Logan County IL Archives History - Books .....Churches 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 12:40 am Book Title: A History Of Atlanta CHURCHES THE ATLANTA BAPTIST CHURCH The Atlanta Baptist Church, the oldest continuous church organization in Logan County, was established in 1830, under the name of the Big Grove Baptist Church at the house of Hiram Bowman, its first pastor. It was situated in what was known as the Big Grove timber, on the Kickapoo Creek in what is now Atlanta Township. Michael Mann, another pioneer Baptist preacher, assisted in the organization. The original membership numbered fourteen, of which John Hoblit was chosen deacon and Samuel Hoblit, clerk. Messrs. Bowman and Mann were old school Baptists who were vigorously opposed to the missionary movement as well as the paying of salaries to pastors and the church was organized in accordance with their views. In August of 1838, Mr. Bowman was succeeded as pastor by J. D. Newell and at the same meeting where Mr. Newell was selected a resolution was passed that "the church agree that her members shall have their liberty of conscience respecting assisting their minister or for missionary purposes if they choose." In 1841 the church adopted new articles of faith, among which was the following: "We believe it the duty of members of the church to contribute to the support of the ministry according to their ability." The town of Atlanta was laid out in 1853 and by 1855 had become a sprightly town. The inhabitants of New Castle moved to Atlanta, abandoning the old settlement and the New Castle Baptist Society thereupon disposed of the old meeting house at New Castle and in 1855 erected a new church edifice in Atlanta, changing the name of the society to the Atlanta Baptist church. The new building was 48 feet by 60 feet in dimensions, with a gallery opposite the pulpit. The trustees of the church at this time were Elias Harness, Samuel Bevan, Jerome B. Tenney, Samuel Hoblit and George M. Angell. In the spring of 1856, Rev. E. J. Thomas became the regular pastor. On New Year's morning of 1872, the church erected in 1855 was destroyed by fire. From 1872 until 1886 the congregation held services in the Congregational and Cumberland Presbyterian churches. In July of 1885 the contract for erecting a new church building was let. This building was completed in 1886 and was dedicated March 21, 1886. The entire cost of the new building, 36 feet by 50 feet, with an addition 16 feet by 48 feet on the west, including ten memorial windows, furnishings and furnace amounted to $4,146. Church services in this building continued until the year 1941. Later the church disbanded and the church building was sold at auction in 1948. Subsequently it was torn down and removed. The church edifice was located on Fourth Street, on the site now occupied by the B. F. Twomey home. THE ATLANTA CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Atlanta Christian Church was organized in 1855 in the Baptist Chapel where meetings were held the first year on Lord's Day afternoons. The organization was made under the direction of George W. Minier with 32 charter members who were Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Judy, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Howser, Mr. and Mrs. James Shores, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Howser, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Howser, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Britt, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dills, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Holland, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Riley, Mr. and Mrs. George Dyer, Dr. and Mrs. Arteburn, Mrs. Dr. J. B. Tenney, Mrs. Sallie Strong, Mrs. Gill and Mrs. Christenson. The first elders were C. F. Ewing and Andrew Wright; the first deacons were Jacob Judy and Jefferson Howser; James Shores was clerk. The first minister was W. M. Guilford who was at that time principal of the public schools. The first building was erected in 1856 and later there were several additions. The Harness Memorial Library dedicated Nov. 7, 1897 being the most important. This first building served the congregation until removed to give place for the present structure. Under the leadership of Rev. R. H. Newton agitation for a modern building to serve the needs of the Church and Bible School was started. Early in 1912 plans were accepted by the congregation for a completely furnished structure to cost $20,000 or more. Work progressed rapidly and on November 9, 1913 the new church was dedicated. However, the cost of the new building turned out to be $30,000 instead of $20,000. The membership is approximately 500. THE ATLANTA CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY A group known as the Christian Science Society was organized about 1910 and held regular meetings and Sunday School in the Modern Woodman Hall. There were about twenty members. Later the society disbanded and all funds on hand were sent to the Mother Church. THE ATLANTA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The Atlanta Congregational Church was one of the earliest Congregational Churches in Illinois, having been organized in 1840 in the Mt. Hope settlement. The church was moved to Atlanta as soon as that town was platted in 1853, being probably the first church society holding services in the new town. A new church edifice was erected in 1859 and on the evening of July 4th, before the building was seated, an ice cream social was held in the church. Abraham Lincoln attended and was presented a cake. H. W. Cobb was pastor at this time. The church building was a two story structure. The pastor and his family occupied the first floor and the religious services were held on the second floor. The society has been inactive since 1885. The church had no prospect for better times, as the society numbered but about twenty members. The building was then occupied by the Cumberland Presbyterians. Later the building was moved to the A. E. Barnes place at the north edge of Atlanta where it still stands. THE ATLANTA CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Atlanta Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized about 1856; but the denomination, having three or four houses of worship within a few miles of town, no building was erected in Atlanta until 1866. Rev. Joseph Roach was pastor at this time. This structure, located at the corner of Fourth and Race Streets, was used by them when they had regular services until January 1880 when it was leased to the Baptists. They used it until January 1885, when the Cumberland Presbyterians resumed its use. The last of November, 1885 it was burned in some unknown manner and the society rented the Congregational Church until the spring of 1886. Elders were James Adams, William Roach, and I. S. Chenoweth; trustees, S. H. Nolder and James Adams. An attractive brick building was erected later. This edifice was located west of the Pennsylvania Railroad Depot. The church was later referred to as the Presbyterian Church, although according to Mrs. Eugenia Horrom Lee, who was a member of the church, it was always a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The membership became so small that the" congregation disbanded. The building was sold in 1919. E. Blinn Ransdell and his father, the late Grant Ransdell, bought it and took the bricks to the farm of E. Blinn Ransdell north of Atlanta. They were used in building the house which is the home of the E. Blinn Ransdells. THE ATLANTA METHODIST CHURCH Methodism in Atlanta dates back to the earliest history of the town. When the Chicago and Alton railroad was built in 1853 the new town grew like a mushroom. People flocked in and many of them were of the Methodist faith. A movement to organize a church was instituted in 1854, the first meeting being held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Cantrall, who lived on Railroad Street in the house-..now owned and occupied by Mrs. Theodore Williams. This building was operated by Mr. Cantrall as a boarding house and hotel and was Atlanta's first public hostelry. In the year 1854 the annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church appointed Rev. James Newbegin preacher in charge of the Waynesville circuit which contained the following charges: Waynesville, Maddox School House, Bell's School House, Rock Creek, Mt. Hope, Atlanta, Funk's Grove and Hittle's Grove. At the time of Mr. Newbegin's second appointment in Atlanta he preached in the hotel of James M. Cantrall. After this meeting a class of twenty-five members was formed and James Can-trail was named leader. After making about four rounds on the circuit Rev. Newbegin became dissatisfied and, after being released from his charge, returned to England, his native land. Rev. John M. Preshaw came for the remainder of the conference year. During the winter months he preached in the Seminary, later known as Hon. A. Reise's barn. On January 22, 1856 the trustees resolved to let the contract for furnishing the material and building a house for $2715.00. On the first Sabbath in February, 1857 the church was dedicated and on June 8, 1857 the trustees received the building from the contractors. There were just forty-four members. For more than fifty years the old church served as a place of worship. It was repaired and partially rebuilt on several occasions but the main auditorium remained about the same as when built in 1857. The membership felt the need of a more adequate church building to accommodate the services and various activities of a growing organization. At the third quarterly conference, May 1913, Pastor F. M. Harry was authorized to secure funds for the construction of a new church. By December of that year $10,000 had been pledged and plans were adopted. April 1, 1914 the contract was let and work started. The old church building was sold to Motz and Ary, who moved it to a lot on East Vine Street where it still stands. On Sunday, February 21, 1915, the church was formally dedicated with Bishop McDowell, Doctor B. F. Shipp and Rev. J. C. Nate as guests. Dedication day, an all day service, ended with the church free of all debt. The building is still beautiful and the membership is growing in numbers. There are now over three hundred members. THE ATLANTA AFRICAN METHODIST CHURCH An African Methodist Society was organized in Atlanta in 1875, and a church was erected by the society in 1876. The trustees at the time of the building of the church were Daniel Fitch and William Escue. The Society is now inactive. THE ATLANTA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH For many years the members of the Presbyterian Church worshipped in a hall rented for the purpose. In 1868 they completed their house of worship, a comfortable brick structure which, unfortunately, cracked and was considered unsafe. The only two regular pastors the society had were Rev. Crissman and Rev. A. Bartholomew. The building was repaired and for a few years monthly services were held. It is difficult to find information concerning this church organization, but one of our older citizens states that he remembers when the group was active in Atlanta. THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH The Atlanta United Pentecostal Church was organized about seven years ago. Rev. Roy Simpkins of Waynesville was the first Pastor. The congregation met in the building next to the Drug Store at the corner of Vine and Railroad Streets. Later the members bought the Texaco Station and; Cafe on old Route 66 and remodeled it, making a church and living quarters for the pastor and his family. Services are now held here. The present membership is small. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC.CHURCH Catholic services were held in private homes in Atlanta as early as 1856, shortly after the establishment of the city. In 1860 Father Martin, of the Lincoln parish, began to attend the parish here as a mission, celebrating mass once each month. In 1880 the parish as a mission was transferred to the Elkhart parish. The present church edifice was erected in 1881 at a cost of $1,200 00 under the ministration of Father M. Reynolds, rector of the Elkhart parish, who was holding services at Atlanta. Father W. J. Drummy of Elkhart became officiating priest in August, 1904. At the present time services continue, children receiving instruction each Saturday morning; mass is celebrated each Sunday morning. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF ATLANTA 1853-1953 Prepared by Citizens of Atlanta As a Part of the Observance of the Centennial, June 11,12 and 13,1953 THE PUBLICATION IS SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB Atlanta, Illinois 1953 Published By The Stewart - Pinks Publishing Co. Atlanta, Illinois File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/logan/history/1953/ahistory/churches63gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 13.0 Kb