For a list of the presiding elders of this church for the Mount Vernon District, of which Wmson and Franklin Counties are a part, and for information pertaining to its early history, the reader is referred to the history of the latter county. The Methodist Episcopal Church in Marion was organized soon after the town was established, and in 1845 the members thereof built what was called the "Sweet Gum Church", which was so named because of its being built entirely out of sweet gum logs. The society worshiped in this house until about the year 1859, when the present brick edifice was erected. This church was organized by Rev Williams, one of the pioneer Christian workers of this part of the State. Among the original members of it were Thomas Cox, William Benson, Hugh LaMaster, Mary Ann LaMaster, William Chisjm and wife, and John McCoy and wife. Nearly or quite all of the original members of this society have finished their work on earth, and gone to receive their rewards. Rev GW LaMaster, who is still living at an advanced age a few miles northwest of Marion, united with this society in 1848. Rev HA Doty is the present pastor, and since Sept 1884, he has organized three other societies, viz: Schoharie, with 40 members; Bethlehem, with 23 members, and County Line with 21 members. Perry's Church, 3 miles northwest of Marion, with a membership of 60 and the Schoharie Church, are connected with the Marion charge. Marion Church has a membership of 100, thus making 200 members in the several societies of this charge. The pastor, Rev Doty, is a native of Union Co, IL and has been in the ministry 9 years, in the Mt Vernon District, southern ILL Conference.
The ME Church at Carterville was organized since that village was established; a good edifice has been erected, and Rev JR Reef of Carbondale is the present pastor. The ME Church edifice at Crab Orchard was built in 1878; Rev CE Cline was the first pastor of the society, and Rev JB Kenshaw the present one. Other churches of this denomination within the county, are Spring Grove, east of Crab Orchard; Pleasant Grove, about 3 miles north thereof; Union Grove, about 7 miles east of Marion; Corinth, in Northern Prec; Creal Springs, and perphaps others. The ME Churches in the country have an average membership of about 65, and all have SUnday schools connected with them. LA Goddard is superintendent of the Sunday school of the ME Church in Marion.