The beginning of what is now known as the People's church, in Sterling, dates from January 31, 1892. At that time Rev. L.P. Duncan, now of Streator, IL was State Missionary for the IL Conference of Unitarion and other independent societies, and through the efforts of Mr. Neil Melvin, who had secured Mahan's Hall, Mr. Duncan preached his first sermon to about 20 people, on the date above mentioned. So great was the encouragement, that an earnest request was given to Mr. Duncan to hold more meetings the small company guaranteeing expenses. He returned and held meetings on Feb. 7 and 8, the result of which was the gathering of a nucleus of liberally minded people, who were previously without regular church fellowship. At the request of the people Mr. Duncan held monthly services during the next five months, a change of holding the meetings being made to Rock Falls, April 3, 1892, as it seemed that the larger number of people engaged in the movement resided on that side of the river. Mr. Duncan continued to visit the society monthly until June 4, 1893. During the fall of 1893 and the year of 1894, to October 14, the society, which by general consent had come to be known as the "Non-Sectarian" was served at intervals by various pastors.
On November 4, 1894 Rev.H.O. Hoffman, of Bloomington, was engaged by the society for the period of six months, and on December 2, the society was regularly organized and took the permanent name of "The People's Church. On account of securing a more central location the place of holding the meetings was changed from Rock Falls to the Academy of Music, Sterling, Dec. 16, 1894. But later the G.A.R. Hall was secured which had been the permanent meeting place of the organization. Early in March 1895, Rev. H.O. Hoffman was obliged to give up his pastorate because of ill health. The Society secured Rev. Seward Baker, a graduate of the Meadville PA Theological school, who preached his first sermon March 10, 1895, and who was ordained as pastor of the church the following May. Mr. Baker is still the minister of the church, having recently taken up his active work again, after eight months cessation, the result of a serious railroad accident that occured Dec. 16, 1895, which cause dthe amputation of both legs.
The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
