Celebrated Century Mark on Sunday
August 13th __Large Crowd in Attendance
by D. H. Barnhill

(Copied from Vienna Times dated, Aug. 24, 1933 )

This sketch was read at the Centennial service held in the Reynoldsburg church on Sunday, August 13. Large crowd, fine singing and inspiring addresses were features.
The name of the Century-old church mentioned in the title of this short sketch came from the little village of Reynoldsburg and which in turn had received its name from the leading business man in the village, the honorable Wesley Reynolds, and who did a big business for many years as well as being the first Postmaster in the town. Previous to the day when the village and post office took on the name of "Reynoldsburg" in about 1860, it had been called "Cross Roads" which was the original name of the church from its organization. The church went by its title until about 1865 when same was changed to that of the village's new name "Reynoldsburg." The first name applied to the church was appropriate because of it being located at the crossing of two noted highways, the old Ft. Massac - Kaskaskia trail (opened first some two hundred and twenty-five years ago.) and the Vienna - Shawneetown road long used as a mail route during the fifties, sixties and early seventies. The old church antedated the village several years and is still filling its mission long after the commercial life of the village was absorbed by other towns and villages along the railroad.

It would be impossible to compute the great value the church provided in the early life of a pioneer community and subsequently, but those sturdy old settlers who came to the middle west as a rule recognized its influence and effect and were not long in organizing in that line. Reynoldsburg church was established in line with that process of calculation by men and women of faith and profound conviction in the need and worthiness of its mission through oncoming years. Many of the early communicants of this old church had learned the big part the organized church played in their old home communities back east and what could be more substantial and religious effect than a church organization in the newer section?

The Reynoldsburg church formerly "Cross Roads" the location which is two and one half miles southwest of Ozark, about five miles south of New Burnside, and some three miles east of Tunnel Hill, all in Johnson County, Illinois, was organized early in the year 1833. The organization taking place in the newly built log cabin home of William Harper which was about one mile north west of the present site of the church and stood on the west side of and facing the Ft. Massac - Kaskaskia trail (road). This log house was about sixteen by twenty feet in length and width and eight feet high (to the plates) and for several years without overhead ceiling. The first roof consisted of three or four coarse riven oak boards on each side and which furnished the covering for some thirty or thirty-five years. The first chimney which was at the north end was of the primitive variety stick, and clay, and was improved in later years. The dependence for window was a lone opening two by three feet in dimension and which for some years had no panes in it. A hinged shutter was attached which could be open and closed at will. At first no porch nor rear kitchen were provided but in latter years the structure was improved to take in both. The one goodly sized room was an all purposed one as the cooking, eating, sleeping, and entertaining, took place therein for many years. This typical log-cabin residence served its purpose as a dwelling about sixty years when its badly dilapidated condition forced its raising about 1893.
A further mention of its location may be added it was about one quarter of a mile southeast of the present home of James Lemons on route 45. The Lemons home was formerly owned and occupied for many years by William (Deen) Harper, son of William Harper in whose house the church was organized. It was in this little old-fashioned log cabin erected in the dense woodlands with very sparse settlement round about that a few of the faithful settlers united in entering into their solemn congregational compact that resulted in listing a new class on the roll of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The writer is happily fortunate in being able to herewith supply the list of members making up the first class roll of this now historic old church. Their names follow: Rev. James Harper and wife, Rhoda, William Harper and wife, Phoebe, James Sloan and wife, Nancy, Samuel Thornton and wife, Nancy, Minerva Whitaker, Alexander Murphy, Johnathan Tice, Samuel Oliver, Miss Cynthia Simpson -Kuykendall, and perhaps a few others. We are not prepared to say if Rev. James Harper (brother to the William in whose home the church was organized) presided over the meeting or some other minister. It is thought that he did. All these parties were of the best of rugged courageous pioneer church people and all down the years of their earthly career they continued to wield a wholesome influence in chartering and maintaining the best moral and religious courses. Most of them were soon or later parents of large and respectable families many of whom to this late day are found in the front ranks of Christian citizens and endeavoring to uphold the cause of righteousness, civility and good government in their home or in localities remote from the homeland.

A sketch of the Reynoldsburg church would be far from complete without special reference to the large family of Harpers. They were the main leaders in its chartering and through the entire century of its existence some one or more of this family held prominent places on the official board managing the affairs of same. It was early in 1833 that William and James Harper made their settlement in Johnson County and the latter being a Methodist minister they were not long in discovering the possibility of organizing a church and finding others quite of the same mind the organization was affected in the manner and place above described.

William Harper (1) married a lady by the name of Morris. Their children were: Goves, James, William and "Dean," The first two children married and removed from the country. William married Fannie Kuykendall, half-sister to the Hon. A. J. Kuykendall, who was Johnson county's most prominent citizens and office-holders for many years and husband of Cynthia Simpson mentioned above. The following children were born to this couple: James, Joseph W., George P., Sarah, Rosa, Lydia and Mary Alice.

James G.(Harper) married Huldah Belle Pittman and their children: Harry, William, Elizabeth, (wife of S. J. Choate) and Charles.

Joseph W.( Harper) married Rachel Casey and their children are: George, John L., James Lee, Guy and Frank.

George P.( Harper) married Rebecca Russell and their children are: Fannie, Orlin, and Herschel.

Sarah (Harper) married the Rev. W. R. Hammons ( M. E. minister). Their son is the Rev. George S. Hammons at present pastor of the Vienna M. E. church.

Rosa ( Harper) married Wesley Jobe, and after many years of faithful service in the church moved out of state.

Lydia (Harper) married Ira Covert and a daughter, Ollie was born to them.
Mary Alice (Harper) married Joe Hammons and had several children.
Most of the descendants of the William Dean Harper family have resided near the home community and have thereby been in a position to exert a strong influence in its continued usefulness. Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and still great-great grandchildren whose names are not named in this article are cast all about the home vicinity and nearby environs, Rev. James Harper was married to Rhoda Perkins ( nee Jackson) widowed mother of the Hon. William Perkins, a noted Captain of the Civil War and owner of the Perkins' house (Hotel) in Vienna for many years. Their children were Anna, Sally, Jessie, Polly, Cynthia and Rhoda. Space forbids further tracing this branch of the family only to say that Anna married a Charles Burnett, Sally married John Ragain. This family resided within a few rods of the present church building for a long time. Jesse married Elizabeth Hicks, and Polly married Richard Oliver.

George Perry, son of uncle "Dean" has been a faithful supporter of the church in many ways for many years now resides near Pittsburg and is a true Christian citizen at all times. His good Christian mother, who passed away years ago was known as a most powerful revival worker, full of faith and strong in public prayer. Hardened sinners could not well stand against her heartful praying. She not only raised a large number of children of her own but took others, orphans, into her home and gave them the motherly care that only a Christian she was could supply.
Since the organization of the century-old church there have been three houses of worship erected.
The first was of the typical log church building quite common for the early part of the nineteenth century up and down the frontier of the midwest. It was the only kind that might well have been expected.
There was plenty of all sized trees and plenty of axes and tools for preparing same for use in house building but no modern mills to saw out the patterns as of the present day. As the organization was already effected in the Harper cabin and which place together with other cabin homes of members services were being held it was soon decided that a public house of worship suitable for its purposes should be erected. Men were at the task at once and ere, snow of a new winter was beating down the Cross Roads church edifice was completed. The spot selected was about a mile southeast of the cabin of its organization and on the west side of the road
( Ft. Massac - Kaskaskia trail ) and in the south edge of the present cemetery grounds. It was about twenty feet wide by twenty-eight feet long and faced the east being supplied with one large door. About everything about the structure was home-made. The building was based upon a strong foundation of large flat stones lain in a continuous manner so that the big sills were not touching the ground anywhere. Parts of those heavy base stones are still in the place. The building had no window panes, two or three openings on each side provided light for day services when the huge shutters were thrown open. Old fashioned candles were the most up to date means of lighting at night. The roof was the clapboard style with four or five courses on each side. This was the meeting place for some twenty years. It was the scene of many a glad experience for folks who were the grand parents and great-grandparents of the present generation.

Owing to the growth of membership and congregations, etc. it was necessary to find larger quarters for public services, so the old log church was torn away and about 1853 a brand new frame building was erected on the same foundation somewhat extended in size. This second building was quite an improvement over the old log church indeed. This structure was erected by a Mr. Epperson, expert carpenter for his day. This building's frame was hewn out instead of being sawed as in the present. The ceiling and the siding boards were all hand dressed.
There were three very neatly paned windows in each side of the church and the double width door faced the east and although the building was never quite finished nor did it ever receive a coat of paint, but it was so much nicer than its predecessors and no doubt more up-to-date than structures of its class in the country. The third building, much larger in every way, was completed in 1891 and stands a few yards to the east and slightly south of the building described above. It was built by Lewis Epperson, son of the Mr. Epperson above named and was considered a first-class finish carpenter product of his effort on the spot still stands a most likeable monument to his splendid qualities as an architect. The present house has four large windows in each side, one on each side of the pulpit in the north end, and two doors at the south with a belfry between. A rocky porch or landing is at the south. Looking out from its high elevation toward the south, southwest, and south east, a wonderfully pleasing vista greets the eye as wide stretches of lower strata of terrain unobstructs the vision to far away distances. The bright white painted edifice of course can easily be seen from many different angles and to view the church thus so appropriately sited is to think of it as a mighty "lighthouse on the shores of time" that has beckoned its hundreds to safety in lines of faith and right living. After more than forty years of use the latter house is found to be in splendid state of preservation and bids fair to serve its purpose for many years yet.

The now large cemetery lying just north of the church was first opened to use in the fifties, the grounds being donated by Josiah Whitnel for years a noted physician of the vicinity. A large crowd of people meet here annually for Decoration Day observance.

Based upon fragmentary information it is the conclusion that this old church was in a circuit with Vienna as the head during the fifties and early sixties under the newly arranged Southern Illinois Conference which was organized in 1851. This church was one of the churches on the roll of the old Illinois Conference but we are unable to discover just what other congregation or congregations may have been grouped with it previous to 1851. Usually, the pastors, we learn, who were in charge of the Vienna circuit preached in the Cross Roads ( Reynoldsburg) church. The succession of pastors from 1853 are given here together with other brief data: ( Jonesboro District) 1853, Rev. J. L. Thomas; 1954, Rev. J. M. Low; '55, Rev. C. D. Linginfelter; '56, and '57, Rev. J. G. Hardy; '58, Rev. L. Walker; '59, and '60, Rev. H. Chapman; '62, ( Equality District) Rev. W. Williams; (No information found from '63 to'66); '67, (Cairo District) Rev. W. C. Dickson; '68, Rev. F. M. Vantreece; '69, Rev. Ira C. Driver; '70, Revs. J. B. Hill and E. Baugh; '71, ( Reynoldsburg head of circuit) Rev. V. C. Evers; '72, (Shawneetown District) Rev. C. T. Bottorf; '75, ( Harrisburg District); '74 ( New Burnside head of circuit) Rev. James Hobbs; '75, Rev. J. R. Reef; '77, and 78, Rev. C. C. Young; '79, Rev. Ed Root; '80, Rev. D. B. Leach; '81, and '82, Rev. W. R. Harmons; '83, Rev. H. Hutchcraft; '84, Rev. A. P. Holloway; '85, Rev. C. E. Parker; '86 and '87, Rev. W. J. Hopper; '88, and '89, Rev. C. T. Douthitt; '90, C. E. Sale; '91, L. C. Wilkin; '92, J. B. Cummins; '93, and '94, Rev. Theodore Cates; '95, and '96, Rev. C. B. Whiteside; '97, Rev. J. H. McGriff; '98, Rev. J. E. Jines; '99, Rev. E. B. Timmons; ' 1900, Rev. W. J. Peterson; '01, Rev. W. G. Hale; '02, Rev. C. N Baker; '03, Rev. A. C. Margrave; '04, and '05, Rev. J. L. Rentfro; '06, Rev. W. J. Peterson; '08, Rev. O. E. Connett; '09, Rev. J. B. Whiteside; '10, Rev. W. A. Sharp; '11 and '12 ( no names found) '13, Rev. J. N. Pressley; '14, Rev. W. C. Bruce; '15, and '16, Rev. T. C. Stokes; '17, Rev. W. E. Shaffer; '20, Rev. C. J. Streubing; '21, Rev. C. L. Pottnan; '21, Rev. I. G. Flick; '22 and '23, Rev. J. H. Wallace; '27 to '30, Rev. John Sutton; '31, the Rev. B. D. Rodgers, who is the wide awake young pastor in charge at present.

Space permitting brief reference may here be made to a few prominent members and leaders during the life of this old church in addition to those already mentioned. There was Rev. Reuben Wilson Laughlin, who was born two years before this church was founded. He came from his native state of Kentucky four years after its organization, was converted two years later at the age of eight years, at the age of sixteen a definite consecration led to his uniting with this church before the fifties, and feeling the urge to enter the work of the ministry, he was licensed to preach in the newly erected frame building on July 14, 1854 with Presiding Elder Rev. Ephraim Joy and Rev. J. L. Thomas the pastor in charge. He was set apart to the full work of the ministry in 1859 at the hand of Bishop E. R. Ames at the Northern Illinois Conference held in Richview. After twenty nine years in active pastoral service and by reason of broken health, he was placed on the superannuated list in 1885. His succession of pastoral charges follow: Pulaski, Marion, Blainesville, Saratoga, Murphysboro, De Soto, Hickory Hill, Spring Garden, Benton, Marion
( again), Tamoroa, Nashville, Calhoon, Bible Grove, Corinth, Steelville, Wakefield, Makanda, Tamoroa (again), Beaucoup, and Troy. Although never being appointed pastor of the home church of Reynoldsburg he was a frequent visitor to its pulpit and for many years during his decline he came back to preach a sermon on his anniversary of his licensure in 1854. He was always a most devout and loyal servant in the cause dearest to his heart. His marriage was to one of the young lady members of the same church, Nancy Triplett and which took place soon after uniting with the church. These two consecrated lives were dedicated it seems to each other as well as to the life-calling of the ministry and after the labors, trials, and triumphs of some sixty-six years of married life the death angel them away together on the same day, Jan. 25, 1927, thus they entered their well earned rest. Reynoldsburg molded their lives and they became most useful servants all down the years.

Another very outstanding personage was Charles W. McCoy, who for more than a quarter of a century was in front line leadership. He was born March 30, 1824 (nine years before the organization took place). Uncle Charlie McCoy was a man with strong convictions, strictly honest in all things, devoting his time and thought in intellectual and religious lines above the average. He was interested not only in the progress of the Reynoldsburg church but a great interest in public affairs in general, and served a number of times in public official capacity. Times without number he was found at his best and in the line he most loved when his familiar voice was heard in earnest appeal and hearty exhortation on the floor of the old church. No revival effort was carried on in the church but that he was one of the most sturdy supporters. His tall figure, white flowing beard, giving forth earnest pleadings to seeking souls, etc., linger in the memory of the wide circle of admiring friends. He with his first wife raised a large family, most of whom with father and mother have passed the line of worlds but are kindly remembered by a large acquaintanceship. Only two of the children survive: Mrs. Lucy Choate and James. Uncle Charles passed away on April 8, 1889, closing an eventful and useful career. His second wife was Caroline McNeil, sister of the Rev. James McNeil of Carbondale and now uperannuated.

In 1860 there came to the old Reynoldsburg community center a man in his prime being about thirty years old in the person of Thomas Cook, who was already a zealous Christian worker and adherent of the M. E. church and was of course not on the ground long until he presented himself for membership in the then Cross Roads church. He with his wife not only got on the church roll but with spirit of enlistment their newly made friends and brethren soon discovered that the Cooks were just the sort of church members any church should have. Uncle Tom, as hosts of friends called him was abreast the foremost leaders of the Sunday School and other activities of the church all through the sixties and early seventies even until their removal to become charter members in New Burnside church. This old veteran of the church was also a leading business man in the village of Reynoldsburg for several years. The newly started town of New Burnside on the new railroad took the Cooks to that place about 1872. His loss to Reynoldsburg was indeed a great gain to the new congregation in the new town. This dear old man was spared to his friends until only a few years ago and passed on to the better land at the ripe old age of 95. His long life was most parallel to that of the church he loved and served so faithfully.

Known far and near was "Uncle Ben" Dismuke, another sturdy supporter and faithful worker with the Reynoldsburg Class. Fifty-six long years he was a member of this church and a ready teacher in Sunday School. He was a good thinker and capable and had a large influence in propagating the good work of the Class. School teaching was the calling that held his attention for many years as well as considerable farming. For many years he filled public office, as Justice of the Peace, and likely others. He was born in 1837. He with his splendid family of children who had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home and near the place of worship. His daughters were gifted singers and pleased many an audience in the old church with melodious singing, singing the songs of Zion. He was married a second time , his first wife having passed away many years ago. His body rests with loved ones near the spot made sacred by long years of faithful service. His passing was in 1921.

The McGees, Francis M. and Elizabeth, were residents of the "Burg" for several years and were strong indeed in the faith. They had a store there, but went to Burnside to take up business in the new town about 1874. His prominence is noted in a public way in that he was elected to a seat in the Illinois State Legislature while he resided there. Mrs. McGee, "Aunt Lizzie" as her many friends addressed her, is reported to us as a sweet spirited Sunday School teacher of young folks during her residence near the old church. These good and useful people with most of those who knew them at the 'Burg' have gone to the spirit land. Their works follow.

Elisha Reynolds, and John Reynolds, half-brothers of Wesley Reynolds whose name occurs in the beginning of this story, with their large families were ardent supporters and attendants of the church and Sunday School through many years of the seventies, eighties, and nineties. They are all away now, some have crossed to the other world, while others are scattered about the county.
Ivy Reynolds is residing in Simpson and engages in farming and smithing. J. Wesley Reynolds is a Monument dealer and resides in Vienna. These are the sons of Elisha Reynolds. John Reynolds named above is still living and has spent many years in Arkansas with children, John, Jr., is an industrious mill man and has a large family. One daughter of this family, Miss Ora, has filled the position as stenographer in a large Pine Bluff concern for a quarter of a century. Thomas B. Reynolds, son of Wesley and Sidney Simpson Reynolds was born on his father's farm adjacent to the village that bears his name, the date of his birth being Oct. 21, 1852. He grew up under the influence of this old church and in his mature years was a strong backer of it during the latter part of the century and until his untimely death in January 1907. He was married twice and raised a large family all of whom are scattered considerably. Mr. Reynolds was known as an energetic and useful citizen, who was one of the pioneer growers of the Ozarks fruit section. He was called frequently to fill offices of public trust. His favorable impression upon the community in which he was raised and the influence he lent to the growth of the church will be long in the memory of those who knew him best.

Rev. John S. Whittenberg, who came to Illinois about 1845 while yet a very young man became a local minister about 1860. He taught school in Johnson county for thirty-five years and served two terms as Superintendent of Schools. He raised a large family of ambitious, intelligent, and useful children. His daughter, Sarah Jane, an efficient teacher, also served two terms as Superintendent of schools of Johnson county. Alonzo, a son and teacher, has been in the Department of Education at Springfield for many years. Although not a member of the Reynoldsburg church Rev. Whittenberg was a frequent preacher in its pulpit during the sixties, seventies and eighties. His unique double calling of minister and noted educator brought him in contact with the Reynoldsburg church in such an influential and effective way that this sketch of same would be far from just reverence for him. His high intellectual station and sterling Christian character and influence will long be felt and remembered by the Reynoldsburg vicinity and sections far remote as well.

There was the W. W. Peterson family residing only a few yards just southwest down the hill path from the church site and all down the sixties, seventies and early eighties, this little path was usually well-beaten as every service held at the old church on the hill trekking feet found their way thereto. Mrs. Petterson was a niece of Wesley Reynolds, her mother being Mary (Reynolds) Gray, Basil Gray being her husband. Both the Reynolds and Grays have been among the prominent people in the Johnson county area for many years. The Reynoldsburg people remember the Peterson young folks, Basil, Olive, and Charles, as no good wholesome affair went over without them. The church had one of its best supporters in Sister Patterson.

The old church like any located in a small village of a rural section had its varied experiences, years of prosperity and many years of hard pulling. The church has maintained constantly for a full hundred years, with a Sunday School having been the most overgrown school in the county. Prof. Elvis Holmes is the superintendent and is a capable leader and endeavors to steer along the safe and sane paths that have long been rule at the church. The sacred century old church has had a noble history only a little of which can be crammed into this article, and it is hoped that the years, yet future may bring to pass just the things for which the old church was charted in
the long ago. May this lighthouse continue to shine out in a world of darkness that the lost and benighted may find their way back to the eternal fold.
The early church buildings were used jointly with the Presbyterians who had an organization there. a hearty co-operation between the two organizations was most always noticeable and many great revival meetings were the more successful because of that fine mutual spirit. The following ministers of the Presbyterian church had charge: The Revs. Simpson, Wright, Hamilton, Mangum, Pryor, and possibly others. As their membership decreased, it was decided to disorganize which took place in "79.

Present Official Directory of the Reynoldsburg Church

The following list of officers at Reynoldsville church has come into our hands.
Pastor __ Rev. B. D. Rodgers
Sunday School Superintendent _ Prof. Elvis Holmes
Board of Stewards __A. D. Gingrich, Joe Harper and Samuel George.
Board of Trustees __Reuben Hawkins, A. D. Gingrich and William Harper.
Average church member ship 50.
Sunday School attendance 100.

The next week, the following corrections were printed in The Vienna Times newspaper.

"We wish to make a few corrections in the article published last week in regard to the Old Reynoldsburg church. In the second column; second paragraph, "Gores, James, William and 'Dean', should read, "Gover, James and William (Dean). In the third column, "a rock porch, etc." should have read, "a roomy porch." In the fourth column, "at the northern Illinois Conference" should be "at the Southern Illinois Conference" and in column six, paragraph three, "overgrown school" should be "evergreen school." These mistakes are most unavoidable, but a correction should be cited to avoid confusion to those interested in the old land mark."

Further corrections and additions submitted by Norman Harper from his files:
"Gover" should read, Groves.
William Harper's first wife was Phoebe Morris, died 1864.They had the following children, Groves, James, William Dean, Dan, Polly A., Nancy and Elizabeth.
James G. Harper had children not listed in above article, namely; Joe G., Dimple, Velma, and Nannie.

The newspaper stated that a Josiah Whitnel donated land to the cemetery. According to public record, Dr. Whitnel was one of the first trustees of the cemetery. Norman Harper provided a copy of the original deed when the land was purchased from Wesley and Frances Reynolds in 1870. They had owned property including this site since about 1850.