Vandalia Baptist Association - History

History

In October 1840, a meeting was held with Union Church, six miles southwest of Patoka, Illinois, for the purpose of forming a new Baptist Association. The following churches located in the South Central Illinois counties of Fayette, Marion, and Clinton were represented: Vandalia, Salem, Marshall Creek, Bethel, Clinton Hill, Diamond Springs, and Beaver Creek. The ministers present were Rev. George Stacy, Rev. W.F. Boyakin, Rev. S.K. Kellam, and Rev. J.R. Ford. The organization was completed by the adoption of the associational constitution and the election of a moderator, clerk, standing secretary and treasurer.

The association took its name from the old state capital and was hence known as the Vandalia Baptist Association. The first annual meeting of the association was held in Vandalia. During the ensuing twenty years (1841–1861) the following churches came into the association: Shoal Creek, Wabash, Liberty, Bear Creek, Fosterburg, Clear Creek, and Zion Hill. Among the ministers connected with the body during this period were Rev. Joseph Taylor, Rev. Joseph Huey, Rev. William Steele, Rev. E.A. Cooley, Rev. T.B. Grubb, Rev. W.J. Goldsborough, Rev. A.j. McClelland, and Rev. I.A. Dale.