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Vermilion Chapel
By Marilyn Campbell Vermilion Chapel had its beginnings in rural Blount Township in 1863 as a Regular Baptist Church. Early meetings were held in homes and then in Bunker Hill School until 1886, when Elder Ruel Dodson donated a plot of ground and furnished the timber for the church. Like most churches in Vermilion County of that period, the building was framed of yellow poplar and shingles were of red cedar. The chapel had two separate single doors on the front, as it was the practice for women and small children to sit on one side of the church, and men and older boys on the other. Some couples preferred to sit in a middle section in front or back of the heating stove at the center of the church. The pews were handmade of saw-milled poplar lumber, having bow-sawed ends and put together by hand-wrought nails. The lower interior half of the window panes were painted white to lessen the sun's rays, to discourage people from being distracted by happenings outside, and to prevent those persons passing outside from disturbing the worshippers. The pulpit was originally located between the two doors at the north end, but was later moved to the south end and the pews were reversed. A pump organ completed the furnishings of the chapel, which was lighted by kerosene lamps. A hitching post was located at the front of the church, and there were two privies and a woodshed outside. At about the turn of the century, hail and tomadic winds damaged the chapel, and a blacksmith was engaged to make seven iron rods which were placed crosswise of the building, four at the foundation and three above the ceiling. The ends of the rods were threaded and wagon-wheel nuts were used to draw the building together to provide additional support. As time passed, additional improvements were made to the church, with electric lights and a modern heating system being added. Ceilings were lowered, and tile was laid over the original flooring. By the late 1960's, church membership had greatly decreased. By 1970, the Vermilion County Conservation District had acquired much of the surrounding land. On Decem-
July/August 1981 Illinois Parks and Recreation 18 ber 3, 1972, the members voted to sell the chapel to the Conservation District. The final service—as a privately-owned church—was held on January 20, 1973. The Vermilion County Conservation District decided to restore the chapel to its original condition, and the Altrusa Club of Danville, Illinois, chose to restore the interior of the church as a Bicentennial project. Modern heating system and electricity were removed, the floor was restored to an original wood floor, and windows (some with original glass) were reglazed. The Altrusa Club located the original podium, bell, and stove. A reed organ, oak pews and kerosene lamps completed the interior. The dedication was held on June 20, 1976, with the Rev. Kenneth F. Dodson, the last pastor of the church, as the guest speaker. The Vermilion Chapel is listed in the National Register of Bicentennial Activities, and was selected as the outstanding permanent project by the Vermilion County Bicentennial Committee. This historic site still lives, however, as numerous weddings have been performed there since its restoration. Arrangements for use can be made through the Conservation District. The Altrusa Club is continuing its commitment to the chapel by providing volunteers for open house from 1-5 p.m. each Sunday and holiday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Thus, Ruel Dodson's church lives on as part of the natural heritage protected for future generations by the Vermilion County Conservation District.
July/August 1981 Illinois Parks and Recreation 19 |
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