A Historical Sketch of the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Synod

Re K I F O HM I I ' PRES BY ! ' RIAN ( HHR( H G E NE kA I . SYNOD show of Concord preached there half time for several years. He was followed by Rev. N. K. Crowe, and later by Rev. John Nevin, who died In 1896. Rev. J. B. Crawford was the next pastor for about seven yean . Me was followed by Rev. R. W. Chesnut, from 1888 until late in 1904. The next pastor was Rev. T. R. Turner, and he was followed by Rev. William Patterson. The congregation erected a fine house of worship in 1886. and a Manse in 1898. From 1888 until 1904 the congregation had near­ ly doubled in membership, and had become one of the foremost in its missionary contributions. During the next three years, it was reduced to about half of its former membership, and being unable to keep a regular pastor, and for other reasons that we will not mention, they were disorganized in 1919. The Unity congregation at Lively Grove, one of the oldest congregations, enjoyed at one time the ministrations of Rev. Pearson, and seemed to thrive for a time, but when the “Go West” craze came they soon became so depleted that the field was abandoned. Some of the members went to Grand Cote, and some to Hill Prairie. The community is now settled by Ger­ mans who are either Roman Catholics or Evangelical Lutherans. In 1900 the old brick church was still standing without doors or windows, and the only business house in the place was a beer saloon. After the Civil War emigration to the west caused many of the communities of former years to completely change. The Grand Cote congregation for many years has been the largest in the Presbytery, and has had as pastors, Revs. W. S. Bratton, Robert Hunter, H. H. Brownel, James L. Chesnut, A. S. Creswell, and P. W. Duncan. During the pastorate of Rev. James L. Chesnut, a new Manse and house of worship were erected. The pastors of the Concord church were Revs. M. Harshaw, Alex. Rale ton, R. S. Feagles, R. W. Chesnut and R. S. Elder. Late." the congregation disbanded and the members mostly went to either Grand Cote or Bethel or to the United Presbyterian Church in Cutler. The Walnut Hill congregation was among the old organiza­ tions, and the last pastor was Rev. J. K. Martin. A few mem­