Address: 605 N Mulberry Street Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
Phone: 618-262-7382
Our Story
The church property was purchased from the trustees of the Presbyterian church by Bishop Seymour in July 1881. At that time, the chapel was completed and furnished, the walls of the church proper were built, and the structure covered. The mission was given the name of St. Paul’s.
The first missionary was the Rev. J.S. Lassater, who came in November 1881, and in connection with his duties as a missionary, opened a school with Miss Elizabeth Smith as assistant. In 1882, the rectory was built. In June 1883, the Rev. J. S. Lassater gave up the work and moved out of the diocese. The Rev. Ruall succeeded him for a few months and then moved to Mattoon. The third missionary was the Rev. R.B. Hoyt, who came in August 1884 and labored very acceptably for two years, and in 1886, on account of failing health, gave up the work. In July 1886, the Rev. H.C. Dyer came to the mission and labored until December 1887, when he resigned.
The mission then became vacant and remained so until June 1889. Services were conducted by Dr. John McClurkin, a lay reader, with monthly visits from the Rev. Dr. Frost, the dean of Carlyle. In June 1889, the Rev. J.B. Debbage, of Canada, was sent to St. John the Baptist as a missionary. His work ended within a year and he returned to Canada. During Rev. Debbage’s stay, Dr. McClurkin was ordained a deacon. In November 1891, Rev. Horace B. Goodyear came to the mission, and under his influence, it prospered.
On St. John’s Day in 1892, the mission was formally organized. At this time the name was changed from St. Paul to St. John the Baptist at the request of Bishop Seymour.
On account of failing health, the Rev. H.B. Goodyear gave up the work in June 1895 and returned to New York. Rev. J.C. Colton came as rector of the mission in December 1895 and remained until March 1900. Rev. J.C. Colton was succeeded by Rev. D.D. Chap— who remained one year. The rector’s position sat vacant for two years following Rev. Chap—. After him, Rev. R.A. Russell was rector for one year, coming in 1903. Rev. T.W. Datson was priest-in-charge during 1905–1906. He was succeeded by Rev. W.B. Thorn, who remained only four months.
Rev. H.H. Mitchell was appointed to the charge, on March 28, 1907. He resigned in May 1908. In his time the old church ruin was pulled down and the rectory was enlarged and remodeled. A tower was built, and other improvements were made to the chapel.
On Easter day, 1908, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Osborne formed a church council. The Rev. T.W.C. Cheeseman was priest-in-charge from 1908 to 1912, removing to Pekin, Ill. The Rev. H.G. Trickett succeeded Rev. Cheeseman, remaining about two years. Since Mr. Trickett’s departure, there has been no regular priest in charge. In 1918, the work was being carried on by Rev. Dr. Keuhn, a field missionary.
Vision & Mission
Our vision is to be a home where the broken in body, soul, or spirit are made whole in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our mission is to worship Christ as our Lord and Savior, to witness to others through acts of mercy and kindness, to welcome others into the community of the faithful, and to win souls for the kingdom of God.