From History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, regarding the founding of the First Presbyterian Church of Macomb, Illinois:
The following excellent sketch of the history of this church, was prepared for Clarke’s “History of McDonough county,” by Rev. Josiah Moore, at that time the pastor of the church. We make no apology for presenting it here, as it contains the whole matter.
The Presbyterian church of Macomb was … organized June 9, 1832, two years after the county seat was located at Macomb, then a wild prairie.
As evidence that the hardships of the wilderness did not bleach the “true blue” Presbyterians, it is said that Rev. Romulus Barnes, then presiding at Lewistown, proposed to assist in the organization, but some objected because they feared he was not sound in the faith; and so they sent to Morgan county for Rev. William J. Frazer. Here, no doubt, is the first step which resulted afterward in the church becoming Old School.
…. About a year after the organization, Rev. W. J. Frazer became stated supply for this and other points in the county until 1836, when Rev. William K. Stewart, of Vandalia, Illinois, was called as pastor. Mr. Frazer, and some of the people not satisfied with this move, attempted to get up a rival organization, but after a year or so, the effort failed.
Mr. Stewart remained as pastor until his death, which occurred on the 19th day of April, 1852; aged 52 years. He was a man of noble worth; an able minister of the gospel; a devout christian, and a valuable citizen.
From “A History of Schuyler Presbytery”, The Presbyterian magazine Vol 6 pp. 464 – 468
1835 – Schuyler Presbytery: “Whereas one of our churches, to wit, Macomb, has placed itself under the ministry of William J. Fraser, who has declared himself no longer a member of or amenable to any presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, Presbytery asks advice of Synod in this matter.”
1837 – April 11. Mr. Fraser was denied admission into the Presbytery (meeting?) at Macomb.
1838 – Apr 7, Rev. J. M. Chase was ordained and installed as pastor of Shiloh Church with members from First Presbyterian
1839 – Oct, Camp Creek Church enrolled with members from First Presbyterian
1842 – McDonough Church was dissolved in April (this was Fraser’s competing congregation)
1848 – Rev. W. F. Furguson received Oct
1849 – Rev. Ralph Harris received July 1849 Professor at McDonough College
1853 – Rev. W. F. Furguson died Apr 1853 as president of McDonough College
1853 – Rev. Ralph Harris installed pastor of Macomb Church in Nov
1854 – Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury having been detached to Rock River Presbytery, received back in Oct to become president of McDonough college
Photo of the Session about 1880: Rev. S. T. Davis, Harvey L. Ross, Manning H. Case, Jos. E Wyne, Dr Virgil McDavitt, JH Cummings, WE Withrow, Alexander Blackburn, John McMillan, William Hunter
July 1891 bldg committee: JH Cummings, GW Bailey, ALBrockway, JWWyne, Albert Eads; Methodist Church in Monmouth; $33,616.92
Education wing in 1925 – $65,000