St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 15: Ecclesiastical History, 1881 (part 1 of 3)

By Rev. L. Hinssen

CARCELY had Columbus steered aeross the Atlantic, and revealed the wes^tern continent to awakened Europe, when the desire of wealth opened at once the floodgates of emigration to the New World. One expedition followed the other in close succession, and - thanks to the religious spirit of the times - every expedition ''^^^ had some Catholic missionaries to advance the cause of Christianity in all parts of the new continent. There is hardly a district in New Mexico, Florida, Texas, California, Louisiana and elsewhere, which is not inscribed in the annals of Catholic Missions, as the theatre of zeal, and often of the martyrdom of her apostles. Our own state of Illinois does not make an exception. The progress of the ancient faith in Illinois forms an interesting and highly suggestive chapter in the history of the state. Indeed , whatever we know of the early history of the state, of the original inhabitants, their manners and customs, their strifes and war;!, their final civilization, or their total disappearance from the stage of American history, is most intimately connected with the labors of those Catholic missionaries, who almost 200 years ago first came among them to win them from idolatry, and gain them to Christ. And in this great drama of the religious history of our state, the county of St. Clair forms, for a long time, one of the main centres from whence the first pioneers of religion and civilization commenced their operations toward the conversion of the Indians, and the surrounding country.

When the first Catholic missionaries made their appearance in the state of Illinois, by the middle of the seventeenth century, it was occupied by two kindred nations, each composed of several clans. These were the Illinois and Miamis - the former made up of the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, Peorias, Tamarois, Moingwenas. They all were very powerful nations. The Illinois lay on both sides of the Mississippi, whilst the Miamis lay around the southern shore of lake Michigan. All were in a state of barbarism. They recognized one Supreme Being, had a faint idea of the fall of man, of the Redeemer, of the spiritual world above us. Devil-worship prevailed. In private life polygamy existed ; woman was a slave of the husband. The country itself presented a thousand obstacles to the missionary. The priest had to struggle with the superstition and vice of the Pagan Indian everywhere. The fickle savage was easily led astray ; the least cause would often induce him to throw away in one moment what the labor of months and years of the priest had been able to build up. Indeed nothing but religion could inspire men to labor in such a field, with so little honor before the world, and still less prospect of earthly reward. " These brave soldiers of the cross,'' says Bancroft, '" faced death, and difficulties in every shape, but they never receded one foot. As in a brave army new troops press forward to fill the places of the fallen, there was never wanting heroism and enterprise in behalf of the Cross under French dominion."

Whenever the Jesuits undertook the conversion of a nation, their first care was to establish themselves in one settlement, erecting chapels and schools, and a residence for themselves. These settlements by and by became the centres whence missionary operations radiated over the country. As the Jesuit Charaplain made Quebec such a missionary centre of the north, whence missionary

, operations radiated along the valley of the St. Lawrence and the great lakes of the Mississippi valley, so had the pioneers of Catholicity in our part of the country their centres in Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Prairie du Pont, and St. Louis. All these places play a prominent part in the early history of the Catholic Church in the West. From these centres the missionaries commenced their labors, preaching the gospel to the Indians and the French settlers - by and by penetrating more into the interior of the state to preach and administer the consolations of religion. Next to the grace of God, it is to the incessant labors and zeal of the Jesuits, the priests of the foreign missions of Quebec, of St. Louis, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, that many Catholic congregations in St. Clair, Randolph and Monroe counties, owe their first establishment, and preservation of the Catholic faith. This is the reason, why, even in a sketch like this of St. Clair county, we cannot avoid speaking of each one of them at some length.

Besides these first missionary centres, the county of St. Clair embraces the following Catholic congregations: - Cahokia, Belleville, French Village, Lebanon, New Athens, Freeburg, Fayetteville, Millstadt, Georgetown, O'Fallon, East St. Louis with two congregations, St. Patrick's and St. Mary's, Centreville Station, Mascoutah, Paderborn, St. Libory. Of each one of them we would like to give at least the outlines of their history, but we are sorry to say that we have not been able to get the necessary material for writing up a histt)ry from the most of them, for the simple reason, there is none We have to limit, therefore, our historical sketch to the following Congregations :

Cahokia

We now have to turn to the oldest Catholic congregation in the West, viz., Cahokia. The missionaries there were not of the same order as those who were working in Kaskaskia, Tamaroa and Peoria, who were members of the Society of Jesus. Those men whose lives we. have to record here, belonged to another religious order, which not very long before had been established in Quebec, Canada, by its first bishop, Laval. The saintly bishop, before coming to Canada, had received his theological education at the Seminary of the Foreign Missions, at Paris, and as soon as he was raised to the episcopacy he determined to found a similar seminary in Quebec for the conversion of the Indians. To the members of this seminary the Catholic church of America is indebted for some of her most learned, pious, and zealous missionaries. As early as 1699 the first fruits of this institution - Fathers Francis Montigny and Antoinne Davion - proceeded to the Mississippi. Reaching Bilox in July, the same year, they proceeded to the Mission of Father Pinet, who had died in the Tamaroa Mission. It was confided to their care. The first of their clergymen sent from the seminary to Cahokia was Father John Bergier, a man of true merit and a most austere life. He arrived in the summer of 1694 in the Illinois country, but very soon after his arrival got into difficulties with the medicine men, and died. His successor was Father Dominic Mary Varlet, a doctor of the Sorbonne. He arrived probably in 1712. For nearly six years he was a zealous and laborious missionary among the Illinois. At the same time with him a Father Philip Boucher labored among them. He was stationed at the Fort St. Louis, at which he died in the year 1719.

Of the other missions, till 1721 nothing is recorded. All we know, is, that not even then the whole Illinois nation was converted yet. But in Cahokia and elsewhere the Christians formed the 61ite of the nation, and were highly esteemed by the French settlers for their piety and purity of morals. Thus it came that the French settlers so frequently chose wives from the Indian villages, that we must consider the present French families of Illinois, to a great extent, as the descendants of the Illinois Indians. As to cuttoms and manners prevailing in the Christian Indian villages in Illinois, Father Marest writes : " Early in the morning we assemble the catechumens in church, where they say prayers, receive instruction, and sing some hymns ; then the cateCiiuinens retire, and Mass is said for the Christians, who sit, as in all Indian churches, the two sexes on different sides ; then follow morning prayers and an instruction, after which they disperse to their several av( cations. The missionary's day is taken up by visits to the sick, comforting, consoling, instructing all. The afternoon is set apart for those regular catechetical instructions by which the truths of religion are repeated and inculcated, till they become a part of their thought, a tradition of the tribe. At sunset the chapel is filled again by the village - assembled for evening prayer and a responsive chiint. They close the day as piously as it began. Sundays and holidays witness still greater devotion, and each Saturday the confessional is thronged by frequent penitents."

In the year 1721 - when Father Charlevoix visited the Cahokia Mission - it was composed of two tribes, who formed one large town. The two priests there were then Father Domenic Thaumure de la Source - the other L. Mercier. He was pastor of Cahokia in the year 1739. He was a Sulpitian Priest. In the year 1740, FathirLawrant, 1754, Forget, 1784 Bernard, 1787, P. Devrins, 1790, Gibault, 1792, Ledu, 1793, Lavadoux, V. G., 1797, Lusson, 1799, Olivier, 1805, Donatian Oliver, 1807, J. B. Didier, 1810, M. Jos. Durand, 1810, Urbain Gillet, 1812, Savine, 1826; Dom. Lambier, 1827, J. A. Lutz, 1828, Saussoir, attended the Cahokia Mission. About this year it numbered 160 families, about 800 souls.

A short time after Father Mercier, things changed. When Louisiana was formed a colony, Illinois became subject to its govt-rnment. About this time the Jesuits established themselves at the mouth of the Mississippi, and their superior at New Orleans had the superintendence of the Illinois Mission. From this time on, therefore, the missionaries for the Illinois came from New Orleans, by way of the Mississippi. Thus in 1725 we find Fathers deBeaubois and Deville ascending the river to the Illinois Mission. They were followed in 1727 by Fathers Dumas, Tartarin, aud Doutreleau. The Superior of the Jesuits of the Illinois Mission was Father Boularger. He had the superintendence of all missions except Cahokia, where the priests of the Seminary of Foreign Missions at Quebec continued as pastors of the French, and converted Indians. In 1757 Choisaul, Minister of France, surrendered the possessions of France in North America to England and Spain. The Jesuits, of whom he was a bitter enemy, were driven from their colleges, the centre of the missions, in New Orleans, was suppressed in 1762, and all further reinforcements were cut off from the Illinois Mission. Part of the Jesuit property in Illinois had been sold by the French government, and- the means of the missionaries so reducid, that they were scarcely able to support themselves.

Father Peter Potier, the last Jesuit in the west, frequently visited the Illinois mission down to his death, which happened in 1781, at Detroit. Then the few remaining Indians came under the care of otljer clergymen. Cahokia and .the other Indian and French settlements in Illinois, were for a long time under the administration of the Bishop of Quebec. The succession of priests who attended these missions, especially in Cahokia, seems never to have been interrupted for any considerable time, as the above given list of pastors iu Cahokia shows. Besides Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher had a resident pastor, who occasionally resided also iu Kaskaskia. From the year 1770 to 1790, these places were under administration of Rev. M. Gibault, «ho was Vicar'General of the Bishop of Quebec for the Illinois mission ; he resided in Cahokia. In the year 1790,

Rev, de la Valiniere occupied that position ; and in the year 1793, Rev. Levadout, wh'i for some time also resided at Cahokia. After the appointment of the first American bishops at Baltimore, the Rev. Gabriel Richard and Rev. John Janin were the missionaries of this region ; and in 1799 the Very Rev. Donatius Oliver, as Vicar General of Bishop Carroll, took charge, and continued to do so till 1827. In 1833 the Episcopal See of Detroit was established, and embraced within its vast jurisdiction the whole of Illinois. Shortly afterwards the see of Vincennes, Indiana, was erected, and this diocese embraced the north-eastern part of Illinois, and continued to do so until the creation of the see of Chicago. The first Bishop of Chicago was the Right Rev. William Quarter, consecrated March 10th, 1844. He died on the 10th of April, 1848. His successor was the Right Reverend James Oliver Van de Velde. He was consecrated February 11th, 1849. At his first visitation of the diocese, July 25th, 1849, he visited Prairie du Rocher, Gohoki», Belleville, Kaskaskia and other places in St. Clair county.

The first National Council at Baltimore, May 9th, 1852, created a new see al Quincy for the southern portion of Illinois ; but on the refusal of the Very Rev. Melchers, the Vicar General of St. Louis, and afterwards Bishop of Green Bay, to accept the new see of Quincy, and the appointment of Bishop Van de Velde to the see of Natchez, the diocese of Quincy remained under the administration of Bishop Van de Velde. In the year 1857 the see of Qnincy, Illinois, was tranferred to Alton, which latter see embraced not only the south-eastern portion of Illinois which constituted the late see of Quincy, but also the counties of Adams, Brown, Cass, Menard, Sangamon, Moultrie, Coles and Edwards, in the State of Illinois. The first Bishop of the See of Altt.n was the Right Rev. Henry Damian Juncker ; he was consecrated April 26th, 1857, in Cincinnati, by Archbishop Purcell. In the first year after his consecration he went to Europe, to provide for the wants of his diocese, in which there were only eighteen priests. He succeeded beyond all expectation- Bishop Juncker died, after a long and severe illness, at his residence iu Alton, on the Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2d, 1868. The proudest eulogy on Bishop Juncker and his work is the fact, that at the time of his death, the number of priests was increased from eighteen to one hundred ; the churches from twenty-three to one hundred and twenty-three ; the parochial schools were fifty-six ; two colleges for boys, six academies for girls, two hospitals and an orphan asylum. He made the diocese of Alton one of the most flourishing dioceses of tne United States, because he was an apostle and father for all and the blessing of God was with him. His successor in the See of Alton is the Right Rev- Peter Joseph Baltes.

Before the creation of the Episcopal See of Chicago, and afterwards, the priests from St. Louis would Ircquenily cross the river to administer the consolations of religion to their brethren in the faith in Illinois especially in St. Clair county. The last priest from Quebec, residing in Cahokia as pastor, was the above-named Father Savine, who left Cahokia about the year 1823. His successor was the Rev. Father Lambier and'then Father Lutz, who remained but a very short time. After his departure, Father Saussoir, and very soon afterward Father Dontreligne a member of tl e Lazarist Fathers, from the Barren? in Missouri, took charge of the congregation. His successor was Father Loisel. After his death Father Dontreligne returned to Cahokia From there he undertook, although advanced in years, the creation of a new church in Ceutreville Station, about six miles from Belleville. After having completed the church, aud a small residence for himself, he moved from Cahokia to Centreville Station, where he spent his time in prayer and meditation until 1873, when he returned to the House of tbe Lazarists in Missouri, where he died the same year. His successor as pastor of Cohokia was Father Landry from Canada, and part of the time Father Jacque, who died in the year 1878 in Centreville Station. His successor as pastor of Cahokia and Centreville Station was the Kev. Father Kemper, who still resides as pastor in Centreville Station.

One of the most prominent priests of Cahokia, who from Prairie du Rocher now and then would come to Cahokia to hold divine service, was Father Oliver - he was a native of Italy. For many years be labored with great zeal in Prairie du Rocher, Kaskaskia and Cahokia among the Creoles and English settlers. He acquired a great reputation for his sanctity and holiness. Long after his death, which took place about 1827, the author of this sketch happened to come to the former scene of his labors in the cause of religion. Even then his name was kept in veneration by all. Some of the oldest settlers mentioned many extraordinary things about that saintly man, which, if true, certainly could only happen in the life of a saint.

Second St. Peter'S Roman Catholic Church

Peter's of Belleville, presents more difficulties than would appear at first glance. Material is scant, has to be collected from different sources, the most of it being traditional, and comprises a period of more than fifty years. The first missionary priests were generally manufcript of atout 200 pages, entitled "History of St. Peter's congregation"^ written by Eev. L. Hinssen, the present Rector.

content to labor, and leave the record of their deeds to God alone. The material of this historical sketch is collected to a great extent from the narratives of the old pioneers, and may of necessity, now and then, be a little at variance with real facts, as regards dates, etc.

The hist jry of the establishment and development of St Peter's congregation to its present large proportion differs but little from that of every other congregation of the West. A few settlers form the nucleus, so in Belleville. Among the first of Catholics we find Mr. Etienne Pensoneau. When, in the year 1814, the County seat of iSt. Clair was removed from Cahokiato Belleville, Mr. Pensoneau obtained the contract for the building of the new Court house. It appears that Mr. Pensoneau owned the greater part of the land in and around Belleville, which in the year 1825 he sold to Governor N. Edwards. It is more than probable, that now and then divine service was held in his house by priests from Cahokia, at which place a flourishing congregation had been in existence for about 200 years. The congregation of Cahokia consisted mostly of French, and some few German and English Catlvolics. About the year 1830 other Catholic families removed from Cahokia to Belleville. Prominent among them were were the names of Hay, Snyder, Chandler, La Croix. A son of Mr. Hay is our worthy Ex-Congressman, Hon. J. B. Hay. A son of Mr. Snyder is our beloved fellow-citizen, Hon. Wm. H. Snyder, Judge of the Circuit Court, while Mrs. Chandler and Mr. R La Croix. Mrs. Mary Mueller, formerly Miss Demette, and others are all enjoying the love and esteem of the citizens of Belleville. In the houses of most of the above mentioned divine service was held by priests from Cahokia, Kaskaskia and St. Louis. Only two German Catholic families were living near Belleville at that time. But in the year 1830 Germans began to settle in and around Belleville. We find the names of Hyacinth Minie, Anthony Joffray, Peter Mersinger, G. J. Adam, Peter Fegan, John Kern. Two years later L. Boul, L. Germain, N. Robo, N. Stauder, J. Priegler, Karlskind, Pfeiffer, Perrin, Lutz, Prospor Pournor, with his two sons, Jacob and Leverin. They came from Alsace and Lorrain. Mr. N. Robo is the only survivor of the first comers. He is the old member of St. Peter's congregation, and now 85 years old. After the year 1832 immigration assumed larger proportions. Numerous Catholic arrived. We find the following names : Joseph Meyer, N. Meyer, still one of the most prominent members of the congregation. Probably no one has done so much for the church as he. Froehlich, Mueller, Louis, Wisrock (now in Texas), Huber, Wagner, Gundlach, Steinwasser, Bosch, Sholz, Dahm, Kissel, Stauder, and others. By this time the number of Catholics was enough to form a congregation, but they had not the means to build a church. Mass was said in the different houses, sometimes in the Court-house. To comply with their Easter duties, they went to St. Louis to the Cathedral Church, or to St. Thomas Church, in the vicinity of Centrevillc. In the latter part of the year 1839, a priest from Cahokia visited Belleville with more regularity. For some time it was Father Loisel, a Frenchman. Afterward Father Dontreligne, a member of the Lazarists of St Louis and Cape Girardeau. Mention of him will be made elsewhere.

The first German priest who visited Belleville was Father Meyer. He came from Prairie du Long. Basides Belleville, Father Meyer vi.-iited Shiloh and O'Fallon. Near Shiloh there was a little log church called the Stauder church. Whenever Mr. Stauder was advised of the arrival of a priest he would call the settlers together. After mass Mr. Stauder would also provide for the bodily needs of those that came from a distance. The bell used at that chapel is hanging at present on the north side of St. Agnes Orphan Asylum, Belleville. It is the only relic of those bygone days.

In the year 1842 the Catholics of Belleville received their first pastor in the person of Rev. Father Kuenster. His name appears on the baptismal record, first on November 20, 1842, and last, on September 24, 1845. Father Kuenster labored hard to establish a congregation and with success. He held divine service in the houses of Messrs. Joseph Meyer and N. Meyer, the latter still an active and highly meritorious member of St. Peter's congregation. But seeing the congregation steadily increasing he decided to build a church. His decision was hailed by all with joy. Two acres of land were bought of Mr. Joseph Meyer, for the sum of two hundred dollars. They were situated on what was then just on the line of the city limits where now St. Peter's Church and the Institute of the Immaculate Conception stand. In the spring of 1843 the corner stone was laid by the Right Reverend Peter Richard Kenrick, at present Archbishop of St. Louis. The dimensions of the proposed building were sixty feet by forty. Mr. Nicholas Meyer received the contract for the brickwork for the sum of one hundred and eighty dollars, the lowest bid. The building progressed slowly for the want of means. People were poor, as may be inferred from the fact that only thirteen members of the congregation declared themselves able to contribute money, the rest paid their subscription in labor. It took more than a year before they could get the church under roof, and for a long time afterwards it was neither plastered nor floored, so that the faithful coming to mass on Sunday, had to kneel on the bare ground. Father Kuenster was discouraged. Other troubles began to surround him. Because he had refused to admit a bad Catholic to stand for godmother at the baptism of an infant, a mob from Centerville waylaid him at a place where now West Belleville is built. They carried him off to Centerville and from there about three miles farther to an oil loghouse, where they kept him 22 hours without water and food. For some time it was not known among the Catholics of Belleville where Father Kuenster was, until a messenger brought the news, whereupon several men of Belleville started out to release him. The families of those who took part in that fiendish act against the priest have all disappeared, their fate has been poverty and dishonor. But under such circumstances it became desirable for Father Kuenster to be removed from Belleville. His superior therefore transferred him to Teutopolis, Effingham Co. Ills., but soon afterwards he went to Quiucy, where he died. Whilst he was in Belleville he visited regularly the settlements in St. Libory, Germantown, Clinton County; Red Bud, Randolph Co., and Edwardsville, Madison Co., 1845 to 1855. The successor of Father Kuenster as pastor at Belleville was the Rev. Father G. H Ostlangenberg. He was a native of Alsace Lorrain He must have arrived about the middle of September, 1845, for we find his name in the Baptismal Record of the congregational on the 28th of September, 1845. Father Ostlangenbeig was a man of great piety, zeal for the honor of God, and of great kindness of heart. Add to this, that he spoke French, German, and English fluently.

No wondtr that he laboured with great success in the numerous congregations of Freich, German and English catholics. His first task was to complete the new church, which his predecessor had begun, and to clear it from debt. This done, his next undertaking was to establish a catholic school, to protect the children of his congregation against a godless education. In the fall of 1849, he took a trip to Europe, to see his old home. During his absence the congregation built him a residence. Whilst pastor at Belleville, he attended regularly the Catholic settlements in Mascoutah, Prairie du Long, Freeburg and Centerville. Father Ostlangenberg, though beloved by the congregation remained poor. He often had to beg for the most necessary things even food, and for the first two years he had not even a bed to sleep on. However, he persevered, trusting to God and better times. The congregation increased rapidly by immigration and converts. Twice during his administration the sacrament of confirmation was administered. The first time by Bishop Quarter, from Chicago; the other time by his successor. Bishop Van de Velde. Although Father Ostlangenberg was a man of great piety and kindness of heart, nevertheless he had his enemies. They caused him a great deal of trouble and grief; broken in heart he left Belleville. But whilst his enemies have disappeared altogether, reduced to poverty and oblivion, the name of Father Ostlangenberg is kept in veneration by all. At present he is stationed in Augusta, Kentucky.

The successor of Rev. Ostlangenberg was Rev. Father P. J. Baltes, of St. Paul's Church in Waterloo, Monroe county, Illinois, at present bishop of the diocese of Alton. The Right Rev. P. J. Baltes was born in Germany ; at the age of seven he came to this country with his parents, who settled at Oswego, New York. He finished his ecclesiastical studies at Montreal, in the Sulpitian Seminary, and was ordained priist in the year 1853. With a firm baud he took hold of everything to further the progress of his congregation. He took great pains to conduct divine service in a worthy nianntr, and had the church ornamented by nice fresco-paintings. During the first year of his administration a large new bell was purchased. On the occasion of the blessing, it was carried through the streets of Belleville in a large procession, November 26, 1856 ; the Rev. Father Siegrist, of St. Louis, delivered the sermon. In the year 1857, he took up a collection for the building of a convent for sisters, for the education of the girls of the congregation. Elsewhere will be found a description of his success in this undertaking. In the year 1863, every one could see that the church which had been built by Father Kueuster twenty years ago, was inadequate for the accommodation of the constantly increasing congregation. Permission to build a new church was readily granted by his grace the Rt. Rev. Bishop D. Juncker, of Alton, Illinois, and on June the 2Hth, 1863, the corner-stone was laid by the same in the presence of the whole congregation, and numerous priests of the diocese of Alton and St. Louis. The building of the new church progressed rapidly under the direction of Mr. Brady, from St. Louis, the architect. Catholics and protestants alike looked forward with eagernf ss to its completion, when misfortune overtook the work on December 6, 1865. On that day one of the large pillars, which had unfortunately been constructed of brick gave way, and the beautiful edifice, the pride of the city of Belleville, the work of years, fell together a heap of ruins. Consternation betook all, but not the one who had undertaken and conducted the whole work ; Father Baltes stood like a man. Trusting in God and his good parishoners, he began the work anew, and in less than one year the church rose out of it ruins better and finer than before. About the 1st of October, 1866, the building was completed with the exception of the towers. In November, 1866, priests and people had the pleasure to see the magnificent temple dedicated to the worship of God in the presence of Rt. Rev- P. R Kenrick, archbishop of St. Louis ; Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne, and Rt. Rev. Bishop D. Juncker, of Alton, and numerous priests and people. The cost of erection amounted to $87,000. Mr. Nic. Meyer made the brickwork ; Mr. U. Becker the masonry ; Mr. Rufus Melcher the carpenter work ; Mr. Stoppelkamp the furniture, and Mr. Gratian of Alton, the organ, which alone cost $4,200. The church is built in Gothic style, has one large and one small -steeple, the larger one being 213 feet high. The inside is divided in three naves, and a spacious sanctuary. The dimensions are as follows : depth of church 1 98 feet, width 70 feet.

height 65 feet. The high altar built in Gothic style by Mr. Stoppelkamp of St. Louis, was put up in the spring of the year 1870, and in the month of May the same year, was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop P. J. Baltes. There are four life-size statues on the altar, St. Jerome, St. Ignatius, St. Charles Borromeo and St. Francis of Sales. They were made by Mr. Schneiderhahn of St. Louis, and are masterpieces of art. Mr. Schneiderhahn three years afterwards built also the altar of the Blessed Virgin and the statues thereon Finer pieces of art can hardly be found anywhere. The altar is built like everything connected with St. Peter's church in Gothic style, richly ornamented. The statute of the Blessed Virgin with the infant fc^aviour graces the centre niche, while ihe two side niches are adorned with the statues of the youthful saints St. Aloysius and Rosa of Lima. Near the main entrance of the church on the gospel side, there is the Baptismal font and a statue of the mother of Dolors, also from Mr. Schneiderhahn. It is like the celebrated " Pieta " of Achterman. The paintings consist of one large fresco painting, representing the transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor, the other of any note is an oil painting representing Saint Margaret Alocoque, with the well-known picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. in the second year after the dedication of St. Peter's Church, 1868, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Juncker of Alton died; Father Baltes was appointed administrator, and about thirteen months afterwards bishop of the diocese of Alton, by his holiness Pope Pius IX. His consecration, of which mention will be made hereafter, took place January 23, 1870.

1870 TO 1881. The successor of Father Baltes was Rev. Father Louis Hinssen, the present rector- of the congregation. Aside from an enormous church debt, resulting from the building, downfall and rebuilding of St. Peter's church, etc., the new rector found a well-regulated and large congregation. With youthful energy he took hold of everything likely to further the interests and welfare of his flock. His first care was to reduce the church debt, by collections taken up through the congregation, by fairs, and by obtaining money at a lower rate of interest. He succeeded so well in this, that now, after the lapse of eleven years, after having paid during that time the sum of $27,560 for interest on the old church debt, $56,420 for new buildings and other improvements, and more than $30,000 for current expenses, the debt is reduced to nearly one-half of what it was. At the same time, numerous other improvements have been made during his administration. Among others, we mention the building of the two spires of St. Peter's church, at a cost of about $10,000 ; the life-size statues on the high altar ; the altar of the Blessed Virgin, in gothic style and richly ornamented, which cost $1675 ; the Catholic Casino building, the St. Agnes Orphan Asylum, the acquisition of the new St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery on Green Mount, and lastly, the fine St. Elizabeth Hospital for the Sisters of Charity, which was completed May 21, 1881, and on the following day, May 22, opened for the reception of patients.* He was also instrumental

* 1. All patients wishing to have access to the hospital must get a permit from ihe rector of St. Peter's church, together with a recommendation of any physician of good standing in the county of St. Clair, in which the sickness is stated. If it be a case of accident or any other urgent case, the admission is left optionable with the Sister Superioress of the hospital.

2. The charges for ward patients are from S4 to $6 per week, including board and medicines. Delicacies, fine wines, etc., prescribed by the physician, form extra charges.

3. Private patients, who are able to pay for medical services, either surgical or otherwise, have to pay for them. They pay to the hospital from ?6 to 18 per week. Delicacies, fine wines, etc , prescribed by the physician, form extra in establishing several societies for the interests of his church and his parishioners, so the St. Peter's Altar Society, the obj 'ct of which is to provide means for beautifying the altars of the church and everything necessary for divine service ; the St. Cecilian Society, for good church music, with about fifty members, Mr. Clemens Wellenbrink, director; the sodalities of the Blessed Virgin, for young men and young ladies ; a Library and Reading society, with a catalogue of at least 1100 works; the St. Aloysius Debating Club, for the intellectual improvement and amusement of young men ; the St. Aloysius and St. Rosa Society, for first communicants ; the Catholic Casino, for the intellectual improvement and recreation of the men of the congregation, by lectures, speeches, debates and concerts A building was erected for the club at a cost of $15,000, including furniture, etc. It contains, in the first story, two storerooms; in the rear, two reading-rooms and a large school-room fir a high school for boys. The second story contains one large hall for the accommodation of five hundred people, a stage, gallery and dress-room. The s ciety was organized December 26th, 1873, with one hundred and forty-two members; Dr. Julius Kohl, president; Henry Reiss, secretary. This society had the same object in view as the Catholic casinos in Germany, and no doubt would have accomplished the same good ; but because of the narrow-mindedness of some and the self-interest of others, it met with obstacles from directions least expected, and its operations were suspended for the time being ; also the High school.

The St. Peter's Benevolent Society was organized February 2d, 1872, with Mr. M. Reiss as first president, and Valentine Reiterman as secretary. The society has expended for sick members, for the widows and children of deceased members since its establishment, the sum of $12,994, and has at present $4000 on interest. It numbers two hundred and eighteen members. The Order of Catholic Knights of America was established in the month of March, 1880, with Mr. J. B. Tenner as president, and Henry Reiss, secretary'. The object of the society is the same as that of any other life insurance company ; the society issues life insurance policies of $2000 to its members. The centre around which such Catholic life pulsates in Belleville is St. Peter's church. To get an idea of the number of persons it can accommodate, and at the same time of the number of Catholics in and around Belleville, one must place himself on Sunday morning, just before divine service is over, in front of the church, to see the crowds coming out of its doors, as if the half of the city of Belleville had knelt before the altar of St. Peter's with the hospital, can do so by making thtir request known to the Sinter Superioress; but in this case they liave to pay the charges of the physician and the medicine extra, and the Sisters will in no case be responsible for them.

5. Patients wishing to leave the hospital, must give notice to the Sister Superioress, between the hours of 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning and from 2 to 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

6. Loud talking or noise of any kind, smoking, spitting upon the floor, use of liquors, are strictly forbidden. Persons wishing to donate anything for the use of the patients, must hand it to the Sisters, who will properly apply tlie same.

7. Patients are requested to be in their room when the physicians or surgeons are paying their regular visits ; the same is required at medicine hours.

8. Visitors to the hospital will be admitted on Tuesday and Friday of each week, from 9 to 11 o'clock in the forenoon and from 2 to 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

10. Patients wishing to go out, will give notice to the Superioress. They should state where they are going to and when they will return. After six o'clock p. M. no patient is allowed to be out.

church. Divine service is conducted in a becoming manner, and is very imposing on the great festival days of the church. The hours for divine service are, on Sundays, first mass at six o'clock, second mass half-past seven, high mass and German sermon at ten o'clock, vespers at three o'clock ; on week-days, first mass is at halfpast six, second mass at half-past seven o'clock. Present number of Catholic souls, 4000 ; present number of Easter communions, 2560 ; number of yearly communions, 16,000 ; school children, 700 ; number of children prepared for first holy communion, since 1870, is 1423.

1. The first general festival of any note was the consecration of the new bell for St. Peter's church, on November 26th, 1856. It was carried about in a procession through the streets of Belleville, before it was consecrated by Archbishop Ken rick, of St. Louis. Rev. Father Siegrist delivered the oration of the day.

2. The laying of the corner stone of the new St. Peter's church by Bishop Juncker, of Alton, on June 29th, 1863, was another gala day of the congregation.

3. So was the day of the dedication of St. Peter's church, November 6th, 1866, in the pre-sence of several bishops, many priests and people.

4. The next event of importance was the consecration of the Pastor of St. Peter's congregation, the Rev. Father Baltes, as Bishop of Alton, January 23d, 1870. Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne, Ind., assisted by Bishop Toebbe, of Covington, Ky., was the consecrator. The Very Rev., now Bishop Ryan, of St. Louis, Very Rev. Schsefermeier of Quincy, Very Rev. Muehlsiepen, V. G. of St. Louis, Very Rev. Coosemanns, S. J. of St. Louis, Very Rev. J. Jaussen, V. G., and about forty other clergymen, were in the sanctuary. The Very Rev. P. S. Ryan, of St. Louis, delivered the English sermon ; Rev. Schweninger, of Cincinnati, the German. The concourse of people was immense. After the consecration, tlie new bishop gave his first episcopal blessing.

Coronation of Pope Pius the IX. Grand Celebration in Belleville. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the coronation of Pius IX was celebrated by the Catholics of Belleville and vicinity yesterday, in a manner which shows that the spirit of that grand old church is still animated and living, and its members ever ready to do honor to its supreme head; It is historically true that the present pope is the only one, through the long line of pontifi's of the CathoUc hierarchy, \Nho has occupied uninterruptedly that position for twenty-five years ; and in view of this fact, and for the purpose of paying a tribute of respect not only to the pope for his incorruptible life during the many vicissitudes in which he has passed as priest bishop, and pontifi", but as the supreme head of the Catholic church throughout the world, the members of that church, both in Europe and America are at the present moment generally and zealously celebrating the occasion. The Catholics of Belleville have not been remise in this pleasing duty. At an early hour the booming of cannon from Elmers Hill was a sure indication that something of more than ordinary importance was about to be enacted. The programme of the proceedings of the day which have been published in the papers of that city was faithfully carried out by the committee appointed for that purpose. At eight o'clock in the morning solemn high mass was celebrated in the large and exquisitely furnished church, which was most tastefully decorated, both outside and inside, with garlands, wreaths, pictures, &c. Rev. Father Trogan was the celebrant, assisted by Revs. Berlage, Kloke, Levi, Janssem, Pinkers, and the pastor, Father Hinssen. A full choir was in attendance, and the music was more than ordinarily fine. We could not but notice particularly the rendition at the offertory of Zambillots Ecce pavis by the choir, which was executed in fine style, and in a manner melting the hearts of the worshippers there

After mass, the procession was formed in the following order : A company of papal zuaves, composed of small boys dressed in red uniforms with turbans, tassles, &c., then followed the children of the parochial schools, the day scholars and boarders of the conventi the member of the library association, the young ladies sodality, St. Vincent's orphan society ; the portrait of Pope Pius IX came next in order carried by a young lady representing the Catholic church, and around her were fifteen children bearing emblems, representing their various professions and avocations. A guard of honor with the papal flag escorted them. Next came the clergy in carriages, who were accompanied by mounted escorts. The different religious societies, together with citizens on foot, horseback and carriages completed the procession, which was certainly one of the largest and most imposing that ever paraded the streets of the city. It is almost impossible to estimate the number of persons who participated, as counting was entirely out of the question ; but the procession was fully one and a half miles in length and occupied at least one hour in passing a given point. Two bands of music discoursed music, both in the line of march and at Eimers Hill during the day, where the picnic was held, and after passing the greater part of the day in a most agreeable and pleasant manner the party returned about five o'clock to the city in excellent order. Orations were delivered in the English and German languages, and were listened to with marked attention by the large concourse of people there assembled. Mr. J. A. Kennedy, of Springfield, Ills., formerly of Waterlooo, Ills., who delivered the English oration, acquitted himself admirably, and as a reward for his excellent effort received frequent and heartfelt applause. The festivities of the day wound up with a large torchlight procession in the evening. The display was truly imposing and was witnessecy^y thousands of people. The ^ Catholics had made extensive preparations for the celebration of the day ; nearly all of them had their residences and places of business festooned and illuminated in honor of the occasion. The church particularly was brilliantly illuminated. Too much praise cannot be awarded to Rev. Father Hinssen, the pastor of Belleville, for the unremitting zeal displayed by him in getting up the celebration as well as for the successful and orderly manner in which it was carried out. Altogether it was a day which will be long remembered by the citizens, and more especially the Catholics of Belleville.

In the year 1877, June the 10th, the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery on Green Mount, containing eight and three-fourth acres of land, was consecrated by the Right Reverend P. J. Baltes, who was assisted by the Reverend L. Pommer, Rev.Wirtschoreck, Rev. Zumbusch, and the Rector of St. Peter's Church.

6. Among the sad events in the history of St. Peter's congregation we chronicle the death of Rev Father Arnold Pinkers, January 17th, 1872. He was a Hollander by birth, and came to Belleville in the year 1863. After nine years of faithful labor for the cause of religion in the St. Peter's congregation, he died from heart disease in the Sister's Hospital in St. Louis. He was buried in Belleville, in Walnut Hill cemetery. How highly esteemed and beloved the deceased priest was among the members of the congregation, could be seen on the day of burial. His funeral cortage was the largest ever seen in the streets of Belleville.

7. In the year 1875, several attempts were made by unknown parties to burn St. Peters' church. The first fire was laid under the old church. It was extinguished before any harm had been done. The next attempt was made in the large tower of the new church. The stairway, leading from the first to the second story in the tower, had been saturated with coal oil, and fired about a quarter of seven o'clock in the evening of February the 24th, 1875, and in less than two minutes the stairway and wooden ceiling of the first floor of the tower was ablaze. The people were just flocking into the church for lenton devotion, when the cry of fire was raised, and the bright light of the flames were seen through all the windows of the tower. It is to this circumstance that the fire was extinguished before any serious damage was done. A few minutes later in discovering the fire - a few less hands to quench it, and the splendid church of St. Peter, the pride and ornament of our city - would have been a heap of smouldering ruins ! Who the perpetrators of this dastardly outrage were - remains a mystery to this day. All we know of them is this, that about three weeks before the fire, they had the courage to write to the Pastor of St. Peter's church, three anonymous letters in which they threatened - that unless we would leave Belleville - he himself would be murdered, or his church burned down; - so far neither of these threats has been verified.

8. On November the third, 1875, there arrived from Munster, Westphalia, Germany, four Franciscan Siters of Charity, with Sister Jovita, as Superioress - victims of Bismarks celebrated May- Laws. They were received with open arms by the people of Belleville. They took their provisory abode in the old school-house, which had been prepared for their residence. Ever since they have been working faithfully and zealously among the sick and suffering of Belleville, irrespective of religion or nationality, and it is in acknowledgment of their many services to suffering humanity - as a just tribute of thanks, that the members of St. Peter's congregation, and many liberal citizens of Belleville, have built for them a new house, "St. Elizabeth Hospital." It is a three-story brick building, of sixty feet front, forty feet deep, and thirty-eight feet high, containing twenty two rooms for patients, drug-store, operating-room, etc.

9. In the year 1878, July 13th, the Rev Father Diekmann Assistant-priest at St. Peter's church, died of congestive fever. He was born in Borkum, Westphalia, in the year 1853 - came to this country about a year before his death - was first pastor of Grafton, Jersey county, Illinois, and for about four months Assistant in Belleville. He was a man of kind and amiable disposition, and a great friend of children. He was beloved by all, and will be long remembered by those who knew him.

10. September 28th, 1879, St. Peter's congregation witnessed another great ceremony - the dedication of the St. Agnes Orphan Asylum, by the Right Reverend P. J. Baltes. This charitable institution owes it origin to the liberality of a young Catholic lady, Miss Katie Agnes Germain, who, before her death, which took place May 28th, 1879, willed to the Right Reverend Bishop Baltes eighty acres of land for the purpose of building a home for orphans. Although the relatives of the worthy donator have succeeded so far in preventing the execution of that will, yet the intention of the deceased benefactress has been executed. The Orphan Asylum has been built, and shelters at present 26 orphans, under the management of the Franciscan Sisters. It has a front of 1 10 feet and is two-story high. It contains sixteen rooms for the Orphan Asylum proper, four large school-rooms, and one large hall 67x32 feet.

Fayettville. - F\vsi Church was built in 1851. It was a frame building 25x35. In the year 1866 the congregation became too large, and a new church was built of brick in handsome Gothic style ; size, 50x80. The old church is now used for a school-house. The number of families belonging to the congregation, Avhich is called after St Pancratius, are seventy ; present pastor, Rev. Frohbose. Father Turk was first resident pastor, and he built the first church. The number of children attending the Catholic school varies between 50 and 60.

Lebanon. St. Joseph's congregation numbers about 60 families. Rev. Father Reineke, of Breese, Ills., built the first church in the year 1863. It is a frame building 30x52. A school-house, 24xc6 is near the church. The late Rev. Father Francis Trojan was pastor up to his death in April, 1881.

Maseoutah. - Congregation of Holy Childhood in Jesus was visited as before mentioned by thfe priests from Belleville.^ Mass was.celebrated in the houses of Messrs. Philipp Roehrig, Mathias Brentrel, Joham Friederich, Jacob Schmidt, and Mr. Mathias Roehrig. Father Ostlangenberg induced the people in the year 1852 to buy u piece of prairie land containing two acres, from a negro named Nelson, for the sum of $175. In the year 1856 an affbrt was made to build a church. Prominent among the donators we find Jacob Schmidt, Amand Meyer, John VoUmer, Francis Perrin, Joseph Meyer, Vincent Moeller, P. Roehrig, I. G. Meyer, D. Schaefier, M. Hatt, P. Baumgaetre, N. Schofra, P. M. Speiser, and later others. In the year 1857 the foundation was laid for a brick church 40x60. It was completed the same year. The first resident priest was Rev. F. Bloesinger. His successor Rev. Father Frohbose. The latter established a Catholic school, and bought a lot for a grave-yard two miles, west of Maseoutah. In the year 1859 the celebrated Father Wemiger gave a mission. The present pastor is Rev. Th. Anton Pieke. He came to Maseoutah in the year 1875, and built a house for the school sisters. In the year 1879, November, he commenced the building of a new church. On Feb 9th, 1880, Right Rev. Bishop P. J. Baltes laid the corner-stone. On Dec. 18th, 1880 the church was completed. It is a fine building of stone, built in Gothic style, 64x147, 34 feet high, steeple 170 feet high. When completed it will cost $30,000. It will be an ornament for Maseoutah years to come. Number of families, 130; number of school children, 119.

Centeeville Station

On September 6th, 1863, the corner-stone to the church was laid by Rev. Ragan. C. M., in the presence of Rev. Dontreligne, C. M. Rev. P. J. Baltes, of Belleville, many ecclesiastical students and a large concourse of people from St. Louis and vicinity. The building is a fine brick structure, Roman style of architecture, and the dimensions are about 30x80 feet. Rev. Dontreligne read the first mass in the church on August 20th 1865. On August 5th, 1866, the church was dedicated by right Rev. Bishop H. D. Juncker of Alton, assisted by Rev. Dontreligne, the resident priest, and Rev. P. J. Baltes. The first bell was consecrated by Very Rev. P. J. Baltef, Vicar-General, on Jan. 1th, 1868.

The money for the building of the church was mainly collected by the saintly Father Dontreligne. He traveled over the greater part of the United States on his collecting tour ; he went to Canada, Cuba and South America. He also donated six thousand dollars of his father's estate in Belgium for the purpose of getting the church out of debt. Father Dontreligne, after working hard at Cahokia, Centreville Station, nay, at nearly every point in Southern Illinois,

Rev. Londry succeeded him from 1872 to 1875 as Rector of Cahokia and Centreville Station. Rev. J. J. Jaqnes was the next successor from 1875 to 1878. The present Rector is Rev. P. J. Kempen. Number of families, 100 ; of diflTereut nationalities.

Freehurg. - The congregation of St. Joseph was attended to by a priest from Belleville, Maseoutah and Mud Creek. Rev. Doniinick Niederkorn, L. I. , from St. Louis, read the first mass at Freeburg. In the year 1856 the first church was built. It is a brick building 40x67 feet. Rev. Barthol. Bartels was the first resident priest. He remained from 1859 to 1861. He was succeeded by Revs. Rosendahl, Hofimann, and Busch from 1861 to 1862. From 1862 to 1863 Rev. F. Bergmeir was pastor, from 1863 to 1865 Father Elshoff". He paid off all of the church debt, and died of consumption, caused by cold contracted during a sick call. He was succeeded by Rev. Trogan from 1865 to 1868. From 1868 to 1873 Father Oberbrantacher was pastor of the congregation. Father Merbach, of Fayetteville, attended to the congregation from 1873 to 1874. On June 16th, 1874, the present Rector, Rev. A. Wirtschoreck took charge of the congregation He added to the church a fine steeple 118 feet high, in the year 1876. It contains three bells, the only belfry with three bells in St. Clair county. The church contains a beautiful large pipe organ. A good two-story priest house and a large school-house situated opposite the church. The congregation numbers seventy families, and about as many children attend the parish school.

The church of St. John the. Baptist, Georgetown, was built in 1867. Priests from Belleville, Paderborn and Freeburg, attended to the congregation. At present the congregation is visited regularly by Rev. Wirtschoreck, of Freeburg. There was a fine school and priest house built in 1877. Number of families, 45 ; number of school children, about 60. -

St. Agatha, New Athens, is a small congregation. The church, however, is large and of fine proportions. It was built in the year 1870, by Rev. Oberbrantacher of Freeburgh. It is of brick, with a large steeple, standing on an elevated part of the city ; the whole forming ah imposing ornament to the city of New Athens. Father Wirtschoreck, of Freeburgh, visits the congregation regularly.

There are large Catholic congregations at East St. Louis, Millritadt, French village, Paderborn, St. Libory, and O'Fallon, but details could not be obtained.

The Baptist Churches Of St. Clair County By Joseph B. Lemen

" The groves were God's first temples," says Bryant in his Thanatopsis ; and the groves were where the first act of worship was oflfered by the Baptists in St. Clair county. In 1787, James Lemen, Sr., and a few of his Baptist friends who were seeking homes in the west, were prospecting for lands in this region. They camped for the Sabbath in a grove near the present city of Belleville ; songs and prayers were ofiered and the Scriptures read. This was probably the first act of associated worship performed by the Baptists in what is now St. Clair county.

This event preceded by some years, the organization of the Baplist cause in St Clair. At that time a few early settlers had located in Monroe county, who shortly afterwards organized a church called the New Design Baptist church ; and from which eventually sprang the Richland Creek and the Canteen Creek Baptist churches, located in St. Clair county; this latter church is now called Bethel church.

Amoug the supporters of the New Design church who interested themselves in organizing a Baptist church in St. Clair county, was James Lemen, Sr., five of whose sons became active laborers in the Baptist cause, four of them becoming ministers. This old pioneer was born in Berkley county, Virginia November 20, 1760. Was a soldier in the American army at Yorktown, when Cornwallis surrendered to the American and French allies. Married Catherine Ogle, in Virginia, 1782. Came with his wife and family to the Illinois country in 1786, and settled at New Design, near the present site of Waterloo, in Monroe county. Was waited upon in a confidential capacity by Aaron Burr, and offered large rewards for his influence in aiding Burr to found his south-western empire, but <lenounced the scheme as treasonable. Reared eight children, seven of whom became consistent, devoted members of the Baptist church. Was the first person baptized by immersion in Illinois, and became a minister of the gospel He died at his residence near Waterloo, January 8, 1822, aged 61 years.

The labors of this pioneer, with a few other faithful members of the Baptist faith in Monroe county, gave much encouragement to the first Baptists who settled in St. Clair county, when they were organizing their first church here.

Rev. John Clark, a native of Scotland, and a Baptist minister, gave the Baptists of St. Clair county much encouragement in organizing their first churches. He died in St. Louis county. Mo., October 11, 1833, aged 75 years.

Rev. Joseph Chance, a pioneer ]ir.ptist minister of much zeal, also gave active aid in organizing toe Baptist cause in this county ; he died in 1840, aged 75 years. Rev. David Badgley and Rev. John Baugh, pioneer Baptist ministers here, were also faithful workers with those other devoted men at that early day. They were men of large influence, and were successful laborers in their Master's cause.

The anti-slavery sentiment was prominent with these people, although they were mostly southern men, or their immediate descendants. This sentiment was probably intensified by the logical results of that grand achievement of the Baptists in 1789, which preceded this period but a few years. The denomination had but recently pressed Washington to insist upon the adoption «f an article in the amendments to the constitution which should declare for religious liberty, and he had complied ; and it was probable that when the Baptists had succeeded in assisting to plant the sublime doctrine of religious liberty in the constitution by the declaration that " Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting a free exercise thereof" It gave the feelings of these pioneer Baptists an impetus in the direction of freedom for the limbs as well as liberty for the conscience of men.

The popular sentiment at that day favored a complete separation of church and state, and it was an opportune period, while the great republic was yet in its infancy, to plant the grand truth of religious liberty behind the strong towers of its constitution, and that some of these pioneers in common with their brethren elsewhere demanded the recognition of this truth in the constitution will ever remain to their credit. It is not unlikely that such an event stirred the minds of some of those early Baptist leaders with a sentiment for universal freedom.

In church government, the first Baptist churches here, as well as their later ones, were in harmony with the theory and practice of the denomination in general. It was founded on the plan of a pure democracy, representing in religion the exact application of that grand principle which in true political science should, and according to our theory of government, does control the state. In their

Richland Creek Baptist Church

The Richland Creek Baptist church was the first Baptist church constituted in St. Clair county. The record of its first proceedings is dated June 14, 1806 Its first meeting, according to this record, occurred at Wm. Lot Whiteside's residence, a few miles north-east of the present city of Belleville. Rev. Joseph Chance was moderator, and Benjamin Ogle clerk. At that time that church was an arm of the Baptist church at New Design, in Monroe county, and the style of their minutes ran - " Richland Arm of the church of Christ at New Design." In 1807, September 12, this church met at the house of Isaac Enochs, and voted to form itself into a separate organization under the name of " The Baptist church of Christ at Richland Creek ; " and this is the style of their minutes at their next church meeting. In church session at the house of Jacob Ogle, in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, February 13, 1808, the church adopted resolutions declaring the faith of the church against the belief and practice of slavery. In 1809, these people built a meeting-house on Richland Creek, some three miles north-east of Belleville ; and at that time had a membership of about forty. Among the members were Benjamin Ogle, James Lemen, Sr., Wm. Lot Whiteside, William Kinney, Isaac Enochs, Larken Rutherford, Rev. Joseph Lemen, Robert Lemen, Polly K. Lemen, Catherine Lemen, Ann Simpion, Hetty Lemen, Ann Whiteside, Sallie Whiteside, Ann Lemen, Elizabeth Badgley, Mary Kinney, and others - a band of noble men and women, whose pious lives and labors did much in moulding the destinies of the young state.

This church was in session July 8, 1809, when Rev. James Lemen, Sr., who had been licensed to preach July 9, 1808, arose and denounced the practice of slavery as something with which he could not fellowship. To this declaration a portion of the church objected) and several church conferences were subsequently called to compromise the diflerence in opinion, but without results. Within th^ church each wing of opinion sent delegates to the association of the several Baptist churches, which had then been organized in Southern Illinois, but the association refused admission to both sets of messengers ; but finally, itself divided on the issue here presented. However, both schools of opinion in this church met afterwards in friendly conference, and talked OV' r their views, and agreed that an amicable separation would be the better course to pursue. In pursuance of this end, at a regular session of this church, December 9, 1809, it was voted that as many as wished to withdraw by reason of this difference of views on slavery, and organize another church, should have the privilege to do so ; and five members signified their purpose to form a new organization. This was the first act in the origin of Bethel church. After this division in Richland Baptist church, it continued for many years, and numbered among its members many men and women of much influence, and greatly esteemed by all who knew them. Many of their descendants yet survive, and are found in Illinois and elsewhere. At a later period this church became extinct, its members having died or joined other churches.

The Bethel Baptist Church

This church is located two and a half miles south-east of CoUinsville, in St. Clair county, in a beautiful and fertile farming district. It was constituted December 10, 1809. The five members who had formally withdrawn from Richland church on the day previous, with two others, composed this church, and were constituted by -Elders James Lemen, Jr. and John Baugh, under the name of "The Baptized Church of Christ, Friends to Humanity."

The names of the constituent members were James Lemen, Sr., Catherine Lemen, Robert Lemen, Hetty Lemen, Joseph Lemen, Polly K. Lemen, and Benjamin O^le. The declared faith of this church were the Old and New Testaments ; and for its good will toward men, its constitution declared it to be, " The friends to humanity, denying union and communion with all persons holding the doctrine of perpetual, involuntary, hereditary slavery."

With the organization of this church began the contest of slavery and anti-slavery views in Illinois. The birth of Bethel church was among the first notes in that contest which ended at Appomattox, more than half a century later ; and as some of the early members of this church were ofiicers under the territorial and state governments of Illinois, it was undoubtedly a potent factor in shaping the destinies of the young state, and in bringing it into the brotherhood of the states as a free commonwealth.

This church, while it exercised at an early day a considerable influence on the policies of the state, was not idle in propagating its faith : at Belleville, Troy, Collinsville, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Hill, and O'Fallon, are Baptist churches which acknowledge their maternity largely to Bethel church.

Of the constituent members of this church we have given a brief sketch of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. From its organization until his death, this old pioneer minister often preached to its congregation. His wife, Catherine Lemen, was a devoted, pious member of the Baptist faith. They reared eight children. Catherine Lemen lived to a ripe old age, and when death found her she was in the full possession of all her faculties. She died at her residence in Monroe county. Their son, Joseph, preached her funeral sermon, James having preached their father's.

Robert Lemen w;as born in Berkley county, Virginia, September 25, 1783, and was the son of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. and Catherine, nee Ogle. He came with his parents to Illinois in 1786. Married Hester Tolin in 180-5, settled in St. Clair county) and reared a large - family, who were all believers, and three of whom are yet living and are active members of the Baptist (ihurch. Robert Lemen held a magistrate's commission for many yeai's, and at one time was marshal of the state, under John Quincy Adams. In every position he was a faithful, popular officer, and was a man of liberal reading. He united with Richland Baptist church, December 9, 1808, and was clerk of that church until he assisted in constituting Bethel church, in which he was clerk until 1845, and with his brothers. Elders Joseph, James, Moses and Josiah, was an active and successful supporter of the cause of religion. He died at his residence in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, August 24, 1860, aged 77 years. Hester Lemen, wife of Robert Lemen, was a devoted Christian mother. In early life she united with the Baptist faith, and was an earnest supporter of the interests of religion. She died at the family residence, November 2, 1849, aged nearly 61 years.

Rev. Joseph Lemen, son of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. and Catherine Lemen, was born in Berkley county, Virginia, September 8, 1785. Ciame with his parents to Illinois, in 1786. United with the Baptist church and became a prominent minister of the gospel. He married Mary Kinney, settled in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, and reared a large family, who embraced the Baptist faith and united with that church ; five sons and one daughter are yet living. He was an active laborer in the cause of his Master, his field of labors extending from Iowa to Kentucky, and for a period of more than half a century caHed men to seek repentance and salvation. In the course of his labors, he assisted to organize many churches. He was a devoted student of the Bible, and was always happy to call men to follow it as their guide. For many years, and from its organization down to 1851, he, with his brother James, supplied

Bethel church with ministerial labor, (except fi)r a period when Rev. Moses Lemen was pastor of the church) and his labors were blest, as the church increased greatly in strength through their labors. He died at his residence in Ridge Prairie, June 29, 1861, aged nearly 76 years. Mary K. Lemen, wife of Rev. Joseph Lemen, joined the Baptist church in early life. She was a devoted mother and earnest Christian. She died at Mount Vernon, while visiting a daughter there, June 1, 1863, aged 71 years. She was interred in the family cemetery, by the side of her husband, near the old homestead, in St. Clair county.

Rev. Benjamin Ogle was a native of Virginia. He came to the Illinois country in 1785, united with the Baptist church, and became a minister of the gospel, and accomplished much good in those early days by his gospel labors. He died at a ripe old age, esteemed by all who knew him.

These were the men and women who founded Bethel church, and gave it their labors, and prayers, and tears. They have long since passed away ; but the church which they founded has gathered many a hundred to its fold, and has witnessed their grand declaration for the common brotherhood of humanity take its place in the grand edifice of our national constitution.

Rev. James Lemen, who assisted to constitute this church, and who, with his brother Joseph's assistance, for forty years furnished its pastoral supply, was a son of Rev. James Lemen, Sr. and Catherine Lemen, and was born in Monroe county, Illinois, October 8, 1787. In early life he united with the Baptist church and became a minister of the gospel. He assisted in the ordination of his father. Rev. James Lemen, Sr. He was a man of liberal reading, and he served for several terms, some sixteen years, in the house and senate of the Illinois legislature, and was a member of the convention which made the first constitution of the state, under which it was admitted as a state into the union. He preached in Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky, and assisted to organize many churches, but his labors were largely given to the church of his youth, old Bethel, which church he joined at the same session at which it was constituted. He married Mary Pulliam, December 8, 1813, located in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair county, and reared a large family, who all united with the Baptist church. Three sons and a daughter are yet living. He died at his residence in Ridge Prairie, February 8, 1870, aged 82 years. He was the second child born of American parents in Illinois, Enoch Moore being the first. Mary Lemen, wife of Rev. James Lemen, was an earnest Christian and a devoted wife and mother. She united with Bethel church after her marriage, and was an earnest supporter of the cause of religion. She died at her residence, February 23, 1876, aged 81 years.

In 1810, March 3, this church in session passed a rule to be called Canteen Creek church, and for some years after was known as "The Baptist Church of Christ, Friends to Humanity, at Canteen Creek " This style was generally used until July 2, 1825, when the members had completed a meeting-house, and at that time had met in the house in church session for the first time. The records ofthat meeting call this meeting-house "Bethel," and from that date they seemed to be gradually by public usage, assuming the name of Bethel church, or Bethel Baptist church.

From 1809 to 1825, the church sessions and worship were held here and there at the members' houses ; and it was no unusual affair for one of these old farmers to feed fifty hoi-ses and a hundred people on such occasions. Sometimes half a beef and other provisions in proportion would be consumed in one day. In looking over the venerable records ofthischurch, it seems there was much progress in numbers and strength during this period. Here and there was an old camp follower, who worried the good people with his native and uncultured rhymes and dreadful music, tried the patience of the real preachers by following their sermons with wild, windy and unprofitable harangues, and consumed their chickens and beef with the avidity of a Koman emperor or a hyena, but these harmless old fellows were tolerated in Christian charity.

General progress continued to attend the church after they built their meeting-house in 1825 ; and preceding this, and some years later, a large number of earnest and active workers had united with the church, and a larger house had become a necessity, - and they proceeded to build their new house - the present church building in 1838 and '40 - at a cost of $4,000. It is sixty by forty feet, and was built in accordance with the specifications of a commits tee on plan for a house, appointed in church session April 7, 1838. The committee were : Joshua Begole, iVlerlin Jones and Samuel Seybold. Making their new house was to call forth the best energies of their members; but a noble band of workers, consisting of Joshua Begole, Merlin Jones, Robert Lemen, John Cook, Uev. James Lemen, Samuel Beedle, Rev. Joseph Lemen, James H. Lemen, Samuel Simpson, William Hart, Peter Bowler, Warren Beedle, Samuel Baird, Isaac W. Lemen, David La rence, James Hogan, Sylvester Lemen, and others, carried the enterprise forward to success ; and the new house was dedicated the first Saturday in September, 1840, the Rev. John M. Peck preaching the dedicatory serm( n. On this occasion a vast concourse of people attended, and a series of meetings continued for ten days, resulting in the conversion of fifty persons, many of whom united with Bethel Church.

In 1851, Feb. 1, Rev. John M. Peck was chosen Pastor of Bethel church. From its organization to this date. Revs. Joseph and James Lemen had furnished the pastoral services, except for a period in 1846 and 1847, when Rev. Moses Lemen, their brother, was pastor. During this period of about forty years, while the Lemen brothers, Joseph and James, labored in the church, other ministers from every section of the country often preached and labored at Bethel, in revival meetings and at other times, and rendered great aid and encouragement to the church ; but the labors of these two pioneer ministers were rewarded with a degree of success in advancing the interest and strength of the church, which brought with it a consciousness of duty well discharged.

Rev- Moses Lemen filled the pastorate of Bethel church for a period in 1846-7, to the satisfaction and progress of the congregation. He was a well-read man, and possessed much power as a speaker. He was a devoted minister of the gospel, and gave his time largely to the Master's service. He died in Montgomery co , Illinois, March 5, 1859, aged 62 years.

John M. Peck, D. D., was Pastor of Bethel Church in 1851, and the church prospered under his care. Dr. Peck moved from the east and located at Rock Spring, St. Clair county, Illinois, at an early day. He was a man of universal reading, and as a minister of the gospel of the Baptist faith was devoted, and commanded a wide influence. He was the founder of Shurtlefi" College, which sprang from Rock Spring Seminary, Dr. Peck's school. He died at his home at Rock Spring in 1858, before he had attained a very great age. The scene at his death-bed was very impressive. Several of his ministerial and other associates had visited him, and but a short time before his death he reached his hand to Reverend James Lemen, and shaking his hand, ' earnestly exclaimed : " The Saviour reigns ! " It was a beautiful and fit ending of a life, whose labors had left their mark upon the literature and piety of his age, and which had made the name of John M. Peck a household word throughout the country. Rev. James Lemen preached

Since Dr. Peck's pastorate. Rev. D. M. Howell, J. H. Heigh, E. J. Palmer, H. S. Deppe, J. M. Cochran, W. S. Post, L. C. Carr, W. Wright, and W. R. Andereck, who is pastor for half his time, have constituted the succession of pastors of Bethel Church ; and during that period the church, at times, enjoyed great seasons of revivals and large additions to its membership, and at other times experienced depression and discouragement. At this time, under the pastoral care of Rev. W. R. Andereck, who with his family now resides in the parsonage, the condition of the church is satisfactory. Mr. Andereck possesses good natural powers as a speaker, and a liberal culture, and is much esteemed by his congregation and the community.

With perhaps one or two exceptions, those early members, who bore the heat and burden of the work in making Bethel what it once was and now is, to a certain extent, have passed away. They were noble men and women, whose memories it were well to embalm in gratitude. Among the last of these who died in Bethel community was Joshua Begole. He came to Illinois at an early day, and during a long life contributed largely of his time and means to build up Bethel church and the cause of religion generally in this section of Illinois. Joshua Begole was a man of liberal reading, and served the people in St. Clair county as justice of the peace for many years; married Mary Terry, and settled in St. Clair county, where ihey accumulated a handsome competence - reared a large family of children, who were all believers, and seven of whom united with the Baptist Church, and are earnest and liberal supporters of the cause. He was a liberal, earnest Christian, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He united with Bethel Church Aug. 4, 1827, and for nearly half a century he stood by this old church with his means and his toils and his prayers. He died at his residence, a quarter of a mile west of Bethel, March 2, 1874, aged 82 years. His widow, Mrs. Mary Begole, who resides at the old homestead, near Bethel, united with Bethel Church Oct. 6, 1827. More than half a century separates her now from that day, but through these long years she has contributed with a liberal hand and sincere purpose to the interests of that church, while she has been a generous supporter of the cause of religion generally ; and none, more justly than she, is esteemed for their piety and benevolence.

Bethel Church has sent out many ministers of the gospel of the Baptist faith. Revs. Joseph Lemen, James Lemen, Sr , Benjamin Ogle, Joel Terry, and several other members of the gospel ministry, have been ordained, and have gone out from this church to preach the Word of God. The deacons of the church since its organization were, Stephen Terry, Gideon Scanland, Samuel Mc- Clain, John Hart, Elisha Freeman, William Hart, George C. Hart, Samuel Baird, Benjamin Scott, Warren Beedle, James B. Lyons, Augustus Beedle, Samuel Simpson ; and the present deacons are, Levi Piggott and F. B. Lemen. The clerks were, Robert Lemen, Sidney Hart, assistant clerk at one time ; James H. Lemen, G. W. Bowler, S. Whitlock ; and the present clerk, L. W. Beedle. The treasurers were John Cook, Joshua Begole, Warren Beedle, James H. Lemen, present treasurer ; and Gideon S. Lemen. From time to time, the church has renewed its board of trustees by election.

Bethel Church is, and always has been, missionary in spirit. It has given thousands since its organization for religious and eleemosynary purposes ; and it has not been wanting in patriotism. By its record of July 3 1847, we find an act relieving its members who were in the Mexican war from church expenses for soine time, and when some of its members and friends were in the late war, the church, or its members, held festivals ftr the purpose of sending extra comforts to their friends at the front ; and on one occasion, with Mr. William Begole as president of the evening, four hundred dollars were collected and donated for that purpose.

Ordinarily, without it is when the pastoral supply is partial, the church holds meetings every Sabbath. Their church meetings occur monthly, the first Saturday, and their communion seasons are observed quarterly.

Bethel Church is now the oldest Baptist Church in Illinois. The church property consists of a church house, and a few acres of land, on which there are a comfortable house for the pastor and a cemetery. The property is worth S4,000. The church house is in good repair, and has a capacity for six hundred comfortable sittings. The church is well supported and cared for by the descendants of its early members, who reside in the vicinity of the church, and who generally belong to it, together with other persons who have settled in that locality and united with the church. The financial strength of the membership generally is considerable, and in addition to meeting the obligations of 'maintaining the church, they contribute of their means to a liberal extent in other religious missions. The strength of the church at this time, Feb. 1881, consists of 109 members. Usually a Sunday-school is conducted at the church, at hours when worship is not in progress, and the interests of the children are thus looked after. At this time the Sunday-school is under the control of F. B. Lemen. In their music, congregational singing has always been the custom at Bethel Church, but for some time this has been reinforced by the organ.

We have given the scene where the early members of Bethel Church labored ; it is proper to name the spot where they rest. The church have a cemetery near the northern limits of their land, neatly enclosed and taken care of; many of the early laborers of the church are interred elsewhere, but a large number of them rest here ; and if the Christian's hope be not a myth, and his Bible an idle legend - and they certainly are not - they have joined that throng whose faith made the toils of this life, with death and the grave, but steps in their progress to a happier sphere and blessed immortality. They have gone to that reward which God has promised the faithful.

Old Silver Creek Baptist Chuijch

The old Silver Creek Baptist Church, of Lower Silver Creek, (now extinct), was organized March 21, 1811. The constituent members were Abraham Teter, Mary Teter, Peter Mitchel, Hannah Mitchel, Kebecca Griflin, Mary Eadcliff and Barbara Shook. Peter Mitchel was the first clerk. The ministers who served as pastors at different times were Eevs. Mr. Ross, Gaskili, Joseph Lemen, James Lemen, Moses Lemen, Harris, Howell, Stilwell, Arnott, Keele, .Brown and Huggins. This congregation built a house of worship in 1856, and at that time the membership was 159. By the last record in 1864, there were 62 members; some had united with the Baptist church at Freeburg, some went to Fayetteville, some to Mascoutah and elsewhere, and through those causes the organization of the church became extinct. But its influence had accomplished much good ; and indirectly that influence yet lives and is exerted elsewhere through its old members or their descendants, who are members of the Baptist faith elsewhere.

The Freeburg Baptist Church

Rev. H. S. Deppe preached the first sermon in Freeburg, late in the year 1856. The 4th of January, 1857, he organized a church there, called the Freeburg Baptist Church. The constituent members were Solomon Teter, Jacob Wilderman, Joseph Hill, Elizabeth Hill,

Theresa Wilderman, Sarah Thrift, Polly Griffin, Patience Lemen and Elizabeth Hill. Rev. H. S. Deppe preached for the church for six years. Rev. John Peters for two years, when Rev. H. S. Deppe was chosen pastor again, and preached five years. Rtv. John Peters followed for one year, when Rev. H. S. Deppe was again chosen pastor, and after six months resigned. Rev. Mr. Jackson preached for a short period in 1875 to this church. Rev. H. S. Deppe was again chosen as pastor, and served the church for two years. In 1879, Rev. Mr. Wright preached some eight months. In May, 1880, the church again elected Rev. H. 8. Deppe pastor, since which time he has been preaching there. Solomon Teter has served the church as deacon ever since it was constituted. Joseph Hill, now deceased, was also deacon. After Mr. Hill died, Lewis Holcomb was chosen as deacon, and served until his death. John T. Lemen was church clerk from its organization until 1869, when G. C. Paterson was chosen, and served until 1871. Robert Lemen was clerk until 1873 ; F. Holcomb until 1874. A. Anthony was acting clerk a few months. Lewis Holcomb was then chosen, and served until his death in 1880, after which W. A. Wilderman was chosen clerk, and is now serving.

The meeting-house has a capacity of some 300 sittings. It is worth, with its two lots, $2,000. The church increased in numbers till 1869 when its membership was 160 ; but removals and death have reduced the number, while a few have been excluded. The present membership is 76. The county is peopled largely by German-Americans, who generally adhere to their own churches, which in some sections make it difficult for the English Baptist churches to increase in numbers. The church maintains a Sunday-school of 40 scholars.

Rev. H. S. Deppe, of Freeburg, who was the chief mover in calling this church into organization, has been one among the leading Baptist ministers of Southern Illinois for many years. He is of German nativity, and is a liberal German scholar, and a good English scholar, being a man of vast reading in everything pertaining to sacred literature. He is an eloquent and forcible speaker, a devoted minister of Christ and a successful evangelist. He has organized many churches, and his preaching has added hundreds to the Baptist faith in Illinois.

This church contains a number of active, faithful workers in the Baptist cause. Prominent among them is Solomon Teter, a man eminent for his piety and devotion to religious interests, and commanding the confidence and esteem of the churches and the community throughout the county. On the list of its members who have passed away, are also the names of some who toiled for the church, and whose Christian lives exercised a wide influence with the people of the community. John T. Lemen, who for a long period was a member of this church, was a faithful Christian, whose large means and influence did much for the Baptist cause and for the general interests of religion and learning in St. Clair county. He was universally esteemed by all who knew him, and in his death the Baptist churches and the community throughout the county lost a strong man. Lewis Holcomb, clerk and deacon of this chui ch at the time of his death, was another good and faithful worker in the interests of this church, and highly esteemed by his brethren and the community generally.

The O' Fallon Baptist Church

The Baptist Church at O'Fallon, was organized January 20, 1867, by Rev. H. S. Deppe, Rev. J. W. Swift and Rev. D. D. Roach ; messengers from the sister churches of Bethel, Belleville, Collinsville, Oak Hill and Lebanon attending. The constituent members were : Rev. D. D. Roach, A J. Roach, C. Roach, Geo. W.

At the first meeting after organization the following trustees vwre elected : Geo. W. Darrow, W. S. Scott, J. G. Scott, and at the same meeting the latter was chosen church clerk. The first deacons were J. W. Shook, "W. S. Scott and J. G. Scott.

The church edifice cost $4,050.50, and the house was dedicated and the church recognized June 23, 1867. Dr. D. Eead preached the dedicatory sermon ; and in the evening Kev. H. S. Deppe preached a sermon, after which the brethren constituting the O Fallon 'Baptist Church, were recognized as a Baptist Church of the regular fitith and order. Eev. J. W. Swift was chosen as the first pastor, and served about two years. Rev. T. W. Green followed Rev. Swift as pastor for a few months, when he resigned and the church elected Rev. H. S. Deppe, who served half his time for a period. Rev. Mr. Cole followed as pastor, and succeeding him Rev Mr. Evans served. Rev. Mr. Wright followed Mr. Evans, and Rev. AV. R. Andereck of Bethel, followed Mr. Wright, and is now pastor for half time.

There is yet some $600 indebtedness ou the church house. The house will seat 400 persons. The present membership is 25. The present condition of the church is that of peace and brotherly good feeling. Value of the church property about $3500. The Marissa Baptist church, of Marissa, , St. Clair county, was organized March 9, 1875, at the close of a protracted meeting held by Rev. J. C. Wilson. The constituent members of this church were, M. W. Borders, James W. Stewart, Mary Stewart, John W. Wells, J. S. Short, John W. Hesker, Louisa Hesker, H. J. Stein, heimer, Josephine R. Steinheimer, Robert C Wyllie, James W. Green, Wm. Stewart, Geo. W. Rector, Chas. Gates, Samuel ITMorris, John Bredenhoeft, Jesse Campbell, Robt. J. Vaughn, E. Alice Coulter and Mattie E. Burns.

Arrangements were immediately made for building a house of worship, and John W. Hesker, James W. Green and John W. Wells were elected trustees. A church was built costing $8500, having a seating capacity of about 300.

The Deacons of the church, chosen soon after its organization, are James W. Stewart, J. 8. Short, and John W. Wells. Rev. J. C. Wilson continued to serve as pastor of the church until the fall of 1875, and was succeeded in the spring of 1876, by Rev. J. M.Bennett, who was pastor until the fall of 1878. Mr. Bennett was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Jarral, who supplied the church half his time, preaching also for the Baptist church at Pinckneyville. Mr. Jarral moved to Texas in the summer of 1880, having received a call from the Baptist church -of Weatherford in that state. In Sept. 1880, Rev. Jacob Cole undertook the pastoral care of ihe church, dividing his time between this church and the Baptist church at Oak Hill, in this county.

At the organization of this church the Baptist strength here was reinforced by the addition of a large number of persons who had never before belonged to that faith. With the exception of James W. Stewart, J. S. Short, H. J. Steinheimer, Josephine Steinheimer^ and George Rector, the constituent members of the church consisted of such persons. During the few years in which the church has been in existence, nearly all the active members of the former Baptist church at New Athens, have been received on their statement of former membership. The entire membership of the church since its organization has been one hundred and twelve. The present membership, Feb. 1, 1881, is seventy-two. The church is entirely out of debt, a greater part of the cost of the building having been donated by the members themselves.

The condition of the church is peaceful, and the promise for it to continue to grow in influence and strength is hopeful. After the organization of this church, a considerable number of Baptist people, who belonged to a church at New Athens, united with this congregation, and the organization at New Athens was dissolved.

The Baptist church of Oak Hill, located two and a half miles east of O'Fallon in St. Clair county, in a beautiful and fertile farming district, was organized February 10, 1851, by elder R. Keele, aided by deacons Martin and Butler Badgely. The following are the names of the constituent members : Madison Ely, Rosella Ely, Wm. D. Ross, Emaline Ross, Sarah Ross, G. W. Darrow. The first ofiicers. Rev. R. Keele, pastor, G. W. Darrow, cleiki The meetings of this body were held in the Oak Hill school-house until November 12, 1854, when the present church-house, costing $1260, was completed and formally opened for worship by the Rev. J. M. Peck assisted by elder Keele. The church increased in members until at the close of the year 1857, the number of members was sixty-nine, (69) and at that time great interest was manifested in the welfare of the good Gauge. The future seemed bright, the church was in perfect harmony and worked together in fellowship and love. Rev. Wm. Storrs was unanimoudy chosen pastor. Such a feeling dwelt in the hearts of the people that the Rev. J. M. Peck in his remarks during the exercise of inducting Rev. Storrs into the pastoral office ; and in view of his declining years, adopted the language of Simeon, " Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation," and " a more interesting meeting was never held in this settlement," as affirmed by elder Peck. But this state of things was not destined to exist long. In the year 1858, from imaginary or real causes, or perhaps both, quite a number of members refused to fellowship, or recognize the authority of the church, and were necessarily excluded. This caused a great many unchristian words and acts, and from this time the progress of the church was slow until 1861, when D. Mason Howell was chosen pastor. He began his work under very inauspicious circumstances. But he was a man whose soul was filled with love to God and man ; a man whose unceasing prayers, and labor, and love God was pleased to bless by the restoration of those gone astray ; and by the addition of fifty-eight, by experience and baptism. Perhaps no pastor ever commanded a more unanimous love and respect, than Rev. Howell did of the Oak Hill people. But in the midst of his successful work God saw fit in his wisdom to call him to his reward.

From the time of Rev. Howell's death until 1867, nothing occurred to disturb the harmony of the church ; and during the year 1866, quite a number of the young people were converted under the preaching of elders French and Swift. January 25, 1867, a number of the most active members withdrew by letter to join the O'Fallon church, which was organized at that time. During the time intervening 1867, and the present time the history of the church is much the same as that of other churches ; we have had a number of gracious revivals, and many precious souls have added their testimony as to God's goodness. Also many who were formerly the pillars of the church have been called to lay down their armor, and enter into that rest prepared by God for his people. Services are held regularly every Sabbath-day ; if no pastor is present it is a prayer and conference meeting. Also the weekly Fridaynight prayer-meeting has been regularly observed for many years. The present membership numbers ninety.

sustained a Sunday-school weekly throughout the whole year with varyiug interest for many years. The church buildiug will acconim idate about 300 people.

Names Of Pastors

This church is situated in a beautiful portion of the county, surrounded by well-to-do faimcrs ar.d others, who are liberal supporters of the Baptist cause. Many historical associations cluster around the vicinity, where it is located, as being the place where the illustrious Dr. Peck resided for a good portion of his life ; and by reason of this an influence for good in the Baptist cause radiated, which was felt throughout Illinois and the West. The ch»rch has accomplifched a mission of great good, and the element of strength it yet possesses may well be considered as an auspicious augury for yet greater progress in the Master's cause.