At the General Conference of 1840, the Illinois Conference was divided and the Rock River took its northern territory.  Rev. John Crummer was this year appointed to Milwaukee.  As the carpenter’s shop could no longer be had as a chapel, the meetings passed from one private house to another for a time.  But this state of things could not long continue.  The erection of a Church was decided upon, and before the close of the year the edifice was completed.  It was dedicated by Rev. Julius Field in May, 1841.  The building remains at this writing, on the same lot, but placed with the side to the street, it has been fitted up for residences.

At the session of the Rock River Conference in 1841, the Milwaukee District was discontinued, and the city was placed on the Chicago District.  Rev. John T. Mitchell was appointed to the District, and Rev. Sias Bolles to the station.

Brother Mitchell was one of Nature’s noblemen.  Tall and erect in form, high and broad forehead, symmetrical and shapely cut features, dark and lustrous eyes, his bearing was princely.  Such was Brother Mitchell in the years of his strength.  He was second to no man in his Conference or State as a pulpit orator.  In 1844 he was elected Assistant Book Agent, Cincinnati, where he served the church with distinguished ability.  After leaving this position he re-entered the regular work in the Cincinnati Conference, from the ranks of which he passed on, several years ago, to the companionship of the white-robed in Heaven.

Brother Bolles, on coming to the city, first proceeded to liquidate the indebtedness of two hundred dollars on the Church, and then entered upon a protracted meeting, which resulted in an extensive revival.  Among those converted was a German Catholic boy, of whom the following incident is related:  The first night he attended the meeting, Brother Bolles preached on the duty of Christians to let their light shine.  Taking the instruction of the Preacher in its most literal sense, the young man greatly surprised the good people on the following evening by stalking into church bearing a well-lighted lantern.  On enquiring of the young man the reason for so strange a procedure, he answered:  “Why, the Priest said I must let my light shine, and so I have brought it with me.”  The Preacher carefully explained his sermon, bringing it down to the capacity of his auditor, and had the pleasure to see him thoroughly converted.  Many years after, Brother Bolles was happily surprised to meet his convert, who had grown into a Christian gentleman of exalted position in society.

In 1842, Rev. Wm. H. Sampson was sent to Milwaukee, of whom a record is made elsewhere.  The following year Rev. James Mitchell was appointed, and it was decided to enter upon a new Church enterprise.  A lot was purchased July 3d, 1844, of John Clifford, on the northwest corner of West Water and Spring Streets.