Madison County, ILGenWeb                                         

 The Churches of Madison County

The Monks of La Trappe

From A Gazetteer of Madison County by James T. Hair, 1866 (Book in Public Domain)

          About the year 1809, a very different order of emigrants made their appearance in Madison County in the vicinity of the mound skirting Cahokia Creek, upon one of which they had a residence for several years, and from which it derived its name of Monk's Mound. They were known as the Monks of La Trappe. The monastery of this order was anciently situated in the Province of Perche, in France, in one of the most solitary spots that could be chosen. It was founded in A. D. 1140, under the patronage of Ratron, Count of Perche. They were a branch of the order of Cistercian Monks. Their monastery had fallen into decay and their rigid discipline relaxed, when the order was reformed by the Abbe Rance in A. D. 1664. Perpetual silence was the vow, every comfort of life was rejected, and a stone was their pillow, bread and water their only food, and every day each removed a handful of earth from his grave. The furious storm of the French Revolution scattered the Trappists. A branch of the order came to the United States in 1804, first established themselves near Conewango, in Pennsylvania; then in Kentucky; next at Florissant in St. Louis, Missouri, and finally in 1809 or 1810 in Madison County, upon the mound and farm before referred to which was the gift of Colonel Nicholas Jarrot of Cahokia.

          They numbered eighty in all, and expected an accession of two hundred others from France, but the climate and situation were not congenial to the austerities practiced by the order. During the summer months, fevers prevailed among them to an alarming extent. Few escaped and many died. They cultivated a garden, repaired watches and traded with the inhabitants. Connected with the monastery was a sort of Seminary for boys. They seem to have been regarded generally as filthy in their habits, but extremely severe in their penances and discipline. No one was ever allowed to speak to another, or to a stranger, except in cases of absolute necessity; neither could he address the superior, without first asking his permission by a sign, and receiving his assent. They were allowed to receive no letters or news from the world, and were compelled to obey the least sign made even by the lowest lay-brother in the community, although by doing so, they might spoil whatever they were at the time engaged in. Their dress consisted entirely of woolen; they eat no flesh, and had but two meals a day. Their dinner was soup of turnips, carrots and other vegetables, with no seasoning but salt, and their supper, of two ounces of bread with water. They slept in their clothing upon boards, with blocks of wood for pillows, but in winter were allowed any quantity of covering they desired. When a stranger visited them, he was received with the utmost kindness by their guest-master, his wants attended to, and everything freely shown and explained to him, and whenever he passed one of the monks, the latter bowed humbly to him, but without looking at him. They labored all day in the fields or in their work shops in the most profound silence, the injunction of which was removed, only from the one appointed to receive visitors, and those engaged in imparting instruction. When one of them was taken ill, the rigor of their discipline was entirely relaxed towards him, and every attention and comfort bestowed upon him, and if he was about to die, when in his last agonies, he was placed upon a board, on which the superior had previously made the sign of a cross, with ashes, and the rest gathered around him to console and pray for him. The dead were wrapped in their ordinary habit and buried without a coffin in the field adjoining their residence. As soon as one was buried, a new grave was opened by his side, to be ready for the next who might need it.

          The first discovery of coal in the bluffs was made by these monks. Their blacksmiths complained of a want of proper fuel, and on their being informed of the earth near a tree struck by lightning was burning, they went to the spot and on digging a little below the surface, discovered a vein of coal.

          In 1813, they sold off their personal property, re-conveyed the land to Mr. Jarrot, the donator, and left the country for France.

The First Churches

From A Gazetteer of Madison County by James T. Hair, 1866

          A Sabbath School was organized and taught May 1, 1820, at Upper Alton, by Enoch Long and Henry Snow, and was continued during the summer, which was said to have been the first taught in Illinois. During the year previous, however, the wife of the Rev. Thomas Lippincott, then a merchant at Milton, had gathered into their house on Sabbath mornings for religious instructions some fifteen or twenty children - all there were - and this in reality was the earliest effort made in this direction in the County, and perhaps deserves the name of the first Sabbath School in Illinois.

          The Methodist and Baptist Churches were early planted in Illinois, and there were many preachers of these denominations who labored more or less in Madison County. The Baptists were mostly of the old - or as they are sometimes known, the hyper-Calvinistic school. They were then popularly called Ironsides, but have been since more widely known and famed as Hardshells. About 1818 or 1819, the Rev. John M. Peck came to itinerate among them. He was an able man, as many can testify, and urged his New School, Missionary, Sunday School, Bible and Temperance efforts with great zeal, power and success.

          The Methodist Church furnished many specimens of able ministry and devotion to the work. The principal resort or place of meeting in Madison County was about two miles west of Edwardsville where they had a meeting house and camping ground called "Ebenezer." Among the most conspicuous of their ministers were John Dew and Samuel H. Thompson. Mr. Dew was a man of unusual intellectual power, not very eloquent, or at least oratorical, his strong arguments and vigorous appeals - to the judgment rather than to the passions - were felt especially by thinkers. Samuel H. Thompson was a different style of man. His intellectual powers could not be esteemed equal, yet he could better command an audience and produce more effect upon the public mind than Mr. Dew or any other of the men of his day. He was frequently impassioned, but this did not seem to be the secret of his power. It was more common to attribute it to his strong common sense, combined with strong affections and knowledge of mankind. Gov. Edwards said of him that he was the most powerful man with the people he knew; and if he had made politics his business, would have been wonderfully successful. But, he was devoted to what he considered a higher work, and though he consented to allow his name to be used as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in after years, he abstained from personal effort, and it was thought lost his election by it.

          The Presbyterians at this time were few, if we except the Cumberland Presbyterians who were active, efficient and successful. The John Barbers, father and son, though not among the first as ministers, were known as among their most efficient laborers.

          In 1819, two ministers came into Illinois as Presbyterian Missionaries. Their names were Lowe and Graham. As their field included Illinois and Missouri, and their time a year or less, they were of course but little in Madison County. Edward Hollister and Daniel Gould were in the County in 1820 as Missionaries of this denomination. Subsequently, Mr. Gould taught school in Edwardsville six months, while Mr. Hollister itinerated mostly in Missouri, occasionally visiting Edwardsville.

          In 1822, two other Missionaries came from New England, Rev. Orin Catlin and Rev. I. N. Sprague. Their labors were mostly in Madison and adjacent counties. Before all these, the Rev. Salmon Giddings, who arrived in St. Louis in 1816 or 1817, came over occasionally and preached, and it was he who formed the churches of Edwardsville and Collinsville, the first of the denomination in Madison County.

History of Madison County, Illinois, Illustrated, With Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent Men and Pioneers

Published By W. R. Brink & Co., Edwardsville, IL; 1882: Pages 301-302  (Book in Public Domain)

THE BAPTIST CHURCH By Justus Bulkley, D. D.

          The first Baptist church organized within the present limits of Madison county was at Wood River. It was constituted May 3, 1807, by David Badgley and William Jones. Among the constituent members were: William Jones, by letter; Elizabeth Jones, Susan Brown, William Stubblefield, Isaac Hill, Lucy Hill, Joseph Cook, Sarah Cook, John Rattan, Mary Rattan, Anne Rose, John Finley, and possibly others. July following Joseph White, James Gillham and Anne Gillham joined, by letter. In June 1809, Abel Moore, Mary Moore, James Beeman and Nancy Beeman were received by letter. In September, 1809, George Moore and Nancy Moore joined by letter.

          In 1808 the first Baptist Association was formed, called the "Illinois Union." It consisted of five churches, Wood River, New Design, Mississippi Bottom, Silver Creek and Richland. It had four ministers, David Badgley, William Jones, Robert Brazil and Joseph Chance, with sixty-two members. Hence Wood River church, with its pastor, was one of five churches to constitute the first Baptist Association in Illinois. In 1809 the Association held its annual meeting with this church. The first Saturday in April, 1811, letters of dismission were granted to William and Elizabeth Jones; but the first Saturday in October, 1814, they were again received by letter. The first Saturday in June, 1815, James Beeman was appointed to get plank to floor the meeting-house, and get two acres of land from Joseph Vaughn, for meeting-house, and graveyard. The first Saturday in June, 1816, Joseph Vaughn offered to sell to the church two acres of land where the meeting-house and grave yard were situated, for five dollars per acre. After consultation, the church purchased one and a half acres, and Vaughn donated a half acre and twenty rods. These pioneers were a hearty, thrifty, social generous people; their hospitality was unbounded. A common foe in the Indians by whom they were surrounded connected them very closely in their friendship, as well as united them for common defense. Their settlements were sparse. Their custom was to hold monthly meetings, beginning on Saturday and holding over the following Sabbath. Their faith was simple and their piety sincere; their preaching was largely oratory and their worship primitive and unostentatious; members were often widely scattered; their mode of travel was on horseback, and attended great danger from a prowling foe; and yet they exhibited great earnestness and punctuality in their attendance upon the stated appointments of the church. One of the members of this church, Mrs. Bates, the mother of the wife of Abel Moore, lived near Jersey Landing; another, Mrs. Askew, sister of Mr. Abel Moore, also lived near Jersey Landing, and yet both came monthly, on horseback, exposed to imminent danger, and yet with great regularity and delight, to attend the stated appointments of the church. During the war of 1812 Elder William Jones became a soldier, and was elected captain of his company. During this period he often preached in the Block House, which stood near the premises of William Gill. This church enjoyed a good degree of prosperity until about 1849, about which time its membership declined, and it was then merged into Bethlehem United Baptist Church."

NEWSPAPER/BOOK CLIPPINGS:

FUNDS NEEDED TO BUILD ST. PAUL'S CHURCH IN ALTON, ILLINOIS ... THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Source:  Alton Observer, Editor: ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY, December 1, 1836

We find the following circular in the "Episcopal Recorder" of Philadelphia, and cheerfully transfer it to our columns:  CHURCH AT ALTON, ILLINOIS

The following circular, of which a copy has been sent to us, is worthy the attention of our readers, especially as there are many congregations in the western country and other parts similarly circumstanced.

The undersigned, the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church, Alton, Illinois, relying upon your devotion to the Church, and believing you would rejoice to see her prosper and flourish in these "western wilds," have so far presumed upon your kindness as to present our claims before you and respectfully solicit such aid, as from an examination of those claims, you should believe us to merit. We are now a feeble flock, collected together by one of the most worthy and devoted of clergymen (the Rev. James De Pui, late of Pottsville, Pennsylvania), consisting of about twenty-five families, and from fifteen to twenty young men; occupying as a place of worship, a room that will contain about a hundred individuals, and the only place that could be procured upon any terms in the whole town. This room is wholly inadequate to our wants, and will not contain over one-third of those who are willing and anxious to attend our Church, but who are prevented, from an inability to obtain a seat. Not a Sunday returns, but we are more sensibly brought to feel how much we are suffering and losing, for want of a proper and sufficiently large place of worship; and so anxious are we that our beloved Zion should not be retarded in its advancement in the earliest stages of its existence at this place, that we have determined to go on and do what we can towards erecting a Church, and for the residue to throw ourselves upon the generosity of our Episcopalian friends throughout the Union.

We have a subscription amounting to about three thousand dollars, with which we contemplate purchasing a lot sufficiently large for a Church and parsonage. A committee appointed to select a suitable site have procured a most desirable lot, the cost of which will be about four thousand dollars, and the Vestry have concluded to purchase the same. We have also authorized a gentleman of our town, now at the east, to procure us a loan, if possible, of five thousand dollars, to secure which we are willing to give undoubted personal, in addition to real estate security. This is as much as the Episcopalians at this place can do, and the question that now forcibly presents itself for the consideration of every friend of our beloved Zion is, whether our Church shall be permitted to languish and die in this most desirable point of the Valley of the Mississippi, when the same spirit of liberality that pervades other denominations, if exerted by ours, would place us on a firm and imperishable basis. Destined as we are at no distant day to become one of the largest and most important towns of the Valley of the Mississippi; seeing other denominations erecting fine Churches with not half the prospects that we have, we have felt as if an appeal of this kind, with a statement of facts, was a duty incumbent upon us, and from the performance of which we could not shrink.

Our town is not yet six years of age, has four houses of public worship, a Presbyterian Church, built of stone, neatly finished, which cost five thousand dollars; a Methodist Episcopal, which cost twenty-five hundred; a Protestant Methodist, of stone, which cost three thousand; and a Baptist, not yet finished, which will cost at least fifteen thousand dollars. In addition to the above, the Roman Catholics and Unitarians have it also in contemplation of erecting, the coming season, houses of worship, and we are credibly informed that the Bishop of Baltimore subscribed five thousand dollars, and the Bishop of St. Louis three thousand towards the Roman Catholic Church and Seminary, besides receiving a donation of land upon which to erect their buildings. This is a true and unvarnished statement of the situation of the other denominations in our town, and we earnestly entreat you to render us as much assistance as circumstances will permit you. Occupying as we do the same attitude of importance in the state of Illinois, that St. Louis does to Missouri - Louisville to Kentucky - and Cincinnati to Ohio - we are calculated to exert here an influence in religion that will extend itself and be felt throughout our entire state. How important then is it, that our Church should be placed in its infancy upon a firm basis, and for respectability not to be surpassed in the Valley of the Mississippi.

Were it not for the length to which this Circular has already reached, we might go on and point out to you by the most incontrovertible arguments, the great advantages and importance of our growing town; but believing there is not point in the United States where it is more important that our Church should be firmly established, and where a happier welfare of our beloved Zion - we must conclude by once more soliciting your aid, with the assurance that whatever it may be in your power to lend us, it will be highly acceptable - and believe us, that your exertions in our behalf will receive our grateful acknowledgements, and in addition thereto, we will offer up our most fervent aspirations that whatsoever you may find it in your power to do for us, may, through the blessing of Almighty God, be restored to you ten fold.  Signed by the Wardens: Eli Hawley and A. B. Roff; and signed by the Vestry: George T. M. Davis, George Kimball, J. A. Townsend, William McGuise, James Morss, Jr., William Porter, B. K. Hart; Alton, Illinois, October 1836.

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PRESBYTERY OF ALTON ORGANIZED

Source: Alton Observer, March 9, 1837

The Presbytery of Alton is to be organized, at Alton, on the first Tuesday in April next, at 7 o'clock in the evening. Ministers and churches within the following limits are to constitute the Presbytery, viz: The counties of Monroe and St. Clair to be included on the south; and from the northeast corner of St. Clair a line be run due north to the road leading from St. Louis to Greenville, then on that road to Bond co., then on the west line of Bond and Montgomery counties to the road leading from Hillsboro to Bushnell's ferry, thence on that road thro' Carlinville and Carrollton to Bushnell's ferry - the Illinois and Mississippi rivers form the western boundary, including also, the church of Bethel in Bond county, and excluding Carrollton and Carlinville.

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SILENCING THE PRESS?

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, August 30, 1855

To Editor of the Courier: The undersigned, Presbyters in the Diocese of Illinois, anxious to check the discussion going on in the press concerning the private affairs of their diocese, and, is possible, restore peace to the church in Illinois, have, after mature consultation, agreed upon a course of action for the next convention, which, in their opinion, will give general satisfaction and remove all existing difficulties. They therefore earnestly request all conductors of the secular and religious press to suspend further publications on the subject until the convention shall meet, and permit the diocese to manage its own affairs unmolested by foreign dictation. Signed by George P. Giddings of Quincy; Samuel Chase of Jubilee College; Charles Dresser of Jubilee College; and S. Y. McMasters of Alton.

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CAMP MEETING AT THE OLD SALEM CAMPGROUND

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, September 6, 1855

It will be seen by a special notice in the proper column that a camp meeting will commence on the 7th of September next, at the old Salem camp ground on the road from Alton to Edwardsville. Judicious arrangements have been made to preserve good order, and we have no doubt that a large number of the citizens of the county will avail themselves of this opportunity to spend a few days both pleasantly and profitably. This time honored custom of devoting a stated period to public worship in the groves - "God's first temples" - is associated with the earliest recollections of the generation new upon the stage. It was also a custom with the early settlers of our country, when the ability of the people to build churches was less, and men had not learned so well to "shape the vault and hew the architrave." A reverence for, and observance of, the customs of our ancestors in their republican simplicity and unfeigned piety, is well calculated to impress us with the emptiness of luxury, and the vanity of political honors compared with the noble purposes of life to which such scenes allure the mind.

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LECTURES IN ALTON

Source: Syracuse, New York Evening Chronicle, October 2, 1855
Words for the Worker, in a series of lectures to working men, mechanics and apprentices, by William D Haley, Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Alton, Illinois.

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DEDICATION OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN ALTON

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, October 25, 1855

The dedication of this new church of the First Congregational Society of Alton, to the worship of Almighty God, took place on Sunday last, the 14th inst. The church was filled in every part, and included a large delegation from St. Louis, headed by the Rev. Dr. Elliot of that city, who took a prominent part in the services. The following was the order of exercises:  Voluntary and Anthem; reading Scripture, Rev. G. G. Ward.  Prayer, Rev. Dr. Wood.  Hymn (249), Sermon, Rev. Dr. Hosmer. Dedicatory Prayer, Rev. W. D. Haley.  Hymn (242), Rev. G. G. Withington. Address to the people, Rev. Dr. Elliot. Anthem, Choir.  Benediction, Rev. W. D. Haley.  The music was very fine. The construction of the church is peculiarly favorable for musical effect, great care having been taken to avoid abrupt angles. The splendid new organ was presided at by a master of the instrument, and its deep rich tones, blended with the varied and powerful voices of the choir, recalled to mind the dedication scenes of the temple, when the courts of His house were filled with "sounding praise." Our citizens never before listened to a more powerful and harmonious combined vocal and instrumental utterance. The sermon by the Rev. Dr. Hosmer of Buffalo, N. Y., was a production of great intellectual ability. He stated the doctrines and aims of the denomination to which he belonged, with great clearness and ability, and left upon the minds of his audience a very favorable impression. The address to the people by the Rev. Dr. Eliot, of St. Louis, was greatly abridged on account of insufficient time. Dr. Eliot, however, has frequently addressed our citizens, and his reputation as an able and eloquent divine is already well established here. We doubt not we shall often hereafter have opportunities of listening to him. The new church thus consecrated to Divine Service is a credit to our city, and a monument of the energy and liberality of its builders. It is of stone, stands upon a commanding eminence, has a fine appearance, the design being simple and chaste, and add considerably to the appearance of the city when viewed from the river. The interior of the church presents a very handsome appearance. Sharp angles have been studiously avoided; the pews are elliptical and the ceiling arched. The painting is in imitation of oak. The pulpit recess, cornice and ceiling are beautifully frescoed. A handsome chandelier, costing $250 is suspended from the center of the ceiling. The isles and pews are handsomely carpeted, and the seats are elegantly cushioned, all uniform in style and material. The organ is a very superior instrument, of sixteen stops, with double bass, swell, &c., and cost $1,000. The building is to be warmed by one of Chilson's Furnaces. In fact, the entire fitting up of the church has been conducted with great liberality, and with especial reference to neatness and comfort. The entire cost is between $12,000 and $15,000. A sale of the pews took place on last Monday night. They were first appraised. About thirty were sold. The first choice brought a premium on the appraisement of $35. The pew selected was appraised at $175, making $210 as the price of the first choice.  The sales that evening realized $4,347, which has since been increased by other sales. The Society is almost clear of debt, a rare thing in church building. It is but about two years since the Rev. W. D. Haley, the worthy pastor of the Society, commenced his labors in this city. His unusual energy, seconded by the most commendable liberality of his own Society and friends abroad, has accomplished this fine work. We hope he may meet with like success in every plan he may form for doing good.

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NEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ALTON

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 24, 1856

The contract for the building of this new church was let yesterday to Mr. J. A. Miller, architect of this city [Alton], whose plan took the premium offered by the society. The contractor will commence tearing down the old church next week. The new church will be a very handsome affair and quite an ornament to that part of the city. It is to be 100 feet long, 44 feet wide, and about 40 feet in the clear. The contract price is $10,000.

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NEW METHODIST CHURCH IN ALTON

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, May 28, 1857

The Trustees of the Methodist Society of this city have purchased a lot of ground running 60 feet on Market by 200 feet on Sixth street, and have made preparation for the erection on it of a fine church, of the Romanesque style of architecture. The plans were drawn by Mr. John Chaney, architect, and for style and taste, as well as conveniences, if built according to them, the building will not be surpassed by any other now standing in the city. The basement (10 feet from foundation to ceiling) is to be of stone. The audience room proper is to be 22 feet from floor to ceiling, with capacity to comfortably accommodate 500 persons. The walls will be of brick. The church will occupy an area of ground 40 by 75 feet, fronting on Market street. It will be fireproof, with tin roof. Embracing the tower, the steeple surmounting it will be 112 feet high. It is estimated that the cost of this building will be not less than $10,000, exclusive of the lot for which the Society paid $3,000. Contracts are already being made for the grading of the lot and the laying of the foundation and basement walls of the church which will be pushed on to completion as speedily as possible. Its progress will depend to some extent on the disposal made of the property on which stood the church of the Society, which was destroyed by fire in April.

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SECOND METHODIST CHURCH IN ALTON

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, June 4, 1857

We are informed that arrangements have been made to commence work on this building in a few days - perhaps next week. It is to be located on Union street, in Hunter's Northern Liberties. It will be forty by fifty feet in size, and will have a basement story, to be used for Sabbath school and other purposes. It will also be supplied with a fine bell. It is expected that the church, when finished, will cost about four thousand dollars; and as the society that has undertaken to build it is not very numerous or wealthy, a fine opportunity is afforded for the worthy exercise of liberality among those who are not members of this particular congregation.

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UPPER ALTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, February 25, 1858

Yesterday morning between four and five o'clock, the Presbyterian Church in Upper Alton was discovered to be on fire, and before the alarm could be generally given, the flames had advanced so far that all efforts to extinguish them were unavailing. The Church, with all its contents, was completely destroyed. It had been open for services on the preceding evening, and it is supposed that the fire originated from a flue. The loss will come very heavy on the congregation.

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ALTON METHODIST CHURCH BELL RAISED INTO PLACE

Source: Alton Weekly Courier, December 2, 1858

The bell of the new Methodist Church was raised to its place in the belfry yesterday afternoon. In size it is thirty-eight inches across the face, and thirty-six inches high. Its weight is twelve hundred and fifty pounds. It was cast by Mr. David Caughlin of St. Louis, and is marked "Alton M. E. Church - 1858." Its cost was $437.  Its tone is "G."

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BISHOP BAITES OF ALTON BANS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BALLS & PICNICS WHERE LIQUOR IS SOLD

Source: Utica, New York Daily Observer, July 24, 1875

Bishop Baites, of Alton, Illinois, has placed under ban all societies in his congregation whose members send their children to public schools, or give balls or picnics at which intoxicating liquors are sold.

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WHITE OAK SABBATH SCHOOL

Source: Alton Telegraph, February 12, 1880

In the country school house called White Oak, about eight miles from town [Alton], an energetic, Christian young lady, Miss Fannie Starr, conducts every Sunday afternoon a successful Sabbath school. She is Superintendent and sole teacher; the school numbers over forty pupils, some of them grown men. The occasional visits paid her by some of our Sunday school workers are greatly enjoyed.

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SECOND SABBATH SCHOOL ORGANIZED IN UPPER ALTON IN 1820

Source: Biographical Sketch of Enoch Long, An Illinois Pioneer, by Harvey Reid, 1884 (Book in Public Domain)

..."[Enoch Long] organized at Upper Alton, Illinois, in May 1820, the second Sabbath-school established in this State [Illinois], and was for some time its only teacher." Enoch's sister, Sarah, observes, in relation to the Alton mob at the time of Mr. Lovejoy's death, "that as we had not written she 'hoped that her brothers had nothing to do with it, pro or con.' If the question had been confined simply to that of abolition, her hopes would have been realized; but it had assumed a different form. The vital principal of our Constitution had been assailed by the mob (the freedom of the press and speech). I would ask what son of a Revolutionary father could stand tamely by and see the destruction of that beautiful fabric which he struggled so hard to rear, without blushing with shame. I hope our father has not such a son. I was there to defend the freedom of the press, and I presume all my brothers would have been with me had they had timely notice. Be assured that, should a similar assault again take place, I should feel myself bound to again step forward to the rescue."

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HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH IN ALTON

Source: Alton Telegraph, August 10, 1893

The work on the new St. Mary's church is progressing rapidly. The window frames are in place and the three entrance doors are taking shape. The contractor expects to have the walls completed by October 1. The new church will be a credit to Alton, and one of the finest architectural structures in Southern Illinois. The length of the building is 154 feet and its extreme depth is 64 feet. The stone tower rises in the air from the northeast corner to a height of 104 feet, and the spire reaches 81 feet higher, making its total height 185 feet. The tower is of trimmed stone, and a huge clock will ornament it near the top. The main entrance will be very handsome. The three entrance doors will be finished in carved capitols and bases, and cut stone mouldings. The outer doors will be of fronze or wrought iron work. The interior will be finely finished. The beautiful groin roof will be frescoed handsomely. The balcony and organ left are situated at the front of the church.

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METHODISTS IN ALTON LAY CORNER STONE

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 19, 1904

The corner stone of the new Washington street Methodist church was laid Sunday afternoon by Rev. G. W. Waggoner, aged 84, who is probably the oldest active Methodist minister in this part of the state. The venerable minister was asked to lay the stone because of his age and because he was the first pastor of the congregation which now constitutes the Washington street church. The ceremony took place at 2 o'clock and was attended by a large number of people notwithstanding the inclement weather. It was found that there were 97 members on the church rolls and on Sunday five new ones were admitted and their names enrolled on the list of members placed in the corner stone, in order to pass the 100 mark. The pastor, Rev. C. L. Peterson, was assisted by Rev. G. W. Waggoner, of Upper Alton, Rev. M. H. Ewers, pastor of the Alton First Methodist church, and Rev. C. C. Hall, pastor of the Upper Alton Methodist church. A good collection was taken up to defray the expenses of laying the stone. The new church is being erected facing Washington street on a fine lot presented to the congregation by Edward Levis. It will be a neat and comfortable structure and an ornament to its vicinity. The builders of the new church have been very successful in all their efforts to raise the building fund notwithstanding the fact that another Methodist church is being erected contemporaneously by the other Methodist congregation.

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SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH NEAR ALTON TO BE TORN DOWN

Source: Alton Telegraph, October 24, 1912

Next Tuesday is the day set apart by the congregation of the Salem Baptist church for wrecking their old church edifice. The members of this old institution some time ago arranged for building a new church and they have been working to this end since then. They have raised a good sum of money and have also done much work toward getting a new building. The old church has stood many years on the present site, probably sixty years or more, and it is doomed to be destroyed next Tuesday. The congregation will meet at the church at 8 o'clock Tuesday morning. Everybody will take their dinners with them and also an implement with which to work. They ask that their friends come and invite the public generally to be present at the wrecking. At 8 o'clock a short prayer service will be held in the church after which the congregation will do as Samson did - pull down the house - but when the house falls the people expect to be on top. Salem church is located a mile above Wood's Station, and is an old landmark.

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SAVE BELFRY OF OLD CHURCH [IN GODFREY] IS THE PLEA

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 13, 1920

Years ago when there was a plan to destroy the historic fighting ship, Constitution, a poem saved the ship, and money was provided to keep "Old Ironsides" afloat. There is a call for someone to save the belfry of the Godfrey Congregational church, now old, decrepit with its more than 80 years of adorning the landscape, and unless some means is provided for making repairs, the old spire must come down. The Godfrey Congregational church is one of the best specimens of church architecture in this part of the country. The spire, a graceful climax to a well designed building, is a necessary part of the art scheme. The spire has been leaking water for twenty years. Inspection revealed that the repairs would be costly and that it might be cheaper to tear it down than to attempt repairs. The subject is under consideration. Maybe someone will come forward with a plan to prevent the decapitating of this old time church. It is the general belief that the removing of the spire would seriously detract from the beauty of this old time house of worship.

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ALTON M. E. CHURCH DAMAGED BY FIRE                    $60,000 Damage

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 1, 1922

Fire, believed to have been caused by grounded wires, yesterday afternoon destroyed the auditorium of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Sixth and Market streets, causing damage believed in excess of $60,000. One of Alton's most beautiful Protestant churches was the victim of flames, as was the largest and finest pipe organ in the city. Art glass windows, including that of "The Resurrection," considered one of the finest in this section of Illinois, were broken. Today, the beautiful church, recently redecorated, which for two weeks has housed immense crowds gathered to hear the evangelist, Gipsy Smith, is but four brick walls, with the interior - organ, elaborate furnishings, Sunday school furniture and supplies - a black heap of debris. The fire was first discovered by Clarence Winger, a carrier for the Telegraph, who was passing the church enroute to his home. He went to the home of the pastor, the Rev. C. D. Shumard, just east of the church, on Sixth street, told him, and an alarm was turned on. A moment or two later, Fire Chief William Feldwisch, on the 5:45 Union street car, on his way home for dinner, saw smoke pouring from the gable windows of the church. He had the car stopped and ran to the main door of the church. He opened it and fell back when great volumes of smoke poured out. Soon Company No. 1 of the Fire Department arrived. As the truck neared the church, one fireman grabbed the hose, stepped off, and as the truck continued on its way, the hose was unwound. The fire was between the slats roof and the ceiling. Smoke pouring from gable windows and tower showed it had gotten a good start, even before the firemen were called. First an attempt was made to enter the main auditorium of the church, but the smoke made this impossible. Presence there meant death, and so great was the smoke that the firemen could see nothing - could not get beyond the main vestibule. There were shouts of "Find the light switch," but none could be found, no one seemed to know where it was, and frantic efforts were made to find an entrance to the basement. With the lights turned on the firemen might be able to see within the building, it was thought. A hose was quickly attached to a plug, and a stream of water turned on the building. It was feared to open the doors, for that would create a draft and the blaze would be given the help it needed to burst forth in greater fury. So one stream was turned on the north gable window. The window is near the top of the middle vortex of the roof on the Sixth street side, and was latticed in shutter fashion. But little water could be thrown between the slats and the work there was only slightly effective. Aided by volunteers, the firemen played a stream on the roof from the south, after climbing to the top of the Fisher house adjoining the church on Market street. The greatest volume of smoke was coming from that point. Fire Company No. 3 had arrived. With more hose available and more men on the job, Fire Chief Feldwisch was able to fight the fire more efficiently. A fireman climbed to the roof on the north side and began prodigious efforts to chop a hole through the slate roof. A few swings of his ax and he would be forced to lean far out over the roof for a few breaths of fresh air, so great was the smoke. Eventually, he succeeded in making a small opening, and a stream of water was placed there. Several streams of water were being thrown on the building at different points, and although the pressure was great because of the pumps, the work of the firemen seemed to go for naught, because the blaze could not be reached. Then, shortly after 6 o'clock, the smoke seemed to take on a brighter color, its volume became greater; curls of smoke rose from a hundred places, at the corners of slate pieces on the roof. Suddenly the great flame, red and roaring, burst forth, with a sound like that of rolling thunder. The great crowd which had gathered fell back breathlessly, in natural fear of the great blaze. The firemen for the first time could see the blaze and they worked with renewed vigor. But the fire had gotten too great a headway and defied the efforts of the fighters. It was not long until the central portion of the roof collapsed with a great, crashing sound. The fireman on the northeast corner of the roof barely missed going too, but stuck valiantly to his task, throwing a stream of water on the flame. The firemen, when it was seen that the interior of the church ??? [ unreadable] go, turned their efforts to keep the blaze in the one building and prevent ......  [unable to obtain the rest of the story]

HIDEOUS LIGHTS FROM OLD CHURCH WERE DESTROYED

Afflictions have some compensations. In the dark gloom among the Methodist of Alton, due to the burning of the First Methodist church last night, there was one ray of sunshine. The fact was announced today by B. C. Richardson that in the fire which damaged the church a lot of old window lights in the basement of the church, that were taken out when the old church was dismantled, were destroyed. That lot of glass had perhaps done more than anything else to hasten the building of the church which was damaged last night. A committee was named one time by the church people to buy some windows for the old church. The committee did not realize how bad the glass they selected would look. The glass had a green and yellow and white coloring scheme, and made a bilious appearance. When the old church was dismantled, an effort was made to sell the glass, but no one would buy them, Mr. Richardson said. The glass was stored in the basement of the new church and there it lay safe enough, in all its original ugliness. But the fire which caused the destruction of beautiful art glass windows in the church, also wrecked the hideous panes of glass that were in storage. So the world is safe now from ever having to look on that glass anywhere again.

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FOSTERBURG BAPTIST CHURCH NEARING COMPLETION

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 28, 1922

The new Baptist church at Fosterburg is nearing completion and the time of dedication has been set for Sunday, July 9th, at 2 p.m. About a year ago the old structure was torn down and the men of the church undertook to build the new edifice, under the direction of H. P. Thompson. It was indeed a tremendous undertaking as the men of the church were nearly all busy farmers. After much sacrifice and cooperation on the part of the men, they have succeeded in erecting one of the most beautiful church buildings in the rural districts anywhere. The building is the latest in church architecture. The plans were drawn by O. G. Stelle of Upper Alton. The seating capacity of the church is estimated to be four hundred and fifty. Much credit must be given to the ladies as they contributed very liberally to the new building fund. The speakers for the occasion will be Rev. James B. Little, pastor of the First Baptist church of Benton, Illinois; George M. Potter, President of Shurtleff College; and Dr. N. J. Hilton, Superintendent of the Southern District of Alton. The music will be in charge of the orchestra and choir of the church. The Upper Alton Male Quartette will render several selections, and Mr. Cyrus Daniels will also be on the program. A cordial invitation is extended to all to attend.

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GILSON BROWN IS HONORED BY PRESBYTERY

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 26, 1922

Gilson Brown, an elder in the First Presbyterian church, was chosen moderator of Alton Presbytery when that body convened last evening in the First Presbyterian church for its regular fall session. The election of Mr. Brown was carefully planned out by others, but was a great surprise to him. He is the second elder ever to have held the post of moderator of this Presbytery, and by coincidence, the only other one is that post was an elder in the First Presbyterian church, Joseph Hamill. In all the history of Alton Presbytery, therefore, the only lay moderators have been from the one church. D. D. Hughey was the delegate from the session of the First church. It was contrived that he leave the church at the time of roll call, so he could not answer to his name. When there was no response, the pastor suggested that the name of Gilson Brown be substituted for that of Mr. Hughey, which was just what Mr. Hughey had intended should be done. That made Mr. Brown a member of the gathering, and paved the way for what was to happen later when the moderator was to be elected. Probably no one was more surprised than Mr. Brown when he was nominated and unanimously elected. The devotional service was conducted by the retiring moderator, Rev. William F. Jones of Carlinville. The opening roll call found 33 ministers and 10 olders present, but this number was considerably increased today. The following pastors were received into the Presbytery: Rev. A. H. Taylor from New Albany, Ind., who is serving the Rockwood group of five churches; Rev. J. S. Wilbank from Muskogee, to the Staunton church; Rev. H. L. Todd from Indianapolis to Chester; Rev. Franklin L. Gould from Bloomington to Greenfield.  The following dismissals were given: Rev. Dennis N. Park to New Albany, Ind.; Rev. William J. Caldwell to Rushville; Rev. George M. Layman to Rochester.  The election of officers resulted as follows: Gilson Brown, moderator; permanent clerk, Rev. Clinton D. Bowman; temporary clerk, Rev. Amos J. Niebruegge. There was displayed on the wall of the church a tabulated report of the important matters of business, showing growth of the church, and contributions to various causes. In the Presbytery, there has been 501 new members received on confession of faith, and 301 by letters from other churches. There are 8,955 members in the constituent churches of the Presbytery, and 8,944 in the Sunday schools. The Home missions received from these churches $10,153 and Foreign missions received $9,708. The congregational expenses of the sixty churches in the Presbytery were $143,704. The largest church in the Presbytery is that at East St. Louis, the First with 733 members. The second is the First Presbyterian church of Alton, with 661 members. Hillsboro is third with 533; Sparta is fourth with 467, and Greenville fifth with 451. The total of members in the four Alton churches was shown to be 1,322. Special emphasis was being laid today on the meeting this evening when Rev. George P. Horst, D. D., of Chicago, will deliver the address. It will be preceded by a brotherhood supper for all the Presbyterian men of Alton. Supper will be served at 50 cents a plate. Following that the address will be given by Dr. Horst, one of the big men in the Presbyterian church, and representing the General Assembly committee on Men's work. The following were selected as the clergymen to attend the Illinois Synod at Streator, Oct. 17: E. L. Gibson, D. M. Cann, J. J. Bostick, E. W. Gilcrist, D. Breeze, W. B. McAdoo, H. S. Farrell. The alternates are J. N. Morrison, L. D. Weil, W. L. Bobb, Will's Patchen, H. E. Andrews, I. T. Spencer, T. A. McElvain.

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ROCK FORK CHURCH STARTLED BY NEWS OF TITLE CLOUD

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 17, 1922

Yesterday some of the negroes interested in the Rocky Fork church and burial ground were in Alton conferring with Col. J. J. Brenholt regarding the possibility of anyone seizing or getting possession of the church yard. It is a small tract of ground which for sixty-five years has been used as a site for the church and the burial place of the people in that vicinity. The Rocky Fork neighborhood is settled chiefly by negroes. The church is a negro church and none but negroes are buried in the cemetery. In sixty-five years the patriarchs of the settlement have been buried in the church yard. Recently, the people interested in the church arranged to tear down the old church and erect the new one. The old building came down and lumber was on the ground to put up the new one. Then alarming stories went abroad that someone was claiming to have a title to the ground and was preparing to seize it. That sent a committee to town to consult a lawyer. Col. Brenholt advised the committee that after sixty-five years of tenancy, it was impossible that anyone could set up a title to the property which has been so long used as the Rocky Fork church and graveyard. Construction work on the church will proceed, with the assurance that if there was no other right to the property, that of possession for so many years would be a perfectly good title.

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FIRE MENACES OLD TIME CHURCH ON GODFREY ROAD

Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 23, 1923

Fire caused an interruption of a banquet in the Congregational church at Godfrey last evening, all the people at the banquet table abandoning supper for a while until they could save the old time church building. Then they went back to the supper table and finished the supper, had the program of speeches and enjoyed a pleasant evening. The Godfrey Congregational church is a landmark in this part of the country and it is regarded as exceedingly fortunate that the artistic little country church building was saved, as it is a relic of bygone days, and has an interesting history. Fortunately, the fire did not do much damage to the building owing to the fact that there were so many men present at the banquet to lend their help in fighting the flames....Evidently this chimney [at the northwest corner, that serves a stove downstairs] had been the cause of fire getting out into the frame walls of the pretty little church building and the fire was going at a good rate when discovered. The alarm was given and everybody abandoned the supper and rushed out to fight fire. They tore into the wall of the church and after desperate efforts they succeeded in extinguishing the fire....The Godfrey church is about 85 years of age. It is a striking piece of architecture, standing opposite Monticello Seminary and it would have been a great calamity had it been destroyed. It is a center of much religious activity for the community, aside from being an adornment of the landscape, and had the building burned it would have been a heavy loss, and very difficult to replace.

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ANTIOCH CHURCH NEAR SHORT CEMETERY

Source: The Alton Telegraph, December 5, 1933

The old Antioch Church, located near Short Cemetery, four miles northeast of East Alton, which had been closed for 14 years, was to be opened for religious services. The church, founded in 1851, was one of the oldest in the vicinity.

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DR. McMASTERS RECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH AT ALTON

Source: History of Ramsey County and the City of St. Paul, page 567

Dr. Sterling Y. McMasters: In 1846 he became rector of Christ church at Alton, Illinois.

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HISTORY OF THE ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ALTON

According to the Alton Telegraph, November 26, 2008, St. Mary's Catholic Church of Alton, officially named the Church of the Immaculate Conception, was organized in 1858 to serve Alton's growing German population. Father F. A. Ostrop was the first pastor. The new church was a two-story brick structure with the church on the second floor. The lower floor was devoted to the priest's apartments and classrooms. The church was destroyed by a tornado in 1860.  The present St. Mary's Catholic Church was consecrated November 28, 1895.

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150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BETHALTO

According to the Alton Telegraph, dated March 24, 2009, the Zion Lutheran Church of Bethalto will celebrate its 150th anniversary with the theme of "Praising, Serving, Sharing Christ for 150 Years." The church is located at the corner of Route 140 and Moreland Road in Bethalto, It began in 1859 by five families who worshipped in a log structure.  In the 1840s, German and Dutch Lutheran families on the Rattan Prairie (Bethalto) were meeting in homes to worship. The first Lutheran church in the Bethalto area was built in 1842 on the southern edge of Liberty Prairie, near present Route 159. Early services were conducted by circuit riders, including Rev. C. G. H. Schliepsick. Zion Lutheran Church for organized in 1859, under the first resident pastor, Rev. D. W. Warns. Rev. Warns also established Emmaus Lutheran Church at Dorsey.  For the first 50 years, most services at Zion were conducted in German. English services began in 1913 with the arrival of Pastor W. G. Bruegmann.  Zion began its first elementary school in 1877, with the first teacher being Rev. J. G. Neutzel.    The log structure was replaced in 1865 by a brick building, which included four rooms for the pastor's residence. A steeple was added to the church in 1892 to house its 1,000 pound bell. The bell has been moved to each new building. A frame structure was built in 1910.

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Primitive Baptist Churches in Madison County, Illinois