Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter 15: Church History, 1909

Chapter 15: Church History

FOUNDS AN INDIAN MISSION IN 1826 - oTHER WORKERS OF A LATER DATE - HISTORY OF CATHOLIC PARISH OF ODELL - PONTIAC METHODIST CHURCH - THE PART OF ITS MEMBERS IN THE CIVIL WAR - CHURCH BUILDINGS - PONTIAC PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - CHRISTIAN CHURCH FOUNDED IN 1854 - COLORED CHURCHES OF PONTIAC - EARLY SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Rev. Jesse Walker, the pioneer of all Methodist preachers, left St. Clair County in 1824, and first located at Peoria. The following year he took up his abode at Ottawa. In the spring of 1826, he established a mission among the Pottawatomie Indians at what is now called Mission Point, in La Salle County. He labored faithfully there, preaching to the Indians and keeping a schoo] for some thirty-five Indian children. He preached the Gospel to the Kickapoo Indians in Livingston County before a white man had entered its borders (See Indian history.) In 1832, he was appointed to the Chicago Station. Doubtless in his great circuit from Chicago to Peoria and east to the state line, he preached the first sermons in Livingston County at the log cabins of Rook or Darnall or McDowell. He remained two years in Chicago, when he retired to a small farm twelve miles west of Chicago, where he died October 5, 1835, and was buried near Plainfield, Will County. The Methodist conference held at Plainfield in July, 1850, appointed a committee of their body, who removed his remains to the cemetery at Plainfield, and erected a monument to his memory.

The first Illinois conference appointment to this region was in 1833, when Rey. William Royal was sent to the Ottawa Mission. in the Chicago district. This mission reached from the Illinois river east to the state line, and from Ottawa to the Mackinaw in McLean County, and included Livingston County. He made the circuit every four weeks. He organized the first Methodist society in this county in Widow Me- Dowell's log cabin in Avoca Township in the fall of 1834, although Rev. James Eckles bad preached the first sermon there in the spring of 1833.

Interior, St. Paul'S Catholic Church, Odell

In 1850, Avoca circuit was formed to include all the preaching places in Livingston County, and appears first in the minutes of that year for the Rock River conference. Rev. William C. Royal was appointed as circuit rider. In 1851, Rev. B. W. Fidler was appointed to the circuit. In 1852-53, Rev. George C. Holmes was on the Avoca circuit, and doubtless preached every four or six weeks, although no record remains other than the name in the conference minutes.

Rey. George W. Murphy was appointed in 1854 and Rev. Jacob Matthews in 1855. The central Illinois, or as it was then called for four years, the Peoria conference, was organized September 6, 1856, from the southern part of the Rock River conference, and Rev. Thomas Watson was appointed to the Avoca circuit under Presiding Elder Zadoe Hall, and also preached at Pontiac. At the conference in 1857, Rev. W. J. Stubbles was appointed to the Avoca circuit and assisted in the erection of the new church. The church at Pontiac was built the same year. Rey. J. Mendell was appointed in 1859, and again in 1860. He resigned in June of that year, and Rev. M. Scurlock was appointed.

The history of this parish is like the history of most Catholic congregations in Illinois, a record of small beginnings, of heroic struggle and sacrifice on the part of a religious and devoted people. The first Catholic church was built here in 1873. Before that time the spiritual wants of the Catholics were attended to by priests from Dwight and other neighboring towns. Services previous to 1873 were held in a public hall. At this time Odell was in the Chicago diocese, and the Right Rev. Thomas Foley was bishop. His diocese was quite extensive, and it was impossible for him to give that attention to the smaller parishes which they deserved. . Moreover, his efforts were mainly directed to the rebuilding of the churches and schools of the city of Chicago, which had been destroyed by the fire of 1871. Hence in many of the country districts it became a necessity for the people themselves to take the initiative in erecting churches and schools.

March 1, 1873, the Catholics of this community decided to erect a church, A committee was appointed and incorporated under the state law. The gentlemen composing the committee were Messrs. Michael Cleary, Edward Collins, Thomas E. Lyons, Bernard Lyons, Frank Craven and John Harbison. These were amoug the wealthiest and most respected members of the congregation, and after the untiring efforts of several months, they succeeded in raising $6,000 for the new church. A substantial frame church was erected, proclaiming to all the undying faith of these good people in the religion of their martyred forefathers, and their ardent desire to have that religion handed down to their children.

There was not yet a resident pastor in Odell, and the Right Rey. Bishop Spalding, the newly appointed bishop of Peoria, and whose name is now honored throughout the Catholic world, promised to send a resident pastor if the people would erect a parochial house. The committee were not slow in getting the necessary funds for the erection of the rectory, and in September, 1877, Rev. Father Boylan was appointed first pastor of Odell Catholic congregation.

The members who compose the congregation today do not forget the zeal and foresight of these good men, who, unaided by bishop or priest, carried to a successful issue these undertakings. They laid the foundation of a congregation which has grown to be one of the largest and most influential in this part of the state.

Father Boylan was pastor until 1882, when he was succeeded by Rey. Father Halpin. Father Halpin was much beloved by his congregation, and during his pastorate, owing to the increase in the membership, it was found necessary to enlarge the church. Father Halpin died here in 1893, and his successor was Rey. L. Selva. He remained until September, 1899, when the present pastor, Rev. P. Griffy, took charge. Father Selva did a grand work in this parish when he erected a beautiful brick school (costing $12,000), for the Christian education of the children of the parish.

In 1901, the congregation decided to build a new church. They naturally hesitated to sever their connection with the old sacred edifice, which was endeared to them by many holy associations. where many of them were baptized, or married, or received the other ministrations

The building with its decorations, altars, etc., cost about $70,000, and it is a credit not only to the members of the congregation but to the town of Odell. Rarely does one see such a Church with its artistic windows, its magnificent statuary, three altars of Carrara marble, its beautiful paintings and frescoing in a town of this size. The people are justly proud of it, and believe it will be an influence for good for many centuries to come.

The building committee of the new church was composed of Messrs. Michael Cleary, James Murphy, Joseph Bellot, Sr. P. H. Langan, Owen Feehan, Joseph Verdun, Frank Erchen and S. J. Lyons, who acted as secretary.

A rectory was built in 1904 at a cost of $12,000. It is one of the finest parochial houses in the diocese of Peoria. The Catholics of Odell are proud of their buildings and pardonably so. | In conclusion, it might well be said that, in some particulars, St. Paul's Church of Odell is a credit not alone to Odell, but to the county and state, and more especially to Rev. Father Griffy, its present pastor, whose artistic taste directed and designed it. There are many handsome religious edifices in America, but none has more harmony of color in its interior decorative scheme than St. Paul's Church. So pleasing, so quieting, one feels at ease with all the world, and his thoughts turn to things of good. The stained glass windows are real gems of art by Italian artists, depicting scenes in the life of Christ. The fourteen statuesque groups illustrating the Saviour's journey to Calvary and his ignominious death on the cross, are wonderful in their conception of pose and expression. All were sculptured in Italy. The three beautiful marble altars all indicate a most delicately refined taste, as well as religious fervor. The people of St. Paul's Church «are to be congratulated upon having a pastor of such rare artistic ability and who has such a high regard not alone for their spiritual welfare but their temporal comforts. The publishers and editors of this work regret that they are not able to publish a personal biography of Rev. Father Griffy. In response to a request for data for the same, he said "My life is for my people. Whatever I do or accomplish is for

The Pontiac Methodist Church

In a paper of reminiscences, the work of the present generation is too new and apparent to be mentioned, so let us forget ourselves for a moment and go back to the beginning of Methodism in Pontiac, back to the time when the circuit rider came to bring the message of salvation and the comfort of the gospel to the settlers scattered over the prairies. Im that day Pontiac was but a name upon the map. Then neighbors lived miles distant and their onerous duties kept men and women too busy to be neighborly. The arrival of the circuit rider was a veritable God-send from a purely social standpoint, if no other. Word having been sent ahead and some energetic lad having been found to spread it in the neighborhood, the announcement that preaching services would be held at such a farm-house usually brought a number of people from their tasks to enjoy rest for thelr bodies and refreshment for their souls. The points in the neighborhood of Pontiac where services were most frequently held were at John Foster's, later at Philip Rollins' and north at the Perry place. After 1852, when the Remicks settled at Rudd's mill, west of Pontiac, this place became a gathering point for Methodists, and was more of a center because the farmers came for many miles to bring their grist to mill. Pontiac was not very pious in those days. One of the mill hands at Mr. Remick's mill was sick and his life was desparied of. There was no man at the mill to pray by his sick bed, so Mrs. Remick sent in to Pontiae for the only man who had the reputation of ever having been religious, and he sent word that he was not fit to do it. The man died and was buried without a word of prayer either at the bedside or the open grave.

The opening of the railroad in 1854 brought new settlers, and in 1855 or 1856 the first school house was erected on the bank of the Vermilion river in the jail yard. This was a better location then than at first thought it might seem to be, for until 1866 Pontiac was without that yaluable adjunct to civilization known as a county jail. As the town grew the desire for a dedicated place of worship grew; accordingly, a subscription was taken and a sufficient sum of money promised, when an ugly rumor began to circulate that the Presbyterians intended to have the new edifice dedicated as a Presbyterjan church. Talk about waving a red flag at a bull! Six active, energetic, zealous Methodists had a conference, pledged $75, and each taking a subscription paper started on the war path. Money was raised, some if it being diverted from its Presbyterian course, and the M. E. Church became an assured fact.

Unfortunately in the criminations and recriminations which followed an ugly feeling was engendered, which required years to eradicate. Indeed, it was not until most of those who had fought and bled on the battle field had passed away.

The timbers were cut, the saw mills were kept busy. Messrs. Gunsel and Maples, the carpenters, were urged to make haste, for the spirit of old Adam stili lingered in good Methodists and made them hope to have their church finished before that of the Presbyterians, but

That was a notable building and worthy of a description, for it cost $1,400. It served the Methodists as a place of worship for nine years, when it was sold to the Catholics. It stood where the Catholic church now stands fronting to the west. It was in the Colonial style of architecture, 28x40, with a portico in front, surrounded by Greek columns, rising to support the gable. toric bell adorned the roof. It was painted white without and white within; instead of having a vestibule there was a recess in the middle of the front, with a door at either side, opening directly into the church, besides the choir, who occupied the back seats, At the other end was the pulpit, with its chancel rail, at either side of which were two benches, which at protracted meetings became the mourners' seats. These seats were uncompromisingly straight and hard. On either side, about the middle, were two cannon stoves, which in winter scorched those who came near them, without warming those a few feet away.

A few weeks after the dedication a revival was held. The pastor in charge of the church was one who belonged to that class of men who mistake perspiration for inspiration. He was tall, raw boned, black-haired, a magnetic, impassioned and powerful preacher, but an abusive, quarrelsome, coarse-fibered sensationalist. He was returned to Pontiac for the second year, but Pontiac would have none of him, and upon their absolute refusal to receive him, he was compelled to seek greener pastures.

This revival was accompanied by a manifestation of "the jerks." This manifestation was not peculiar to Pontiac nor to Methodists, for the most remarkable instances occurred among the Presbyterians of the Western states.

The first night of the meetings in Pontiac, the "Jerkers," numbering between twenty and thirty, came from Avoca to help arouse enthuslasm. Adjoining the church to the south was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Remick, who had a short time before moved into the village, and upon them descended the whole outfit for their supper. The tables were stretched out and loaded with eatables, though how Mrs. Remick managed it remains a mystery. After handling their chairs like people with the St. Vitus dance, they managed to seat themselves, and then began a scene that riyals description. Imagine thirty people trying to put food into their mouths, and half of them sending it onto the floor, or raising a cup of coffee to their lips, when a spasmodic jerk of the arm would send it across the table. Imagine, too, the state of Mrs. Remick's carpet when they had adjourned to the church, for more victuals were on the floor than had been eaten, and the stove, unable to stand up under such repeated jarring of the floor, had gone over. Outside the disorder was almost as bad, for in the attempt to feed the horses, the entire haystack was scattered around for rods. In the church one man jerked so violently that he knocked the plaster off the wall at the end of his seat. Children were frightened, the "boys," of course, were amused, and many were greatly alarmed. It was rumored that those who scoffed would certainly be afflicted, and in many cases this fear acted as a bridle, but the Livingston County News lampooned the preacher, and the editor the following night was the target of denunciation, expressed in very muscular English. This was the first time in Pontiac the newspaper was accused of being the "work of the devil."

It was at this time that Elder Stubbles and Mr. Remick came into open conflict, and the elder revenged himself for all time by contemptuously referring to Mr. Remick and his official associates as "court house rats," a name which still sticks and is likely to continue to do so so long as the court house stands.

The events which have most thrilled our people, which have stirred them to their very hearts' depths, were at the breaking out of the war. Some of our citizens and church members had already gone to the front, when in 1862 was held the great war meeting in the old court house, and the 129th Illinois Volunteers was organized. Among those who enlisted was Thomas Cotton, pastor of this church, who became the chaplain of the regiment. Speaking of this event, he says: "A. E, Harding made a ringing speech in presenting a sword to the veteran Capt. Payne. When brother J. F. Culver was called for to make a speech, he responded: 'I can not make a speech until I have first signed the muster roll;' then the patriotic fire blazed beyond control."

Every male member of the M. E. Church but two enlisted. Of these two, one was a cripple, and the other a physician. And strange to relate, every Methodist of the 129th returned. Indeed the church lost during the war but two men, Anthony Knight, who was killed at Shiloh, and Francis Penfield, who was killed at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia. Those enlisting who were members of the church or congregation were: J. F. Culver, John Lee, J. W. Smith, G. W. Bay, Amos Clark, John Harper, Thomas Cotton, Anthony Knight, Robert Kingore, James E. Bastien, D. J. Lyon, James Gaff, H. C. Achurst, Isaac Aerl, D. P. Murphy, John Evans, Richard Evans, Francis Penfield.

The subscription for the new church was taken June 21, 1866, and amounted to $7,011.75, according to the original copy on record. Morris Johnson was treasurer and with W. S. Lacey. Charles Knight, E. W. Capron and William Manlove, had charge of the work. The plan was for a two story brick church 40x80 feet, with corner towers, an audience room above seating 325, and Sunday school and class rooms below. The basement was completed and dedicated with appropriate services by Rev. Joseph

S. Cummings, assisted by Revs. M. F. Havermale, J. G. Evans, Thomas Cotton and W. A, Cumming, Nov. 10, 1867. The question of renting pews was brought up in a report of a committee in favor of it in 1868; the matter was laid upon the table, and this church has always had the glory of a free pew, a people's church. For four years the audience room had stood unfinished, so W. S. Lacey, at the head of a committee, was directed to complete it at an estimated cost of $5,000. Three thousand dollars was subscribed and a loan of $2,000 was effected. The church was completed and known as the "Centenary church," from being commenced in 1866, the centennial year of the Methodist Episcopal church. It was dedicated by Rev. J. M. Reed, of New York, assisted by Revs. F. M. Chaffee, R. D, Russell, R. G. Pearce and others. This was a proud day. The church was estimated to have cost in all nearly $22,000 and it is equal to any in the conference.

July 4, 1874, was one of the darkest days in the history of Pontiac. A beautiful, new, solid brick hotel had been erected and Union Block was the city's pride. On that day. at noon time, a carelessly thrown fire-cracker caused one of the buildings to burst into flames, which instantly swept from building to building till in one short hour naught remained of the blocks, the Phenix Hotel and court house, but heaps of smoking embers. This great fire swept away in a few minutes thousands of dollars, the savings of years, much of it belonging to members of the church. This loss, following the panic, almost paralyzed the church for the next five years. Court for the next term was held in the basement of the church until better quarters could be provided. Early in 1874, Mrs. Alice Tindall and Ruth Carlon solicited subscriptions and collected $400 for a bell for the church and the bell was ordered with the names of the two ladies cast in raised letters upon it. In the tower it rang its tidings of joy and sorrow, and warned the city when the fire-fiend was abroad until it shrieked with terror its last warning in February of 1885, while the flames were climbing its perch on high in the church tower to silence forever its clanging tongue.

In 1879 the failure of the banking house of J. F. Culver and the results of the panic and fire loss accumulating, threw the church into great gloom. This was perhaps the most crit- ical year in the history of the church, either before or since, The financial disaster, involving so many leading men, affected the credit of its management at a time when no effort to ralse the debt seemed possible, or even to renew the loan, which was now due and which must be paid or the church sold. Frantic efforts were made to prevent the foreclosure of the trust deed, but in vain.

The brick church, erected at an estimated cost of $22,000, was advertised for sale to satisfy the mortgage of $2,000 and interest for one year. The church was sold at the court house door in May, 1879, and bought in by the agent of Mr. T. J. Bunn, of Bloomington, who held the mortgage. The members were in despair and there were wringing of hands and shedding of tears, which were of avail, as they doubtless aided in securing thirty days' grace in which to redeem the property. The remaining $2,500 above this amount of debt, not secured by mortgage, was for the time forgotten.

Mrs. Mary M. Culver and Mrs. Ruth Carlin started around with a subscription paper canvassing everybody for something to redeem the Methodist church, and by persistent efforts, with the aid of others, raised the amount and paid off the judgment and the trust deed was released June 9, 1879.

Wednesday night, February 15, 1885, the great calamity of that day occurred, when the ery was heard, "The Methodist church is burning." The furnace had been used and the fire caught in a defective chimney. It was about 11 o'clock at night when the alarm came and John S. Murphy and several others were first on hand, but nothing could be saved and the Methodist church bell tolled its own knell. The insurance was only $5,000.

Pastor McVety and his officials were sorrowful, but not disheartened, and plans for rebuilding were immediately under consideration., On March 8, 1885, the subscription was taken in the services held in the circuit court room. The building committee - T. W. MeVety, J. T. Gibson, C. E. Legg, William Watt, N. Q. Tanquary and J. S. Voight - were appointed March 11. The adjoining lot was purchased, plans were secured and bids opened June 1, ranging from $14,000 to $19,000, The cornerstone of the present structure was laid by the lamented Bishop S. M. Merrill, June 29, 1885.

ent edifice), was held on April 4, 1886. Since that time a beautiful new parsonage has been erected on the lot adjoining the church on the south, a new pipe organ has been installed in the church, and the membership increased to one thousand, while the Sunday school numbers 500. The present pastor is Rey. John H. Ryan, assisted by the Rev. E. Wasmuth.

The Pontiac Presbyterian Church

The first preaching by a Presbyterian minister was in 1852 by Rev. Amasa Drake of Chicago. The services were conducted at the Buck Hotel and were at irregular intervals. Rey. Mr. Day, of Morris, preached a few times in the old court house, as did also Rev. Mr. High. The first regular preaching was by Rev. L. H. Loss, of Joliet, in 1855, when he organized the Presbyterian church of Pontiac. Public notice was given early in the month of October, 1855, for a meeting to be held at the school house to consider the subject of organizing a church on the basis of the Congregational or Presbyterian order. At the time appointed thirteen persons were assembled. Consultation was then had in regard to whether the church, which it was proposed to form would be Presbyterian Old school, Presbyterian New school or Congregational. A strong effort was made to form one of the last named - a church whose leading feature should be the entire and immediate abolition of slavery. With direct reference to this Dr. H. H. Hinman had been laboring here for the year previous. Some present, however, although anti-slavery in principle, were somewhat more conservative in principles. They consulted what they regarded as the highest interests of the cause of Christ, and believed the plan proposed would militate against that end. As no plan could be adopted the meeting adjourned. At the adjourned meeting not as many were present as at the former one. This also adjourned without their deciding with which of the above named bodies to connect. During the month of November, 1855, the third meeting was held, at which, owing to the prevalence of sickness and other causes, but five persons assembled. These were Rev. We Je Murphy and Mrs. Adeline C. Murphy of the old style Presbyterian church, Abel ©. Kidder and Nancy Kidder of the Congregational church, and

Mrs. Maria Buck of the Methodist church. After prayer and consultation these persons, feeling imperatively the necessity of the formation immediately of a church and of sustaining the institution of the gospel, were cast by the hands of Divine Providence into the crucible of Christian expediency. The result was a new school Presbyterian church. Abel C. Kidder was elected elder. A resolution was passed that the church apply for admission into the Presbytery at Ottawa. Rev. L. H. Loss being present a few weeks subsequent and suggesting good reasons for connection with the Presbytery of Chicago, the resolution referred to was rescinded and a resolution passed requesting admission into the last named Presbytery, which was presented and granted at their session in March, 1856.

On the Sabbath following the formation of the church, Mrs. Jane Smith was received into the church by letter. Rev. L, H. Loss ministered to the church until April, 1856, when Rev. I. T. Whittemore became pastor. The school house in which the church was organized stood on land belonging to the county just west of the jail lot and opposite the Lutheran church. Later it was occupied by the colored Baptists, street. They sold the building and again it was moved further east on Prairie street, where it still stands in a good state of preservation, being occupied as a dwelling.. After Mrs, Jane Smith came many others who united with the church, and in the spring of 1857 work was commenced on the erection of the first church building in Pontiac (with one exception, the first in the county). The church building was dedicated on Sunday, November 15, 1857, Rev. L. H. Loss preaching the dedicatory sermon. This edifice cost $3,000 and in its day was considered an extensive structure. A few years later came John W. Daman, who organized the best choir of its size that has ever been heard in the history of Pontiac down to the present day. The members were John W. Daman, Leander Utley, James E. Morrow and the Misses Mary and Margaret Murphy. Henry G. Greenebaum presided at the organ. In 1870 came George W. Perkins, the first superintendent of the Pontiac Reform School, who in later years was at the head of the New York Life Insurance Company. He had always taken an active part in Sunday school work, and shortly after coming here was elected superintendent of the Sabbath school. Through his peculiar efforts, which were largely on the mission order. the school was more than doubled and the attendance became so large that Mr. Perkins at once commenced talking of building a larger church. He set on foot a church fair in which the whole community became interested. The fair was held in a large tent adjoining the church, and the net results of the fair were nearly $1,500. This was the nucleus of the fund that built the present church, which was commenced In 1872, but not finished until the winter of 1874, at a cost of something over $16,000. In 1899 the church was entirely remodeled on the inside and in 1901 an elegant pipe organ, costing $2,000. was added. The pastors in charge since Rev, Whittemore have been: Revs. Adams Johnston, Alonzo P. Johnson, J. S. McConnell, J. A. Gardner, R. Kessler, Benjamin L. Swan, L. C. Little, D. G. Bradford, E I. Davies, D. K. Camp bell, James H. Hatfield, Orlando Hart, and James A. Liggitt. The first superintendent of the Sunday school was Jason W. Strevell.

Christian Church Of Pontiac

Rev. Washington Houston was the pioneer preacher of the Christian church in Pontiac. Rey. Houston conducted services at the different homes of the members and in the court house and school house, beginning his ministrations in 1854. The primary organization consisted of Dr. J. M. Perry, Wilson Hull, Robert Sample, William Perry and their wives. Irregular services were held at the places noted until 1865, when they united with another denomination called "New Lights," an off-shoot of the Christian church, in the erection of a church building. The house was put up at a cost of $4,000 and occupied by both societies. Like any church or social organization where the members hold to different views in regard to religious forms the two societies did not dwell together in unity, and a few years later most of the "New Lights" had either withdrawn from the congregation or moved away. The Christians kept up a semblance of an organization with irregular preaching services until 1870, when a feud broke out in the church which almost rent the body in twain. Some of the more progressive members had installed an organ and proceeded to organize a choir, which did not meet with the approval of a large mumber of the older members of the «church. who characterized the new instrument as an emissary of his satanic majesty, and would have none of it. For a time the church was hopelessly divided, those in favor of the organ attending one Sunday, and those opposed to it the next. Finally an open rupture occurred over the matter at a church meeting held for the purpose of deciding the organ question. Strong language was used on both sides, the result being that one of the most prominent members was brought into court with a $10,000 suit for slander against him. The parties to the suit, however, got together and the whole affair was settled amicably, the main cause of the trouble - the organ - being allowed to remain. Thus united, the church extended a call in 1874 to Elder Charles Rowe, who ministered to the congregation for one year, followed by the Rev. W. F. Richardson, who remained about four years, until 1880. During the next twenty years the services were irregular, being conducted by young men sent out from the college located at Eureka. In 1899 the membership became more vigorous and a call was extended to the Rev. Harry Holmes. Rev. Holmes was a brilliant young man and a good organizer and soon had the church on a solid footing. At the end of two years he resigned, to be followed a short time later by the Rev. Andrew Scott, who served two years. Then came the Rev. W. G. McColley. Mr. McColley was also an organizer and soon after his arrival steps were taken for the erection of a larger and more commodious church edifice. The old church property was sold and a lot on the corner of Chicago and Washington streets purchased. Pledges for the erection of the new church were started and the work of building commenced. It was dedicated December 17, 1905, and is now one of the leading church organizations in the city, having a large membership, with only a small debt. Rev. McColley having completed his good work in Pontiac, resigned in November, 1907, to be succeeded by the Rev. Allen Shaw, the present pastor.

so interwoven in the past half-century, that the history of one would be incomplete without the history of the other. Fairbury has just passed the half-century mark, and Saturday evening and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 1908, the members of the First Baptist church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. It was but fitting that the people of the city as a whole should participate in this event, and with the exception of the social function Saturday evening (the anniversary supper), the public was invited.

At the banquet held on Saturday evening in the dining room of the church, about 300 guests were present, and as souvenirs of the occasion, a card bearing in gold letters, "First Baptist Church of Fairbury, Oct. 3, 1858 - Oct. 3, 1908," and a book containing a synopsis of church history were placed beside each plate. After the delivery of an address of welcome by J. H. Carter, chairman of the evening, Mrs. Carrie Karnes-Eckhart, of Weston, read a paper prepared by herself under the title, "Fifty Years of Retrospect," of which the principal part is here given:

"Looking down the long vista of searchlight of the present, into the years through the powerful electrical romantic candle-light of half a century ago, we find the same seasons of joy and sorrow, tragedy and comedy; the same mountains and rivers and oceans; the same God guarding and directing all, just as He was the Guiding Star and the Pilot of those simplehearted Pilgrims who sought a happier home under more friendly skies, and hence were drawn to our own beautiful America. And hither, also, came, a few years later, a young man, whose love of God was only equaled by his love for humanity - Roger Williams. He, after many hardships and much persecution, became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Providence, R. I. This was in 1639, but his teachings and influences have been, through all the generations down to the present, as lasting as time, and as broad as the world. Influences which have been borne on the pinions of eternity, and which may yet sweep over vast and immeasurable fields of space in their results for good, and tell upon the destinies of men and nations while the ages of eternity roll their ceaseless cycles forever onward. The golden chain which binds together this vast assembly tonight, was forged in the hearts of a very small number of the followers of the invincible Roger Williams, and for the improvement of themselves, spiritually and so- cially, and as an inheritance for their posterity, they met by common consent, one September evening, fifty years ago, to speak of organizing a Baptist church in Fairbury. This meeting was held in a school house, situated in the vicinity of the present home of our esteemed townsman, Patton John. After a sermon by Elder Branch, it was decided to meet on the first Saturday in October, for those who so desired, to organize a Baptist church. Elder Branch convened a council of neighboring Baptist churches, but when the day arrived only a few were present and the work of organizing was postponed until the next morning. On Sunday morning Oct. 3, 1858, only three members of the council were present from the Smith Grove church; but, with the intrepid spirit and dauntless courage of Roger Williams behind them, they proceeded to organize, and the following presented their letters and formed themselves into the first Baptist church of Fairbury, these being: Caleb and Orpha Patton, Jesse Hanna, Richard and Johanna Hanna. Elder Branch then preached a sermon of counsel and advice to the new church, after which the New Hampshire confession of faith was adopted, and the covenant read and accepted. Elder Branch continued to preach every other Sabbath. On March 5, 1859, brother A. W. and sister M. A. Higbee were received by letter; Caleb Patton was chosen deacon and Richard Hanna, clerk. On Saturday, March 15, of the same year, Jacob and Pleasant Cumpston were received as candidates for baptism, and the ordinance was administered the next day. These two were the first members received into the church by baptism, and are with us tonight together with two others, Mrs. Elhanan Morris and Mrs. Susan Shephard, earnest and faithful, and find their greatest pleasure in doing tb

"On April 3, Rev. Skinner commenced his pastorate, and on that date - April 3, 1859 - the first communion was held. Mr. Skinner's stay was brief, making his home alternately with Hugh McKee and Caleb Patton. On the 30th of April, Hugh McKee was accepted for baptism, and Ephraim Hanna on May 14th, and both were baptized on the same day. In two weeks, Jemima McKee followed her husband in baptism, and on that day Thomas Edwards was also received by baptism, June 26th, Decatur Veatch of Randolph

Grove was accepted on bis experience, and in July, George B. Conn joined by letter. The church was now supplied for three months by Elder Freeman, who was succeeded for a few Sabbaths by Elder Benton, At this time the members voted to co-operate with neighboring Baptist churches in forming an association. The delegates met at Metamora, Woodford County, September 12, 1859, and the "Illinois River Baptist Association East" was organized. At a meeting held August 6th, a most important step was taken - a committee was appointed to secure lots on which to build a church. On April 7, 1860, a call was given to Rev. B. F. Scrivens, which was accepted and Mr. Scrivens became the first regular pastor. At this time William Edwards was received into the church, on experience. At the first anniversary of the association, which met at Panola, Woodford County, the report from the new church was as follows:

"Increase by baptism, 6; by letter, 6; by experience, 2 - total membership, 19. In the following year 15 were received by baptism and 4 by letter, making a total membership of 38,

"About this time everything became unsettled owing to the difference of opinion between the citizens of the northern and southern states in regard- to several questions. The national flag floated over a divided people. and in a short time the clash and din of contending armies marked the advent of a civil war. The progress of the church was slightly retarded - four of the members (names not given), having gone "where duty calls," while others were willing and ready to go. Church services were held during this time and, up to 1865 or '66, in a hall situated near the present site of the Fred Werling meat market. Notwithstanding these gloomy and unsettled years, the church kept steadily on, and seemed to span the dark clouds of civil strife with the rainbow of Hope, and during Rev. Scrimens' pastorate of three years, he baptized 27, rea@ived 17 by letter and 3 by experience, making a total membership of 47, and in 1863 the church felt strong enough to entertain the association. During this time, meetings had been held in a school house at Indian Grove, with several conversions, and here was erected what is known as the Union Meeting House.

"The subject of building a church was again agitated, and Caleb Patton donated four lots for the purpose. Two were sold to help pay for the building. A thousand dollars was loaned from the 'Church Edifice Fund' and work was begun. Rev, Hempstead was pastor for a short time when the building was commenced. It was the intention of the committee to erect a frame building, and the timber was donated and delivered, but after careful estimates it was found that a brick structure would be less expensive, so the lumber was sold and a brick building erected. During this period many difficulties were encountered and the members were often discouraged. Money was scarce, and materials and wages were high. When the church walls were finally up, they stood without cover for six months, and a long weary year passed ere the building was completed. The church was without a pastor, and the lines seemed very hard, but the members pulled together, and sent an earnest and urgent request to Rev. James Carnes to come and undertake the guidance of the church. Mr. Carnes visited them, went carefully over the ground, and finally accepted the call, commencing his labors on June 25, 1865. A former historian says this of Bro. Carnes: 'He was a man of great spiritual power and ability, and his ministry was blessed with what may be termed a continuous revival." During his pastorate of less than five years, 189 persons were received by baptism, and the church numbered 260 members. During 1870 a mission was established at Forrest, others at Potosi and Weston having been previously established, and in the next year Weston became an independent church, 41 persons taking letters from here."

Others who served as regular pastors or temporary supplies - among the latter being a number of students of Morgan Park Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago - were Revs. Jones, Gross, J. C. Read, C. D. Merit, I. S. Mahon, E. R. Pierce. Robbins, Gill, S. A. Perrine and J. J. Crosby. Of these the pastorate of Rev. C. D. Merit was the longest, covering a period of six years. During the pastorate of Elder Crosby in 1888, the erection of a new church building was begun, which was completed at a cost of $5,479.19, but there being a deficit of $147.45 at the opening services, subscriptions were immediately taken to the amount of $800.13, and the house was dedicated, Dr. A. A. Kendrick of Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Woman's Missionary Society took a prominent and active part in all the work, raising and donating $610 for the furnishing of the church. The pulpit was filled later by Rey. J. W. Neyman, and Rev. J. Coker, during the pastorate of the latter a parsonage being built. The pulpit was again filled by students from the University of Chicago, and owing to misunderstandings some uupleasantness was developed, but this was overcome by the accession of Rev. W. R. Riley to the nastorate, who served most acceptably from 1892 to 1897, during that time receiving 150 additions to the church, of whom 101 were by baptism. He was succeeded by Rev. E. S. Story, and other students, until November, 1897, when Rev. H. H. Hurley was ordained as regular pastor, followed by Revs. F. F. Whitcomb, Reynolds, Betts, James Ryan, E. Lewis Kelly, J. W. Bailey, and C. S. Burns of the University of Chicago, who entered upon his duties in March, 1907, and has remained to the present time. The church now has a total membership of 187, while the church property is valued at $18,000. The church sustained a heavy loss in 1908, in the death of Mrs. Harriet Newhall Ceomer, who had been a faithful and ljhera: member for 43 years.

The Colored Churches Of Pontiac

Previous to 1867 the colored people of Pontiac attended church and Sabbath school along with their white brethren, being divided among the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists. During the year the school building on the banks of the Vermilion on Water street was abandoned for school purposes and the colored people at once took possession. The colored Methodists withdrew in 1872 and purchased the Turner Hall on West Washington street. which was transformed into a house of worship, and they have remained there to this date. The colored Baptists worshipped in the old school house for many years, until the building was ordered moved by the board of supervisors. They now have a commodious church at the corner of North Hazel and West Prairie streets.

Early Sunday Schools

If there was any one thing that the people of the long ago took more interest in than another, it was religious exercises of all kinds. To say aught against any dne's belief on the subject of foreordination or baptism was to invite an argument that might end in lifelong enmity, as there is nothing a man will fight for any quicker than his particular brand of religion. So the boys and girls were always sure to be at Sunday school each Sabbath morning, rigged out in the best garments they had, and loaded with a small, sometimes a very small, number of verses of the New Testament, "by the heart" - that is, so they could say them without being prompted more than twice or three times in each verse. The Sunday school in the winter was poorly attended, as the winters were generally very severe, but in the spring and good old summer time the seats in the meeting house were well filled. There were no "Gospel Hymns," or other song books, except the hymn book used in church services, in the back of which were a few songs for the Sunday school. There were no lesson leaves, or other helps; but the youth had to sit straight up and guess off such answers to questions asked by the teacher, who was usually some one who knew but little more than they did, out of the Testament, and which the scholar, if he was a boy, had hardly looked at. Then, when the lesson was done, the teacher would ask how many had committed verses. Any prepared was given a chance to shine his light. The first chapter of John was a great favorite, and seven or eight verses was generally the limit without prompting; and if by virtue of much thought one got through ten of them, he got a blue ticket, one for each two verses recited. Ten blue tickets equaled a red one, and ten red ones got a yellow one, and ten of these got a Testament worth probably a quarter. But the amount of money tied up in Testaments held in readiness as prizes was never great, as but few were ever needed. Little children, going to Sunday school in these days, dressed like a fashion plate, with rings on their fingers, a gold watch, silk and satin and broadcloth clothes. Lesson leaves and all sorts of helps are given them. An organ and plenty of books help entertain them. And then it takes all sorts of prizes to get them out. Their grandparents who run barefoot all the time in warm or partly warm weather, on Sunday put on their "other clothes" - which, for boys, was only a pair of heavy trousers, a pink waist to which the trousers were attached by a row of buttons, and which did duty as a shirt as well; a little straw hat, maybe homemade; and, as though life was not already burden enough, his feet, swollen by a forced contact with the earth, were forced into a pair of long stockings anl well-greased pair of shoes that pinched him every step. The girls, of course, looked better, with long curls hanging down their backs, wide hats with bangles around the edges, calico or lawn dresses with big hoops; low, flat shoes and gingham pantalets. When Sunday school was over, preaching began. And those children who did not have to stay were allowed to go home and read the Sunday School Advocate. To go forth to seek pleasure was a sin, deserving and recelving a good whipping. But they were as happy as the "kids." of today.