Untitled Document

United Presbyterian Church

Contributed by Rev. T. G. Morrow.

The Associate Reformed, now United Presbyterian church, of Viola, Illinois, was organized in 1855 by the Rev. Mathew Bigger, and was, at that time, known as the Twin Grove congregation, under the care of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Monmouth. The names of the first trustees were: S. E. Russel, J. B. Mitchel and W. P. Collins, and the membership twenty-eight.

The session consisted of John Collins, John Mitchel, Sr., Samuel Ross and S. E. Russell. The first regular pastor was Rev. D. C. Cochran, who was installed in the spring of 1857. During this year the first church building was erected, afterwards improvements being made. The entire cost of this was about $4,500. Mr. Cochran was released in 1862. In November, 1862, Rev. J. R. McCalister was installed as the second pastor, and during his pastorate, the Viola and Aledo churches were united in one charge. Mr. McCalister closed his labors here in October, 1867, being succeeded by Rev. J. M. Wallace, who was installed as third pastor in 1868. He was released in 1870, and Rev. W. S. McClanahan installed as his successor in the spring of 1871. Mr. McClanahan's pastorate extended over a period of seventeen years, terminating in 1887. Mr. McClanahan was greatly beloved, not only by the members of his congregation, but by all in the community. He died June 15, 1888.

On January 1, 1888, Rev. J. C. Calhoun began his labors in this congregation, and on April 4, 1888, he was installed as its fifth pastor. In 1890 and 1891 the congregation purchased new lots near the center of the town and a building of modern style was erected at a cost of $3,000. In August, 1897, the congregation was again without a pastor, Rev. Calhoun having accepted a call to become the president of Amity Col lege, at College Springs, Iowa.

The present pastor is Rev. T. G. Morrow, who began his work April 1, 1898. During the first year of this pastorate a parsonage was secured at a cost of $1,200. An addition was also made to the eldership of the congregation by the elec tion and installation of Frank Terrey, S. E. Collins and Dr. Victor McClanahan, who together with W. M. Pinkerton, J. C. Pinkerton and H. H. McGaughey, now compose the session of the congregation. The trustees at present are W. A. McGaughey, J. C. Ashenhurst and Dr. Victor McClanahan. From this congregation there have entered the ministry of the United Presbyterian church Milford Tidball, R. G. Pinkerton and W. J. Pinkerton.

The membership of the congregation at present is about 135, and the membership of the Sabbath-school about 100. Of the twenty-eight charter members only five remain. This congregation has always been known as being aggressive in all the reforms of the day. The congregation is at present under the care of the United Presbyterian Presbytery of Rock Island.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF VIOLA

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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Illinois Ancestors

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