Church History in White County

First Church Founded In Carmi Was Presbyterian

By James A. Fry, Pastor

The First Presbyterian Church of Carmi was founded on Nov. 25,1827, making it the first Church in our city. The present brick structure was built in 1893 and the educational building was dedicated on June 9,1957.

Charter members: Benjamin Spilman, Richard Graham, Josiah Stewart, Nancy Stewart, Nancy Blue, Sarah Graham, Robert H. Morris, Phoebe Morris, Elenor Pomeroy, Joseph Pomeroy, Mary Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Samuel T. Boyd and Eliza Ann Boyd. Church membership now: around 350.

Until after 1850 meetings of this congregation were held at the Old Courthouse or in private homes. Then the Presbyterians and Methodists shared a church building until 1866 when a new house of worship was built on the present church site. So the present sanctuary is only the second building of Presbyterian worship.

For over 135 years this congregation has witnessed to the Christian faith in the Reformed tradition. Our achievements bear witness to themselves, as well as our failures. Many prominent names in the annals of White County History are to be found on the records of the First Presbyterian Church of Carmi and of other Presbyterian churches in the county.

We do not so much look to the past, as we stand in the present and look to the future that our congregation might "preach an ancient gospel to a modern world."

Maunie General Baptist Church

By Mrs. Ethel Roser

The General Baptist Church of Maunie was organized in 1897 under the pastorate of the Rev. Ed Moore. The meetings were held in the various homes and also in the lower part of the I.O.O.F. Hall. The church was built in 1898 and dedicated by the Rev. J.R. Edwards of Owensville, Indiana. The Rev. Ed Moore was the pastor. The Missionary Society was organized in 1918 and is still assistance to the church. The church has had several booming years; but owing to the progress of time, improved machinery requiring less labor force and the death and removal of several members, the membership and the congregations are smaller than in former time. The present pastor is the Rev. C.S. Weasel of Enfield. [Submitted by Janean Ray]