Untitled Document

CHURCHES.

The first church was the Methodist Episcopal. The first society Of this denomination was organized in a class in the Genung school-house near where the village of Terre Haute now stands.

In August, 1850, the La Harpe circuit was organized and Charles Genung was class-leader of this society, which was the northeast appointment of the La Harpe circuit. This society stands ahead of all others in the La Harpe circuit in their reports to the quarterly conference. In their support-of preaching and benevolent work their report excels, per number, all other societies.

The society has a good substantial brick church building, which was dedicated in the summer of 1854. The first quarterly meeting was held in the new church on August 12 and 13 of the same year. Rev. M. J. Geddings and Joseph Milsap were the preachers in charge, and Rev. Milton Bourne was presiding elder. Charles Genung and Wm. F. Archer, stewards, and Mr. Archer and Joseph Allen class-leaders. Rev. Wm. F. Archer was a local elder, but was two years on the La Harpe circuit as a supply. In the fall of 1860 Terre Haute was separated from La Harpe circuit by the annual conference, but at the first quarterly meeting of the La Harpe circuit a class leader from Terre Haute, Mr. Joseph Allen, representing the church at Terre Haute, asked that it be continued with the La Harpe circuit, and the prayer of the petitioner was granted. F. M. Chaffee was the preacher in charge of La Harpe circuit, and Rev. A. Magee presiding elder. In the year 1865-6 Joseph Allen, E. Genung and J. Snick were official mem bers of notoriety. In 1866 Terre Haute was permanently separated from La Harpe. The house of worship owned by the Terre Haute society is a fine brick structure 10 x 50, with a good basement. The roof has been blown off twice by severe windstorms. Rev. P. S. Garretson is the present pastor of the society, and has been for near three years. They have preaching every alternate Sunday evening and Sunday school every Sunday at ten o'clock A.M. Class leader and superintendent, Joseph Allen; recording steward, C. R. Gittings; stewards, Chas. Curry, T. W. Jenkins, Steven Genung and Wm. Robinson ; trustees, George Morgan, Joseph Allen, Wm. Rogers, Jacob Snick and Steven Genung.

The Baptist Church—was built in 1866 and dedicated in June, 1867. The society was organized in the Genung school-house in 1851, by father Sewell. At that time preaching was not always the most pleasant task. The preacher was often called on to use his fists as well as his voice to bring sinners to a realization of their wickedness, and many a man had to have a pounding before he got religion.

The number of adherents at the organization of the society were perhaps not more than half a dozen, but the society grew and flourished until 1866, when they spent nearly three thousand dollars in a church building. They now have from forty to fifty members. The society is of the Free Will denomination. The Rev. F. W. Westfall is their present pastor.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

Illinois Ancestors