These lots were purchased December 3rd, 1846 from Joseph Benson for a consideration of thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents. The trustees of the church at that time were William G. Howell, Thomas Cox, James W. Stevenson, James Oglesby, William Chism, Robert T. Hopper and Joseph Erp. The Sweet Gum Logs from which the church was built were hauled by Thomas Watson and his brother Mathew Watson, with teams of oxen from the Crab Orchard bottoms. There young teamsters were the sons of Ehud and Susan Watson and were brothers of Mrs. Mary Ireland who lived in Marion. Her sister, Sarah, was converted while services were being held in the court house and Aunt Mary soon after the Old Sweet Gum Church was dedicated. The logs were hewn, fitted and “raised” by the male members of the church. This was a one story building, 20 x 35 feet.
There were only two Methodist churches in the County built before this church. The first was that of “Old Squat” Church built of logs in the year 1819. It stood about three-quarters of a mile a little southwest of the present “Union Grove” M. E. church, near Pittsburg in this county. This “Old Squat” Church was built by John Hendrickson, grandfather of William Hendrickson, present member of the building committee of the new church and one of the Trustees of the First M. E. Church of Marion his sons, Harry, Frederick, John, Horton K., Jesse, father of William Richmond and Albert Hendrickson, James Baker, great grandfather of William Hendrickson on his maternal side, his sons, William, Clark and Louis Baker, grandfather of William Hendrickson, Thos. Sanders, David Davis, Oliver Davis and Rev. James M. Fowler, father of the late Dr. J. M. Fowler, Crab Orchard, Illinois, and grandfather of Dr. L. L. Fowler, of Marion, who is a member of the present M. E. church of this city. These pioneers assisted by others in that locality. The remnants of this old church has but recently been burned.
The next Methodist church in the county was Zion Methodist church. It was erected in 1824 in what is now called Corinth Township, on the site where the present Methodist Parsonage now stands. I was built of hewn logs and stood for six years. In the year 1840 this Methodist congregation re-organized and elected Henry Yost, Alexander McCreery, James Oglesby, Francis Brown, Sion H. Mitchell, Wesley Yost and John R. Stewart, Trustees. These Trustees bought from John S. Roberts and Sarah T. Roberts, [his wife] the tract of land where the present church and parsonage of the M. E. church stands at Corinth and re-built with logs, same year of 1840.
The early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Marion, shows a small membership. Many active in the construction of the church were not members. Even members of the Trustees thereof were not always members of the church. In that early day the “Singing” School at the church house was a common thing, led by James Shaw.
Shortly after the congregation was established in the “Sweet Gum Church” the interest of the Presbyterian Church, an older organization in Marion, began to wane and the Methodist Church began to absorb the Presbyterian membership until the Presbyterians ceased to be a religious body at Marion.
The membership of the Methodist Church was not very strong. John Erp, William Chism and Jas. Shaw did most of the preaching until the Southern lllinois Conference was established in the year 1852. The conference that year sent Rev. James Hadley to Marion and he remained with the charge for one year. He was succeeded by Orson Kellogg in 1853 who preached here for one year. This gentleman was the first Methodist minister to have the distinction in occupying a parsonage which was built on the lot just north of “Sweet Gum Church.” Mr. Kellogg ceiled the house himself. It can be said that he was not lacking in moral courage.
Two incidents which occurred during his stay here, is used to illustrate his courage. Mr. Kellogg preached once a month at Fountain Church a few miles south of Marion, and in the spring of 1854 one Sunday morning during preaching services a party of fox hunters, men and boys, rode up dismounting at the rear of church, hitching their horse, they seated themselves on a large log nearby. Hardly had they become seated until they began to disturb the meeting on the inside. Finally the minister could stand it no longer, being greatly annoyed by their disrespectful behavior. He paused for a moment and the said, “Brethren and Sisters, I wish to warn you all that it is not safe to leave your smoke houses unlocked while such irresponsible persons as those on the outside of this house are in your midst.” The windows were open and the fox hunters heard the admonition that the minister made to the congregation, and which was intended that they should hear. They muttered a few threats against Brother Kellogg and rode away. A few days later the fox hunters sent a messenger on horseback to Marion with a note to the preacher telling him if he ever showed up again at Fountain Church that they would surely mob him. Rev. Kellogg dispatched an answer by the same messenger that he would be at Fountain Church at his regular time, and for their convenience, that he would not only be there, but would appear upon the ground two hours before the services for church and would meet them singly or collectively just as they desired, as he would come prepared for either event. Suffice to say not one of the cowardly gang showed up and Brother Kellogg suffered no further annoyance there.
The second incident occurred here in Marion that same year, only a few months later when John Hicks, a habitual drunkard, was convicted of vagrancy under the Vagrancy Act, and ordered sold to the highest bidder. This order was carried out and “Bone” Davis bought him for the sum of $50.00. This so wrought up Rev. Kellogg that he severely condemned the whole procedure in a sermon the next Sunday following the sale. This sermon did not set very well with some of the citizens here at that time, so they conspired against the minister. It was agreed among them that John Hicks [the man sold] should flog the preacher. So one morning they saw the minister upon the streets and John Hicks went out upon the Public Square to meet and whip him. Hicks was at a fever heat with rage and carried a large knife concealed in his leather apron [he being a blacksmith,] which was rolled up, hand and knife on the inside. S. S. Vick, a constable at that time stepped up and arrested Hicks. The minister admonished the constable not to arrest Hicks and if he persisted in doing him personal violence that he was plenty able to take care of himself. The preacher was a large portly man and an athlete, and although Hicks was armed with a knife, it is claimed that he never could have stood in front of Kellogg and been able to have used it. “Uncle” Sam S. Vick is credited with the foregoing narratives.
The next year, 1854, the Annual Conference sent Rev. Valentine D. Lingenfelter as pastor. Rev. Lingenfelter was a good preacher and considered a good man. In the fall of 1854, a meeting was held of the members of the M. E. Church in Marion, Williamson County, Illinois, November 29th for the purpose of electing Trustees over the property of said M. E. Church. Brother Ransom was called to the chair and Brother Hays was nominated and elected secretary, after which the following brothers were put in nomination and elected as Trustees for said property for the term of four [4] years, to-wit: Brother Wm. Chism, Brother Gabriel Sanders, Brother Thomas Cox, Brother S. S. Vick, Brother James Oglesby, after which the meeting proceeded to close, etc.
It seems that A. Ransom was pastor during part of the year that Brother Lingenfelter was here 1854-5. There seems to be a hitch at this time as to the history in regard to dates.
John C. Willoughby came to Marion as pastor in the year 1855. Rev. Willoughby was considered a devout man and an earnest minister. He remained upon this charge one year.
The Conference at its annual meeting in the autumn of 1856 sent Ruben W. Laughlin to Marion where he remained for one pastorate year. He was followed the next year by Micajah House, brother of our fellow townsman, C. H. House. This reverend gentleman was a very lovable pastor under whose guidance the church prospered spiritually to a marked degree. The next pastor was Rev. Thomas N. Johnson in 1861 and Orthaniel Bruner in 1862. Suffice to say this little congregation held its own during the pastoral administrations of these reverend gentlemen.
It was during this period that the war clouds of the Great Rebellion were hanging low and the distant roar of heavy artillery could plainly be heard at Marion, and public sentiment was almost equally divided as to the merits of the North and to that of the South. At this time preachers from the Southland came to Marion and introduced the doctrines of the Southern M. E. Church, among who were Jacob Ditzler and John Sanders. Meetings were held at the court house and finally a membership was formed, and late in ’62 or ’63 the Southern M. E. Church was organized. Some of the prominent members thereof were John Edwards, Sr., Math Edwards, Caroline Durham and S. S. Vick of who all were formerly members of the First M. E. Church at Marion.
SECOND CERTIFICATE OF TRUSTEES
This is to certify that an election held at the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of Marion, Williamson County, Illinois, on the 1st day of February 1863 for the purpose of electing seven Trustees for said church for the next ensuing three years. The following named persons were duly elected by the members of said church to-wit: William E. Hearn, Alexander H. Manier, Abram O. Weaver, William Hooper, Wiley W. Hall, John Goodall and James M. Goddard as the Trustees thereof.
Given under our hands and seals this 2nd day of February, A. D. 1865. S. P. Groves, Chm. W. E. Hearn, Clerk.
Rev. Henry Manifold, an honored member of the Southern Illinois Conference, was here two years, 1863-64, and gave faithful service. God called him to his great reward in the year 1900. He married Mary Wright Lafferty, June 16th, 1864, a woman of high ideals and of strong convictions. In her close adherence to the gospel rule of life, she was a crown to her husband, and an ornament to the church. She was a faithful wife and devoted mother. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” She was a sister to Mrs. F. M. Westbrook of this city.
The Trustees of the First M. E. Church bought Lot Two in Block One Benson’s Second Addition to Marion, Illinois where the present Methodist Episcopal Temple now is being erected, August 1, 1865 from Oliver G. Campbell and Sidney S. Campbell, his wife, in consideration for $300.00 to William E. Hearn, Alexander H. Manier, Abraham O. Weaver, William Hooper, Wiley W. Hall, John Goodall and James M. Goddard Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of Marion Society for the M. E. Church was held at the court house on the 7th day of June, A. D. 1866. Members present: S.P. Groves, P. C. in the chair, William Hooper, John Goodall, Wiley W. Hall. The object of the meeting being stated by the chair to fill the vacancies in the Board occasioned by the removal of A. H. Manier and J. M. Goddard, who united with M.E. Church South, and the death of O. A. Weaver. On motion W. N. Mitchell, F. M. Westbrook and John L. Roberts were elected to fill said vacancies. On motion W. N. Mitchell was elected Treasurer of the Board. On motion the Board adjourned. S. P. Groves, P. C.
Simon P. Groves came up on this charge in 1864-5. He was universally liked. It was during his time here that the membership began considering for a new church as the “Old Sweet Gum” had served its days of usefulness, and when Ruben W. Laughlin came to us again in 1866 the present site of the First M. E. Church had been purchased and a new brick church was then erected and dedicated. The brick was burned by Basil Holland and Henry Gray. It was built by Basil Holland in 1866. It was a one room and one story building 35 x 70 feet. The entire cost of the building approximately was $5000. Dr. Robery Allyn, President of McKendree College dedicated the church late in the month of October or early in November, 1866. It may be said that Dr. Allyn was later President of the Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale. He served in that capacity until a short time before his death in 1894.
On the 23rd day of March A. D. 1868, the Trustees of the M. E. Church, W. N. Mitchell, John Goodall, William Hooper, F. M. Westbrook, N. B. Calvert, G. W. LaMaster and B. F. Pease, sold to J. D. F. Jennings, Lots One and Two of Block One in Joseph W. Benson’s Addition to Marion for the consideration of $600. The above described property is where the Old Sweet Gum Church stood. Ruben W. Laughlin still lives, but superannuated in 1885. He is a devout man of God, an earnest worker for the salvation of men and loved by all who know him well.
William VanCleve came to Marion as minister in 1867 and remained two years. He was a good Christian gentleman and a good preacher. He died in 1899.
In 1869, Rev. W. S. C. Walker came and presided over the church as its Pastor for the period of three years. It can be said that Rev. Walker was an able preacher and did great work for the church during his stay at Marion. Walker was a thorough Christian gentleman and a man that could be counted as your friend always. He was not only loved by the laity of the church, but by the entire citizenship of the town. He died as it were, “on the firing line,” one Sunday morning in 1873, while preaching he dropped dead in the pulpit, at McLeansboro, Illinois.
THIRD CERTIFICATE OF TRUSTEES
Be it remembered that on Saturday the 24th day of June, a. D. 1871, the following named persons were duly appointed Trustees for the M. E. Church at Marion, Illinois for the management and control of the certain lot of ground in said County and in the Town of Marion, known as the “Parsonage,” for said M. E. Church, to-wit: F. M. Grimes, J. M. Edwards, Samuel O’Neal, S. M. Mitchell and William Hendrickson, for one year or until their successors were duly appointed and qualified. F. M. Grimes, Chm.
Christopher Houts was sent to this charge in 1872. He did good work the year that he was in Marion and died in 1881.
In 1873 C. E. Cline was pastor here for two years. He was an able man and very energetic. He did a great deal to uplift the church. Rev. William F. Brown assisted Rev. Cline during the year of 1874 and 1875, the work being too heavy for one preacher. There were several churches and the pastor here was also pastor for them. Among others were Spring Grove, Union Grove, Pleasant Grove, Liberty and Zion.
Rev. Perry Wilkin came to us in 1875 and remained one year.
Rev. T. J. Davis was pastor in 1876 and 1867. He was a good preacher and able financier and earnest church worker. The Conference sent Rev. A. Ransom on the work in 1878. He was up to the average as a preacher and a Christian gentleman. He left this Conference in 1890 and died in Montana a few years later.
Rev. G. W. Scawthon came to this charge in 1880. He was an able preacher, a good man and did a great deal of good toward the up-building of the church. His ministry heer was two years in duration.
Rev. John M. Laird was appointed Pastor for this church in 1882 and remained on this work for two years. He was an able, earnest and most devout Pastor.
Rev. Hiram A. Doty was sent here in 1884 and preached to us for three years. He was a very earnest worker for the uplift of the church. He later served as district Superintendent of Central Oklahoma, stationed at Oklahoma City.
In 1887 Rev. N. Bascom came as minister to our church and remained for three years. He was a fine preacher, a good Pastor and an earnest worker.
Rev. James W. Britton was elected to this work in 1890 and continued for one year. He did good work while here. He was a good pastor and sincere Christian worker.
Rev. U. G. Johnson came to us as pastor in 1891 and remained two years. He was a most excellent preacher and an earnest worker. It was during his ministry that the Brick Church fell down, and it was upon him the burden fell to devise ways and means to erect a suitable building in its stead.
In the spring of 1893 the new frame church was commenced. The Trustees selected Ref. U. G. Johnson, Pastor, F. M. Westbrook, J. B. Bainbridge, Mrs. Zura Aikman, James M. Campbell and J. C. Jackson, Building Committee. This Committee let the contract to James Gill of this city and deserves special mention for their faithful services in seeing after same. The church was not entirely completed until 1895 on account of the financial difficulties, but was enclosed so that public worship could be held therein from the autumn of 1893. The entire cost of the church is estimated at $6000.00.
Rev. J. D. Crenshaw came to us in the autumn of 1893, and preached here for a period of two years. He was a good pastor, an average preacher, and a very devout man. He was sent to Makanda from here and it was while there serving his second year that he accidentally shot himself while getting ready for a hunt which proved fatal.
The next minister to come as pastor for our church was Rev. W. A. Cross in 1895. He remained upon this charge for a period of three years. It was during a part of his first year that, through his leadership the church was finished and in June 1896 the same was dedicated by Bishop Thomas Bowman. It is not out of place to mention here that on that day the Bishop christened Lillian, the little daughter of Mr. And Mrs. William Westbrook, she also being the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Bainbridge. Miss Lillian has grown to be a young lady and is quite a favorite in social circles. Rev. Cross was a good minister in almost every respect. It was due to his financial ability that the church was lifted out of its indebtedness.
Rev. John H. Ford served here as minister from 1898 to and including 1900, three years. Enough could not be said praising this good man and minister of the gospel. He was universally loved. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, revivals was held by him here, that ever was held up to that time, in the history of this church. Over one hundred conversions were some of the results thereof. Rev. Ford is still in the ministry, stationed now at Robinson, Illinois.
Rev. O. H. Clark was pastor here from 1901 to 1902, one year. Rev. Clark was an able, scholarly man; a fine preacher and a loving pastor.
Rev. A. J. Littell was pastor here in 1902-3, one year. He was so modest and unassuming that none but his most intimate friends understood the nobility of his character. His deep religious conviction led him to sacrifice an extensive and prosperous business as druggist and a lucrative practice as a physician for the profession of the ministry. Rev. Littell died at Mound City, Illinois, February 10, 1906 in his third pastorate year at that place.
Rev. Fred. L. Thompson came to us in the autumn of 1903 and remained as our pastor for seven years. “Brother Thompson” as he was lovingly called by everyone and was considered a great preacher. He has left many admirers in our midst. The fact that he served longer as pastor in Marion than any of his predecessors, speaks volumes in esteem, the church held for him. With the assistance of Evangelist P. C. Carlin, he held two great revivals in the years 1907-8. There were over two hundred conversions as a result of these two revivals. A major portion of these conversions were added to our church membership. Dr. Thompson was an excellent church financier. His annual reports on church benevolences nearly always excelled that of other ministers of the same opportunities and church standing. His untiring efforts in building up the church will never be forgotten by the membership here.
The annual Conference in 1910, in its wisdom saw fit to send to us Rev. J. H. Davis. Some difficulties had to be met. Many thought that Dr. Thompson’s place could never be filled, as he had almost become a fixture with us. Rev. Davis, with courage met every obstacle and by his patient and kindly manner overcame them all. Never has a pastor labored so hard and effectually with church people than has Brother Davis. He begun to preach revival sermons from the start and by January 1st, 1911, the church was revived to a great degree. Then there opened one of the greatest revivals that ever took place throughout Southern Illinois. The church was crowded each evening long before the regular hour for services. Hundreds were turned away nightly although other revivals were in progress in the city; Rev. Davis did the preaching throughout the entire series with possibly one or two sermons excepted. The meeting continued for six weeks and closed with over two hundred conversions; of that number about one hundred and seventy-five were added to the church. The members at the close presented him with $100.00 in gold to show that they appreciated his noble efforts in their behalf.
It was at this revival that the membership saw the inadequacy of their church building, and that it was necessary to enlarge their quarters or retrograde, so there was nothing else to do but build a new church. The official Board and Trustees were called together to discuss the matter and several meetings were held but finally on March 7, 1911 at a meeting of the Official Board of the church, it was moved by A. C. Hentz and seconded by Mark Woodley that we build a new church. The motion carried unanimously A. B. McLaren, William Hendrickson, D. T. Hartwell, E. B. Jackson, and William Caplinger were chosen Building Committee. Rev. J. H. Davis, Dr. W. P. Moore, Dr. M. W. Ballance, Capt. Chas. A. Brown, L. C. Cambell, Ralph M. Jones, Mark Woodley, and A. C. Hentz were selected as Finance Committee.
Spencer & Temple, of Champaign, Illinois, were chosen Architects for the building. The Temple plan was adopted. The contract was awarded to L. M. Moore & Son, Danville, Illinois. The total cost of construction was $40,000.
The Corner Stone of this Temple Building was laid at two o’clock P.M., Tuesday, August 22nd A. D. 1911. Rev. John H. Davis, Pastor and Rev. J. A. Taylor, District Superintendent. The Address of the day was given by Rev. J. W. Cummins, D. D., East St. Louis, Illinois.”
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Wm. Hendrickson, Chairman; J.M, Campbell; J.P Copeland; C.H. House; A.C. Hentz; W.P. Moore; A.Q. Mitchell; H.H. Copher; L.C. Campbell
Trusting this Historical Sketch will be to the edification of the church and its posterity, the author kindly makes this adieu. A.C. Hentz”——Article written by A.C. Hentz, ca 1912, edited only for clarity
The church has continued to expand since this article was written shortly after the time of the temple building in 1911 by Mr. Hentz. A large addition was made to the church on the east side in 1955 creating extended office, classroom and kitchen space. The original stone building has also undergone remodeling.
The current pastor in 2013 is Rev. Jeff Van Dyke who came to the Marion church in February 2012.
(Data supplied by the M.E. church if the form of an article written by A.C. Hentz ca 1912, photos from Mike Ward Collection, Williamson County Historical Society and current photos by Sam Lattuca)