In 1896, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Kellum, members of the Clay City Free Methodist Church, opened their home for weekly prayer meetings. The next Summer, members of the Clay City church held a tent meeting on the corner of 15th and Oak Streets in Terre Haute. That year, the Rev. E. E. Robbins was appointed to supervise the fledgling work. At that time, there were seven charter members.
In 1899, with A. F. Niswonger as pastor, the congregation moved from the Kellum residence to rented quarters at 14th and Sycamore. The following year (1900), a house was purchased at 1412 Walnut, which was converted into a church that served the congregation for nearly forty years. Re. J. C. McCaw, a pastor during that time, recalled that the church entrance faced an alley and that wash water would be poured out into the alley, forming a pool around the entrance. Also, the congregation worshipped with the aroma of garbage from the alley.
In 1939, under the leadership of R. L. Chitty, the former church at 15th and Poplar was purchased from Poplar Street Baptist Church. In that location, weekly attendance reached a peak of 125 for a yearly average in 1957, under the leadership of Rev. Joun Lefler, Sr.
In 1968, under the leadership of Rev. Denver Shipley, ground was broken for a new church location at 3201 McKeen Street, our current location. The congregation moved into the new facility in November of that same year, with the help of a new pastor.
The history of our church is much more than a history of buildings. Over the years, the church has seen many people give their lives to Jesus. Also, several generations have been influenced by this church and its ministries. We prayerfully look forward to a fruitful future, with many more people’s lives being changed for eternity.
