OUR HISTORY

 

Center Presbyterian Church was organized October 14, 1837.  The name of the first organization was Pope's River Church.  October 14, 1837, Pope's River Church was the farthest point west, organized Presbyterianism had reached in the United States.  Settlements and improvements were made along the streams and timber as it was thought that the open prairies never would be settled.

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There were 13 charter members of Pope's River Church, and Mr. Thomas Candor and Mr. Ephriam Gilmore were the first elders.  The first preaching services were held around the neighborhood, but generally at Mr. Candor's, until 1849 when the church building was finished in section seven of Ohio Grove township, Mercer County, Illinois.

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The last members of Pope's River Church were transferred March 12, 1869, to become the charter members of Center Church.  Of the 35 charter members, sixteen were from Pope's River.  Center Church's first location was southeast of Seaton, Illinois, and from there was removed later to the village of Seaton.  

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The organization has occupied three different  buildings.  The first, in Ohio Grove township, which is still standing in the Candor Cemetery. One southeast of Seaton and one in Seaton.  On moving to Seaton a new church building was erected in the summer of 1893 and dedicated January 21, 1894.  In the summer of 1901 it was remodeled, enlarged and rededicated November 24, 1901.  

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Major Restoration to Pope's River Church, beginning late 2010 and completed one year later, was made possible by individual donations, Center Church, and Candor Cemetery board. Two worship services are held each year at the mother church, Memorial Day Sunday and Labor Day Sunday.  In addition to those services, an occasional wedding or funeral is also held there.

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