Sullivan Methodist Church
On the west side of the public square of Sullivan a frame church was constructed in the year 1846 for the religious home of the Methodists. A peculiar interest attaches to this building, not only because it was the first church edifice in Sullivan, but also because of the pious men whose zeal and efforts made the structure possible. It is said that some of the earliest Methodist who came to this part of the county contributed the timbers which went into the building and helped in the raising of the exterior, while the pastor of the flock at that time, Rev. James R. Williams, led on the workmen, himself handling a saw and hammer when occasion required. Some of these church builders were Jordan Peter, Solomon Walls, M. E. Chace, Reuben Crapo, and others, who hewed out the timbers, whipsawed the boards and worked with right good will for several months in constructing a place where worship might be conducted elsewhere than in the county seminary and private houses, where the good Methodist folks had congregated up to that time. The membership of the society in that year was only twenty-five, but with the building of the church an increasing number came into the habit of regarding with affection the church home on the square and assembling there on days of worship. During he eighties the membership rolls contained over three hundred, and the Sunday school, which had been started with six white and two colored scholars, being the first class for Bible instruction in the town, had likewise grown in numbers and influence.
The old frame church was occupied a little more than ten years. In 1858-59, under the labors of William H. Cornelius, a brick church was built on the site of the present church. A parsonage was erected in 1880, while J. A. Ward was Pastor. On May 19, 1889, the last service was held in the old church, plans having been made for the building of a new church to cost over $12,000. In July the old building was wrecked, and the contract for the new was led to J. F. Hoke at $12,073. September 2ds, the corner-stone was laid, and in August, 1890, the present church edifice was dedicated by Dr. Earl Cranston. The Epwroth League of this church was organized February 24, 1891.
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 283-284.