Untitled Document

CHURCHES.

In August, 1855, a small band of pioneer Christians, thirteen in number, together with the Revs. A. D. Wilson and S. A. Bumstead, -assembled at the house of S. P. Nevins, for the organization of a church. This organization was then and there consummated under the name of the Reformed Dutch church, of Honey creek, with six male members for its consistory. Less than a month later, or September 16, 1855, at the house of Peter S. Tharp, the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered for the first time. On the afternoon of the same day Dennis Nevius Simonson received the rite of baptism, this being the first child of the church, as he was also the first-born of his parents. In 1856, two members, Wm. J. Schenck and Martha, his wife, were added to the church, as were several others by certificate from the church of Fairview, and from eastern churches. It was in the spring of 1856, in the old blacksmith shop which still stands hard by on the premises of Mr. John Livermore, the first Sabbath school was organized with I. V. Kelley as superintendent. Mr. K., it is said, occasionally had to submit to a good-natured rebuke for being late. To this blacksmith shop both barefoot horses and barefoot children were wont to resort, the former for shoes and the latter for Bible truth. From humble homes scattered thinly over the flowery strewed prairie they came to sing and to study of Him who infused fertility into the soil and breathed perfume into the air and crowned the year with fruitful harvests.

During the first year of organization the congregation met in .private houses. Afterward they repaired to the blacksmith shop before referred to. In the spring of 1857 worship was conducted at the house of Peter Tharp and W. J. Schencks. W hen the school-house was inclosed that became the place of regular service, while afternoon lectures were held at other convenient places throughout the settle‑ ment. Among those who rightly preached at that time before the establishment of a regular preacher was the Revs. Wilson, Bumstead and Morris.

More than a year had now passed since organization, and they were without a preacher. Accordingly, on October 18, 1856, Rev. C. D. Eltinge, of Fort Jarvis, was called, and was installed pastor May 20, 185T. The corner stone of the present church edifice was laid on the same day. Previous to this, of course, it had been foreseen that around the site of this church as a nucleus the village would grow.up. Therefore the building became a matter of debate which was carried on not without acrimony. The location was, however, fixed, and a pastor secured. Measures began.to be taken which, considering the fewness of members and comparative poverty of the people, was no easy one. Mr. Eltinge went east and received funds to the amount of $1,600 by soliciting from members there, and by a loan of 81000 from his own little means. Less than half the money was raised by contributions from the people of the new settlement. The lumber used in the construction of this edifice was brought over Lake Michigan in the vessel then belonging to the pastor's father.

The year 1858 is memorable as the time when the temple, with its tall spire pointing heavenward, began to take shape and proportion. As it approached completion fond hopes were realized, and there stood a neat and commodious house, ready to be dedicated. September 8, 1859, Rev. A. D. Wilson dedicated it and Rev. S. A. Bumstead preached the service, and having now an organization, a pastor and a house, the full career of the Reformed Dutch church of Raritan began.

Mr. Eltinge closed his pastorate in the spring of 1861, at which time the membership had increased from the original thirteen to sixty two. At that time the consistory resolved to make the church self-supporting, and in fact accomplished their desires. In September, 1861, Rev. S. A. Bumstead came to supply the church for six months, and in the spring of 1862 was installed as the second pastor of the church.

In the history of the church so far there have been several marked revivals, the first during the ministr y of Mr. Eltinge, the second during that of Mr. Bumstead, and one under Mr. Adams. Mr. Bumstead's ministry closed April 1875, and his place has been filled by A. A. Pfanstiehl. The names of the original members are as follows : Joseph Nevins and wife, Henry D. Voorhees and wife, Isaac Kelly and wife, Peter Tharp and wife, Simon P. Nevius and wife, Peter Nevius and wife, and Mrs. Simonson, wife of Simon Simonson. The Raritan Sabbath. school was organized on the 4th day of May, 1856, and continued through the summer season. On the first Sabbath in May last it was reorganized by the appointment of officers as follows : superintendent, A. Hageman ; vice-superintendent, A. Gulick ; librarians, J. Stanton and W. Morris.

The Raritin Methodist Episcopal church has a membership of sixty. The first class was formed in Raritin in 1864, and held its first meetings in the old school house now gone. Rev. A. Morey was the first pastor. The first members were Geo. Mosier and wife, David Diller and wife, Perry Gardner and wife, and Emanuel Alpaugh and wife. George Mosier was chosen the first class leader, under whose leadership the class soon became well established. Only two of the original members now remain members of the society..

In the year 1873 the society determined to build a church, and with its characteristic energy proceeded at once to erect a splendid house of worship, which for convenience and architectural beauty is not surpassed in the county. The style is Gothic, with corner tower and bell and with arched ceilings twenty-five feet from the floor in the center, and a seating capacity of about three hundred and fifty. This edifice was built by subscription, contributed largely by persons now members of the society, and the members were few in numbers and not rich, but contributed freely and as far as their ability would permit. There were 217 subscribers to the building fund. The cost of building, including interest account and other incidental expenses, was $3,962.81. This did not include labor performed by the members, which was not applied on their subscription. Had the labor been paid for in cash the building would have cost about 84,800.

This society has employed the following ministers to preach for them : Thomas Watson, A. Morey, A. S. Atherton, J. E. Taylor, E. Ransom, P. S. Garretson, G. W. Miller, S. P. James, and A. C. Calkins, their present pastor.

During the pastorate of P. S. Garretson the noted revival known as the Swarts meeting was held, resulting favorably to society here for the time being, but not lasting. lip to the time of the close of Rev. G. W. Miller's term as pastor the Raritan society was a part of the Ellison charge, but at the fall conference of 1878, held at Macomb, Raritan was set off with the Colfax church as self-supporting, to be brown as the Raritan charge.

During the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Calkins the church building was improved by papering the walls and ceiling and the purchase of new pulpit furniture, at a cost a little less than $100. Great credit is due the pastor's wife and others of the society in securing the needed improvement. A neat little parsonage is owned b y the society, which cost $1,000. At a meeting held in Raritan December 24, 1858 , Henry Johnson. of the Baptist church of Roseville , was moderator, and J. Voorhees, clerk. They resolved to adopt the ordinances of the gospel communion. It was also resolved that a council meeting be called for the purpose of being recognized as a regular Baptist church, and adopt the basis of the doctrine and practice the declaration of faith and covenants published by the American Baptist publication society. This declaration was signed by Harry Burrell, Elvira Burrell, L. W. Otis, Clarressa Otis, William Perine, Aletta Perine, C. V. D. Spader, Jane Spader, J. Voorhees, Sarah Voorhees, Elizabeth __________________________________ and Amanda Voorhees.
On February 22, 1859 , a council was called and the above members were recognized as comprising the Baptist church of Raritan . This meeting was called to order and presided over by J. L. Gordon as moderator, and J. Voorhees, clerk. The following churches were represented : Roesville, by Elder H. B. Johnson, Deacon B. W. Smith and James Tucker ; Berwick, by Elder H. S. P. Warren, of Linden, William L. Johnson, of Hillsborough, J. G. Gordon and A. Hengate. Twelve members having organized, presented their petitions, and were recognized as a church. The first sermon was preached by H. S. Warmouth.

The first business meeting occurred on February 27, 1859 . Henry Bull and William Perine were elected deacons, and J. Voorhees, clerk, and H. B. Johnson was called to preach. During his pastorate there were added to the church one by baptism, one by letter, and two by experience. On May 5, 1860, Elder Trower was employed to preach two sabbaths in each month. He officiated until October, 1862. In 1862 a revival took place which closed on December 16. Twenty-three were added to the church by baptism, three by experience, and one by letter. During the pastorship of Elder Trowers the church was admitted to the Salem Baptist Association.

On January 3, 1863 , a building committee was appointed to build a house 32 x 44 feet, with 16 feet posts, which was erected and inclosed during the summer and fall of 1863, and plastered in the fall of 1864. In the summer of 1865 it was furnished, and on the fourth Sabbath of June, 1866, dedicated.

The Swedish Evangelical church was organized October 7, 1877 . This was the original Lutheran church, but the name was changed in order to obliterate church prejudice and thus combine all denominations and worship under the new name. The first members were Deacons J. M. Johnson, John Brown, Otto Peterson and Anton Peterson. This church has at present about fifty members.

The organization of the Roman Catholic church was effected in 1855, and its membership is composed largely of members from Warren county. The first step taken in this direction was at the house of John Leareys, in Warren county, before which worship had been held in many of the private houses, and especially at the house of John Berry, who, with the Hustons, McLaries, Slaters, Downs, Sulivans, Denivens, Tiernies, from Henderson county, and others from Warren county, were among the first members, and also prominent in the building of the church. The church was built in 1876, under Rev. James Halpins' administration, at a cost of $2,100, which was paid for by subscriptions from its membership and many Protestants throughout the neighborhood, the Catholics having first helped the building of Protestant churches in a similar way. The church is situated on section 2 in Bedford precinct and is known as St. Patrick's parish. This church is in size 32 X 42, with a spire sixty feet high. Since the organization of the church Father O'Farrell, Father Welders and Father Murphy have presided.

Raritan Lodge, No. 616, I.O.O.F., was instituted June 30, 1876, and was moved to Terre Haute in 1868. The charter members were : M. M. Field, A. E. Stanley, J. C. Coulson, C. W. Hardesty, and L. W. Calhoun.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

Illinois Ancestors