CHURCHES

The Presbyterian Church - this church was organized March 30, 1868, by a nunion of the Old and New School Presbyterians. The Old School Church was organized in May, 1856. Its pastors were Revs. W. C. Mason, J. B. McClure and A. N. Keigwin. The New School Church (growing out of the Congregatinal Church, which was organized in 1845). was organized in 1862. Rev. Josiah Leonard was its only minister from its organization until the union in 1868. Rev. Henry Keigwin became the pastor after the reorganization, and remained with the Church until June, 1872. Rev. Delos E. Wells succeeded him, serving the society until March, 1882, when Rev. Benj. Mills was called, who remained until May, 1883. Rev. W. D. Smith succeeded Mr. Mills, and served the Church until Nov.. 1884. Rev. R. L. Adams, the present minister, assumed the pastoral duties January, 1885. They have a fine, large brick edifice. The society has at present about 100 members and is growing. It also has a large and interesting Sunday-school.  

Church of the Immaculate Conception - The members of this Church were attended by clergymen from parishes in Illinois and Iowa for many year before a society was constituted here. In 1862 they erected a very neat church edifice, which they still use. They have also a good parsonage, and a cemetery, inclosing about five acres. The Church is out of debt and in a most properous condition. Dr. J. J. Govern was the first resident pastor. The Church has a membership at present of about 130 families. Rev. Maurice Sack is in charge of the Church. He also serves the Morrison Church, and holds mission service at Coffey's Corners, in Albany Township, about 12 miles below Fulton, every third Sunday. They have a new frame church building at this place, with a membership of 35 families. These Churches belong to theDiocese of Chicago.

The Baptist Church - About twenty years after the first settlement of Fulton, and long after the Methodists and presbyterians had established their societies, the memers of the Baptist Church, feeling the need of a place of worship, asssembled together, and after consultation decided to organize. Acting upon this decision, Alfred McFadden, John Peterson, Mrs. A. B. Starkweather, Miss Matilda Meeker, all of whom had letters from the Churches where they had formerly lived, with Rev. A. H. Starkweather, met at the old stone school-house, July 28, 1855, and completed their organization.

As soon as this nucleus was formed the Church increased in numbers rapidly. Mr. Starkweather assumed pastoral charge, and remained until the early part of the summer of 1858. During this time the Church commenced the construction of an edifice. It was so far completed that they were enabled to use the basement, and in the fall of 1856 it was dedicated. During this year the society was reorganized by the council and attached to the Dixon Association. About this period some dissatisfaction arose among the members which drew off some of them, and it was deemed best to reorganize, which they did. The new organization was called the First Baptist Church and Society of the City of Fulton.

Owing to this dissension, and the erection of their building, the society became involved in debt. Rev. A. A. Swain succeeded Mr. Starkweather, and through his able efforts the bulding was completed and the debt paid off. In 1860, March 30, the Church was dedicated, Dr. Evarts, of Chicago, assisting in the services.

The foundation of the building is of stone, the superstructure being of brick, and cost $6,000. It is a large, plain edifice, 36x70 feet. Several pastors served the Church after Mr. Swain, who resigned in the latter part of 1860, the last being Rev. W. H. Barnes. Rev. H. F. Gilbert is at present acting as pastor.

The Episcopal Church - In the spring of 1869, 13 members of this Church met in the old Methodist building and organized a society which they called Christ's Episcopal Church. the society was served by ministers from Lyons and Clinton until the latter part of the year, when the services of the Rev. George Gibson were engaged, who was the first regular pastor. In July, 1871, they purchased a building from Mr. Wetzell, and fitted it up for the holding of their meetings. This Church has not been very prosperous. Mr. Gibson was their first and last rector. Rev. Mr. Trimble, of Clinton, Iowa, held services occasionally until 1877. In 1878 their building was sold to the Northern Illinois College and moved up and located on Base Street opposite.

The Holland Church - of Fulton City, was organized Oct. 28. 1866, by Rev. H. G. Klyn and Elder G. Vostenhoud. The Elders chosen at this time were F. Stemberg and G. Manninga; Deacon, J. Tellema. Their church building was completed, and dedicated Dec. 15, 1867. In August, 1869, Rev. H. Waltman was established as pastor. His health not being good, he was given a leave of absence. He went West, and then to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he died, April 30, 1870. He was succeeded by Rev. John Van der Meurlen, and he by Rev. Wm. Hazengerg. He remained a while, when Rev. H. Van der Ploeg, the present pastor, took charge. The church is situated in the east part of the town, near the Northwestern depot. The members of this Church are made up chiefly of Hollanders living in and about Fulton and in East Clinton. Their membership is composed of about 170 families, and they have about the same number in baptism. They have commenced the erection of a new church edifice, which is to be a large and commodius structure, 50x90 feet, and will cost when completed about $5,500. It will be a frame building with a solid stone foundation. This society is in a prosperous condition, and has a larger membership that any other in the city. Their new church building isnear the center of the town, on Genesee Street. Near it is the parsonage, and, with the exception ofone lot, the society owns the entire block.

CEMETERY

Fulton City Cemetery - While in the active walks of this life the citizens of Fulton have not forgotten that it is only a temporary one at best, and that the time will come when all that this world claims of them will be laid down to rest forever.

When the founders laid out the town they set off three lots in the northern portion for a cemetery. These grounds were afterwards enlarged and now contain about twelve acres. The cemetery, which is under the control of a stock association, is located upon the high bluffs which lie north of the city, and which afford a magnificent view of the Mississippi and the country below. The grounds were naturally beautiful, and the cultivated taste of the inhabitants has enhanced their attractivness. They are liberally shaded with trees, some of which have been planted, and some have come up from Nature's original growth. There are many rich and costly monuments, which are varied indesign and are artistic.