The denomination of protestants known by the name of Christian, have a church and congregation at Colchester. This was organized during the month of March, 1867, with the following original members: David Blazer and wife; Daniel McKinley and wife; James Hood and wife; Mrs. Samuel Parks and one or two others. About the first of the next month following its inception, a revival was held under the charge of the first minister, Rev. C Ades, who was assisted by J. C. Reynolds. This meeting was held for six weeks, and a great awakening occurred, and 117 members were added to the new church. This placed the church on a firm footing. The first officers were S. Stevens, Daniel McKinley, M. Stookey, John Patrick and David Blazer, elders; James Dickinson and Thomas Honn, deacons; S. Stevens, M. Stookey, J. Patrick, James Dickinson and D. McKinley, trustees. The church edifice, which is a neat, substantial frame structure, was erected in 1868. It is 36x56 feet upon the ground and cost some $3,400 to build. The present membership of the church is about fifty. S. D. Mills and William Morrison are the present elders; John H. Stevens and Adam Taylor, deacons; J. H. Stevens is the clerk, and Mrs. A. J. Stevens, treasurer. The present minister is Rev. J. S. Gash. A Sabbath school is held in connection with the church, over which S. D. Mills presides as superintendent.

History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois
Transcribed by Robin Petersen for McDonough County ILGenWeb

Copyright 1999, 2000 Robin L. W. Petersen; all rights reserved. For personal use only. Commercial use of the information contained in these pages is strictly prohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright must appear with the information.

 
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