May 16, 1854, the Rev. John Turbit, Robert Faris and William
P. Carson, members of a committee appointed by the Presbytery of
Peoria to organize a church in Whitefield Township, met
agreeably in a school house one and three-fourth miles noth-west
of Hosic's farm. A sermon was preached, after which the
organization of Mansfield Church was effected.
June 1, 1855, a public sessions was held, at which a number
joined by card and certificate, materially strengthening the
organization.
The organization continued to hold services at the different
school houses in the vicinity as circumstances permitted,
running along smoothly enough until in March, 1857, when a
business meeting was held to devise measures for the erection of
a house of worship. At this meeting considerable ill-feeling was
developed, chiefly upon the question of location. A prominent
member, and one who by reason of his wealth and position was
expected to contribute liberally to the enterprise, was
consulted, but his preferences as to location were ignored by
the majority, whereupon he became exceeding wroth, expressing
himself with much greater force than elegance. In fact, to fully
ventilate his feelings and express his contempt, he found it
necessary to employ numerous "cuss words," consigning the
unreasonable majority to a mythical locality more noted for
warmth than piety.
For this little breach of decorum he was promptly suspended.
Notwithstanding his defection, however, and the ill-feeling
engendered in consequence, the church edifice was finally built,
the site being upon land donated by W. H. Brassfield. It is of
brick, about 40x70 feet, is a neat and comfortable structure,
and cost about $2,000. It was dedicated November 21, 1858, by
Rev. R P. Faris, of Peoria.
The leading ministers since have been Rev. T. T. Smith, first
stated preacher, Rev. William B. Faris, James Fleming and J. S.
McClung.
Near the Church is a cemetery, which contains the remains of a
number of the early members and their children, but as the
location is not a good one the people of late years have
preferred to bury their dead elsewhere.
The first Sabbath School was established September 1, 1867. It
is well conducted and largely attended by the youth of the
neighborhood.
Extracted 23 Feb 2014 from Records of the Olden Time
| Bureau Putnam La Salle | |||
| Stark |
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| Peoria | Woodford | ||
