Arrington Prairie Southern Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1849 with the help of an arm extended from the Ellis Mound Church. The first place of worship was at the old Catesville schoolhouse in Berry Township, which was Arrington Township at the time - perhaps the reason for it' s name.
The early history of the church is brief because old records were lost. In 1877, while J. T. Dickey was clerk of the church, he lost his home by fire and all the records previous to that date went up in flames. We cannot give accurately the names of the charter members, however, tradition has handed down names of eaerly members such as: Tablert, Cates, Harris, Jones, Manahan, Linder, Richards, Dawson, Mahan, and Denton.
At the time the present site for this church building was acquired by David Dickey was an active member of this church. He moved here during the Civil War from Georgia. History tells us that David Dickey gave timber for the first church building, and had it prepared and stacked on the group before he died in April 1867. His was the first gave in the new cemetery, now known as Dickeyville Cemetery. His grave serves as a date for the building, which was erected soon after his feath. Thi sold building sat in an area that is now part of the cemetary.The present history of the church began in 1877 after the old records were burned. A hundered and thirty years of records are in the hands o four present clerk. In those books we find the names of more than 60 pastors, many of whom served several years or served more than one time.
In 1878, Arrington Prairie extended an arm to start a church at Sims and gave letters to several members to help them. Another church, which started in or near Lily School, was from an arm extended from Arrington Prairie. Thi schurch is now known as Ten Post Oak.
Our old minutes show that Arrington Prairie has entertained the annual associational meeting two times; 1891 and 1945. It was quite a task in those days when we took them into ou rhomes to feed and perhaps keep overnight.
In Feb. 1949 the church decided to start a building fund for a new modern church building. In March of 1950, a building committee was appointed. In July of 1951, a dedication service was held. More than 300 persons attended tehse dedication services. This new modern building with stained glass windows, hardwood floors, modern lightning, and full basement was built for $25,000.00. It was constructed mainly by members of the church with their time being donated. The old building, which had served the congregation for 83 years, was torn down.
We have had "year round" Sunday School since we had gravel roads [that is more than 80 years]. When the roads got bad they would dismiss for the winter.
Arrington Prairie organized a Training Union in 1940. Our Training Union was good for the young people. Several of the young people excelled in sword drills and speakers tournaments, some of which won at the state level.
Our church sponsored a W.M.U. in 1950-52, with a Royal Ambassador group in 1952. We had our first Vacation Bible School in 1947 and continued to have it every year through 1960. It then resumed in 1982 and continued through 1995.
In 1982 our church sponsored a children's choir. This choir entertained some of the other churches as well as our own with the muscial "Down by the Creek Bank". It was so good for our youth and was enjoyed by others.
To date, 2007, the church is 158 years old. It is know (sic known) to be the oldest church in the Greater Wabash Association and very few are older than it in the state of Illinois.
We have had many joyous revivals, seen many souls won to the Lord in our efforts to continue furthering God's Kingdom.
Many postors have come and gone, some great sermons have been preached from our pulpit, and heard by the many saved ones.
Arrington Prairie continues to be a light in this community and, if God blesses, it will continue for years to come.
Source:
Believed to have been written by Verla Morris who died at age
101.
Shared with me by Ray Weaver.
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