How it all started...
Our church had its inception even before the movement got under way nationally. It was in the year of 1905 that Miss Effie McDonald, a young businesswoman of Princeton, Indiana, decided that a revival would be beneficial to the city. She called Evangelist Seth Reece, the Roberts Brothers and Allie Irick known as the Texas Boys, to conduct the revival.
The meeting was held on the first floor of the Odd Fellows Hall and was conducted for 3 weeks with much interest being manifest, attracting large crowds with many conversations. Miss McDonald took upon herself the responsibility for the paying of these four Evangelists and the rent for the Hall. Her faith was rewarded and the appreciative crowds contributed sufficiently to pay the expenses.
Revivals and weekly cottage prayer meetings were held, continuing for 14 years, which resulted in the final organization of the church. In May 1919, Evangelist Ed Roberts and his wife conducted a revival in the old Airdome Building located on the corner of Broadway and West Streets. At this time, the people felt that the work should be organized, so on June 15, 1919, District Superintendent U.E. Harding of the Indiana District organized the church with 17 Charter Members.
The group purchased the St. Peters Evangelical Church and parsonage, located at 318 E. Emerson Street. The church stood where the old building's parking lot was. It was purchased for the sum of $2,250.00. Times were hard and trustees mortgaged their own homes.
In 1929, the frame church was replaced with a beautiful edifice on the corner of Emerson and Seminary Streets. The corner was purchased from guardian of Meta S. Van Nada, Samuel A. Stewart, a sick and infirm person, by order of the Gibson Circuit Court. The trustees at this time were Clay Wilson, Edwin Greek, Evert E. Penner, Oscar McGarrah, and Earl Grubb.
In June 1950, a new building was under construction and in June 1951, the building was dedicated by Dr. Samuel Young. The seating capacity was listed as 600.
The meeting was held on the first floor of the Odd Fellows Hall and was conducted for 3 weeks with much interest being manifest, attracting large crowds with many conversations. Miss McDonald took upon herself the responsibility for the paying of these four Evangelists and the rent for the Hall. Her faith was rewarded and the appreciative crowds contributed sufficiently to pay the expenses.
Revivals and weekly cottage prayer meetings were held, continuing for 14 years, which resulted in the final organization of the church. In May 1919, Evangelist Ed Roberts and his wife conducted a revival in the old Airdome Building located on the corner of Broadway and West Streets. At this time, the people felt that the work should be organized, so on June 15, 1919, District Superintendent U.E. Harding of the Indiana District organized the church with 17 Charter Members.
The group purchased the St. Peters Evangelical Church and parsonage, located at 318 E. Emerson Street. The church stood where the old building's parking lot was. It was purchased for the sum of $2,250.00. Times were hard and trustees mortgaged their own homes.
In 1929, the frame church was replaced with a beautiful edifice on the corner of Emerson and Seminary Streets. The corner was purchased from guardian of Meta S. Van Nada, Samuel A. Stewart, a sick and infirm person, by order of the Gibson Circuit Court. The trustees at this time were Clay Wilson, Edwin Greek, Evert E. Penner, Oscar McGarrah, and Earl Grubb.
In June 1950, a new building was under construction and in June 1951, the building was dedicated by Dr. Samuel Young. The seating capacity was listed as 600.
