Some History of New Design Church, near Waterloo, Illinois
Quotations showing the claims of Missionary Baptist historians regarding New Design Church
Elder David Badgley (1749-1824), a native of Virginia, visited the Illinois territory, arriving at the Mississippi River, near where St. Louis now stands, on the fourth day of May, 1796, where he found a number of people inquiring the way to Zion. During the same month he baptized fifteen persons; and on May 28, 1796, New Design Church was constituted with twenty-eight members, at a settlement also known as New Design, by Elder Badgley, assisted by Joseph Chance. This was the first Baptist church organized in Illinois territory. The names of the charter members included Joseph Griffin, William Whiteside, Larkin Rutherford, James Lemen Sr., Isaac Enoch, John Simpson, James Gilham, George Valentine, Solomon Shook, Bro. Teague, Thomas Todd, Joseph Anderson, and Joseph Ryan, with sisters not named. Shortly thereafter, Elder Badgley returned to Virginia, and moved his family to Illinois in the spring of 1797. He was then chosen the first pastor of New Design Church.
Elder William Jones, in his Memoirs of David Badgley wrote that in the year 1800 Badgley had an indisposition of body for several months, and during that time the New Design church changed a rule they had previously adopted - that of working by a oneness - agreeing to work by a majority and to commune with the Methodists. This caused much distress among them, and when Elder Badgleys health returned, he was called upon to administer the Lords Supper to the said New Design Church, but refused, believing it to be contrary to the sentiments of the United Baptists to commune with other orders; in consequence of which he was taken under dealings by a number of the members, but a majority sustained him. He then took his letter and put his membership in the Mississippi Bottom church. New Design Church soon declared an unfellowship with slave-holders, which caused another breach of fellowship among the churches; but by renewed efforts fellowship was restored. New Design Church was the largest of the original churches which organized the Illinois Association, in 1807, having 16 members at that time; the membership increased to 29 the following year. Little is known about the church from 1809 until 1820, since it did not represent in the association during that time. In October 1820, the church reunited with the Illinois Association, and reported Joseph Chance as her messenger, with 19 members in fellowship. In 1821, the church again represented herself at the association, but apparently dissolved shortly thereafter.
Location: at New Design, in New Design township.
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