GERMAN BAPTIST, OR BRETHREN CHURCH

Church at Arnold's Grove - The first minister in this church, and even the first in the county of this order of people, was Henry Strickler. He came here in the year 1841, and soon gathered around himself a little band of believers. In 1851, Christian Long, also a minister, moved to this place, and by his active labors in that year forty were added to the church by confession and baptism, and quite a number by emigration.

In 1854, a plain, substantial meeting house, 40 by 60, was erected on the farm belonging to Henry Strickler, Sr., and David Emmert was chosen to the ministry. Soon after this, Michael Sisler and John Buck were also called to preach the Gospel, and the church steadily increased in number for several years. In 1857, within two months, ninety-six persons wee received into fellowship by faith, repentance and baptism.

About this time, Henry Myers located near Milledgeville, David Rittenhouse at Hickory Grove, and John Sprogle at Cherry Grove - all ministers, and formerly from Pennsylvania. By their labors, each soon had gathered around him a number of faithful followers; yet, all were members of the one organization at Arnold's Grove. This matters continued until the year 1861, when three new organizations were effected, and called the church at Cherry Grove, the church at Milledgeville, and the church at Hickory Grove. This still left the church at Arnold's Grove in a prosperous condition. Many, however, have since emigrated to Iowa and Kansas, among the number, Christian Long and Michael Sisler, who now reside in Dallas County, Iowa, leaving John J. Emmert, Jacob Shirk and Joseph Stitzel as ministers at the present time. Its membership is about ninety.

The Church at Cherry Grove - As already stated, this congregation originally consisted of a part of the Arnold's Grove Church, but in 1861 was formed into a separate body. As soon as an organization was effected, steps were taken to erect a place of worship, and though the membership was small and their financial resources limited, by the aid of the Arnold Grove Church they soon had a house 40 by 64 for use, near the Village of Georgetown. Under the oversight and care of Elders John Sprogle and Michael Bollinger, the church increased rapidly, and notwithstanding the large number who have moved away and died, there are yet 225 members in this church. This church is particularly noted for its large congregation and activity in missionary work.

In 1874, a house of worship 40 by 60 was built in Shannon, and in 1876, another in the City of Lanark. In 1875, a number of important events occurred in this church, one of which more or less affected the entire brotherhood in America. In that year there lived in Lanark a man by the name of Christian Hope, a native of Denmark, and a harness maker by trade. He was earnest, zealous worker in the church, and somewhat remarkable for his simplicity of thought and manners. During the year, he received repeated calls from his old associates in Denmark to have the brethren send them ministers to teach them the way of the Lord. Through the church here, all the churches in Northern Illinois - thirteen in number - were apprised of the call for missionary labor, and the result was, a district meeting was called at Cherry Grove meeting house; Nov. 13, 1875, when Christian Hope was called to the ministry, and on January first started to Denmark, being the first regular missionary to Europe by the church in this country. However, before he was chosen to this important station, he had, before and after his usual working hours at his trade, translated several pamphlets into his native language, which he carried with him to Europe for publication and free distribution, the church in America having contributed several hundred dollars for this purpose.

While this important work was being pushed to completion, a series of meetings were held, and the result was fifty-two persons were added to the already large membership. The church now numbered about three hundred, and it was considered good to form a new organization on the east of the old church, to be known as the Shannon Church, which was done on the 14th of November, being the fifth in the county. In 1876, the Brethren at Work Publishing House was established in Lanark, by J. H. Moore, J. T. Myers and M. M. Eshelman. This, with a new house of worship in the city, gave this people considerable prominence and energy in this part of the country, and had no inconsiderable effect on the church in general. There are now upwards of sixty members living in the city, and the steady growth of the church in and out of the city attest their prosperity and permanency. Ministers: H. Martin, M. Bolinger, J. H. Moore, D. B. Puterbaugh and S. J. Peck.

The Church near Milledgeville - This, as already observed, was organized in 1861, and immediately erected a large and well-arranged meeting-house. The church has steadily increased in number, and at present has about one hundred and seventy-five members. Martin Myer, Jacob Hangers, Tobias Meyers, D. M. Miller, M. Kimmel and Wm. Provout have been the ministers. The church is noted for its energy and liberality in Christian work.

The Church at Hickory Grove - This church, also, dates its origin from 1861, and by removals to other parts of the country its membership has been reduced to about forty. Notwithstanding the apparent disadvantages under which it sometimes labors, its members have exhibited a commendable devotion to principle and Christian usefulness. The ministers have been: David Rittenhouse, Geo. D. Zollers and Jesse Heckler. The congregation has a neat, substantial meeting-house, seven miles west of Mount Carroll, where meetings are held regularly.

The Church at Shannon - The number of members is about seventy-five. Ministers: Lemuel Hillery, S. Mattes, B. F. McCune. Meeting-house, 40 by 60, with basement.

General Remarks - Characteristics - They are noted for their industry and integrity. Nearly all farmers, and thrifty and economical. Very good to the poor, allowing none of their members to be kept by the county. Dress plainly, wearing neither gold, silver, costly array, nor ornaments of any kind.

Methodist Episcopal - The first organization of the present Methodist Episcopal Church society of Lanark took place in 1858, in Cherry Grove Township, under the ministerial labors of Rev. J. D. Brown, who continued to preach for the society for some three or four years. In 1860, the society built a church edifice in Rock Creek Township, about one mile from the site of the present City of Lanark, costing $1,200. In the Winter of 1861, that church building was removed to the Lanark town site by James C. Wheat and others. Up to 1869, the society had so increased in numbers and wealth that a new church building came to be considered a necessity, and arrangements were made accordingly. The work was undertaken, and on Sunday, the 8th day of January, 1871, the Rev. Dr. R. M. Hatfield, of Chicago, dedicated the new brick building to the worship of Almighty God. This church edifice is among the finest in the State of Illinois, outside of the larger cities, and cost the sum of $20,000. The society now numbers 125 members, with a good and prosperous Sabbath-school, which was organized in 1862. The average attendance is one hundred and twenty. The superintendents from the time the school was organized down to the present time have been, in regular order, as follows: - Thompson, J. F. Hess, - Goodridge, J. W. Gormany (or Gorman), J. F. Hess, M. E. Harrish, J. G. Sheller, M. E. Harrish.

The presiding elders in the church have been: Revs. C. C. Bert, David Cassiday, W. F. Stewart, R. A. Blanchard, F. A. Read, W. H. Tibbals, and J. H. Moore, the present elder.

Pastors: Revs. J. D. Brown, Lewis Peck, J. E. Hibbard, O. J. M. Clendening, Joseph Wardel, S. P. Lilley, J. O. Foster, M. E. Jacobs, Leonard Holt, A. Newton, T. Cochran, W. H. Tibbals, C. A. Bucks, and A. Campbell, present pastor.

Christian Church - This church society was organized in Freedom Township, June 20, 1843, with eighteen members. James H. Smyth, David Tripp and Garner Moffett were the first elders, and A. G. Moffett and William Renner were the first deacons. The members of this branch of the Christian Church accept the Bible, and the Bible alone, as their rule of faith and practice. In 1865, the Freedom Township church edifice was torn down, moved to Lanark, and re-erected on its present site. M. Martin and Thomas Moffett, elders; A. G. Moffett, William D. Moffett and E. Stover, deacons. Present enrollment of members, 120.

The Sabbath-school was organized in 1867, with twenty-five scholars, and W. Beans as superintendent. Present membership, 140; Mr. Beans, superintendent.

Present pastor, J. H. Wilson; D. D. Wiley, T. O. Mershon, elders; E. Stover, W. D. Moffett, H. Shumway, David Mellen, W. T. McLay, deacons; W. Beans, clerk.

Congregational - This society was organized in 1859, by Rev. J. P. Parker, about three fourths of a mile east of the City of Lanark, and was removed to Lanark in 1863, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Mr. Kilborn. Rev. L. Higgins was pastor from 1864 to 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Coleman, who remained to 1874 or 1875, when the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Paisley, succeeded to the charge. Their Sabbath-school was organized in 1863 by Rev. Mr. Kilborn, who was the superintendent one year; Rev. Mr. Higgins, seven years; Rev. Mr. Coleman, one year, and Mr. George Lattig, one year. Prof. T. Oldt is the present superintendent. Church membership, 40. Cost of church building, $2,500.

Baptist Church - For several years before Lanark was founded, when these beautiful and fertile prairies were in their pristine condition - except a few sparsely settled locations, in which were the humble homes of enterprising citizens from the Eastern, Middle and Southern States, and who, as a class, have always followed "the star of empire westward" - Baptist principles were then represented in Carroll County, by a very respectable proportion of those who were the advanced guard of civilization.

A profound conviction of the truth and equity of these principles induced the Baptists of Lanark and vicinity to take preliminary steps toward the organization of a church. The first meeting was held at the house of Bro. W. M. Jenks, October 24, 1867, Rev. D. S. Dean, of Lena, in the chair; Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary. Prayer by Rev. J. VV. Allison, of Bethel Church, Elkhorn. The next meeting was held at the residence of Bro. J. B. Porter, November 6, 1867, Bro. E. H. Dingee in the chair; Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary.

After some preliminary business, the secretary was instructed to invite the churches in the association to send three delegates each to meet the society of Lanark, on the 13th day of November, 1867, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church.

Rev. J. T. Mason, of Sterling, was invited to preach the recognition discourse. Committees of reception and arrangements were appointed. The latter obtained permission to meet in the Congregational Church. Delegates from churches evinced a deep interest in the work by a full representation.

After devotional exercises, the council was organized by electing Rev. J. T. Mason, moderator, and Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary.

Rev. J. V. Allison offered the following:
Resolved, That we now unite ourselves together in assuming the obligations of a Church of Jesus Christ, to be known as the "First Baptist Church" of Lanark.

After some discussion, the resolution was carried.

The constituent membership consisted of twenty-three persons, without a place of worship. These members were as follows: William M. Jenks, Lizzie M. Jenks, James E. Millard, Hannah D. Millard, Mrs. H. N. Hemiway, Edgar H. Dingee, Mary Dingee, John B. Porter, Sarah A. Porter, Mary C. Porter, Maria McWhinny, J. B. Corbett, Sarah Corbett, Henry Selemire, Hannah Selemire, Julia Ann Newcomer, George W. Miller, Maria Miller, Ann Eliza Sherwood, Betsey Smith, Mary B. Hemiway, Hattie Gilbert, Corrilla Dean.

Having rented the school house, now the "Church of God," in which to meet, they settled the Rev. John Merriam, March 15, 1868, as their first pastor. During his pastorate, his labors were blessed of God. Nineteen were added to the church - twelve by baptism. He resigned February 17, 1869. He has closed his activities in the Church Militant, and now rests in the Church Triumphant from all his labors. After an interim of about three years, the Rev. N. E. Chapin, of Wisconsin, was called and, July 17, 1872, was settled as the second pastor of the church.

Bro. Chapin brought to his work in Lanark a ripe and varied experience in the living ministry; he was profoundly orthodox, and recognized nothing but "Christ and Him crucified" in his teachings. He resigned February 12, 1875. His ministry was blessed by many coming to Christ under his ministration of the Word.

The leadings of the Holy Spirit induced the church to take steps toward building a house of worship of their own. On the 12th day of April, 1873, Bros. E. H. Dingee, J. B. Porter and George W. Sherwood were appointed a committee to procure a plan and estimates for a church. The committee reported and submitted a plan for a church building 32 by 46, drawn by Mr. D. H. Snyder, estimated to cost $2,500.

The plan was adopted and the committee instructed to proceed with the work, which was carried on to completion. The style of architecture is Gothic. The building has two steeples, the one in which is the bell being the higher of the two. Their relative height, however, gives a beautiful and symmetrical proportion to the whole contour of the edifice. The windows, with their Gothic and magnificent proportion, finished with stained glass, present to the eye, by very many appropriate designs and monograms, objects of study which, in the soft and mellow light within, lead the mind to pure, holy and celestial contemplation. The seats are folding, and made of striated alternations of ash and walnut wood. The church, has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty persons. A baptistry is under the pulpit, with the orchestra facing it. When fully completed, lot, church and furniture cost $3,818.50, upon which some indebtedness remains. The church was dedicated, October 8, 1873. Rev. J. T. Mason, of Sterling, preached the sermon. Rev. N. E. Chapin having resigned February 19, 1875, Rev. W. E. Bates, of Watertown, N. Y., was called, and settled July 10, 1875, and ordained September 28, of the same year; having served his country during the war, using carnal weapons. When honorably dismissed from the service he entered Madison University, and, after graduating, he entered the theological seminary. There he obtained that "drill" which so eminently fitted him for the service of the Captain of his salvation. His weapons of warfare now are not carnal, but spiritual, and by the use of which the Lord has blessed his labors. As a soldier of the Cross, he uses no blank cartridges; he preached the Word without any alloy, and has been successful in winning souls for his Master. Sister Bates supplements the labors of her husband by her many unostentatious Christian duties.

The Sabbath-school is, or should be, "the church at work." It is under the supervision of Bro. J. E. Millard, than whom no man possesses a more perfect fitness for all its duties. The church obtained many of its additions from this department of Christian labor. As an evidence of this fact, from Sister J. E. Millard's class of over twenty young ladies, ten or twelve were brought to the Savior, through the Word and her prayerfulness as a teacher.

The present teachers, besides the one mentioned, are Brothers Dr. J. B. Porter, John Forsythe, E. L. Byington, E. H. Dingee, Mrs. W. E. Bates, Mrs. J. H. Myers, Miss Katie Newcomer, Miss Laura Waters, Miss Minnie Eick. All are faithful and successful teachers. Bro. Dr. Porter, especially, is one of the most faithful, efficient and earnest teachers to be found, and as a profound exponent of Bible truths, his equal can hardly be found outside of the ministry.

The first regular officers were: Deacons, Dr. J. B. Porter and J. B. Corbett; clerk, E. H. Dingee; treasurer, J. E. Millard; trustees, W. M. Jenks, Thomas W. Newcomer, J. B. Corbett.

Present officers: Deacons, Dr. J. B. Porter, J. B. Corbett; clerk, E. H. Dingee; treasurer; Andrew J. Waters; trustees, J. B. Corbett, J. E. Millard, Elliott Nichols.

Abrahamic Church - This church was organized in 1866; it then numbered about fifteen members; it now numbers about thirty. They have no salaried minister employed, but meet every first day for worship, D. Gaus and P. B. Stouffer officiating al leaders.

The Lutherans also maintain an organization. The history of this society is substantially as follows:

Sometime during the year 1873, Rev. J. W. Henderson was induced, by some Lutheran people in and around Lanark, and also by pastors in the Synod, to remove to Lanark from his prosperous and encouraging work at Tipton, Iowa. He came to Lanark, with the promise of encouragement from the brethren of the Synod, and succeeded in organizing a congregation, but, from some cause unknown to the writer (and unnecessary to mention, if he did know) regular services were given up within a year or two after the organization was effected.