Untitled Document

The Central Presbyterian Church dates back to 1837. The first steps taken towards the organization of a Presbyterian Church in Rock Island was at a meeting held in the dining-room of the old Rock Isl and House Nov. 27, 1837. Rev. John Montgomery and Rev. I. Pillsbury were present as a committee of the Presbytery. After a sermon by Mr. Pillsbury, ten persons united in forming a Church, — Wm. Dickson, A. C. Donaldson, M. Conway, May Donaldson, Miriam C. Dickson, A. F. Russell, David M. Dick-son, Benjamin McKay, Sarah McKay. The name adopted was that of the " First Presbyterian Church of Stephenson, Illinois ."

In 1848 the Church became divided on the slavery question, seven persons withdrawing from this Church and effecting another organization, under the auspices of the New School Presbyterians. In the organization of the new Church Rev. A. Kent, of Galena , and Rev. S. W. Blanchard, of Galesburg , officiated. The Church was thus divided, and remained so until the general union of the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches was brought about, when the cause for division was taken away. In May, 1870, the two Churches were united, taking the name of " The Presbyterian Church of Rock Island," and so remained until May 28, 1875, wnen some of its mem bers were dismissed, that they might form the Church known as the Broadway Presbyterian Church, when the Church took the name by which it is now known —the Central Presbyterian Church. The first meet ings of this body were held in the old school-house. The first house of worship was erected in 1845, on lot 1, block 1. The Second Church , or New School , erected a house, 25 x 40, on the site of the present Central Presbyterian Church. In 1855 another building was erected, which was demolished oy a tornado Sept. 15, 1874 , and was immediately rebuilt in its present form, and re-occupied July 4, 1875 . During the separate existence of the First Church the building now occupied by St. Joseph 's Catholic Church was built, which involved the Church heavily in debt. After the union of the two bodies, it was sold to the Catholics. The Central Church building is quite a handsome structure. The membership of the Church is quite large, with a flourishing Sunday- school. Rev. S. S. Cryer is the present Pastor.

Historic Rock Island

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Illinois Ancestors