The United Brethren Church was the first church in Lexington and was organized in October of 1838 by Reverend Stephen Prezy. The first meeting was held at Uncle Conrad Flesher’s double log cabin in the timber southwest of Lexington. This became known as the “Mackinaw Class.” Early meetings were held in homes, barns and sometimes in the beautiful shady groves along the Mackinaw River.
In 1841 a revival meeting was held in the Flesher cabin and forty-one souls were converted. Much inspired, this forty-one became the charter members of the First United Brethren Church and built their first church in 1842. A frame building, 28 by 40 feet, was located upon land deeded by Jacob Spawr and signed by Conrad and Elizabeth Flesher to James R. Dawson and John Haner for ½ acre of land on Section 7. This was located south of Lexington in the timber midway between Lexington and the Mackinaw.
The preacher, Robert Baker, “rolled up his sleeves and took the lead,” he was the boss carpenter, as that was his trade. George Flesher was second boss. These forty-one charter members went out in the timber and hewed logs, split and shaved shingles to cover the roof, and hauled lime rocks to be used to make plaster to cover the walls. Timbers split from small trees had small holes bored and pins placed in them to create benches for seating. Four iron kettles in which they burned charcoal were the “stoves” that provided heat during the brutally cold central Illinois winters.
This building served the congregation until 1855 at which time they wished to relocate into the newly settled town of Lexington. The church building was sold, was moved into Lexington, and became the livery stable of John Barret.
The new United Brethren church was built on the corner of Cedar and Walnut; its trustees were John Popejoy, John Dawson, and Peter Hefner. And so, it would remain through the years, with numerous fires, remodels, and additions. It was in this church building that all churches founded in Lexington up to 1956 used at one time or another to hold meetings. It was in this church building that Abraham Lincoln attended services whenever he was in town, preferring to sit in the North East back row next to the door. He stayed in the log house at the rear of the church before a hotel opened in town and stabled his horse next door on the south in the livery station. This was during the time he was riding the circuit court of this district.
In 1968 the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church took place on a national level. This local church would now become known as the Evangelical United Methodist Church.
After 155 years this age-old church held its last service on Sunday 2 January 1994. The faithful members through the years can be proud of their history: the first church in the area, the first church building in Lexington, and attendance by Abraham Lincoln. However, membership had dwindled and with no further need, the oldest church in Lexington was taken down and the property sold.
In 1841 a revival meeting was held in the Flesher cabin and forty-one souls were converted. Much inspired, this forty-one became the charter members of the First United Brethren Church and built their first church in 1842. A frame building, 28 by 40 feet, was located upon land deeded by Jacob Spawr and signed by Conrad and Elizabeth Flesher to James R. Dawson and John Haner for ½ acre of land on Section 7. This was located south of Lexington in the timber midway between Lexington and the Mackinaw.
The preacher, Robert Baker, “rolled up his sleeves and took the lead,” he was the boss carpenter, as that was his trade. George Flesher was second boss. These forty-one charter members went out in the timber and hewed logs, split and shaved shingles to cover the roof, and hauled lime rocks to be used to make plaster to cover the walls. Timbers split from small trees had small holes bored and pins placed in them to create benches for seating. Four iron kettles in which they burned charcoal were the “stoves” that provided heat during the brutally cold central Illinois winters.
This building served the congregation until 1855 at which time they wished to relocate into the newly settled town of Lexington. The church building was sold, was moved into Lexington, and became the livery stable of John Barret.
The new United Brethren church was built on the corner of Cedar and Walnut; its trustees were John Popejoy, John Dawson, and Peter Hefner. And so, it would remain through the years, with numerous fires, remodels, and additions. It was in this church building that all churches founded in Lexington up to 1956 used at one time or another to hold meetings. It was in this church building that Abraham Lincoln attended services whenever he was in town, preferring to sit in the North East back row next to the door. He stayed in the log house at the rear of the church before a hotel opened in town and stabled his horse next door on the south in the livery station. This was during the time he was riding the circuit court of this district.
In 1968 the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church took place on a national level. This local church would now become known as the Evangelical United Methodist Church.
After 155 years this age-old church held its last service on Sunday 2 January 1994. The faithful members through the years can be proud of their history: the first church in the area, the first church building in Lexington, and attendance by Abraham Lincoln. However, membership had dwindled and with no further need, the oldest church in Lexington was taken down and the property sold.
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A Memorial Garden with EUB's bell is on the SE corner of Cedar and Walnut Streets where church stood for 155 years.
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