The Church of Christ of Lanark has had an interesting and by no means uneventful history. The following valuable, historic document sets forth most clearly the cause of its inception.

"On the 20th day of June, 1843 we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, viewing the unhappy divisions existing in society; declare nonfellowship with their causes, to wit: the opinions and tradition of fallible men who produce them as a rule of faith and practice. We therefore agree, by giving to each other the right hand of fellowship, to be formed or constituted into a Church of God of Jesus Christ, at Cherry Grove, Carroll Co. Ill. (Freedom), taking the Bible and the Bible alone as the rule of our faith and practice, as christians or disciples of Christ being subject to each other in the fear of God as the Bible directs."

To this document are appended the names of eighteen persons. The immediate organization was due largely to the energies of Garner Moffett and John Yager, though previous to this Eld. Henry Howe had done evangelistic work in this section of the country.

The elders were Jas. H. Smith, Garner Moffett, and D. Tripp. These were appointed at the time of the organization, June 20, 1843. They were also authorized to make appointments and speak whenever they deemed expedient.

The congregation from the time of its organization until February 1858l, met in the Cherry Grove school house; at the time they were deprived of the use of it through the instigation of two or three parties who seem to have been moved by a spirit of jealousy. After this they met for some time in their homes and a goodly portion of the summer of ’58 in the barn of Mrs. Mary J. Moffett. In November ’59, they succeeded in completing the erection of a church building; the first service was held in this structure on Saturday evening, November 26. Sometime early in the sixties this building was removed to Lanark, being placed upon the lot where the present structure now stands. The present building was erected in 1882. It has been repaired and refitted from time to time until brought to its present state of neatness and comfort.

Altogether since its organization the church has received into its fellowship five hundred twenty-two persons, and has a present membership of one hundred sixty. Of these hundreds the greater number have entered into their rest. Of those who remain some have proved unfaithful; but by far the greater number still hold fast "the faith once for all delivered to the saints."

This building and the congregation meeting therein constitute a monument dedicated to the plea for New Testament Christianity. They stand pleading with the christian world for the union of all God’s people upon the simple foundation of faith in Christ and a strict adherence to His word.