Cumberland County Churches
ALLEN
CHAPEL
(United Brethren)
Allen Chapel was
originally planned
to be built at the Paul Cemetery. However, plans were changed and it
was built in Greenup Township, located southwest across the corner from
the Wade School. Sunday School commenced at Allen Chapel Sunday. March 22. 1909.
Services were
not held very long in this church. When they were discontinued, the
congregation went to the Block (Mt. Zion) Church. Charlie Allen gave
land for this church.
ADVENT CHURCH, ROSLYN
In 1900 an Advent
Church was built across the road west of the present Methodist Church,
The site was given by Mrs, Sarah Elder. Some of the charter members
were; Mrs. Sarah Elder and daughters,
Mrs, Florence Easton Howe and Mrs. Gertie Niccum; Samuel and Margret
McElhinney; Mrs. Eliza McColloch and the J. W. Olmsted family and
others.
The first minister was the Rev. Marshall McColloch. Another minister
was the Rev, L. P. Olson, Services were discontinued and the building
removed before 1910. This information was given by Mrs. Gertie Niccum
who resides on the farm where the church was located. The Baptist
/church of Greenup was organized in 1892 and the church built in 1897.
James L, Ryan and daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Rose were original members. Mr,
Ryan was a lawyer who became a preacher and soon gave all of his time
to that work. Other member families were Carson and Crouch, Sometime
about 1920 the church ceased to be active. Later it was torn down.
The present Baptist church became active since World War II. There was
a strong Universalist Church in Greenup for several years between 1880
and 1910, Some of the members were the Robertson, Monohon, Ewart, Lyons
and Dillon families. Miss Chaney was their minister in the 1890's and
Rev. J, K. Dillon later. This building was empty for some years, but
was bought by the Ettelbrick Shoe Company and is now used for church
education purposes. There is at present an active Christian church in
Greenup, No Data at hand.
This church's
history is found on
page 91 of 1968 history book. The Antioch Church of Christ remains
active and in good repair. Services are held regularly. Area preachers
alternate conducting services.
ANTIOCH CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Antioch Church
of Christ is located on the Union Center road about a mile east of
Route 130, Caleb Decker sold the ground for the church site for $20,00.
Jacob Hampsten gave the church the name Antioch, He also helped build
the building, hewing the sills with an ax. Others who helped with the
building were William Decker and Caleb Decker, John A. Decker and John
W, Tharp made the seats Burkett Hosney made the desk, still in use.
James Madison Tipsword, John Andrew Jackson Decker were two of the
early preachers. Bill Heater taught singing lessons. The church was
built in 1890.
(Extracted from The Cumberland , Richmond and Jasper County History
Book)
Around the year
1890, a plot of
ground located one-fourth mile south of the Timothy Store was donated
from the properly of and by Isaac Stirewalt for the erection of a
Methodist Church in this community. It was not to be sold or moved, and
was deeded to the trustees and their
successors whose
names were recorded on the deed: William Stewart, James McCullough,
James B. Wall, Isaac Stirewall, and Marshall Stewart.
Pioneer workers
and members of this
project were Esra and Minerva Kemper, Coe and Sarah Jobe, Margaret Ann
and Ezra Stirewalt, Jim and Sarah McCullough, Sarah and Jack Carr, Mary
and Clabe Carr, Marion Williams and family, and the St. Johns family. Isaac
Stirewalt and Jack Carr
were the main carpenters. Logs were cut and hauled, lumber and labor
were donated by many interested persons in the community.
It was dedicated a
Methodist Church
in 1891, and records were made in the courthouse in July 1894. In the
year 1912, W. E. and Grace Catey came to this community to make their
home and set about to revive and reorganize the Sunday School work.
As the church grew
in love and grace
of God and the knowledge of truth as it is in Jesus Christ, they felt
led by the Holy Ghost to organize a Pilgrim Holiness Class at Asbury.
So in November 1928, the church was organized with about 20 members and
Rev. Hurtle Evans was pastor.
The church remains
active at this
time with Rev. Jeff Bladin serving as the present minister. The church
celebrated its 100th year anniversary, September 1, 1991.
BETHABARA
(Cumberland Presbyterian)
Johnny Hoseney
owned the land and
timber around this location, one-half mile south of Diona. He gave the
land and furnished the lumber to build
this church in
1856. It was sided in walnut and built sturdy, being the reason it
still stands.
The congregation
disbanded in 1956.
THE BRUSH CREEK CHURCH
As nearly as could
be determined this church must have been built about the year of 1893.
A lady who lived in the community at that time says that the first
funeral held in the church was that of Paten A Pearson. The date on his
tombstone is May 16, 1894.
The land was given by Pleasant Baker. The carpenter in charge of
construction was Corda Wilson of Neoga. Men of the neighborhood donated
their work. The building was built by the people for a community
church, but it later was dedicated by the Church of Christ,
Charter members of the Church of Christ were; Reason and Aletha Mathes;
Wm, H. Deney; Eli and Mary Whitaker; John and Mary Hunter; Pleasant and
Amelia Baker; Charles and Sarah Stevens; Sarah Huffman; Elizabeth
Strohl; Sarah Baker; Joseph Sparks; Ira O, Baker; Elvin W. Hunter; John
and Jenneta Peters and Henry and Sarah Burton.
There were long periods of time when there were no services in this
church so the building became impaired and was taken down. About the
year of 1948 it was replaced by a small stone chapel, paid for by the
members, the people of the neighborhood, and many people who use the
Brush Creek Cemetery.
Calvary Tabernacle
is located two
blocks west and two blocks south of the courthouse in Toledo
The church, an
affiliate of the
United Pentecostal Church International, was pastored by its founder,
Reverend Charles H. Seeley,
and his faithful wife, Inez
Hillard Seeley, until October of 1970. At that time, due to ill health
and advancing age, Reverend
Seeley resigned the pastorate.
Sister Seeley was
called Home to be
with the Lord in July of 1971. In December of 1987, Brother Seeley was
called to his reward. They
were greatly loved and
appreciated.
In December of
1970, Reverend and
Mrs. Jack L. Jenkins and young son, Kevin, became the pastoral family.
Building on the strong
foundation laid by Reverend
and Mrs. Seeley. the congregation soon tripled in number under the able
leadership of Reverend and
Mrs. Jenkins.
The original
sanctuary was remodeled
in 1970 and in 1980 a new sanctuary was built onto the existing
building, adding offices,
nursery, restrooms, and additional
classrooms. In October of 1987, the Golden Anniversary of Calvary
Tabernacle was celebrated
by the church family with
heartfelt thanks of gratitude for the untiring efforts of Reverend and
Mrs. Seeley in establishing a
strong and solid
foundation, and for the continued and faithful leadership of Reverend
and Mrs. Jenkins, who will
have completed 22 years of selfless
service to Calvary Tabernacle in December of this year.
Submitted by
Alberta Ward Brown
CALVARY TABERNACLE
Calvary Tabernacle
in Toledo is located two blocks west and two blocks south of the court
house. It was built in the summer of 1939 and dedicated October, 8, of
that year. Beginning in June 1937, prayer meetings were conducted in
the home of Mr, and Mrs, Earl Woollen, in Toledo, with Rev, Charles
Seeley in charge. At this time those interested attended Sunday School
and Sunday evening services in the country church,
White Hall, seven miles west of Toledo, where Rev, Seeley was
pastoring. In August 1937, a Brush Arbor was pitched on the location
where the church now stands, and Evangelist Ruby Layel of Hillview,
Ill, was engaged to conduct a revival. This revival continued seven
weeks, and at its close the congregation moved into a building on the
south side of the square, owned by Mr. J. B. Cartmill. The services
continued here two years until the new church was built. Daring this
time Mrs. Earl Woollen was the church secretary and treasurer, and
Roscoe VanScyoe was the first Sunday School Superintendent, At the time
of removing into the new church the congregation numbered one hundred
twenty members, sixty of whom were adults and sixty young people.
After a few years five Sunday School rooms and a furnace room were
added to the original auditorium. Later, rest rooms were built, and
this year, 1967, another addition of Sunday School rooms and a
baptistery is being completed. Calvary Tabernacle is an affiliate of
the
rapidly growing, worldwide organization of the United Pentecostal
Church. Rev, Charles H. Seeley who was ordained in 1939 has been the
pastor the past thirty years, having observed the thirtieth anniversary
of the church and his pastorate on October 8, 1967.
CATHOLIC
The first Catholic
church in
Cumberland County was built in 1871. It was located five and one-half
miles east of Sigel on what
was then the Wm. Meyer farm.
The congregation
numbered 12 or 14
families. Services were discontinued in 1881 and the building was taken
down in 1883.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
The first Catholic
church in Cumberland county was built in 1871. It was located five and
one-half miles east of Sigel on what was then the Wm. Meyer farm, now
occupied by Mr, and Mrs Leander Tays, It was located across the road
from what is now the Albert Overbeck farm, formerly owned by Adam Sehi.
The congregation numbered about 12 or 14 families. Services were
discontinued in 1881 and the building taken down in 1883.
The history of
Christ the King parish
began when Mr. Nicholas Ettelbrick Sr. approached Bishop James Griffin
of Springfield asking that a
parish be located in
the town of Greenup. He offered to donate the land and a church
building for this purpose. Mr. Ettelbrick owned and operated the
Ettelbrick Shoe Company headquartered In Greenup.
The bishop gave
his approval of the
project and ground was broken for the new church on May 26, 1937, with
Nicholas Ettelbrick Sr.
doing the honors. The
cornerstone was laid on August 24 of that year with Reverend James
Cranke of Effingham officiating.
The building of
the church continued
through the fall and a pastor for the new parish. Reverend George
Powell, arrived on October
20. He said the first Mass
for the parish on Sunday, October 28. in the home of Nicholas
Ettelbrick Sr. The church was finished and dedicated by Bishop Griffin
on
December 19. 1937. At the time there were 14 families in the new parish
which was given the name of
"Christ the King."
The parish
witnessed a steady growth
in the beginning years and in 1939 witnessed their first vocation
celebrate his first solemn
Mass in the Church of Christ
the King. Reverend Rene Ettelbrick O.F.M.. the son of Nicholas and Emma
Ettelbrick was ordained on
June 29. 11 days
after the death of his mother. He celebrated his first solemn Mass here
on August 27,1939. His
brother. Albert, was later
ordained for the Diocese of Springfield on August 5. 1942. and also
celebrated his first Mass
in this church. Reverend Albert
Ettelbrick died suddenly in an automobile accident on March 23. 1953.
Over 60 priests attended
his funeral Mass at Christ
the King. Reverend Rene Ettelbrick worked for many years as a
missionary in South America
and is now retired living in
Texas.
In 50 years the
parish has been
served by ten priests. Reverend George Powell was replaced in 1939 by
Reverend Frank Lawler who
served until 1942. In that year
Reverend Lawrence Mailingly was assigned and he remained (or ten years.
He was followed by Reverend M.
J. O'Reilly who was here
for a brief time in 1952. He was followed by Reverend Charles Jerome
Juzaitis who arrived in
February 1953. During this time, the
children began attending religion classes in an old church at the
corner of Lincoln and Kentucky Streets. The building was owned
and
remodeled by Nicholas Ettelbrick Jr. for this purpose. It was about
this time that two sisters
from Teutopolis began
coming on Saturdays to teach the classes. They have been coming ever
since although classes are now
held on Wednesday evening*.
During the '50s there was talk and even a fund established to build a
Catholic school in Greenup but
the plans never
materialized.
Reverend Juzaitis
celebrated his 25th
year as a priest in 1960 and died the following year on August 4. He
was followed by Reverend
George Nelis. During his
pastorate the parish celebrated its 25th anniversary with a banquet at
the Greenup municipal
building. Also on October
14 of that same year (1962) ground was broken for a new rectory to be
built adjacent to the old one.
In 1964, the church was
redecorated, new stations were added and the light fixtures were
bronzed. In 1965, the old church
used for CCD. was donated in the
parish and remodeled.
In 1970, Reverend
Nelis was replaced
by Reverend Joe Schmertman. Under his pastorate. plans were begun for a
new parish hall to be built on
the west
side of the church property. Father Schmertman died suddenly on April
7. 1973. and for a time, the
parish was administered by
Reverend Larry Auda of Marshall. The Franciscans from Teutopolis would
come to help on the
weekends. The Parish Hall was
finished and dedicated in 1974. It was also in that year that Father
Gilbert Bums, a Carmelite
priest, came to live in
residence at Greenup. In 1976. he was appointed administrator and
remained at the parish until
September of 1987. During his
pastorate. the parish constructed a parking lot to the south of the
parish hall. Also a statue of Christ the King was placed and dedicated
in
front of the parish hall. Reverend Jeff Crani arrived in September of
1987 to become the new pastor
and remains in that
capacity at this time.
CHURCH
OF CHRIST
This story about
the Church of
Christ, located south of Union Center, is to update history on page 95
and 96 of Cumberland County
History Book, 1968. As older
members moved or passed away, the number became so few that the
congregation went to the Casey
Church. The building was
eventually removed from the site.
JACK
OAK CHURCH OF GOD
This story is to
update history on
page 96 of the Cumberland County 1968 History Book. On August 31. 1986,
the 100th
anniversary of the Jack Oak Church of God was celebrated. As of
February 1990. another new
addition, including a new church office, new rest rooms, and another
Sunday School room was added.
At the time of this
history, church membership stood at 67. The church continues with
morning and
evening services each Sunday and mid- week prayer services. Rev. Kieth
Brown is pastor.
OLD
CONCORD CHURCH
Old Concord Church
was organized in
1830 or earlier, as it petitioned for membership in the Wabash District
Association on October
2, 1830. The church was
listed as having 16 members, and David Moore was her messenger to the
association that year. In May
1831, Concord Church went into
the constitution of a new association called The Okaw Association, at
which time the church
messengers were Daniel Drake and
Daniel Moore, who reported 15 members. Later in the year, G. Gillstrap
and George Cross were also
messengers lo another session.
The early history of the church is unknown, except for what may be
gleaned from association
minutes, as the actual
records of the church meetings have not been located. Fortunately, many
of the annual printed association
minutes do exist, and are
kept in The Primitive Baptist Library, 416 Main Street, Carthage,
Illinois, 62321, (217)
357-3723. These minutes have also
been microfilmed, except for those which have been located in recent
years. The minutes of the Okaw
Association are also preserved
in the above library. Old Concord Church became a member of the Wabash
District Association once
again in 1880. A
building was built at the site of the Concord Cemetery, four and
one-hall or five miles northwest
of Neoga, south of the pavilion on
Lake Mattoon, in Neoga Township, Cumberland County, in 1884. A picture
of this building has been
located. The church
apparently ceased to hold meetings about 1940.
Submitted by Mrs.
Vesta Brick
NEGRO
SETTLEMENT
(South of Jewett)
The only colored
Sunday School
reported in Cumberland County was south of Jewett, Illinois. In the
late convention, they reported
20 scholars and many
visitors. Not many citizens know of this school but it is a fact of
usefulness. A brief account of this settlement appears in the
1968 history book on page 31 and an extended account of some of the
families in the 1993 history section.
(To
update history found in 1968
History Book, pages 100,101, and 102.)
Cottonwood United
Methodist Church
continues to have Sunday School every week and worship services on the
second and fourth Sundays.
Average attendance is
12 with an enrollment of 30. The decline in rural population and deaths
of many older members have
affected Cottonwood
adversely. However, conference obligations are met and the church is in
good standing.
An ice cream
social and soup supper
are annual events at Cottonwood.
In 1970, the Reverend W. J. Brown
succeeded the Reverend James Whitkanack. The Reverend John Hires was
pastor from 1972-79. From 1979
to 1983, the
Reverend Wm. O. Lipp ministered; the Reverend Joseph Wartick succeeded
him and serves at the present
time.
FAIRVIEW
(United Brethren)
To update
information on page 124 of
1968 History Book, pages 95
and 96.)
Fairview was
located one mile east of
Union Center on the corner with the Fairview School. The land was
donated by Joseph and Harriet Strockbine. Some family names who were
early members were Yanaway, Strockbine, Kuhn, Luke, McMillan, and
Cutright.
In later years,
attendance was low
and it was closed. In 1931, the building was moved from this location
to one mile south of Union Center where the Church of Christ used it
for service. (History of
Church of Christ in 1968
History Book, pages 95 and 96.)
After several
years of Church of
Christ members holding services south of Union Center in this building,
the number became too few to
continue and the building
was removed. The remaining congregation went to Casey.
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREENUP
(To
update history in 1968 History
Book, pages 119 and 120.)
A centennial
celebration was held in
1971 with Estaline Miller, Carrie Carson, Mary Holt, Mildred Brooks,
Alberta Ewart, and Ina Dillier
serving on the planning
committee. Reverend John Johnson, the present minister, has served the
church since September 1979.
GREENUP
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
(To
update history found on pages
110, 111, and 112 of 1968 History Book.)
As a result of a
merger of
Evangelical United Brethren Churches and Methodist Churches in 1968.
the church now bears the name
United Methodist Church of
Greenup. Reverend Gene Guthrie has served the church for the past year
and eight months preaching his
last sermon in the
pulpit March 8, 1992. He leaves for an appointment in the Danville
Methodist Churches and
Reverend Roger Kilzer will serve as
interim pastor until July 1992.
GREENUP
FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH
This church was
founded in the year
1943. Ten people were present to work out details. The church joined
the Palestine Association and
two years later moved
to the Westfield Association where we still belong. Reverend Gaylord
Green was the church clerk at
this time.
The church did not
have a regular
meeting place until 1949 when Arthur Heddins offered the use of an
annex to his blacksmith shop
to use for a revival.
Reverend C. D. Newsome led the revival which resulted in 25 new people
being added to the church
rolls. By 1952, we were able
to purchase the building which we now occupy. Much work was done to
convert the building into a
church. The
auditorium was completely remodeled in 1975 and the new addition was
added. A great deal of work was one on these by Brother Alva Wade,
Brother DeMoss. and Brother
Mark Speers.
We started a
church bus ministry in
1978 buying a bus which we named "The Blue Goose." This was sold in
1984 when a van was purchased.
This van was later
donated to a sister church and the present van was Purchased. Past
ministers include: C. D.
Newsome, Jessie Ceilings, W. A. Fuson, R. C. Fuson, Virgil DeVore,
Harold Pyles, Eddie Lomeline,
Clarence Patterson, Rick
Emerick, John Alumbaugh, Evan Beasley, Jack Barton, and the present
minister. Harold Byers. Ministers ordained
through the church
are Harry Raines in 1962, John Alumbaugh in 1978, Evan Beasley in 1983,
and Jack
Barton in 1984.
The debt for bonds
sold for
remodeling was paid off in full on April I, 1991, leaving the church
debt-free. We are looking for-ward
lo new growth and possibly a new
church in the years to come.
HARMONY
FRIENDS CHURCH
Harmony Friends
Church is located
three miles north of Greenup on Route 130 and west one-fourth mile.
The church had its
beginning in the
Lost Creek log schoolhouse about 1870. In 1876, a new building was
built with Isaac Stirewalt and
Andrew Jackson Carr as
carpenters. It was built one-half mile north of the schoolhouse by
Peach Orchard Cemetery. The new
building was used by Methodists and
Quakers alike.
A few years later,
the two
congregations together built the Asbury Church. The Methodists moved
into the new building. The
Harmony Friend Church was part of
the Pleasant Grove Quarterly Meeting and the Plainsfield, Indiana,
Western Yearly Meeting.
The first sermon
preached was the
funeral of Joel Williams who died November 29,1876. Naming the church
Harmony due to the harmony of
the people at that time
has been attributed to this man.
In 1929, the old
church was lorn down
and in June 1930, the present building was dedicated by Richard Newby,
superintendent of Western Yearly Meetings (free of any debt). Some of
the pastors of the church
were Cyrus Moon, Elwood Lewis, Charles High, Danny Wykew, Earnest
Kiveit, George Jordan, Clarence Orier, Edith Hill, and Lee Guyer.
Unfortunately, the
Quaker Church was
"laid down" because of lack of membership. The cemetery is still a very
popular resting place for many of the original members, families, and
descendants. The church is
being cared for now by
Hazel and Ted Hilsmeier and the Grace Believers. It is called the
Harmony Grace Church.
HAZEL
DELL CHURCH OF CHRIST
Near the year
1864, a group of
interested citizens saw the need for a place of worship in Hazel Dell.
There was a cemetery on the
north side of the road since 1849.
They chose an area near the cemetery and began to build the church. It
was late in 1865 before it was
completed and services could
be held. Split logs were used for seals until 1867.
Various
denominations held services
at this new building and it was known as the Union Church. In 1879, it
became known as the Church of
Christ and has remained the
same for over 100 years. Among those serving as elders and deacons in
the early years were A. J.
McCash, Peter Burnett,
George Henahaw, Samuel Welker, John Lawson and James Pullen.
In 1890, a group
left the Church of
Christ and built another church building on the opposite (south) side
of the road. This became the
Church of God.
The Church of
Christ grew and after
World War II, it seemed the time had come to have a new building. One
of the members. Mill Kelly,
donated the framework
from his woods, Cleone Markwell donated his bulldozer, operated by John
Yehon, to prepare the
basement. Numerous others
from the community along with the church members donated help and by
August 1949, the first
services were held in the new
building. The brick was laid by Walter Cox after being trucked by Harry
Burnett and son Bill from the
penal farm near Brazil,
Indiana. Mildred Burnett refinished the communion table and pulpit
stand which were made by Mori
Sturls around 1900- She
also refinished three chairs purchased from his store.
Harry Burnett,
Vernie Mullen and Ear!
Spencer were elders at this time along with deacons Olin Burnett and
Bruce Spencer. Later Ralph
Chapman, Howard Hawker
and Chester Sharp served as elders and Orville Yelton and Dean Sharp as
deacons. The bell was made by
C. S. Bell at
Hillsboro, Ohio, in the late 1800s. It was taken from the old church
and stored in the basement
until the early 1980s when it
was mounted on a brick structure in the front lawn of the church where
it rings for each service.
HAZEL
DELL CHURCH OF GOD
On October 3,
1890, a plot of ground,
located on the south side of the street in Hazel Dell, was deeded from
the property of James A. Kelly
and his wife, Sarah A., for
the erection of a Church of God in this community. Sunday School and
preaching had been held much
earlier than this in
groves, residences, and schoolhouses. The trustees recorded on the deed
were W. A. Applegate, W. W.
Shadley, and F. M.
Kelly.
The origin of the
Hazel Dell Church
of God dates back to when a religious service was held in an Army camp
during the Civil War. Elder
George Sandoe, an Army
chaplain, conducted the service and W. A. Applegate of the Hazel Dell
community was converted. In
1866, an organization
was completed with probably ten or 12 members. In 1889, when things
were going rather badly, Elder Mary
Berkstresser was sent here
part-time. She began to talk to members privately and publicly about
building a church. The people
did not think it possible,
but the desire for a building was strong. Miss Berkstresser with a
horse and buggy canvassed the
countryside and found many people
ready to help.
The first Church
of God building was
completed and dedicated in 1890. It was a small white frame building
and served the people many
years. In April 1939, Miss Emma
Laymon came before the congregation and offered to erect, free of
charge, a new building if it
would be accepted. Only one
requirement was made—that the church should be named "The Laymon
Memorial Bethel," as a
memorial to Miss Laymon's parents,
Joseph and Evaline Laymon, and her uncle and aunt, Daniel and Huldah
Laymon. All were lifetime members of the church.
On February 7,
1941, this church was
destroyed by fire. With the help of the insurance and people willing to
work, another building was immediately started. Miss Emma Laymon
secured
pews, light fixtures, chairs, and
paid the balance to the contractor not covered by insurance. The piano
was given by her brother and
wife, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Laymon. Thus,
on November 2, 1941, the second Laymon Memorial Bethel Church of God
was dedicated.
A parsonage in
Hazel Dell was
purchased by the congregation in 1962. It is located second house north
of the four-way stop in Hazel Dell on the west side of the street. The
church observed its 100th
anniversary April 25, 1971. On July 11, 1971, a dedication was held for
a new piano presented to the church by the Ray Chapman family.
An addition to the
parsonage was
built in 1972. A large room was added to the front of the home. It was
dedicated July 23, 1972. On
November 17, 1974, a new organ was
dedicated.
Five young men
from this church have
gone into the ministry. They are as follows: Allen Laymon is pastor of
First
Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Richard is ministering in
music at
the Boiling Springs Church of God in Decatur, Illinois.
Harold Taggart
dedicated his life in
1957 and is serving the Open Bible Church in Apache Junction, Arizona,
working among the Indians.
Larry Hollensbee was ordained
September 4, 1981, and is pastoring the Blue Grass Church of God near
Martinsville, Illinois.
Danny Harper was
ordained July 22,
1988, and is pastor of the Moriah Church of God, southeast of Casey,
Illinois. Joe Miller serves as
pastor of the
Hazel Dell Church of God at this time.
INDEPENDENT
BIBLE BELIEVERS
The church,
Greenup's youngest
church, was organized in July 1978, with 14 charter members meeting in
a home located east of Greenup
on York Road. That home
served as the church's meeting place until September of that same year
when the congregation moved
into a rented
store-front building located on Greenup's main street—118 East
Cumberland. The congregation
soon outgrew those limited facilities
so that in the summer of 1979, the church once again relocated to 211
North Missouri, its present
location. At the time this
history was written, membership stood at 34 with attendance averaging
in the 40s.
This church is a
fundamental,
nondenominational, evangelistic, missionary-minded church. Fundamental
in its faith—standing for the
old-time religion of
salvation by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ and believing in the absolute authority of the Bible as
infallible,
inerrant, and the only rule of faith and practice. Non-denominational
in its charter—holding membership in no denomination, convention, or
association, but fellows
hipping with other churches
of like fundamental faith. Evangelistic in its emphasis—preaching
Christ as the answer to the
need of the soul of man and
teaching the believer's responsibility to be a witness to a lost and
dying world. Missionary-minded
in its practice—regularly
supporting missionaries in foreign countries as well as in the United
States. This church is happy
to be a part of
the Greenup community.
The pastor. Dr.
Tom Meachum, and the
congregation extend an invitation to the community to attend any and
all of its services where you
will find a warm welcome
from folks who love the Lord and would love to have you worship with
them.
HOPEWELL
BAPTIST CHURCH AT JOHNSTOWN
(History found on pages 107 and 108
of 1968 History Book.)
JEWETT
COMMUNITY CHURCH
The Jewett
Christian Church was
founded in 1902. It has been remodeled and a fellowship hall built on
the west side and remains
active today as the Jewett
Community Church.
JOHNSTOWN
EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN
(Evangelical United Brethren Church,
page 102,103 and 104 in 1968 History Book.)
This church was
organized in 188? by
Reverend A. Rider of Westfield, Illinois. The group worshiped in a
building owned by the
Christian Church until 1899. In
1898, they decided to build a house and made it available to other
denominations when they were
not using it. This church grew
and still stands. The denomination now is United Methodist due to the
merge of E.U.B. churches with
the Methodist
Church.
LIBERTY
HILL CHURCH
(To update history appearing in 1968
History Book, page 108.)
This church was
organized and
controlled as the United Brethren in Christ. In 1946, the name was
changed to Evangelical United
Brethren. In 1968, the
Evangelical and Methodist churches merged, so the name is now Liberty
Hill United
Methodist Church. Reverend Gene
Guthrie served as minister for the past one year and eight months
preaching his last sermon
March 8, 1992. He has been appointed
to Danville and Reverend Roger Kilzer will be interim pastor until July
of this year.
MISSIONARY
BAPTIST CHURCH OF TOLEDO
(NOW SUMPTER TOWNSHIP LIBRARY)
The Missionary
Baptist Church in
Toledo was built in 1890, but was short-lived as a church. In 1923, a
tax was voted by the people to
maintain a library and this
building was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. A. Armer who were operating a
millinery store in it. It
continues to be used today as the
Sumpter Township Library.
MT.
ZION CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Originally Longpoint)
(To
update history found on pages 94
and 95 of 1968 book.)
On December 15,
1971, this church was
totally
destroyed by a tornado with
only part of the
furnishings being salvaged. On January 18, 1972, a contract for a new
building was given to Sherlock
Holmes and the first service
in the new building was Easter sunrise service April 2, 1972. During
the construction of the new
church, both church and
Sunday School services were held at the Liberty Hill Community Center.
Dedication
services were held
September 24, 1972. This was exactly 80 years after the first
dedication. Reverend Raymond Rennels was pastor at the time of
the
1972 dedication. November 16, 1987, it was decided to start building a
new addition consisting of
Sunday School
room, two bathrooms, and a basement underneath. The addition was
completed and completely paid
for in the spring of
1989 entirely by donations. Brother Dan Smith is pastor of the church
at this present time with
services held regularly.
METHODIST
CHURCH OF JEWETT
(Page 29 of Cumberland County 1968
book.)
The stalely old
Methodist Church
served the Jewett community for many years, not only as a church, but
many other functions as well.
At one time it had an
enrollment of 240 with standing room only. It was a gathering place for
"pie suppers," Christmas plays,
practice hall for Cumberland County
Barn Dance and many other activities. It stood where the food stand is
built in the village park now.
METHODIST
CHURCH OF JEWETT
(Page 29 of Cumberland County 1968
book.)
The stately old
Methodist Church
served the Jewett community for many years, not only as a church, but
many other functions as well.
At one time it had an
enrollment of 240 with standing room only. It was a gathering place for
"pie suppers," Christmas plays,
practice hall for Cumberland County
Barn Dance and many other activities. It stood where the food stand is
built in the village park now.
NEBO
SEPARATE BAPTIST CHURCH
(History on page 113, Cumberland
County 1968 book.)
Some people
believe the lime of
organization of this church goes back to the 1830s. Meetings were first
held in the old Hogback
schoolhouse, a mile south and
on the southwest corner of the road from the later Hogback building.
Actual records do not go back
beyond 1890, but it is
thought the old building goes back at least to 1845-48. The building at
this time is in good repair and
holding regular services.
NEOGA
BAPTIST CHURCH
Neoga Baptist
Church began as a
mission sometime in 1956 or a little before. A meeting was held in the
home of Carl and Nellie Clark
in Neoga after having been
invited by Carl and Nellie and Mary Ballinger. Families represented in
that meeting
were the Leonard Atteberry family, the Leonard Hammonds, Willis Mays,
Wayne Clarks, the Pauline
Mefford family,
and this writer. They organized as a mission under the wing of The
First Southern Baptist Church
of Effingham, Illinois. They
rented the Bigler theater building which is now a lodge, north of the
Cumberland County Bank, in
Neoga, Illinois.
Kenneth Stewart of
Effingham was
their first pastor followed by Harold Neal of Watson. Neal was pastor
when the mission was
constituted as a church in 1957.
There were 22 charter members. Later R. C. Fuson of Casey was pastor
and under his ministry Neoga
Baptist Church was built.
Prayer was made
for a lot to build
on. This writer wrote a letter to a lady in an eastern state about a
lot south of what is now Carruthers I G A store. Even though no one
else
was ever successful in buying the lot, she graciously consented for our
church for 3360. A concrete
block building was
built by Wayne Andrews, contractor, but was finished by the men and the
pastor for 86,500.
The following is a
list of pastors
and supplies, with the pastors identified by years of service, starting
in 1959: R. C. Fuson, two
years; Joseph Clacomb, three months;
Elvis Gregory, one year; Truman Johnston, two years plus; James Pool,
three years; then came
supplies: Mike Jackson, Joe
Eaton, Sam Eaton, Charles Albin, Don Seifert, Terry Foreman, Bill
Price, James Butler, Truman
Johnston, James Pool, to April
1968, when James Butler pastored three months. More supplies: Brian
Renshaw, Dale Mechling,
Raymond Rankin. Tom Mathis,
Ronald Garner, and Loren Lang. Loren Lang then pastored four years,
followed by Tom Cosat, one year. David Gilley pastored one year.
Tom Cosat pastored
again four months,
then Herman Painter, five months, Ivan Abbott, one year, then supplies,
James Bunyard, Kent Conover,
Babe Moritz, James
Neese, Sam Eaton, George Samandorf, Eual Eaton, Larry Eaton, and Dale
Rhyne, Dale Rhyne pastored
three years plus—what
a dedicated and patient man, he drove all the way from Oblong. Richard
Emmeric then pastored some
seven months plus and
it was under his pastorate, Neoga Baptist withdrew from the convention.
As we allowed him to preach
other revivals, supplying
for him was Charles Sturgil of Charleston. Eventually, this writer,
having been
associate pastor under Dale Rhyne, assumed the pulpit for six months,
ending up being here now the
past ten years, from 1981.
Through the years there have been a total of 124 baptized members,
Neoga Baptist Church began a
radio ministry over WLBH,
Mattoon, during and through Loren Lang's pastorate, called "The Hour of
Truth Broadcast." It was
during this time that this
writer was asked to fill in on the broadcast. Following that experience
this writer started his own
radio broadcast in 1971 called "The
Blessed Hope Broadcast." It was a Bible science, Bible prophecy
broadcast, now airing for
nearly 21 years. Less than six times
has this writer ever accepted anything personally for ministerial
services and my radio
ministry, on my part, has been
entirely a gift of love. We are now seeking a young pastoral prospect
to take my place as pastor of Neoga Baptist Church.
Submitted by
Charles Albin, pastor
NEW
HAVEN BAPTIST
The last service
was held in this
church in the early 1950s, the building was torn down in 1973, and the
land reverted back to the
Lawrence Gabel family.
NEW HAVEN BAPTIST
(Page 92 of 1968 History.)
In 1899 this
church was called Walla Walla Baptist, Ross Greeson was elected
superintendent of the Sunday School; Henry Roberts, assistant; Stella
Greeson, secretary; and Marion Lyons, treasurer. In 1906 the name was
changed to New Haven Baptist. Clerks of the church were: John Gharst,
Elsie Sherrick, Ross Greeson, Mary Green, and Lillie Roberts, On
Christmas night in 1907, Elsie Wade and Frank Sherrick were united in
marriage in the first and only wedding ceremony ever conducted in this
church.
Some of the members, besides those already mentioned were: Mary,
Elizabeth, and Lizzie Lyons; Alfred and Mahala Mullen; Sarah, W. J,,
Carl, and John W. Roberts; Harriet Jones; Ora Rhodes; Vernon, Ross,
Evert, and Sarah Roberts; Francis and Lily Starwalt; Nora and Irma
Green; Hester, Dorsa, Clara, Joe Vernie, and Merna Greeson; Everett and
Hazel Darling; Herb and Lula Shull; Frank and Allie Edwards; Frank
Ruth, Ivan, and Leah Reynolds; Arthur and Norma Heddins; and A. R,
Loving,
MACEDONIA
BAPTIST
This property was
deeded to the
church by Israel and Effie Yanaway August 13, 1874. The congregation
meets regularly with Reverend
Gene Southard as minister.
MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH
Macedonia Baptist
Church, located four miles northwest of Casey, Illinois, in Union
Township, Cumberland County, Illinois was organized June 3, 1871. They
met in the Yanaway School until their first building was constructed in
the 1870's. The present building was built in 1910. In 1947 a basement
was built under the auditorium . Then in 195 1 a full basement was
completed. They entered the Westfield Baptist Association in 1871.
Pastors who have served are: T. J. Thorton, A. Hill, A. Jones E.
Stanberry, L. W. Lanman, J, M. Wood, James Turnicliff, Robertson, W, L.
Jones, J. T. Combs, M. V. Gilbert, Gaylord Green, Ray Green, and Loren
Lang,
NEW
HOPE
(To update history found on pages 115
and 116 of the 1968 History Book.)
Services continued
in this building
until Thursday, October 12, 1978, when a severe hailstorm passed
through the area; the building
was struck by lightning and
totally demolished. On that day, before leaving the scene of the fire,
one resident made a donation
for the purpose of
rebuilding. Almost all residents of the community followed suit as did
many from neighboring communities and churches. Donations came from
eight different states.
The first service
in the new building
was held on Mother's Day, May 13, 1979. The building was erected under
the leadership of Reverend Hugh Smith who served the church for 17
consecutive years during this period of time. The dedication service
was held June 1, 1980, when glory, praise and thanksgiving was offered
to God for allowing the accomplishment of the miracle. The church was
dedicated debt-free.
When the
Congregational Christian
denomination merged with The United Church of Christ, the congregation,
under |be leader-ship of Reverend J. E. Spencer, voted to abstain.
Consequently, at this time, it
remains independent
with services held each Sunday morning and evening. Reverend Roger
James serves as pastor at the present time.
The following
account is from a
newspaper article:
Church Destroyed
By Fire
"The New Hope
Congregational
Christian Church southwest of
Greenup was completely destroyed by
fire Thursday. October 12th, around noon. "Kenneth Walden, an area
farmer, who
farms and resides near the destroyed church was in the area checking
damages which were sustained by an earlier hail storm and so happened
to turn around in the church yard. He reported that no evidence of a
fire was visible at that time.
"A short time later, the rural mail
carrier, Floyd "Podger" Carlen discovered the church completely
enveloped in flames as he passed by. "It is thought the fire may have
been
started from an electrical short or possible lightning bolt during the
violent storm which passed through the area some 30 to 40 minutes
earlier. "The church was
organized as the New
Hope Christian Church February 12th. 190-1, and met at various homes
for worship until the church
was constructed between
that time of September 19th, 1904, and July 30th, 1905, when the
dedication services were held.
Rev. H. D. Catte of Willow Hill was
the pastor at the time. Rev. Hugh Smith of Casey is presently serving
the church. "The Greenup Fire
Department was
called, but by the time they arrived on the scene the church was
completely enveloped in flames."
PLEASANT
GROVE
(Methodist)
Located on Route
40, this church
stands five miles cast of Greenup. In 1883, Mr. Martin Ruffner gave the
ground on which the church was
built. It was
dedicated September 23, 1883, and was named by Jesse Bond. Jake
Tutewiler hauled the large stones for foundation from his farm three
miles east of Greenup. He was the grandfather of the auctioneer, Jake
Tutewiler. A revival was held
at the Section
House at Vevay Park where
18 were converted. All joined the Pleasant
Grove Church in 1897.
The church grew to
a good number, but
by 1953, the number had grown small enough that they closed the doors.
Family names who made Pleasant Grove
were Coffel, Tutewiler, Waldrip, Daughertee, Johnson, Mercer, Shuey.
Watts, Sweet,
Delp, Ruffner, Hendrickson, Scymore,
Durham, Lacey, Fox, Bond, Johns, and Devall.
In 1968, the
Methodist and
Evangelical United Brethren conference merged and the name became
United Methodist. This same
year Pleasant Valley Church
needed a building because Interstate 70 was taking theirs. Conference
sold the building to Pleasant Valley and services have been held in it
since that time.
PLEASANT VALLEY
(United
Methodist)
(To update history
found in 1968
Cumberland County History Book, pages 116119.)
When the state
brought Interstate 70
through the location of the church in 1968. the congregation moved to
the former Pleasant Grove building. It is located east of Greenup along
Route 40 at the Oak Grove corner. At this time the Evangelical United
Brethren and Methodist churches merged, changing the name to United
Methodist. The congregation
celebrated its 100th
year in 1981 with some former older residents in attendance. It remains
active today with services held regularly; Jim Hunter is the minister.
LONGPOINT
(Evangelical United Brethren)
(To update history
found on pages 108
and 109 of 1968 Cumberland County History Book.)
In 1946, the name
was changed to
Evangelical United Brethren. This church remained active until during
the 1960s. Due to lack of
interest, it was
closed April 1967. The building was Torn down and a lone memorial was
placed on the site near the
cemetery. This is not to be
confused with Long
Point in Neoga Township.
PLUM
GROVE CHURCH
Plum Grove Church
of Disciples of
Christ met and organized Sunday, March 1,1868. by election of officers.
The following were elected:
Wm. Cutright and Bartus
Boots as elders, Wm. Elder and Isaac Starwall as deacons. The church was to be
known as
Christian Church of God in Christ at Plum Grove in Cumberland County.
In 1875, the members of the church
met to elect another elder and deacon. After this business was
conducted. Brother Rubin Coy preached. Others who preached at this
church around this period of time were Brother Bartholomew White,
Brother Benjamin Davee.
These services were held at Lost Creek
Schoolhouse. August 12, 1882,
deacons and elders
were elected. More members had joined and Brother James Tipsword.
Brother Coy and Brother Davee
preached at this time. William Coleman was elected clerk and the
well-known names of
Carr, Cutright, Price,
Carrell. Hodge, Bemont, Speakman,
Pearcy, Battye, Jones, Kemper, Cook, Enyart, Decker, Robey, Coleman and
others appeared on the church roll.
On May 13, 1899,
the members met and
elected John Enyart, Peter Kemper and P. 0. Battey as elders; Wm. Cook
and Bart Battey as deacons:
Joshua Cutright as
clerk and Dennis Bemont as treasurer. Preaching on that night was by
Brother James Cathers.
This is the last
of the record on
Plum Grove Church until 1935. but it has been learned that the church
was still active in 1907.
Later, the church was used for a hay
barn and basketball was played there. The seats and bell were given to
the Church of Christ at Union
Center in 1931 or
1932. When the Plum Grove Church reopened, these were returned to the
church. In 1935. two women
from Terre Haute
held a meeting here with large crowds. They returned in 1936. In 1941,
Brother Dock Evans held a
two-week revival after
he was invited to come by Daisy Kemper. Wes Kemper. Lida Carver, and
Jack Volk. After revival,
Sunday School was
organized with the following officers: Beulah Stewart, secretary
and
treasurer. Fay Kemper, class
leaden Daisey Kemper and Fay
Kemper, deaconesses; Jack Volk and M. Kemper, deacons. It is recorded
that on February 21, 1943. Mr.
Martin preached.
Since the Plum
Grove Church reopened
in 1935, it is nondenominational. There have been many changes and
improvements since that time. More
ground was given, the church has been completely remodeled, classrooms
built, a ramp for wheel chairs was
added, a new furnace
was installed, central air was added, and a friendship building was
constructed in 1984. The
church's 100-year anniversary was
celebrated on October 13, 1991. Sunday School attendance on that day
was 135 and there are a large
number of members
on roll.
The ministers
since 1935 are Mrs.
Dunkin and Peggy. Brother Doc. Evans, Brother Zeke Haley, Mr. Martin,
Brother Fred Tate, Brother
Cleo Tipsword, Brother York,
Brother Bob Sallee, Brother Marvin Oakley, Brother Eddie Holt, Brother
Roy
Lineberry, Reverend Al Smith. Brother
Marvin Oakley is the preacher at this time.
Submitted by Mrs. John E. (Cecil)
Kemper
SACRED
HEART CHURCH OF LILLYVILLE
Around 1875, John
Will Sr. donated
ten acres of land for church and school purposes. He had bought the
land from Clem Uptmor II and a
small log schoolhouse
was already on the land. Also
around this time, several
families banded together and petitioned the bishop for a church. This
land was located approximately
nine miles northeast of
Effingham.
In the spring of
1877, when the
number of Catholic families had increased to 27, Bishop Baltes
authorized V. Rev. P. Mauritius
Klosterman, Commissary of the
Franciscans of Teutopolis, to organize these families into a special
mission and to arrange for the building of a church at Lillyville.
The selection of the
popular, though
unofficial name of the community, "Lillyville," is attributed to Clem
Uptmor II of Teutopolis, a
former teacher of the
Lillyville School (October 1865-1866). It is thought to have meant
"Little Village."
John Will Sr..
Frank H. Schumacher
Sr., Henry Helmink Sr., Bernard Bucscher, and Henry Jansen were
appointed as the building
committee of the first
church. The church was dedicated November 1, 1877, by Reverend P.
Mauritius Klosterman O.F.M.
and placed under the patronage
of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Thereon, the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass was offered up for the first time at Lillyville.
The first step in
building the new
church in December 1889, was to select a building committee which
consisted of Frank H.
Schumacher Sr., Henry Jansen,
Lawrence Will, Henry Wente, Henry Schumacher Sr., Fred F. Dasenbrock,
and under the direction of the pastor.
Upon completion,
only $1,945.00
unpaid indebtedness remained of the estimated cost of $16,000.00. On
September 18, 1892, Rt. Rev.
Bishop James Ryan, D.D. of the Alton Diocese dedicated the new church
to the Divine Mercies of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in the presence
of some 1,500 people from far and near. In 1918, additional grounds
were
added to the parish cemetery and consecrated on April 21, 1918, by
Father Fister. In the fall of
1925, a steam-heating system was
installed in the church. In 1930, the old church was remodeled into a
practical parish and community
hall. In 1931, before
electric power lines went through the community, the church was revised
and equipped with electric
lights to be
powered by a 32-volt
"Fairbanks" Morse electric generator which cost $840.83. The late '30s
and early '40s finally brought
electricity to the rural farm
areas and Father Mazir spent many long hours promoting the cause and
getting farmers to sign up."
For The official
observance of the
centennial of the Lillyville Church in 1977, a successful three-day
celebration was held in
September. Sunday, September 16,
1977, was the official public celebration starting with a private
breakfast for the parish followed
by a drawing for the
centennial quilt with the Adolph Schumacher family as the winner. The
quill was originated by Mrs.
Ray (Laura) Deters and Mrs.
Isabel Helmink. It contained the name of each family in the parish. The
day continued with music and
entertainment for visitors'
enjoyment. Now 15 years later,
Lillyville
continues active and thriving, serving the spiritual needs of
approximately
70 parish families. The parish is under the pastorate of
Father Emil Helfrich.
SOLID
ROCK ASSEMBLY OF NEOGA
This church
started with a group of
people with a common desire to obey Cod and serve Him. The group had
services in the American Legion, Jennings Park, and the pastor's home.
Then the Lord provided a building on Route 45 in the former 3B's
Hardware Store. Classes for
children were held in a
couple's home right behind the church until classrooms were built. An
office for the pastor was built and a Share and Care program started
for those in need.
The Boy Scouts
helped out by
supplying canned and dry food. Later, a small group of unchurched
people approached Solid Rock
and requested direction. Through prayer it was decided to start a new
work in the Charleston area.
In 1989, the former Farmington Faith Builders Church was acquired. It
is located six miles southwest of Charleston across from the historical
site of the Moore House.
The Neoga Church moved to that location where regular services arc
held. Jim Hughes continues to pastor the church there.
TOLEDO
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Toledo
Christian Church was
organized about 1860. Leaders in this work were Josiah White and Dr.
Goodwin who was a brother of
Mrs. Elizabeth Myers and an uncle of Mrs. Ada Myers Norton. Mrs. Norton
was a former school teacher in this county. The first services were
held in the
courthouse. In November 1885. the courthouse
burned. Church services were then held on the third floor of the Hanker
building located on
the north side of the square. Then the trustees purchased a building
owned by Leon Summerlin and located on the present church lot. This was
purchased in 1885 and used as a church until 1902 when the new church
was built. In 1925, they
purchased property in the south part of town to be used as a parsonage.
In 1971, a new parsonage was built in the Massie addition. In 1948,
Chester Groves was hired as the
first full-time preacher and membership began to grow. An addition was
made lo the church in
1949 using lumber from the old Corinth Church. The Corinth Church was
located on what is known as the Carl Light farm. All assets from it
were transferred to the Toledo Christian Church. Some of the
furnishings are still used in the educational building. The date that
the Corinth Church was built is not known, but records go back to the
1870s.
The Toledo
Christian Church continues
to be active at this time serving the spiritual needs of its members.
Ill. also supports missionaries and ministries in both foreign and home
fields.
Reverend Jim
Wolford is pastor of the
church at this time.
TOLEDO
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Toledo First
Baptist Church, located
at the corner of Washington and Meridian Streets, Toledo, Illinois, was
organized October 8, 1956,
with 18 charter members. Brother Preston Denton, the associational
missionary, helped with the organizing.
They held services
in an old store
building until they were able to build a small building of their own.
Brother James Pool was the first pastor. In June 1964, they were able
to buy the
Presbyterian Church building which is now the present First Baptist
Church.
TOLEDO
METHODIST CHURCH
(History on pages 122 and 123, 1968
History Book.)
The Toledo
Methodist Church remains
active and in good repair at this time. Reverend Joseph Wartick serves
as pastor.
TOLEDO
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
The Toledo United
Brethren Church was
organized in 1907 with Wm. Shull, B. R. Sparks, R. Richardson, James
Shupe, and H. M. Tipsword as
trustees. The building was begun in 1908 with Charles Aikins as
contractor and dedicated in 1909 by Bishop Matthews. The first minister
was Reverend
Charles Perkins. (He is now living, but retired from the active
ministry.) In 1912, under the
ministry of F. E. King, an addition was built on the
east side. In
1954, membership was 60 with Reverend Frank Minton as minister. This
church closed in 1968 when
the E. U. B. churches merged with the Methodist and members joined the
Toledo Methodist
Church. The Masonic Lodge bought the building and uses it at the
present time.
UNION
SEPARATE BAPTIST CHURCH
Union Separate
Baptist Church was
built in 1880. The owner of the land previous to the church being built
is unknown. The church has an
active congregation at the lime this history was obtained and the
minister is Gene Sims. The following ministers have served the
congregation: Alex Black,
??? Thompson, Lewis Eaton, Berry Webb, Riley Ridgeway, Leslie Coleman,
R. O. Black, Scott Cooper,
Murray Stone, Vern Cochran,
Maurice Reed, Ray Galbreath, Jerry Sweeney,
Melvin Shaw, and Gene Sims,
This church is located north of Union
Center.
(Extracted
from The Cumberland , Richmond and Jasper County History Book)
(Transcribed from
Cumberland County Book 1843-1993)
