1865-2016

First Baptist Church Herrin, Illinois

Historical Committee members who worked on this booklet:

Linda Banks, Jacqueline Claunch, Julia Bruce, Becky Jones

In 1800, a group of settlers from North Carolina migrated to, what is today, Williamson County. They organized a church and built a log meeting house about six miles south of present-day Carterville. Naming it after their church in North Carolina, they called it the Grassy Creek Baptist Church.

Much has happened since that first day in 1800 and we are happy to record some of the more memorable events.

A history of our first one hundred years was compiled by Mabel McNeill in 1965 and is incorporated in this booklet which has been brought up to date by the Church's Historical Committee.

During these 125 years many wonderful things have happened in the life of our church. We could not mention all, but have tried to include the highlights and hope it will bring pleasurable reading to our members. 

In 1837, the Grassy Creek Baptist Church started a mission church, Hurricane Baptist Church, near Carterville. In turn, the Hurricane Church started a mission, Herrin's Prairie United Baptist Church in 1865.

The First Baptist Church began as a branch of the United Baptist Church of Hurricane, located between Herrin and Carterville. The following is from a page of the old record: A portion of the Hurricane Church met in Herrin's Prairie  Saturday preceding the second Sabbath in February 1865 to form the branch." Nineteen members formed the branch church. This same relationship continued until December of that year.

"Saturday preceding the first Sabbath in December 1865,  the arm of the Hurricane Church met at Herrin's Prairie. After divine worship, services proceeded to business and organized the church in form, to be called, Herrin's Prairie United Baptist Church."

At the second meeting a joint letter with twenty-six names from the Hurricane Church was presented. This included members of the branch church; also joining was Thomas Warren who was to become the pastor.

Charter Members

​Frances Duffer, Narcissa Herrin, Catherine Spiller, Celia A. Graham, Olive Herrin, Casander Spiller, D. R. Harrison, Mary Madewell, Berry Whitecotton, Delila Harrison, Nancy Perry, Berry Whitecotton, Jr., Julia A. Harrison, Louisa Pope, Phebe Whitecotton, Artemisa Herrin, Margaret Poplin, Thomas B. Warren, A. J. Herrin, and Anna Roberts. During the Seventy-fifth Anniversary Celebration, a plaque bearing the names of the nineteen members of the Branch Church was placed on the front steps. This plaque is now located in the foyer of the present church. The meetings were held in a log school house for the following two years. The seats were made of logs with no backs. The time of the night services was by early candlelight. Time pieces were scarce so the evening services were announced for early candlelight.

Thomas B. Warren was elected pastor and D. R. "Ruff" Harrison clerk. Rev. Warren served until 1873 and Mr. Harrison until 1911, writing every word of the record for forty-five years.

Church services or divine services, as they were called, were held once a month on Saturday night and Sunday. All the business was transacted on Saturday night.

In 1866 the first building committee was elected and in 1867 the first trustees. These were to assist the committee in building a church house. A small frame building was com�pleted in the summer of 1867. The seats were homemade benches. The building was located on the present site of the North Side School

The need for financing was noted from the following entry of April 4, 1868. "On motion and  second there be a box prepared in the church for the members to contribute of their means for the support of the gospel, at church sometime once a month when they think they have it to spare. "

Their business meetings were interesting. The preliminary of each meeting included three points: first) "invite visiting brethren to seats with us"; second) "call for the peace of the Church" (waited until all were in peace); third)" opened the doors of the Church for membership".

From the very beginning the church was evangelistic, and continues to be so, which accounts for the continuous growth throughout the early years. Between the years 1865 and 1870 the church membership grew from nineteen to one hundred-thirteen. The first revival, or "protracted meeting", as they were called in those days, was held the year following the organization. The church let the spirit lead as to the length of meetings, sometimes two, three, or as in November 1885 for five weeks. The November meeting was one of the great "protracted meetings" with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, there were sixty-seven conversions with fifty-six additions to the church.

In 1868 the candles, which were used for lights, were replaced by coal-oil lights and more comfortable benches were added.

The church took a stand on moral issues at this time. Records show in the May 1878 meeting the following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, it is the duty of the church when they hear of a rumor against one of the members for public offense to appoint a committee to investigate and ascertain as to the facts of such rumor and report to the church at next meeting." The Church followed closely this manner of dealing with their members. Many were dealt with, some came asking the church  to forgive them and others were excluded from the church.

One hundred and fifty-seven were excluded from the church between the years 1867 and 1910. Being a member of Herrin's Prairie Baptist Church had a real meaning!

In December of 1879 the clerk, Mr. D. R. Harrison, was requested to transcribe the minutes out of old books into a new one or have it done and the church would pay for the transcribing. Mr. Harrison copied them in a large ledger type book in brown ink with a nice handwriting. The church paid him $5.00, but he returned it to be used for Home Missions. He continued writing the minutes until his death in 1911, leaving us a fine record of the first forty-five years of the church.

The church was first affiliated with the Franklin Association as there was no Williamson Association at that early date. The Association meeting was held in our church in 1879 with two dollars being given to help care for the minutes.

In the year 1886 a large Bible was purchased for the pulpit for the sum of $6.75.

James c. Nolan was elected pastor on August IS, 1888 at a salary of $100.00 per year. This amount was payable monthly. He continued preaching once a month as pastor for ten years.

           Bro. Nolan returned in 1899 and served one year, making a total of eleven years in our church.

           Rev. Nolan's was one of the great pastorates; he baptized 112 converts and received 135 into the church. The Church experienced much growth and many changes. Herrin's Prairie was also experiencing great changes; coal had been discovered and a railroad built on the Prairie. Herrin's Prairie was fast becoming a small village.

Abraham Whitecotton (Uncle Abe as he was known) joined the church November IS, 1869 and was a member sixty-eight years until his death in 1938. No record of the church would be complete without mentioning this wonderful devoted soul, beloved by all the church. In 1892 he was elected sexton for the first time, this same position he held at different times in the years that followed. He was elected deacon on November 24, 1900 and served until his death.

The offering for Home Missions was $5.00 on March 16, 1895.

           In January 1896 the church extended an invitation to G. W. Danbury to come and hold a Sunday School Institute. They met Friday night and all day Saturday. On Sunday morning a Sunday School was organized. It was described as a great meeting. On Sunday evening Dr. Danbury gave a lecture on the Holy Land.

In 1889 a bell and belfry were added with the cost of the bell being $30.00.

In 1896 an organ, pump style, was purchased at a cost of $1,124.90. Song books entitled

Triumphant Songs were bought for thirty-five cents each.

One of the greatest revivals in the history of the church was held in 1901. The results were one hundred-forty conversions, one hundred-eight approved for baptism and thirteen received by letter.

The pastor, G. W. Syfert, was elected for "full-time" beginning on January I, 1902.

The latter part of 1901 and 1902 were great days for the church. The growth was making a great need for more room. The church purchased the land south and west, which gave them two full blocks. This was the site of the former White City Park, and later the White City Market. The old property was sold and the old church building was sold to the Methodists.

They proceeded to erect a new church building on the north side of the land. Behind the church was a very beautiful grove of trees.

Many teams of horses were hitched there with buggies, wagons and carriages.

The cost of the church building was as follows:
$3,291.03 Cost of building    
250.00 Cost of land
3,541.03 Total cost 
1,575.00 Total indebtedness.

The name of the church was changed from Herrin's Prairie United Baptist Church to the First Baptist Church of Herrin on January 18, 1902.

The church adopted a plan for tolling the bell for funerals. They were to begin tolling when the procession started from the home for the church or cemetery. They were tolled also, when notice was first received of death in the daytime or in the early morning if the individual passed away in the night.

On August 16, 1902 Rev. Syfert was elected unanimously by private vote, for the following year, with a salary of $600.00 per year for "full-time" pastorate.

The church proceeded to raise the $1,575.00 to payoff the church building debt on Sunday December 21, 1902. They succeeded in thirty minutes to raise the amount of $1,622.45 in money and pledges.

           The church building debt was paid in full on March 14, 1903. One hundred new song books were purchased for $32.75. The notes were burned during the singing of the Doxology.

           On January 17, 1903 the Sunday School was reorganized and all the classes were graded for the first time.

           On May 10, 1903 the church was dedicated with Rev. Syfert preaching the dedicatory sermon.

The baptizings were held in a pond or creek with most of them being in the Hurricane Creek. They were important in the lives of the people, always bringing great crowds to witness.

In June of 1903 there was a severe small-pox epidemic causing much suffering and many deaths, which necessitated closing the services for three months. Uncle Abe and his wife, Nancy, both had smallpox. Nancy died and Uncle Abe lost one eye. The church was draped for two months in mourning for Mrs. Whitecotton and for a Mrs. Joplin.

           In the October Revival of 1903 there were seventy-five conversions and sixty-five additions.

The first music committee was appointed in 1905. A new addition and a baptistry were added to the church at the cost of $869.82. The membership had grown to 675. During this year the Deacons asked to hold regular monthly meetings with Uncle Abe as the chairman.

           Rev. Syfert resigned in June 1906 because of illness in his family. This brought to a close a great ministry to the First Baptist Church.

           The first time to extend an indefinite call to a pastor was in November 1906 when C. E. Perryman of Paducah, Kentucky was elected. His salary was $900 per year, the largest yet.

The church had the privilege of entertaining the newly organized lllinois Baptist State Association from October 21 through 24. This Association had its beginning in Pinckneyville in 1906. A Woman's Meeting and a Preacher's Conference were held before the opening of the Association proper.

Great preparation was made for the Associational Meeting. The ladies assisted the deacons in soliciting hams while others sought donations from the businessmen for the meals. The men met the trains and the street cars. The ladies served meals in the dining hall for twenty-five cents per meal and the church entertained all the messengers free of cost.

There were three hundred and eighty-six messengers making the largest body of its kind in lllinois. With the visitors enrolled there were enough to make the attendance more than six hundred. At the opening it was said, "This is  the time we have all prayed for, longed and dreamed of for nine months."

It was an outstanding meeting, and said to be the greatest Baptist State gathering outside of Texas. "There was an old time handshake. Strong men wept for joy and sinners converted. Two men went forward and knelt at the altar and trusted Christ as their savior. This is a  fitting end." The following is a quotation by the secretary of the convention, E. L. Carr:

"Hundreds of Baptists carried home inspiration for greater work and through my own soul there rings the happy memories like music overflowing the walls of Heaven and falling on earth's dull ears."

It has been the privilege of the church to entertain the association a number of times since that first great meeting.

The first mission of the church was started in 1907 on South 14th Street. The Sunday  School was held at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon 'and Prayer meeting on Friday night.

Rev. J. B. Kelley was elected pastor in 1909 and served for one year.

In 1911 the church sent messengers to both the Franklin and the Williamson Associations. In 1912 they joined the Williamson Association.

The death of D. R. Harrison ended forty-five years work and his son, George, was elected as clerk, May 20, 1911.

In 1912 the church was paying more to their pastor. Rev. H. C. Mitchell was elected pastor and received $1,000.00 a year with his home, lights, telephone and moving expenses paid.

In 1914 four large electric ceiling fans were purchased for $100.00 and placed in the auditorium.

The budget plan was adopted for the first time in 1914, the budget being $2,474.00. The church allowed $13.00 a month for expenses of the choir.

The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Church was observed in 1915.

Rev. James Gore became the pastor in 1916. Mrs. Gore reorganized and helped develop a functioning Woman's organization, later known as the W. M. U.

The budget grew and in 1918 was $3,300.00.

During Rev. Gore's pastorate, in 1917, the church burned while entertaining the State Association and the W. M. U. Convention.

All services were held in the court room of the city hall until the completion of the new building.

Rev. Gore led the church in erecting the new building. The church sold the site of the old church and purchased for the sum of $3,500.00 the Byran property which is located at 120 South 14th Street.

The two-story house on the lot was moved to 200 South 10th Street to be used as a parsonage for a few years.

It was the beginning of a long, hard struggle when the building was started on the vacated property. The corner was busy for the next two years. Many men of the church led by Rev. Gore (who was a hard worker himself) donated days, even months of work. In 1919 after two years of worry, labor, and heartaches the $50,000.00 church was completed.

Rev. Gore resigned on September 28, 1919 as pastor and Rev. I. E. Lee of Pinckneyville was elected pastor on December 14, 1919 at a salary of $2,500.00. The church continued to pay better in keeping with the times.

What a wonderful day and what a joy everyone experienced as they entered for the first service, sitting in chairs since the pews had not been installed. The Church was dedicated in May 1920, with W. D. Powell of Tennessee giving the dedicatory sermon.

During the years of Rev. Lee's ministry there was great growth and development in all areas of the church. The Sunday School experienced a growth reaching a record high of 1056 in attendance. Pictures were taken of the Sunday School that day. The Baptist Young People's Union, B.Y.P.U. (as it was called in those days) was organized with several more departments to follow, also the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Meetings were well organized and working.

The first Pipe Organ was purchased and set up in the summer of 1922, at a cost of $4,000.00. Joe Dowell of Marion gave an organ recital at the dedication of the organ.

In 1925 the first Vacation Bible School was held in the church.

Several great revivals were held and many added to the church family.

The church granted letters to twelve people who wished to organize a church at Bandyville. This is now the Second Baptist Church of Herrin.

Through these years and the years to follow, the Training Union and the Young People were outstanding in the church. There were Standard Unions, division after division added new unions and the record of all time in Study Course attendance. For one week (five nights) there was an average of over two hundred and fifty each evening. They were divided into two groups. Many people will still remember the "Gingers and Peppers".

The old parsonage was sold and the home at 425 South 14th Street was purchased as the new parsonage.

The debt on the church building was paid and the notes burned. The parsonage debt was paid in 1939 and the church was out of debt.

In 1939 the pastor, Rev. McCasland, being a mission minded person, with the help of some of the members conducted a Vacation Bible School under a tent on Bryan Street. Later he held a revival there and in 1939 established a mission. The church constructed a building. This today is the Bryan Street Baptist Church, located in the northeast section of the city. The building and a one hundred dollar check were presented to the new church at its organization.      A short time later Rev. McCasland started a mission in the west part of town which today is the Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church on South 22nd Street.

Although Rev. McCasland lies buried in the state of Oregon, he still lives through these two churches in our town.

In 1949 the adjoining Margrave building and lots were purchased for $30,000.00. It was remodeled for the use of the Sunday School, and later renamed "The McCasland Building" in memory of Rev. Paul A. McCasland.

A new Wick's Pipe Organ was purchased in 1952 at a cost of $7,470.00. The chimes were a personal gift to the church from Mrs. Carl Bruce in memory of her father Mr. G. H. Harrison.

In 1955 Rev. W. A. Shoopman led the church in building a $125,000.00 Educational Building. Joining the Margrave Building to the Main Church. As every available space in the

church and Margrave Building was being used, this wing was greatly needed for further growth. A building committee of 5 men was appointed. The first step the committee took was to arrange a conference with an architect at the Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tenn., in May 1954 to make floor plans of space for the building. An architect was secured in Cape Girardeau who drew up the plans and completed sketches, which were adopted by the Church in June, 1954.

In the meantime a fund-raising campaign had begun in which $40,000.00 was needed to negotiate a loan for the balance of the cost of the building. Contributions were made and pledge cards signed in an effort to reach the goal set.

The church voted on a proposal to negotiate the loan for the new building and the trustees authorized to make the loan for the building. Ground breaking ceremonies were held and the construction began. When completed, the new education building was a lovely three story brick building joining the two present buildings with the parking lot to the north on the church property.

A full-time Minister of Education (Mr. Leon Kilbreth) was elected in 1955 and in 1957 a full-time Minister of Music (Ray Moore). All choirs were graded for the first time. In the month of November 1959, the total debt was paid for the new building. Rev. Shoopman left the church in December 1959 with all debts being paid.

In April 1960, Rev. Ben R. Stripling was called to be the pastor. Then in 1964, the church again voted to begin proceedings for a new auditorium. A building committee was appointed and an architect was secured to plan for the building. However, the congregation voted against building a new auditorium and opted for redecorating the existing facility. The auditorium was painted, new carpeting installed and much remodeling was done both upstairs and downstairs. At this time more choirs were added and a set of Handbells was purchased by personal donations for the use of the Music Department.

At the celebration of the first 100 years of our church the following facts were recorded:

Pastor.....................................................................................Rev. Ben R. Stripling
Minister of Education.............................................................Marshall Wells
Minister of Music....................................................................Joe E. Proctor
Church Clerk...........................................................................Jacqueline Claunch
Our Missionaries to West Africa...........................................Donald Edward and Betty Smith
Sunday School Enrollment....................................................l082 (Mr. Clarence Satterfield, Superintendent).
Training Union Enrollment....................................................341 (Mr. Harold Vaughn, Director) 
W. M. U. Enrollment................................................................200   (Mrs. Ben R. Stripling, President) 
Brotherhood Enrollment.........................................................52 (Jack Hall, President) 
Library........Number of Books.............................................1076   (Miss Linda Jennings, Librarian) 
Budget for 1965......................................................................$125,356.01
First Budget in 1914.............................................................$2,474.00

In 1968 when Rev. Maurice L. Swinford became pastor, the congregation was still unsettled about what to do with the auditorium. Older members could not climb the front stairs to reach the auditorium and parking was a major problem around the church. A new church was the answer.

A five acre plot of ground at 1500 South 13th Street was donated by Mr. F. G. Harrison and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bruce for the building of this new church.

In May of 1971, Rev. Maurice Swinford led in a ground breaking service for our present building. The first service was held in the new church on Thanksgiving 1972. The church was dedicated on March 25,1973

The church continued to grow and a Youth and Adult Education wing was added.

In 1975, the church budget was $147,446.00 and membership was 1442 (a part of these were non-resident members) and an average Sunday School during the 1974 year was 450.

On December 21, 1980 our $300,000.00 note was burned, paid off four years ahead of schedule.

The Historical Committee decided to have several of the leaders in the church write a short summary of their departments. The following is a synopsis of these reports to bring the history of our church up-to-date.

Under the direction of Reverend Charles Dampeer and Reverend Pete Rivera from the State Association, a special mission program, a supplement to our regular mission programs, was established to provide money and service to special mission needs wherever they may arise. In the six years this program has been in existence, many accomplishments and success stories have been recorded. The program helped to purchase a building site for a church in Brazil. Also helped were language missions at the Haitian church in Gabaon, lllinois, a Spanish church in Wheeling, TIlinois, and an Arabian church in Chicago. Funds and personnel were also provided for churches such as the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Colp and the Payson Baptist Church in Payson, TIlinois. The program has helped a revival at Adams Street Baptist in Herrin, and also in Vacation Bible Schools in the area. The mission service has expanded outside our Association into other states such as Arizona and even into foreign countries. Thank God for all the success in this mission work, for it helps support missions that would otherwise be overlooked.

One of our strongest mission programs is the Woman's Missionary Union. The WMU helps at the community food pantry by donating food, clothing, and other household items and giving of their time to operate the pantry. In 1988 our WMU celebrated the Southern Baptist Convention WMU centennial by hosting the associational WMU spring banquet at our church. The women made a centennial quilt with the different blocks representing a part of our WMU.

Each year our church celebrates the Lottie Moon Christmas offering by having a missions march. The missions groups parade through the auditorium bearing the flags of the nations where Southern Baptist Convention missions are located. Starting with bed babies throug4 senior adults each individual present places their offering in the manger at the altar;.

Our church has hosted the IBSA state WMU Convention as well as the state Missions Prayer Breakfast. Our Girl's Auxiliary, Acteens, and Mission Friends are also active in mission activities.   Our church has the following WMU Circles: M.E.G. (Mary Ellen Garrett), Betty Smith, Jean Shepard, Avah Shelby, and Helen Sherer.

The Royal Ambassadors are also very active in missions with four groups ranging from first grade through high school.

The deacons of First Baptist Church model their role after the Biblical example of being servants. The deacons serve the church as partners with the Pastor and staff in ministering to the members of the church and to the people of Herrin and the surrounding area. The Deacon Benevolent Fund, comprised of memorial donations and an offering taken at each Lord's Supper Observance, is used to minister to the needy in Jesus' name. The deacons have a weekly hospital visitation program and contact those who have visited in the morning service each Sunday. The deacons are active in all aspects of First Baptist Church and try to lead by example. The main goal of the deacons is to meet the needs of the church family.

The deacons of our church at this time are: Keith Bell, Lee Booth, Steve Chamness, Fred Duckworth, Bill Duncan, Louis French, Ed Goodwin, Paul Hillman, Dr. Ray Holloway, Rocky Howard, Nick Jones, Waldo Killman, George Kunce, Richard Newcom, Ed Paulich, Kenneth Rushing, Bill Satterfield, Gene Snider, Glenn Thurman, Gene Whitfield, Curt Zimmerman, and inactive member Oral Kelly.

The Sunday School Program at First Baptist has had many memorable moments. Seeing the members go to work reaching out to their "friends" on Friend Day 1989 was a most exciting experience. Friend Day produced an attendance of 604 and was instrumental in many decisions being made in the weeks and months to follow.

Frantastic Days brought much of the same results in March, 1990, as the church focused on reaching Eriends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors for our Lord. During this special one month Sunday School emphasis, the Sunday School reached and enrolled many new members. As Sunday School continues to reach out, the Lord has been bringing the people in. The Church's reaching out begins with contacts from Cradle Roll at the birth of a child throughout their entire lifetime.

Vacation Bible School and Day Camp have always proved to be two great weeks during the year for the children. Decisions are made every year by children to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Under the direction of Reverend Richard Miller, former Minister of Education, and Reverend Charles Dampeer, the church has encouraged the training of those in leadership positions in the Sunday School. Each year the church budgets money to be used for attending Sunday School week at Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center in North Carolina.

The First Baptist Church is a church truly committed to reaching out and serving people.   Herrin First Baptist Church has been a giving church. The church has often met its budget and has given sacrificially to mission offerings. Highlights would include: paying for the present building several years ahead of schedule and doing the same when the adult wing was added; several times giving in excess of $10,000 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and World Hunger; constantly exceeding the goal for Annie Armstrong Easter Offerings and State Mission Offerings; supporting mission churches through a special missions category in the budget, and contributing $100,000 to missions through the Cooperative Program two years in a row, 1987 and 1988.

As former lllinois Baptist State Association executive director Ernest Mosely stated in the Southern Baptist Convention magazine, Baptist Program, "Herrin First Baptist Church celebrates their blessings by sharing their resources with the world in Jesus' name." He continues that "Herrin First Baptist celebrates the privilege of giving in a manner that represents the needs in God's world."

A comparison of the budget for 1914 ($2,474.00), 1965 ($125,356.01), 1985 ($322,673.00), 1990 ($374,277.00) shows the generous giving of the First Baptist Church.

The Feltman Scholars, Inc. was founded in 1983 with money received from the estate of Spencer and Leah Feltman. The deacons recommended that the money be placed in a trust fund and the interest be used to help support college and seminary students who were preparing for the ministry. A Board of Directors was elected and the first scholarships were granted in the fall of 1984. Since 1984 a total of $27,000.00 has been granted to 20 students who are preparing for a church related vocation.

"Young at Heart" is a senior adult organization which began in 1981 under the direction of Maxine Montgomery. This group meets monthly for fellowship, lunch and various interesting programs. In 1988 our church hosted the IBSA Senior Adult Convention. Several musicals have been presented by this group. "Young at Heart" plans and leads the activities during Senior Adult Week each year.

Children's Church is conducted during the morning worship service for children ages 4 through 8 three Sundays every month. A planned program is presented using songs, Bible stories and scripture. As a reward for good attendance, special activities such as hay rides and bowling are planned throughout the year. On the first Sunday of each month these children attend the regular Church Service.

The bus ministry of the church was initiated under the leadership of former Minister of Education, Richard Miller. The purpose of this ministry is to provide contact with persons in the community who need transportation to the activities of the church. At present the church owns a bus and two vans. These are also used in various ways to minister to the needs of the people of the church.

The members of First Baptist Church who are unable to attend the services are ministered to by the Homebound department. The goal of this department is to make the homebound continue to feel a part of the church. The workers in this department make calls, visits, and send cards. The homebound department is a vital ministry of the church.

Another ministry in the church reaches out to Singles in the community. In 1980 the Singles group was started by Minister of Education, Richard Miller. This group is very active with weekly visitation, retreats, social activities, and attending Southern Baptist Conferences.

The fellowship of the church is enhanced by a weekly meal prepared in a well equipped kitchen as a part of the Wednesday evening activities.

When a member of the church family dies, a meal is provided at the church on the day of the funeral for the family and friends. Among other activities held in the fellowship hall are receptions, showers, banquets and parties. The kitchen facilities make it easy to host state conventions and other meetings.

Modern technology is utilized to provide services to the church. The morning worship service has been broadcast live on Herrin's radio station WJPF each week for years. Since 1961 Paul Hillman has been responsible for this service which was provided by WJPF prior to this time. This worship service is also provided on video tape for the homebound and other groups to use. This program is taken weekly to the Marion Federal Prison. For the past five years, the church has had a satellite dish from which it can tape various programs and training material provided by the Southern Baptist Convention.

           One room in the church has been designated for use by the Historical Committee. Here they organize and catalog pictures and church memorabilia.  Interesting pictures are regularly placed on the adult bulletin board for the people's enjoyment.

The committee is planning to put the contents of our prized old church record book, containing the first sixty-five years of records, on a computer disk. The writing in the book is getting dim, but on a computer disk it will be preserved for years to come.

This Committee planned "Church Day" for the county's sesquicentennial cel_bration on October 8, 1989, and also was responsible for the planning and implementing of "Homecoming" which was the celebration of our one hundred twenty-five years of existence. This

"Homecoming" was celebrated in August 1990.

The youth ministry of First Baptist is designed to enlist young people in the program of the church and then to help them mature in their Christian faith. As a result of this program, many have gone on to full-time Christian service. The main arm of the youth ministry is the youth division of the Sunday School. Also included for the youth is DisdpleLife during the church training hour on Sunday nights. DiscipleLife provides a time for music and a study of the Bible and appropriate topics. Youth Bible studies are provided at various times through the year and Youth Vacation Bible School is held each summer.

In 1988 and 1989, the youth joined with the youth of Marion First Baptist Church to prepare a musical that was presented on a tour of Florida in 1988 and Washington, D.C. in 1989. In 1990, the youth attended Centrifuge at Carson Newman College in Tennessee. Centrifuge is a retreat sponsored by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Once again, the youth joined with the youth of Marion First Baptist to present a musical in local churches in August 1990.

           A youth council is elected by their peers to plan activities for the year. These activities include parties, retreats, and concerts.

           All activities of the youth ministry are aimed at reaching youth for Christ.

Music has been a very important part in the life of the church since the first pump-organ was purchased around 1900. Many music leaders, organists, pianistSAand various soloists have given of their time and talent to lead the congregation in worship.

The church is blessed with an eight rank Wicks pipe-organ and a beautiful grand piano. Church accompanists are Ora Burke, Nick Jones, Kendra Ferrari, Amanda Curtis, Zola Fix, and Cindy Zimmerman. The various choirs present musicals and cantatas throughout the year. The music ministry provides opportunities for all age groups in the following choirs.

Several members of the church serve as directors and accompanists of these choirs.

Pre-School Music Makers. 18 members, Pat Beare
Music Makers. 24 members, Melodi Sheffer
Caroleers. 37 members, 22 years - Carolyn Rushing
Youth Choir. 52 members, Mark Walker
Men's Choir. 45 members, Mark Walker
Adult Choir. 57 members, Mark Walker
Young at Heart. 20 members, Mark Walker
Handbell Choir. 9 members, Nick Jones

When the church moved from fourteenth street to the new church on thirteenth street, the library was left at the old church until the summer of 1973. The books were moved to the new facility and the library reestablished. The library has grown to 5042 books, with hundreds of filmstrips, records, and other media, and a staff of three. When the adult wing was built, a new display window was placed in the library. At this time the library has outgrown its present facility. Larger quarters are needed. The scheduled hours are: from 9:00 a.m. until church service on Sunday morning, and approximately one hour before church on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Throughout the first 125 years of existence of the First Baptist Church hundreds of fine, dedicated people have given their time, money, and prayers for the spreading of the gospel. Although all the names cannot be mentioned in a publication such as this, you will be able to see yourself and your efforts in the development of the First Baptist Church. Many of these have left for full-time Christian Service around the world. Many of these people have spent years teaching a Sunday school class, or playing the piano in a department, or directing a program. Each of these positions have had great importance in the growth of the church. Churches are built for the good of mankind and the glory of God.

The witness of the Church begins at home and spreads around the world. Herrin First Baptist Church believes in and supports home and foreign missions -- the spreading of the gospel.

During the past One Hundred Twenty-Five years, twenty-seven Pastors have served. Some suggest Herrin First Baptist Church has been housed in four facilities. Reverend Dampeer declares that the Church resides in the hearts of her people.

The generations come and go. The Church and her witness remain. The Head and Chief Cornerstone of the Church is Jesus Christ.


At the celebration of the first 125 years of the church, the following facts were recorded:
Pastor...........................................................................................Rev. Charles R. Dampeer
Program Director........................................................................Rev. Brad Harlow
Minister of Music/Youth...............................................................Mark Walker
Church Clerk and Secretary.......................................................Janice Phillips
Church Secretary.........................................................................Donna Bennett
Financial Secretary.....................................................................Nick Jones
Custodian.....................................................................................Elaine Hillman
Assistant Custodian....................................................................Daniel Johnson
Chairman of Deacons.................................................................Nick Jones
Sunday School Director............................(819 enrolled)..........Kenneth Rushing
Womans Missionary Union Director....... (148 enrolled)..........Pauletta Humphrey
Special Missions Director..........................................................Rev. Clayton Humphrey
Librarians..... (5042 books).......................................................Linda Banks, Rose Jones
Training Union..... (165 enrolled)...............................................Rev. Brad Harlow
Audio-Director............................................................................Paul Hillman
Church Treasurer........................................................................Kenneth Rushing
Church Membership...................................................................1378  

These were the current facts as of Jan, 2006:  
Pastor...........................................................................................Donald Grammar
Minister of Youth & Children......................................................Courtney Hill
Church Secretary.........................................................................Donna Bennett
Administrative Assistant/Financial Secretary...........................Linda Miller
Custodians...................................................................................Danny Williams, Randy Knight
Chairman of Deacons.................................................................Gerald Wharton
Sunday School Director..............................................................Robert Newman
Women's Missionary Union Directors......................................Juanita Kunce, Norma Jean Eaton
Librarians.....................................................................................Kathy Kilgore, Betty French, Vicki Knight
Audio-Visual Crew......................................................................Alan Moreland, Curt Wharton, Bryan Arnold, Paul Reynolds

PASTORS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Thomas B. Warren....................................................... 1865-1873
John Rodman............................................................... 1873-1876
Hugh McAlpin............................................................... 1876-1880
Wilce Chamness.......................................................... 1880-1882
John Rodman............................................................... 1882-1883
Hugh McAlpin............................................................... 1883-1887
M. J . McNeill............................................................... 1887-1888
James C. Nolan............................................................ 1888-1898
R. W. Ingram................................................................ 1898-1899
James C. Nolan........................................................... 1899-1900
W. S. Blackburn........................................................... 1900-1901
G. W. Syfert.................................................................1901-1906
C. E. Perryman.............................................................1906-1909
B. Kelley....................................................................... 1909-1910
H. H. Wallace............................................................... 1910-1912
H. C. Mitchell................................................................ 1912-1915
James Gore.................................................................. 1915-1919 
I. E. Lee........................................................................ 1920-1928 
George W. Graham...................................................... 1928-1934
Tom L. Roberts............................................................ 1935-1939
Paul A. McCasland....................................................... 1939-1950
W. A. Shoopman.......................................................... 1951-1959
Ben R. Stripling............................................................1960-1967
Maurice L. Swinford.....................................................1968-1978
M. Hawthorne Granger III............................................. 1979-1980
Carl "Bucky" Hitchcock................................................. 1980-1983
Charles R. Dampeer.................................................... 1984-1996
Rick Auxier................................................................... 1997-1998
Paul E Tirey................................................................. 1998-2004
Donald  Grammer........................................................ 2004-2010
Mark Hutson................................................................ 2010-2015
Paul Mount................................................................... 2015-2016
Mark Goldman.............................................................2017-present