The Parish of Grace church, Episcopal, was organized in 1 May, 1864, the Rev. John Foster being the officiating minister at the time. The Parish or Society is a district organization from the church. The following persons were present and voted at the organization of the Parish: D. F. Batcheller. B. C. Coblentz, Henry Moore, Charles Smith, Nelson Maxson, Sidney T. Osmer, Lorenzo Hapgood, W. C. Henderson, John G. Price, B. Fluelling, G.L. Taintor, G. B. Fitch. The first Rector was Rev. 0. B. Thayer. The first Wardens were William Muir and D. F. Batcheller, and the Vestrymen, B. C. Coblentz, Henry Moore, Charles Smith, Nelson Maxson, Sidney T. Osmer, Lorenzo Hapgood, W. C. Henderson, and John G. Price. Lorenzo Hapgood was chosen Secretary and Henry Moore, Treasurer. Messrs. Muir and Batcheller were succeeded by Wardens by Gabriel Davis and Lorenzo Hapgood. The present officers of the Parish are: Senior Warden, Lorenzo Hapgood; Junior Warden, Charles Smith, Vestrymen, W. A. Sanborn, W. H. Merrill, M. S. Henry, J. A. Ingersoll, D.F. Batcheller. The first Rector, Rev. 0. B. Thayer, was succeeded by Rev. J. Gierlow, and since the resignation of the latter the following have been successively Rectors: Rev. J. E. Goodhue, Rev. W. F. Lloyd, Rev. H. Root. The present Rector, Rev. J. E. Goodhue, is now on his second term of service. The church edifice was erected in 1864—65 at an original cost of fourteen thousand dollars, but has never been fully completed, and at this date, November, 1877, has not been consecrated. At the organization of the Parish there were only seven communicants; now the number is seventy-five, representing about fifty families. The Sunday School has seventy-six scholars, with Sidney T. Osmer at a Superintendent, assisted by six teachers. The church building is situated on the southeast corner of Mulberry and Fourth Streets.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
For some years prior to the erection of the Grace Episcopal church, now standing at the corner of Fourth street and First avenue, the society met for service in Wallace hall. The first pastor there was Rev. Thayer; the present building was erected in 1864 or 1865. The society was small and among these most prominently connected with the movement were H. Moore, L. Hapgood, B.C. Coblentz, J.G. price, Sidney Osmer and a number of others. The church prospered quite well as time passed and with several changes of pastors. The last resident rector was Rev. W.T. Blatchford, who resigned last spring. At present, Rev. H.C. Granger is the residing rector.
The Sterling Standard December 11, 1896
