The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Jennifer Dance -The Quill Staff
God richly blessed the morning of the 58th annual church service at South Henderson Church. It was the beginning of a beautiful day. The church is in a picturesque setting just northeast of Gladstone and is positively worthy of more than just one Sunday gathering a year.
In 1835, pioneers from Indiana established the congregation and in 1855 the building that stands today was built. Little did they know what a legacy they were starting.
Before the service began, Russell Liston introduced the Board of Directors. They were applauded for the hard-working preservation they have done.
Dr. Richard L. Johnson of the United Biggsville Presbyterian Church led the service and did a wonderful job. Vince Whiteman sang two beautiful solos. Mr. Whiteman's relatives were instrumental in the founding of the South Henderson Church. The congregation read a Prayer of Confession and sang several hymns. The children listened to Dr. Johnson's "Kid Talk" and an offering was taken for the care and maintenance of the church and its property.
Dr. Johnson gave a convicting and very inspirational sermon. He asked all of us to continuously remain focused on God.
He talked about the people who started the church in 1835 and how devoted they had been.
Coming from Indiana they had no idea what lay ahead of them, but because of a vision led by God they did not falter. They had faith. It is that simple.
Faith is what enabled the people to cross the Red Sea, to break down the walls of Jericho, to shut the mouths of lions.
Dr. Johnson reminded us that faith brings us closer to God, to know He can never be overcome. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the promise of things not seen.
He asked us to become familiar with Biblical people of faith; the prophets, saints, David, Samuel, Gideon... He also encouraged us to be full of praise, to always give thanks no matter what the circumstance, to remember the love Jesus so freely gives.
He invited us to live bravely in this changing world for this is the time for faith.
Our closing hymn was "He Leadeth Me." (Dr. Johnson informed us that at the time South Henderson church was built, this hymn wasn't even written!)
The last few lines were so stirring; "He leadeth me, He leadeth me, By His own hand He leadeth me: His faithful follower I would be, For by His hand He leadeth me."
Can you feel God's own hand leading you? Just have faith for, "Whatever I do, wherever I be, Still "tis God's hand that leadeth me!"
[EDITOR'S NOTE: According to Russell Liston's recent report on the church's history, South Henderson Church and its founding fathers were responsible for the first education in our county.
In 1829, the first group came from Indiana. and children were first taught in the log home of William R. Jamieson built a log home and taught . Then church services were held in a log barn for about three years.
Liston said in 1832 was the Blackhawk War. They had no minister at South Henderson only Circuit Riders. Presbytery in Peoria came after they were contacted and on July 4, 1835, with 59 members, a congregation was formed, 59 days to the date that the Declaration of Independence was signed, he said.
There were no roads, no church, and no cemetery. The first lady that died was Martha Jamieson and she was buried in a spot where they thought they wanted their cemetery (near the flag pole).
A granddaughter of Daniel Boone died in 1820 in her son's home and is buried at South Henderson. Her name is Elizabeth Robbin.
Liston said that Monmouth College was born in South Henderson Church. Last year, the college celebrated its 150th Anniversary by coming to South Henderson for a special service acting out some of the early conversation of that first meeting.
Rev. Robert Ross was the minister in 1852 and a 40' square framed building was used for 110 years (1835-1945) until the church could no longer financially keep going. Most of the congregation moved their membership to Biggsville, their sister church.
In the first 42 years, the church had 382 baptisms, took 725 into membership, and had 182 on their rolls at one time.
Since the first church was built in 1837, many congregations came about because due to the mission work of the South Henderson Church:
1840 the Cedar Creek Church,
1843 Ellison Church
1855 Smith Creek Church
1854-65 Oquawka Church
1859 Olena Church
Churches were started out of the area, Liston said, resulting in the spreading of the gospel as far as Nebraska.
There are many more interesting details Liston reported on at the July Henderson County Historical Society meeting.
Liston said out of the ten pastors who preached at South Henderson, only one is buried there.
Thirty civil war veterans are buried at South Henderson which Liston said is the reason the church later struggled in keeping open.
Liston says residents need to remember just what South Henderson Church has done to establish churches and educational facilities in our county as well as churches westward.
Liston is President of the Board that oversees South Henderson. The third Sunday in August each year, the board opens the church to the public for a church service.]