MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTH EDGE OF SACRAMENTO ON U.S. HIGHWAY 45. ELDERS J. M. BILLINGSBY AND W.W. HAY ORGANIZED IT IN JULY 1878. THE MEETINGS WERE FIRST HELD IN A GROVE OF TREES NEAR SHARON CHURCH UNTIL COOL WEATHER.. THEN THE O. & M. RAILROAD ALLOWED THEM TO WORSHIP IN THE DEPOT AT SACRAMENTO. THEY HELD MEETINGS THERE FOR ONE YEAR UNTIL THE CHURCH BUILDING WAS BUILT.
IT WAS A COMMON FRAME
BUILDING 30 BY 48 FEET. THERE WERE 43 MEMBERS. THE PASTOR WAS W.W. HAY, WHO
PREACHED ONCE A MONTH. SUNDAY SCHOOL AND PRAYER MEETING WERE HELD WEEKLY
DURING NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, BEING OMITTED DURING SUMMER MONTHS.
THE DEACONS WERE J. C. HENSON, A. PYLES, JOEL RICE AND JAMES HAYGOOD, WITH GEORGE HENSON BEING CLERK.
A. P. VEATCH WAS THE OLDEST MEMBER OF CHURCH. THE FIRST PREACHER WAS MELVIN FUNKHOUSER. THE SEATS WERE PLANK SEATS. A SINGING SCHOOL WAS TAUGHT IN THE SPRING. WAGNER WAS THE TEACHER.
CHARTER MEMBERS:
J. C. HENSON, SARAH HENSON, GEORGE R. HENSON, OPRAH HENSON,
N. A. VARNEY ,W. M. HENSON, EMANUEL PYLES, RUTH VEATCH
PREACHERS
MELVIN FUNKHOUSER 1878 DULANEY 1967,1968
NO RECORD DAVID WOODRUFF 1973
ALVA DAILY 1943,1944.1945 ROBERT SLEDGE 1974,1975
OTTO CATLIN 1946 NO ONE 1976,1977
CLARENCE TISON 1948 MORPHIS 1978
WAYNE YORK 1949 JOHN R LEE 1950
WAYNE YORK 1951 JOHN R LEE JR 1952
DON MCANALLY 1953 GLEN PAYNE 1954
BRADLEY 1955 MARION HENSON 1956,1957
TROTTER 1958 DULANEY 1959,1960
DEAN ELGLISH 1961,1962,1963 SUBS 1964,1965
KINDLE 1966
HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MCLEANSBORO
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MCLEANSBORO FIRST CAME INTO EXISTENCE FEBRUARY 1, 1872. IT WAS ORGANIZED BY DR A. DEFOE, J. A. BRADEN, MRS. E HARRAWOOD, AND J. FRYE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF CALVIN ALLEN AND REV. JOHN RODMON. JAMES H. DAILY, CLERK, MADE THE VERY FIRST ENTRY IN THE RECORD BOOK STATING “WE THE PRESBYTERY FOUND SAID ARTICLES OF THE FAITH TO BE IN KEEPING WITH THE SCRIPTURE... DO DECLARE THEM A CHURCH OF CHRIST–CLOTHED WITH ALL THE POWER AND PRIVILEGES GRANTED BY THE GREAT HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND TO BE KNOWN AS THE FIRST UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST.”
THE CHURCH FIRST MET IN THE HOMES OF THEIR MEMBERS, IN THE COURTHOUSE AND THE OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ACCORDING TO A HOMECOMING ADDRESS DELIVERED BY JOHN C. HALL AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MCLEANSBORO ON OCTOBER 26, 1930, THERE WERE ONLY TWO CHURCH BUILDINGS IN TOWN (THE METHODIST AND THE OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES). THE SALOON ELEMENT DOMINATED THE TOWN AND DID A FLOURISHING BUSINESS. A REVIVAL OF RELIGION WAS DESPERATELY NEEDED BECAUSE THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
IN TOWN WERE REALLY BAD.
THE FIRST PASTOR WAS CALLED ON APRIL 11, 1872. THIS PASTOR WAS REV. CALVIN ALLEN. ON AUGUST 2 OF THAT SAME YEAR, THE CHURCH APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO PROCURE A LOT OR SITE FOR A CHURCH AND TO ACT AS TRUSTEES. THERE WERE FIVE MEN ELECTED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. THEY WERE: A. DEFOE, H. DAILY, WILLIAM HUNTER, J. RICHARDS, AND WILLIAM GLOVER.
“A REUNION REVIVAL MEETING WAS HELD JOINTLY BY THESE BAPTISTS AND THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS IN THE OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH WHILE THE COMMITTEE WAS TRYING TO DECIDE WHERE TO BUILD THEIR FIRST MEETING HOUSE AND WHAT KIND TO BUILD,” J. C. HALL SAID, “REV. CALVIN ALLEN, THE BAPTIST MINISTER, AND REV. HOGG THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER, CONDUCTED THE MEETING. THERE WERE MANY CONVERSIONS. OPPORTUNITY WAS GIVEN FOR MEMBERSHIP INTO
THE BAPTIST AND CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN THE SAME HOUSE AT THE SAME TIME. THE BAPTIST MINISTER TOOK THE HANDS AND NAMES OF THOSE DESIRING MEMBERSHIP. THERE WAS NO FRICTION. ONLY A FINE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT PREVAILED THROUGHOUT THE MEETING.”
MR. HEARD AND MR. MARSHALL OFFERED BUILDING SITES TO THE BAPTISTS FOR THEIR PROPOSED NEW BUILDING. THE CHURCH ACCEPTED THE SITE OFFERED BY MR. MARSHALL. A BUILDING COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED AND THE CHURCH MEMBERS CHOSE AN ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE TO VISIT THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES IN THIS COUNTY TO SOLICIT AND BY SUBSCRIPTION TO BUILD A CHURCH HOUSE. SOME OF THE CHURCHES SOLICITED OR ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH WERE BELLE CITY, NEW HOPE, ELLIS MOUND, KNIGHTS PRAIRIE, HOPEWELL, PARKER PRAIRIE, MT TABOR, TEN MILE, NEW PROSPECT, DAHLGREN, ANTIOCH, UNION, BLOOMING GROVE, HICKORY HILL, AND MIDDLE CREEK. ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN OCTOBER 1876 THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WAS DEDICATED. ACCORDING TO THE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE MCLEANSBORO TIMES MAY 25, 1900 THE BUILDING COST $2280.00.
REVIVAL CAME SPONTANEOUSLY TO THE CHURCH. DURING A REGULAR PREACHING ENGAGEMENT OF THEIR PASTOR, BRO CALVIN ALLEN, TWELVE RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION BY COMING FORWARD ON PROMISE OF LETTER AND FIVE WERE SAVED AND PRESENTED THEMSELVES AS CANDIDATES FOR BAPTISM. THE MEETING CONTINUED FOR SOME DAYS AND SEVENTEEN WERE BAPTIZED, AND TWENTY-THREE JOINED BY LETTER. ALL THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE NEW BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED.
THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH WAS HIRED ANNUALLY. THE PASTOR WOULD SERVE FOR TWELVE MONTHS, AND A SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING WAS SET ASIDE FOR “CALLING THE PASTOR.” ANY PREACHER COULD BE NOMINATED AND ELECTED FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS TERM.. BROTHER ALLEN SERVED AS PASTOR OF THE CHURCH DURING THE YEARS OF: 1873, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1884,AND 1888.
WORSHIP SERVICES WERE HELD ON “SATURDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE FOURTH SABBATH”, SUNDAY MORNING, AND SUNDAY NIGHT. BUSINESS MEETING WAS HELD ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER PREACHING. THE FIRST REFERENCE OF THE LORD”S SUPPER BEING HELD WAS JUNE 15, 1873 WHEN A “MOTION WAS MADE AND CARRIED THAT CHURCH TAKE COMMUNION AT THE REGULAR MEETING AND A MOTION WAS MADE AND CARRIED THAT CHURCH COMMUNE HEREAFTER QUARTERLY.” IN MAY 1894 THE CHURCH VOTED TO OBSERVE THE LORD”S SUPPER AT 10:00 AM. THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.
THE EARLIEST CHURCH MINUTES DO NOT REFER TO SPECIFIC PRAYER MEETINGS. JOHN C. HALL MADE A STATEMENT IN A HOMECOMING ADDRESS IN 1930 THAT HE COULDN’T RECALL WHEN THERE WAS A GOOD WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING IN THE OLD CHURCH BUILDING UNLESS THE WEATHER WAS INCLEMENT, OR THERE WAS A SICKNESS EPIDEMIC. WHETHER THERE WAS A PASTOR FULL -TIME OR QUARTER-TIME, OR HAD NO PASTOR THE PRAYER MEETING AND SUNDAY SCHOOL KEPT GOING. THE FIRST MENTION OF PRAYER MEETING WAS RECORDED IN A REGULAR BUSINESS SESSION ON AUGUST 19,1885 . AT THAT TIME THE CHURCH DECIDED TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PRAYER MEETING ON SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THERE WAS NO PREACHING.
FINANCING THE CHURCH WAS A PROBLEM THAT CONSTANTLY PLAGUED THE EARLY MEMBERS. THE FIRST CHURCH WAS DEDICATED IN OCTOBER, 1876. AT THAT TIME THE TRUSTEES WERE INSTRUCTED TO BORROW FROM THE AMERICAN HOME MISSION SOCIETY THE SUM OF $500.00 AND PLEDGE THE PROPERTY OF THIS CHURCH BY MORTGAGE OR OTHERWISE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE SAME. IN A BUSINESS MEETING IN 1979 THE CHURCH APPOINTED A COMMITTEE TO COLLECT ENOUGH MONEY FROM THE MEMBERS TO PAY THE INTEREST ON THE CHURCH INDEBTEDNESS. IN NOVEMBER, THEY HAD NOT COLLECTED THE MONEY. TWO WOMEN WERE PUT ON THE COMMITTEE AND THREE MONTHS LATER THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST HAD BEEN COLLECTED.
FROM PRIOR REPORTS IT APPEARS THAT WHENEVER THE CHURCH CALLED A PASTOR, A FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED TO COLLECT SUBSCRIPTIONS. ON NOVEMBER 16, 1878 : A MOTION WAS MADE AND CARRIED THAT THOSE WHO HAD SUBSCRIBED FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE PASTOR ARE REQUESTED TO PAY THEIR SUBSCRIPTION ON OR BEFORE THE THIRD SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH.”
ON FEBRUARY 27, 1882, THE CHURCH VOTED IN BUSINESS SESSION THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH MAKING A PLEDGE AND FAILING OR REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH THEM SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO A LETTER OR LETTERS OF DISMISSAL AS LONG AS THE INDEBTEDNESS EXISTS UNLESS SATISFACTORY REASONS ARE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH FOR FAILING TO DO SO.
IN 1888, THE CHURCH JOINED THE FAIRFIELD BAPTIST STATE ASSOCIATION.
ON JULY 9, 1898 THE CHURCH APPOINTED A FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE WAS TO CANVAS THE CHURCH THROUGHLY, GET ALL POSSIBLE TO SUBSCRIBE SOMETHING AND PAY WEEKLY EVERY SUNDAY MORNING.
CHURCH DISCIPLINE WAS A COMMON PRACTICE THROUGHOUT THE EARLY HISTORY OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. WHEN A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST WAS CONSIDERED GUILTY OF UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT, A SPECIFIC CHARGE WOULD BE REGISTERED IN BUSINESS SESSION AND A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO COUNSEL WITH THE PARTY INVOLVED AND BRING BACK A REPORT AND/OR THE ONE CHARGED AT THE NEXT BUSINESS SESSION. THE INVESTIGATION AND DELIBERATION OF A MEMBER MIGHT CONTINUE FROM ONE TO SIX MONTHS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE ONE ACCUSED OF UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT WOULD APPEAR AND ANSWER THE CHARGES AT THE REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING
WHEN CHURCH MEMBER’S NAMES WERE REMOVED FROM THE ROLL,
THE REASON FOR EXCLUSION WAS WRITTEN BY THEIR CROSSED NAMES ON THE CHURCH BOOKS. SOME OF THE REASONS FOR EXCLUSION WERE: THEFT, INTOXICATION, UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT, BIGAMY, DANCING, FALSEHOODS, MISUNDERSTANDING, IMMORAL AND UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT, DEEDS UNBECOMING A CHRISTIAN, SWEARING, NEGLIGENCE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CHARGES WERE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE ACTION WAS TAKEN.
PASTORS OF THE CHURCH DURING THE PERIOD OF 1872-1895 WERE:
C. ALLEN, H. HAY,J. RODMAN, W. GARNER, L GOODMAN, L. ESTES, W. MORRIS,
J. LEAVITT, J. TOWNSEND, AND J. WASHBURN. C. ALLEN HAD THE LONGEST PASTORATE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH WAS SEVEN YEARS.
DR. J. WASHBURN STARTED HIS PASTORATE IN 1894. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1896, THE CHURCH DECIDED THAT THE FAILURE TO ATTEND THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH FOR THREE MONTHS WITHOUT GIVING SATISFACTORY REASON WOULD BE SUFFICIENT REASON FOR DROPPING THE MEMBERS FROM THE LIST OF MEMBERSHIP. A CIRCULAR LETTER WAS PREPARED AND SIGNED BY THE PASTOR AND SENT TO ALL NON-ATTENDING MEMBERS INFORMING THEM OF THE DECISION.
THE CHURCH COVENANT WAS ADOPTED ON OCTOBER 7, 1896. ON JANUARY 3, 1897 THE CHURCH VOTED TO SWITCH FROM COAL-OIL LAMPS TO ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
DR. WASHBURN’S MINISTRY APPEARS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. MINUTES WERE ACCURATELY KEPT, DEPARTMENTS OF THE CHURCH WERE WELL ORGANIZED, AND MISSIONS WERE EMPHASIZED. DR. WASHBURN WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR AS WELL AS A PASTOR.
THE CHURCH CALLED E. F. OSBURN AFTER DR. WASHBURN RESIGNED. HE SERVED AS PASTOR FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. CALVIN HODGE WAS CALLED AS PASTOR ON NOVEMBER 11, 1901 AND SERVED UNTIL JUNE 1904. BROTHER HODGE WAS PASTOR OF THE CHURCH ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS.
BY MARCH 1907 THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH BEGAN TO MAKE DEFINITE PLANS TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING. A COMMITTEE ON PLANS WAS APPOINTED. SEVERAL MEMBERS PRESENTED THEIR PLAN TO BUILD A BUILDING THAT WAS BEYOND THE ABILITY OF THE CHURCH TO BUILD. THE TRUSTEES AND DEACONS WERE APPOINTED AS A BUILDING COMMITTEE WITH THE POWER TO SELECT PLANS AND TO BEGIN BUILDING AS SOON AS PRACTICAL. THEY WERE TO REPORT THEIR PROCEEDING TO THE CHURCH FROM TIME TO TIME FOR APPROVAL. THE CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH WAS PREPARED AND SIGNED ON OCTOBER 1, 1907. THE CONTRACTOR WAS J. H. MCGHEE. THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING WAS $8,947.00, WHICH EXCLUDED GLAZING, SEATING AND HEATING. GROUND WAS BROKEN FOR THE ERECTION OF THE NEW BUILDING THE SAME YEAR. THAT FALL THE BASEMENT WAS DUG AND THE FOUNDATION LAIN. THE CORNERSTONE OF THE PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING WAS LAID MAY 14,1908. ALL THIS WAS DONE WHILE THE CHURCH WAS WITHOUT A PASTOR. SERVICES WERE HELD IN THE COURTROOM UNTIL THE NEW BUILDING WAS DEDICATED ON DECEMBER 20, 1908. THE LETTER SENT TO THE ASSOCIATION DATED OCTOBER 14 1909 LISTS THE COST OF THE NEW BUILDING AS $13,219.00.
THE CHURCH ANTICIPATED DEDICATION MORNING. FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING:
“THE DAY OF DEDICATION WAS DELIGHTFUL IN EVERY WAY. REV. E. P. BRAND, SUPERINTENDENT OF MISSIONS OF ILLINOIS STATE CONVENTION, PREACHED THE SERMON AND TOOK PLEDGES FOR THE DEBT. ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS WERE TO BE PAID IN ONE YEAR. REV. BRAND ASKED FOR $5,500.00 ... AND YET BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE MORNING SERVICE ABOUT $6,200.00 IN PLEDGES HAD BEEN SECURED. WHEN THE RESULT WAS ANNOUNCED THERE WAS WEEPING AND SHOUTING. THERE WAS MUCH REAL SACRIFICE. ONE MAN WHO HAD FOUGHT THROUGH THE MEXICAN WAR AND WAS A COLONEL IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION GAVE HIS ENTIRE PENSION $27.50 PER MONTH, FOR ONE YEAR. THE MONEY CAME EASILY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAD A MIND TO GIVE.”
EARLY IN 1909 A SECOND GREAT REVIVAL OCCURRED IN THE CHURCH. THE MINUTES READ: “DURING THE EARLY PART OF 1909 THE PASTOR AIDED BY HE CONGREGATION HELD ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL REVIVALS EVER WITNESSED IN THIS CITY. THE MEETING WAS WONDERFUL IN POWER OF THE SPIRIT ... THERE WERE ADDED TO THE CHURCH BY BAPTISM 124, BY LETTER AND RESTORATION 79 GIVING THE CHURCH A MEMBERSHIP OF NEAR 500. AFTER THE PLANTING COMES THE CULTIVATION AND FRUIT.”
BROTHER HODGE WROTE A PERSONAL NOTE TO THE ASSOCIATION ON OCTOBER 14, 1909. IN IT HE SATED, “WE HAD A WONDERFUL REVIVAL WHICH RESULTED IN 222 ADDITIONS WITH 17 OTHERS STANDING APPROVED FOR BAPTISM(150 BY BAPTISM, 48 BY LETTER, AND 24 BY EXPERIENCE, RELATION, OR RESTORATION). THE REVIVAL GAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT OF THE CHURCH AN INCENTIVE TO DO GREATER THINGS. OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL, UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF T. W. BIGGERSTAFF, SUPERINTENDENT REACHED AN ENROLLMENT OF 674 ... THE PRAYER MEETINGS, THE INDEX TO SPIRITUALITY IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST AND BEST MEETINGS. THERE HAS FREQUENTLY BEEN ABOVE 250 PERSON IN OUR PRAYER MEETINGS AND A FINE SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE HAS BEEN WITH US THE WHOLE YEAR.”
THE CHURCH AGAIN BEGAN TO KEEP THE MEMBERSHIP ACTIVE. A DISCIPLINE’S COMMITTEE AGAIN BROUGHT NAMES BEFORE THE BUSINESS MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION. MANY WERE EXCLUDED. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO GET MEMBERS TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH COVENANT OR BE DROPPED FROM THE CHURCH ROLL.
IN MID-1911 THE OFFERINGS OF THE CHURCH BEGAN TO FALL. A COLLECTOR WAS APPOINTED TO COLLECT DELINQUENT SUBSCRIPTIONS. IN 1912 ANS 1913 THE CHURCH CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. IN 1913 THE CHURCH FAILED TO HAVE FOUR OF ITS TWELVE BUSINESS MEETINGS BECAUSE IT LACKED A QUORUM.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT CHURCH DISCIPLINE OCCURRED IN DECEMBER, 1913 AFTER BROTHER HODGE WAS CALLED AS PASTOR. NINE MEMBERS WERE VOTED TO BE DROPPED FROM THE CHURCH ROLL BECAUSE OF “UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT,” FORTY TWO WERE PUT ON THE ABSENT LIST OF MEMBERS”AND THIRTY-NINE MEMBERS WERE ASKED “BY LETTER TO HELP SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF THIS PLACE.
A REVIVAL OCCURRED DURING 1916. IN IT FORTY-ONE WERE BAPTIZED AND SIX CAME BY LETTER. IN AUGUST , 1918 THE CHURCH VOTED TO HAVE AN “ANNUAL MEETING” WHERE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WOULD REPORT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND ALL CHURCH OFFICERS WOULD BE ELECTED FOR ONE YEAR. THIS PRACTICE IS STILL FOLLOWED TODAY. THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING WAS HELD SEPTEMBER 4, 1918. IT WAS REPORTED THAT SUNDAY SCHOOL HAD AN AVERAGE ATTENDANCE OF 91, TOTAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP WAS 444.
ON MARCH 2, 1921 THE CHURCH VOTED TO PURCHASE THE CHARLES N. BURNETT PROPERTY ADJOINING THE CHURCH TO BUILD A PARSONAGE ON. THE AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR THAT YEAR WAS 125. IN A NOTE THE CLERK SAID, “THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF THE CHURCH IS AT LOW CONDITION DUE MOSTLY TO THE PERSONAL INDIFFERENCE OF THE MEMBERSHIP. SO FAR AS THE CLERK KNOWS THERE IS PEACE AMONG THE MEMBERS BUT NO INTENSE ACTIVITY OF ANY TO BUILD UP THE CAUSE, HENCE THE SLUGGISH CONDITION OF THE CHURCH. THE FINANCIAL CONDITION IS IN POOR SHAPE WITH PLENTY OF SUBSCRIPTIONS UNPAID TO RELIEVE ALL INDEBTEDNESS EXCEPT THE PARSONAGE DEPT.
ANOTHER REVIVAL WAS EXPERIENCED BY FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1924 WITH BROTHER JOHN MAULDING PREACHING. THIRTY ONE WERE RECEIVED FOR BAPTISM AND TEN ON PROMISE OF A LETTER.
BROTHER BOB EVANS WAS CALLED NOVEMBER 1, 1925 AND BEGAN HIS PASTORATE IN JANUARY 1926. THE AVERAGE SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE WAS 191. THE FOURTH GREAT REVIVAL TOOK PLACE IN NOVEMBER 1926.
IN 1927 THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AVERAGE ATTENDANCE WAS 223. WHILE BRO EVANS WAS PASTOR THE CHURCH STARTED USING THE LITERATURE FROM THE SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME THAT INDIVIDUAL SUNDAY SCHOOL ENVELOPES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS WERE STARTED.
THERE ARE NO MINUTES FOR THE YEARS 1929 THROUGH 1935. BRO HERMAN R. MOORE FOLLOWED BRO EVANS’ AS PASTOR. HE BAPTIZED 35 CONVERTS ON FEBRUARY 17,1938. THE CHURCH ADOPTED THE ANNUITY PLAN FOR ITS PASTOR WHILE E. H. ZIPPRODT OF LAWRENCEVILLE WAS PASTOR. THIS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
THE BASEMENT OF THE CHURCH WAS DUG IN THE SUMMER OF 1940. ACCORDING TO YHE SUNDAY COURIER AND PRESS, EVANSVILLE, INDIANA ON MARCH 2,1941, “THEY STRETCHED 1 ½" STEEL RODS ACROSS FROM EAST WALL TO WEST WALL WITH TURN BUCKLES SO THAT THEY COULD PULL THE BUILDING (WALLS) TOGETHER. THESE THEY ENCASED IN DECORATIVE WOODEN BEAMS. THEN THEY WERE READY TO DO THE JOB THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ON THE FOUNDATION WHEN THE CHURCH WAS BUILT THIRTY-TWO YEARS BEFORE (1908). IT SEEMS THAT THE CHURCH WAS ORIGINALLY ERECTED WITH BASEMENT UNDER ONLY TWENTY FEET OF NORTH END. THE REST OF THE FOUNDATION STOOD RIGHT ON THE GROUND AND DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE HEAVY ROOF WAS SINKING BIT BY BIT DOWN INTO THE SPRINGTIME MUD.”
THE BASEMENT DID NOT START OUT TO BE A BASEMENT. THE MEN WERE DIGGING TRENCHES “RADIATING FROM THE CENTER OF THE MUD AREA TO AND UNDER THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH BUILDING TO REINFORCE THE CHURCH BUILDING ,” THE TRENCHES WERE TO BE FILLED WITH STEEL REINFORCED CONCRETE TO SUPPORT THE WALLS. WHEN DIGGING THE TRENCHES THEY DECIDED IT WOULD BE SILLY TO PUT THE DIRT BACK WHEN THE CEMENT WAS POURED. AS A RESULT, THEY DECIDED TO MAKE A BASEMENT UNDER THE CHURCH.
MUCH OF THE WORK OF REINFORCING THE WALLS AND FOUNDATION WAS CONTRACTED. VOLUNTEERS WERE ROUNDED UP. THE MEN WORKED FROM 6 P. M. UNTIL 2 A. M. THEY WENT HOME JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET ENOUGH SLEEP TO GO TO THEIR REGULAR JOBS THE NEXT MORNING. CHARLIE PATTON BECAME KNOWN AS THE “FOREMAN OF FREE LABOR.”
THE NIGHT THE BASEMENT WAS POURED EVERY MAN WAS ON THE JOB. MOST OF THEM WORKING OUTSIDE SHOVELING SAND AND GRAVEL INTO THE CEMENT MIXER. THAT WAS SOME NIGHT. MOST WORKED UNTIL 7 A. M. THE WOMEN RAN THE CANTEEN, AND WERE VERY BUSY THAT NIGHT.
FLOORS WERE REFINISHED, NEW LIGHTS PUT IN, NEW CARPETING LAID, LINOLEUM LAID, AND RADIATORS INSTALLED. THE WORK TOOK ALMOST EIGHT MONTHS. THE CHURCH NEEDED $ 5,000.00 TO PAY OFF THE BILLS, $3,000.00 WAS PLEDGE IN 30 MINUTES.
ANOTHER RELIGIOUS AWAKENING OCCURRED AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN FEBRUARY, 1940. LLOYD SIMMONS WAS CALLED AS PASTOR IN DECEMBER 1941. THE CHURCH’S FIRST ORGAN WAS PURCHASED IN MAY, 1942. THE CHURCH AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF A STOKER IN FEBRUARY,1943. THE ILLINOIS BAPTIST WAS “PUT INTO THE BUDGET” FOR EACH CHURCH FAMILY ON APRIL 7, 1943.
DR J. C. HALL GAVE A GIFT TO BUILD A SUNDAY SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL ANNEX IN 1944. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL AVERAGE ATTENDANCE WAS 266 BY NOVEMBER, 1944. THE ENROLLMENT WAS 637. THE CHURCH WAS FREE FROM DEBT. THERE WAS CONTINUOUS GROWTH IN BOTH SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WORSHIP ATTENDANCE DURING THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS.
A BUILDING COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED IN MARCH,1946. THE CHURCH TOLD THE COMMITTEE TO FIND A COMPETENT PERSON TO DRAW PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING. THE DRAWINGS WERE TO BE A FULL BASEMENT AND TWO STORIES ABOVE THE GROUND. TO PROMOTE HARMONY AND QUIET A FEELING OF UNEASINESS ALL DEACONS WERE RETIRED TO INACTIVE STATUS INDEFINITELY, AND THIS PERIOD OF TIME WAS TO BE A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR.
IN 1950 THE CHURCH DECLARED THE OFFICE OF DEACONSHIP VACANT. AT THE NEXT BUSINESS MEETING THE CHURCH ELECTED SEVEN MEN BY SECRET BALLOT TO SERVE AS DEACONS ON A ROTATING BASIS.
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1951 THE CHURCH APPOINTED A PLANS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITIES AND MAKE PLANS FOR BEGINNING THE ERECTION OF AN EDUCATIONAL BUILDING. ON OCTOBER 10,1951 IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE CHURCH ERECT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AN EDUCATIONAL BUILDING. THE CHURCH ALSO APPROVED THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD TO DRAW THE FLOOR PLANS. GROUND BREAKING TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY MORNING MAY 11, 1952. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1953, THE CHURCH VOTED TO SET ASIDE THE ACTION TAKEN IN JULY 1949 THAT PLACED ALL DEACONS ON INACTIVE STATUS.
IN JANUARY 1955 THE CHURCH VOTED TO SUPPLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LITERATURE TO BE SENT TO MRS THELMA MARTIN TURPIN TO BE USED TO ORGANIZE A SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN AT THE ARMY BASE IN RECEITE, BRAZIL. IN 1956, THE CHURCH VOTED TO PURCHASE AN AMPLIFIER SYSTEM, CHIMES, A SLIDE PROJECTOR AND SCREEN AND A 16 MM SOUND PROJECTOR, AN ADDRESSOGRAPH MACHINE AND A CARD MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE. THE CHURCH AUDITORIUM WAS DECORATED. THEY ALSO APPROVED PREPARING THE BASEMENT FOR CLASSES.
IN 1958 THE CHURCH VOTED TO BUILD A NEW PASTORIUM. THE CHURCH PURCHASED THE EPPERSON LOT ON EAST JEFFERSON AND VOTED TO BUILD A PARSONAGE . A NEW HAMMOND ORGAN WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 7, 1961. VICTOR DORRIS WAS ELECTED CHOIR DIRECTOR ON AUGUST 1, 1962 AND SERVED FOR OVER TEN YEARS. THE CHOIR DID MANY SPECIALS AND CANTATA’S UNDER HIS DIRECTION
THE LANDSCAPE SCENE PLACED BEHIND THE BAPTISTERY WAS A GIFT FROM JAMES TATE ON DECEMBER 4, 1963. JAMES’ BROTHER, MONROE, PAINTED THE SCENE .
IN 1964 THE CHURCH VOTED TO PURCHASE A TAPE RECORDER SO MORNING SERVICES COULD BE TAPED AND REPLAYED DURING THE WEEK IN THE HOMES OF THE SICK AND ELDERLY. THE PASTOR’S STUDY WAS ENLARGED AND REDECORATED IN 1964. THE OFFICE AND PASTOR’S STUDY WERE ALSO AIR-CONDITIONED.
THE FOYER, ANNEX AND CLASSROOMS WERE REDECORATED IN 1965. A GAS HEATING SYSTEM WAS PURCHASED FOR BOTH THE CHURCH AND EDUCATIONAL BUILDING. AIR CONDITIONING WAS ALSO PURCHASED FOR THE CHURCH.
IN AUGUST 1966 THE CHURCH VOTED TO HOUSE THE CUSTODIAN IN THE OLD PARSONAGE NEXT TO THE CHURCH. BOB AND DORIS PRINCE DONATED THE LOT THAT IS NOW USED AS A PARKING AREA TO THE CHURCH IN 1967. THE CHURCH STARTED BROADCASTING THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES OVER THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED WMCL RADIO STATION IN 1968. THE CHURCH CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL 2002.
THE CHURCH GOT AN EXTENSIVE REMODELING FROM DECEMBER, 1971 THROUGH FRBRUARY,1972. DURING THIS REMODELING, BOB PRINCE, RONALD WEBB, JEROME GHOLSON, DWIGHT MILLER, AND NOLAN HARRELSON SERVED AS TRUSTEES. THE WORK WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
DURING THE YEARS OF 1984 THROUGH 1997 THE CHURCH WENT THROUGH SOME EXTENSIVE REMODELING. THE WORK INCLUDED REPAIRING THE PLASTER INN THE EDUCATIONAL BUILDING AND THE SANCTUARY, WHICH WAS DAMAGED IN THE 1969 EARTHQUAKE. THE MEMBERS ALSO PANELED, WALL PAPERED, PAINTED, REWIRED, ADDED TWO BATH ROOMS, AND PUT CARPETING IN THE BASEMENT. THE OLD PARSONAGE WAS TORN DOWN AND A CONCRETE PARKING LOT WAS LAID, AND A NEW SIGN ERECTED. THE BAPTISTERY WAS ALSO REFURBISHED. LITTLE OR NO WORK WAS DONE BY CONTRACT LABOR AS THE MEMBERS DID MOST OF THE WORK.
IN 2000 THE CARLTON ACTIVITY CENTER WAS ERECTED AND DEDICATED. IT IS TO BE USED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR ACTIVITIES.
THE CHURCH IS CURRENTLY WITHOUT A PASTOR, BUT IS PRAYING THAT GOD WILL SEND A SHEPHERD FOR HIS FLOCK THAT WILL REVIVE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
PASTORS
PASTOR YEAR CALLED PASTOR YEAR CALLED
C. ALLEN 1873 W. BROWN 1915
H. HAY 1874 J. LITTLE 1918
C. ALLEN 1875-1877 R. GABBERT 1920
J. RODMAN 1877 R. BRANDENBURG 1921
C. ALLEN 1880 W. EVANS 1925
W. CARNER 1881 H. MOORE 1935
C. ALLEN 1884 E. ZIPPRODT 1938
L. GOODMAN 1885 L. SIMMONS 1941
L. ESTES 1886 I. MILLER 1944
C. ALLEN 1888 W. SHOOPMAN 1949
W. MORRIS 1890 C. LANGSTON 1951
J. LEAVITT 1891 O. RICE 1955
J. TOWNSHEND 1892 R. LEIGH 1958
J WASHBURN 1894 H. WIDICK 1960
E. OSBORN 1898 R. LARNER 1964
C. HODGE 1901 W. WARD 1973
H. TODD 1905 H. COCKRUM 1980
C. HAND 1906 W. TOMBERLIN 1985-1989
C. HODGE 1908 J. PARMLEY 1991-1996
A CARSON 1912 R TROTTER 2002-2003
C HODGE 1913 T. STEPANSKY 2005-2006
ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1859 THE UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIDDLE CREEK WAS ORGANIZED BY ELDER E. W. OVERSTREET. SERVICES WERE HELD AT THE MIDDLE CREEK SCHOOL BUILDING LOCATED AT THE WEST END OF THE CEMETERY. IT WAS CALLED MIDDLE CREEK BECAUSE IT WAS LOCATED BETWEEN TWO CREEKS.
ON AUGUST 30, 1870 HENRY & ANGELINE DAMON DEEDED ONE ACRE OF GROUND TO PLEASANT CROSS, WILLIAM LOWERY AND MARTIN E WILLIAMS WHO WERE THE TRUSTEES OF MIDDLE CREEK CHURCH
THE CARPENTER WAS LEONARD OLIVER AND THE MEN OF THE COMMUNITY DONATED THEIR LABOR. TEAM AND WAGON BROUGHT THE MATERIAL FOR THE CHURCH BUILDING FROM PHILLIPS TOWN ABOUT FIVE MILES EAST OF CARMI, IL. THE CHURCH WAS COMPLETED A FEW YEARS LATER
THEODORE TOLLEY BUILT THE BELFRY ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER.
MIDDLE CREEK HOSTED THE ANNUAL ASSOCIATIONAL MEETINGS IN 1864,1903,1925,1956, AND 1998.
IN AUGUST 1881 THE CHURCH ELECTED THREE MEN TO SERVE AS MESSENGERS TO THE BAPTIST SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION.
JANUARY 1889 THE PASTOR RESIGNED AND THE CHURCH WAS CLOSED UNTIL ALL DEBTS WERE PAID. MR MYERS, MR. TOLLEY, AND MR CROSS WERE APPOINTED ON A FINANCE COMMITTE. SIX MONTHS LATER THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT MIDDLE CREEK CALLED A SPECIAL MEETING AND J.C.ELLIOTT
WAS CALLED AS PASTOR FOR $60.00 PER YEAR.
OLE ALLEN WAS ORDAINED TO THE MINISTRY ON JULY 1906 AND VIRGIL BARR WAS ORDAINED TO MINISTRY ON OCTOBER 6,1950.
AUGUST 1980 THE CHURCH VOTED TO BUILD AN ADDITION ON THE EAST SIDE OF BUILDING TO BE USED AS CLASSROOMS AND FELLOWSHIP HALL, WITH TWO BATHROOMS. RON GIBBS WAS THE CARPENTER. DALE AND GLADYS BROOKMAN DONATED EVERYTHING FOR THE SECOND BATHROOM. DEDICATION SERVICES FOR FELLOWSHIP/CLASSROOM WAS SEPTEMBER 10,1981.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY 1996 THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE. FRIDAY EVENING OF THAT WEEK THE MEMBERS HELD A MEETING AND DECIDED TO REBUILD THE CHURCH BUILDING AT THE ORIGINAL SITE. ALSO IT WAS DECIDED TO HOLD WORSHIP AT JERRY AND MARIE BARR’S HOME UNTIL NEW BUILDING IS COMPLETE.
A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY WAS HELD IN APRIL 1997. DAVE CLUGSTON CONSTRUCTION BUILT THE CHURCH BUILDING. RON GIBBS OF DAHLGREN BUILDING CENTER SUPPLIED THE BUILDING MATERIALS. REX DAILY DUG THE BASEMENT. GORDON VOLIVA AND CREW BUILT THE BASEMENT, AND BELMAN CONCRETE SUPPLIED THE CONCRETE AND ROCK. THE BAPTISTERY AND STEEPLE CAME FROM HENDERSON TEXAS. THE PEWS AND FURNITURE FROM NATIONAL CHURCH SUPPLIERS. CARPET AND TILE FROM MT VERNON IL. WE PURCHASED A DIGITAL PIANO FOR THE SANCTUARY AND REGULAR PIANO FOR THE BASEMENT. NOEL SMITH OF MT VERNON, IL PAINTED THE PICTURE IN THE BAPTISTERY.
.
THE NEW BUILDING HAS AN AUDITORIUM
THAT WILL SEAT ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY, A BAPTISTERY, FIVE CLASSROOMS, TWO
CHANGING ROOMS, A PASTOR’S STUDY, TWO BATHROOMS, KITCHEN/FELLOWSHIP HALL AND A
UIILITY ROOM. THE FIRE CRACKED THE BELL, BUT WE HAVE IT ON A POLE OUTSIDE THE
BUILDING. WITH THE HELP OF THE LORD, CHURCES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 
NEAR
AND FAR WE NOW HAVE A BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING TO WORSHIP IN. A VERY SAD
CHRISTMAS DAY WAS TURNED INTO A VERY HAPPY DAY WHEN WE HELD OUR FIRST SERVICES
IN OUR NEW BUILDING OCTOBER 16.1997. OUR DEDICATION SERVICE WAS NOVEMBER
23,1997.
HOMECOMING SERVICES ARE HELD EACH YEAR ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN JULY.
PASTORS OF MIDDLE CREEK
E. W. OVERSTREET- SEPT 1859
CALVIN Y ALLEN- JAN.1881,JAN1885&AUG.1895
J.A. DULANEY- AUG. 1883 & dec 1897
JOAB H. VOLIVA - OCT. 1886, AUG. 1905 & NOV. 1916
LABIUM ESTES - SEPT. 1887
J. C. ELLIOTT - JULY 1889
PETER PRINCE - MAR. 1890
J. H. ALLEN - AUG 1891, MAY 1905 & SEPT. 1917
K. INGRAM - MAR. 1893
WILLIAM STANDERFER SEPT. 1897
H. P. CRAVENS - JUNE 1898 & JAN. 1903
G. R HENSON - APRIL 1902
J. H. SUMMERS - MAR. 1904
BRO. ROHDER - JAN. 1907
OLE ALLEN - NOV. 1907, APRIL 1909, OCT. 1913 MAY 1940 & MAY 1945
ARTHUR BELL - OCT. 1908
JOHN MAULDING - APRIL 1910
L. ESTES - OCT. 1910
JOE ALLEN - DEC. 1912 & NOV. 1921
J. B. HALL - 1915
CYRUS MAULDING - SEPT 1924
J. O. FINN - SEPT. 1924
BERT DENBO - JULY 1925
ROY RICHARDSON - SEPT. 1925
J. P. RICHARSON - SEPT. 1930
W. H. GLOYD - AUG. 1932
OTTO CATLIN - AUG. 1936, & SEPT 1948
H. A. MEYERS - SEPT 1938
G. E. WALDEN - SEPT. 1941
DAVID GODDARD - AUG. 1942
L. A. ADAMS - AUG. 1945
R. L SCHLAG - OCT. 1947
FLOYD DULANEY - AUG. 1956
ALFRED HAILE - SEPT. 1960 TO AUG 1964 & DEC. 1974 TO AUG. 1976
JESS RISLEY - AUG. 1964 TO AUG 1970
WALTER CHANCE - AUG. 1965 TO AUG. 1970
EARL HARRIS - AUG. 1970 TO SEPT. 1974
GARLIN BURRIS - FEB. 1977 TO OCT 1978 & APRIL 2003 T0 JUNE 2005
DALE BROOKMAN - FEB. 1979 TO JULY 1983
RAYMOND CLARK - MAR. 1984 TO AUG 1985
BALLARD DEPEW - NOV 1985 TO FEB. 1990
JERRY BROWN, INTERIM MAY 1990 TO AUG 1990
RALPH WILTON - NOV. 1990 TO FEB. 1994
WILLIAM MILLER - APRIL 1995 TO NOV 1998
PAUL ORRICK - SEPT. 1999 TO FEB. 2002
DAVID ARMSTRONG - 0CT. 2005 (CURRENT PASTOR)
NEW PROSPECT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
NEW PROSPECT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED IN 1864 BY ELDER JOHN BEARD AT WHAT WAS THEN THE MARGUA BROWN SCHOOL IN CROOK PRECINCT. ELDER BEARD WAS PASTOR OF THE CHURCH FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HOLDING SERVICES AT THE BROWN SCHOOL UNTIL 1869 WHEN THE CHURCH MOVED ITS MEETING TO THE MAYBERRY SCHOOL. HERE THEY MET MONTHLY UNTIL THE WINTER OF 1879 WHEN THE ORIGINAL CHURCH BUILDING WAS ERECTED.
ACCORDING TO MINUTES FROM 1878, THE NAME OF THE CHURCH WAS UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST AT NEW PROSPECT. BY SEPTEMBER 1888, THE NAME HAD BECOME NEW PROSPECT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
ON JANUARY 17, 1915, REV. L. L. SMOOT, THE MISSIONARY FOR THE FAIRFIELD MISSIONARY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, LED A REVIVAL THAT LASTED FOR THREE WEEKS. DURING THAT TIME BRO SMOOT WAS ELECTED MODERATOR PRO TEM. THE CHURCH WAS REVIVED. THERE WERE 16 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH AND EIGHT CANDIDATES APPROVED FOR BAPTISM. AT THE CLOSE OF THE REVIVAL, A SUNDAY SCHOOL, AND PRAYER MEETING WERE ORGANIZED. ALSO, A COLLECTION TAKEN FOR ASSOCIATION MISSION WORK AMOUNTED TO $50.22.
LATE 1945 A COMMITTEE DUG A BASEMENT UNDER THE CHURCH BUILDING.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WAS FIRST HELD THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JULY IN 1953.
ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1955 A MOTION WAS ACCEPTED TO CALL BRO ERNIE ESSARY AS PASTOR. THE CHURCH VOTED TO GIVE HIM $30.00 A SUNDAY FOR AN INDEFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME.
NEW YEARS EVE WATCH NIGHT SERVICES AND EASTER SUNRISE SERVICES HAVE BEEN HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 1963 AND 1964 RESPECTIVELY.
CENTENNIAL SERVICES WERE HELD FROM JULY 20-26, 1964. EACH NIGHT A DIFFERENT FORMER PASTOR PREACHED. HOMECOMING WAS OBSERVED ON JULY 26. WHEN A ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS WAS HELD, ALL BUT FOUR OF THE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ANSWERED.
IN JUNE 1966, THE CHURCH
VOTED TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING. DEDICATION OF THE NEW SANCTUARY WAS HELD ON
JULY 30, 1967.
A MONTHLY MEN’S BREAKFAST AND AN ANNUAL MOTHER DAUGHTER
BANQUET HAVE BEEN HELD SINCE 1986.
THE CHURCH CELEBRATED 125 YEARS IN NOVEMBER 1989.
THE ADDITION OF A FELLOWSHIP HALL, BATHROOM, AND KITCHEN ON THE MAIN FLOOR AND SEVEN CLASSROOMS IN THE BASEMENT WAS BEGUN SEPTEMBER 30,1990. THE ADDITION WAS COMPLETED IN THE SPRING OF 1991.
IN 2002, THE CHURCH ENLARGED THE SANCTUARY AND ADDED A BAPTISTERY, DRESSING ROOMS, AND A BASEMENT ROOM. DEDICATION WAS HELD MARCH 30, 2003
FORTY-ONE PASTORS HAVE SERVED AT NEW PROSPECT. BRO ERNIE ESSARY, THE CURRENT PASTOR, WILL COMPLETE FIFTY-0NE YEARS IN SEPTEMBER 2006. LAST YEAR A TWO DAY CELEBRATION WAS HELD IN HONOR OF HIS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
INFORMATION SOURCE:
CLERK’S MINUTES FROM 1878-PRESENT
.NEW SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH
NEW SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH IS LOCATED FOUR MILES WEST OF DALE IL
.
IT WAS OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED IN 1886, AND GREW FROM A GROUP THAT MET IN THE OLD MOCCASIN SCHOOL. THE MOCCASIN COMMUNITY LAY ALONG THE OLD GOLCONDA ROAD AND 1 ½ MILE EAST OF THE GOSHEN ROAD. THESE WERE VERY IMPORTANT ROADS AS THEY WERE TWO MAIN ROADS FOR THE EARLY SETTLERS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AS WELL AS THOSE TRAVELING WEST
THE SCHOOL WAS MOVED ½ MILE WEST AND BECAME KNOWN AS OLGA SCHOOL.
A BIG REVIVAL WAS HELD, AND FROM THAT REVIVAL, NEW SALEM CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED, IT IS NOT KNOWN WHO HELD THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL REVIVAL. THE CHURCH MET FOR A TIME IN THE OLD MOCCASIN SCHOOL BUILDING. IT WAS CONSTRUCTED OF LOGS, HAD A DIRT FLOOR, SPLIT LOG SEATS, AND WAS HEATED BY A LARGE FIREPLACE. IT STOOD ACROSS THE ROAD NORTH OF THE PRESENT NEW SALEM CHURCH SITE.
COUNTY RECORDS SHOW THE FIRST DEED TO THE CHURCH PROPERTY WAS ON AUGUST 1, 1887. MARTIN MANN AND SARAH J. MANN SOLD TO MEMBERS OF NEW SALEM CHURCH AND TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SAME IN DISTRICT 5, T.6-R.6 TWIGG, ONE ACRE IN THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF NE1/4 OF NW 1/4 SEC. 20, THE ACRE WAS TO BE ONE HALF ACRE WIDE AND TWO ACRES LONG, THE LENGTH TO BE EAST TO WEST. THE LAND AND CHURCH HOUSE WHEN BUILT WERE TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHURCH AND SABBATH SCHOOL PURPOSES. IF USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE THE LAND AND ALL IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BR REINSTATED TO SAID GRANTOR
.
THE FIRST NEW SALEM CHURCH BUILDING STOOD WEST OF THE PRESENT ONE, AND FACED NORTH. IT WAS LISTED IN THE STATISTICAL TABLE OF THE FAIRFIELD ASSOCIATION MINUTES FOR 1893. IT WAS STATED THE BUILDING SEATED THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE AND WAS VALUED AT $399.00. AFTER THE PRESENT BUILDING WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1913, THE OLD BUILDING WAS MOVED FARTHER SOUTH AND USED AS A FARM BUILDING.
PROBABLY THE FIRST PASTOR WAS ELDER WELCOME B RUSSELL, AND FIRST CLERK WAS JAMES MEZO, UNDOUBTABLY THE MOST FAMOUS NEW SALEM MINISTER WAS ELDER THOMAS BENTON HUNT, KNOWN BY MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE AS UNCLE TOM HUNT. HE SERVED THE CHURCH ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY AS PASTOR FROM 1898-1936. UNCLE TOM WAS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS SINCERITY OF PURPOSE, HOMELY WIT, HUMOR AND GODLY LIFE. HE OFFICIATED AT 1,335 WEDDINGS, 2,800 BAPTISMS AND 1,325 FUNERALS. NEW SALEM CHURCH WAS KNOWN AS “UNCLE TOM’S “ CHURCH.
PASTORS OF NEW SALEM CHURCH
WELCOME B RUSSELL
G. J. MATHIS
W. B. RHODES
T. B. NORMAN
T. B. HUNT
W. A. WEIGENT
CLARENCE TYSON
P. D. TITTLE
ELVIS TOLLEY
WM. ROBERTSON
ALVA DAILY
JOHN LEE JR.
PAUL WEBB
GEORGE DAVIS
ERNEST CARR
CARROLL PHILLIPS
EARL HARRIS
ROY KINDLE
RON WATSON
IRVIN BRADEN - FEB.1965 TO JULY 1971
JOE GHOLSON - SEPT. 1971 TO JUNE 1974
ALFRED HAILE - AUG 1978
TO 1980
DAVID MALSER - MARCH 1983 TO JUNE 1984
STEVE HAMSON - NOV 1984 TO JUNE 1988
ART MAYSE
CHARLES METCALF - APRIL 1986 TO 1987
SAM CLARK - 1989 TO 1990
ROGER HOBBS - 1990 TO 1999
HARL COCKRUM - 2002 TO PRESENT
DEACONS OF NEW SALEM CHURCH HAVE INCLUDED J.W. OGLESLY, D. W .
REED, SAMUEL MILLER, SRON RUSSELL, ORVILLE JOHNSON, G. W. MILLER,
LATHE MUSGRAVE, JAMES MEZO, ELI SSREAL, ARTHUR SMITH, EVERETT HARRISON, RUSS MCGILL, EDD COTTER, KEMP ENDICOTT, EUGENE JOHNSON, LEON VAUGHAN, DEON ALLARDIN, MAX HUNT.
IN 1977 THE CHURCH WAS MODERNIZED WITH ADDITION OF NEW SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASSROOMS, KITCHEN, BATHROOMS AND FELLOWSHIP AREA.
NEW SALEM CHURCH HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY ACTIVE FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS, SERVICES ARE HELD EVERY SUNDAY MORNING AND EVENING, BIBLE STUDY IS HELD EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT. .
HISTORY OF FIRST SOUTHERN CHURCH OF NORRIS CITY
ON JULY 5, 1901 A GROUP OF MEN MET TO DISCUSS ORGANIZING A BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORRIS CITY IL. THIS GROUP CONSISTED OF ELDER T. B. NORMAN, DR J, C. WOODSON, MR IRVIN, J. A GRAHAM, R. H. HENSON AND J. B.CARTER. A DATE OF JULY 18,1901 WAS SET TO CALL A COUNCIL OF MINISTERS TO FORMALLY ORGANIZE THE CHURCH. THE MINISTERS CALLED WERE J. C. ELLIOTT, F. C. PETTYPOOL, J. B. TITTLE AND W. G. HEDGES.
THE CHURCH HELD THEIR FIRST WORSHIP SERVICES ON JULY 27, 1901 AT THE LOCAL METHODIST CHURCH WITH J. C. PETTYPOOL ELECTED TO SERVE AS FIRST PASTOR, FIRST BUSINESS MEETING WAS HELD AT THIS TIME.
THE FIRST ELECTED TRUSTEES WERE IN AUGUST 1901 , THEY WERE R.F. HECK, T. B. NORMAN, W. G HEDGES.
THE FIRST ELECTED DELEGATES TO THE 45TH SESSION OF THE FAIRFIELD ASSOCIATION WAS IN AUGUST 1901, THEY WERE J. B. CARTER, T. B. NORMAN, R .F. HECK.
IN JULY1902 THE CHURCH MET IN THE NEW HOUSE OF WORSHIP, DIVINE WORSHIP WAS HELD, THERE WAS NO BUSINESS RECORDED WE CAN BE SURE IT WAS A WONDERFUL DAY OF TESTIMONIES OF THANKFULNESS TO GOD. F. C. PETTYPOOL RESIGNED IN OCTOBER1902.
THE FIRST REVIVAL WAS HELD BY PASTOR J.K. TRAVILLION WHO WAS ASSISTED BY ELDER J. D. HOOKER WHICH LASTED FROM FEBRUARY 29 THUR MAY 10TH 1904,ON MAY 4, 1904 FIVE DECISIONS WERE MADE, IN MAY 1904 THE LORD SUPPER WAS OBSERVED, AND THE FIRST BAPTISMS WERE OBSERVED.
IN 1907 THE ILLINOIS BAPTIST STATE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED AND THE FAIRFIELD ASSOCIATION SOON BECAME AFFILIATED WITH IBSA AND THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
GROUND WAS BROKEN FOR A NEW
BUILDING ON THE SOUTH EDGE OF THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE ORIGINAL BUILDING, ON APRIL 16, 1961 THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WAS THEN TORN DOWN. ONE OF THE FIRST
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS TO BE HELD IN THE NEW BUILDING WAS A RECEPTION CELEBRATING THE
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF MR AND MRS OTTO CATLIN NOVEMBER 11, 1961.
ON JANUARY 1963 A BUSINESS MEETING WAS HELD THE CHURCH VOTED TO HOLD ALL SERVICES IN THE NEW EDUCATIONAL BUILDING , ALSO AT THIS TIME THE CHURCH VOTED TO BE CALLED TH FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORRIS CITY REPLACING THE NAME OF NORRIS CITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST.
IN JANUARY 1964 A BUSINESS MEETING WAS HELD THE CHURCH VOTED TO BUY A PIANO PASTOR FRANKLIN DEVISED A PLAN FOR OBTAINING THE MONEY. HE GAVE EACH FAMILY A WOODEN CHURCH BANK EACH MEAL TIME A NICKLE WAS TO BE DROPPED INTO THE BANK, DURING THE NEXT YEAR THE PIANO WAS PAID FOR, IT WAS USED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL.
MARCH 7, 1973 THE NAME CHANGED TO FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH.
IN MARCH 1973 THE CHURCH VOTED TO START PLANS FOR BUILDING THE AUDITORIUM, IN DECEMBER 1974 THE FIRST SERVICE WAS HELD IN THE AUDITORIUM.
IN FEBRUARY 1974 GROUND BREAKING CEREMONIES AGAIN TOOK PLACE WITH THE ADDITION OF THE CURRENT SANCTUARY AND ON DECEMBER 2 1974 THE FIRST SERVICE WAS HELD IN THE NEW SANCTUARY
IN 1976 OUR 75TH HOMECOMING CELEBRATION WAS HELD.
THE ANNEX ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE PROPERTY WAS COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 1978 AND THE PARSONAGE ON DIVISION ST WAS PURCHASED IN 1981.
IN MARCH 24 ,1991 A NOTE BURNING CEREMONY WAS HELD COMMEMORATING FREEDOM FROM FINANCIAL DEBT FOR THE AUDITORIUM. RANDY PLUNKETT WAS PASTOR AT THIS TIME.
ON SUNDAY JULY 22, 2001 THE NORRIS CITY FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH CELEBRATED IT’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A POT LUCK DINNER AT THE CHURCH AT 2PM. WITH A CENTENNIAL FEATURING THE SINGING BY BRYAN COWLING AND PREACHING BY EVANGELIST DR TIM LEE, TIM’S FATHER REV JOHN LEE JR WAS PASTOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FROM SEPTEMBER 1958 - SEPTEMBER 1962 DURING THIS TIME TIM COMMITTED HIS LIFE TO CHRIST.
THE CHURCH TODAY IS KNOWN AS THE FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORRIS CITY AND IS IN THE GOSHEN TRAIL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FAIRFIELD BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
WE HAD TWO BLOCK PARTIES AT OUR CHURCH , ONE IN AUGUST 1998, ANOTHER IN AUGUST 2001, BOTH WERE A SUCCESS ON REACHING FAMILY’S OF NORRIS CITY.
WE ALSO HAD THE ASSOCIATIONAL MISSION FAIR FAMILY NIGHT APRIL 10, 2003 (FEATURING OTHER COUNTRIES, POLAND, HONDURAS, PHILLIPPINES, AND DOMINICA ) FEATURED ALSO WERE FAMILY FEST IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER MINISTRIES.
WE HAVE AN ACTIVE WOMEN’S MISSION GROUP IN OUR CHURCH, WE ARE ACTIVE IN HELPING THE BAPTIST CHILDREN FACILITY IN CARMI , IL. WHEN POSSIBLE WE HAVE BIBLE STUDY GROUPS ON THURSDAY, WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN’S MEETING ARE HELD.
WE WHO ARE A PART OF THIS CHURCH FAMILY OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHOM WORKED TO BRING THIS CHURCH INTO EXISTENCE.
IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT THROUGH OUR WORSHIP SERVICES, WE MAY HONOR AND PRAISE OUR WORTHY LORD AND DRAW THOSE PRESENT CLOSER TO HIM, ENCOURAGE FAITHFULNESS AND GROWTH IN OUR MEMBERS AND LEAD THE UNSAVED TO RECEIVE HIM AS THEIR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND LORD, THE HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH HAS BROUGHT MANY TRIALS AND HARDSHIP AS WELL AS TIMES OF GREAT JOY AND REJOICING, MAY WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION FOR WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR US.
TODAY OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND OUR FACILITIES STAND AS A MONUMENT TO OUR FAITH AND CONVICTIONS OF THOSE WHO BEGAN OUR CHURCH. OUR CHURCH CONSTITUTION STATES THAT OUR PURPOSE IS TO CARRY OUT THE GREAT COMMISSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AS RECORDED IN MATTHEW 28:19-20.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PAST AND PRESENT PASTORS
ELDER F. C. PETTYPOOL 07/1901-10/1902
J. K. TRAVILLION 1902-1904
J. B. TITTLE 10/1905-02/1907
J. C. ELLIOTT
AARON PRINCE 02/1907-10/1907
GEORGE W HALL 10/1907-1909
AARON PRINCE 1909 (3 MONTHS)
FULTON HEDGES-SUPPLY 1910
GEORGE W HALL 09/1912-10/1913
NONE 11/1913-07/1914
J. S BRIGHT 08/1914-09/1914
RALPH DALY 12/1914-06/1916
J. W. JENKINS 1916-1917
C. F. HOOKER 02/1917-09/1917
J. W. JENKINS 11/1917-08/1918
C. C. MITCHELL 10/1918-09/1919
G. E. STAVENS-SUPPLY
J. O. FINN 11/1919-01/1921
P. A. HILL
W. F. FINN
RALPH C DALY 09/1921-05/1923
GEORGE MC NEW 10/1923-01/1924
S. E. HAMILTON ASSISTED BY
C. L. BUTLER 01/1924-1931
ELDER OTTO CATLIN 1932-1936
BROTHER TODD 1936-01/1938
JAMES PRICE 1939
FRED BROCKETT 1941
JOHN MURRAY 1943
ROY HILL 1944
HARRY HANCOCK 1944-1946
W. K. SISK 1948-1949
HARRY HOOKER 10/1950-03/1952
CARROL PHILLIPS 07/1952-06/1953
VIRGIL BARR 09/1953-07/1956
RUSSEL MONROE 09/1956-07/1958
JOHN R LEE 09/1958-09/1962
DWAYNE FRANKLIN 01/1963-05/1965
I. E MILLER-INTERIM 07/1965-01/1966
JAMES LESTER 10/1966-10/1968
RON NELSON 12/1968-1970
EARL PHILLIPS 09/1970-07/1972
FLOYD SHEEKS 08/1972-12/1974
LEONARD WHITLOCK-INTRIM 1974
HARL COCKRUM 04/1975-05/1980
TOM MARSH 04/1981-08-1985
RANDY PLUNKETT 01/1986-08/2002
DENNIS REED PRESENT 01/2003
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