Our History

Mt. Carmel First Christian Church – Early History

The First Christian Church in Mt. Carmel was organized in 1862, by D.D. Miller with a membership at the time of 760. Value of the church property was $15,000 and the original church stood on Cherry Street at approximately 715 Cherry (which later became the parsonage for the church).

Bible School began in 1862 and the present enrollment was 335. The church had 33 charter members. As of 1915 the only remaining charter member was Maria L. Filton. The first officers were, elders, John A. Morgan and Charles Redman; the deacons, Amos Walter and Daniel Titus.

The first house of worship was built in 1864 (715 Cherry Street), which was enlarged and remodeled in 1893. The church burned down in the early part of the twentieth century and the current church was erected at 8th and Market in 1921. The first meetings were held in the County Courthouse located at 3rd and Market Street. The meetings were violently opposed by religious bodies then established in the city. But the church grew to be strong and representative. All departments of Christian growth and service were aggressive.

Besides Mr. Miller, who worked under the auspices of the State Missionary Society, the following evangelists held meetings in Mt. Carmel: Franklin Black, Clements, Ingram, Coombs, Courter, Pearl, Updike, Martin, Scoville, Thompson and Wilhite. In 1915 W.W. Weedon was the pastor. His picture can be found in the historical alcove of the current sanctuary.

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This information provided from the book entitled, “History of the Disciples in Illinois” by N.S. Haynes published in 1915. A copy of the book resides in the library of the First Christian Church at 803 Market Street in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.