Douglas Memorial Presbyterian Church and Cemetery Submitted by Carol Olson, wife of Robert Silliman Olson, a great-great-great grandson of John Douglass (1777-1844)

The first Presbyterian Church in the county is known today [in 1947] as Douglas Memorial Church. It is located in the country near the Hamilton County line and about six miles from the Gallatin County line. It was organized October 28, 1849, by the Reverend John Crawford of the Ridgway community, a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The name given to the organization was Pleasant Grove, but in September, 1938, the name was changed to Douglas Memorial in honor of John Douglas, who emigrated from Tennessee about 1823, and settled on this land. He donated two acres of land to be used for church and cemetery purposes. A camp meeting ground was provided and for many years camp meetings were held regularly in September.

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Source: Clarence Bonnell, ed. 1947. Saline County, A Century of History, 1847-1947. Harrisburg, Ill.: Saline County Historical Society. 132-133.

John Douglass Nov. 5, 1777 July 16, 1844 Founder of Douglass Memorial Presbyterian Church

John Douglass Maj 22 Ill State Militia War of 1812 Indian Wars Nov 5 1777 [Christian cross] Jul 16 1844