St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Rectory in 1954.
end Michael C. O'Brien was in charge. Father Quinlan retired in 1918, but it was he who erected the new brick church at the corner of West Third and Elm at a cost of $13,000. It was dedicated by the Most Reverend J. L. Spaulding, Bishop of the Peoria Diocese, May 22, 1899. The church was later equipped with a pipe organ and a new brick rectory was built next door. Reverend Quinlan pioneered the vacation school movement by organizing and teaching classes. He spent his retirement in El Paso, which he considered his home, living two doors west of the church he had served so long. He died of paralysis April 22, 1925 and was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Peoria.
Father Aout, Father Sullivan and Father Dollard had terms of service at St. Mary's before the Reverend James J. Kerrins began his pastorate October 12, 1950. Under his direction the basement of the rectory was converted into a parish hall; the church was insulated, the walls tuck-pointed, a new vestibule and entrance constructed, storm sash and new doors installed, all during 1953 at a total cost close to $20,000. A dinner in 1952 marked the silver anniversary of Father Kerrin's ordination.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH was organized July 3, 1864 by Uncle Jimmy Robeson and Elder John Lindsey with forty charter members. The meeting was held in the schoolhouse. When the group could secure a minister, they held worship services in Strathman's Hall for a year or more ; they were then able to erect a small church on Elm Street, the second building south of Second Street in 1865. They built an addition in 1877 which doubled its capacity, but services were held irregularly until 1881, when they were discontinued.
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