Looking back at stories that appeared in the O’Fallon Progress 100, 75, and 50 years ago:
100 years ago, May 1, 1924
“At a congregational meeting of the Evangelical church held Sunday the members decided to make preparations for an immense improvement project on the present edifice on North Cherry Street.
“A building committee, which has been functioning for some time had plans prepared by an architect and these were endorsed and accepted by the congregation at Sunday’s meeting, empowering the committee to go ahead with the plans and instruct a St. Louis architect to draft specifications, preparatory to receiving bids.
“The improvements, which are estimated at $25,000, are to be made this summer and are to start as soon as the contract has been awarded.
“According to present plans the old steeple is to be torn down and replaced by two towers of modern architecture. A spacious vestibule, with several restrooms is to be added to the present structure on the Cherry Street side.
“An entire basement is to be installed, which will contain a furnace room, dining room and other conveniences for social functions.
“The improvement will add considerable to the appearance of the structure and the congregation is to be congratulated on the forward step it is taking.
“As stated exclusively in the Progress several weeks ago, the Evangelical church is one of the oldest congregations in O’Fallon. The congregation was organized in 1876 and two years later the church was erected on the present site.
“In 1905 the edifice was threatened with destruction by fire which originated on the roof. In the blaze the entire roof was destroyed and the interior of the church was damaged considerable.
“Rebuilding operations were begun at once at which time a number of alterations and improvements were effected.”
(Now called the O’Fallon United Church of Christ (UCC), the church’s remodeling transformed the building’s exterior to how it looks today, though the original two-tower plan was changed to one.)
75 years ago, May 5, 1949
“With the city entering on its new fiscal year Monday night, at which appointive officials were named, a surprise move came when the council, by a vote, turned down the application of William F. Morton for Chief of Police after Mayor Henry M. Hesse had renamed Morton to the office.
“The application of Nick Hemmer was then presented, the council confirming the appointment of Hemmer as police chief.
“On a roll call, alderman John Fuchs supported Morton’s application. Opposed were G. G. Budina, Ed. R. Hemmer, Charles Miller, Harry Klingelhoefer and Charles Heitman.
“The council then voted unanimous on Hemmer’s appointment.
“The council closed the fiscal year with the reading of reports of officials and department heads.
“A resolution of appreciation from the city of Effingham, thanking the city of O’Fallon and the fire department for the assistance in the recent disastrous Effingham hospital fire in which 75 persons lost their lives, was read and placed on file.”
50 years ago, May 2, 1974
“Lt. Eugene Ferguson, who has served on the O’Fallon Police Department for 20 years, officially retired Wednesday.
“Ferguson began his career with the O’Fallon Department on May 1, 1954.
“Ferguson and his wife Nora, 114 W. Sixth St., plan an extended vacation after what Ferguson’s wife considers, ‘rewarding but sometimes hectic years.’
“When Ferguson started with the department, only he and now-retired Chief of Police James Tiley were on the force.
“The routine was a 12-hour day. One person would work 12 days and take off two days. The schedule was shifted back and forth to accommodate the men working.
‘It took a little getting used to shift work but we managed to work things out at home,’said Mrs. Ferguson.
“An avid golfer, Ferguson was presented a new golf bag and shoes at a dinner in his honor, put on by the O’Fallon Police Department. He was also presented with his badge which was anchored to a plaque for displaying.
“Ferguson said he is happy with the growth of the department over the years he has been there and sees a promising future for the department in terms of police work and expansion. Both Ferguson and his wife are grateful to the department.
‘I’m happy too because 20 years of shift work are over,’ said his wife.”
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