Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-24

I to the pastorate (January, 1874, to No
vember, 1S47) marked a new era in
the church A property was secured
at the corner of what is now Second
avenue and Fourteenth street, and the
| first building, a small brick structure,
was erected in 1916 on the lot where
now stands the rectory of ST. Joseph's
Catholic church. 1t was 34x50 feet, and
subscriptions were taken for a little
more than $1,000, and one of the pres
ent members, John Cleland, helped to
build the church Two pastorates fol
lowed, marked by regular work and
gradual growth. They were as fol
| lows:
Rev. E. w Larkin, August. 1S4S, to
August, 1853.
Rev. p F. Montfort, August, 1853, to
September, 1854.
In 10 years the congregation felt the
need Of a new building, and Samuel T.
Wilson. the pastor (September, 1854,
to Nov. 10, 1869, when the second
building, a large and beautiful struc-
ture, was erected of brick and stone on
the corner of Second avenue and Four
teenth street, beside the first small
brick building. This building, remod-
eled, is the present st. Joseph's Roman
Catholic church, and was dedicated in
1857 at a cost of 1922 900. The last
pastorate of this church was that of
Rev H. A. Newell april, 1869, TO May,
1870. when the "old" and new school
churches united.
The Second Presbyterian church,
known as the new school church" of
Knox presbytery, was organized June
Z, 1S4S, in the county court house by
Revs. A Kent of GaIesburg and S. W.
Blanchard, members of Knox presby-
terry. There were seven charter mem
bers: Marcus B. Osborn, Samuel Gag
hagen, Nicholas Lynch, Mrs. Della
Purdy, Eliza A w. Osborn, Mrs. Lydia
E. Mccoy. and Mrs. Sarah R. Corder.
The first two named were the first
elders of the church. The congrega-
ton at once secured property on Sec
ond avenue between Fourteenth and
Fifteenth streets, SOx150 feet, for $3.50,
but held their services in the court
house. The first minister to supply the
church was Rev James Hildreth of
to October, 1S49, # was also supplied
by Rev. Israel f. Drunell. During the
year 1S49 plans were secured for the
first building, which was a frame struc-
ture only 20x40 feet. Before the church
was complete a call was extended to
Rev. z. D. Holt, Oct 20, 1S49. and the
next month, November, 1S49, the build
ing was dedicated. Rev. Mr. Holt be-
gan his Iabors under the patronage of
the Home Missionary society of the
Galena presbytery, and was installed
in May, 1850, and served until April,
1852. March, 1853, the building was
enlarged 16 feet TO the north at a cost
of $3.50
Rev H. H. Hays was the next pastor,
and it was during his pastorate G853
to 1850 that the second building was
erected. June z, 1855, the corner stone
Of this building of brick was laid on
the spot where the former building had
been constructed only five and a half
years before. This building stood in
tact until April 1, 1910.
In 1870, when Rev. H. A. Newell was
pastor of the first, or 'old school,
church, and Rev e. l.. Burnett was
pastor of the second, or new school
church, conferences were held consid-
ering the union of the two churches in
harmony with the union of the two
general assemblies The Sunday
schools had already united. Finally in
May, 1870, basis of union was agreed
upon and joint conference of the SEES
sions and congregations voted to ask
the approval of joint meeting of the
two presbyteries of Bureau and Knox
called in the Second church of Rock
Island May 81, 1870. Following is the
union compact:
THE pastors and trustees OF said
churches shall resign their Offices. The
elders of each church now acting shall
together be the elders of the united
church each church TO elect two dea-
cons from among their number to be
the board of deacons of the united
church. After the union a board of
trustees Of eight members is to be
elected in the usual manner, and the
united church shall be known as the
Presbyterian church in the city of
Rock Island until another church of the
same faith and order shall be organ
ICED Rev. II. A. Newell OF the former