During the latter part of the late civil war the ME Church South wsa established at Marion, uner the labors of an evangelist, and Rev William Finley became the first pastor thereof. The church has been supplied regularly with a minister ever since by the Illinois Conference of the ME Church South, Rev TT Kendrick being the present pastor. The original members of this church were John Edwards and wife, and their son CM Edwards, Lovina Cook, Jeremiah Rice and wife, James Hudgepeth and wife, SS Vick and wife and others. The present church edifice was completed in 1872, costing with the lost about $1000. A Sunday-school was organized soon after the organization of the church. JN Moore if the present superintendent. The present membership is about 85, and the society has a comfotable parsonage property valued at $800. Fountian ME Church South was organized in 1878 or 1879, and Rev William Finley was its first pastor. It is located about seven miles south of Marion. Alex C Nelson and wife, James Simmons and wife, Scott Simmons and wife, George W Moak and wife, James S Hudgens and others were original members. Stone Fort ME Church South was organized in 1885 by Rev WH Nelson. Dr Osborn and wife, Dr Goe and wife and Mrs GW Rose were among its original members. The present membership is about 85. This church has incresed rapidly and its church property is valued at $1100. Rev TT Kendrick is the pastor. This church also supports a good Sunday-school. The foregoing three churches constitute the Marion Circuit in the Ashley District of the Illinois Conference. There seems to be a growing demand foe te extension of the ME Church South.
The Christian Church in Marion was organized soon after the town was located, perhaps in 1843, by Elders Bristow and Hayes, who were the pioner ministers of this church in this county, although they were not residents. Joab and Nancy Goodall, John and Phebe Pully, Davis and others were among the first members. The minister of this church have been Archibald T Benson, Samuel Nowland, Isaac Mulkey, Banteau Crim, WH Bowels, Matthew Wilson, John A Williams, ----- Trinbell and JJ Jones. The presnet membership is about 75. The present brick church was erected in 1877, at a cost of about $4000. Shiloh Christian Church, 3 miles south of Marion, was organized about 1862, and at present writing its membership numbers about 60. Elder Crim is the pastor. Serilda Christian Church, located 10 miles south of Marion, was organized about the year 1877, and has now about 40 members. Eight Mile Priaire Christian Church was organized about the year 1846, by Elders AT Benson and Ulysses Heap, with about 60 members. The present membership is about 100. Carterville Christian Church was organized recently, and has a membership of about 40, but no church edifice. Herrin's Prairie Christian Church was organized about the year 1864, and has now 40 members. Beaver Pond and Oak Grove Christian Church was organized during the latter part of the sixties (1860's) and now has about 100 members. Jeffersonville Christian Church was organized prior to 1870 by Elder MF Wilson. It nw has about 50 members and Elder Crim preaches for them. Furges School-house congregation, recently organized, has about 25 members, and Elder Crim also preaches for them. There are scattering members of this church denomination all over the county, who are not members of any particular organization. Good Sunday-schools are maintained by all the Christian Churches, adn during the last few years an increased interest has been manifested in SUnday-school work by all the churches in the county. William H Warder is the superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Christian Church in Marion.
A Presbyterian Church (of the new school) was organized in Marion in Aug 1845, by Revs W Chamberlain and Williston Jones. The following are the names of the orginal members: Samuel Aikman, Henrietta Aikman, William Aikman, Maria E Aikman, Eliab Aikman, Lewis Clavert, Mary Cox, Louisa Cox and Margaret MCMurray. A church was erected during the ministry of Rev Nehemiah Hunt, who took charge in 1848. His successors were Revs John W McCord, John Ingersoll, Hillery Patrick and Charles G Sellick--the latter after the war. The building erected under the administration of Rev Hunt was taken down in 1870, and the materials were sold to the Cumberland Presbyterians, who used then in erecting a church of their own 4 miles east of town. The lost, which had been donated by Rev Hunt, was sold for $205, and the money sent to him at his home in Sterling Center, MN. When the chruch was sold as above mentioned the organization was dissolved, and the members united with other denominations. The Cumberland Presbyterians above referred to organzied their church 4 miles east of Marion, in 1867, under the labors of Rev LG Simpson. The original members were Rev LG Simpson and wife, Rev JN Calvert and Clementine Parks, all of whom, so far as known, are living at the present, except Rev JN Calvert. The present membership numbers 30, and Rev JL Hudgens is the present pastor. The Presbyterians have an organization and church edifice at Carterville, and the Cumberland Presbyterians also have an organization there, but no edifice.
In the preparation of the history of Wmson Co the writer has consulted the works of Milo Erwin and Rev Throgmorton and acknowledges information and extracts taken therefrom. Acknowledgements are also due to the county officers for the privilege of consulting their records and for information given by them, and to all others who have kindly furnished valuable informatin for this work.