Southern Methodist Episcopal Church

in Kinmundy, Illinois

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We are looking for photos of people and/or places from around Kinmundy & Alma. Can you help?

Or maybe you have stories or memories from the "Good Old Days"? What do YOU remember?

The Kinmundy Historical Society would be honored to preserve your memories and stories. We also have the

equipment to scan (or copy) your photos so that they may be enjoyed now as well as for generations yet to come!

We would love to hear from you! For more information, please contact:

Dolores (Ford) Mobley – Dolores@ford-mobley.com

208 Joan Dr.; Divernon, IL 62530; (217) 625-7527

Gladys (Corrie) See – gsee49@yahoo.com

408 S. Washington St.; Kinmundy, IL 62854; (618) 547-7731

“The Kinmundy Express” - August 24, 1944: Old Church Razed: The old Southern Methodist church has been torn down and hauled away. This marks the passing of another old landmark. We know that this old church has some very interesting history but we have been able to dig it all up. According to records found in the cornerstone of the old church, it must have been erected by a Presbyterian Congregation because in the lead container, which as poorly sealed, was found a Presbyterian Catechism. Along with this was a hymn book without music, a bible printed in 1830, a silver half dollar made in 1853, and some documents written in long hand. Water had seeped into the container and the writing on these documents were not legible. From all appearances, one document gave the charter members of the church and the other one a brief history of it. So according to this information, the church must have been erected sometime back in the 50's by the Presbyterians and later sold to the Southern Methodist Congregation. It was sold a few years ago to the Baptist Congregation. But this congregation was disbanded and the church became the property of the State Baptist Association. We were talking with Mr. George Compton of Greenville, Field Secretary for the State Baptist Association and he told us he made a trip here and looked up all the members of the Baptist Congregation and that none of them wanted to be responsible for the care of the Church. They could have sold the Church house very easily but instead, they gave it to the South Hill Baptist Congregation southeast of Greenville with the proviso that they tear it down and erect another church. The grant was accepted and it was not long until the building was torn down and the last load left here last Thursday. The church was donated to the South Hill Baptist Congregation southeast of Greenville with the proviso that they tear it down and erect another church. The last load left here Thursday. Mr. Compton said that they found some excellent lumber in this building and very little of it was broken up in tearing it down. The sills were all mortised and put together with wooden pins. Good white oak and white pine lumber was used in it. The bell was in excellent condition. The church lots have been sold to Abe and Maude Baylis, whose property adjoins on the north. We are truly sorry seeing these old landmarks leaving us but we are happy in the thought that this one will do a lot of good elsewhere just like it has here.

“Kinmundy Centennial Booklet; "Kinmundy"; Railway to Thruway; 1857 – 1957”: A Southern Methodist Church was active from 1869 to the early 1900s but they disbanded and the members joined with Cumberland Presbyterians or Methodists. Their church, which stood on block 9 on Adams Street was torn down after having been used by the Baptist congregation for some time

M.E. Church & Parsonage [1869 – 1900] located on the west side 100 block of S. Adams St..

Became home of Abe BAYLIS & sister Maude (who died when house burned in Sept. 1949). Later, this was the property of the Gesell family.