Clementine Memorial Church

Serving God since 1917

History of Clementine

History of Clementine
Church built in 1917 by Knudson
 but really began in 1890...
     The early beginning of Clementine Church dates back to the spring of 1890 when Mrs Lavinia Beach, passing a home in North Springfield, saw a crepe hanging on the door... ( a sign someone had passed away).  She asked herself the question, "What have I done for this man's soul and for his boys?"  She then determined  by the help of God, to work  for the securing of a building for the preaching of the Gospel in that section of the city.
    In 1892, E.A. Wilson gave the use of a house in 'Wilson Row'  ( 2200 North 15th St.)  Sunday School and services were conducted and established.  In 1894, the Saunders brothers, gave a building lot on the north side of Sangamon Ave. and mrs beach with the help of others secured $1800.00 to erect a building, completed in June of that year. .  In addition to the regular Sunday Servcies, a library, reading room and playground were established. This formed the Lavinia Beach Reading Room and Library Association.
     In 1906 the work was taken over by the Presbyterians under the direction of the Presbyterian Church Extension Committee. Rev. and Mrs. George Lockhart were placed in charge and served for one year.  May 1, 1907 brought Miss Katherine Mckay to the field. She served until August 14, 1914.  On Sept. 4, 1914, Miss Harriet Albee was secured from the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and was made superintendent of the work.  
     In March 1915, the Sangamon Ave. building was sold and the work was carried on in the Ridgely School Building until it was destroyed in a fire in November, 1916.  The work was then moved to a store room at 2010 Peoria Road to remain until the erection of the Church at the corner of Percy and North 11th.
    This church was a gift of Benjamin Knudson in the memory of his wife, Clementine and was dedicated and opened for use October 15, 1917. The lots upon which the building rests was the gift of the francis Estate through the trustees of the Second       ( Now Westminister) Presbyterian Church.  On June 5, 1919 at 8 pm. a large audience gathered at the Church where 143 names were read as the charter members of the church.  Rev. Humphries presided and Rev. S.B. Harry preached the sermon.
  The following covenant was read and orally repeated by those assembled.

    " We, the petitioners for this organization, and the applicants for enrollment in this proposed church, do hereby agree and covenat to associate ourselves together as disciples of the Lord Jesus christ for the worship of God, and for Christian service in the world. We accept the teaching of the Old and New Testament as supreme and by the grace of God shall follow the precepts of Him, who is the Great Head of the Church, Jesus Christ our Divine Lord."

     " We sanction and submit to the form of Government of the Presbyterian Church and hereby recognize our responsibility to the Presbytery of Springfield and the General Assembly as the higher judiciary of the Presbyterian Church in the USA.  The consecreation prayer was offered by Rev. S Willis McFadden of the Westminister Church.

   The first officers of the church were elected, the Elders and deacons were ordained by Rev. A.G.  Bergen, DD.

 List of officers:  ELDERS  O.N. Hodgson, Bert Layton, Samuel Farrand, Cyrus Shaw.  DEACONS:  Cyrus Shaw, James Boyer, Michael Novatnak.  TRUSTEES:  W. C. Dunham, Paul Smith, Roy R. Ogg, Mrs. Mary Waters, O.N. Hodgson.
Mr Ben Knudson was elected Trustee for Life.

Following the installation of officers, The Lord's Supper was celebrated under the direction of Rev. S Willis McFadden, DD. and Rev. John T. Thomas, DD.

Rev. H. M. Hildebrandt was named moderator of the session and Rev. Humphreys made the following declaration:

" In the name of Christ, the Head of the Church, and by the authority of the Presbytery of Springfield, I do declare the Clementine Memorial Presbyterian Church to be duly organized."  After singing "Blessed be the Tie that Binds". The meeting closed with prayer and benediction by Rev. H.M. Hildebrandt.
Clementine:  the feminine form of Clement with the general meaning of "Mercy and Forgiveness granted by someone of authority.. an attribute of God himself."  

Clementine Stuve' Knudson    Born 1865, died Feb. 28, 1910

Benjamin Knudson    Born 1859, died Sept. 2, 1924

Benjamin and Clementine had no children. Mr Knudson was survived by two nephews and one niece living in Springfield, Robert Knudson, Samuel O. Knudson and Mrs Thomas L. Cochran.











In October of 2003, the members of the Church purchased the building from the Presbytery and became known as Clementine Memorial Church, Inc.