"The Presbyterian church in Galesburg has a history parallel with that of the town and of Knox College, all of which are founded together. The group that came from Whitesboro, N. Y. to establish the town and college were a group of church-going people and soon after arriving here they met to organize as a church. On February 26, 1837, the first Sunday service was held, with the Rev. Geo. W. Gale as preacher. Sixty-four persons united by letter and eighteen by confession of faith - eighty-two in all. On April 5th it was agreed that the church should be organized fully as Presbyterian, and very soon thereafter it was received into the presbytery of Schuyler, the corporate name being: "The Presbyterian Church of Galesburg". The first elders chosen were Nehemiah West, Nehemiah H. Losey and John Kendall. The deacons chosen were Thomas Simmons and Abel Goodell. The church continued its service until 1845, when a change occurred in its policy. The Congregational element had been growing strong in the young church, and this group wished some compromise that they might have recognition. The compromise was arranged in 1843 and continued until 1851, when a group of Presbyterians withdrew and organized a church of their own faith, known as the Second Presbyterian Church. In the service of the First church were Rev. Geo. W. Gale 1836; Rev. John Thomas Avery, 1836-37; Rev. John Waters, 1837-39; Rev. Horatio Foote, 1839-40; Rev. Geo. W. Gale, 1840-41; Rev. Hiram Huntington, Kellogg, 1841-43; Rev. J. Waters, Rev. Edward Hollester or Rev. Hiram Marsh, 1843-44; Rev. Lucius H. Parker, 1844-45; Rev. H. H. Kellogg, 1845-47; Rev. Jonothan Blanchard, 1847-49; Rev. Flavel Bascom, 1849-50.

The first service of the new Presbyterian congregation was held in Knox academy June 29, 1851. After worshipping in a small building on South Street the congregation in 1836(misprint?) moved into a new building at the corner of Kellogg and Main streets. In a short time there was a movement for a more suitable building, and after some delays, incident in part to the war, the new edifice on South Cherry street was proceeded with and occupied May 7, 1864. This building was destroyed by fire Nov. 31, 1891. The ministers serving this church were: Rev. Geo. W. Gale to 1852, Rev. John W. Bailey to 1858, Rev. Harvey Curtis, D. D., and Rev. Charles E. Stebbins to 1862. After a group of supplies, the Rev. George Duffield became pastor in 1865, continuing until 1869. Dr. Duffield’s pastorate has been memorized by a window in the present church, recalling his authorship of the stately hymn, "Stand up, stand up for Jesus". In 1869 Prof. Llewellyn Pratt became stated supply.

In 1854 there was organized in Galesburg an "old school" Presbyterian Church. This was a national movement and was based upon questions of discipline. This body worshipped in a building on North Cedar Street, which was occupied in 1857. This building was removed to Simmons Street in 1865, where the work continued until 1870. The pastors were Rev. T. S. Vail to 1855, Rev. I. N. Candee to 1866, Rev. George Norcross to 1868, Rev. S. T. Wilson to 1870.

In 1869 and 1870 the question of the union of Presbyterian interests was taken up and on March 1, 1870, the presbytery of Knox and Warren gave official sanction to the union. Prof. Pratt was stated supply for a short time of the united church, and in the fall of 1872 the Rev. Matthew Lourie became pastor. He was succeeded in the fall of 1885 by Rev. John B. Worrall, who remained until 1889. Rev. John Hood, D. D., was pastor until the congregation called the Rev. Hamilton W. Spence. Lit. D., a graduate of Knox College, class of 1888, became pastor, and remains in that office at the date of this writing.

In the pastorate of Rev. Dr. John Hood the present splendid stone edifice was erected on the corner of North Prairie and East Ferris Streets, at a total cost of about $70,000.

History of the Knoxville Presbyterian Church

"The Presbyterain Church at Knoxville was organized on the fourth of July, 1835, by a committee of Schuyler presbytery, consisting of Rev. Romulus Barnes and Rev. Robert Stewart. The organization comprised only seven members at this meeting, but others soon united. David Huggins and Parnach Owen were elected to the office of ruling elders. The church, after a varied experience of two generations, is now housed in a very neat and commodious building. It is well adapted to the needs of the congregation in all its departments. It is valued at $16,000. A modern manse has just been completed, in which the pastor and family are happily domiciled. The value of this home is about $6,000.

History of Oneida Presbyterian Church

" May 4, 1863, a committee appointed by Schuyler presbytery, consisting of schoolhouse No. 3, in Ontario, Knox County, to organize a Presbyterian church Rev. I. N. Candee, Rev. C. B. Bristol, and Elder Alexander Milroy, met in answer to a petition by many of the citizens of that town.

The first pastor was Rev. S. C. Vance, who continued with this church four years. At a meeting of Warren presbytery, which was held at the John Knox church, September, 1865, the name of the church was changed to the First Presbyterian Church of Oneida.

The first church building was probably built in the year 1865, as the congregational expense of that year is given as $3, 627, and no other account is given of building, until December, 1869, a note in the minutes of the session give thanks that the church destroyed by a storm on May 5, 1868, had been replaced by a better and larger one. The names of many stated supplies are given in the records, but no name seems to be retained longer than that of Rev. J. Reed Stuart, who seems to have been pastor about five years. In 1871, there is an account of a memorial bell being put in place at a cost of $290.

Rev. S. L. Allison was pastor for four years, October, 1880, to 1884.

Rev. J. Rugh, pastor for four years, 1886 to 1890.

Rev. E. M. Clingan, pastor from 1897 to 1900.

Rev. O. C. Dale, 1901 to 1902.

Rev. R. S. Strain, from 1905 to 1908. During this last pastorate the church building was remodeled at a cost of over $2,000.

The pastorate of Rev. C. F. Wilson began in July, 1909, and continues at this writing. The congregation is a substantial one. The church officers are as follows:

History of Yates City Presbyterian Church

"This church was organized by a committee appointed by the presbytery of Peoria, at Henry, Illinois, on October 20, 1866. The committee consisted of Rev. J. H. Smith, Rev. Thos. Stevenson and Elder John Marshall of Farmington, Illinois. This committee was to visit Yates City and if the way be clear was to organize a church, and said committee was authorized to make application to the board of "domestic missions" through the standing committee for the sum of $200 to support, for one year, such missionary as the committee may send to the field.

The church, which cost something more than $3,000 was dedicated December 6, 1867. Rev J. H. Smith was the first pastor and entered upon his labor with the organization November 16, 1866, and continued with the church till May, 1870. Other ministers have served the church as follows:

Rev. J. E. Carothers, October 16, 1870, to September 26, 1874.

Rev. L. D. Wells, December 25, 1874, to October 6, 1877.

Rev. L. C. Little, August 24, 1878, to June 20, 1880.

Rev. C. F. Carson, June 2, 1881, to March 10, 1880.

Rev. J. L. Heming, April 12, 1884, to March 9, 1887.

Rev. C. C. B. Duncan, June 4, 1887, to September 27, 1890.

Rev. J. L. Clark, September 27, 1891, to April 6, 1895.

Rev. Wm. Parsons, June 25, 1895, to April 10, 1897.

Rev. D. M. Ross, November 28, 1897, to April 30, 1899.

Rev. W. H. Clatworthy, Jr., June 12, 1899, to May 1, 1901.

Rev. Geo. E. Young, July, 1901, to April 1903.

Rev. M. M. Cooper, September 7, 1903, to 1904.

Rev. W. J. Manifold, August 6, 1904, to August 10, 1908.

Rev. S. A. Teague, January 20, 1909, to February 27, 1912, when he resigned."

(History of Knox County, Vol. I, by A. J. Perry, published 1912, pgs 619-620)

Submitted by your Host

Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!