it was thus she broke into the edi- torial game.
Another thing she was especially interested in on the farm was the horses. And no colt so wild, so spirited but she could conquer it, and it was a beautiful sight to see her riding or driving one of these mettlesome creatures.
Self-educated, Aunt Minnie studied the books and good magazines she kept in her home and learned how to write in magazine and newspaper style. She had that thing called a "nose for news" and she had the feeling for a good story. All her writing during her busy life had been done at night. More than one night had found her writing until two in the morning.
She also wrote articles for several outstanding farm magazines which included Prairie Farmer and Breeder's Digest. Her daily column in the Bloomington Pantagraph was based on ex- perience and information procured first hand from people who had spent their lives around her. Her editorial work attracted the attention of broadcasting officials and the offer to work came to her at a time when she was looking for some- thing new to do. However, her broadcasting never interfered with her writing. She continued to send out articles on all sorts of subjects. She was also an associate editor of a large Illinois newspaper. The Radio Digest, at that time the largest and best radio magazine, published ar- ticles and homespun philosophy that Aunt Min- nie loved to write.
To Aunt Minnie broadcasting was the last word in editorial service. Instead of sending mes- sages via the written word, it was almost meeting her friends face to face, more than thousands of them. Life begins at any age when the fruit of the years are gathered, regardless of the number of years.
As we approach the Bicentennial, it is fitting to pause a moment and reflect on one of Aunt Minnie's articles on the flag. "Our Flag, the one thing in all our history - in all our life that has no second. It represents a united people; one flag and one people for our country." Aunt Minnie, the mother of six children, reared her family on a farm in the Philo area. Three children, Willard of Philo, Fred and Raymond of Tucson, Arizona are deceased. The three living children are: Jessie Bergfield of Broadlands, Illinois; Maude Moore of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Earl Stearns of Tucson, Arizona.
Sue Ennis, Pioneer Philo Artist
Miss Susan Ennis, whose parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ennis came from Philadelphia in 1856, engraved and painted many pictures and china which are still in evidence in many Philo homes
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MARTIN PEALLE SAMOEL HARRY FLORENC
The Anders Family
The children of Henry and Fredricka Ben- schneider Anders, natives of Germany, settled in Canal Winchester, Ohio, in the 1850's. Their children John, Henry, Eli, Elijah and Minnie all moved to Philo area in the late 1880's. The youngest, Mary, remained in Ohio.
John m. Mary Krumm; Henry m. Mary Bickel; Eli m. Susa Caroline Donaldson; Elijah m. Lavina Eavey; Minnie m. Joseph Snider. The Anders came to Philo in covered wagons. John settled north of Philo on a Silver farm, then moved to the Lynn Grove, the historical Halfway House Inn. He lived there for years before re- tiring north of Sidney. Henry moved on a farm south of Philo, later moved to Philo where he had an interest in a hardware store. Eli lived on Samual Wingfield's farm south of Philo, then later moved to Rockwell City, Iowa. Elijah came also to a Silver farm north of Locke School, then to the William Anson farm near Belle Prairie School. After his wife's death in 1912 he moved to Philo. Later he lived with a daughter in To- lono where he died, but he is buried in Philo. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and was very interested in music. He organized a family band which is the family feature picture. They played at many schools, churches, Lutheran Sun- day School picnics and Lichts Grove. They also gave concerts in Villa Grove and in the old Philo opera house.
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