In November, 1884, Wm. H. Herrington and wife, Sadie, D. S. Lichty and wife Kittie, Samuel Swigart and daughter Bettie and Mrs. Carrie Wagner united with the Brethren church at Bethlehem, eight miles south of Lanark. The above persons were all residents of Lanark and vicinity. This was the beginning of the present Progressive Brethren Church in Lanark.

The above seven persons were members in good standing in the German Baptist Brethren Church previous to their uniting with the Progressive Brethren Church. The separation occurred on account of the enforcement of the discipline of the church toward the sisters in relation to the head dress. Through the self sacrifice and zeal of this little band, who were under the pastorate of the resident pastor at Bethlehem, the number grew and the little mission band stood as one man for the cause of the Master.

A few sermons were preached by the Brethren pastor in the fall of 1885 in the Bethel Church on Main Street.

Later the Baptist Church was leased and a revival was held and a Sunday School was organized with W. H. Herrington as superintendent. Regular services were now held and the pastor of Bethlehem was in charge of the work.

The growth of the church was not very rapid for a few years, and it was thought best to secure a stronger pastor for the Lanark mission.

Elder J. W. Beer of Lathrop, Cal., was secured and took charge Jan. 1st, 1887. He remained but six months and then returned to his home in California. The work again fell upon the resident pastor, and gradually grew in numbers and influence. The place of worship was again changed, this time into the Congregational Church.

In the year 1890, S. H. Bashor took charge of the work at Bethlehem and Milledgeville and Z. T. Livengood took charge of the Lanark work, giving his entire time to the cause here. The church knew no dissensions and unbelief, and with the true spirit of christian worship, grew very rapidly. The church was purchased from the Congregational Brethren.

In the summer of 1895 the new church building you see in the picture was erected at a cost of about $4500. J. O. Talley preached the dedicatory sermon on Dec. 29th, 1895.

On July 1st, 1900, Z. T. Livengood resigned the pastorate of the church. W. D. Furry of South Bend, Ind., was called as Livengood’s successor. He remained two months and then resigned to take charge of the Chair of Literature and Philosophy at Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio. W. A. Welty succeeded Rev. Furry, taking charge of the work November 1st, 1900. His resignation was accepted, and took effect September 1st, 1901. Z. T. Livengood was soon afterwards called to take charge of the work. The pastoral year began Oct. 1st, 1901.

The Superintendents of the Sunday School have been W. H. Herrington, C. P. Puterbaugh and C. Rowland. C. P. Puterbaugh was superintendent for many years.

There are at present about 175 names upon the church records.