The Congregational Church and Society of Lyndon was organized
27th of June, 1836, and was the first religious society organized in Whiteside
county. The initiatory steps looking toward the organization of this society were
taken by Adam H. Hamilton ,
William D. Dudley and
Chauncey G. Woodruff and
their families, the earliest settlers of Lyndon, and fresh from the great revivals
which occurred in New York and other Eastern States during the winters of 1830
to 1835.
The meeting was held at the house of William D. Dudley, and presided over by Rev. Elisha Hazard, the agent of the American Home Missiionary Society, who had come to the West to organize churches and societies under its patronage. The meeting adopted the Confession of Faith, and the Coveenant and enrolled the following names on the church book; Adam R. Hamilton, Nancy Hamilton, John M. Hamilton, Adam R. Hamilton, Jr., Nancy A. Hamilton, Lovica Hamilton, Mary E. Hamilton, William D. Dudley, Tripbena I. Dudley, Louisa Dudley, Liberty Walker, Chauncey G. Woodruff, Sophia Woodruff, Julia Woodruff, Ephraim A. Hubbard, 0. L. Turner, Joshua T. Atkinson, Emily Atkinson.
In 1838 an addition of eighteen members was made to the church by letter from the East. These embraced the families of William Clark, Anna Dudley, biomillikand.html"> Daniel F. Millikan, George Garlick, Augustin W. Newhall, J.M. Kneelaud and Alexis Hubbard. In 1839 there came to the church the families of Charles S. Deming, Artemas, Cady, P. Daggett. Solomon Hubbard, Brainard Orton, and John Roy. Besides these twenty-two others came by profession of faith. The places of worship alternated at first between the bluff school house, and houses in the village. In the village meetings were held at Dr. Smith's house, the upper story of Mr. Newhall's house, Gould's building which was used for school house, Circuit Court and Church, Atkinson's house Gilbert's store room, Chamber's store room, and the first school building erected in Lyndon.
The church building was erected in 1850 at a cost of about $2,500. Its size is thirty-two feet wide by forty-eight long, and directly faces the south, which position, owing to the peculiar formation of the village, brings it almost broadside to the street. It was a fine church edifice for the West in its day The first pastor of the society was the Rev. Elisha Hazard, who continued from 1836 to 1842. Rev. Nathaniel Smith followed, remaining until 1846, when Rev. Wm. W. Blanchard became pastor and remained until 1850. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Ward, who remained only a short time, when Rev. A. Chapman was called to the pastorate and remained five years. Rev. H. Judd came next and continued in charge until the fall of 1862. Rev. W.D. Webb was next called, and continued his labors for five years, and was succeeded by Rev. Simon Gilbert, who labored for a term of two years. Rev. John Gray followed with another two year term. Rev. Charles Machin is the present pastor. Adam R. Hamilton was chosen the first deacon of the church, and so continued until his death. The only associate Deacon Hamilton had in this office during his life, was Daniel F. Millikan, who was chosen in July, 1840. After Deacon Hamiltons death, Martin Conyne was chosen in his place.
In February, 1877, Alexis Hubbard was chosen third deacon, making the present deacons of the church, Daniel F. Millikan, Martin Conyne, and Alexis Hubbard. John Roy was appointed the first clerk of the church, and continued in that office for a quarter of a century. He was succeeded by Alexis Hubbard, the present clerk. The present trustees of the church are Draper Richmond, Jerome Sands, and Edward Lancaster. The present membership of the church is eighty-six.
Source: Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
