Carlisle Methodist Church
If we except the movement and labors of the early French Catholic missionaries within the territory now comprised in Sullivan County, the first preacher of the gospel whose record can be found affecting this region was a Methodist. It is said that Rev. Joel Collins came among the few settlers living about the blockhouses near Carlisle in 1806, and his voice was often lifted up in exhortation and in blessing the labors of this people dwelling on the edge of civilization. As a minister he was quite remarkable for his frontiersman hardiness and bravery. He was expert with the rifle, and a very practical Christian. It was his son, Madison Collins, who was severely wounded in the Indian massacre where Dudley Mack lost his life, and it would not have been strange if the old pioneer minister allowed himself a feeling of vengeance against the savages who had almost taken away one of his family.
For many years, until well within the memory of people now in middle age, there stood on one of the streets of Carlisle a building which in later years was much dilapidated and was used as a cooper's shop. When first built it had served a very different purpose, and the voices of the workmen and the sounds of the shop were like a material echo of the hymns of praise and thanksgiving and prayerful worship of the pioneers who years before had assembled in this building. the old cooper shop was the first church building in Carlisle and the county, built in 1818 by the Methodists, but used at various times by many sects and for various purposes. It was a landmark in the town for two generations. Men and women were christened under its rood, were married there, and at death were taken there for the last rites. It was not till 1874 that the congregation left the old home for a new and larger church, but even after the scenes that were associated with the little old building that still stood near the new one. The new church was dedicated in October, 1874, the President of Asbury University (DePauw) being the principal speaker. M. S. Heavenridge was pastor in charge.
Source: A History of Sullivan County, Indiana. Closing of the first century’s history of the county and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. Thomas J. Wolfe, Editor. The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909, page 284-285.