This church was first known as that of Wolf's grove, and was organized at the house of Jacob Kepple, in the spring of 1837, by the Rev. Mr. Thompson, through the influence of William H. Jackson, a local preacher, one of those sturdy pioneers who not only desired to open up this beautiful country for settlement, but to sow the good seed of the Gospel in the hearts of his neighbors and friends. The church or class, as originally formed, contained but five members: W. H. Jackson, Ann Jackson, Margaret Kepple, Elizabeth Kulp and Harriet Vincent. Mr. Jackson was elected class leader. Preaching was held at the log cabin of Jacob Kepple, once in four weeks, on week days, as the circuit was so large that the preachers had to preach every day in the week, and often twice a day, to make their rounds in four weeks. It was very often a very long time between appointments, but these self-sacrificing circuit riders rode horseback or traveled on foot, carrying their saddle-bags containing their library and wardrobe. Their salary was very small, $100 being the usual salary allowed them, and often half of this was never obtained.

Religious services were held at the cabin of Mr. Kepple for some two or three years, and after that for six or eight years at the house of Wm. H. Jackson. After that, services were, at first, held in the school house, about a quarter of a mile south of the present site of Bardolph. After a few years the meeting place was removed to the school house on the southwest quarter of section 24, in Macomb township. Here it remained until about 1855, when Bardolph being laid out, the church was removed to the newly erected school house in that place, where it remained about a year or so. Its name was changed about this time to that of Bardolph Methodist Episcopal society. The school directors, having objections to the holding of services in the building, a room in the village was rented by the society, for the purpose of having services. This they held for a few months, when the members of the Presbyterian church tendered them the use of their church building, which they gladly accepted.

In the autumn of 1866, the Cumberland Presbyterians and this congregation united in the erection of a church edifice, which was known by their united names, in which services were held on alternate Sundays. For 10 years this continued, and finally, in 1883, the Methodist congregation purchased the interest of the Presbyterians in the structure, and now own and occupy it themselves. The building is a neat and commodious specimen of church architecture. Like all other old churches of this denomination, they have had a number of pastors, but it is believed that the following is a complete list, with the date of service, the first, however, being circuit preachers, with appointments at this place. Beginning with the first, we have Rev. Mr. Thompson, who served one year; Rev. Mr. Mobley, one year; Rev. C. Hobart, two years; Rev. Mr. Pitner, one year; Rev. Mr. Troy, one year; Rev. J. Walters, one year; Rev. C. J. Houts, one year; Rev. T. J. Oliver, one year; Rev. B. F. Applebee, one year; U. J. Geddings, two years; Rev. Mr. Hindle, a part of a year which was finished out by Rev. Freeborn Haney; Rev. W. J. Beck, one year; Rev. B. F. Swarts, one year. The next was Rev. Barton Cartwright and Rev. J. B. Quimby, who together had appointments on this circuit. They were succeeded by Rev. John Morey, who served one year; Rev. Milton Brown, one year; Rev. James Taylor and Rev. John P. Brooks, one year; Rev. W. H. Jackson and Rev. Sharrod Robinson, one year; Rev. Mr. Hadley, one year; Rev. W. J. Beck, one year; Rev. Mr. McCool, one year; Rev. B. F. Applebee, one year; Rev. W. F. Steward, one year; Rev. John Windsor, one year; Rev. Creighton Springer, one year, and Rev. Mr. Brown, one year. This brings it down to the building of the church in 1867. From that time forward the pulpit has been filled by Revs. B. E. Kaufman, D. S. Main, James Ferguson, A. P. Hull, Jacob Mathews, John Reed, P. S. Garretson, J. W. Frizzell, T. J. Pearson, H. K. Metcalf, J. A. Souders, B. C. Dennis and T. P. Henry, the present pastor.

Special revivals have been held at various times with wonderous results, among which may be mentioned some of the principal ones. One was held in the school house south of the site of Bardolph, in the winter of 1851, by Rev. James Taylor, the pastor, assisted by Revs. John P. Brooks and W. H. Jackson. Some 50 or 60 conversions were reported. A union revival was held therein shortly after the erection of the church building, by Revs. H. C. Mullen, John Windsor and W. H. Jackson, which resulted in some 70 making a profession of faith. In 1872, a revival held by Rev. Jacob Mathews resulted in adding 75 more to the fold. In 1880, a powerful wave of religious feeling swept throughout the community, and a revival at that time, under the direction of Rev. T. J. Pearson resulted in the conversion of 130 souls. A revival in 1883, also, resulted in 30 more coming into the church. The officers of the society are at present, the following mentioned: J. E. Hendrickson and George Switzer, class leaders; J. E. Hendrickson, John W. Booth, Mrs. J. Knapp, John G. Smith and John M. Jackson, stewards; Dr. J. B. Knapp, A. Hanson, H. A. Maxwell, J. W. Jackson, J. W. Booth, J. E. Hendrickson and J. M. Jackson, trustees. John M. Jackson, superintendent of Sabbath school. The church is in an excellent condition, and has a membership of 105 at the present writing (1885.)

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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