Church History: A Brief History of the First Christian Church of Carmi

504 Bohleber Drive Carmi, IL 62821     (618)382-7081 fcc@shawneelink.net

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Adapted from a history written by the late Frank Brown and updated.

The Seven Mile Church was the first Christian Church in White County, Illinois. It was started in February 1839 by Moses Goodwin. The original members came from the Old Union Church in Posey County, Indiana. It was reported in 1848 that there were 27 members in the Seven Mile Church. On June 4, 1851, the Carmi Church of Christ (as it was first called) was started. Mrs. Mary B.D. Robinson (daughter of James Ratcliff of the Ratcliff Inn) was instrumental in starting the church in Carmi. She had been a member of the Seven Mile Church and had been baptized by one of the founders of the Restoration Movement, Barton W. Stone. After meeting in her home for some time, the church body found a home at the White County Courthouse. There were 12 charter members of the Carmi Church. Their first preacher was Alfred Flower, who drove his horse and buggy to Carmi every Sunday from Albion. The first building built by the Christian Church was a little brick building on the lot where the White County Senior Citizen Center now stands on the corner of Walnut and Robinson Streets. In 1867, a new wood-frame building was built and dedicated. The block building, the third building of the Carmi Christian Church was built in 1905 when Frank Thompson was the minister. It was in the block building that the large ascension stained-glass window which is in the present and 4th building which was donated by Miss Schumacher, the church Treasurer at that time. The stained glass window had been hand made by Italians using imported glass. Dannie Martin and his wife Mildred, came to minister at First Christian in 1943. The attendance doubled during his ministry that had continued until his retirement in 1972. It was during his ministry that the present building was erected and was dedicated on May 17, 1970. The Martins ministered for more than 28 years with First Christian. Frank Brown was called as the minister of the First Christian Church in July 1972 and ministered until his retirement on December 31, 1989. Frank and his wife Betty ministered faithfully with this church body for 18 years. It was during his ministry that the church stepped out and hired her first Youth Minister, Robby King, followed by the Youth Ministries of Gary Icenogle and Scott Branson. In January of 1990, upon the retirement of Frank Brown, FCC called Robby King to be her next Preacher. In Robby's 16 years of ministry, the average attendance increased to 450, and three building programs were completed. We added a new fellowship hall and classroom building, the auditorium was expanded, and a new office complex was built. Also, the Ministry Staff increased from two to five. Upon Robby's resignation April 30, 2006, Howard Kraps was called as the Interim Minister and he began serving in June 2006. Howard had served in the full-time ministry for over 46 years. Since his retirement a few years ago, he has served as Interim Minister for several churches in our region. Howard's service ended when FCC called our next Preacher. Stevan McClure was called to FCC as our Preaching Minister, and he began serving here on May 20, 2007. Stevan arrived here in Carmi after spending almost 20 years at a church in Sevierville, Tennessee. Our current Youth Minister, Nathan Chitwood, began serving at FCC in 1993. The current Associate Minister, Greg Pelc, came to FCC in May of 2001. Greg’s position was created in 1998 and was first filled for by David Fremstad. Linda Carter serves as our current Director of Children's Ministries; she joined our staff in January fo 2007. Her position was created in 2002 and has been filled by Vanessa Myers-Kiser and Karie Cook-Farris.