The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Andrew Postle, The Quill
On a blistering hot Sunday, many local residents braved the heat to enjoy the annual service at the historic Old South Henderson Church.
Beautiful flowers were donated by Jane Weir. Russell Liston served as Master of Ceremonies for the occasion, and Rev. Dr. Travis Shafer was the speaker.
The beautiful music, a highlight of this yearly service, was led by Leo Ramer, who directed and performed alongside an ensemble from the Ecumenical Singers and students from ICS, Galesburg Christian, and United schools.
The following special performances were featured:
For the prelude, Rylan Schroeder, a 5th grader at ICS, played a processional.
Leo’s students sang “Holy Is Your Name,” featuring Abby Green (United), Max Hawk (Galesburg Christian, an ICS alumnus), Max and Sam McVey (United, also ICS alumni), Ceci Neubauer (7th grade, ICS), Lila Neubauer (sophomore at Monmouth, another ICS alumna) on violin, and Braden Schroeder on drums.
Sophie Peterson sang “Amazing Grace,” backed by both the student ensemble and the adult choir.
Jeremy Meyer performed “Here I Am, Lord,” accompanied by the student ensemble, drums, and the adult choir.
Ashley Bushong performed “The Holy City,” and Kaleb Fowler played a Mozart piece from “Exsultate, Jubilate” on clarinet.
Sheila Bowling led the congregation in “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Ceci Neubauer and Kate Schroeder sang "Bless This House."
Singing in the adult ensemble were Kendall Shimmin, Janet Shauman, Lydia Parellis, Kathy Casteel, Cindy Link, and Deb Cole.
Despite the heat, their spirits were on fire to make a joyful noise to the Lord!
The entire group concluded the service with a stirring rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
This service celebrated the invaluable contribution to the history of this area at the historic and nostalgic South Henderson Church.
The South Henderson Church was established in 1835 when two groups of settlers, one from the Jamison Settlement along South Henderson Creek between present-day Gladstone and Biggsville, and the Ritchie Settlement along Cedar Creek near present-day Little York, came together.
The congregation initially took turns hosting worship services before Cedar Creek organized its own church. South Henderson built a modest structure, typical of early frontier churches, in 1837, three miles northwest of present-day Biggsville.
By 1854, the growing congregation required a larger, more permanent building, reflecting the community’s stability and commitment to faith.
The present South Henderson Church was built in 1854 at a cost of $3,855.55, a significant sum for the time.
Constructed with a wood frame and limestone walls sourced from local quarries, the church showcased the community’s resourcefulness and reflected the simple yet sturdy architectural style of mid-19th-century rural churches.
The church was led by Reverend Robert Ross, who came to the church in 1850.
Ross, along with fellow clergyman James C. Porter from Cedar Creek, initiated action at a meeting of the Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Churches of Illinois to found an “academy” at Monmouth.
Monmouth College was formed in 1853, and Ross served on its first Board of Trustees, linking the church to broader educational and religious developments in western Illinois.
Ross left the congregation in 1857 to join the College in a professorial role.
The church served as a central gathering place for worship, social events, and community decision-making.
Its location in rural Henderson County made it a focal point for settlers, fostering a sense of identity and cohesion.
The late Henry Marshall, the great-great-grandson of early settler and Revolutionary War veteran Daniel McMillan, recalled his family rising early to complete chores at their farm near Olena, packing a picnic lunch, and spending the day at South Henderson in the early 1900s.
Adjacent to the church, the South Henderson Cemetery was established, separated by an unpaved road.
The cemetery became a resting place for community members, including Revolutionary War veterans Daniel McMillan (South Carolina) and David Findley (Pennsylvania), highlighting the area’s ties to early American history.
The cemetery’s iron fence was added in 1920.
As urbanization took hold through the 1900s, South Henderson, like many rural churches of its day, struggled with congregational size and resources.
The South Henderson Church congregation formally disbanded in 1954, ceasing regular worship services. The church building and cemetery were left intact, but active use ended.
On October 14, 1976, the Church and Cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing their architectural and historical significance.
The listing highlighted the church’s well-preserved limestone construction and the cemetery’s historical graves, including two Revolutionary War veterans, eight veterans of the War of 1812, three from the Mexican-American War, and twenty-seven Civil War veterans.
After the church’s disorganization, the Old South Henderson Cemetery Association took over maintenance of the site.
This volunteer group, formed in 1929, has preserved the church and cemetery, ensuring the grounds remain well-kept and accessible for historical visits and programs like the one held on Sunday.
The church played a key role in shaping the spiritual and social life of Henderson County settlers.
Its connection to Monmouth College underscores its influence beyond worship.
The annual service at the historic South Henderson Church not only celebrated the enduring legacy of this 1854 landmark but also brought together a vibrant community united by faith, music, and shared history.
Despite the sweltering heat, the heartfelt performances and dedicated preservation efforts of the Old South Henderson Cemetery Association underscored the church’s lasting significance as a spiritual and cultural cornerstone of Henderson County.
The South Henderson Church continues to inspire, connecting past and present through its timeless architecture, storied cemetery, and the unwavering spirit of its community.
Sources: Rivers, Railways, and Roads: A History of Henderson County; The Story of South Henderson; National Park Service
Acknowledgments: Thank you to Leo Ramer and Virginia Ross for providing information used in this article.
Rev. Dr. Travis Shafer addresses the packed church. The chandeliers seen above were converted form kerosene to electricity in 1949.