UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

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ref. HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
 Biggsville Public Library,
Biggsville IL p 1340
 The first services in connection with the UNITED
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH were held during the summer of 1859, in a grove east of
town, south of the railroad bridge. The grove has since been cut down. The
services were conducted by Rev. J. A. P. McGaw, then pastor of the United
Presbyterian congregation of South Henderson, he occupying this field as a
mission point. The congregation was organized January 3,1866, in the
schoolhouse which is still standing in the east part of town, afterward
known as the Cumberland Presbyterian church, now used as a Iumber-room by
Robert Mickey. The organization was effected by Rev. A. M. Black, D.D.  Dr.
Black took a deep interest in the young congregation, and watched over it
with great care for several years.  The congregation was organized under
the oversight of Monmouth presbytery. The original members came from the
United Presbyterian congregations of South Henderson and Ellison, mostly
from the former, viz: B. H. Martin, Dr. A. C. McDill, J. B. McGaw,
Elizabeth McGaw, A. R. Graham, Mary A. Graham, Mrs. E. McDill, Margaret
McDill, J. E. McClain, Frances McClain, Andrew McDougal, I. McDougal,
Maggie H. Henderson, Mary Porter, J. S. Smiley, Mary M. Smiley, Jane
Gilmore, Mary E. Graham, John H. McDill, Mary A. McDill, M. M. Douglass,
Ellen J. Stanley, Robert McDill, Mary McDill, Robert Y. McDill, M. W.
McDill, Margret Young, William F. Campbell, H. M. Whiteman, Elizabeth
Whiteman, A. G. Stewart, Jane Stewart, John Glenn, Margaret Campbell,
tbirty-four in all.  Of this number twelve are still members of the
organization, viz: Elizabeth McGaw, Mrs. E. McDill, Margaret McDill (Mrs.
Henry Clark). Mary Porter, Jane Gilmore, M. M. Douglass, Ellen J. Stanley,
Robert McDill, Mary McDill, H. M. Whiteman, Elizabeth Whiteman, Margaret
Young. For several years the congregation worshiped in what are now the
rooms above Frank McKims' store, then known as Sloan's Hall.  Here a
Sabbath school was organized in connection with the congregation.  It was a
vigorous plant from the first and its natural force  has never abated.  It
has proved to be one of the most efficient agencies of the congregation,
and its influence for good has been felt throughout the entire community.
The success and prosperity of the school, so far as human agency is
concerned, may be attributed to a  few untireing Christian workers.  Among
the most zealous and faithf'ul superintendents we may mention Robert
Gilmore, J. B. McGaw, A. W. Graham and George McDill, the present
incumbent.  It now has an enrollment of over 200 scholars.. ---------------