The first church in the county was built on the Sanders farm in 1819, and the next, Rich Grove, was built on Herrin's Prairie in 1820. In 1823 the families of Davis, Corder and Parks erected a log church, a little north of Mayes farm. In 1824 the Methodists built a church in Northern Prec. The first church on the Eight Mile Prairie was built in 1836. The pioneer churches of the county were the Methodists and Baptists. About the year 1835 considerable dissension arose amoung the Baptists of souther Illinois on doctrinals points. Some were in favor of missionary work, and others oposed to it. In consequence of this difference, a divison of the church took place in 1839, when Mount Zion Church, now called Davis Prairie, was formed by seceders from old Bethleham Church. The churches had been requested to say whether they would "fellowship the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions and its various branches." And in May 1839, the Bethleham Church decided the question in the negative, whereupon the minority withdrew and organized the foresaid Mount Zion Church, and in July of the same year adopted the following "Articles of Faith:"
1. We believe in the one only true and living God, the father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe in the impotency of man, and that it is utterly impossible for him to his own free will, to recover himself from that state.
3. That God so loved the world, that He gave His Son to die--who tasted death for every man, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.
4. We believe in the doctrine of election and reprobation as it is written in the Scriptures.
5. That all true believers in Christ are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation.
6. We believe that baptism is an ordinance of God's house, and is preformed in no other way but by immersion; and that none are legal administrators, but such as have been called by the church, and have come under the imposition of the hands of a presbytery.
7. We believe that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is also an ordinance of God's house, and that none have a right thereto but such as have been baptized, and come into union with us.
8. We believe that the washing of the saint's feet is a duty, and that it should be kept up in the house of God.
9. We believe that the Gospel of Christ is to be preached to all nations and that Christ's church is the means by which this is to be effected.
The names of the members of this new church were Wilfred Ferrell, Hezakiah Ferrell, Martha J Ferrell, Timothy Teal, Elizabeth Teal, Abraham Keaster, Polly Keaster, Lewis Keaster, Polly Leathers, Edmund Jones, Anna Rich, Drury A Moseley, Slina Corder, Manning Campbell, Maria Campbell and Lorenzo D Hartwell. Unity Church in Wmson Co stood to the decision of the Bethleham Church. Mount Zion Church sent delegates to the Salem Association of the United Baptists asking for membership and was received. The UNited or Missionary Baptist Church increased, while the Regular or Non-Missionary Church decreased, so that nearly all the Baptists of this county now belong to the United Baptist Church. Bethlehem Church, which is about 4 miles east of Marion, and another one about 5 miles NW of Marion, still adheres to the old doctrine. Unity Church, above referred to, was organized about the year 1830, with about 10 members. They erected a log house in which to worship, which stood until it was consumed by fire during the war. The church was then disbanded, and the members joined other churches.
The pastorate of Mount Zion Church was filed nearly all the time up to 1860 by one or the other of the Ferrells, who were ordained ministers at the orzanization thereof. They were followed by DG Young, John Gould and others. Among the first Baptist ministers of the county, were Rev Charles Lee, who organized Bethlehem Church about the year 1830, also Revs John Maddox, Bailey Adams and Isaac Herrin.
The Marion Baptist Church was organized in Aug 1865. Elders William Ferrell, David Butler and WB Chamness were the council, and Elder David Butler was the first pastor. The original members of this church were Isaac McCoy, Thomas Carter, John Jenkins, William Wagoner, Selinda A McCoy, Louisa Carter, Susan Wagoner, Mary Jenkins, Agnes Jenkins, Louisa Pitts, Melinda Hargett, Mary Moore, Margaret Ireland, Adaline Bennett, Isabella Marshock, Elizabeth Tinker, Ellen McElvoy, Nancy A Morris and Maria Penninger. The church has 49 members at present, and 208 members have been enrolled on its books from first to last during its existence. Elder WB Wester, is the present pastor.
Hurricane Baptist Church, 8 miles west of Marion, was organized about the year 1840, with the following members, viz: Sarah Nolen, Matthew M and Hester Walker, Elizabeth C Walker, WJ Walker, JV Crain, Alice Crain, Cyrus, Hannah and Mary Campbell, Mary Reeves and Isaac and Mary Perry. Elders James McCowan and DS Crain were the council. Elder McCowan was the first pastor.
Coal Bank Springs Church, situated in the SE part of the county, is the outgrowth of INdian Camp and Rock Creek Churches, which consolidated in 1865. It was organized with about 100 members. Elder William Ferrell, was its first pastor. In 1873 a new church was organized under the name of Indian Camp, the members of which came mostly from Coal Bank Springs Church
Herrin's Priaire Church is situated on Herrin's Priaire, about 10 miles NW of Marion. It was first an arm of Hurricane Church, which was extended in Feb 1865, and in Dec of that year that the church was organized with TB Warren and DG Young as council. The original members were 27 in number. Elder Warren was the first pastor. The church has now a membership of about 85.
Shiloh Church located near Corinth in Northern Prec, was organized in Oct 1866, with a membership of 15. IN Hester, RC Keele and JMC Foster were the presbytery; Elder RC Keele was the first pastor. It has a membership of 57. Crab Orchard Church, located about 5 miles SW of Marion, was organized under the name of Grassy Creek in Aug 1850. Elders William Ferrell, DS Crain and MM Walker were the council. The original members were 15 in number, and the membership is now reported at 127.
Lake Creek Church, locatred 5 miles north of Marion, was organized in 1852 with 17 members. Elders JM Shadowin and Joseph T Williams were the council, and the latter the first pastor. The membership of this church is reported at 84. Bainbridge Church was organized in May 1865 with 13 members. Elders TW Chamness, DS Crain and WB Chamness and Deacons Peter Milner and Henry Frey were the council, and Elder TW Chamness, first pastor. William's Prairie Church loacted about 9 miles NE of Marion, was organized in 1861. Its present membership is reported at 113. In addition to the foregoing Baptist Churches others of the same denomination are reported as follows: Antioch--41 members, Carterville--25 members, Center--65 members, Cana--61 members, Creal Springs--41 members, Fairview--50 members, Grassy Creek--66 members, Palestine--85 members, Providence--56 members. All of these churches sustain Sunday-schools.