Untitled Document

COLONA TOWNSHIP.

United Presbyterian Church. The United Presbyterian Church of Colona was organized Dec. 2`2, 1866, in the Colona school-house, with twelve members, and were constituted a church by Rev. H. Wallace and Elder A. Blair, of Davenport, Iowa, committee from Presbytery, and Rev. J. Todd, missionary, in accordance with a petition drawn up by S. H. Weed, and signed by ten members and eighty adherents of the cause.

By request, the U. P. Presbytery of Rock Island sent Rev. Henry Wallace, of Rock Island, to view the field, who preached in the schoolhouse the latter part of June. 1865 ; this was the second sermon preached in the village of Colona.

Two weeks later, Rev. William Cooke, of Homestead Church, preached. Rev. J. F. Martin came as missionary Sept. 15, 1865, and was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Finney, and he by Rev. S. H. Weed, Licentiate, July 15, 1866, and. he by Rev. J. K. Blair, and Rev. John Todd. The earliest meetings were held in the Colona schoolhouse ; meetings were also held in private houses.

The names of the original members are Andrew Stewart, Grace Moderwell, Christina Moderwell, Jos. Moderwell, Jane Moderwell, James Montgomery, Sr., Sarah Bell, William McGonagil, Sr., Elizabeth McGonagil, Mary Cochran, Barbara McFerran, and Margaret McCall. Joseph Moderwell and Andrew Stewart were elected and ordained ruling elders of the organization. Wm. McGonagil is at present a deacon.

September 80, 1867, the congregation chose S. H. Weed, J. J. Baum,. and James Bell, building committee. A frame church, 82x50 feet, with belfry and spire, was built, and was opened for worship Oct. 18, 1868.

The cost was $2,108.33 in cash, and about 81,000 in work and material was donated. April 3, 1873 , a bell was procured, costing 8253.76.

Rev. S. H. Weed, having been ordained Nov. 23, 1867, labored as a missionary till June 15, 1869, when he was installed pastor, which office he held till April 80, 1876. At present the congregation has no pastor, but is under the care of Rev. J. A. Reynolds, of Rock Island , and Elders F. Ferguson and. J. Caughey, of Homestead Church , by appointment of the Presbytery.

The total number of members is fifty-eight, two of whom died, three were suspended, and thirty-two have removed, leaving at present twenty-one persons in full membership, and fifty-four baptized noncommuning members. The average attendance at Sabbath-school is about forty. Capt. J. E. Wilkins, Rev. S. H. Weed, James Bell, and Andrew Grass, have all been superintendents in. the Sabbathschool. Elder Jos. Davis has removed to Nebraska . Capt. J. E. Wilkins, who served as deacon., has removed to Iowa .

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