Milan Presbyterian Church

 

The First Presbyterian Church of Milan was originally known as the First Presbyterian Church of Camden, Old School Branch, was organized in April of 1845. The town was laid out in 1843 by William Dickson and the settlers felt the need for a church. Being the majority were Presbyterian, the settlers headed by William Dickson sought to organize a Presbyterian church.

A meeting was held in April of 1845 and the Rev. Samuel Cleland was the moderator and Rev. Thomas Vail was clerk of the meeting. The meeting began with a prayer and the purpose of the meeting was given. William Dickson presented a number of articles and resolutions for consideration. These articles formed the constitution for the church. They were then unanimously adopted.

The first services were held in the mill owned by F.R Brunot and James Dickson. Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury was the preacher. During the winter of 1844-45 the mill was too cold so services were held at William Dickson’s home. In the winter of 1845-46 Dickson built the first church.

Dickson paid for and supplied everything for the building of the church. Labor was also scarce so Dickson also did that himself also. It was a difficult job but was finally finished on May 21, 1846.

Rev. Wilson preached the dedicatory sermon and Rev. Pillsbury gave the dedicatory prayer. On the following Sunday the first sacrament was celebrated. Many times there was no minister so William Dickson would deliver the sermon himself.

In 1866 the little church had grown too small so a new church was built and finished on October 4, 1868. The committee who was responsible for the work was James Dickson and N.D. Bradley.

The parsonage was built in 1878 and in 1894 a pipe organ was bought. The interior was remodeled in 1902.

Founding members were:

William Dickson, Francis E. Dickson Marrianne Dickson, William Clark, James Dickson, Almina C. Clark

Ruth Ann Dickson, Eliza Ann Dickson, Sara Dickson Elizabeth M. Dickson, David Dickson William Pinkerton

Edmund Hollister Rachel Pinkerton, Emma Hollister

Some of the former Pastors were:

Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury 1846-1848

Rev. W.W. Backus 1850-1851

S.T. Wilson 1852-1854

Thomas M. Chestnut 1855-1856

Jacob Coon 1858-1863

W.W. Moorehead 1868-1871

Moses Noerr 1871-1877

S.T. Davis 1878-1879

 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MILAN .

Reverend F. Haney first held service here, it was one of the stations on the Camden circuit, and was followed by Reverend John Gruudy, who remained two years. The church was organized in 1848, and preaching was done in the school house, until 1854, when the church was built.

 

Milan Methodist Church

The Milan Methodist Church was established on March 17, 1873. The trustees for the church were:

Swan Johnson, M. Shinstrum, H.M. Coon, M.T. Johnson, C. Armstrong, Geo. McMichael, Thos. Shines, Wm. Francis and A. Palmer.

Trustees for the parsonage property were: William Francis, Swan Johnson, M.T. Johnson, Adam Palmer, Thos. Shines, John Tuttle, James McConnell and Robert Moffit.

 

 

Information from Historic Rock Island

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Illinois Ancestors