The congregation known by the above name, was organized, April 8, 1859, by Rev. J. B. Royal, of Vermont, Fulton county, in what was known as the Wetsel school house, with the following list of members: William A. Griffin, Francis Epperson, James D. Swartz, Daniel Wilson, Hugh Chapman, William Kelley, Jane Kerr, Julia Ann Chapman, Sarah Swearingen, Almira Hays, Josiah Herlocker, Margaret Herlocker, Mary J. Griffin, George Kerr, Caleb Hipsley, America McVey, and Jane Chapman. Francis Epperson, W. A. Griffin, and Daniel Wilson, were appointed elders. For some years previous to this, however, services were held in the school house by these same people, but no organization was formed until the above date. The following is the covenant of organization entered into: "We, the undersigned, disciples of Christ, in obedience to the Great Head of the church, do now solemnly and joyfully agree with each other, to walk together in the Lord with brotherly love, as a church of Christ, and do also take the bible as our rule of faith and practice. Done in Wetsel school house, in New Salem township, April 8, 1859." A fine church edifice was erected by this congregation in the fall of 1867, on the northwest quarter of section 34, at a cost of $2,200. It is a well built structure, 32x45 feet in size, and well finished inside and out. For the first nine years of its existence, Rev. Joseph B. Royal labored in this vineyard, and was succeeded by John Reynolds, and others. Rev. Alexander Johnson dedicated the church building, December, 1867, and preached here for about one year. He was followed by Rev. Henry Smither, A. P. Aten, and others. The committee on building the church were W. A. Griffin, W. B. Swango, William Hodgen, and William Beckwith. The elders, were W. A. Griffin and Samuel Frost. In 1871, these resigned, and Stewart Piles and W. B. Swango, were appointed in their place, but the latter refused to serve, and in 1881, Mr. Piles emigrating to Kansas, the office of elder has been discharged by Richard Pennington, alone. The church has a present membership of about 35, and is in a good, healthy condition.

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

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