First United Presbyterian Church

MITCHELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MITCHELL, ILLINOIS

I

About 1871 in Mitchell Illinois, John Jay and William Mitchell were pioneer cattle ranchers and farmers in the area. These men donated land for a school. They also donated land for a Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches. It is said that the Mitchell brothers were Baptists and donated the money in 1897 for the construction of a Protestant church with the understanding that the church would be Baptist. However, it also stated that the land donated for the Protestant church was given with the provision that the title to the property was to be awarded after the church had been established and operated by any one congregation for twelve years.

Apparently, both St Elizabeth’s Catholic Church and the Protestant church were started in 1871. The article states that the Catholic Church was started in 1871. In another place it states that Frank Troeckler, foreman for the Mitchell Brothers Ranch, hauled the first load of rock for the Protestant church in 1871. The article states that, typical of the times, both churches were build by the combined labors of the inhabitants. In our generation we are happy to note that there is a growing goodwill between Catholics and Protestants.

There seems to be general agreement that the first Protestant church in the Mitchell area was located where the Donaldson Café now stands, on the south side of Chain of Rocks Road and about a block east of route 203. Apparently, this church was a Baptist church at first, but it would seem that this arrangement did not continue for more than a few years. It is reported that, later, there was a movement to tear down the church since it was inactive. However, this plan was abandoned when the Methodist denomination agreed to operate the church. It is not known how long the Methodist operated the church, but the time certainly fell short of twelve years. It seems impossible to reconstruct the history of these early years for which no records are available. One might be justified in guessing that there were long periods when the church did not function or if it did function, it was as a non-denominational Sunday school with occasional evangelistic services by itinerant preachers.

At a still later date, maybe fifty years after the church was erected, the people in the congregation were able to secure the assistance of a student minister named Thorton. It is recalled that the preaching and looking after the pastoral needs of the congregation, he was paid $3.00 per week. It is thought that this arrangement continued for four or five years. Apparently, this student minister was a Presbyterian. It was during his period of service, in 1927, that Ida Hanfelder moved into the Mitchell area and became active in the Protestant church at Mitchell. When he resigned, it looked as though the church might again become inactive. Mrs. Hanfelder conferred with Rev. C. E. Bowman of the Presbyterian Church in East St. Louis, who in turn presented the need of the Mitchell church to the Presbytery. The Presbytery appointed the Rev. N. C. Griffin to serve the church at Mitchell. He was pastor of the Wynstanley Presbyterian Church at East St. Louis where he lived, but served the Mitchell church in addition to his other duties. He was able to travel by using the interurban, which operated at that time, and Sunday worship services were held in the afternoon. Apparently, Presbyterian; leadership was more tenacious than previous efforts, for it continued and the church has been under Presbyterian administration ever since. After operating the church continuously for twelve years, the property was deeded to the Presbyterian denomination.

 

 

 

On March 20, 1956, the old building burned, and it was decided to rebuild on a different location. In order to have a larger plot of ground and be away from the noise of the railroad tracks, the new site was at Greenway Drive and Chain of Rocks Road being an excellent choice. The present building was erected in 1957 on three acres of land. In 1971 primarily William Norris built a manse with members of the congregation assisting. Dr. William and Pearl Reipschlager were the first residents. In 1973 the mortgage was paid and the church debt free. The church remained continuing to hold services until 1998. With expenses rising and church growth near non-existent, operations were to cease resulting in a merger with First Presbyterian Church of Granite City, Illinois.

Record of Pastors:
Rev. N. C. Griffin 1932-1940 E. St. Louis & Mitchell
Rev. Walter Lindemann 1940-1941 Madison & Mitchell
Rev. Daniel A. Moore 1942-1944 Madison & Mitchell
Rev. W. P. Fink 1945-1947
Rev. Homer Chapin 1947-
Rev. Frank Campbell 1956-1957
Rev. John DiGiacomo 1957-1968 Mitchell (First Full Time)
Rev. Dr. W. F. Reipschlager 1971-1976 Mitchell
Rev. Jeffrey Cheadle 1977-1981 Mitchell (His First Church)
Rev. Linda Shugert 1982-1991 Mitchell
Rev. Scott Kroener 1994-1996 (Mitchell's final pastor.)

MITCHELL CROSS

The Mitchell church for many years had desired a proper sign but upon looking at the expense and their unending battle to work within the budget, always set these ideas aside for a repainted highway sign hung on four by fours.

This cross as was erected at the Mitchell Presbyterian Church in 1984 was brought about through the inspirational motivation of a Rev. Linda Shugert who held the Celtic Cross as special. Walter “Dick” Sparks having been a businessman and in the county government for many years, a past Choteau Township Supervisor, had many acquaintances to provide the design, material and labor to construct the cross. Through his efforts all material and labor were provided without charges. A particular aspect with the cross is that being made of aluminum; he had to search someone talented in welding this particular material. Charles Norris, Russell Katzman and Jack Filkins installed the cross adding outdoor lighting. As erected the cross stood some fifteen feet nine inches. The cross, weighing 84 pounds, was made of aluminum tubing eight by ten inches and placed on a concrete pier.

In August 2003, the cross was brought to First Presbyterian Church. As the cross is now placed on the exterior wall of the church, its length, or height, has been reduced approximately two and one-half feet now measuring about eleven feet in height. Being lit with back lighting it presents a pleasant image for the First Presbyterian Church.
May we give thanks to those at Mitchell for giving us a cross, unique in itself, original and symbolic to their journey of faith.