Jersey County, Illinois - Chapter 17: Churches, 1919

Early Religious Conditions

At the time of the organization of Jersey County, the religious ele¬ ment gathered only in two churches, the Methodist and Baptist. There was known to be at that time only one Catholic family in the county, it being the Carroll family in Elsah Township. There was not within the bounds of the county a single building erected and dedicated solely for the worship of God.

Church societies were organized of Baptist denomination quite early in the history of the county. The first church was organized at the residence of Jehu Brown, in November, 1825, and was known as the Kane Baptist Church. The second Baptist Church was organized at the home of Judge John G. Lofton, on February 25, 1827, and was known as the Salem Baptist Church. At a later date a Baptist Church was organized on Borer's Creek, but it became extinct, and so remained until some time later. Elder J. V. Rhoads, in about 1839, organized what is known as the Lebanon Baptist Church.

There were Methodist classes organized at the residence of John G. Gillham in 1818. Services were held at the homes of other Methodists and at the Gillham Camp Grounds, east of the Gillham residence, for many years.

First Presbyterian Church

On February 15, 1834, Thomas Lippincott and Elisha Jenney organ¬ ized at the home of the late Newell L. Adams, on the present site of the C. P. & St. Louis Railroad depot, at Jersey ville, a Presbyterian Church.

The above were all of the organized churches in Jersey County at the time of its organization in 1839. There was not a meeting house or a building erected exclusively for public worship in the whole county. Of course there are present day cranks who bewail the lack of the socia¬ bility and hospitality of pioneer days, but they would hardly be willing to go back to the times when sermons were preached in private homes, and were two hours in length, and yet such things were among the usual conditions of the good old pioneer days. AVe say nothing of the preach¬ ing as to style or quality, simply that it was adapted to the culture of the times. AVhat progress has been made in religious matters in this county since its organization, when there was not a building erected exclusively for a place of public worship !

Wonderful Progress

The wonderful progress is shown in the following, for since 1839 there have been erected and are now standing in Jersey County, these churches : Baptist - Jerseyville, and Jerseyville colored, Grafton, Fidelity, Kemper, Paradise, Bethel, Bethany, Otterville and Delhi. Catholic - St. Francis Xavier's, Holy Ghost, St. Patrick's, St. Mary's, and St. Michael's. Christian Holiness - Jerseyville and Dow. Congregational - Kemper. Cumberland Presbyterian - Fieldon and Newbern. Episcopal - Jersey¬ ville. German Evangelical - Jerseyville and Fieldon. Methodist - Jer¬ seyville, Grafton, Fidelity, East Newbern, Rosedale, Elsali, Otterville, Salem, Shiloh, Meadow Branch, and Hartford. Presbyterian - Jersey¬ ville. Union - Nutwood.

A number of these churches have parsonages connected with them, and the Catholics maintain parochial schools for the education of the children of their faith. The Protestant churches all have Sunday schools in connection with their churches. Several of the denominations have erected more than one church in a community or city.

Methodist denomination, and called Wesley chapel. In 1858, this de¬ nomination built a new brick church one-half a mile east of the stone schoolhouse, which was used for many years before it Avent into decay. This congregation are now worshipping in a frame house known as the "Cumberland Presbyterian Church" in the center of Otterville. The Baptists in Otter Creek Township originally worshipped in the second story of the old stone schoolhouse. Some years after the close of the Civil War, they erected a brick church on the Hamilton Primary School lot, near the old stone schoolhouse, Avhich very comfortable structure they still occupy.

In the early forties, the Methodists at Grafton built a small frame church on the top of the hill back of the Keyes residence. In 1857 the present brick church was built and it has been in use from that time until the present, and is still a very comfortable place of worship. The denomination oaaui a building east of the church, which is used as a parsonage.

The Methodists erected a frame church at Hartford, which is about six miles west of Grafton, near the Illinois River. They erected another church at Rosedale.

The Baptists, after their organization, worshipped for a time in the courthouse, and then erected the large building opposite the northeast corner of the courthouse square, uoav owned by Judge George W. Hard¬ man. Later a neAV church was built on the southwest corner of Pearl and Washington streets, and completed about 1856. This church later was remodeled at a great expense, and in 1916 it was demolished, and the present commodious and modern church \\ms erected and dedicated in 1917. It is very complete and modem in all its appointments and arrangements. Rev. Joseph Jenkins was pastor during its erection, and is still in charge of it.

The First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville was a small frame structure, erected at the corner of State and Carpenter streets. It was used to hold the session of the circuit court in the spring of 1840. This church has had additions made to it at different times. A belfry was erected and a church bell installed therein in 1882, and was used until the present commodious and elegant church building was erected of Grafton stone. The original members of this church were as follows : James Lumsden, Reuben Page, Mrs. Elizabeth Page, Joseph Gerrish, Mrs. Elizabeth Gerrish, Mrs. Miriam Tunene, Dr. Alexander Buritt, Mrs. Nancy Buritt, N. M. Bosworth and wife, John Anderson and wife, Matilda McGill and Mrs. Sophronia Adams.

Church Of St. Francis Xavier

The first Catholic service ever held in Jersey ville, and perhaps in the county, was at the home of William Shephard in the fall of 1841, Rev. Father Hamilton officiating. Previous to 1839 Thomas Carroll, Mrs. Mary Cummings, and the Carroll family, who resided at Otter Creek, were the only Catholic families in this county. The number was increased that year by the arrival of William Shephard, James Flannigan and William Kelly, the latter being the first man ever married by a priest in Jersey County, which ceremony occurred in 1839, Father Hamilton officiating.

After Father Hamilton, Father Carroll of Alton occasionally visited Jersey ville and held services in the private homes and in the court¬ house. In 1848-49, William Shephard, Fred Bertman and William Kelley purchased from J. A. and C. J. C. Barr a lot of ground on which to build a church ; but it was not until 1857 that the erection of a small frame church was commenced, and in the latter part of July, 1858, was dedicated by the Right Rev. H. D. Juncker, bishop of Alton. Father Mangan was the first priest permanently located in Jersey ville, which was in August, 1858, and he remained there until April, 1860, when he was succeeded by Father Morrill, who remained until Feb¬ ruary, 1861. His successor was Father Laurent. During the five-year ministry of Father Laurent he had a. comfortable and commodious parsonage built, and bought ground for a cemetery. He remained until February, 1865, when he was succeeded by Father Hovius, who was succeeded by Father Sullivan. During the ministry of Father Sul¬ livan the foundations of the new church were commenced, as the old frame church which had been used for the past ten years was found too small, and removed to another part of the city, where it is used by the society for church purposes and for a day school.

The cornerstone of the present splendid edifice was laid in May, 1868, with appropriate ceremonies by Bishop Juncker of the Alton diocese. This building was dedicated July 4, 1861. The main building of the church is 55x110 feet, and is built in the early English style. The height of the tower from the pavement is 140 feet. It has the most imposing location in the city, and seems to be standing in the middle of the four principal thoroughfares coming into the city from the four points of the compass. The church has a seating capacity of 800 on the main floor, and 250 in the gallery, making a total seating capacity of 1,050 persons. The structure was planned by William

On December 1, 1868, Rev. Father Harty succeeded Father Sul¬ livan, and remained in charge of St. Francis Xavier's congregation for thirty-two years, or until his death, which occurred July 19, 1899. Rev. Father Fallon succeeded Father Harty, taking charge on August 1, 1899, and he remained until December 1, 1903, and he was suc¬ ceeded by Rev. Bernard AV. Lee, on January 1, 1904. Father Lee accomplished a great deal of work during his priestly life in Jerseyville. To him is due the credit of erecting the new parochial school and parish house. Father Lee remained in charge until July 1, 1907, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Driscoll, and he in turn was suc¬ ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. John J. Clancy, on October 1, 1914.

Father Clancy was born in Ireland on June 24, 1866. He made his preparatory studies in Ireland, and in September, 1889, came with a relative to America and entered the seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Niagara Falls, N. Y. He was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. James Ryan, D. D., bishop of the diocese of Alton, in the cathedral at Alton on to the Catholic University at AVashington, D. C., and remained there until he was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart Church at Dalton City, Ill., being its first resident pastor, and remained there until Feb¬ ruary 1, 1894, when he was sent to take charge of St. Catherine's Church at Afirden, Ill. He remained at Virden, Ill., until September 1, 1899, when he took charge of St. James Church at Riverton, Ill. On October 1, 1914, he arrived at Jerseyville to assume the task of paying off a big debt. With the co-operation of a loyal and generous people, he is meeting with much success at the present time.

It is interesting to note that the right reverend bishops and clergy accomplished much for the Catholics in and about Jersey County. On July 4, 1871, a new St. Francis Xavier's Church edifice was dedicated by Rt. Rev. P. J. Baltes, Bishop of Alton, in the presence of a large congre¬ gation, and the following clergymen who assisted on the occasion were : Very Rev. J. J. Jansseu, AC G. ; Rev. P. Brady, Springfield, Ill. ; Rev. T. Hickey, Yirden, Ill. ; Rev. P. Machen, Carrollton, Ill. ; Rev. Clement, Kaskaskey, Ill.; Rev. John Moher, Alton, Ill.; Rev. David Phealan, St. Louis, Ill. ; Rev. Michael Clifford, Bunker Hill, Ill. ; Rev. L. Omster, Westwoods, Ill.; Rev. J. O'Sullivan, Springfield, Ill.; and the pastor, Rev. James Harty. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. David Phealan of St. Louis, Mo.

Church Of The Holy Ghost

In 1883, a part of the German members of St. Francis Xavier, under the leadership of Henry Scheffer and Charles Schneider, purchased the Second Presbyterian Church, corner of Washington and Spruce streets, for $2,150.00, and on Thanksgiving Day, Bishop P. J. Baltes dedicated the Church of the Holy Ghost and installed Father F. A. Marks as pastor, where he remained for more than twenty-five years, he having charge of St. Mary's Church and school in English Township, as well.

The Church of the Holy Ghost was burned September 19, 1884, and the following year the present beautiful brick church was erected on the former site, at a cost of $6,500.00. This church also has a parsonage and parish school. Father Eckhard is the present pastor of both the Holy Ghost and St. Mary parishes.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Grafton was established in 1871, with Father B. N. Bourke as pastor during its first year, he being suc¬ ceeded by Father Edward McGowan, who remained until 1875. During the succeeding year, Father Thomas Cusack was the priest-in-charge, and then in 1876 Father D. J. Ryan assumed the duties of the parish, dis¬ charging them until 1878. The next pastor was Father Winterhalter, who remained a year, when he was succeeded by Father Rosmeller, the latter remaining until 1884, when Father Marks was placed in charge, and he remained until July, 1885. Father Thomas Masterson was priest of this parish from 1885 to 1892, when he was succeeded by Father Ter¬ rance O'Brian, who remained until the fall of 1894. Father Joseph Finnegan had charge until 1898, when he wTas succeeded by Father C. S. Bell, and in 1903 Father Bell was succeeded by Father C. E. Snyder. In 1912 Father August C. Van Rie became the pastor, and in the spring of 1913 Father D. J. Doyle came to the church, remaining until the fall of that year, when the present pastor, Father Charles F. Fanning, took charge.

From the Carroll family, as first settlers in Elsali Township in 1820, and William Shephard as sole representative in Jerseyville in 1839, have sprung the present five Catholic churches in Jersey County, with a greater membership and a larger amount of money invested than any other religious denomination in the county. One evidence of their activ¬ ity is shown in the organization of the Knights of Columbus lodge at

Descendants Of Prominent Catholics

Frederick J. Bert man, and his sister Mrs. Nellie B. Porter, son and daughter of the Frederick Bertmam who, with William Shephard and William Kelley, purchased the site and erected the first frame Catholic church, and several grandchildren and other relatives, still reside at Jerseyville, as do also five daughters and one son of William Shephard, beside several grandchildren. Henry A. Shephard, son of WTilliam Shep¬ hard, is one of the members of the General Assembly, from this district, which he has represented for several terms, and he was a candidate for this office in November, 1918. His son, William F. Shephard, is the present mayor of Jerseyville, and is the owner and operator of the largest and most complete automobile sale, storage and repair garage in this part of Illinois.

These are all honored and respected citizens. WTilliam Shephard, Frederick Bertman and William Kelley, represented respectively the English, German and Irish Catholics, and as emigrants of that faith, settling in this county, were mainly of these nationalities, they naturally assumed their church relations, under the leadership of these men.

Summary

Jerseyville has two Baptist Churches, one for white persons, and one for colored ones ; a Methodist Episcopal Church ; a Presbyterian Church ; an Episcopalian Church; an Evangelical Church; the Holiness Church of God; a Christian Science Society; and two Catholic Churches, St. Francis Xavier and the Church of the Holy Ghost.

Newbern, in Mississippi Township, has one Cumberland Presbyterian Church ; and Dow, in the same township, has one Christian Holiness Church. East Newbern has a Bethel, Methodist Episcopal Church.

Grafton, in Quarry Township, has one Baptist Church, one Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and the Hartford- Methodist Church.

Rosedale has one Methodist Episcopal Church. Meadow Branch, in Rosedale Township, has one Methodist Episcopal Church ; and Nutwood, in the same township, has a Union Church.

Otterville, in Otter Creek Township, has one Baptist Church, one Methodist Episcopal Church, one Shiloh Methodist Church, and one Salem Methodist Church.

The Methodist churches at Elsah, Salem, Otterville and East Newbern are connected with the Elsah circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Grafton, Hartford, Rosedale, Meadow Branch and Shiloh Methodist churches are attached to the Grafton circuit of that denomination. The Methodist churches at Fidelity and Paradise are connected with the Meclora circuit of that denomination. The pastor of the Evangelical Church at Jerseyville also has charge of the Fieldon church of that denomination. The other churches, outside of the cities and villages named above, in the majority of cases have no regular pastors.

The total number of Protestant churches in Jersey County is thirtythree, and the total number of the Catholic Churches in the county is five. The total value of the Protestant church property is $185,000.00. There are thirty-four Sunday schools in Jersey County. Enrolled in these Sunday schools are 3,674 pupils, with an average attendance of 1,492. Every township in Jersey County is organized by the Sunday School Association.