ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SuRVEY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/historyoffirstpreOOfirs 285.1773994 F519h One Hundred Years "About the Lord's Work" The Heritage and History of The FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH South University and West Elm Streets Carbondale, Illinois 1853- A Century of Advance- 1953 ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY A History of THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Carbondale, Illinois From Its Beginning in 1853 ONE HUNDRED YEARS fti the Service of the Lord Material Gathered by Mrs. Theodore Midjaas and Miss Alice Milligan Edited and prepared by Mrs. Will Griffith November 1953 Colonel Daniel H. Brush, Founder 11 THE first record book of this church bears the date of January 4th, 1853. These notes are from the records of the church, the papers and diary of Colonel D. H. Brush and data from A. G. Norton's "History of Presbyterian Churches in Illinois," Vol. I. On August 27, 1852, a site was chosen for a town and land bought in the name of John Dougherty, for D. H. Brush, T. W. Ashley, J. F. Ashley, A. Buck, I. Buck, Thomas Barnes, J. Dougherty, A. Conner, William Richart, H. C. Long, E. Leavenworth and Joseph Keonig. On this site the town of Carbondale was laid out, November 24, 1852. The first residence was built by James Boyd Richart, brother of William Richart. It was proposed that the sale of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, should be forever prohibited upon any and all the lots. The proposition was adopted and entered upon the plat and inserted in deeds, made to parties to whom lots were conveyed, providing that "All the right, title and interest of any person, whatsoever, to any lot in this town, or which he, she or they shall, hereafter sell spiritous liquor, to be used as a beverage, shall then and there- after be forfeited to and become the property of the inhabitants of the said town for the support of public schools and to that extent and for that pur- pose are hereby appropriated." In the original plat four lots were designated as "Reserved for Churches" of the Christian denominations, and were one in each quarter of the town, equi-distant from its center, the public square. The condition annexed to the donation of the lots was entered upon the plat as follows: 'The lots donated to the churches, as marked on the plat, are not to vest in said churches until a house of worship shall be erected thereon, of stone, brick or frame, worth at least $500.00 and then to vest in fee simple in such church." The first sermon of our denomination was preached by the Reverend Jo- siab Wood, a Presbyterian minister, in December, 1852. He held services in the unfinished log cabin of Asgill Conner, the second house to be built in the new town. In the first book of trustees' record, we find the following : January 4, 1853 — "This day, the Reverend Josiah Wood, a minister of the Presbyterian Church, acting for and one behalf of that church, selected Lot No. 59, in said town for the purpose of erecting thereon, a house of worship. On the same date, a subscription paper was drawn up and some money subscribed to be paid to Asgill Conner and William Richart to be held by them until properly elected trustees should qualify to hold said property and proceed with the erection of a church thereon." This lot was the one in the southwestern quarter of the town, reserved for church purposes. On the Old Plat, Lot No. 59 is now on the street we call West Monroe, and the present building houses the Horstman Cleaners. In the front of this record book of the trustees someone (Col. Brush, probably) had kept a store ledger; the first date is November 1846 — Mur- phy sboro. Some of the items are : 1 pair shoes $1.50 8 days boarding $1.10 7 1-2 bu. corn 1.50 3 lbs. Tallow .15 making 2 shirts 1.00 1 cord of wood .62 The church and the people of this town owe much to the foresight of Col. Daniel Harmon Brush. He built the first business house in December, 1852. This building was later used as his law office. Brush built the first mill buildmg. He was also the first station agent, had the first telegraph office, which occupied a room at the rear of his bank. This bank was started with Napoleon B. Buford of Rock Island as president and Col. Brush as cashier, and was named "Bank of Jackson County." Brush's nephew, George Brush, was the telegrapher and during the civil war, the military of the Union were anxious that no information be received by the enemy. Brush assured them that no one would gain entrance to the office, since the one door was thru his bank! Col. Brush built the first freight house in August, 1853, at a cost of $1500, and sold wood for the Illinois Central engines. When the first rail- road tracks were laid from Cairo to Carbondale, by July 4, 1853, he or- ganized a free dinner, drilled the young men in serving the meal, and there were about two thousand in attendance. Col. Brush moved his family from Murphysboro to Carbondale in June 1854 and lived in a house built by his sister-in-law, Jane Brush. She died, leaving her younger children to his care. He had legally adopted the oldest son, Samuel T. Brush, some years before this. During this period James Edwards and Isaac Rapp, young carpenters from New York stopped in Carbondale and for $1100 erected Col. Brush's home on an extensive estate where the Post Office now stands. When it was finished Brush set the men to work on the church building. There was no water supply nearer than Crab Orchard creek and it came at fifty cents a barrel. —2— First Presbyterian Church on West Monroe Street, 1859 On the thirteenth of February, 1854, Reverend Josiah Wood organized the "First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale," with the assistance of Rev. Robort Stewart of Greenville, Illinois. The members were Rowland R. Brush, Frances E., his wife; Dr. William Richart and Elizabeth, his wife; and Mrs. Almira Doughty. Rowland (Roland) R. Brush was elected elder. The group was under the Alton Presbytery. From this time on, for several years, the infant church had varied experiences incident to new churches. Occasionally, a minister would come to preach. At last, in 1856, the first house of worship (located on what is now West Monroe) was commenced and completed July 12, 1859, after delays and much struggling to obtain means to carry on the work. Five hundred dollars was borrowed from the National Presbyterian Church Erection Fund and over $2500 was owed to four persons for money advanced by them to com- plete the building. The bill for materials used for the Church, 32 feet wide, 50 feet long and 17 feet high, include a total of 889 feet of lumber, $53.34; thirty thousand shingles, $105.00; six hundred yards of plastering, $210.00; and sixteen stone piers at $32.00. The total material bill was $880.34. The entire cost of this first church was $3,642.50. Song books were quoted at fifty cents per copy. One bill dated October 5, 1859 reads: "bought of Kingland and Ferguson, 2nd and Cherry St., St. Louis, one (1) church bell, $148.95." The same bell serves us today. Pians for the first church, prepared by a St. Louis architect, J. H. Mc- Clure, cost $20.00. On September 24, 1859, the house of worship was dedi- cated. There were fifty-six pews. The fixed annual rent ranged from $4.00 to $12.00, but many persons paid more than the fixed rent. The list of first trustees, dated August 4, 1856, reads: Rowland R. Brush, a member Jas. M. Campbell, not a member William Richart, a member, Henry Sanders, not a member president Dan. H. Brush, not a member, Robert H. Marron, not a member secretary Alfred Singleton, a member Four men were helping to promote a church who were not members. We can find no record that Robert H. Marron, James M. Campbell or Henry Sanders were ever admitted, though various sons and daughters are listed in later years. Alfred Singleton and wife and four other women joined later in 1854, no specific date is given. September 24, 1859, the house of worship was dedicated. That was a momentous day in the young church. Not only did the congregation dedicate the building, but it added twelve new members to the roll and eight children Were baptized. These members were Daniel H. Brush and wife, Julia ; John Collom and wife, Julia; Mesdames Lucy Ennisson, I. M. Edwards, Lucy Fitch, Ann Marron (wife of Robert H. Marron), Catherine E. Post (wife of Rev. W. S. Post), Georgiana A. Rapp (wife of Isaac), and Charles B. Pelton and wife, Martha M. "Carbondale College" was started under the Alton Presbytery about 1856. Rev. W. S. Post became principal and served the church during the building period. In August 1862 he entered the Army as a Chaplain. The original trustees held office until, because of the death of Henry Sanders and the absence of Campbell, Singleton, R. R. Brush, and Marron (we presume on account of the war) a meeting was held on November 21, 1863, at which new trustees were elected to fill the vacancies: William Stores, W. H. Adams, Charles A. Sargent, Richard Dudding, and Davis H. Hamilton. Dr. Richart was retained as president of the board and D. H. Brush, as secretary. I. Russell Johnson, principal of the college school, filled the pulpit until April. 1864. Rev. Andrew Luce came from Belleville in spring, 1865, and cleared the church of indebtedness of $2,643 during the following three year period. During the ministry of Rev. Edward Fish, Dr. William Richart died in the fall of 1868. He bequeathed to the church one-half acre in Snider Hill Ceme f ery "for a Presbyterian burying ground/' In accordance with his wish, he was interred there. Many other members of the church have since been buried there. On July 17, 1868, pew rentals were : 2 Patience McAllister $4.00 3 Willia A. Spiller 5.00 4 James B. Richart 5.00 5 Ed Babcock 5.00 8 Rebecca Singleton 6.00 9 Miss Mary Hull 6.00 42 Rev. Dr. N. S. S. Beman 20.00 41 Isaac Rapp 12.00 40 D. H. Brush 20.00 39 H. F. Campbell 11.00 38 D. H. Hamilton 12.00 37 L. C. Marsh 10.00 35 James M. Richart 10.00 49 W. C. Murphy 12.00 51 S. E. North 11.00 52 F. H. Barbour & R. B. Hunt 12.00 7 N. W. Graham 5.00 23 Mrs. Lucy Ennisson 6.00 24 M. R. Embree 6.00 Mrs. E. Richert 12.00 In 1869, the building was raised on stone pillars and repairs to the inside were made, to the amount of $400 ; also, a new entrance platform with rail- ing and a front fence were built. The bell was rehung "so as to ring right." The white woodwork was oak-grained and the walnut given a coat of var- nish. Book racks were put on the backs of the pews, and rolling or folding blinds for all church windows were added. New chandeliers of four burners with lamps for kerosene oil were hung. The choir was moved from in back —5— of the congregation to the front of the church, on a new carpeted platform. The story is told that this first Presbyterian building contained pews having lockabe gates on the aisles. The pulpit originally stoood high on one side of th^ chancel. The congregation was not satisfied with these arrangements. During one of Col. Brush's absences on a business trip, the gates were re- moved and the pulpit placed in a lower, more central position. On the Sunday following Col. Brush's return, he walked into the church, down the aisle almost to his pew — then stopped, started, wheeled around and walked out! He did not attend church again for three months. In 1 870, Col. D. H. Brush resigned the office of ruling elder, which he had held since 1859. He had ruled the church with a capable and strong hand. He continued to serve the church as a trustee. At this time, the plan of limited eldership was adopted. On January 4, 1870, a "Beecher No. 3 Soft Coal Furnace" was purchased at a cost of $198.00. It is of interest to note what amounts went for religious purposes. In 1869, the amount was $1,286; in 1870, $1,490; and in 1871, $1,692, not counting repairs and improvements on the church building. In January 1872, The Reverend John L. Hawkins was employed as supply Presbyterian Mission Chapel, 310 West Birch Street, Carbondale —6— pastor, at a salary of $800.00. The lady at whose home the Rev. Hawkins lived while in Carbondale told of his waking each morning with a song of "Praise" loud enough to be enjoyed by the whole household. Samuel Trasker Brush became a member of the church on February 15, 1874. On October 27, 1876, a condensed statement of the church history was deposited in the Library of The Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadel- phia, Pa., dating from January 4, 1853 to July 1876. The trustees' minutes of May 5. 1877, show that S. T. Brush was empowered to see that it was also made into a pamphlet, but a copy has not been found among present records. In 1878, insurance cost $30 on $1500 valuation. The trustees at this time were Davis N. Hamilton, President of the Board, Isaac Rapp, O. Barbour, J. M. Richart and Col. D. H. Brush, secretary. Ed- win P. Purdy and Davis N. Hamilton were elders and Thomas Brown, a deacon. An undated memorandum of about 1880 states that "the need for hitch- ing posts was so urgent that Samuel T. Brush bought and put up twelve iron posts at a cost of $2.15 each." In 1.882, the Session passed this resolution: "Resolved that unless a suf- ficient sum of money is paid monthly to cover the church expenses, that the church be closed for preaching and ministerial services and no preacher em- ployed until funds are provided." On January 20, 1883, Isaac Oliver Rapp joined the church. We do not know if this was father or son. Li March, 1883, Session voted to make the pastor's salary $1,000 per year. In that year the Rev. F. F. Stolz came to the church. In the same year we began having deaconesses, as well as deacons. The signature "D. H. Brush, Secy." closes the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Trustees from January 4, 1853 through December 24, 1883. May 27, 1884, Samuel T. Brush became secretary. In May. 1885, Frank M. Alexander started his studies for the ministry at Northwestern Theological Seminary and was recommended by the Session. Reverend and Mrs. Alexander were remembered for their faithful attend- ance at this church during their last years. In 1886, the Session did not hesitate to refuse a letter to any man or woman accused of unchristian business transactions, nor did it hesitate to call before the Session any person of unsound morals and proceed to take his name from the records. In 1887, the Session adopted for the first time a three-year plan of tenure of office, instead of the five-year plan in the offices of ruling elder and deacon. In 1888, there were six ruling elders, three deacons and a membership of 189. Contributions were $2,095.76 for the year. Sunday School officers were five ; teachers, fourteen ; scholars, 200, with an average attendance of 104. On September 14, 1890, a parsonage was purchased from a Mr. Tait, at a cost of $1,200.00. It was sold a few years later for slightly less than cost. The Reverend Robert Watt, the next minister, arrived in 1891 and re- mained until 1897. Church membership was 219. Mr. Watt, a native of Ire- land, served two terms, being recalled in April 1893, a few years after his first stay here. In 1892, Dr. G. W. Entsminger, whose name appears on the session min- utes for many years, reported that electric lights could be put into the church for one cent an hour for each light, the strength to be equal to sixteen candles. Later, on April 9, 1893, the trustees entered into a one year contract with the Carbondale Light Company for 26 lights at $7.60 per month. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor had a membership of 104, in 1895. In 1898, Reverend J. W. Parkhill was called. He served until 1904. His successor was the Reverend Robert Dillon, who came in March, 1905. Miss Helen Peters was the choir director at a salary of $16.00 per month. During her tenure, one man wrote at length to the minister that his family was be- ing deprived of its rightful place in the church as his daughters were not in the choir. At the turn of the century the Presbyterian Church established a mission at 310 E. Birch Street. It was supervised by Miss Amanda Templeton until her death on Sunday, December 19, 1925. Miss Amanda had been a missionary to the Indians in the Southwest. Her father, Rev. W. H. Temple- ton was a missionary among the Seminole Indians. She was an aunt of Mrs. W. L. Kenney, a present member of the church, and was related to all the Templetons of Pinckneyville. Her assistants for many years were Miss Margaret Phillips and her mother, Mrs. Nellie Phillips. The lot on the west of the Chapel was given to her for use of the Mission. She kept a green lawn on it and many flowers, making an attractive little community park "for my people." Sometime after Miss Amanda, who was a very much beloved character, passed away, the mission project was aban- Present church building, corner of South University and West Elm Streets doned. Other churches had been organized in the neighborhood and many of the Mission's members have been absorbed into other denominations. Th'- minutes of the Session meeting, Sept. 24, 1905, show that the use of our church for services two Sunday afternoons per month was granted to the Episcopal congregation whose members were invited to share in our services at any time. In 1893, plans were started for buying a lot for a new church building but. it was not until December of 1902 that the congregation selected lots No. 185 and 186, Singleton Subdivision (some records show the lots to be in Singleton Subdivision of Out lot 56, but they are the same lots) on the northwest corner of Elm Street and Normal Avenue. The lots purchased from Mrs. Nannie J. Davis at a cost of $1800, are 50 feet wide on University (at that time Normal) Avenue, and 150 feet on Elm Street. The present manse sits on the west 34 feet of these lots and fronts on Elm Street. At one time the church owned lot 181 and had a manse there, but this was sold. — ?— In April 1904, the original church owned lot 181 and had a manse there, but this was sold. In April 1904, the original church and lot were sold for $4500 to Samuel T. Brush to whom the church was indebted for a substantial amount. The name of Isaac Rapp has appeared earlier in this history as the car- penter employed to build the original church in 1856. He built and lived in the house on West Main Street where, at the present time, the new wing of Doctor's Hospital stands. Besides being a member of the congregation and supporting the church with his moral and financial efforts, he was in charge of the construction of the present building. His two sons who had studied in Europe were the architects who designed this edifice, and today we enjoy its dignity and beauty. They had been impressed with a church they had seen in Scotland and used it as a model for their plan which they submitted to the building com- mittee. The committee accepted the plan and construction was begun im- mediately with Walter Friedline, father of C. W. Friedline, as contractor and builder. The stone was donated by Hugh Lauder who owned a quarry in Boskey- dell. He was an uncle of Mrs. J. E. Evans, John Hayden, (grandfather of the late Frank Hayden and Mrs. Anna Hayden Young) . J. J. Arnold dressed the stone at the quarry. It was hauled to the site and under the supervision of Hoyden and Arnold was put in place without the sound of hammer. The specifications for the building were very detailed as to structure, type of wood, and finishing. The following is a copy of a condensed state- ment of the accounts of the new building and was dated November 1, 1906. EXPENDITURES Cost of building, including furniture, lights and heating $32,047.64 Three years insurance on $20,000 from May 9, 1906 ... 240.00 Total Cost $32,287.64 RECEIPTS Cash Subscriptions $13,024.70 Cash from sale of old dwelling 200.00 Cash from sale of old church 2,500.00 Special contributions from Isaac Rapp 1,467.<>1 Special contributions - Hugh Lauder for stone from quarry 2,000.00 Cash from money advanced by Sam T. Brush 7,362.38 Money borrowed from Williamson County Savings Bank, Marion 5,000.00 Total $32,287.64 — 10— INDEBTEDNESS Money borrowed form Williamson County Savings Bank, Marion, Illinois $ 5,000.00 Money from Sam T. Brush 7,362.38 Interest on above money to Dec. 1, 1906 434.69 Interest on above money on Dec. 1, 1906 305.92 Total Debt $13,102.99 At the laying of the cornerstone, the following items were placed in the cornerstone : A copy of first subscription list for building a house of worship for a Presbyterian Church, dated January 4, 1853. List of Elders from the organization in 1854 to 1905. List of Trustees from 1856 to 1905. List of the membership of the church, dated May 24, 1905. A condensed statement of the progress of the building of this church reads like this: "The lots on which the church stands were purchased in the month of December, 1902. The work on the basement commenced Janu- ary. 1904. The building was completed on June 23, 1906. The first church services were held June 24, 1906. The dedication ceremony was held the second Sunday of July, 1907." The Session met for the last time in the old church on June 20, 1906, and on June 24, 1906, they met in the new church. The pastor was the Reverend Robert Dillon. Sam T. Brush, Hugh Lauder, and Isaac Rapp were extended a vote of thanks for their efforts in building the new church and were giv- en their choice of pews. In April, 1906, a mortgage which netted $10,000 was given to Anna Building and Loan Co., on the lots 185 and 186 and church building, but at a called meeting in May, 1906, it was decided to liquidate the debt. This was accomplished and the date set for dedication. Our church had the first pipe organ in Carbondale. On June 25, 1906, the following article appeared in the local newspaper: "Sunday, June 24, 1906, will long be remembered by the Presbyterian congregation of this city as the date on which their splendid new church building was opened for worship. This occasion has been looked forward to wiih joyous anticipation for months, yes, years, and this day will be a memorable one in the Presbyterian church history in Carbondale. "Not withstanding the inclement weather at the hour of the morning — i I— worship there was a good congregation present to attend the first service in the new church. Following the sermon by Pastor Dillon, a communion service was held, individual communion cups being used for the first time. At the evening service the large auditorium and Sunday school room ad- joining were crowded, there being a large number of visitors present from th-3 other city churches. Rev. Dillon preached a short sermon an the subject of "The Place and Mission of Church Music." Following this a few remarks were made by Rev. A. M. Growden, of the Christian church. "The music was a very prominent feature of the services of the day The new pipe organ proved to be all that was expected of it, Prof. Walter Howe Jones, who gives the recital tonight, presiding at the organ at both services. Excellent selections were rendered by the choir which included the following : Misses Alice Brush and Edith Entsminger, sopranos ; Misses Addie Entsminger and Mildred Forsyth, altos ; Dr. G. W. Entsminger and Robert Teeter, tenors ; and Harry Grater and Ralph Elliott, basses. In addi- tion to the anthems, solos were rendered at the evening service by Miss Brush and Mr. Grater. "The new church is a model of construction and appointments, and all who have visited the new modern church building pronounce it one of the prettiest churches they have ever seen." "The new pipe organ will be formally 'dedicated' tonight when the recital, given by Organist Walter Howe Jones, assisted by local talent, will take place." In one of the little record books there is a memorandum to the effect that at the opening service of the first organ George Brush played "Prelude and Fugue in B Flat Major," by J. S. Bach. There are many interesting items in the record books. In the Session min- uter of March 23, 1890, we find: "The following named persons were re- ceived into the church on profession of faith: Charlie Allen, Mary Allen, and Simeon Boomer." etc. This Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of Frank Benjamin Allen, born August 8, 1878, near Carbondale. A letter under date of November 22, 1916 signed by Rev. James R. E. Craighead, has been pasted in the book at that place. It states the facts of bh+h, christening and church membership and that a letter was given Frank B. Allen when he desired to unite with the Presbyterian church of Parkville, Mo., while he was attending Park College and preparing for the ministry, about 1905. Sponsored by our church, he later went into the min- istry. His first pastorate was at Nashville, 111. — 12— Youth Choir, organized October, 1946. First row, left to right: Jane Pugh Third row, left to right Carol Rotramal Second row, left to right: Bob Wright Annabelle Janson Judy Crandle Cynthia Van Lente Carl Midjaas John Langan Nancy Forsyth Ada Rury Ann Ragsdale Tommy Miller Nellie Lybarger Sharon Lawson Jimmie Harwood Beth Herring Connie Clutts Carol Lybarger Gretchen Frieick George Patton Jo Bugh Terry Thalman Ebbie Miller Mrs. Thalman Mike Langan George Lybarger 111 May 1907, the Session ruled that it would not grant the use of the Presbyterian Church to outside parties for money-making purposes. The first wedding held in the new church in 1908, was that of Edith Entsminger to Everett V. Miller. On May 31, 1909, Miss Helen Peters was granted $200 per year as choir director. Edwin P. Purdy directed the choir following Miss Peters. Mrs. Arthur G. Purdy was organist for a while and her husband, Dr. Purdy, sometimes would play the trombone. Other organists who served the church at various times were George Brush, Dora Brubaker, and Margaret Fox Clemens. — !3— On December 17, 1911, the Reverend James R. E. Craighead was employed as stated supply for six months, at a salary of $1000, with the use of the parsonage. September 22, 1912, he was made regular pastor. The church had a membership of 220. By April, 1914, the membership was 237 and the town of Carbondale had a population of six thousand. On August 8, 1917, the Reverend Walter V. McAdoo, of LeRoy, 111., was called at a salary of $1500. In 1918, the evangelism emphasis of the church was called the "New Era Movement" ; in 1952 we had the "New Life Move- ment." In ihe Session book dated August 21, 1918, this note appears, "Probably the death of no member of the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale came so near touching the hearts of the entire membership as did the death of Dr. G. W. Entsminger." By April 1919, the minister's salary was raised to $800. In June of that year, the Reverend Mr. McAdoo went to Harrisburg, 111., and the Reverend W. F. Eagleson of Toledo, Ohio, was called September 22, 1919. He stayed until June 20, 1920 and was succeeded by the Reverend E. B. Landis in September, 1920. On April 19, 1921 J. M. Johnson resigned as clerk of the Session after twenty years service. The Reverend Mr. Landis resigned September, 1922, and was followed by the Reverend Edward J. Carson on December 12, 1922, who received a salary of $2200 per year with the use of the manse and a month of vacation. In 1922, plans were started for the present manse on the back of the church lots but facing West Elm street and the church sold its other manse to R. E. Renfro for $6000. At this time, there was a membership of 232 and the pastor's salary was raised to $2300. The Reverend J. J. Sarkiss was the next minister coming in December, 192 -1. He stayed until 1929. The Synod was entertained in 1927 during his pastorate. Reverend C. N. Sharpe of Cookesville, Tennessee, commenced his work October 30, 1929. He married Miss Nan Holliday of Cookesville, Tennessee, on January 24, 1930. Their daughter, Nancy, was born in Carbondale. About 1934, the termites got into the church structure, requiring exten- sive repairs. We soon cleared what was known as the "Termite Debt." Mr. Simeon Boomer passed away in 1939. He had served as Clerk of the Session for seventeen years, and as superintendent of the Sunday School — 14— about twenty years. He followed Dr. G. W. Entsminger and J. M. Johnson, as clerk. E. E. Scott was Sunday School superintendent for twenty-five years preceding Mr. Boomer. It was in 1941 that new velvet hanging for the pulpit platform was pur- chased by Mrs. John Miller's S. S. Class. The church membership was 460. June, 1943, the Rev. Mr. Sharpe enlisted as a chaplain in the United States Navy. This was the second minister to leave our church to serve our country in a like capacity. (The other was the Reverend Mr. Post who en- listed during the Civil War in 1862.) The Reverend E. J. Gibson of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Storm Lr.ke, Iowa, came to the church September 26, 1943 as interim pastor. The mem- bership rapidly increased to 507 in the year 1944 and to 520 in 1945. Under Reveruid Mr. Gibson, church planning conferences were successfully he'd and youth work progressed, holding joint meetings with the youth of the Christian Church. In 1944, Mrs. C. S. Gill who had served the church as director of music for twenty-two years, resigned. Mrs. W. A. Thalman became the director and organist. Church night programs were inauguarated. In 1945, Rever- end Mr. Sharpe resigned and Reverend Mr. Gibson continued to serve the church until the fall of 1946 when he resigned as interim pastor. Elder Frank Colyer, who was an active member of the Session for 37 years, died December 1, 1944. The Reverend William Janssen was called January 31, 1946 and was in- stalled June 25, 1946. He resigned September 1, 1952, to return to his former pastorate at Normal, Illinois. In October 1946, Mrs. W. A. Thalman, director of music, organized the Youth Choir, which was composed of young people, ages from eight to twelve years. The choir has been a most pleasing part of our service. In 1948, the church adopted the rotary system of elders. A. A. Logue was clerk of the Session for twelve years, 1938 through 1950. His beautiful min- utes of the Session are as plain as printing. On June 6, 1951, an impressive Service of Ordination for Warren James Day, 24-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Day, was held in our church. A reception followed the ordination. Warren, better knoown as "Bud," was in a Navy V-12 program of World War II and is a civil engineer graduate from the University of IKino.s. He entered Union Theological Seminary, September, 1948, and served under — 15— The new organ and pulpit. National Missions, at Elguacia, Puerto Rico, the summer of 1949 and at Gauado Mission (Indian), Arizona, the summer of 1950. He received the Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Union Seminary in New York in the spring of 1951. Under the Foreign Mission Board, he sailed for India on August 4, 1951, and was married to Jean Krieger of Peoria, Illinois on September 29th, at Allahabad, India. Jean had graduated at University of Illinois in 1949, and had gone into foreign mission service immediately. — 16— They are now stationed at Ewing Christian College, Allahabad, India, working mainly with the Student Christian Movement among the young people. Warren is also known as a Sanitary Engineer, having completed work for his Masters Degree in that line under a Fulbright Fellowship at Bengal Engineering College, Calcutta, the degree being granted by University of Illinois. His work also includes teaching new sanitation methods in India. Misses Anna and Grace L. Burkett had long been active members of the First Presbyterian Church. Miss Grace passed away in 1939 and Miss Anna in 1951. They bequeathed their joint estate to the Carbondale Public Library and their church, each to receive half thereof. The church's portion, after deduction of court costs, expense of sales of property, etc., amounted to $13,538.34. Up to this time, the only woman to serve as a trustee was Mrs. John Miller, whose passing in October of 1951 was a great loss to the church. Her memory will go on through the service of the women of "Mrs. Miller's Sunday School Class." Mrs. Miller bequeathed Building and Loan stock and a lot on West Oak street adjoining her home, to her church. When sold, these gifts netted the church $7,840. On March 28, 1952 the trustees bought, for $20,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Guy Clifford, the house and lot adjoining the church building on the north. These deceased members had supplied the means. Property on which the church stands has increased in value, since the original lots were purchased for $1800. A new organ was purchased and installed in February 1953. The old pipes were left for purely ornamental purposes and a new console placed below the pulpit platform. The organ built by the Aeolian-Skinner Company cost approximately $25,000. Reverend Charles E. F. Howe took up his duties as pastor here on De- cember 1, 1952, and was duly installed. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1943 from McCormick Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Chi- cago. He was ordained May 10, 1943 by the Detroit Presbytery and later served at Holt, Michigan. While filling pastorates at Greencastle and Lith- opolis, Ohio, he was for five years the Educational Secretary, Administra- tive and General Secretary of the International Society of Christian En- deavor, at Columbus, Ohio. On February 18, 1953, the Moderator of the General Assembly, Dr. Her- man Morse, held services in our church. A dinner was served in the evening — 17— and an open session at 7:45 p. m. This was an honor to our church as it is a "once in a lifetime'' privilege to hear a man who is listed as one of the ten outstanding church men of the United States. The congregation and townspeople had a treat when Mary Day Simmons and her husband gave a recital on the new organ, May 31, 1953. Mary Day, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Day, received her Master's degree in Sa- cred Music from Union Theological Seminary. She was married May 17, 1953, to Morgan Simmons who also received his Master's degree when they graduated together on May 19. During the summer they were on the music faculty of the Presbyterian Conference Center at Montreat, N. C. He is now in service. CLERKS OF THE SESSION Josiah Wood 1854 Rowland R. Brush 1857-1861 William Storer 1864 Andrew Luce 1865-1868 William Storer 1868 E. F. Fish 1869-1871 J. E. Hawkins 1872-1882 John Hull 1882-1885 Samuel M. Inglis 1885-1890 G. W. Entsminger 1894-1900 J. M. Johnson 1900-1921 S. E. Boomer 1921-1937 A. A. Logue 1938-1950 Henry J. Rehn 1950 John Forrest Seibert, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Seibert, returned from military service in Korea to Austin Theological Seminary, September, 1951, and is now completing his senior work at San Francisco Theological Seminary at San Anselmo, California. His wife was Joan Peters of Effing- ham, Illinois. John served as assistant pastor at Bay City and Old Ocean, Texas, the summer of 1952 and at Golconde, Illinois, the summer of 1953. He was licensed to preach June 1953 by the Cairo Presbytery before gradu- ating and is the fourth man to go into the ministry with the sponsorship of our church. (The first was Frank M. Alexander in 1885.) Three persons who have been active members of the church the longest were admitted the same day, Septmber 5, 1897 : Harry Grater, Mrs. Edith Entsminger Miller and Mrs. Kate Chapman Bonham. There were and are many, many men and women who deserve mention for services down through the years, but space cannot be given to all. A. D. Brubaker, "Bru", served as trustee for seventeen years and has been a member of the Session for years. — 18— Miss Amanda Templeton, supervisor of the Mission. She lived in the apartment on the east side of the building. Charles E. F. Howe Present Pastor Neither is there space to relate the valiant accomplishments of the "La- dies' Aid Society/' now known as the Women's Association. Through the years the women frequently worked to produce the money for some special church improvement, besides carrying on their regular study and mission- ary work. The association is an important part of the church organization. The first president, inducted April 19, 1906, was Mrs. S. T. Brush. Member- ship dues were five cents per month and Mrs. Rockwell Bryden was secre- tary-treasurer. The Centennial year president is Mrs. C. W. Friedline. In 1953, we passed the one hundred year mark as an organized church. We have grown from a membership of 5 to over 500. On May 5, 1953, the final plans were made for a $100,000 Centennial Advance Program. Plans for the new $70,000 education wing were drawn by Gale Henderson, architect of St. Louis. To underwrite this program pledges amounting to $73,000 have been secured thus far. The original stone is to be removed from the north and west side of the present north wing of the edifice and used on the front elevation of the new — 19— education building. This will make the entire University Street front of the same appearance. Construction will begin as soon as final plans are ap- proved and arrangements can be completed. A drawing of the proposed church is pictured on the covers of this church history. Our advance is an adventure in faith. The centennial of the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale was cele- bated in various ways. Sunday, November 8, was Centennial Observance, with Dr. Richard Browne speaking, "In Retrospect" ; Wednesday, Novem- ber 11, the Centennial Play, written by Mrs. Mae Trovillion Smith, was given ; Sunday, November 15, there was a vesper hour and dedication of the new organ and a recital by Mrs. W. A. Thalman ; Wednesday, November 18, Church Family night ; Sunday, November 22, Centennial Sunday ; Tuesday, November 24 Centennial Luncheon and Women's Association Bazaar; Sun- day, November 29, "Looking Ahead," by Rev. Charles E. F. Howe, pastor. Thus we close a century in which the membership may take pride. 20— «, • , ****> r-r! North Elevation of New Christian Education Building UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 285 1773994F519H C001 A HISTORY OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHUR