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Wayne County Churches

Wayne County Churches

Trinity Methodist Church in Elm River Township.

The History of the Trinity Methodist Church in Elm River Township, Wayne County, Illinois.

After settlement of a new community and homes have been established, the next is a school and place of worship. In 1884 several leading families felt the need for the betterment of themselves and their children, of a local school. They got together and built Johnson School. It was used for a number of years as both a school and a house of worship. 
   James Padgett was the first Sunday school teacher of the Bible class. The total attendance was 47. Later in the year a minister, Brother Reeder, a circuit rider from Kentucky, held an important revival, at which time attendance and membership increased. On June 25, 1884 the first Childrens Day program was given.

In 1885 - a Mr. Atteberry was Superintendent of the Sunday school. Joe Ray and Wm. McCormick, officers. John Sandlin, secretary; O. S. Brown was teacher of the men's class; A. R. Johnson and L. Johnson; S. W. Trotter and Jasper Trotter; W. B. Mann and Henry West were leaders in the Sunday school.
   In 1886 - S. W. Trotter was secretary.
   In 1887 - Curtis Johnson was secretary. The new Trinity Church was organized and a building program was undertaken. There were 67 present. O. S. Brown and Jane Brown were officers and Wm. McCracken was secretary of Sunday school.
   In 1889 - Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church and Sunday school opened. A subscription had been taken to build the new building of $771.91. S. W. Trotter was secretary and Rev. McIntosh was minister.
   O. S. Seymour Brown teacher of the men's class.
   H. B. Mann teacher of the second male class.
   Sarah Mann teacher of the women's class.
   Maggie Mann teacher of the children's class.
   In 1890 - Jasper Trotter was teacher of the female class. Henry Bradly was teacher of the men's class. H. B. Mann teacher of the second male class. Lucy McCracken was teacher of the children's class. At the quarterly meeting conducted by Elder Powers, who also gave the Sunday school lesson, there were 46 in attendance. On Nov. 23 there was no Sunday school at Trinity, everyone attended the dedication of Shilo Sunday school opening, 1890.
   In 1891 - Rev. J. J. Boyer was pastor and gave the prayer at the February 8th Sunday school. A. R. Johnson was superintendent; S. W. Trotter was secretary. This was the first record of number of scholars by age group. Adults, children 9 to 15 and those under 9 years of age.
   In 1892 - Wm. McCracken was superintendent; George L. Frazier was secretary and L. E. Frazier assistant secretary.
   In 1893-94 - L. (Lou) Frazier was superintendent; Wm. McCracken was assistant superintendent; S. W. Trotter secretary and Henry Bradly was librarian. From 17 to 41 in attendance. Henry Bradly taught the adult class; H. B. Mann the female class. The preacher was Bro. Linkenfeldter from the Clay City, circuit.
   In 1895-1896 - Wm. McCracken was superintendent; A. G. Shackelford secretary and Mary Vorce, wife of Ed Vorce taught the infant class. On April 5, the collection was sixteen cents. Prayer was by Brother S. W. Trotter. On June 28, they had a penny march collection and received eight cents.
   In 1897-1898 - Rosa Mann was secretary, Mary and Effie Frazier were teachers. Preacher was Brother Patterson.
   In 1899 - January 1 balance in the treasure was 26 cents, Henry Bradly was superintendent.
   In 1902-05 - Teachers were Mable Hubble; Mrs. Wm. McCracken; Mrs. Lizzie Gill; Lovella Fitch; Mrs. Henry Bradly and Agnes Perry was organist. The collection ranged from 2 to 22 cents. On September 14 a penny march was held for the Sunday school association, 75 cents was collected. Wm. McCracken superintendent,; Nellie Mann secretary. Brother Barth was present and gave the lesson. Attendance was up to 39.
   In 1905-10 - Brother Wildman was pastor and taught the No. 2 male class. Maude Johnson was secretary; Wm. McCracken was superintendent. In 1910 Wm. Ray was secretary. On May 15, 45 were present and the collection was 30 cents.
   In 1911-14 - Della Gill; Nora Sandlin; Flossie McCracken and Goodell superintendent and superintendent pro tem. The hightest attendance was 53 and the highest collection was 30 cents.
   If there were records kept after 1914, they were not with the others used above. The Sunday school and church were not active all the time up to 1950. During the depression of the 1930's there was some attendance and revivals were held. One I remember was by Brother Maxfield from the Mt. Erie circuit, about 1920.
   Electricity was installed by Creed Perry and Estel Shackelford in 1948. 
   In 1954 Trinity left the Mt. Erie change, L. B. Howard was the minister.
   In 1967 trustees were Dorothy McCracken, Wanetta Pitman and Robert Hill.
   Soon after this, no more services were held, the old families and old timers were either gone or attending elsewhere. Soon the church began to deteriorate, ground hogs undermined the floor, windows were broken and the roof leaked. Pews, lecturn and organ had been removed, as well as all records.
   Trinity has gone the route of most country churches. In its day it served the spiritual needs of the community. Today it is another deserted farm community church.

The picture and history of the church was gave to me by Bettie Wheat to put on our website.

Submitted by Betty Beeson
2011

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FADED INTO THE MISTS OF TIME