1871 - 1921
Early in the year 1855 Elder Williams, of the Arkona Baptist Church journeyed westward and, finding those of like precious faith with himself, began services in the log schoolhouse, 6th line Warwick. Succeeding pastors of the Arkona church carried on the work. The Ebenezer Church of Warwick being erected jointly by the Baptists and Congregationalists, services being held on alternate Sundays.
We copy the following from the Arkona church records: March 5th, 1870:
At a meeting of the Church, held in Deacon Goodhill's settlement, it was resolved that the following members, be, at their own request, set apart as branch of the Arkona Church, to be know as the West Branck of the Arkona Church, to be subject to the rules and discipline of the church, but having the privilege of holding prayer meetings, covenant meetings, and communion meetings.
David Goodhill, Mrs. Goodhill, Philip Kilmer, Anna Goodhill, Thompson Watt, Mary Goodhill, William Phillips, Mrs. Watt, Daniel Campbell, Josephine Watt, David Schooly, Lou Lambert, William Lester, Agnes Campbell, David Crysler, Catherine Campbell, James Burns, Mrs. Phillips, Joseph Goodhill, Mrs. Schooly, George Coomes, Mrs. Burns, J. Wellington, Vina Watt, J. Stacey, Angelina Kilmer, Margaret A. Ressigue, Ann Wellington, Martha Crysler, Amy Crysler. Total 31 members.
On Sept. 22nd of that year, by motion, they were set apart as an independent body, to be known as the Warwick Church. This was during the pastorate of Elder Conrad, a contemporary of uncle Joe Little, so that when it comes to one sowing and another reaping, the Baptists plead "not guilty".
Elder Conrad was succeeded by Elder Clarke who, in addition to Arkona, Thedford and Warwick, found occasion to visit Forest, and reported to the Home Mission Board, "that the work was capable of extension." Accordingly, in 1871, Elder Charles Northrup visited Forest. A get-together social was held, the musical part of which was furnished by the Ressigue family.
Services were commenced in the Congregational Chapel, a log building, corner Clyde and Union streets, (eventually the home of Mrs. J. Marshal), and a joint Sunday School was begun. Here the veteran choir leader John W. Bell began his twenty years of service to the church. On Sept. 13th, 1871, the Forest Church organized with the following as charter members:
Henry Boughton, Martha Boughton, George Cronkite, Amanda Cronkite, N. Cronkite, Mrs. N. Cronkite, David Schooly, Mrs. D. Schooly, Williams Phillips, Mrs. W. Phillips, Thomas Bell, Mrs. T. Bell, Mrs. M. Syms, Mrs. E. Collins, Mrs. D. Cornell. Total 15 members, with Elder Northrup as first pastor, Henry Boughton and D. Schooly being chosen as deacons.
