(The church is located in Johnson County north of State route 147 about a mile west of Simpson.)

"The 120th anniversary of Gilead Church was observed on Sunday, May 6, 1962 with a program depicting its history down through the years. The following history was written by Owen Kerley.
      One hundred and twenty years ago, on Saturday, November 27, 1842, Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized by the Rev. James Alexander. The meeting was held in the log cabin home of William Barnwell, (on what is now the Gilbert Alsip farm) with thirteen members present; namely, William Barnwell, William and Willie Simpson as elders and Nancy Barnwell, James Hays, Eliza Hays, Elizabeth Hays, Joseph Thomas, John Simmons, Elizabeth Stallcup, Dillian Nichols, Cely Matthews and Caroline Matthews.
      Services continued at this place, just south and west of the present site and in different member's homes for about seven years. Then, by permission, after Cross Roads School was moved from the old log on the southwest part of the Reuben McKee farm, later known as the Dr. T. B. Kerley farm and now owned by Nathan Veach. Services were held in this old log cabin which had limited educational opportunities for the members of this early Gilead Church. Lawrence W. Fern was then the teacher.
      A cemetery was started south of this old log school building on what is now the Roy Gray farm. Due to the wet grounds here, William Barnwell suggested in 1852 that the cemetery be moved to where it is today. With humble perseverance and determination to improve conditions, the pioneers selected this spot because of its three-way drainage. Burials were made here some two years before a deed was made or a church erected. The first grave in the cemetery was that of Miss Nancy Waters, age 18, buried August 16, 1854.
      The first church house erected at this site was built in the early part of the year 1856. This was a log structure. Logs were hewn from the nearby forests by the pioneers and swung into line. Soon there was the first substantial church building at Gilead. The lights were tallow candles and dips, usually so dim that it was necessary for the minister or one of the members to hold one or more of the lights very closely to the printed page in order to read the Scripture lesson, while the wolves howled in the nearby woods. On June 23, 1856, David H.H. Birch deeded to the elders of the church three acres of land for church and cemetery purposes.
      The old log house served well its purpose of temporary usefulness for fourteen years. Then, by the help of the people of the community, the first frame building was constructed in 1870. In this building were used the first oil burning lamps. *Again, As down the lanes of memory bloom all the joys of yester year--these fine oil lampswith reflectors on the walls.This second house of worship stood for some forty years as a silent sentinel to the bountiful flow of spiritual blessings. In October 1884, Milton A. Trigg and J.G. Barnwell drove to Metropolis and bought the bell for the church at a cost of $6.00. It was a two day journey as there were no means of modern transportation at that time.
      This building was razed in 1912 to be replaced by the third building, the present one, in 1913, with Ed Hurley as the head carpenter. This was a white frame building with two doors opening in the entrance with a belfry in the center. Heat was furnished by a pot-bellied stove sitting in the middle of the church. The congregation sat on benches that were hand hewn and hand planed of poplar lumber. Since 1912 many changes have been made. Lights were furnished by Alladin lamps.
      The cemetery was organized and incorporated on September 5, 1933, with the following appointed trustees: W. F. Veach, Z. Kerley, G. W. Kerley, N. H. Hurley, Ned and Hartsell Murrie. The first piano for the church was donated by Dr. Joe Trigg on January 11, 1934. In 1937 an addition was made on the south side, almost doubling the size of the building, with a new basement under the new portion and a coal furnace installed. Electricity was installed in 1940.
At the Home-coming held in 1942, the Centennial of Gilead Church was observed. In part the following poem by C. G. Barnwell was read:
One Hundred Years, we have just begun
Our Master's work is still undone
Launching another century
Brings solemn duties to you and me
Though earthly trials our lives beset
By faith and work, they shall be met
Gilead, Dear Gilead, let us have no fears
It'll endure another hundred years.

This was a period when war clouds were again over our land. Boys were being called into the service of their country. Lest we forget--even in the darkest hours of our faith wandered in green pastures and reposed deside the still waters as they trod the paths of glory.
      In 1945, the front of the church was remodeled and new white siding put on. Later, in 1955 the basement was enlarged to full size and an oil-burning furnace installed, new pews were added and carpeting on the floor, and last but not least, to add beauty and purpose of the building, new windows were installed in 1961. ALL OF THIS progress through the years could never have been made without the sacrifice and help of the Church members and the public spirited people of the community. Now, this Spiritual Lighthouse, is a token of the "American Way of Life."
      Dr. Frank Trigg remembered the church and cemetery in his last will; Austin Kerley and wife bought five acres of land just north of the present cemetery and donated it to the Trustees of Gilead Cemetery on July 24, 1944; the Ladies Aid bought the present piano for the church and have helped in many different ways. To each and everyone who have helped financially, manually and spiritually in bettering the Church and Cemetery, we owe a deep debt of gratitude.
      All in all it has been a long list of professed Christians making up the membership. The old church has stood as God's Candlestick through the yearsalways pointing to the land of he Unsetting Sun. In 1842 there were 13 members; in 1856 there were 60 members; in 1870 there were 175; in 1919 there were 95; in 1937 there were 107 members and 539 graves in the cemetery. The family names that have helped to make up the membership are: Barnwell, Simpson, Trigg. Scott, Russell, Thomas, Gray, Morphis, Martin, Young, Veach, Hurley, Whiteside, Keltner, Murrie, Taylor and many others.
      The pastorate list of the Gilead Church is long and around it is many memories. The following is a partial list: Lewis Green Simpson, J. H. Morphis, M. L. Bell, David Gray, Bob Pryor, J. T. Davidson, T. B. Hilloway, D. D. Norris, Lowell Earnhardt, Roy Shelton, J. G. Whiteside, Lloyd Noble, Chzrles Evitts, Earl Roberts, Lester Kessler, J.T. Russell, Robert Hull, Frank Blaine, Lonnie Stoner and Ronald Bynum.
While those of earlier years are no more to be seen in public worship or in everyday life, a stroll about in the adjoining cemetery reveals their names inscribed on marble and granite. What a great transformation in persannel? On memory's wall is indelibly written an almost endless list of the most pleasant and sacred associations and experiences recorded from the scenes about this old church which our parents, grandparents and great-great grandparents cherished and which we trust to hold as dearly until we, too, go to the "Better Land" where a happy reunion will take place with those we learned to love and serve in the years of long ago.
P.S.
In 1964 more improvements were made at the church. New paneling was placed on the lower walls of the church, new classrooms were built in the basement and air conditioning installed."
( End of Mr. Owen Kerley's written history)

In 1994-1995 a beautiful new auditorium was added on the east side of the church and class rooms were added in the new basement below it. My sons, Larry and David Bowman, contractors helped in this building project. Much has happened in years since the last entry in the Parker's History book. The church is growing and many descendants of the founding families are worshipping there today. The present pastor is Rev. Bud McDannell.
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March 11, 2004, I found Owen Kerley's original booklet he had mimeographed and sold for 60 cents. *The Parker's History condensed parts of the original. I added them with italics.

Title:
Gilead Church and Cemetery

"The Spot Where Our Memories Linger"

Maintained by Donations

Written & Printed by Owen Kerley,
Simpson, Illinois 1964