Connecticut western news., 1885-06-10
By Rev William H. Elli..

 II. THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHURCHES.
 Uncle Peter was man of whom no one could speak evil. At the close of the war he rented land for while, but what negro ever grew rich on rented land? His wife died and his older chil- dren married. He found few acres of good land near Pekin, which he could buy on few years time. His children cooked for him and began to blow al most as soon as they could reach the blow handles.
 He was dissatisfied with the old, noisy churches, with their never-ending quar- rels, and determined to have church of his own, where all things could be done decently and in order. So he chose 8 pretty knoll, covered with pines, and had cut few trees for church, when the man of whom he bought told him he didn't want any nigger churches on his land; so Uncle Peter said nothing, but toiled on patiently till he had paid for his land and received his deed. Next morning he called in his brother Sam and some of the neighbors and very soon they had church. It was log house 16x24, with door on the sunny side and awindow about foot square behind the rude pulpit opposite. In stormy weather the only light came through the cracks. The roof was of "boards" rived from  the log, about four feet long and six inches wide. The hinges were of wood. The plank on which the Bible lay was smoothed. A few slab benches accom- modated the audience. Had chimney been built it would have passed for a tolerable schoolhouse or dwelling house.
 One of my first acts was to have two windows inserted in the walls and a stove procured. We had very lady like young woman, nearly white, as teacher, who was instant in season, out of season, and finally died as a result of exposure necessary to carry on her work. The church was organized with 16 mem bers, but has long ago outgrown it's old house.
 One of the leading members of the Pekin church was Alex (Ellick) Powell, strong man every way, who long ago decided to spend his life in improving his race. Leaving large family of chil- dren at home, he spent from one to three days in the week soliciting money and patronage and, after long struggle, succeeded in building a schoolhouse al Troy. A mortgage was given on it fo1 about $50. Powell's plans at one time seemed frustrated at the very moment of apparent victory, for he had begged all he could of every man he knew and the mortgage would soon be due. He heard that the Striely church was to be dedicated and that Dr Roy would preach the sermon. He was there to hear, rid ing 8 miles on horseback, and on hear ing the sermon decided to leave the white Baptist church, of which he, with few other colored men, was a member and to join the Congregational church. He wrote to Dr Striely of the American Missionary association and in due time the mortgage was paid. Our church was organized and school begun. The house was not ceiled and no way of warming it had been provided. When the weather grew cold fire was built ont of doors and the school was taught around it. As the winter came on it was judged best to go to the old school house, where by building huge fire and stufing the unglazed windows with oak boughs they kept warm. On my arrival chimney was built, stove pro- vided and we held church and school in our own house, which now belongs to the American Missionary association.
 For time I had the care of both churches. fl revival came to each. Most of the older scholars professed religion and after my ordination, which took place in Wilmington, N O., May ', 1882, had the pleasure of welcoming them into the churches.