The Protestant Episcopal Church

The Protestant Episcopal—St. John's—Church. On Sunday, May 13, 1855. a Protestant Episcopal Sunday-school was organized in the Ke­ wanee House. This was the first religious organization in Kewanee, and the school met the following Sunday for the first time at Odd Fellows Hall. There were twenty scholars, and R. P. Parrish was Superintendent. The first full Episcopal service, with sermon, was in the Summer following, by Rev. Porter, of Jubilee College. In October, Bishop Whitehouse made a visitation, and held two services in the unfinished Methodist Protestant Church. During the Summer and Autumn of 1856, Rev. Philander Chase officiated occasionally in the same church. On the 13th of July, 1856, the church was organized, with the name of St. John's. The officers were R. P. Parrish, Senior Warden; George A. Morse. Junior Warden ; James B. Morse, J. H. Howe, H. L. Sloan. Geo. W. Foote. and E. V. Bronson, Vestrymen; and L. D. Bishop. Clerk. The first rector was Rev. George E. Peters, who commenced his labors in 1857, and remained two rears. A church edifice nf the earlv English Gothic style of architecture was constructed in the Summer of 1857, finished in the Fall, and consecrated by Bishop Whitehouse, November 15. of the same year. It is quite a neat church, and cost about $5,000. The first church-bell of the town was rung from the belfry of St. John's.

History of Henry County

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