Wesley Chapel, Orange Township Clark County IL
Wesley Chapel History
Clark County IL
Submitted by Becky Millis
HISTORY OF WESLEY CHAPEL
ORANGE TOWNSHIP, CLARK COUNTY ILLINOIS
History of Wesley Chapel is a compilation of meeting minutes
from 1880-1954. Also included is a “Short History of the
Wesley Chapel Church” written in 1932 by Anna Slusser. The
meeting minutes and history are taken from a notebook in the
possession of my grandmother, Mrs. Mary Ellen Millis.
Spelling, capitalization and punctuation is as in the original.
Enjoy!
Becky Millis 1999
JULY 24TH 1880
at a meeting at Wesley Chapel for the purpose of Building and
Erecting a church house at or near Wesley Chapel present
Brother Jonas Spraker Silvester Spraker Samuel Blankenbeker
Joseph Millis W W Phillippe John Fortney David Ferrel Samul
Fortney Addison Hull and William H Harrison on Brother
Samuel Blankenbeker being Elected to the chair the meeting
opened with prayer by Brother Hammill Wm H Harrison was
Elected Secretary on motion of Brother Hammill a Building
committee of the Following named persons were Elected to serve
as Such Building Committee Brother Samuel Blankenbeker
received ten votes Addison Hull Eleven votes Wm W Harrison
Eleven votes David Ferrel nine votes Jonas Spraker ten
votes Brother A Hull
Elected as Treasure of Said Building Committee Wm H Harrison
Secretary
Orange Clark County Ills Oct 31st 1880
The following is a copy of the Subscription list for the purpose
of building a church house at or near wesley Chapel taken April
6th 1880 We the undersigned hereby promise to pay to George
Baker A Hull or Felix Blankenbeker or their Successors Trustees
of the ME Church for the Society at Wesley Chapel on the
Martinsville circuit Mattoon District Ills Conference the amount
placed opposite our names for the purpose of erecting and
furnishing a church house for the use and benefit of Said Church
to be controlled according to the discipline of Said Church to
be located at or near Wesley Chapel in Clark Co Ills one half to
be paid on or before the 1st day of October 1880 and the balance
on or before the 25th day of Dec 1880
Board of Trustees of Wesley Chapel ME Church met persuant to
call the following members present M H Ewers preacher in charge
A Hull W H Harrison S Blankenbeker Jonas Spraker John S Fortney
meeting called to order by president and the following report
was adopted
Report of Board of Trustees of Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal
Church made this 22nd day of August 1885 Fourth quarterley
conference
adjourned
Number of churches one
value
2500.00
Expense for
fuel
15.00
Lights and Brooms 4.85
Expenses for repairs
45.39
There is no insurance
There is no debts
John Fortney appointed as committee to confer with J F Slusser
in regard to purchasing ground west of Graveyard Brother A H
Hull asks to be released as Treasure his request granted
Brother J S Fortney Elected Treasurer
M H Ewers President
W H Harrison Secretary
October 19th 85
meeting of Trustees of wesley Chapel M E Church Present S
Blankenbeker A Hull S Fortney Jonas Spraker M H Ewers chairman
moved to appoint Jonas Spraker Committee to procure janitor
moved Brother J S Fortney be appointed to repair a leak in roof
of Church house Carried Bro Fortney reports in regard to
graveyard and matter deferd untill after next meeting of Board
M H Ewers President
Wm H Harrison Secretary
Nov 1st 1885 William Baker was employed to keep church house at
$2.50 per month
February the 6th 1887 the Board of Trustees of Wesley Chapel met
at church
John Fortney. pres. in Chair
Jonas Spraker treaisure presant
Samuel Blankenbeker presant
Wm. H. Harrison presant
Addison Hull Secretary presant
the question of fencing Gaveyard was first on hand the vote was
to build a fence
and adjourned A Hull
August the 1st 1887 the Trustees of Church at wesley Chappel met
at Chapel John Fortney in chair Board all presant Jonas Spraker
treasure and W H Harrison Samuel Blankenbeker A. Hull. Secretary
the Expences for the years past is as follows for janetor and
paid by Treaisure 17.63
for coail oil
week
1.33
Wood Estimated
at
12.00
Is theare any
indetedness
none
what is the Church property valued at twenty hundred
Dollars $2000.00
Addison Hull. secretary
March the 26th 1888
Board of Trustees of Wesley Chapel met at Wesley Chapel members
presant John Fortney, Jones Spraker president, Samuel
Blankenbeker.
W. H Harrison A Hull Sec. the Board was called to order By
John Fortney and proceeded to Buisness on fensing Graveyard
motion was made by S Blankenbeker to take in 7 rods evenly of
the west Side of the ground eas(t) of olde graveyard the vote
was taken and caried. S. Blankenbeker and W. H. Harrison. J.
Spraker. voted for it. and A. Hull against it
A motion maid by W. H. Harrison. to put up a barbe wire fence
Seconded by S. Blankenbeker. vote taken and caried. vote
S.
Blankenbeker. J. Spraker. W Harrison for it
Jonis Spraker was appointed as comitty of one to Buy wire and
Stapels. gate hinges and latches
S Blankenbeker was appointed to get Sawed posts and Braces and
Deliver them. A Hull was appointed Make and Deliver 2
gates. W. H. Harrison was appointed to superentend the
putting up of fence and gates and Bord Adjourned
September 7th 1888
the Excences for jenator for past year was $20.32
Aprile the 27th 1889
Bord of Trustees met at Wesley Chapel M E Church members
Presant.
Brother T O Baty in chair , Jonas Spraker Treaisure, Samuel
Blankenbeker, Addison Hull Secretary
Abesent John Fortney and Wm H Harrison
the amount Receivd on Subscription to fence graveyard and work
was $49.00 and Expended for fensing graveyard and not finished
was $50.14 leaving in debt in Debt to Treaisurer $1.14
Subscription not received $10.60 cts it is moved and seconed.
that we fence all the graveyard as soon as the money can bee
Raised the trustees agree to put up a necesary house for public
convenience,
It is moved and seconed. that we fence the
Church as soon as
posible
A Hull Sec
Rev Thomas Baty
August 31st 1889
Trustees of M. E. Church met at Wesley
Chapel. members presant
Bro T.O. Baty in chear (Paster) Addison Hull
sec, Jonas Spraker
treais, John Fortney, Samuel Blankenbeker Wm.
H. Harrison absent.
Probal value of Church $2000, tis in good condition, its Safe
from fire, it situation is healthy, is Secure in ordinary
storms, it was built 8 years ago its origionel number of
trustees was 5, for keeping clean and liting $31.95 cts render
the Same Trusteeship they paid for
fencing and other expences $50.14 cts
11 mo 29 da 1891
Rev Goldsmith after srvises called what trustees prsesant
in corner.
trustees prsesant Jonis Spraker Jeferson Sluser, J Fortney and A
Hull
a meting was called to see about hiring jenetor
A Hull Sec
year 1891 and 1892
Rev Orsborn was on this sircuit December 12-1891 he gave me the
Folowing names as trustees
A Hull
Samuel Blankenbeker
Wm H Harrison
Jonis Spraker
George Baker
Henrey Woods
Jefferson Slusser
April the 14. 1892
the Trustees of Wesley Chapel Board all present the meeting
calld to order by bro Hull Prayer by Bro Slusser
the first thing in order was to Elect a chairman S Blankenbeker
was
Elected Chairman
T J Slusser was Elcted Sec
Jonas Spraker Tresure
S Blankenbaker
A Hull
W H Harrison
Jonas
Spraker
Henry Wood
Gorge Baker
T J Slusser
Settelment with Tresure find in his hans $ 20.61 motion was made
and vote was taken the vote carried to use the money to fence
the ballance of the Graveyard motion made to apint J. Spraker
and H Harrison a commity to hire a janitor to take care of the
Church for one year Vote taken and carried then the meeting
ajurned
T J Slusser Sec
May the 5th 1894
Trustes of Wesly Chapel Met Only four of the member
present
Brother Samuel Blankingbaker
Brother Adison Hull
Brother Jonas Spraker Tesuary
Henry Wood the first thing in order Prair by
Brother Hull the next twas in order was to Elect a secretary to
fill Brother Slussers place Henry Wood Elceted Sacrtary by the
Bord
On Examine the Book, no report found for 1893 by the Secretary
Brother Sluser Next in order was Setlement with tresuary Brother
Jonas Spraker its balance found on hand $4.61 cnts to be Applied
for the use of the grave yard at Wesley Chapel there was a
Motion to Have the Church insured if the Money could be raised
the next in order was to layoff and sell lots in the wesly
Chapel grave yard starting them
at the sum of $2.50 and sold to the highest Bider next in order
by Brother Samuel Blankenbaker President - moved to adjorn
Second by
Brother Jones Spraker tresuary
Henry Woods Secretary
May 5th 1894
Wesley Chapel Sept 3rd 1894
The Trustees of Wesley chapel met at the church. Members
present A Hull J. Spraker Henry Wood. Geo. Baker and A.R.
Cooper, Meeting called by Pastor W.P. Bowman A Hull was elected
chairman of the board Henry Wood resigned as secretary and A.R.
Cooper was elected in his place. The annual report for the
Fourth Quarterly conference
No of
Churches 1
Value of Church
$1500
Title by which held Warrentee Deed
Expendatures for the year
Janitor
$50
Fuel
$10.19
Total $60.19
Amount raised by Subscription 32.40
Deficiency
$27.79
Henry.Wood, Secretary
per A.R. Cooper
By motion A. R. Cooper was appointed a committee to have
chimneys and foundation fixed. W. P. Bowman acting
chairman
Henry Wood
Secretary
Feb 5th 1898 Names of Trustees
George Baker
W. H. Harrison
A. Hull
Albert R Cooper
Saml T. Fortney
James N. Baker
Jonas Spraker
Wesley Chapel Feb 5th 1898
The Trustees of Wesley Chapel met at church Members present
Albert R. Cooper, Geo. Baker, A Hull Samul. T. Fortney W.
H Harrison meting
called to order by Bro. A. Hull Motion made by Bro Fortney to
hire Bro Wm. Millis for one year at $30.00 to act as Janitor
providing we can get the amount Subscribed all present voted in
favor of said motion.
A. Hull President
Albert R. Cooper,
secretary
Bro. William Millis, began on Feb 14th 1898
Wesley Chapel Nov 6 1898
The board of trustees were called together on Sunday Nov 6
consisting
of James F. Vaught
Samuel T. Fortney
Wm Millis
James Chapman
James Phillippe
and organized as follows
James F Vaught Pres
Wm Millis Secretary
Samuel Fortney Treasurer
met Sat Nov 12 at the church with all present for making
arrangements for the repairing of said church Motion by Wm.
Millis for trustees to get the materials and to hire a workman
to repair the walls - motion carried
Motion by James Chapman to paint the south wall in two coats. -
Carried
Wm. Millis and James Chapman appointed to raise the funds for
said work and James Phillippe and James Vaught to purchas the
materials and see to the repairing of church
Motion by Chapman to adjourn carried
Wm Millis Secy.
Nov. 13 1903
The Board of trustees met to elect officers for the coming year.
Meeting was called to order by the pastor, Rev. Walter Mitchel-
The following officers were elected
A.R. Cooper, - Pres.
J.W. Baker, - Sec.
W.W. Phillippe,- Trea.
July 11-1904
Received of Bessie Phillippi Sixty dollars and fifty cents
($60.50)
Money collected in subscription for repairing the Church.
John W. Baker
July 17.-1904
Received of J.W. Baker,- Secy. Sixty dollars and fifty cents
$60.50
Money collected by Bessie Phillippi on subscription for
repairing the
church.
W.W. Phillippe,-Tres.
Sept 11-1904
Received of Bessie Phillippi Twelve dollars 75/100 ($12.75cts.)
Money collected on subscription for repairing the church.
John W. Baker
Oct. 3 - 1904
The board of trustees of Wesley Chapel met at the church all
members were present and appointed W. W. Phillippi and A.R.
Cooper as committee to repair the church.
J.W. Baker Sec.
Oct. 17-1904
Recieved from Besssie Phillippi seventeen dollars ($17.00) money
collected on subscription for repairing the church.
John W. Baker Sec.
Nov. 8 1904
Received of Bessie Phillippi six dollars ($6.00) money collected
on subscription for repairing the church.
John W. Baker Sec.
Nov. 8 - 1904
Received of John W. Baker thirty five dollars and 75/100 $35.75
money collected by Bessie Phillippi on subscription for
repairing the
church.
W. W. Phillippi Tres.
October 31 - 1904
Money paid out of tresuary for cementing the Church House Thirty
Two dollars and fifty five cts ($32.55)
W. W. Phillippi Tres.
Aug 5 ’09
The Trustees of the Wesley Chapel M. E. Church met at the church
to decide upon repairing the church B’l’dg - A motion was made
that thebuilding be repaired by putting on a new roof. The
outside being painted up and given two coats of paint also give
the inside of the carpet. and purchase a new carpet for
the pulpit - The money to be subscribed before work is begun.
A motion was made and carried to appoint one
man to raise the money one to see about the roofing and one the
painting.
A motion was made and carried that Bro. James Phillippe act as a
committee to raise the money.
Bro. Everett Slusser to see about the painting and Bro Charlie
Chapman to see about the roofing.
motion was made and carried that Bro. Jon Baker be allowed the
work done in keeping the church amounting to $4.50 instead of
further paying on the Janitor work this year.
Bro. Wiley Phillippe was nominated and elected to settle with
the janitor for his work also it was farther aggreed that Bro
Wiley
Phillippe see about getting a janitor to keep the church the
rest of the year.
John W. Baker. Clerk
Aug. 12 - 1909
The subscription list for the purpose of painting, roofing and
repairing Wesley Chapel Church also carpeting same
Willard
Payne
$27.00
Addison
Hull
35.00
James
Boyer
10.00
Frank
Vaught
7.00
William
Hull
8.50
Noah
Hull
6.00
John
Hull
6.00
A. J.
Fortney
11.00
J.W.
Baker
23.00
E.E.
Millis
12.50
J.E.
Cooper
17.00
E.E.
Slusser
13.00
Julia
Fortney
5.00
Nelson
Baker
25.00
Sheridan
Conklin
6.00
W. W.
Phillippe
25.00
Ella
Mills
7.00
James
Chapman
` 17.00
J. N.
Phillippe
25.00
Abe
Bennett
3.00
Charles
Meeker
7.00
Albert
Cooper
20.00
Thomas
Keith
10.00
A. D.
Swope
3.00
Howard
Phillippe
3.00
Harry
Slusser
.50
Herman
Pendleton
1.00
Alva
Janney
1.00
Sarah
Janney
15.00
Chester
Hix
.25
N.E.
Johnson
.50
M.A.
Shafer
.50
Grant
Elliott
1.00
F.O.
Phillippe
3.50
Guy
Payne
1.00
Stillman
Ruckman
2.00
Arthur
Mills
1.00
W. W.
Nettleton
3.50
Fred
Phillippe
2.00
M.F.
Tague
3.00
Ray
Umstott
1.00
George
Sharp
1.00
Burl
Sharp
1.00
Soloman
Spraker
2.00
P.C.
Hasten
.50
Otto
Cornwall
.50
Leo
Umstott
.50
Jefferson
Swope
5.00
George
Bakers
20.00
Willie
Umstott
1.00
Walter
Vaught
1.00
Roy
Umstott
1.00
Flora
Umstott
3.00
Nettie
Hull
1.00
Charles
Chapman
13.00
Charles
Rockwell
2.00
Albert
Hull
5.00
Rillie
Swope
2.00
E.P.
Mills
2.00
Myrtle
Mills
1.00
Wallace
Washburn
1.00
Dick
Rockwell
.75
Lorenso
Bennett
1.00
Frank
Able
.50
Charles
Spaugh
2.00
Charles
Bennett
.50
Wiley
Wyman
1.00
John
English
.50
Ernest
English
.50
Money paid out in repairing Wesley Chapel Church
Sept. 2 O.E.
Tarman $1.52
“ “ T.M.
Saller
9.44
“ “ J.
Tucker
.60
“ 13
Saller
109.78
“ 18
Slusser
10.00
“ “ L.C.
McDaniel
28.00
Oct. 2 J.
Ishler
4.80
“ 14 E. C.
Miller
11.00
“ “
Poorman
1.00
“ “ J.
Tucker
.30
“ 15 Wood
Bros.
81.73
“ “ G. L.
Weir
103.00
“ “ E.E.
Slusser
10.00
“ 18 L.C.
McDaniel
9.70
“ “ E. E.
Millis
30.40
“ “ G.
Deahl
7.50
“ “ E. E.
Slusser
13.20
Oct 19-1909 The trustees of the Church of Wesley Chapel met at
the church and settled all accounts against said Wesley Chapel
Church, in full
Amount paid out----------------------------------$432.10
John W. Baker, Sec.
Expenses for conference Yr. for 1912-13
New Light
Plant
$41.00
Carpet
$37.05
Sexton
$45.00
Other Church
Expenses
$24.00
Wesley Chapell Feb 8th 1913
the board of Trustees met to reorganize. Member present
Chas Chapman Pres.
W W Phillippe
James Boyer
Chas Baker
EE Slusser
James Phillippe was elected Pres
Chas Chapman Treasurer
EE Slusser sec.
W.W. Phillippe turned over Graveyard money
EE Slusser
motion to adjourned carried
E. E. Slusser, Sec
Wesley Chapell Nov 13, 1913
Trustees met for reorganization
Chas. Chapman was elected Pres.
E.E. Slusser Sec
W.W. Phillippe Treusure
a proposition to fence graveyard was discused
a motion to refence was made and Seconed, carried
a committee of three was appointed by the Chairman
Committe
W W Phillippie
J N Phillippie
E.E. Slusser
a motion to adjourn, motion carried
Wesley Chapell Feb 14th 1919
Trustees met Member present
JN Phillippe Pres
WW Phillippe
C F Baker
EE Slusser Sec
a motion was made and seconed for Bro Wiley Phillippe to buy
fence and posts for front part of graveyard a motion was made to
ask the people for $300 to paint and repair church,
caried. James Phillipie and Chas Baker was appointed to
raise money for repair
E.E. Slusser to see about painting
E.E. Slusser Sec
Wesley Chapell Oct 9
Trustees meet at AJ Fortney
Members Present
EM Baker Pres
Dennis Cooper Tr
E E Slusser Sec
J E Cooper
A J Fortney
J E Cooper was appointed to collect money for expenses
May 19
Trustees meet AJ Fortney
all member
present
EM Baker Pres
EE Slusser Sec
Dennis Cooper Tres
JE Cooper
AJ Fortney
a motion was made by JE Cooper to charge $2.00 for taking care
of extra dirt and $1.00 each grave in old part not taking care
of taken motion Second AJ Fortney-Carried
motion by Cooper to purchase sutiable tools for Cemetery second
by Dennis Cooper including Iron wheel band shovels, ect second
by Dennis Cooper. Carried
JE appointed to get prices on activities concerning resolutions
Resolution was passed that all monuments must be placed on good
concrete foundation. Said foundation to well set and
approved of by said Trustees monument is set
Wesley Chapell the trustees meet at AJ Fortney members pres. EM
Baker EE Slusser Dennis Cooper JE Cooper AJ Fortney a motion was
made JE Cooper and second Dennis Cooper motion carried.
It was moved, Seconded and carried, by a unanimous vote, that
the following resolutions be adopted
RESOLUTION
Whereas, it is the desire of a large majority
of the lot holders and of the Trustees of the Wesley Chapel
Cemetery located in Orange Township , Clark County Illinois, to
level off and improve
the said Cemetery so it shall be capable of
being mowed with a lawn-mower, over the complete cemetery and be
kept in as neat and good condition,
and Whereas, the lot owners interested in said cemetery have
donated a large sum of money, being over Six Hundred Dollars
($600.00) in cash and a large amount of labor also donated for
the purpose of leveling off and improving the said cemetery and
placing it in a condition so that the whole cemetery may be
mowed with a lawn-mower and kept free from weeds and tall grass,
and Whereas, it is the desire of said lot owners and the
Trustees of said cemetry to use said funds in beautifying said
cemetery and in levelling the ground and removing all
obstructions so as to prepare said cemetery for being
mowed by a lawnmower and to lower or remove footstones and other
obstructions in the way of said mowing, and to straighten the
tomb stones in said cemetery which are falling over and getting
out of line and to place said tomb stones when straightened in
line as far as possible, so as to beautify said cemetery.
Now therefore, the Trustees of Wesley Chapel
Cemetery in regular meeting in response to demands of a large
majority of the lot owners in said cemetery, and in accordance
with their own
judgment, as to the needs of said cemetery,
hereby adopt the following rules and regulations for the
beautifying of said cemetery and for keeping said cemetery in
good condition in the
future to with All of the land now used in
said cemetery for burying purposes shall be levelled down so
that same maybe mowed with a lawn mower. All mounds in
said cemetery which would interfere with said mowing shall be
removed and levelled off and all holes in low places in said
cemetery shall be filled up so as to make a level condition in
the surface of the ground and any concrete curbing or other
obstructions built up in said cemetery so as to interfere with
said mowing shall be removed or lowered to the level of the
ground, so the lawn mower may be run over same and any lots
which have been filled up above the general level of the
cemetery, shall be lowered and the dirt removed, so that all
lots will be on a general level and no lots or graves shall be
built up above the general of the ground.
The Trustees of said cemetery or others authorized by them, may
at any time remove any such obstructions or built-up places in
said cemetery so as to level the ground for mowing purposes.
And the said trustees or persons authorized by them, may at any
time remove or lower foot stones to the level of the ground and
may straighten and place in line any tomb-stones in said
cemetery.
The said Trustees of said cemetery, or other persons authorized
by them shall proceed as soon as convenient and weather will
permit, to level off all of the said cemetery now being used as
above provided, And by use of the funds donated for said
purpose, As above specified Proceed to level and beautify said
cemetry as said trustees shall deem advisable.
EM Baker Pres
EE Slusser Sec
Dennis Cooper
AJ Fortney
JE Cooper
a motion was made to Sell cemetary lots at $4.00 motion
made by AJ Fortney seconed by Slusser caried
a motion was made by Slusser for Cooper to buy locks and chain
and lock the two South gates Secd by JE Cooper Carried
a motion to adjourn by JE Cooper Sec Dennis Cooper Caried
Wesley Chapell July 9, 1924
trustees meet a Addison Fortney all members present
Aug 15th 1924
Trustees of Wesley Chapel meet at adison’s Fortney members
present
J.E.Cooper
AJ Fortney
Dennis Cooper
EE Slusser
JE Cooper was elected Pres for a term
Chairman
Motion was made by AJ Fortney seconed by Dennis Cooper that the
trustees proceed at once to remove the dirt that was placed on
from graves by persons who entered said cemetery without
authority and obstructed the lawn mowing of said graves motion
caried
Motion was made by Dennis Cooper Sec EE Slusser
EE Slusser
Wesley Chapell Nov 25
Trustees met at A.J. Fortney all men present
Weley Chapell Oct 11th
Trustees met at A J Fortney all members present consisting of J
E Cooper E E Slusser Dennis Cooper Alva Janney Pastor acting as
Chairman
A.J. Fortney was elected Pres E E Slusser was elected
Sec,
Dennis Cooper was nominated for Treasure and elected Treasure, a
motion was made to appoint A J Fortney to raise both coal and
janitor mony
motion carried
Wesley Chapell Oct 17th
Trustees meet at AJ Fortney
members present AJ Fortney EE Slusser Dennis Cooper
Alva Janney J.E. Cooper absent Rev. Skelton acting as Chairman
motion made for same officers to hold over
motion was made and Sec Dennis Cooper collect money for Coal
Oct. 30 the Trustees of Wesley met at addison
Fortney. all members
present. a motion was made to take the church by the
motion carrid
E E Slusser Sec
Wesley Chapell all Trustees met at EE Slusser home
Trustees Present
E.E. Slusser
John Phillippie
Alva Janney
Dennis Cooper
Buell Millis
John Phillipie was elected President EE Slusser was elected Sec.
Dennis Cooper was elected Treasure
Wesley Chapell Jan. 26th
Board meet Present
John Phillippie
Alva Janney
Buell Millis
E.E. Slusser
Pastor m. Ghan
the object of meet meeting was find out abut certian
funds. EE
Slusser made a statment in regerd to said funds wich did not
meet the aprovel of said board. the pastor apointed a
comm. of three to try and make satisfactory arangements of said
funds said consisiting of Pastor Dennis Cooper Buell Millis and
Pastor said Committie to report to the Board of Trustees
EE Slusser Sec
April 6. 1935
The trustees of Wesley Chapel church met for
the purpose of appointing a temporary trustee
to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of E.E. Slusser.
Dennis Cooper Nominated HF. Blankenbeker. motion carried by
majority vote.
Motion made and carried to record the trustees as cemetry
trustees at Marshall.
Motion made and carried to buy fence for graveyard.
The fence to be 4ft high and No 9 wire through out, with 4 part
hay wire on top.
Contract for mowing of cemetry brought up Motion made to give
$4.00 for cutting and $5.00 for cutting and clipping but later
reconsidered and made $5.00 straight
Secretary to see about laying off of graves leveling of dirt for
hauling away surplus dirt also filling of settled graves He to
recieve $2.00 grave subject to his personal collecting
Buell Millis
Temporary Sect.
April 6 1935
Disposition of Money.
Dennis Cooper was authorized to buy $450 worth of U.S. Bonds in
denomination of @25 each
Trustees of Wesley Chapel met Mar. 29. 1936
made a motion to let building go for a while D Cooper made
motion to cut insurance on church Seconded by Buell Millis
Motion made to turn driveway east and west into lots to be sold
Motion made to let John D Blankenbeker have mowing contract for
coming year at 5.00 per clipping
Motion made to adjourn by D. cooper
H.F. Blankenbeker
Sec.
May 12 1937
Meeting of Board of Trustees The Board allowed the following
expenses
for the repair of the Cemetery fence
30 rd fence
@92cts. 27.60
Miscellaneous
.96
Brace
rods
1.25
34 posts @25
cts.
8.50
2 Corner
Posts
5.00
Total
$43.31
Alva Janney was authorized to draw this money from the bank and
pay the above bills
The board agreed to raise the wages for mowing to $6 per. mowing
Alva Janney was commissioned to buy a gate.
Motion made to change the driveway into lots to be sold at $5
each,
$1 for single graves. Carried
by Buell Millis
Temporary Sec’y.
Oct 14.1940
Trustee meeting Wesley Chapel
Members present John Phillippe
Glen Pendleton
Alva Janney
George Slusser
Buell Millis
Purpose of Meeting:
Election of officers
George Slusser was elected Secretary by consent of all present
Glen Pendleton was appointed Sexton of Graveyard
Alva Janney was elected Treasurer.
All orders to be written and signed by
Secretary and also signed
by Treasurer
Motion was made to offer Gerald Washburn the contract for mowing
the
cemetary for the coming year at $5.50 per mowing.
Buell D. Millis
Feb. 3rd 1941
Trustee meeting held at Wesley Chapel Mebers present-:
Alva Janney
Buell Millis
Glen Pendeton
Geo E Slusser
Purpose of Meeting to discuss the electric lights to be put in
the church how many lights
Where at the kind and the fixtures for the lights
Geo E Slusser Secy
Jan 8, 1944
The trustees of Wesley Chapel church met and elected Geo Slusser
as caretaker of cemetery with the trustees signing agrement that
all were respondale in case any thing should happenThe $2.00 for
removing the dirt and keeping grave filled was raised to $5.00
and $10.00 if the sexton had to finish help was made motined by
Kenneth Blankenbeker and voted by all and carried
The trustees present were
Pres. John Phillippi
Treas. Alva Janney
Secy. Geo. E. Slusser
Kenneth Blankenbeker
Rev. Hoarce Morell Pastor
Buell Millis not being present
Geo. E. Slusser Secy
At a meeting of the Trustees of Wesley Chapel Cemetery May 22,
1950
for the purpose of organizing and transacting any other business
to come before the board
Those present were John Phillippi, Buel Millis, Alva Janney,
Loyd Baker and Otto Umstot
Loyd Baker and Otto Umstot had been elected by members of the
Wesley Chapel to fill out the unexpired terms of Geo. Slusser
and Kenneth Blankenbecker, who had resigned.
Ott Umstot was appointed to fill out the terms of Geo. Slusser
and Loyd Baker that of Kenneth Blankenbecker.
Motion was made and carried that Loyd Baker be appointed
overseer of cemetery with John Phillippi as his assistant and
Otto Umstot as Secy and Alva Janney as treas.
Alva Janney was authorized to buy supplies for mower.
Motion made and carried that Grant Elliot be hired to mow
cemetery at $12.00 per mowing.
Motion made and carried the Trustees meet on the First Tuesday
in March of each year to transact necessary business
The following report was given by Alva Janney as treas.
Wesley Chapel Cemetery
1944 Henry Reid lawn mower 15.00
1946 Deno Miller lawn
mower 16.00
1949 Rolla Burger wheel barrow
25.00
Less for old barrow
1947 Paul Crumrin lawn
mower 18.00
Shovels for cemetry
Money in Marshall Bank
71.23
Bonds
225.00
Wesley Chapel Church
Wall
paper
26.30
“
“
2.70
K. Blankenbecker
Paint 7.44
H. Washburn
Sander 13.85
Reed Glass
Sander 15.67
Stricklet
Paint 13.40
Guyer Sanding
floor chk.
91.19
“ “
“ cash
44.00
Painting and
papering
151.70
D.L. Midgett - L.
Rods
chk. 41.00
“
“
“
“
cash 44.00
mops
4.89
Aisle
Carpet
9.15
Ray Baker -
Papering 41.75
Chair
covers
4.70
10 W.
shades
13.41
Root store
scarf
3.49
H. Hardway Lmbr and
Labor 76.18
Wall
paper
40.00
Rug to W.
Union
1.55
carpet
150.00
binding
9.55
fitting green
runner
3.00
Fire Ins.
7-19-1949
284.00
Money in Martinsville State
Bank
38.48
Motion was made and carried that we adjourn.
Buel D. Millis acting
Secy
(in David O. Umstot’s
writing BH)
March 22- 1951
At a meeting of the trustees of the Wesley Chapel Cemetery with
all members present
Motion was made and carried that Grant Elliot be hired to mow
the cemetery, for the year 1951 at $12.00 per mowing.
Alva Janney was authorised to re-insure the church building and
contents and raise the valuation of the contents to $600.00 and
the building to $4000.00 for fire, and $3000.00 for wind storm.
Motion made and carried, that the old coal shed be torn down and
a small building be put up to store tools used in
cemetery. After which they adjourned.
David O. Umstot.
Sec’y
March 18-1952
At a meeting of the trustees of the Wesley Chapel Cemetery all
members were present
John Phillippi was appointed to see about purchasing a lawn
mower for cemetery work. Motion was made and carried that
Grant Elliot be employed to care for the cemetery for the year
of 1952 at same terms
as 1951
After which they adjourned
David O. Umstot
Sec’ty
July 1952
On June 4th 1952 an order was given to Orkin exterminating
Company, Inc. of Vincennes, Ind. by the trustees, to exterminate
the termites in the church building, at a cost of $175.00
The work was completed June 24-1952
Funds for this work was solicited by John Phillippe and the
following contributions were received
Lola
Lindley
10.00
Loyd
Baxter
10.00
Anna
Payne
10.00
John
Phillippi
10.00
Annie
Phillippi
10.00
Alva
Wells
10.00
Loyd
Baker
10.00
Effie
Washburn
10.00
Virgie
Wells
10.00
Alva
Janney
10.00
George
Slusser
10.00
Gerald
Washburn
5.00
Fred
Phillippi
5.00
Herman
Pendleton
5.00
Buel
Millis
35.00
Cora
Hardway
50.00
Tom
Chapman
2.00
Albert
Chapman
1.00
Jesse
Spraker
1.00
Ida
Phillippi
1.00
Harry
Blankenbeker
2.00
Charlie
Millis
2.00
Fred
Downey
.50
Harrison
McDaniel
10.00
Surplus funds were turned over to church treas.
David O. Umstot
Sec’ty
1953 March 20-53
The Wesley Chapel Trustees met a Wesley Chapel and the following
member were present
John Phillippi President
Alva Janney Treasure
Lloyd Baker Cemetey
Controller
Buel Millis Member
The first thing of business in order was was the selecting of
caretaker of cemetry Grant Elliott was chosen to mow at $12 per
mowing after all bill from the terminater were paid by Treasure
Alva
Janney there was on hand Aug 4 1952
The amount paid out were
for screen $10.00
Doors $45.12
$55.12
The amount on hand were 92.98
55.12
(church fund) the sum on hand
$37.86
3786 at present
cemetey fund on hand are
1-100bond
1- 25bond
1 the above in bond are in the Treasure lock box in Dulaney Natl
Bank at Marshall Ill
one - 100 bond was cashed before maturity to buy the lawn mower
Cash on hand in cemetry fund is $22.18
Harold Washburn was appointed Sec
Motion to adjurn and next Regular meeting to be in last week in
March 1953
Buel Millis
Copied by John Phillippe Pres.
The Trustees met at the Wesley Chapel Church on April 15
1954. The fowelling Trustees present,
Lloyd Baker
Alva Janney
Harold Washburn
John Phillippi
The buissness was to hire a man for care of cemetry.
We voted to hire Grant Elliott to mow and clipp it. He
shall recieve $12.00 for a mowing and $3.00 each time it is
clipped.
Harold Washburn (Sec)
The trustees met at the wesley chaple church april 2 1955 those
present was
Lloyd Baker
Alva Janney
Harold Washburn
Buell Millis
John Philippi
the following business was to hire a man to mow the cemetary we
decided to Hire Grant Elliott at 12.50 for mowing and 3.00
clipping
We appointed John Philippi to notify the people of the cemetary
that their moniments needed strating up and find out if they
would do it them selves
We decided to by a new mower Alva Janney Lloyd B and Harold
Washburn was appointed to buy same.
Harold Washburn
Sec.
A Short history of the Wesley Chapel Church and class as told to
me by Aunt Alvira Swope a few years before her death. And
a few later facts added.
She said.
My parents moved from Ohio to Illinois about the year of
1844. At that time I was about seven yr. old. They
at first attended meeting at Melrose. Then as the country
became more thickly settled, the people decided to organize a
Methodist class and hold meeting at the home of of my parents
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Baker. This was about the year 1846
and the class was know for some time as the Baker class.
Some of the charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Baker,
Mr. and Mrs. William Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. John Elliott, Mr. and
Mrs. John Holt, Mrs. Sabrina Hull, Mrs. Bostic, and Mrs.
Hollowell.
About the year 18(blank) they decided to build a church and call
it Wesley Chapel. It was a frame building about 26X36
feet, and stood about the center of what in now the
cemetery. The frame was of hewn timbers and plastering
bath home made. My mother and myself sawed the logs into
board lengths and my father made the boards to cover the
church. This building was used for worship until the year
of 1881 when it being too small for the need of the community
the brick church was built where it now stands on land given by
Wheeler Littleton. It looks just about as it did 51 years
ago. The building committee for the Brick church were
Samuel Blankenbeker, Addison Hull, Wm. Harrison, David Ferrel
and Jonas Spraker. Uncle Jonnie
Weir burned the brick at Darian for Wesley Chapel and St. Paul
at the same time. The old church was sold to James
Phillippi who tore it down and built a dwelling house which
still stands just east of his present home.
Among the preachers who first served the church were Uncle Nixon
Evans and old pioneer of Melrose Township, and Dr. Thornburg of
Martinsville Township and when the preacher was absent Joseph
Jones or Uncle Joe Millis (As he was called by every one) would,
often take charge of the service and preach.
The circuit at first consisted of Wesley Chapel, Darian Plymouth
and Old York. The preacher usualy living at Old York or
Darian. About the year 1876 the circuit was changed from
Old York to Martinsville and was known as the Martinsville
circuit.
There have been several changes in circuit since that time, but
Wesley Chapel has allways been one point on the circuit.
The sunday school was organized in 1851 making the sunday school
81 years old and the class 86 yrs old at the present time.
We are trying to keep the church in repair as our Parents left
it for us and hope our children and those who may come into the
community will do better.
Written Nov. 26-1932. by Anna Slusser.
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