The Old Log Church
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110 Washington Street PO Box 507 Hanover, IL 61041 (815) 591-3396 Church History Page |
| To appreciate the rich heritage of the Hanover
United Presbyterian Church, it is necessary to know some of the history
behind the people that formed it and how the present structure came into
existence.
The first building, erected in 1839 and appropriately called "The Old Log Church" was built of white oak which grew on the hillside and was hewn skillfully with a broad axe. There were ten large logs on each side and seven windows. The pitch of the roof was l/3. The pulpit was of walnut boards; it was eight feet high and box-like. The entrance to the pulpit was by a narrow door. One time services were delayed until a rattlesnake was disposed of in the pulpit! The floor was made of the best oaken boards. The doors were double oak, eight feet high and six feet wide. |
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The Old Log Church |
The members of the Old Log Church originated from County Monchan, Ireland from the town of Balliby. Their ancestors, who had been members of the church of Scotland, had been persecuted by the Stewart kings. When the church of Scotland excommunicated the kings, they were driven from Ireland and, from there, came first to America and then to Pennsylvania. >From there they moved to Hanover. Rev. Thomas Ferrier of Perth, Scotland, was the first installed minister. After riding by horseback for six weeks, he preached his first sermon in the house of Charles Moore. This was due to his arrival on a snowy night in November when it was too cold in the Log Church. His text was: Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
The first brick church was built on the banks of the Apple River in Hanover upon a lot donated by Mr. James W. White. The builder was Stephen Jeffers and the dimension about 34 feet in width by 44 feet in length and erected between 1851-52. The Rev. William W. Harsha was pastor at the time.
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First Brick Church
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Hanover, IL 1891 |
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