Wayne County
History & Genealogy
Do you have information you would like to add? Contact me and I will add them!
Back to main page
ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH BOOK
OF
Wayne County, Illinois
By Paul F. Campbell 1903
Transcribed by Laurie Selpien
1903 CHURCHES OF WAYNE COUNTY
FAIRFIELD
THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH
Methodism has been a factor in the intellectual, moral and religious life of Fairfield for many years. It is well known that the pioneer preachers penetrated to the remotest settlements and visited and preached in the homes of the people. These visits were of more or less frequency. Small numbers of converts were organized into churches, often only three of four at first. As the settlements enlarged these churches received accessions and the activities were multiplied. There are no records to show the date of the first Methodist preaching here. Itinerant ministers visited this county from the date of the earliest settlements. In 1811 the Fairfield circuit was formed, embracing all of the county. By the year 1865 the church in Fairfield had become strong enough numerically and financially to support a pastor, and was cut off the circuit and made a station. The first station minister was the Rev. R. H. Massey. The congregation has been served since that time by the following ministers: Wm. B. Bruner, S. P. Groves, C. Gibbs, J. H. Hill, J. A. Baird, C. Nash, J. L. Waller, W. F. Davis, W. N. Powers, John W. Locke, John W. Flint, G. W. Shepard, J. B. Ravenscroft, W. T. Morris, J. G. Dee and James G. Tucker.
The first church building, a commodious frame, was built in 1851. The church was incorporated under the laws of the state in the year 1874. The Board of Trustees at that time was: John Wilson, John L. Handley, Edward Bonham, Thomas C. Stanley, Charles W. Sibley, Joe V. Baugh, Allen H. Baker, Gilbert J. George and Robley D. Adams. The foundation of the present commodious was laid in the autumn of 1875. It was completed at a cost of $14,000, and dedicated July 17, 1876. the dedicatory sermon was delivered by Bishop Thomas Bowman. The present parsonage was built during the pastorate of G. W. Sheppard. During some years a Mission Sunday School was conducted by members of this and other churches in the city in the western part of the city. This school soon outgrew its quarters, and the erection of a building to house it was considered. The sudden death of little Ellen Moore and granddaughter of A. L. Wall and wife, members of this church, made necessary the erection of a monument to her memory. This took the form of a building for the mission. The parents and grandparents of the little one contributed each a liberal sum. Additional subscriptions were received from many persons in the city. During the pastorate of J. G. Dee the present building was erected. It was dedicated by Presiding Elder F. W. Loy and then pastor of the First Church, James G. Tucker, October 13, 1901. It cost $1,700. The title to the property is held by First Church, but the Sunday School and other religious a services held there are non-sectarian and undenominational. The entire property of First Church is valued at above $17,000. There is no indebtness upon it. The present membership of the church is 400. All the departments that compose a modern well organized church are maintained. It is a vigorous and aggressive body, and wields a commanding influence in the community. The present board of Trusties is W. G. Garrothers, John Curry, Robert N. Jessop, Dr. H. H. Moore, Perry G. Swan, J. A. Cox, W. A. Karr, Edward Bonham, The late Charles W. Sibley was the ninth member. The present pastor is James C. Tucker.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH Of Fairfield
The Christian Church of Fairfield has about 325 members, is recognized for much good in the community and the different departments are in excellent working order. An attempt was made to organize a congregation of this church in 1858, C. T. Lichenberger being the leading member here at that time, but lack of financial support and the disturbed condition of the country prior to and during the Civil War prevented the doing of much along the this line for several years. About 1866 or 1867 a few members banded themselves together in an effort to establish the cause in this city. Of the charter members who still reside here are Elder N. J. Odell, Mrs. Jane Wickersham and Mrs. E. T. Hall. There were many trials and struggles before the church was placed on its present basis. For a time the little band met at the home of Thomas Taylor, who had three daughters who were excellent singers; later the C. P. Church was used as a place of worship; then they used the old courthouse and then a hall over Harvey’s store. Finally they rented the opera house and started Sunday school. Sometimes they had preaching but they never failed to meet on the first day of the week. The prayer meeting was held at the homes of the members. In 1883 the congregation moved into their present beautiful brick chapel 36 x 56 feet in size, and costing about $3,500. The building has been kept in a good state of repair and is lighted by electricity. Among those who have been pastors of this church are: E. J. Hart, R. B. Henry, John A. Williams, T. M. Wiles, J. F. James, T. J. Baker, C. H. Trout, C. W. Freeman, Philo Ingraham, J. N. Jessop, A. E. Dubber, Israel Konkle, H. H. Peters, A. C. Eaton, George E. Day, S. V. Williams, J. A. Battenfield and R. D. Brown. Revivals have been conducted by the following named evangelists: A. Ellmore, L. B. Myers, J. V. Coombs, W. F. Black, G. M. Goode, Ira J. Chase, J. S. Rose, W. H. Boles, A. Martin, J. L. Sharritt, R. Leland Brown and others whose names cannot be recalled now. This church has a Sunday School, Christian Endeavor Society, a C. W. B. M. and a Ladies Aid Society, all of them doing good work in their respective lines.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (Fairfield)
The Fairfield congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized in 1841 by Rev. Woods M. Hamilton. The organization originally consisted of seven members, from which Joseph Wilson, Jacob Love and Andrew Wilson were elected and ordained Ruling Elders, and formed the first church session. It was immediately taken under the care of McLin Presbytrey. Prior to the organization in 1841, and before the engagement of regular pastor religious services of the denomination were held for years at the courthouse or at the homes of the people. Realizing the necessity of a new building – on September 16, 1892 the contract for the present church was given to Mr. Alf Smith, by the trustees – R. D. Adams, T. L. Cooper and J. C. Alexander, Sr. the session at the time consisting of Jacob Hall J. C. Alexander, Sr. and William Luster. The dedication services were held August 27, 1893, by Rev. H. Clay Yates, at which time the sum of $792.26 was raised, being more than sufficient to liquidate all indebtedness. The total cost was $2, 500. The services of the present pastor, Rev. D. A. Roberts were secured in November 1901 – during which time the church has grown both spiritually and numerically.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (Of Fairfield)
The First Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, was organized April 27, 1871. At the organization the Rev. R. C. Galbraith, then located in Flora, Illin ois, acted as moderator and A. R. Robinson acted as Clerk. There were sixteen members who entered the church at its organization. Immediately after its organization, Messrs, John Robinson, Dr. J. C. Claudy and James P. Dale, were unanimously elected Ruling Elders, a call was extended to the Rev. R. C. Galbraith, for his pastoral services, for one-half his time. He continued to serve the churches of Fairfield and Flora for a time, but soon resigned at Flora, and devoted all his time to Fairfield. He continued to serve the Fairfield church as pastor until June, 1880, when he resigned and the pastoral relation was dissolved. In August 1880, the Rev. Edward P. Lewis was called as stated supply, and began his services the last Sabbath in September 1880. Rev. Lewis continued to serve as stated supply until about the first of the year 1885, when he resigned. The church then remained vacant until February, 1886, when Rev. J. Scott Davis was engaged as stated supply, and he continued until January 1890, when he resigned to accept a call to a church at Casey, Illinois. The church then remained vacant until June, 1890, when the Rev. Melvin Frazer, a young man from Chicago, was engaged to preach for three months, during his vacation; in the meantime a call had been extended to the Rev. John Giffen, of Lampasas, Texas, which call he had accepted, but could not enter his duties as pastor until May 1891. After Rev. Melvin Frazier’s time had expired, the Rev. J. L. Riley, of the C. P. church, was engaged to preach for the church, until the Rev. John Giffen could enter upon his services as pastor. In May 1891, Rev. John Giffen was installed as pastor and continued to serve until May 1896, when he resigned and took charge of the church in Flora. The church then remained vacant, until October, 1886, when the Rev. F. S. Witter, was engaged for three months, at the end of which time he was re-employed until the meeting of the Presbytery in April 1897. The church then became vacant again and so remained until April 1898, when Rev. Samuel E. Taylor was engaged as stated supply, and he has very acceptably supplied the church down to the present time. The church building was erected in 1871, at a cost of about $6000. During the pastorate of the Rev. S. E. Taylor and through his influence, the church has bought and paid for a nice parsonage, costing $1,000.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH (Of Fairfield)
The Fairfield Baptist Church was organized in 1883 and the building was dedicated by Elder Graham. It is a brick building valued at $4500, and has a seating capacity of 490. The following ministers have served as pastor; Elders Rodman, Harmon, Chandler, Burt and Raleigh Wright. The church is at present without a pastor but expects to call one soon. They have now a membership of about one hundred, with an average attendance at Sunday School of about 50. They have a good Sunday School and interesting prayer meeting.
ST. EDWARD’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (Of Fairfield)
St. Edward’s Catholic Church was organized about the year 1879. until 1882 the congregation had no church, but met once a month at some private house and held services, the priest from Flora officiating with a membership of 40 families. Father J. M. Mamer is the present pastor.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE M. E. CHURCH GOLDEN GATE
The church was one of the first organizations recognized in this village, although the congregation was not provided with a suitable place of worship until the building in present use was erected in 1896. The house is neat and comfortable. It was built at a cost of $2,800, and made a pleasing addition to the town. At Golden Gate is located the parsonage of that circuit, consisting of the golden Gate, Merriam, Ebenezer and Bethel churches. The parsonage property is valued at $600, the congregation consisting of 85 members and is almost out of debt, owing only a balance of $50 on the new church. The people of Golden Gate take a lively interest in church affairs and the Sunday school and young people’s meetings are recognized as important features in connection with the general work.
JEFFERSONVILLE
HISTORIC SKETCH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
By Waterman Bestow
The congregation was originated in the schoolhouse in 1861 by David D. Miller, an evangelist. Brother Jasper Branch was the first Elder and Brothers Newton P. Branch and Samuel E. Ardery the deacons. The organization remained at the schoolhouse until 1871, when they built themselves a church house and gave it the name of the First Christian Church of Jeffersonville, the organization having been known before as the Church of Christ. The building is 36 x 56 feet and will comfortably seat 375 persons. It has in its steeple one of the finest bells in the state, which cost about $300 and is music to hear it ring. The house was dedicated by President H. W. Everest on the first day of August A. D. 1871. For a number of years the congregation remained very strong and under the preaching of such ministers as Brother E. J. Hart, B. R. Gilbert, T. Wall, C. A. Manker, Jno. A. Williams, D. Logan, C. W. Freeman, W. H. Johnson, G. W. Tate, Lew D. Hill and others, the church has had many names added to it’s record. The present pastor in Elder George T. Smith and the officers are Brothers W. Bestow and Wm. Hart, Elders; Brothers E. E. Morgan and C. D. Richards, Deacons, and Brothers W. Bestow, A. R. McDaniels and James Rochelle, Trustees. The Evergreen Sunday School and the Christian Endeavor Society are very healthy Organizations in connection with the church.
THE HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE M. E. CHURCH
By J. W. Tate
The ground on which the church now stands was deeded to the trustees by Edward Ulm, June 13, 1862. the first board of trustees was W. B. Smith, David Harmon, John Fearn, S. F. McKirrihan, and S. D. Witters. The following year after the organization was formed Mr. Fearn died and W. H. Blackburn was placed on the board in his stead. Rev. J. C. Baldridge was the pastor in charge, and was the leading spirit in the raising the funds for the building of the new church, which was begun in the autumn of 1871, and completed in the spring of 1872, under the pastorate of Chas. W. Sabine, pastor in charge of the Fairfield circuit. The contract was given to C. B. Morgan and J. D. Wilson, and the building was completed by them for the sum of $1, 850.00. The dedication sermon was delivered May 30, 1872, by Rev. Wm. Tilroe, of Graysville, who was a former pastor of this charge. Rev. Richard H. Massey was Presiding Elder at the time, in charge of the Mt. Carmel district. The present pastor is Rev. I. N. Johnson, and the present board of trustees consist of Dr. T. J. Hillard, Pres., C. B. Morgan, Treas., A. R. Courtright and D. R. Smith .
SIMS
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF “SIMS” BAPTIST CHURCH
BY J. S. BRIGHT
The Sims Baptist Church was organized in 1878, at the Liberty Schoolhouse and at the time was called Liberty. The Presbytery that formed the organization was composed of the following brethren: Elder J. B. Smith, Elder Joseph F. Thomason, Elder Joseph Overstreet, Elder W. M. Mayberry, and Elder T. W. Dickey. For some time they used the schoolhouse as a meeting place, afterward moving to the Union Church house in Sims. In 1901 they commenced the erection of the present house of worship. It was completed in 1902 and on the second Sunday of September, it was dedicated, by elder J. N. Hall, from Fulton, Kentucky. The church has maintained an evergreen Sabbath school for the past seven years. Elder Calvin Richardson, the present Pastor, has served the church for the past six years.
WAYNE CITY
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH HISTORICAL SKETCH
By J. C. Bristow, M. D.
The church was organized by Rev. Wm. R. Ratledge with eight or more members. He served, as first pastor, for a term of two years, built the parsonage and worked with great zeal for the upbuilding of the church. The comfortable church building now occupied by the congregation was built in 1891, when Rev. T. H. Thomason was pastor. He worked earnestly for the building of a new church, laboring much with his own hands in the work of construction. He had many difficulties to overcome, but at last had the satisfaction of seeing the work completed and the church finished. The house was dedicated on the first Sunday of September, 1891 by Dr. McElroy, of Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan. The church has had many able and earnest ministers as pastors and under their care has grown and waxed strong and is doing a great and good work. Like other churches it has had many difficulties to contend with but has come out victorious and in marching onward and upward in the glorious work for which it was organized.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church of Wayne City was organized in the year 1889 by Elder J. S. Rose at a meeting held by him in the Methodist Episcopal Church in May. The meeting lasted eighteen days and the organization was completed with fifty-two members in June, 1889. Elder Rose appointed the following officers: J. K. Ashley and J. M. Lee Elders Joe Pixley, Jonathon Bratton, and John Gaddis, deacons; J. H. Gaddis, clerk. A block of three lots was bought of P. A. Gaddis and a building was commenced but not finished until the summer of 1890, when it was dedicated, with A. G. Scudamore, E. B. Reid and J. M. Whitson as trustees. Elder J. S. Rose was the first pastor and served the church in this capacity for two years. Robert Renfro followed him and his pastorate lasted nearly two years. Since that time there have been the following pastors: J. W. Ingram, J. C. Ashcraft, W. S. Willey, A. W. Adams, Ralph Stead, C. L. Wood and C. E. Babcock. C. Edwards is the present pastor. We have a neat little frame building 28 x43 feet, situated on a corner block on Main Street and Washington Street. The congregation has been visited by such men as Paul Castle and A. L. Gilbert. There are now about one hundred members.
All Pages Copyright © 2006 Laurie Selpien
All Rights Reserved