Untitled Document

CHURCHES.

The Christian church of Cameron is the oldest organization of that denomination in the Military Tract. The first record is: On the 30th day of April, 1831, this church was constituted upon the belief that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice, and are sufficient for the government of the church." The following persons were present and gave their names as charter members: William Whitman, Sarah Whitman, Julia A. Whitman. Henry E. Haley, Betsey G. Haley, John E. Mur phy, Frances Murphy, Richard H. Ragland, Nancy Ragland, John G. Haley, William M. Davidson, Elizabeth Davidson, Josiah Whitman, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Jr., Elijah Davidson, Jr.

The first meetings were made at the homes of the people and In the groves, and later in school houses, when they were built. On Saturday, February 25, 1838, the church met in Savanna (afterwards called Coldbrook), and appointed John E. Murphy and Jacob Rust to superintend the building of a chapel.

The building was 44 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 11 feet from floor to ceiling, with three windows on each side to contain 24 lights 8 by 10, one window of the same size in the end over the pulpit, and a large double door in the opposite end. The church seems to have prospered exceedingly, for '"On the second Lord's day in February, 1839, the church proceeded to grant the request of sundry brethren on the other side of Cedar fork of Henderson river to organize a church to keep the ordinances of the Lord." Again,

On last Lord's day in March, 1839, permission was granted to twenty-two persons whose names are given, to organize in Monmouth; and again, on June 26, 1839, letters were granted to twenty-five persons to unite with the brethren and organize at Meridian in Berwick Township. The church was about the last to move from Coldbrook to the new village of Cameron. In I860 a chapel, 40 by 60 feet, with a commodious gallery, was built in Cameron, and the old church, used a while for a school room, was sold and removed from its site.

Under the efficient management of Elders William Whitman, Elijah Davidson, John G. Haley. Alex Reynolds, Lewis Vertrees, and others, the church at Coldbrook prospered, and this prosperity was maintained at Cameron by S. T. Shelton, H. S. Hascall, W. C. Hall, Lewis Vertrees. Marsham Lucas and others. All these have passed away, and are succeeded by a younger generation who take no backward steps in the work of the church.

Under their hand, in 1900, the Baptist church was rented for the use of the church and Sunday school, the old chapel of 1860 was torn down, and its best parts incorporated in the structure of a new building, costing more than $5,000. It was dedicated November 25, 1900, Rev. H. 0. Breeden, of Des Moines, preaching the dedi catory sermon. The present membership issomething over 200. The pastor is Rev. O. D. Maple. A considerable number of members of this denomination living in the township have their membership with the churches at Meridian and at Berwick.

"Very early in the settlement of the township the Methodist preacher was on the ground, preaching at the homes of the people, in the school houses, and holding camp meetings in the groves. Among these were "Uncle Dick Haney," John Underwood, Alfred Allen, and others. Berwick circuit was organized in 1851, with Rev. Wm. Haney the preacher in charge, and the work in this township was included therein. No house of worship was erected in the township until 1856, when, largely through the influence and labors of Benjamin F. Morey, a chapel was built in Cameron and was used until 1878, when it was destroyed by fire.

This was soon replaced by a neat commodious chapel built mainly by the hands and influence of C. W. Boydston and other local workers. In 1865 Bethel chapel was built in Coldbrook Township, and in 1872 was put with Cameron, with T. M. Durham as preacher in charge. In 1873, Warren chapel, just over the line in Knox County, was added to them, with J. M. Murphy in charge. Without interruption the Cameron congregation has maintained regular services since its organization, and is now prosperous under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Hales.

The First Baptist church was organized June 30, 1866, with nine charter members. Rev. J. N. Tolman, of Monmouth, preached the sermon and was clerk of the council, and Rev. H. H. Parks presided. The church building was erected in the summer of 1869 at a cost of about $3,200. The society was never a strong one, and is now practically disorganized.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

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