Untitled Document

Protestant Episcopal Church (Grace Church)

The Protestant Episcopal Church of Osco Township (Grace Church) was organized Jan. 25, 1875, with a membership of twenty-two. Among those who were active in establishing this church are the names of J. H. Smith, Eben Coll, L. C. Welton. S. C. Welton, R. H. Hinman and W. W. Hinman. Eben Coll and J. H. Smith were appointed Wardens, and L. C.Welton, Bela Andrews, Robert McClain, Jerry Hadley, R. H. Hinman, S. C. Welton, James M. Welton and George Poppleton, Vestrymen. J. H. Smith was appointed Treasurer, and was efficient in oorganizing and maintaining this society.

Bela Andrews was appointed Clerk. These gentlemen have all continued to discharge the duties of their respective positions up to the present time, excepting James M. Welton, in whose place W. W. Hinman was appointed, April 17, 1876.

Their earliest services were held in what is known as the Hinman school-house, in District No. 7. From 1856 to 1873, occasional services were held by Rev. A. Welton, of Cambridge ; Rev. S. Goodale, of Geneseo ; Rev. William Green, of Geneseo, in 1865 ; P. B. Morrison, of Geneseo, 1866 ; Rev. G. C. Griswold, the same year ;. Rev. J. B. Calhoun, of Osco, in 1869-70; Rev. F. Nash, of Geneseo, during 1871-73. At this time plans were devised, and location selected for a suitable meetinghouse, the building of which was accomplished in the Fall of 1873, at a cost of $2,750, while Rev. J. H. Chamberlaine, the present pastor, was in charge.

This building is located on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Sec. 26. Regular services were held from this time to Jan. 25, 1875, when the church organization was finally consummated. These services have been continued inconnection with a Sabbath-school. The membership of the church at present is forty-one. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Chamberlaine, took charge Sept. 15, 1873.

The Sabbath-school was organized May 24, ______ , and now has a library of nearly 200 volumes, and is also supplied with suitable papers. The attendance at present, of teachers and scholars, is about forty, there being usually six or seven classes and as many teachers. Charles A. Coll is Superintendent.

History of Henry County

Illinois Ancestors