Presbyterian Church congregation dissolves; Faith Assembly Church to hold services there

The once-thriving First United Presbyterian Church on North Washington St. whose members included the founding L.S. Smith family, the Armstrongs, the Maxtons and the Naumers has been dissolved. The final church service was held Sunday.

The service, conducted by a lay member, was a reunion of sorts for generations of members who worshiped there. Their numbers are very small, now.

The last substantial pastor of record was Rev. Tim Scroggins (2012). Vacancy pastors no longer conducted Sunday services. Sunday services have been left to guest speakers and lay members of the church.

The building is in the hands of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois and it is believed that the congregation of the Faith Assembly Church on North Maple Street in Du Quoin will take over the property. If it becomes the permanent home to the church, the newspaper understands the property will transfer for an insanely small price, but repeated attempts to contact the church office have failed this week.

Presbyterian Church members say there is no plan for them to migrate together to an area Presbyterian Church. Instead they will individually find churches that reasonably match their faith.

Dissolution of the church has been rumored for the past several months. Though outwardly beautiful, members say the building is in need of an expensive renovation.

Church's Great History in Du Quoin

These were the words of dedication from a hymn written by Rev. T.E. Spilman and sign at the cornerstone laying of the new Presbyterian Church of Du Quoin on Sept. 9, 1890:

"We rear this house for thee, O God,

A house of prayer and praise,

A house in which to worship thee,

And learn thy holy ways."

During its great history the church had three "houses," all at the same site, a gift of city platters Keyes and Metcalf, who made the original survey of Du Quoin.

Three years after the town came into being the first Presbyterian Church was organized on Sunday, Sept.14, 1856. Ten persons attended. The first wood-framed 1857 church cost $2,500 to build.

The church's first pastor was Rev. W.S. Post from New York who served on a half-time basis. The year 1865 was particularly good for the young congregation. The pastor's salary had grown to $800 and giving had grown to $227.05 from the previous year's $85.25. Sunday school had grown to 125 participants and church attendance had grown to 90.

The second church was built in1890 at a cost of $6,000.

But, on New Year's Day 1928, shortly after the service, the church was destroyed by fire and the loss was estimated at $30,000.

After the fire the congregation met at the high school until the cornerstone was laid for the current red granite church on May 1, 1929 and dedicated Jan. 5, 1930 at a cost of $75,000.