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Churches
CHURCHES in Cold Brook Township
The Christian Church is
the same society that was organized at Peter Peckenpaugh’s on
section 30, April 30, 1831, and is one of the first church organizations
in the county. The first
members were among the first settlers of county.
As they were somewhat historical, their names are given below:
William Whitman, Sarah Whitman, Julia A. Whitman,
Henry C. Haley, Elizabeth Haley, John C. and Francis Murphy, John G.
Haley, Richard H. Ragland, Nancy Ragland, William M. and Elizabeth
Davidson, Josiah Whitman, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Sr.,
and Margaret Davidson, Jr., Elijah Davidson, Jr.
Six of the above members are still living:
Julia A. Whitman, now Mrs. Davidson; Elizabeth
Haley, now Mrs. Jones; Francis Murphy, now living in Oregon; Margaret
Davidson, Jr., also in Oregon; Elijah Davidson, Jr., in Oregon; and
Elizabeth Davidson, now Mrs. Lucas, and living at Abington.
This church was constituted upon the belief that the scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and the only rule of
faith and practice, and sufficient for the government of the Church.
They erected their first church building at
Savanna,
afterward called Cold Brook,
which was completed in 1839.
Rev. William Whitman was their first pastor.
Before their church building was constructed, meetings were held
in school-houses and in private families.
This society at one time numbered over 200 members.
In 1851 many of its members went to Oregon, enough to form quite
a congregation there. The
place where settled was called Monmouth, after the town in Warren
County. In 1860, Cameron
having become a thriving railroad town, and the business of Cold Brook
having been transferred to that place, it was decided to move the church
also. Accordingly and
edifice was put up at Cameron, at a cost of $2,300.
In an early day the people attended this church from far and
near; from Abington,
Monmouth, Ellison, Gerlaw, etc.
Among the preachers that have served this church are:
Revs. William Whitman, Alexander Reynolds, James R.
Ross, Livy Hatchett, John Rigdon, Cousin of Sidney Rigdon of Mormon
fame, William Davenport, A. J. Kane, Isaac Murphy, John G. Haley, Josiah
Whitman, Alex Johnson, L.S. Wallace, J. S. Edwards, John E. Murphy, and
T. H. Goodnight, now in Kansas.
Some
of these early preachers are still living.
When the church had no regular pastors, Elder S. T. Shelton,
one of Cold Brook’s most prominent and favored citizens, would preach to
the congregation. Recently
they have secured the services of Rev. Charles Laycock, a
talented young preacher. They have now
about 125 members with a large and interesting Sabbath-school. This society is prosperous and is doing good work in the
Christian field of labor.
The
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Church
was organized in 1856; M. B. Morey and wife, J. B. Porterfield
and wife, Benjamin Tinkham and wife, and William P. Crosby and wife,
constituted the first members.
Their building was erected in 1857, at a cost of $1,300.
This building was burned in September 1877.
A new edifice was erected in 1887, and was dedicated July 1st,
the same year. Revs
preached the dedicatory sermon. George W. Palmer, pastor and Thomas
H. Pryon. It is a neat
frame structure, costing about $3,000.
They have good parsonage, which cost $1,000.
Rev. J. B. Snedaker is the present pastor who presides over
about 60 members. In
connection with the society is an interesting Sabbath-school with about
45 members.
The First Baptist Church
A
number of members of this church assembled June 30, 1866, for perfecting
an organization. Rev. J.
N. Talman of Monmouth preached the sermon, when Rev. H. H. Parks
was called to the chair.
J. N. Talman was chosen clerk pro tem.
D. F. Smith, C. C. Manford and F. G. Manford presented
letters. Several others
gave their names and declared themselves in favor of uniting as soon as
they could receive letters from their former churches.
After this, articles of faith were adopted.
Rev. John Balton was the first pastor.
The church was completed and dedicated in August, 1869.
Rev. Balton terminated his labors with the church, March
4, 1871. J. K.
Pennington, who remained until 1878, when Rev. C. G. Kent,
who served until 1880, succeeded him, followed him.
Rev T. W. Jones then took charge and remained for awhile,
when Rev. Mr. Depperman succeeded him.
At present the society is without a pastor, but occasionally they
have services at the church.
Churches in Kirkwood, IL Early
Days
The Presbyterian Church of
Kirkwood was organized in 1856, and was first
called South Henderson Church.
Meetings were first held in the school house
about two miles southwest of town. A committee
had been appointed by Schuyler Presbytery to
assist in the formation of the church. This
committee was Rev. J. H. Nevins, R. C. Matthews,
D. D.,
and Elders Hiram Norcross and James Boggs. At
the organization there were twenty-six members,
"of whom many have fallen to sleep, but a few
remain until this day." The first elders were
Jacob Ackerman, Alex. M. Harvey and Nathan
Carr. Of these, Fathers Carr and Ackerman yet
live, having more than fulfilled their four
score years. The first stated preaching was by
Rev. J. H. Nevins for one year. Then Re. W. L.
Lyons for three and a half years. From July,
1863, to April, 1865, was a vacancy, with
occasional preaching by Dr. J. M. Jamison and
others. At this latter date Rev. J. W. Ash began
his labors here, and was the regular supply for
two years. Then Rev. J. W. Allen was here for
two years, and during his administration a new
and commodious church was built, 40 by 65 feet,
and cost $11,000./ In 1870 Rev. G. N. Johnson
supplied for six months. Then Rev. J. H.
Marshall was stated supply for two and a half
years. the present minister, Rev. E. W.
Thompson, is the only installed pastor the
church has ever had. He began his labors here in
1874. The first house of worship built by this
Church was a small frame structure, 20 by 30
feet, in the south part of town, in 1858. For
two or three years it was occupied by the M. E.
congregation on alternate Sabbaths. This was
afterwards sold to the Roman Catholics and moved
off the lot. In 1868, the present church was
erected, and is an elegant gothic structure. It
was thoroughly refitted in 1875. The present
membership is 125. An interesting Sabbath's
school is maintained throughout the year, with
an attendance of 125. E. P. Clauson is
superintendent. The church is in a prosperous
condition.
The United Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood,
Ill., was organized in 1858 at Center Grove
school house with about eighteen members, among
whom were David Irvine and wife, Dr. J. Biddle
and wife, John Woods and wife, and I. H. Martin
and wife. The meetings were first held at the
above named school house, also at Mr. Edward
Wray's hall. Their church was built in 1863 at a
cost of $2,800. The pastors who have served at
this church are Rev. I. B. Foster three years,
Rev. W. J. McSurely two years, Rev. I. B. Waddle
seven years. The present membership is one
hundred and fifty-seven. Average Sabbath school
attendance is eighty.
The Young America Church was organized August
12th, 1855, with ten members. their present
house of worship was built in 1858 at a cost of
$877.50. Rev. I. B. Fuller presides. There are
at present seventy members and forty Sabbath
school scholars.
The Universalist Church was organized in 1860 at
Rap's Hall. Thirteen members were received,
among whom were N. A. Chapin and George.
Williams. For some time services were held at
Rap's Hall, where they remained until the
completion of their church, which was dedicated
in 1866, its cost being $4,00. The Church was
rebuilt in 1869 at an additional cost of $3,000.
Rev. C. L. Walsh preached two years, Rev. A.
Clayton one year, Rev. A. Tidbits two years,
Rev. Hibbard eighteen months, L. H. Tabor
three-year. The present number of members
thirty, with the same number of Sabbath school
scholars.
The M. E. church was organized in 1856 at Young
America Hotel. The first sermon was preached by
Rev. O. Swartz January 5th, 1856, in hotel.
Afterward meetings were held at the Presbyterian
church on alternate Sabbaths. The members of the
first class were John Ramsdell, leader,
Elizabeth Ramsdell, Mary E. Youmans, Daniel and
Matilda Tinker, Oliver and Rachel Hall, William
L. and Margaret Roberts. The pastors in charge
have been as follows:
Rev.
James Tubbs, three years;
Rev.
C. Springer, Two years
Rev.
B. C. Couch, two years
Rev.
M. Spurlock one year
Rev
Jesse Smith, two years
and
the present pastor Rev. C. H. Brace, who began
his work in September, 1876.
The first trustee election was held in the old
Presbyterian house, March 20th, 1865 and the
following were elected: Henry Tubbs, Alex
Youmans, B. Logan, E. H. Randall and T. W.
Beers. The house of worship was built in 1865 at
a cost including grounds and parsonage, of
$8,300. Dedication services were conducted by
Dr,. Eddy, from Chicago. Preacher in charge,
Rev. James Tubbs, to whose labors may be largely
attributes the origin and completion of the work
free of debt.
The present pastor is Rev. Charles H Brace. The
present membership about 250. The Sabbath school
numbers 225. Superintendent, Rev. C. H. Brace.
This charge is in a prosperous condition.
Point Pleasant Early Day
Churches
Colfax
The Methodist Episcopal Church was
organized at Center School-house in the Spring
of 1875. The first meetings were held at this
place. The members were David Vangilder, Jennie
Vangilder, E. F. Dehart, L. A. Dehart, J. A.
Williams, J. Chapman, M. Chapman, C. Gunn, Cath.
Gunn., M. B. Torrance, Mary Conklin, Rhoda
Chapman, Eliza J. Altman, W. H. Dehart, John R.
Conklin, C. B. Torrance, Sarah J. Morey. Their
church was built in the spring of 1875, at a
cost of $1,175. Rev. J. W. Coe served six
months. He was followed by Rev. P. S.
Garrettson, who took charge September, '75, and
is the present pastor. There are at present
thirty-five members and a Sabbath school of
thirty-five scholars.
New Hope
The Predestinarian
Baptist Church war organized in 1836, at the
house of Caleb Hedges. The earliest meetings
were held at this house, also the Downie
School-house. Among the original members war
Joseph Rogers and wife, John Murphy, B. Lewis,
and John Riggs.
This Church
has had three pastors, namely, Rev. Charles
Vandiveer, who served several years, Rev. George
Tracy, and Rev. I. N. Vanmeter, their present
pastor. the clerks were Wm. Gunter, R. M.
Simmons, and Alfred W. Simmons . Elder, R. W.
Simmons. There are now thirty-nine members.
The Cumberland
Presbyterian was organized at Boothe School
house September, 1863, with about seventeen
members, viz: Josiah Kirkpatrick, Lucinda
Hindman, Mary Hughens, Eliza Hindman, Amanda
Johnson, W. R. Hindman, John B. O'Neal, Mary E.
Dixon, Mary Dixon, Mary E. Boyd, Elizabeth
Hughens, Susan F. Dean, Esther Hughens, J. M.
O'Neal, Maloney O'Neal, Elizabeth O'Neal,
Elizabeth Curtis, Mary Lester, Emma J. Boyd. The
church was bought from the M. E. Society for
$500. Their first pastor, John Crawford, served
ten years. Rev. J. D. Foster is the present
pastor. The membership is fifteen. No Sabbath
school at present.
Kelly
Township Early Churches
The M. E. Church was organized in 1837; its
first meetings being held in private residences
and school houses. In 1872, their present church
building was erected, on Sec. 34, at a cost of
$2,300.
The pastors and their respective terms of
service have been as follows: Rev. Mr. Atherton,
1870 and 1871, Rev. Henry Brink, Jr., 1871 to
1873; Rev. C. W. Swartz, 1873 to 1874; Rev. A.
Keller, 1874 to 1876. M. W. Smith assisted Mr.
Keller one year, and the present pastor is Rev.
C. E. Rowe.
Shanghai
The Second Advent
Church was organized about 1857, the principal
original members being Samuel Black and wife, A.
N. Yarde and wife, and H. Richardson and wife,
Spencer Riner and wife, J. Pine and wife, B.
Watson and wife.
The earliest meetings were held in the he school
house Their present church, at Ionia, was built
in 1867 at a cost of about $2,700. The first
minister was Guy Rathbone, who preached three
years, from 1856 to 1859. From this time until
the church was built the pulpit was filled by
"supplies" when Wm McCullock and H. McCullock
took charge from 1867 to 1869. Geo. Hurd
followed until 1871, then Wm. McCullock
and H. McCullock took charge from 1867 to 1869.
Geo. Hurd followed until 1871, then Wm McCullock
in 1872, after him Marshall McCullock from
1872-1875, when the present incumbent, Geo.
Hurd, took charge.
The Sunday School, in summer, numbers about
forty-five scholars, with a church membership of
about one hundred.
The great tornado in May, 1868, completely
destroyed their church, but was immediately
rebuilt at an additional cost of $1,400.
Foxie's
note: info also on Kelly Twp pages Wini
please do not take this page... Thanks!!! I've
worke
d too hard through the
years to have you steal it and make it your own.
Thanks!!!!!
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