Centralia Baptist Association facts for kids

The Vandalia Baptist Association (1840–1880) was a group of Baptist churches. In 1881, it changed its name to the Centralia Baptist Association. This happened when churches from Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and other towns in southern Illinois joined. Later, in 1912, it was renamed the Kaskaskia Baptist Association. This association is part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Centralia Baptist Association: A Look Back

How the Association Began

In 1880, leaders of the Vandalia Baptist Association decided to create a new group. A special committee helped organize this. They invited churches from the Vandalia Association to a meeting in Centralia in July 1881.

At this meeting, they suggested that churches from Centralia and Mount Vernon join the Vandalia Association. They also suggested changing the name to "Centralia." The churches agreed to these ideas at their yearly meeting in 1881. That's how the name changed from "Vandalia" to the "Centralia Baptist Association."

Supporting Important Work

In 1883, the Centralia Baptist Association decided to collect money each year. They collected funds in January for missions in other countries. In April, they collected for ministerial education, helping people study to become ministers. In July, money went to help publish materials for the Association and for Sunday Schools. In October, they collected for the general association's work.

In 1885, a leader named Rev. Gilbert Frederick left to do missionary work far away. A few years later, in 1889, the Associational Women's Home Missions Society was formed. This group helped with missionary work closer to home. In 1892, a suggestion was made to create a committee for "Young People's Work." This committee would help young people in the association and connect with other associations. Carrie E. Perrine, Jessie Shoupe, and H.T. Cunningham were chosen for this committee.

Choosing a New Path

Joining the Southern Baptists

In 1907, there was a big discussion about the association's future. At this time, some churches within the association decided to become part of the Southern Baptist group. They made an important decision.

They stated that each Baptist church could choose which Baptist group to work with. The Centralia Baptist Association decided to work with the Baptist Missionary Convention of Illinois. They also chose to do their general home and foreign mission work with the Southern Baptist Convention. They recommended that their Sunday Schools use materials from the Southern Baptist Convention. After this decision, Bethany Baptist Church left the Centralia Baptist Association. It chose to join the Alton American Baptist Association instead.

Promoting Community Well-being

A Call for Positive Change

In 1910, the association made a statement about community issues. They expressed concern about things that cause harm and sadness to many people. They urged everyone to work hard to remove these harmful influences from society.

They supported organizations like the Anti-Saloon League. These groups worked to improve communities and encourage healthy choices. The association asked its members to support these efforts. They also encouraged people to vote for leaders who would help create a better, safer community for everyone.

Churches That Joined

Between 1881 and 1912, many churches joined the Centralia Baptist Association. These included: First Baptist Centralia, First Baptist Mount Vernon, Wisetown, Smith Grove, Keyesport, Bethania, Harmony, Second Baptist (Patoka), Kinmundy, Vandalia First Baptist, Iuka, Central City, Mulberry Grove, Pocahontas, Arm Prairie, Sandoval, Brubaker, Bear Creek, Mt. Carmel, Friendship, Odin, and Hudelson Orphanage.

At the yearly meeting in 1912, W.W. Hodge suggested a new name. The Centralia Baptist Association officially changed its name to the Kaskaskia Baptist Association. It has been known by this name ever since.