Big Woods School

Several ministers took a deep interest at an early day in this branch of Zion. Among them was Elder Ashley, whose name is embalmed in the hearts of the pious in this part of the Lord's vineyard: He was with this church through several precious revivals, and was the means, in the hand of God, of bringing many from darkness to light. The first pastor of this society was Elder L. B. King. He has been succeeded by Elders A. B. Hubbard, Joel Wheeler, A. J. Joslyn, A. Taylor, Joel Wheeler, 8. F. Holt, Freeman, and H. Westcott, the present pastor, who recently came to this state from New Jersey. The society worshipped in a private house for some time in its early history, there being no school house in or about Warrenville, in which to hold its meetings. The first school house built here was occupied by the church until the old church building was purchased of Col. Warren and fitted up for the use of the society. A large and handsome church edifice is now in process of erection. The corner stone was laid July 22d, 1857. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. Dr. Howard and Rey. Mr. Boyd, of Chicago; Rev. Mr. Raymond and Rev. Mr. Estee, of Aurora; Rev. J. H. Worrell, of Bloomingdale; Rev. E. Barker, of Naperville; and Rev. H. Westcott, pastor. The house is 35 feet by 66, surmounted with a beautiful spire. The cost of building, including bell and fixtures, is estimated at between four and five thousand dollars. Connected with this church are a Sabbath school of fifty scholars, and two interesting bible classes. There are now belonging to this church fifty members.

Passage source: History Of Dupage County (1857), published 1857.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

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