Draft:PB

HISTORY: First Baptist was born in 1828 only fifty-two years after the founding of the United States. It has not moved one iota in its hope and doctrine. The same beliefs rooted in Scripture that it held at its inception are its non-negotiable affirmations today, a testament to God’s great faithfulness to us. When you become a part of this body, you take part in history. To understand what is so special about this body lets head back to 1828.

DANVILLE: “Danville was settled in 1828, nearly 100 years ago. Only a few modest dwellings proclaimed the site of the present populous city, and red-skinned first families of the land abounded in superabundance. We find, however, that Baptist sentiment in this township may be traced back to 1819, when the territory of Danville was brought into the path of civilization, and the solitary places were to be made glad. In 1818, when yet the unbroken forest was spread over the rolling hills and prairie vales, when the moose, deer, bear and all kinds of wild beasts could be found when the rattlesnake was wont to hiss and crawl at pleasure and none to disturb him--with the Indian in the forest on his way to fish or hunt, Baptist believers were to be found.

ILLINOIS A STATE: In the year 1818 Illinois was made a state. But two years before Illinois was admitted into the union, Crawford County was formed, and at that time Vermilion County was a part of that territory. Illinois in 1787 was a part of the Northwest Territory, and when Ohio was made a state Illinois and Indiana were united; but in 1809 Illinois was made a territory of itself and nine years later was admitted to the Union. The first capital was Kaskaskia and the first Territorial Governor was Ninian Edwards. In 1818, when Illinois became a state, it was with Shadrach Bond as Governor. Among those who came to explore the regions of the Wabash and Vermilion rivers were men of Baptist faith. "Predestinarian Baptist," or "Hard-shell Baptist, " as they were then called. Most of them came from Virginia, some from Kentucky and a few from New England. Among the early Baptist believers were Henry Johnson, Absalom Starr, Henry Martin, George Brock, William Reed, Harvey Luddington. H. Cunningham, James Butler, Asa Elliot, and some of their families whose names appear as subscribers to the Baptist faith and covenant. They worshipped in their log cabin homes in the form as cottage prayer meetings are held.

INDIAN VILLAGE

We do not realize the force of the comparison of time until we reflect upon the past and contrast it with the present. The inhabitants of Danville of today (1919) have no conception of how Danville looked in 1822. Let us for a moment imagine that the massive steel bridge with its paved floors which spans the "Big Vermilion" at the foot of Gilbert street has vanished, and no house to be seen, no paved streets, no street lights, nothing but fields and forests, with here and there a little log house, the white man's dwelling. But on the slope of the Vermilion from the foot of Gilbert street around the bend to where Ellsworth park Public Domain now is, you find an Indian village. In this village (now Ellsworth Park) is a large tree; under this tree the Indian Chief calls his bands together and holds council with them. This tree is still there and commonly known as "Conference Tree" because early Baptists held conferences there and baptized their converts in the river near by. Such a village actually existed on the banks of the Big Vermilion River. The village was partly on the north side and partly on the south side. From this village the Indians had their trail east through the forest and on with but few turns until they reached the Wabash, near what is now known as Covington, Indiana. The old Indian trail is now West and East Main street, having undergone but few changes as to its running line. These Indians were, by the early settlers, believed to be of the "Miami Tribe." They were peaceful and kindly disposed towards the white man- always ready to trade with the whiteface. They also had a religion and believed and practiced it; the white man was welcome to their services. This gave the white man an opportunity to introduce his religion and tell the Indians about the Redeemer who had come to save the world, including the Indians. Some Christian religion had been preached to the red-skinned people and the doctrine of Immersion had been taught them, but as the white man grew in numbers and took possession the Indian withdrew.”

ORGANIZED CHURCH

“In 1828 Hezekiah Cunningham erected a large frame building on the southwest corner of what is now known as the old public square, and in the upper story of this building court was held and religious services conducted. In this room on the 12th day of April, 1829, the first Baptist Church of Danville was organized with eighteen members. Following is the list of Charter Members, as gathered from early church papers and from the Court records of Vermilion County: Elder Freeman Smalley, Absalom Starr, Maria Starr, Henry Johnson, Henry Martin, George Brock, Nancy Brock, William Reed, Harvey Luddington and wife, Hezekiah Cunningham and wife, James Butler and wife, Asa Elliott, Sadie Butler, John M. Vance and Nancy Vance. “Elder Freeman Smalley acted as Moderator and Hezekiah Cunningham served as Clerk. It was then voted that the name of this church shall be “The First Baptist Church of Danville Illinois. Voted that Brother Freeman Smalley, minister to this church as pastor. It was voted to adopt "New Hampshire Articles of Faith," but lay emphasis upon the great and fundamental doctrine of Predestination. Voted that Brother Freeman Smalley minister to this church as pastor and that Brother George Brock serve this church as deacon. After the formation of the church, Elder Smalley preached a sermon from the text, "Buried with him in Baptism, wherein we stand.” (Rom. 6:4.) After prayer and exhortation. the meeting closed and adjourned to meet again next Sabbath.”

FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING

On the second Sunday in April 1833, nine years after John M. Vance had settled at Salt Fork and manufactured salt, the settlement of Danville had grown to be a comfortable village. It was during this time that the Baptist services were held in the upper room over the Cunningham store that the dread cry, "The Indians. The Indians," rang through the quiet streets, and from the little Baptist congregation alone, thirty men were immediately organized into a company to defend their homes and families against the invaders under "Black Hawk, " the Indian chief who had returned and aroused the Indians of this section to an uprising. Elder Freeman Smalley, Thomas Whitlock, Elder John M. Peck. J. M. Black and Alfred Parks (Baptists), were the first exponents of Christianity in this part of Vermilion county and the Township of Danville. Elder G. W. Riley and Benjamin Smalley, were also among the early Baptist ministers who traveled from Crawfordsville, Indiana to Peoria, Illinois, and all through the county, preaching and establishing churches. None of the early churches had a regular pastor on the field, but the good brethren conducted services among themselves and were strengthened from time to time by an Elder who came on horseback with Bible in his saddle-bag, to spend the Sabbath with them and preach a sermon.

“The room over Cunningham's store remained the permanent meeting place of the congregation until 1834, when on the first Sunday in October the Church entered into their new and first Meeting House. This structure, a small frame building, 28x36, was located northeast of what is now East North and Jackson street, (there are now some living among us who remember the old Church and attended services there). It was after the style and size of the many white painted church buildings still to be found in this country. In some respects it looked better than the one erected later (1874).”

THE MISSION QUESTION: In 1836 the “Mission and anti-Mission Question” arose, causing division in many churches in Illinois, including First Baptist Church of Danville. “It appears, however, that the missionary portion prevailed and the anti-mission faction has long since been dead and buried. The church prospered and other congregations were organized throughout the county. The Middle Fork Church, The Goshen Church (now Fairmount), The Walker's Point Church (now Muncie), the Stony Creek Church and Vermilion (Snyder's Corner), all took their rise and were ministered to by the brethren above named. Danville being so close to the Wabash river and Indiana, the church visited and cooperated mostly with the churches in Indiana and the old Gilman Association; the Danville, Illinois line joined Indiana. When the war of 1861 broke out, the Middle Fork Church broke apart and no longer held services because the church took sides. The Church at Danville had its trials of faith even in the early days of its history and some differences of scriptural interpretations crept in. The Bloomfield Association was formed, but First Baptist would not join the association because of doctrinal differences, remained independent. The Sixth meeting of the Bloomfield Association, 1843, was held with the Church at Brewett's Creek, near Clinton, Indiana…At this meeting the differences of opinion as to missions was discussed and the following resolution passed: ‘Resolved, That in accordance with principles understood but not expressed in the constitution of the Association as an Association we are favorable to Missions, but think it is the right of each individual church and member to act as they may think best on the subject.’ This brought about a clearer understanding between the churches and the Danville Church was more often heard from in the Association after this resolution was passed, although the Danville Church did not become a member of the Bloomficld Association until later” (Krumrieg).

From 1846-1850 no church records were kept and the Danville church suffered decline or lost the records. “In the spring of 1850 Rev. Cleighton Elliott gathered the believers of the First Baptist Church and revived the work. That year the church registered 50 members and grew by eleven. Tens professions of faith and one transfer of membership. Additionally it shows the church had a weekly prayer meeting. An abstract from the letter of the First Church of Danville to the Association reads: "Have the labors of C. Elliott; have well attended and interesting prayer meetings. J. Brown, church clerk." Three years later the letter reads: "Acknowledge the want and zeal in Christ's Cause; Have the labors of. Elder C. Elliott; Pray for a Revival; Have weekly prayer meetings; Have no Meeting House." J. W. Parker, Church clerk. (The old meeting house at this time. was very much out of repairs and had been abandoned for a time and the meetings were then held in the old Presbyterian church. However, the old Meeting House was later on repaired through the efforts of the pastor and Col. O. T. Harmon. Col. O. F. Harmon, born 1827 in Monroe County, N. Y.. came to Danville in 1853. He was a lawyer and practiced in Danville with Judge O. L. Davis as a partner. He was a Baptist and became the leader and the mainstay of the First Baptist Church. The old Meeting House referred to above was placed in repair under the direction of Colonel Harmon, and was again occupied by the Church. When the war broke out in 1861 Brother Harmon enlisted in the 125th Volunteer Infantry and fell in battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., on the 27th day of June, 1864, and in his death the Church lost its best support” .

GROWTH AND STRUGGLE: In 1852 a portion of the church chose to start Hopewell Baptist Church near Bluegrass. In 1856 Brother Blankenship held a camp meeting on Walnut and Williams, near a bank of a creek known as Gerrat’s branch (currently the location of Walnut and Williams). There were 18 conversions and with not baptistry available they damed up the water of the creek to baptized these believers by immersion.

“The strength of the church was materially decreased during the troublesome times of the slavery agitation and the war of 1861-65, in which the Baptist Church took a decided stand against slavery. This caused the church to suffer greatly, together with removals and death, further depleted the ranks, to the extent that the church in 1865 discontinued holding services in the old meeting house; it being a frail frame structure to begin with, in 1834, and much out of repair at this time, the building was sold. Then followed a period of five years of a lethargic state, during which some of the members died, others moved away and still others, more in-different, united with other churches not of the Baptist faith. That the First Baptist Church, in Danville, was not dead in 1866, even though their old meeting house was gone, will be seen from the following letter, granted by the "Sand Creek Baptist Church, Ind., Feb. 2d, 1866. The letter reads: "Sand Creek, Ind., Feb. 2, 1866. To the members of the First Baptist Church, Danville, Ill. Greeting: The Sand Creek Baptist Church, Indiana, certifies that Bro. J. B. Hawkins, his wife Sarah and daughter Martha, are members with us in regular standing, and at their own request are hereby dismissed from us to unite with you; when joined to you their relation with us will cease. May the blessing of God be on you all.”

, “There must have been some Baptists in Danville about this time who believed in the "perseverence of the saints" and held together the church organization, received and dismissed members…” They continued to search for a permanent pastor, dismissed some members to start Pleasant Point church in 1864. A postal card dated Nov. 20, 1870, at Terre Haute, Ind. and stamped, Bedford, Ind., Nov. 21, 1870, reads: “Dear Brother: I will come and preach for you on Sunday, the 7th day of December next, if desired. Please write as soon as you can. Yours Truly, S. M. Stemson.” This card was addressed to J. W. Parker, clerk, First Baptist Church, Danville, Ill., and was a reply to a letter written by Bro. Parker to Rev. Stem-son, who at that time was pastor at Terre Haute, Ind., and who in 1868 had baptized Bro. B. F. Siner, in Terre Haute. Bro. Siner, is now and has been for many years a Deacon in the First Baptist Church, Danville, and at this writing is Chairman of the Board of Deacons and also on the Building Committee. The above records and facts are stated to prove that the church had a complete organization prior to the coming of Rev. E. S. Graham to the pastorate of this church. As some not familiar with the church's history, had come to believe that with the coming of Elder Graham the church in Danville had its beginning.

The church had been weak for a number of years and without a regular pastor, but it had held services, in private homes, school houses, halls and for a time in the old Presbyterian church. Though some what inactive at times, the church had never disbanded its work or organization since 1829, when it was formed. The church has kept a continued record with periods of inactivity. E. S. Graham, a man highly educated and of marked ability, was pastor at Sadorus, and attended the Association at Tolono. Deacon J. W. Parker, Mrs. Lucy Ballengee and Mrs. H. L. Holton, of the Danville church, who also attended the Association, arranged with Elder Graham, for him to visit the church in the near future. Rev. E. S. Graham came to visit the Danville church on the second Sabbath of September and preached to the congregation in the Robert McDonald Hall on East Main street, where the church had me since 1869. He based his sermon upon the 10th verse of the second chapter of second Timothy-"Therefore, I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." The sermon was peculiarly appropriate to the Baptists of Danville and was treated in a manner encouraging to the hearers. The hall was filled to its capacity to hear this able preacher. At the close of the service a conference was held and Brother Graham was invited to come and take up the work of the First Baptist Church in Danville and become its pastor. Negotiations followed and Rev. Graham accepted the call and began his work as pastor of the church on the first Sabbath of January, 1873, having resigned the church at Sadorus.

CHURCH INCORPORATION: "With the coming of the new pastor and the opening of the new effort to revive the work; the pastor on the first Sunday called the church together, all that were left of the members and others ready and willing to sustain the work, to subscribe to a "covenant" and pledge their support. Pastor Graham, having prepared articles of incorporation with a view of buying a lot and erecting a church edifice, laid the proposition before the church, which, after careful consideration, was approved by an unanimous vote. The following members of the church signed the corporation paper: Rev. E. S. Graham, Mrs. E. S. Graham, Mrs. F. B. Freese, Mrs. F. C. Wilber, Mrs. Kate Bayle, Mrs. H. L. Holton, Mrs. S. Kimball, J. W. Parker, Mrs. J. W. Parker, Mr. and Mrs. B. Wilkinson and Mrs. Eliza W. ,Davis. These twelve members became the corporate members of the First Baptist Church of Danville. The forming of this voluntary religious corporation led to the belief, on the part of some, that this was the beginning of the Baptist Church, and the date ([March 23] 1872) crept into the Association minutes as the date of organization. This, however, is not the case, as the church has existed ever since April12th, 1829, though often its light was dim, it had never been extinguished and this noble act of Rev. Graham and the Baptists of 1873 was not an organization, but rather a reviving of the work and the incorporating of the church.

After the coming of the Rev. Mr. Graham, great interests aroused among the Baptists and within a short time after the formation of a corporate body a lot was purchased by the church on the corner of Walnut and Madison streets, for which $2000 was paid and without delay work was begun on a church building… It was completed and dedicated in 1874 and remained the church house of the Baptists until March 25, 1915, when the new and more up-to date church was dedicated.

The Calvary Mission In South Danville

Various pastor came and went and by “In 1878 the church reported 114 members. In 1894 the Lord sent a special season of revival and one-hundred and fifty-seven people were added to the church at that time. In April 27, 1898 there was a membership of three-hundred and sixty-six accounting the church clerk Mr. F. T. Webber. The ministry of Rev. Williams opened very auspiciously, he gave much of his time and attention to the work of the Mission in South Danville. The interest on the part of the pastor in the Mission, together with its apparent growth, led some living in South Danville to believe that the time had come for the formation of an independent church and recognize the Mission as the "First Baptist Church" of South Danville, Illinois. This notion led to considerable debate as to the advisability to take that step. However, the pastor; together with some members, urged the formation of a church in South Danville and accordingly on the 14th day of May, 1900, forty-three members of the First Church were dismissed to form the new church. This was done, however, against the better judgement of the Deacons and older members of the First Church, believing it to be a hasty move. The Mission has been maintained by the First Church with success and it had prospered under its care. A recognition council was called to meet he 11th day of June, 1900, for the purpose of recognizing South Danville Mission as a regular Baptist church. Three pastors, of Crisman, Indianola and Gifford, together with a few lay-men, formed the council. The council, seeing the situation under which it had been called, hesitated to proceed, but after due deliberation recognized the church under the name of the "First Baptist Church of' South Danville, Ill." This left the First Church, Danville, a membership of 290, enough to do great work for God in the city of Danville. After a strenuous pastorate of two years, Rev. Williams resigned as pastor, May 30, and left Danville, Sept., 1900. With his departure from the field the curtain drops, obscuring a scene of the church upon the stormy deep. The clouds lifted and the sun in all its beauty shone again upon the field of God. Rev. F. M. Mitchell succeeded Rev. Williams as pastor of the First Church and under his leadership the church rallied and prospered. The newly organized church at South Danville found it too difficult to exist as a church independent of the First Church. Unable to carry on the work as a church, they sent word to the First Church that they were about ready to abandon the work. The following is the letter to the "Mother Church:” ‘The Baptist Church at South Danville, Ill. To the First Baptist Church, Danville, Ill., Greeting: Dear Brethren: After a trial of eight months to operate as a church, we find the task too much and now realize that a serious mistake was made in organizing this church. We have decided to abandon the organization and again come under your watchful care. Kindly advise us what steps to take.’” The membership returned to First Baptist north. The church did start and maintain missions outreach to South Danville called “The Calvary Mission.” This mission was strengthened under Rev. W.H. Breach, became self-sustaining, and was organized into a church (Today Calvary Baptist Church in Tilton, IL.). “Mrs. Margaret Lewis had given a lot (in South Danville) to the First Church, for the purpose of erecting a building for a Baptist Church in South Danville. This lot was located on Main street, but owing to indications that the east side of South Danville would grow it was considered advisable to sell that lot and secure one elsewhere. Mr. Breach secured a lot as a gift from Mr. R.D. McDonald on 11th st., east, to erect a building for the Calvary Baptist Church. The First Church, on the first day of May, 1907, voted to sell the lot on S. Main st., and give the proceeds of the sale to the building of a new church on the lot given by Mr. McDonald.(Page 38-39).

WALNUT AND WILLIAMS BUILDING

As soon as they had given for that missions church the Lord provided a new space for First Baptist. “The First Church bought a lot for a new church on the corner of Walnut and Williams Streets at a cost of $8,500. In the meantime the church grew through the Billy Sunday revival, a ministry “to hobos” started by Pastor Rhoades. Finally in June 1914 trees were cleared from the lot purchased, the cornerstone was laid on the 6th day of June, 1914. The stone contains a copper box with a number of articles [church records] deposited therein. Three sides of the stone are exposed to full view. The side facing the east is engraved ‘First Baptist Church.’ On the side facing north are the dates of the three important historical periods: Organized 1829, 1874 when the church was incorporated and the second building was dedicated; and 1914 when this new church was erected. The third side bears a Latin inscription “‘With Courage and Faith. The edifice was completed and March 24, 1915 “the congregation bade farewell to the old church, in the regular services, Sunday morning and evening.” The building cost $48,365.27 to build and they had 24,913 on hand with $11,300 pledged. The church was already full to capacity. This all was done under the leadership of Dr. Edward L. Krumreig, D.D. who accepted the call to become pastor of First Baptist Church in 1913. In his ten year tenure two-hundred and eighty-five people were added to the church. An adjacent properties were purchased in this location for increased ministry.

GROWING MINISTRY

On July 1951 Pastor Seidler purchased property on Fowler Avenue and had a tent meeting in attempt to bring souls to Jesus. Two years later they would begin a missions church in the location called Fowler Avenue Baptist Church. Today that ministry is known as Edgewood Church. On May 28, 1953 First kindergarten graduation was held which included 31 students in white caps and gowns one of the first in the state of Illinois. In 1953 Church voted to establish a Christian day school of 8 grades to begin with a first grade in addition to the kindergarten. In 1953 First Baptist started a radio ministry on WDAN. The Sunday school ministry reached 415 in attendance in the early 1950’s under Pastor Seilder’s direction. The conservative Baptist Assembly Camp Assurance conducts summer camps.

VERMILION STREET: Property was purchased at 1211 North Vermillion St. with plans for a seven hundred seat auditorium and for a school for seven-hundred in 1952. A portion of the school was completed and several years later, on October 9, 1960 a ground breaking services was held for the new auditorium. Pastor Harris Stuermer saw the completion of that building. The first service was held on the eve of Thanksgiving in 1962. Under his leadership the church saw physical growth: houses were purchased, the parking lot was paved, property was purchased for Camp Assurance, vehicles were purchased, the nursery, gym, and school additions were constructed. The church saw an Easter attendance of 1,269 in 1974. Pastors In its almost 200 years of existence First has been shepherded by thirty-two men, eighteen have stayed less than five years, ten have stayed from 6-10 years, three have stayed 10-20 years (Mitchell Seidler, Jerry Cummins, and Paul Rebert), and one man for 20-30 years (Harris Stuermer).

Updates have been completed and additional have been built. I (Paul Rebert) was voted in as the Pastor on Wednesday night, December 21, 2011 with a ninety-three percent positive affirmation. In that last two hundred years false teachers have come and gone and culture has waxed worse. Most recently on July 19, 2023 the church demonstrated its commitment to biblical doctrine by strengthened its Statement of Faith. First Baptist is “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14b). Success here is not be determined by societal standards, but by our commitment to “the Faith once delivered,” obedience to inerrant Word, love for one another, and commitment to herald the good news. As seasons come and go, the culture shifts, political tides adjust, tolerance of evil increases, and people in the church are born and pass on. The natural "grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever (1 Peter 1:25). The unchanging thing about First Baptist, proof of God’s faithfulness to us has been its unwavering commitment to the Scriptures. The legacy of First Baptist can be described in one phrase, “Our faithful God has kept us faithful to the Book.”