Modern Pastors of Central
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1927-1959 |
1967-1971 |
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1959-1967 |
1973-1991 |
Dr. Jo M. Riley
1959-1967
The completion of the long tenure of Rev. Flewelling left Central with a task to which most members have never given a thought. Very few members could remember any other senior minister. This beloved pastor left his mark on every facet of church and home life. However, veneration gave some ground to reality and a pulpit committee was formed. After months of deliberation, a call was issued to Rev. Jo M. Riley.
After three years
as minister of the Wilson, North Carolina Christian Church, Rev.
Jo M. Riley assumed the pastorate of Central on June 28, 1959.
His initial sermon was entitled "Together We Journey,"
and what a journey it was.
The evening of his first day in the pulpit, Rev. Riley preached at the Community Summer Park Service. Dr. Carrell Flewelling, beloved pastor of Central for 28 years and the pastor whom Jo Riley was replacing, had preached the very first Park Service sermon on June 21, 1931!
During nearly eight years, Rev. Riley was active not only in the church but also in the community and around the world on behalf of the church. In April 1960, he launched our "Decade of Decision" campaign and worked hard until its successful conclusion. In August of that same year, he planned and conducted the communion services of the World Convention of Christian Churches held in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Earlier in January 1960, Reverend Lael Smith was called as Minister of Christian Education and made a valuable contribution to Central until his decision to accept another call in February 1963. In the Fall of 1961, Reverend Riley visited our mission stations in Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
During his pastorate at Central, Rev. Riley accepted into membership 826 additions. The operating budget increased from $57,000 to $88,000, World Outreach giving increased from $14,000 to $74,000, and the mortgage on our new church and added parking lot was liquidated in 1964.
Under Rev. Riley's inspired leadership, Central's programs were enlarged in the areas of music, church school and youth. Bible study groups were developed and an Easter pageant, written and directed by Rev. Riley, was presented to the community for several years.
A community service program was developed at Friendship House, a social service center located on the northwest corner of the church property. This building served the Decatur Vocational Rehabilitation Center, the Decatur Senior Citizens Center and later, it served the Boy Scouts, Decatur Christian Foundation, and various Sunday school classes.
Working with First Christian Church and Prairie Avenue Christian Church, Rev. Riley played a major role in establishing a new church, Crestview Christian Church, in north Decatur.
In community affairs, Rev. Riley worked closely with the Decatur Area Council of Churches. He served on the Association of Commerce Inter-church Committee, Decatur Human Relations Commission, and served as a director of the local Rotary Club.
In the brotherhood, he served on the board of managers of United Christian Missionary Society, on various committees of the International Convention of Christian Churches, as chairman of the Home and State Missions Planning Council, as trustee of the Pension Fund of Disciples of Christ, and was a member of the Commission on Cooperative Policy and Strategy, the Restructure Commission, the board of Chicago Divinity House, and of the board of directors of Illinois Disciples of Christ.
For his great service to the churches of Illinois and the church-at-large, Rev. Riley was honored by Eureka College when they conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at graduation ceremonies in the spring of 1965.
Jo's beloved wife, Rebecca, was also very active in church and community affairs. At the time of their departure from Decatur, Rebecca was chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Barton Stone Christian Home, Jacksonville, Illinois, and served on the Recommendations Committee of the International Convention.
It was with great regret that Central said farewell to Jo, Rebecca, Lucinda, Joetta, and Louis in January of 1967 as he accepted a call to First Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
Rev. Peter Macko
1967-1971
Central Christian Church was surprised to receive the resignation of Dr. Jo M. Riley after a very successful ministry of 8 years. Much had been accomplished in church growth, especially an increased awareness of our global responsibilities to kingdom building. The challenge left by Dr. Riley would demand much from Central.
After an eleven month
search, a call was extended to Rev. Peter Macko. The Rev. Peter
Macko was installed as Senior Minister at Central Christian Church
on December 3, 1967. Dr. A. Dale Fiers delivered the installation
sermon and Dr. Morris H. Pullin gave the charge to the new minister-elect.
Church officers participating in the service were Richard Flanders,
Frank Kincaid, and Neil Ewing, while Dr. Carrell W. Flewelling
gave the prayer of installation. An ecumenical fellowship was
present which included Father Leo Conti, Pastor, Old Cathedral
Church, Vincennes, Indiana; Dr. C.C. Collins, Minister, First
Methodist Church, Vincennes, Indiana; Dr. Fred Helsabeck, President,
Culver-Stockton College, Eureka, Illinois; Dr. Fiers, Executive
Secretary, International Convention of Christian Churches, Indianapolis,
Indiana; Dr. Pullin, Regional Minister, Illinois-Wisconsin Disciples
of Christ, Bloomington, Illinois; Mr. James Rupp, Mayor, City
of Decatur; Reverend Manker Harris, Decatur Area Council of Churches;
Dr. Rolland W. Jones, Superintendent, Decatur Public Schools;
and Reverend Charles Brooks, Interim Minister, Central Christian
Church, Decatur.
A large church reception was held following the installation. Other members of the Macko family-Jeff, Jane, David, Sharon, and Mrs. Phyllis Macko-remained in Vincennes, Indiana, until the end of the school term. In January 1968, the Reverend Marilyn Williams was called to Central as Director of Religious Education. In the same month, Reverend Enos Nelson was called as Associate Minister.
In July 1968, Dr. Byron Kerns was ordained as a Lay Minister. Dr. Kerns successfully served several churches in the Decatur area through the years.
Following an in-depth study in February of 1969 of urban housing problems, the Urban Crisis Committee of Central led in the development of a non-profit housing corporation within the Decatur Area Council of Churches. This early work would finally result in a three church partnership sponsoring the erection of low income housing in the near downtown Decatur area.
In March 1969, Rev. Enos Nelson resigned to accept an interim position at Washington, Indiana. After three years at Central, Gary and Martha Anderson would resign their music ministry in May 1969. In September 1969, Mr. Elwin Haskins was called to be Director of Music and Mrs. Thelma Hastings was called to lead in evangelism and membership development. She resigned in 1971 to accept a teaching position in Japan.
In January and February 1971, Central hosted a series of regional study groups meeting to explore the new Consultation on Church Union. This plan represented the largest unification of churches in the history of American christendom, binding together more than 86,000 churches across the United States and Canada. This study has, up to this time, been on-going.
In the summer of 1969 Central, along with other churches, began to address the needs of the less fortunate in the community. Sewing classes, cooking classes, and other self-help groups began meeting on a weekly basis. In July 1970, a highly successful program to help meet community needs was started under the acronym D.O.V.E.-Disciples On Volunteer Enlistment. After a two year study of urban problems, Central led eight other churches into a commitment to this new program which has grown far beyond anyone's expectations. It presently has more than 80 congregations making significant contributions to the Decatur and Macon County area.
Mr. Elwin Haskins resigned his position as Director of Music on August 13, 1970. During his tenure at Central, Mr. Haskins introduced the idea for our first bell choir. This project received great interest and continues to grow.
On August 27, 1970, Mr. Ed Spry became the Director of Music, Mr. Douglas McQueen was hired as organist, and Miss Sally Harless became Associate Director of Music. Mr. Spry would remain until 1972 when he resigned to enter the ministry of the gospel. Miss Harless remained until 1971. Mr. McQueen left Central for employment in Peoria, Illinois, in 1974.
During Rev. Macko's ministry at Central the first women elders were appointed to serve at the Lord's Table. They were Mary Barnes, Sue Simcox, and Ruth Ewing.
Membership grew steadily during Rev. Macko's tenure. He resigned his ministry at Central in June 1971.
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Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
(217) 428-4336
email the webmaster at gbarron@cccdisciples.org