In 1832, the famous pioneer of Methodism in Illinois, Peter Cartwright, preached the first sermon in Macomb, according to the tenets of belief of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The same year he succeeded in organizing a society in that place, which is yet in existence.

Meetings were held in the old court house until 1835, when a very respectable brick building was erected on ground given by Hon. James M. Campbell, on the site of the present church edifice, on Lafayette street, north of Carroll.

In 1847 the church building blew down, when services were held conjointly with the Presbyterians, in their church building. A very earnest union revival was held by the two congregations, in this church, which resulted in bringing many into it. The church building was rebuilt in 1848.

In 1854, the circuit heretofore rather large, was divided, leaving Macomb only two appointments, viz: Wolf Grove and Spring Creek. During this year the church building again blew down, but the faithful members were not discouraged, only the more determined, and soon set about to erect another and larger building. One 40x70 feet was built this time and dedicated in 1857. T. M. Eddy, editor of the Northwestern Christian Advocate, delivered the dedicatory sermon. During the interval spent in rebuilding, services were held in the Christian church and in the court-house.

By 1858, the congregation had become so large as to require the undivided time of the pastor, and consequently Macomb was set off as a separate station.

The church building in 1875 was rebuilt and refitted at a cost of $4,076. A very tall and beautifully proportioned steeple towered far above the building, but not long after the new edifice had been dedicated--Bishop Simpson preaching the dedicatory sermon--and during a most violent storm the spire was blown down, causing some damage to the front walls.  Immediately the debris was cleared away, and a cupola of less pretensions was erected. The value of the church building, which is a neat and commodious brick structure, is $10,000. A large bell is swung in the cupola.

On the corner of Lafayette and Calhoun streets, and just to the north of the church, is the parsonage, a good frame residence worth $1,200. The following gentlemen have served as presiding elders in this circuit since the organization of the church: Revs. Peter Cartwright, Michael Taylor, Peter Atkins, N. G. Berryman, John S. Barger, R. Haney, John Morey, Milton Bourne, H. Summers, A. Magee, W. H. Hunter, W. D. Underwood, Henderson Ritchie, G. M. Irwin, B. E. Kaufman, G. J. Luckey, J. G. Bowlin, and the present incumbent, M. C. Bowlin. The following is the correct list of the various pastors who have had charge of this church: Rev. H. Summers, T. N. Ralston, P. R. Boring, William Window, D. B. Carter, Enos Thompson, John R. Richmond, Chauncey Hobart, E. Tracy, John Morey, R. W. Clark, William Hindall, Freeborn Haney, Samuel Pillsbury, H. Hadley, George Whitemore, Seth Ford, B. Courtwright, B. C. Swartz, B. H. Courtwright, J. B. Quinly, William M. Clark, S. S. Robinson, W. H. Jackson, James Taylor, C. P. Brooks, Allen Head, W. S. Smith, W. J. Beck, Milton Bourne, Benjamin Applebee, Andrew Miller, P. T. Rhodes, William Wilson, G. R. Palmer, A. D. McCool, William Watson, J. H. Rhea, J. C. Rybolt, Henderson Ritchie, Peter Warner, Mr. Zimmerman, B. D. Dennis, L. B. Kent, M. A. Head, G. W. Arnold, C. W. Ailing and H. A. Tullis, the present pastor. The present officers of the church are the following mentioned: S. Smith and Alexander M'Kown, class-leaders; R. H. Broaddus, J. T. Adcock, P. McClellan, H. K. Smith, James Venable, C. W. Slade, D. H. Hampton, G. E. Kelley and Amos Scott, stewards; James Venable, secretary; H. K. Smith, treasurer; Alexander Holmes, A. T. Vawter, B. D Ingram, A. K. Lodge, A. Munger, S. Smith, and C. W. Slade, trustees.

In connection with this church is a large and thriving Sabbath school, of which the following is a list of the officers: M. Kennedy, superintendent; A. K Lodge, assistant superintendent; Mrs. G. E. Kelley, lady superintendent; Sadie Knapp, secretary; S. Smith, treasurer.

History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Centinental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois
Transcribed by Karl A. 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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