Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-11-16

VI 15eI flEipsNstPtl rendered several
selections which we're greatly appre-
ciated,
Some Early "reminiscences.
Mrs. Ellen c. Bromley's early RENT
niscences in the history Of the church
contain many things that are real his
tory and so interestingly has she put
them together that her paper is here
given In full.
THE First Presbyterian church Is
endeared TO me by many recoIlections
iof my childhood days. Ny parents,
Elihu Turner and Ann Tracy, were
married in this city by its first pastor,
Rev. Michael Hummer. Oct. Is, 1898
He recorded the record of the marriage
in our family bible, which l still have.
My parents owned lot and building
directly opposite where the first church
was built, on Second avenue between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. a
little west Of the present location of
ST. Josepb's church. In 1910 he built
a new house and moved the one which
had served as dwelling and shoe shop
two blocks east This building is still
standing and occupied as a dwelling
on Tenth street
THE First Presbyterian church, then
| known as the old school. was organ
lied on Monday Nov q. 1887 in the
old Rock Island house It was called
the First Presbyterian church of
Stephenson. This was formerly the
name of the city Of Rock Island. The
church was organized by Rev. John
Montgomery and Ithamer Pillsbury
with ten members: William Dickson,
Alexander c. Donaldson, Ann NJ. Con-
way, Mary Donaldson. Phoebe 4. Don
aldson. Marion c, Dickson. A. +. Rus
sell. David NJ Dickson. Benjamin Nc
Kay and Sarah Mckay As stated be-
! fore Michael Hammer was the first
/ pastor, serving from June, 1887, to
January, 184I At this time the con
gregation worshipped in q little one
story frame school house located al
what is now Third avenue and Thir-
tenth street. The establishment OF
this church was largely due to the eff
forts Of Mr. and Mrs n b. Buford, Ny
mother said Mrs, Buford had secured
the services of a minister from the
east. who was on his way west. Mrs
Buford personally called on the few
/ business men we then had in our town
and asked them to go and hear the
minister. Her manner was so pleas
ling and her reasons that the commun-
ity would be benefited by the church
were so convincing that nearly every
one In the town was present on that
occasion Rock Island was early set
tied by the people from the east and
south Nearly all of these have passed
to the beyond. and most of their chill
dren have followed them or moved tc
other cities. attended Sabbath school
in the basement of the church. also day
school.
New Era for Church.
THE calling of Rev. Samuel Clelanc
to the pa storate in 1874 marked a new
era in tn history Of the church Fol-
several years previous 10 this the
church services were sometimes hello
in private residences. Now a property
was secured and the first building, g
small brick structure, was erected II
t84S at the corner of what is now Sec
ond avenue and Fourteenth street. II
ten years the congregation felt Tbs
need of new church and in 1857 th'
new building. costing $22. 900, was dedi
Gated to the service of God. This il
the building which is now used as {
place of worship by the congregation @
ST Joseph's church. The last pastorat'
0f this church was that Of Rev H. 4
Newell. which lasted until 1870. wheI
the old and new school churches
united.
The Second Presbyterian church, o
the new school, had been organized
in the old court house in 1S4S. TIT
seven charter members were Marcus
B. Osborn s. Gaghagen. Nichola
Lynch. Mrs. Della Purdy, Eliza A. W
Osborn. Mrs. Lydia E. Mccoy and Mrs
:
at once secured property on Secont
lavenue where the Browns Bushes
college now stands. for the sum of $3.50
In 1855 the brick structure, the oil
, Central Presbyterian church. which W
left on Oct. 25. 1908. TO worship il
! Bethel chapel, was erected.
When the two congregations united
. the church on the corner of Secon
, avenue and Fourteenth street was sol
and both congregations united an
worshipped in the old Central church
| as those of you now living remember
THE first board of trustees Of thi
united congregation were J. NJ. Buford
, z. A. Smith, c. L. Bascom, Mylo Lee
t DR.. ]. W. Stewart, Judge Peasants, +
r. Cable and DR. Calvin Truesdale. Il
: 1875 number Of the members with
drew and organized the Broadwa