Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter 14: Church History, 1909

Chapter 14: Church History

Mount Vernon, the Home of Methodism first, and then all the other Denominations. The groves were the first Temples. First Preachers - Church Progress, etc. Churches in the Township.

Any county or community that shuts its doors against encouraging church or religious matters or organizations, is in just as bad a condition as the individual who shuts religious ideas and aspirations out of his or her heart. No state or county - especially in America - can hope to live and thrive and be great without fostering and encouraging religion and religious efforts - not sectarianism, not creeds merely, but religion itself, as taught by the Great Founder of the church, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail - including the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule and the Lord's Prayer. Church organizations and names are only valuable as a means of giving the neighborhoods meeting houses and a local habitation and a name. The Great Head of the church never once mentioned the Methodist, the Baptist, the Presbyterian, the Catholic or any other church - except the Church of Jesus Christ and though we may have our names on the books of all the churches and do not have our heart's affections centered on the Church of the Lord Christ, we need not hope to be saved. No matter what church we have next door to us, or have our names upon its books, we must ourselves be right before God, or we are only as the "sounding brass and tinkling cymbals."

Mount Vernon and vicinity was largely a Methodistic community from the start - the Caseys, the Maxeys and Johnsons nearly all being of that faith, and it was perfectly natural that that denomination should have the first societies and the first church houses. In 1819, Rev. Thomas Davis was sent to the Wabash and Mount Carmel work, and Old Union was a preaching point, and the people of the town used to walk out there to preaching. In 1822, Mount Vernon first appears upon the conference record and Samuel Thompson (for whom Capt. Thompson Maxey was named) was presiding elder and Revs. Josiah Petterson and Josiah Smith were sent to Wabash and Mount Vernon ; Smith and Riddle came a year later; William Moore, in 1824; O. Phillips part of the next year and John T. Johnson (Leander's father) the balance of the time; Thomas Files came in 1826. First we were in the Wabash and then in the Kaskaskia district, before there was any Mount Vernon district. The following preachers then followed in the order named, until 1 854, when Mount Vernon was made a station ; Thomas Files, John Fox, John H. Benson, Simeon Walker, James Walker, Warren Jenkins, Joshua Barnes, William Mitchell, David Coulson, J. M. Massey, John Sheppard, William T. William (father of J. D. and W. T.), James Dickens, J. I. Richardson, Allen McCord, R.

Moffet, Arthur Bradshaw, David Blackwell, John Thatcher, I. G. Kimber, John H. Hill, J. A. Robinson, Thomas W. Jones and Norman Allyn, and James Leaton.

In 1 834 it was decided to build a church, the first in the town, but Rev. John Johnson, D. Baugh and James Ross were the only town members. James Gray conveyed the lot, where the old church now stands (which is now being used as a lumber yard office; and, by the way, the only building of its day now standing), to John Johnson, Thomas M. Casey, Joel Pace, David Hobbs, Downing Baugh, Joseph Pace and James Ross, as trustees. This house was built and was added to later. Monthly preaching was inaugurated. The roof was of clap-boards and soon warped so as to let in the rain and snow. In 1840 it was fixed up^twelve feet added to its length and a bell presented by Governor Casey was hung in the belfry. This bell is now doing service at the United Brethren church in South Mount Vernon. Before the house was done, the old courthouse had fallen in and the church was opened for a political discussion between John A. McClernand and Abraham Lincoln. Mc- Clernand spoke till noon and the court, composed of Democrats, said politics must give way to court and Lincoln was denied a chance to speak. But Mr. Kirby had Lincoln go up to his hotel and speak on a dry goods box to the people. The church being the only one m the town, was used for many meetings besides regular services. But as the population increased, other Methodists came in and a better house was needed. A deed was obtained to what is now known as the Methodist property, and a large two-story house was erected in the center of the lot, in 1 854, at a cost of nearly five thousand dollars, and in 1881 another four thousand dollars was added in the way of improvements, a new steeple, new furnishings, more room, etc. The first year of its erection the Southern Illinois conference, with Bishop Ames presiding, met in it, and Mount Vernon was made a station, with eighty-eight members. John H. Hill was presiding elder and James Leaton, pastor, but as his salary was only about two hundred dollars, he taught school in the basement to "help out." The official members and class-leaders were then Zadok Casey, John H. Watson, H. Davidson, Samuel Schank, Joel F. Watson, John N. Johnson, Charles T. Pace, Downing Baugh. In 1858, the charge went back to the circuit and was not again a station until 1865.

The Church Destroyed By Cyclone

In February, 1 888, this church was leveled to the ground by the terrible cyclone which struck and destroyed more than half of the town, on that fatal Sunday, February 19th. Meetings were then held in "McBride's Chapel," a little room on North Twelfth street, until the present church edifice (the largest and best in town) was completed. The charge now has about six hundred members. The station preachers have been : James Leaton, Norman Allyn, Ephraim Joy, T. A. Eaton, R. H. Manier, M. House, G. W. Hughey, J. H. Lieper, Joseph Harris, D. W. Phillips, N. Hawley,

During the intervening years, the annual conferences of Southern Illinois Methodists have been held in Mount Vernon, much to the edification of our people, whose latch-strings are always on the outside for religious bodies, and to the gratification of the preachers and lay delegations. At some of these gatherings hundreds of visitors have been entertained for a week at a time in the hospitable manner so characteristic of Methodistic Mount Vernon. Such noted ministers as Bishop Ames, Simpson, Peck, Thompson, Walwall's history of JEFFERSON CO., ILL. 147 den, and other big preachers, and singers, and workers have been our guests and our entertainers. The present splendid church building was dedicated by Bishop Bowman in 1889 - a year after the old church was destroyed. In this church we have always had good preachers and workers, some of them extraordinarily so, but we cannot here individualize. Suffice is to say, that Mount Vernon is still the home of Methodism, and a real good home it is. The church is now supplied with all the necessary rooms and has a fine pipeorgan and a good choir, besides all the other machinery of the church in good working order. A commodious and comfortable parsonage stands on the same lot with the church edifice.

The Methodist population became too numerous to be cared for by the First church and the town having meantime spread itself in every direction, steps were taken to build other houses of worship and now we have three nicely furnished Methodist churches, one in South Mount Vernon and in East Mount Vernon and a good prospect of one in West Mount Vernon, all supplied with good pastors, and an aggregate membership of perhaps fifteen hundred. Then we also have a Free Methodist and Colored Methodist church.

The Presbyterian Church

was first organized in Mount Vernon with ten members and two elders, in 1841, by B. F. Spillman, and the church was served by Ewing Blackburn, Lefler and others, and finally the members transferred their membership to Gilead, at Rome. But the Alton Presbytery came later and organized a society composed of Warner and Eliza White, John S. and Louisa Bogan, George and Hannah Mills, John C. and Juliana Gray, Sarah A. Tanner and W. D. Johnson. The pastors have been: Revs. Samuel Wylie, W. H. Bird, H. Patrick, Chades Kenmore, R. G. Williams, John Gib-

The basement of the old Odd Fellows hall was used by them until 1857, when the Presbyterian church near the Louisville & Nashville depot was finished. At the beginning of the present century the Cumberland and the General Presbyterian churches were merged and the Mount Vernon Presbyterians united in fellowship and church services in their new church on North Tenth street - the most centrally located church in town. They now have a good pastor. Rev. E. B. Surface, and a large and growing membership. The Presbyterians have come to stay, and everybody welcomes them. The colored Presbyterians have a church and pastor in South Mount Vernon.

Baptist Church

The First Baptist church of Mount Vernon was organized in 1 868, although there were Baptists in Mount Vernon all through these years. The early preachers at the First church were: J. W. Brooks. J. S. Mahan, D. W. Morgan, M. Wilson, Sanford Gee. Cal Allen, Charles Davis. W. W. Hay, W. B. Vassor, and Mr. Midkiff, who was the pastor when the cyclone destroyed the church building in 1888. The present commodious church was built in 1889 and W. P. Throgmorton installed as pastor. Following him came: Revs. J. D. Hooker, W. P. Hoster. J. Carroll Harriss, J. P. Langly, Dr. McCall, - Theile, J. A. Todd, and W. A. Dorgan, present pastor. The church has been connected with the Salem Association and of late years is doing good work, while its usefulness and membership is constantly on the increase. Its present pastor. Rev. Dorgan. from Kentucky, is one of the most eloquent and instructive ministers we have in this section. The Second Baptist church has been erected in South Mount Vernon and has a good membership and a regular pastor. Also, the Baptists have a Mission church in North Mount Vernon. There are also two colored Baptist churches in town and the Baptists are at the front in all the forward movements in moral and religious improvements.

United Brethren Church

On South Tenth street, near the Second Methodist church, stands the United Brethren church, a denomination not very common in these parts. Their creed and mode of worship is not very different from the Methodists - especially in the matter of revivals, class-meetings, etc. They have had several good pastors, whose names we have been unable to secure. Like all the other churches, they have a flourishing Sunday school and young people's meetings and like most of the others, also are always ready for union efforts in trying to influence the community to "join in with the overtures of offered mercy."

was organized away back in the fifties when Harvey T. Pace and wife were its pillars. Its present edifice was built about cyclone times, and the organization has had many good pastors and is constantly increasing its membership and usefulness. Among its workers are some of the descendants of the oldest inhabitants, notably Mrs. Dr. Plummer, daughter of Uncle Harvey T. and Aunt Nancy Pace. Rev. Francis is now pastor.

The Universalist Church

building stands on the corner of Jordan and Eleventh streets, where over fifty years ago we went "sparking" - for one night only - she intimated that the "other fellow" would occupy the remainder of the time.

The Catholic Church

was slow to get a foothold in Mount Vernon and not until Mrs. Thomas S. Casey came from Springfield and joined with Mr. Maloney and others, was there any attempt to build a church. The present building and parsonage sprung into being through their efforts. In 1 872, Bishop Baltes, and vice-general Jansen, together with M. Wood, were appointed trustees of "St. Philip Neri's Roman Catholic church at Mount Vernon." But not until 1880 did they hold services in their church, near the Supreme Court house. The house cost about two thousand dollars and many outside citizens contributed to its erection. Several "Fathers," whose names we have not, have had charge of the congregation, and regular services are held there as a rule.

Episcopal Church

Bishop Seymour, of Springfield, spent his last days hunting up the "scattered sheep" in Southern Illinois. Among other places, he came to Mount Vernon and organized a church in 1878, with the assistance of H. W. Preston, William Pilcher, H. H. Simmons, T. T. Wilson and others, and services were held at various places until finally the original Methodist church building was secured. After Mr. Moody, came Rev. I. N. Irvine, a man full of zeal and energy, serving both at Mount Vernon and McLeansboro. Following Mr. Irvine, came Rev. E. B. Hoyt, whose monument stands in Oakwood cemetery. Since the "old church" has been absorbed by the lumber yard, the congregation has been worshipping in the old Presbyterian church. But they are building a nice church on Eleventh street (the very spot where the writer, fifty years ago, was wedded to Miss Milly Watson). The Episcopal congregation is not very large, but is composed of some of our very best people and is doing good. TTie rector. Rev. Purse, has charge of the Mc- Leansboro congregation also.

East Mount Vernon for several years had a church building that was occupied by all comers, especially by the Southern Methodists and the Dunkards. After it disappeared, the Epworth Methodist building sprung up to fill the "long felt want" of East Mount Vernon, the Epworth Methodist Episcopal church.

A "regular" Baptist church, one of the old kind, where "footwashing" is part of the service, is in operation in South Mount Vernon, with a regular minister. And then we have with us what some please to term the "Sanctified crew," claiming to be the real followers of John Wesley; also the Salvation Army, who sing, pray and preach in the streets both - evidently doing much good. Often we have services in the court-house by outside people, and taken altogether. Mount Vernon certainly keeps pace with any and all other towns in building churches, and in religious matters generally.

FIRST THE CAMP GROUND CHURCH. A log house at first and camp meetings used to be held close by. Then a better house, and also another later. It took in nearly all the people in the eastern part of the township for many years. It, like the rest, has a history, but our space forbids the details of these scattered churches, or of the town churches either, as to that matter. The Old Camp Ground has been a noted preaching place for lo, these many years, and ministers of all creeds have labored there for the upbuilding of the Lord's work - saying very little about their creeds.

AT LIBERTY. The Methodists at Liberty were organized in 1 85 1 , by Rev. John Thatcher, who is still remembered for his peculiarities. It consisted of the Waites, Wilkersons, Hails and a few others. Notwithstanding many drawbacks. Liberty has always managed to keep up with the religious procession, for which the people there deserve credit.

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH, in the Harlow settlement, six miles northeast of town, was organized by James Keele, Bird Warren, R. A. Grant, Robert Harlow and others, in 1856, and for years services were held in the Seven Mile school-house. A few years ago a fine large church house was erected, which is often filled with devout worshippers, mostly of the Baptist faith and order. One of the best county Sunday school conventions we ever attend-i ed was held in this house.

There are a few old inhabitants who remember what big meetings we used to have at Old Union - how under the old tabernacle the people used to get happy in bunches and what plam, practical gospel was dealt out there. This point is now in another township, but it was then considered part and parcel of Mount Vernon and that is why we speak of it in this chapter. Many years ago it ceased to be a preaching place and since the establishment of Oakwood cemetery, it has largely ceased to be a burying place, until now it is being revived as such.

Pleasant Grove, the home of "Uncle Tommy" Casey, was another church, popular with our Mount Vernon people and many big preachers" have held forth there. In the "city of the dead" there sleeps the dust of most of the old Maxeys, Caseys, Johnsons, Bullocks, and others who were prominent in their day. And about three miles east of that is Hopewell, another land mark in religious matters and another burying place for pioneers. All these places deserve more notice than we can possibly give them. But the projectors of these houses of worship and these cemeteries, "being dead, yet speaketh." Let us Hsten to their words of wisdom. We need but go to these cemeteries to get the sequel to the work performed in these churches - in other words to catch the silent echoes from the spirit-world. In these cities of the dead repose the ashes of the noble spirits of whom we have been vvriting, the pioneers of Jefferson county. But we do not go there to hear from them, or to see them, for they are not there. No, when we think of our dear departed ones, we do not think of them as in the grave or grave-yard. We take their lifeless bodies there and bury them from our sight, but their real selves, never. No, no no! Our dear, departed life-partner is not in the "city of the dead," but in the city of the living God, which human eye hath not seen, nor ear heard ; neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive of its wondrous beauty or the everlasting joy of its inhabitants. Strew your flowers on the sleeping dust of your beloved ones in the grave, but never, never think of them being there. The casket is there, but the jewel is gone.