ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ://www.archive.org/details/100yearsofmethod00firs — .'.' "7 7 IOO YEARS OF Methodism 1850 I950 IN CARMI, ILLINOIS Centennial Celebration July 30- August 6, I9SO tLUKMS HISTORICAL SUMEK ' ^ffletlpfttst (Emtemttal (Earmt> ^lltraris 1350 - 19511 We send forth this brochure with a prayer that God may bless those who read as He has so wonderfully blessed this grand old church. In our limited space we have tried to give a survey of the representa- tive history of our church. Of necessity many important facts, which you will treasure in your own heart and memory, have been omitted. As we look back across the years we see an unbroken succession of faithful men with great faith and vision, who through prayer and sacrifice laid a good foundation and guided her thru the years. God blessed with great revivals, loyal pastors conserved the results, consecrated laymen gave sacrifically of their time, talents and money until today her vision and ministry is world wide in scope. We pray our God will continue to bless in even greater measure as we begin the second century. May our own consecration and devotion to the cause of Christ match the need of our day. May this church continue its ministry to human needs until the king- doms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and our Christ. W. A. ROBINSON "god's Horsemen" were busier than ever that year. The circuit riders of Methodism were kept on the go night and day, riding from place to place to preach the gospel. It was 1850. The panic of the 1840's was far behind and prosperity again had returned to White County. The panic had left Grayville, New Haven and Burnt Prairie desolate and in Carmi only two firms, G. W. Webb & Co. and Samuel D. Ready, had weathered the economic storm. But the picture had changed. Bountiful crops and bustling business brought gratitude to the hearts of the people and a great religious revival resulted, filling the meeting houses to capacity and keeping the ministers and circuit riders busy. The California gold rush was still on and many a stalwart native of White County headed West to seek his fortune. President Zachary Taylor died that year after just 16 months in office and he was succeeded by Millard Fillmore. Jennie Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, came to America for the first time and her golden voice charmed thousands in New York's Castle Gar- den. It was the year California was admitted as a State. . . .the year of the nation's seventh census which showed that the United States had the amazing population of 23,192,000. Nathaniel Hawthorne had just published his "Scarlet Letter" and Ralph Waldo Emerson was writing the best sellers of the day. Just the year before Edgar Allen Poe had died in Baltimore. . . .the safety pin was invented. . . .the McCormick reaper was the talk of the coun- try. It was August in Carmi and the streets were thick with dust, except when the Summer thunderstorms turned them into quagmires. Three or four hundred people lived in this village along the Little Wabash River. The spirit of Peter Cartwright still pervaded the land and the fire from this grand old circuit rider of Methodism flamed in the hearts of several Carmi residents. Ahart S. Staley thought Carmi should have a Methodist society, and he talked it over with some friends and neighbors. Methodism was not new to White County for, lo, it had thrived at Big Prairie since 1812 and at McHenry Church since 1814. Stout-hearted pioneers during the War of 1812 went to church at Big Prairie, carrying their guns and shot pouches to defend themselves against the Indians, and the indomitable Peter Cartwright was their presiding elder. FIRST MEETING PLACE OF CARMI METHODISTS— In this White Coun- ty Courthouse of 1828 the Methodist Society formed in Car mi in 1850 held its first meetings. Once a month they met here for services until they com- pleted their brick church on Main Street in 1856. On opposite page we start a series of pictures of former pastors in Carmi listing the years they served here. The spirit of these Methodists and those at McHenry Church was flaming in A. S. Staley, a native of Virginia who moved to Tennessee and then in 1832 to Carmi. On a hot August day in 1850 Mr. Staley proposed a meeting of people who were interested in organizing a Methodist society in Carmi. Enthusiastically joining with him was R. S. Graham, a member of the first family in Carmi. Mr. Graham was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Graham, who came here from Gallatin County in the Fall of 1815. His brother Burnett was the first child born in Carmi. His father established Carmi's first ferry, first blacksmith shop and first hotel. James M. Stewart and Mrs. Sebra Wilcox told Mr. Staley they wanted to join a Methodist society, so a meeting date was set. It was to be August 5, 1850, and the meeting would be held at Mr. Staley's house on Main Street. They met there that August night, with Mr. Staley opening the meeting with prayer. He informed them that the Rev. James E. Reed, a circuit rider stationed in Mt. Carmel, would ride down once a month and conduct services. Finally it was decided that the Methodists would meet in the Court- house until they could build a church. And so, God's Horsemen came. . .the Rev. James E. Reed from Mt. Carmel and the Rev. John H. Hill, until he was assigned to Mt. Vernon in 1852. In 1851 the Methodist society was flourishing and the Carmi Metho- dists called the Rev. J. W. Miller down from Grayville at a salary of $358 a year. Then the Southern Illinois Conference was organized and the first session was held in Belleville in October 1852. Carmi was placed in the Mt. Vernon District and the Rev. James John- JOHN D. GILLHAM, 1857 ALBERT RANSOM, 1858-59 JOHN R. LEEPER, 1862 son was assigned to Carmi at a salary of $294 a year. Slavery was a burning issue even then nine years before the Civil War and at the 1852 conference they passed a resolution deprecating slavery and encouraging the proposed colonization of Liberia by American Negroes. The conference pointed out that the slaves could be transported to Africa for $18 a head. Under the leadership of the Rev. David Williamson the Methodists in 1856, with the aid of members of other denominations, including the Pres- byterians, erected a small brick church on Main Street, where the Ball Drug Store now stands. The Presbyterians already had been organized for 23 years — since 1827 — and they, like the Methodists, had been meeting in the Courthouse, erected here in 1828. In the brick church on Main Street the Methodists and Presbyterians alternated in the use of the building. BENJAMIN R. PIERCE, 1863-65 JAMES L. WALLAR, 1872 V. D. LINGENFELTER, 1883-84 r if NATHANIEL CROW, 1888 WILLIAM VAN CLEVE, 1889 EPHRAIM JOY, 1890 Meeting in Olney in 1858, when the Rev. Albert Ransom was assigned to Carmi at a salary of $388, the Conference attacked slavery as an un- mitigated evil. Then, in the Fall of 1861 when the nation was torn by Civil War, the conference, meeting at Salem, called for subjugation of the rebels by a vigorous prosecution of the war. C. D. Lingenfelter was the Carmi pastor then at a salary of $575 a year, but only $375 was raised to meet his salary. On through the war the Methodists in Carmi carried on, guided by the Rev. John Rhodes Leeper and the Rev. Benjamin R. Pierce. Reconstruction days came after the war and the Methodists were gaining in numbers and strength. They had outgrown the little brick church on Main Street and decided to buy a lot on the corner of Main and Church. There they erected a handsome white frame church house, with a steeple overlooking the town. For thirty years the white frame church stood there and in the 1890's it was decided to build a beautiful brick church. It was in 1894 that the decision was actually made. On a Sunday morning after the services, without previous notice, a call was made for subscriptions to a building fund and within 15 minutes $8,325 was pledged. Twelve men pledged $500 each — Orlando Burrell, Elvis Stinnett, Frank Pomeroy, G. M. Beck, George W. Clark, Estate of D. R. Land, P. A. Pearce, Nathaniel Holderby, Jasper Partridge, James A. Miller, Dr. Stanton Rudolph and William P. Tuley. J. M. Douglas gave $300. Then came $200 pledges from H. B. Banks, Harvey Crozier, N. Archer, Mrs. Mary A. Foster, Dr. V. H. Parker, George S. Staley, and John Land. THE FRAME CHURCH IN THE HORSE LOT— Here is the First Methodist Church after it was moved into Gus Patrick's horse lot, where the White Ford Sales now stands. This church was built in 1866 and was the second used by the Methodists. It was moved to this lot to make room for the new brick church, still under construction when this picture was made. Pledges of $100 came from Mrs. E. Hinde, E. L. Pritchett, George W, Wheatcroft, M. W. Spencer and J. G. Dee. Henry Bozeman and Charles Spicknall gave $50 each and J. S. Holmes pledged $20. It was a glorious day and on the following Thursday, the Carmi Courier reported: "Carmi has reason to rejoice. The congregation of the Methodist Church will begin the erection next Spring of a handsome edifice not to cost less than $15,000." And so, the following Spring, the white frame building was moved over into Gus Patrick's horse lot (where the Ford agency now stands) and work was started on the new church. The cornerstone was laid at 2 p. m. Tuesday, July 17, 1894, with song and prayer and an address by the Rev. J. L. Wallar. Finally, the great day arrived. It was April 26, 1896, and the Rev. J. W. McNeill was the pastor when the new church was dedicated. The Carmi Courier that week reported: Pff* fr* •A'tfr LAYING OF CORNERSTONE— It was a great day in Carmi July 17, 1894, when the cornerstone for the new First Methodist Church was laid at Main and Church Streets. Here is a picture of the event. It was loaned through cour- tesy by Mrs. D. Fred Endicott. On the platform can be seen the Rev. J. W. Mc- Neill, pastor; Jake Bruder, contractor; the Rev. J. G. Dee, presiding elder, and the Rev. J. B. Ravenscroft. "DEDICATED! THE NEW CARMI M. E. CHURCH. "One of the great events of the year was the dedication of the First Methodist Church of our city last Sunday. Two years ago it was thought best by the congregation to begin the erection of a new temple as the old building had done its work, and was not adequate to the demands of the church. So plans were secured and contracts made sufficient to enclose the building. It then stood for nearly one year when work was resumed and continued until its completion. "One of the positive determinations of the trustees and building com- mittee was that when the building was done all contracts must be paid for or else be secured by good subscriptions. So when the day of dedication arrived all financial arrangements were completed for the building with the exception of bell and outside work. "The services were opened in the new building by the Presiding Elder, J. G. Dee, who conducted an enthusiastic jubilee service. The people began to gather early, and by the time the hour for the first service the auditorium was full. "The opening of the dedicatory service was Gloria Excelsis, sung by a chorus choir of 32 voices, assisted by an orchestra of four pieces. The music AYING < ORNEfl STONE g dPro$ram. METHODIST BMt ■ At Carmi. I'll.. *&i r-rourum 9 i n ESDAY, HLV 17, 1894 L©< K P M Jh'd/cjtory SERVICES 1 I MMlBMiM | Soft* M«te*i»< Hfmznu Sfo *» I KM a X fmtvm . , fcrr / O Sxm .»•*.» ft f«r«» Harm**, Si ShAY. APRIL :<\ 18» ..#!/, ^ €hurch tl <■«.<: Tru P*w«>«*»*tois <»» anmiot tar CMttstrfcaft. Cornerstone Laying Program, top left, was loaned for this booklet through courtesy of Miss Marie Morris, church organist, whose mother before her was organist for this church. Church dedication program, center and far right, were loaned by Mrs. D. Fred En- dicott. The Rev. J. W. McNeill, who was pastor from 1893 through 1897, is shown to the right. He was here when the building pro- gram was started and stayed for a year after the church was completed. was composed by M. W. Spencer, who had it arranged as an octette. It was well rendered as well as the Hallelujah chorus. "The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. J. B. Ravenscroft. Text, Psalm 48:12-13. 'Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation following.' "At the close of the sermon, the pastor, Rev. J. W. McNeill took up a collection to help finish the outside work, which amounted to $805. "The dedication anthem composed by M. W. Spencer, and sang by the chorus choir, was very beautiful and shows that the composer has good musical taste, and surely he deserves great credit for his efforts along that line. CENTENNIAL PROGRAM SUNDAY, JULY 30 10:45 a. m. Bishop J. Ralph Magee, Resident Bishop of the Chicago Area. 3 to 5 p. m. Centennial Tea and Open House. Organ music in the sanctuary throughout this period. Inspection of the church under the direction of the ushers. 7:30 p. m. Centennial Play under the direction of Miss Dorothy Stan- ley. MONDAY, JULY 31 7:30 p. m. Address by The Rev. Horace Sprague, pastor of Central Methodist Church, Evansville, Ind. TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 7:30 p. m. Address by Dr. O. F. Whitlock, Superintendent of the Har- risburg District. Presiding, The Rev. J. W. Webster, former pastor now re- tired and residing at Benld, 111. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 7:30 p. m. Address by Dr. King Vivion, pastor of McKendree Metho- dist Church, Nashville, Tenn. JULY 30 TO AUGUST 6, 1950 THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 7:30 p. m. Old Fashioned Hymn Singing. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 7:30 p. m. Dr. Russell Grow, President of McKendree College, Leba- non, 111. Presiding, the Rev. W. E. Bush, former pastor now special director for McKendree College now residing in Carbon- dale, 111. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 7:30 p. m. Centennial Candlelight Communion Service. Church bell will ring 100 times to mark the date of the founding of our church. SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 10:45 a. m. Address by Dr. J. Manning Potts, Editor of the "Upper Room," Nashville, Tenn. 12 noon Homecoming and Old Fashioned Basket Dinner at Cochran's Grove. F. M. VAN TREESE, 1909-13 O. F. CULVER, 1915-16 H. W. SMOOT, 1917-19 ''Memorial windows were to Ahart Staley, Col. John E. Whiting, Ellen M. Joy, James T. R. Bozeman, Jacob Parker, Capt. James Fackney, Yearby Land, Mrs. Lehman's Sunday School class, Nancy J. Shelby, Virginia B. Whiting and Rev. Charles Slocumb." Harvey H. Crozier, church treasurer, made a detailed report on the cost of the new church— $14,718.69. The brick and brick work totaled $3,000 and Ferdinand Preher's stone and stone work cost $960. Bruder and Patton received $1,300 for the frame work and the John Land Hardware Co. received $150 for the hardware. The seats and altar rail cost $850, windows $750, window frames and doors $900 and slating and copper valleys $855. They paid $315 for carpeting, $350 for plastering, $105 for architect plans, $215 for rolling partitions and $167 for painting. W. J. FAHNESTOCK, 1926-32 W. E. BUSH, 1934-36 BISHOP J. RALPH MAGEE Resident Bishop of the Chicago Area of The Methodist Church Born: Maquoketa, Iowa - June 3, 1880. Ordained: Deacon, 1904; Elder, 1906. Positions: Pastorates — Rustin Avenue Church, Sioux City, la., 1902- 04; Paulina, la., 1904-07; Falmouth, Mass.. 1907-11; First Church, Tauton, Mass., 1911-14; Daniel Dorchester Memorial, Boston, 1914-19; St. Mark's Church, Brook- lins, Mass., 1919-21; First Church, Seattle, Wash., 1921-29. Superintendent of the Seattle District, 1929-32. Elected and consecrated bishop, 1932. Resident Bishop of the St. Paul (Minn.) Area 1932-39. President of Hamline Universi- ty, St. Paul, 1933-34. Resident Bishop of the Des Moines (Iowa) Area, 1939-44. Resident Bishop of the Chicago Area since 1944. Director of The Crusade for Christ, 1944-48. President of The Council of Bishops, 1950-51. Every item was listed by Mr. Crozier, including $83 for iron bolts. The entire report on the dedication was found in a copy of the Carmi Courier, kept all these years by Mrs. D. Fred Endicott, daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Stanton Rudolph. The Rev. John A. Taylor was the pastor at the turn of the century and as the new century unfolded the Methodist Church grew in strength. Through depressions and wars the church marched on triumphant, giving comfort and strength and faith to the people. In the late 1930's and early 1940's high offers were made for the church property and the Methodists considered selling out and building a new temple in a more quiet section of town. The church building was nearly 50 years old and its condition made action imperative. Sell out and build elsewhere, or repair and beautify the present build- ing? That was the problem, which turned out to be not a problem at all. The Methodists decided to remain in the heart of the business district, keeping their spire overlooking the streams of traffic and the crowds of people. Then, under the leadership of the Rev. W. A. Robinson, the Methodists started remodeling and repairing and beautifying their place of worship. Inside and out they worked, pouring in their money until $35,000 was spent on this structure which cost at the beginning only $14,718.69. Today the temple's beauty and strength are here for all to share. One hundred years old, the Methodist organization in Carmi looks forward with courage and faith as strong and bright as that which impelled God's Horsemen to carry the gospel to this wilderness back in 1812. District Superintendent The Rev. OMER FLOYD WHITLOCK, Harrisburg, 111., District Superintendent since 1947. Has served churches at O'Fallon, East St. Louis, Thompsonville, Wood River, West Frankfort, Vandalia, Granite City and Alton. Carmi Pastor The Rev. W. A. Robinson has started his fourth year in Carmi. His work here has brought a renaissance to Methodism in Carmi, with attendance soaring at Sunday services and prayer meeting. Under his guidance, the temple has been repaired and beautified. The Rev. Mr. Robinson served at Worden, Madi- son and Cairo before coming to Carmi. m Walk aMout fiiost, and po bound about U&i: tell the tow&U tlt&lAZ&lf, A/talk ye. well Uesi hdujLanJu, caaUdesi he* fialac&l, 'tat ye, may tell it to tlte fen&iation jollouUnf. " PiaUt 48: Z2-/3 METHODIST PASTORS IN 1850 JAMES E. REED and JOHN H. HILL, Circuit Riders 1851 J. W. MILLER 1852 JAMES JOHNSON 1853-54 JOHN SHEPHERD 1855 A. B. MORRISON 1856 DAVID WILLIAMSON 1857 JOHN DEW GILLHAM 1858-59 ALBERT RANSOM 1860-61 CD. LINGENFELTER 1862 JOHN RHODES LEEPER 1863-65 BENJAMIN R. PIERCE 1866-67 WILLIAM S. C. WALKER 1868-70 CALVIN GIBBS 1871 JAMES M. GREEN 1872 JAMES L. WALLAR 1873-74 WILLIAM TILROE 1875-76 A. B. NISBET 1877-78 E. A. HOYT 1879-80 C. N. WILSON 1881-82 V. C. EVERS 1883-84 VALENTINE D. LINGENFELTER 1885-87 J. W. VAN CLEVE 1888 NATHANIEL CROW 1889 WILLIAM VAN CLEVE 1 890 EPHR AIM JOY 1891-92 JAMES G. DEE 1893-97 J. W. McNEILL 1898-1901 JOHN A. TAYLOR 1902-03 ROBERT D. WOODLEY 1904-05 LAWRENCE SMITH 1906-08 W. H. POOL 1909-13 F. M. VAN TREESE CARMI PAST 100 YEARS 1914 -_ T. R. RAGSDALE 1915-16 O. F. CULVER 1917-19 H. W. SMOOT 1920-22 W. F. MORRIS 1923-24 ELI CROUSE 1925 J. W. WEBSTER 1926-32 W. J. FAHNESTOCK 1933 J. E. SHAFER 1934-36 W. E. BUSH 1937-46 FRANK W. PIMLOTT 1947-50 W. A. ROBINSON (The Rev. CM. Prince, of Norris City, was a supply minister for a year before the Rev. Mr. Robinson came to Carmi). (Note: To enable you to keep a continuing record of the pastors in the years to come, the following lines are left blank on this page). YEARS PASTOR FIRST METHODIST CHURCH CARMI, ILLINOIS The Rev. W. A. Robinson Pastor Judge Max Endicott Chairman Official Board W. M. Yarbrough Sunday School Superintendent R. W. Cartier Director of Music Miss Marie Morris Organist BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Ray McCallister, Chairman Clarence M. Rice J. Madison Pomeroy s Roy Kisner J. Robert Smith W. R. Cochran Henry J. Karch BOARD OF STEW Judge Max Endicott, Treasurer Mrs. J. F. Marlin, Financial Secretary Mrs. Charles Culbreth, Communion Steward Mrs. A. E. Stocke, President W. S. C. S. Mrs. D. Fred Endicott Paul McClellan, Lay Leader Miss Jessie Hick, Communion Steward Miss Rebecca Rice, President Youth Fellowship Arthur Jordan, Recording Steward J. E. Stine, Lay Member Conference J. C. Kern J. Peter Smith ARDS Donald D. Downen Merlin O. Kell Cecil R. Brown Dr. A. E. Stocke Earl Clippinger Henry G. Walker J. Robert Williams R. W. Cartier E. J. Harrington Leonard B. Reynolds John Ennis Clifford Fuller Robert Nolen 5S^ oF,LL ::r ullu "" iiHi