This little Pioneer Church of Carroll County is located between Savanna and Mt. Carroll. My husband took these pictures in December 2003. It was a truly quiet Monday with nobody around to disturb the absolute calmness that prevailed over the Cemetery and the Church. The cemetery that sits adjacent to the church, is well kept and seems to realize its importance as the keeper of so many of Carroll Counties pioneer families who sleep here in quiet dignity.
Center Hill United Brethren Church in Christ is located half way between
Savanna and Mt Carroll on Highway 64. This denomination began during a
revival movement among the German Reformed and Mennonite churches in the
east in 1767. The majority were German immigrants who settled in
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Many later moved to Center Hill
with friends and relatives following and conducted services in German.
The land purchased from John Fulrath to build a church cost $40.00 and
a fence was constructed at a cost of $54.50. In 1883 the cemetery in
the church yard was surveyed and divided into lots, although some
burials occurred prior to that date. In 1874 the church building was
erected.
Nearly 125 people crowded into Center Hill United Brethren
Church last Sunday, May 5th, for the 100th anniversary celebration. T
he history of the church, located between Savanna and Mt. Carroll
on Route 64 dates back more than 100 years. The first pastor for the
Mt. Carroll Circuit was assigned in 1857-58. The people met in a school
house until the first church was built at the present location in 1874.
A variety of items composed the interesting program. Rev. Cecil Smith,
Sterling, and Rev. Dorold Coppernoll, Fennimore, Wisc., both former
pastors, addressed the congregation. Rev. Chaney Bergdall of Rockford
also gave a greeting. Rev. Larry Beverly is currently pastor of the
church.
Mrs. Evelyn Bergdoll gave a history review of the Women's Missionary
Association. Mrs. Marion Harr talked on the Ladies' Aid and honored
Mrs. Laura Fulrath, age 97, as the oldest living member of the Center
Hill Church and the Ladies' Aid group.
Nellie Smith spoke on Christian endeavor and Mrs. Lillian Newman
told of various historical incidences in the church. Mark Nicklas spoke
about early evangelistic services and several letters of greeting were
read.
Frank Newman and Loyal and Mildred Siedenburg performed musical
numbers.
After this program the congregation sang a song, without accompaniment,
in the spirit of the early church.
In conclusion, Bishop Raymond Waldfogel of Huntington, Ind.; addressed
those gathered in the church.
The group which traveled from throughout Northwestern Illinois to
attend, enjoyed pictures and other historical items after the ceremony.
Current officers and committees of the Center Hill Church area:
Administrative board: Pastor Beverly, Mark Nicklas, George Bergdall,
Edna Brunner, Gladys Siedenburg, Loyal Harr, Frank Newman, Glen Brunner,
Louis Decker, Alvin Siedenburg, Donetta Brunner, Daryle Rockafellow,
Evelyn Bergdall, Marian Harr, Alta Rockafellow and Harlan Brunner.
PERSON RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Pastor Beverly, Mark Nicklas, Wilma Brunner and Daryl Rockafellow.
W. M. A. OFFICERS; Evelyn Bergdall, president; Fern Natt, vice president; Marian Harr, secretary, and Alta Rockafellow, treasurer.
CHURCH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Pastor Beverly, Mark Nicklas, Harlan Brunner, Gladys Siedenburg, George Bergdall, Marian Harr and Alta Rockafellow.
SUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS: Harlan Brunner, supt.; Frank Newman, associate; Lillian Newman, secretary; and Grace Getz, treasurer.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Pastor Beverly, Nark Nicklas, Harlan Brunner, Frank Newman and Evelyn Bergdall.
TRUSTEES: Loyal Harr, Frank Newman, Glen Brunner, Louis Decker and Alvin Siedenburg.
FINANCE: Pastor Beverly, George Bergdall, Edna Brunner, Gladys Siedenburg and Henry Brunner.
LADIES AID OFFICERS: Alta Bockafellow, president; Virginia Weber, vice president; Nellie Smith, secretary; and Emeline Keeffer, treasurer
The Prairie Advocate, 29 Oct 2003, contained an article announcing the 146th anniversary of the Center Hill Church. The articles states that in 1857 the Bickelhaupt's, George Meister and John P. Fulrath families came to Illinois and settled in the area. Land was bought from John Fulrath and in the spring of 1874 the Schauts and John Patton along with other church members built the church.
Lori Gilbert Research:
Rev. John Logan Buckwalter began preaching as a United Brethren
minister in 1891, and conducted services at the Center Hill Church in
the early 1900's when he served as an itinerant pastor in Rock River
Conference. Many early members of the Center Hill (and Woodland
Brethren) Church were acquainted with Bishop Milton and Susan Wright
who were associated with Huntington College and the United Brethren
associations in Indiana. They are the parents of Orville and Wilbur
Wright who are accredited with the first successful plane flight at
Kitty Hawk. Rev. Buckwalter often stayed at their home in Indiana
while attending meetings for the church. Bishop Wright also made trips
to Carroll County on church business and visited friends he had made
in the area
Many thanks to Lori Gilbert
