As described in the preface below, Jerry Kattke transcribed the West Twin Grove Christian Church's church book in 1992. The West Twin Grove Christian Church is approximately halfway between Bloomington and Danvers.

Copies of the above mentioned book can be found at the McLean County Historical Society in Bloomington, Illinois; the Allen County Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana; the Wheaton, Illinois public library; the Disciples of Christ Historical Society in Nashville, Tennessee; or on microfilm (number 1697768 item 12) at your local branch of the LDS Family History Library.

PREFACE

My initial examination of this old church record book revealed a broken binding, deteriorating paper, and badly faded ink. So I suggested that the book be captured in print while it was still possible, and, of course, I was given the task. I have attempted to recreate the book as accurately as possible; I have not tried to maintain the original page layout, but punctuation, capitalization, and spelling have been preserved to the best of my ability. Occasionally I have added my own comments in square brackets [like this] where something was too faded to read or I felt the need to provide the reader with some information not written in the original book.

I have also added an index which was not, of course, part of the original church record book. Many thanks to Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Simpson of Bloomington, Illinois for making the original book available.

[the following two items were taped inside the front cover of the book]

This book was given to Betty Prosser 1977 by Mrs Dorothy Hardwick. found in her mothers attic after her death. Her mother was Lib Johnson Mann wife of Bob Mann.

Betty Johnson Prosser Daughter of Maude Simmons Johnson and Walter Richard Johnson

The West Twin church is the oldest church organizations in the county.

The church was organized in 1841 by the R. J Robeson at the home of Samuel Barker with 25 charter members. They met + held regular services in the home untill in 1848 when the first meeting house was built at the present location on an acre of land belonging at that time to one of the Johnsons. It was a hewed frame building. the congregation continued their religious services in this building untill the community increased in population + a larger building was needed. the second church was built in 1864 a one room frame building all material being brought from Chicago (Present building was built in 1912).

[written in pencil, upside down, on the inside front cover; very badly faded]

Minutes of a meeting held [illegible] 1880 by the congregation of [illegible].

first the case of George R. Johnson. More labor be expended. Henry girls be notified to come forward against the next meeting and make the proper amends or the brethren would withhold from them. Also the young brethren Bey Beelers & Frank Henry Benj Beeler & wife & son Henry be labored with more.

Church Record of the Christian Church of Twin Grove McLean County Illinois.

Being a True Transcript from the Old Record. Compared by

Members - pages 2-24

Deacons - page 25

Elders - page 26

Meeting Minutes - pages 27-56

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