Little is known of the Lick Creek Chapel Church, which was located west of the Village of Loami. The Church was built in 1870 on the northwest corner of the intersection of Loami Road and Staley Road. The church was built to the east of the 'Lick Creek Cemetery', with the cemetery in front of the church. According to Arno V. Staley's obituary, the Lick Creek Chapel Church was a part of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
We know of only three pictures that depict the church and its congregation. The first picture shows the congregation, mostly the men of the congregation, standing in front of the church. Another shows a group of men who may be the elders or leaders of the church. The last picture shows the sanctuary of the church. It is believed that the second man on the right is Daniel Staley. We do not know the names of the other individuals in the pictures.
As for the cemetery, according to an article in the February 4, 1899 edition of the Chicago Tribune, the "Chappel Cemetery" was incorporated with the Secretary of State on February 3rd, without capital stock, by T. N. Park, Daniel Staley, and J. G. Park for "burial purposes". Richard and Steve Staley currently keep the cemetery mowed.
A 1926 map of the Waverly Quadrangle shows the church on the map as "McClain Church". A Mr. Ruth McClain was a prominent resident who lived two houses east of the church on the Loami Road. This reference may be to him. At the time of the church and the map, the Loami Road jogged south approximately 5/8 of a mile east of (now) Staley Road for a small distance and then continued east to (now) Rhea Park Road. Mr. McClain lived on this road, just east of where the jog in the road was. The county later improved the road and changed the alignment to what it is today.
Besides the pictures, the only physical evidence that this church existed is the left half of the engraved stone tablet that was above the door (see picture). If anyone has any information on the Lick Creek Chapel Church or know who appears in the photographs, please let us know!
(Updated 8/13/2008)
Staley Cemetery Index
Arno V. Staley's Obituary