Church celebrates 175 years

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By DEBBIE BEHRENDS

MILLINGTON — If the walls that make up the Millington United Methodist Church could talk, they would tell stories of more than just that small community. “We’d be here listening with our mouths hanging open,” said church member Irene Brown. According to members planning for the church’s 175th anniversary later this month, the church and its social center were built with materials from other churches in the area. The pews came from a closed church in Newark, the stained glass windows from a Sandwich church and the building materials for the social center from a Lisbon Center church. “It was taken apart board by board and reassembled here,” said committee member Janet Blue. The social center was constructed in 1933. Even the missions bucket — that resembles a small barrel with a handle — that’s passed each Sunday was found in the belfry of the church. Committee members believe it was used to hold the grease that kept the bell operating smoothly. These facts and more have been put into the “History of the Millington Methodist Church and Community — 175 Years from 1833-2008,” a book recently updated and published by the committee. Members said the church had a great historian responsible for compiling the church’s story at other milestone anniversaries; they just added to it.

Started by circuit riders This area, then part of LaSalle County, was one of the first to be settled. Abraham Holderman, first permanent resident of Big Grove township, came in 1830 to make his home in Holderman’s Grove, not far south of Millington. George Hollenback, Ezra Ackley and William Harris had pioneered in Hollenback’s Grove, to the southeast, and the ill-fated Indian Creek settlement was not far away to the west, according to the church’s history book. After the Blackhawk War in 1832, many immigrants came from the eastern and southern states, and with them came the circuit riders. These were preachers who traveled a regular circuit, usually on horseback. They depended on the settlers for physical comforts, such as board, lodging and sometimes even clothes, giving spiritual comfort in return. Their visits were eagerly awaited and were occasions for great fellowship meetings which were often turned into weekend camp meetings by the lonely settlers. Elder Jesse Walker is credited with bringing Methodism to this section of Illinois. Another pioneer of Methodism was Jepthah Brainard. A third man whose name appears as the first preacher in most of the Methodist churches for miles around was William Royal. These men are credited with starting the Methodist church in 1833. The history book is for sale at the church and will be available at the 175th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Oct. 26

Celebration plans under way The events of the day start with worship service, led by Rev. Kirk C. Scott. The service will be followed by a meal and social time. At 1:30 p.m., attendees will visit the recently-renovated chapel in the Millington-Newark Cemetery to enjoy an old-time hymn sing and remembrances. Visitors can also enjoy a cemetery walk honoring early church pastors and church leaders. The cemetery itself dates to 1835, as shown on the wrought-iron arch spanning the entrance. “There are a number of Civil War veterans buried there,” said committee member Van Mathre. The chapel, just inside the cemetery entrance, had fallen into serious disrepair before the congregation decided to renovate. It was built in 1888 at a cost of $750. Funerals are being conducted in the chapel again since the renovation. Even the smallest fixtures and details are historically accurate, right down to the window latches, Brown pointed out. “It was a historic building that we just couldn’t vote to tear down,” Brown said.

Good memories created Longtime member Gladys Vikrey, 90, has attended the church “for as long as I can remember,” she said. “When I first started going there, there was no social center. Just the church with an outhouse.” One of 13 children, she was born and raised in Millington and joined the church when she was about 12 or 14. “My mother saw to it that every one of us was baptized, and she sent us to Sunday school as soon as we were old enough.” Vikrey, who lives only about a block and a half from the church, said she’s always liked going to church. She said when she talks on the phone with her brother Glen Johnson of Plano, they still reminisce about Sunday school. “He and his wife play the guitar and he still likes to come to church here once in a while,” she said. “There’s a lot of good memories there.”

Raising funds Like all churches, the Millington congregation hosts a variety of fundraisers, suppers and other social events during the year. Members are organizing a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the church on the corner of Orleans and Walnut streets. Donations of clean items in good condition may be dropped off from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 through Thursday, Oct. 16. Computers will not be accepted. Lunch will be served both days of the sale. For information on the rummage sale or the anniversary celebration, call 815-695-5656, 815-695-5384 or 815-695-5724.