CHURCHES | mcsg

The following is summerized from: Forkner, J. L., & Dyson, B. H. (1897). Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana.

METHODISTS

One of the first denominations to establish themselves in Madison County were the Methodists. The first services were held at the house of Elias Hollingsworth in Pendleton in 1821. It wasn’t until 1832 when a house of worship was built. This is common for many, if not all, of the congregations developing in Madison County. Many met in homes or public buildings until the funds were collected to build and the congregations began to outgrow themselves so much that a central meeting place and building were needed. The Methodists organized many congregations across the county. Some of them include: Perkinsville (1824), Anderson (1827), Fishersburg (1827), Menden (1831), Pipe Creek township (1836), Monroe township (1838), Alexandria (1840), Elwood (1853), Allen Chapel AME, Anderson (1890), to name a few.

BAPTISTS

The next denomination to establish themselves in Madison County were the Baptists. Like the Methodists, the first Baptist congregation was established in Pendleton in 1830. In the beginning there were many small congregations that came together all across the county in places such as Markleville, Fishersburg, and Chesterfield. However, many only lasted a few years. It wasn’t until 1871 when a Baptist church was organized in Anderson. Members from Pendleton and Chesterfield organized the First Baptist church of Anderson. Their first location was on the west side of Meridian street between 10th and 11th. Some other locations that are still present include First Baptist in Elwood and First Baptist in Summitville.

UNITED BRETHREN

The third denomination to make an appearance were the United Brethren. The first congregation was established in Chesterfield in 1835. Several of the original churches are still standing but have been replaced with another congregation. This includes the United Brethren Church in Pendleton which is now the Emmanuel United Methodist and the United Brethren church in Anderson which is now Greater Grace Temple Apostolic.

CATHOLICS

The Catholics made their way to Madison County in the 1830s. The first mass was held in 1837 in Anderson. They would eventually grow to be St. Mary’s. Other Catholic congregations to develop include St. Joseph’s (1889) in Elwood and St. Mary’s (1890s) in Alexandria.

CHRISTIANS/DISCIPLES

The fifth denomination were the Christians or Disciples who first organized in Frankton in 1839. In 1875 the First Christian Church was reorganized. In 1863 their first building was deemed unsafe and so it was 12 years before they reconvened again. Central Christian of Anderson began in the 1850s and the Christian church at Elwood organized in 1854.

LUTHERANS

In 1847, Lutheran ministers visited the Ovid area holding services in the homes of the few of the Lutheran faith in Madison County. It wasn’t until 1893 when St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in Anderson. They are still meeting to this day but in a different building. The Evangelical Lutheran church of Alexandria is also still present today and are still meeting in the original building.

PRESBYTERIANS

The Presbyterians were first organized in 1851 in Anderson and by 1855 they had their first house of worship. The second building they built in 1904 on Ninth and Chase is still in use today. The Presbyterians also organized in Elwood and Alexandria in the 1890s.

EPISCOPALIANS

One of the last of the more well-known denominations to organize in Madison County were the Episcopalians. In the beginning the Episcopalians had churches in Anderson – Trinity Episcopal (1890), Alexandria – St. Paul’s Episcopal (1895), and Elwood – St. Stephen’s (1895).