Story Behind the School House:
The story behind this small school house hidden in the rolling hills of southern Illinois is a story that reaches all the way back to 1842. It's one of the oldest stories in Community of Christ history.
Jefferson Hunt, a missionary Seventy from Nauvoo, travelled across Southeast Illinois in 1842. When he arrived in Wayne County, he found a warm welcome at the home of Dr. T. P. Green. Dr. and Mrs. Green were originally from Tennessee. She was a mid-wife who delivered a number of babies in the area when Dr. Green was on call elsewhere. Dr. Green's wife cared for a herb garden that was often used by Dr. Green for medicinal purposes in treating his patients.
While staying with the Greens, Jefferson Hunt obtained permission to use the Milner School House for a revival. After preaching and witnessing for about a month, he baptized several people in the area including Dr. Green. Hunt organized a branch, ordained Green an Elder, and appointed him pastor of the new branch. This was the first congregation established by the church in Southeast Illinois.
Samuel Caudle, a resident of Brush Creek Township and cousin to Dr. T. P. Green, invited Jefferson Hunt to Brush Creek in November of 1842. Services were held in the Caudle School House. Following another successful revival and missionary efforts by Brother Hunt, the Brush Creek Branch was organized in December of 1842. This was the first church organization in Brush Creek Township. Nathan A. Morris was appointed the first pastor and served until he departed for Utah in May of 1864.
The Caudle School was a 30' x 30' log cabin. The Brush Creek Branch continued meeting in this building until land was purchased for a new building in the present location. After moving into the new church, the Caudle School was sold to Nicholas Henson. Henson installed partitions and made the old school his home before selling the property to Joe Holloway. Holloway eventually sold the property to Jeffie Thompson and it was while the Thompson family was residing in the old schoolhouse that it was destroyed by fire in 1929.
Five years later, in 1934, Brush Creek members and friends built a replica of the original log cabin where the church was established in December of 1842. The replica was built on a much smaller scale measuring 14' x 18'. Although the cabin has been repaired a number of times over the years, it serves as a nice historical marker to remind the people of Brush Creek of their historic roots.
The Brush Creek Branch has never disorganized or disbanded since it was founded in 1842. Dr. T. P. Green, the District President, and 61 of his fellow members were received into the Reorganization (on their original baptism) at a conference held in St. Louis, Missouri on July 25-26, 1864. In addition to receiving membership, Dr. Green reported to the conference that he had been involved in 21 debates with other ministers.
The historic Brush Creek Reunion had its beginning in 1894 on the one acre of ground that was purchased from Samuel and Amy Caudle for $50.00. Following this beginning, the reunion was held at the various branches of the district. It was the custom for a branch to ask for the next reunion the following year. One year the reunion was held at the Fairfield City Park. Finally in 1920, following years of discussion about establishing a permanent reunion ground, delegates at the 1920 District Conference voted to make Brush Creek the permanent home of the reunions.
The story behind this small school house hidden in the rolling hills of southern Illinois is a story that reaches all the way back to 1842. It's one of the oldest stories in Community of Christ history.
Jefferson Hunt, a missionary Seventy from Nauvoo, travelled across Southeast Illinois in 1842. When he arrived in Wayne County, he found a warm welcome at the home of Dr. T. P. Green. Dr. and Mrs. Green were originally from Tennessee. She was a mid-wife who delivered a number of babies in the area when Dr. Green was on call elsewhere. Dr. Green's wife cared for a herb garden that was often used by Dr. Green for medicinal purposes in treating his patients.
While staying with the Greens, Jefferson Hunt obtained permission to use the Milner School House for a revival. After preaching and witnessing for about a month, he baptized several people in the area including Dr. Green. Hunt organized a branch, ordained Green an Elder, and appointed him pastor of the new branch. This was the first congregation established by the church in Southeast Illinois.
Samuel Caudle, a resident of Brush Creek Township and cousin to Dr. T. P. Green, invited Jefferson Hunt to Brush Creek in November of 1842. Services were held in the Caudle School House. Following another successful revival and missionary efforts by Brother Hunt, the Brush Creek Branch was organized in December of 1842. This was the first church organization in Brush Creek Township. Nathan A. Morris was appointed the first pastor and served until he departed for Utah in May of 1864.
The Caudle School was a 30' x 30' log cabin. The Brush Creek Branch continued meeting in this building until land was purchased for a new building in the present location. After moving into the new church, the Caudle School was sold to Nicholas Henson. Henson installed partitions and made the old school his home before selling the property to Joe Holloway. Holloway eventually sold the property to Jeffie Thompson and it was while the Thompson family was residing in the old schoolhouse that it was destroyed by fire in 1929.
Five years later, in 1934, Brush Creek members and friends built a replica of the original log cabin where the church was established in December of 1842. The replica was built on a much smaller scale measuring 14' x 18'. Although the cabin has been repaired a number of times over the years, it serves as a nice historical marker to remind the people of Brush Creek of their historic roots.
The Brush Creek Branch has never disorganized or disbanded since it was founded in 1842. Dr. T. P. Green, the District President, and 61 of his fellow members were received into the Reorganization (on their original baptism) at a conference held in St. Louis, Missouri on July 25-26, 1864. In addition to receiving membership, Dr. Green reported to the conference that he had been involved in 21 debates with other ministers.
The historic Brush Creek Reunion had its beginning in 1894 on the one acre of ground that was purchased from Samuel and Amy Caudle for $50.00. Following this beginning, the reunion was held at the various branches of the district. It was the custom for a branch to ask for the next reunion the following year. One year the reunion was held at the Fairfield City Park. Finally in 1920, following years of discussion about establishing a permanent reunion ground, delegates at the 1920 District Conference voted to make Brush Creek the permanent home of the reunions.
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Location of the Object
Brush Creek, Illinois |
Date of the Object
1934 |
Photos & Information Shared By
Dale Warren, Sue Green, and Brad Bryant |