Cherokee County Churches |
Cherokee County Churches |
| Aurelia | ||||
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Methodist Church |
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SEVENTY-FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF AURELIA METHODISM
Seventy-five years ago this fall, a little group of early pioneers of this undeveloped, barren country gathered at the Illinois Central depot in Aurelia where a religious meeting was held, and from the efforts of this meeting there came into existance a Methodist church. There were 52 charter members under the direction of the Reverend O. H. P. Faus in 1878. The first meetings were held at the old schoolhouse which was located in the first block east of main street. The first services were conducted by supply preachers, among whom the following names were prominent: Collingham, Cooley, Williams and Blodget. A new church was built in 1881 at the present site, which was the northernmost building in Aurelia, The minister occupied the first parsonage built in 1879, which is now the fifth house south of the church. Mention is made in the 1885 minutes of adding the bay window to the parsonage. This church was valued at $2,000 and the parsonage at $1,000. The improvements on the church property that year amounted to $89.00. The parsonage was sold in 1890 and the new parsonage was built the same year. It is interesting to note that on June 7, 1886 the Board of Stewards decided to take up a collection of services. There were three weekly services held in the first building. The morning services consisted of Sunday School at 10 a.m., preaching service at 11, and immediately following the sermon, classes were held. At these "classes" the congregation gave testimonials and prayers concerning their spiritual experiences. Services were held on Sunday evening, followed by prayer-meeting during the middle of the week. The Women's Foreign Missionary Society was organized on April 24, 1887. The meetings were called for 4 p.m. and were attended by the men also. This society was very active and accomplished much good. It continued until the latter part of 1948 when its work was taken over by the Woman's Society of Christian Service. It is not certain when the Ladies' Aid was organized but it was at an early date, and it was through their prayers, labor and contributions that the church gained strength and accomplished much good. The country people came to church in horse drawn vehicles. The horses were tied in a shed that was located on the lot north of the present parsonage. Many of the early ministers were not hired for a specific salary but relied on contributions of food and money for their living. There were three other churches in the Aurelia circuit including the Diamond Center church which was organized in 1880. A church was built there in 1889 and it was set apart as a charge of itself in 1903. Services in this church were discontinued in 1935 and many of its members transferred to the Aurelia church. The Good Hope church was organized in Pilot township, in 1880, but was discontinued in 1941. There was also a Methodist congregation in Afton township organized in 1887, which was discontinued in 1921. Much of the territory served by these three churches in horse and buggy days, is now included in the Aurelia parish. During the early years, these churches were often served by the same ministers. Our present church has received a rich inheritance from these congregations. In February of 1896 it was decided to build a new church in Aurelia. The old church was sold to the German Evangelical church for $275 and it was moved to its new location three blocks east. The building committee for the new church included J. C. Lockin, F. H. Crepps, A. Cottingham and W. J. Prisch. The treasurer for the building fund was C. H. Lockin. A total of $3,856 was collected and covered all the costs of the new building. This building, which is our present one, was completed and dedicated on November 8, 1896, with Dr. Van Ness giving the dedication sermon. During the pastorate of the Reverand Hoon (1910- 14) the church was raised and a basement dug and completed. Other improvements were made in 1927. The unification of the three Methodist denominations in 1939-40 not only changed our name from the Methodist Episcopal Church to the Methodist church, but it also made changes in various organizations. The Ladies Aid became the Woman's Society of Christian Service, and the Epworth League, which was organized in 1891, become our Methodist Youth Fellowship. One of the first musical instruments used in the church was a hand pumped organ. The new organ was purchased and installed in 1939 with memorial funds given for that purpose. Mrs. O. C. Waddell, our present organist, has rendered valuable and faithful service to this church for more than twenty-five years. The congregation of our church holds much pride and affection for Mrs. Eunice Bruce Stephens. Eunice is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bruce. She was commissioned as a missionary by Bishop Brashares at a service held in our church on June 28, 1952, and she is now located in Bareilly, India where she is a medical technician in the Clara Swain hospital. January, 1953, under the direction of the Reverend Charles F. Haigh the Official Board was divided into four groups: Commission on Membership and Evangelism; the Commission on Education; the Commission on Missions; and the Commission on Finance. We are now at the climax of our building program which began in December 1943. At that time, under the guidance of the Reverend E. Stanworth, a building fund of $10,780 was raised, with Harry Lockin serving as treasurer. Due to World War Il this money was put into war bonds to be used when materials became more available. In October, 1945, $610 of this money was used to paint the church, remove the steeple and tower and make other minor repairs. In June, 1952, during the pastorate of the Reverend Wayne Hilmer it was voted to remodel the church. Another drive for funds was made, and an additional $8,953 was raised, and the Woman's Society of Christian Service also contributed about $1,500. The building committee appointed was George Johnson, Ralph Peterson, Raymond Nelson, Art Ohlson, and Glenn Loucks, with Mrs, Verna Lockin serving as treasurer. Improvements which were begun September, 1952, included the adding of four educational rooms on the west, complete redecoration of the interior, including Nu-wood on walls and ceiling, lanterns, windows and tile on the floor of the sanctuary. In the basement two new furnaces were installed, redecoration with Nu-wood, tile, paint and cupboards built in the kitchen. Furniture for the chancel has been ordered by the Memorial committee. The members of the building committee worked faithfully and gave generously of their time to help make this church as beautiful as we see it this 29th day of November, 1953. CHARTER MEMBERS
(Source: submitted by a volunteer) |
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