The Ten Mile Church became a member of the Hardshell Muddy River Baptist Association in October, 1820. At which time, the membership was eleven (11). Nine (9) of them came from Bankston's Fork. The record of the Muddy River Association shows that membership was twenty-three (23) in 1821 and forty-six (46) in 1824., but dropped to thirty-two (32) in 1827 because twenty-three (23) members lettered out. It is noted that Chester Carpenter, distinguished pastor of Ten Mile, was moderator of the Muddy River Association 1822-1829.

The minutes of Ten Mile Church from 1820-1829 are missing, but the records show that in December 1829 the church agreed that on Thursday before the next meeting we attend, we work on the meeting house. It is uncertain as to whether the meeting house (church building) was under construction or in need of winter repair. The members may have met in a members home until this time, however the minutes show that "due to the extreme coldness of the winter, church was not held" frequently during the winter months. The first church was thought to be near the center of the old cemetery.

Photo of Ten Mile Church during early part of 20th Century.

The second meeting house was built in 1838 in the same vicinity as the first. The record shows the dimensions were "24 feet by 26 feet of hewn logs, a board roof to be nailed to the rafters, and the ends to be gabled with boards nailed on." This building served well with major and minor repairs until 1896.

Scale model of the 1896 church building.

In February 1896, the Ten Mile Church, after some deliberation, voted to construct a new building without a dissenting vote. Apparently, W. D. Harper and Chester Judd donated the acreage for the erection of the new building; for the record shows that they were voted "thanks for the plot". The cost of the new church building was $1,306.00. By December of 1896, only $406.00 was owed on the building. The church voted to insure the new building, but was unable to raise the money. The dedication service was preached by W. P. Throgmorton.

The scale model of the 1896 served the church until the current building was built in the early 1970's.

The early church was very strict in its doctrine and discipline. Members have been excluded from the church for "the sin of intoxication", "contemptously treating the church", "disorderly conduct", "living in adultry", "bankruptcy", etc. One of the most unusual reasons for excluding a member was for "transcending the bounds of the gospel privileges."

The church was of a very forgiving spirit. If a person was charged with violating or breaking of the church convenant, he was asked to attend the next business meeting. Should he fail or refuse to report to the church, he was excluded. However, if he appeared, confessed, and ask forgiveness, he was graciously forgiven and returned to full fellowship of the church.

History indicates the early church was very active. In 1827, the church ordained Chester Carpenter and Robert Moore to the ministry, beginning a practice that has continued to the present time. Also, the church used its leadership to establish new churches - Liberty, Sugar Camp, United Baptist Church of Mcleansboro, etc. It is noted that the church was very active in associational affairs and had an ever increasing membership. While the membership of the church did not reach the 100 mark during the first half of the century, the membership in later years increased to over one hundred and remained at that figure until the twentieth century. Then, the membership began growing and now totals 281.

Two ministers having the longest period of service in Ten Mile Church, was John B. Maulding and Hosea Vise. Elder Hosea Vise was licensed to preach Ten Mile in 1841. It was here he held his membership for 58 years, twenty-one of which he served as pastor. He helped organize and served as moderator of the Franklin Association for twenty-one years. When the doctrinal split between "Hardshell" and "Missionary" occurred in the Bethel Association, it was Hosea Vice who advocated; adhering to Paul's advice, "mark them which cause division among you and avoid them". Rev. John Maulding also had great influence upon the Ten Mile community and served as pastor of Ten Mile for nineteen years. One of his comments of later years was "I have preached here so long, people connect me with Ten Mile".

With the exception of the Bankston Fork Church, who helped organize Ten Mile, the 1989 I.B.S.A. annual shows only three churches in the state of Illinois that are older. Elizabethtown, organized 1806; Shiloh, near the City of Mounds, organized 1817; Jonesboro, organized 1818.

Ten Mile was one of seven to help form the Franklin Association, 1841 then known as "Union United Baptist Association" later name changed to Franklin Association. This organizational meeting met with the East Fork Baptist Church, east of West Frankfort.

Interesting to note that two of the three of the messengers representing Ten Mile, Elder Hosea Vice, Nathaniel Harrelson, and Elder S. M. Williams, and Nathaniel Harrelson elected clerk and also appointed treasurer.

Another interesting feature, the Committee of Finance, Brethern J. Browning, J.R. Williams, and Andrew Miller reported they have received from the churches $11.01 and one-fourth cents committee discharged.

Ten Mile remained in the Franklin Association until it was decided in May 1974 annual meeting of the Fairfield Baptist Association, Ten Mile was accepted into the union with twenty-five other churches and are actively involved in the association.

Many who have contributed to the cause of Christ and Ten Mile Church are now sleeping in the cemetery east of the present building near the site of the first two buildings.

The need for a new church building became evident by the early 1970's. A committee was assigned to explore the possibility of building a new facility. After much discussion, the church congregation decided on an octagon design with brick veneer. However, there was a considerably larger problem than the decision of what the new building should look like. The big problem was how to pay for it! Members talked with bankers, finance officers, and also discussed issuing bonds to finance it. Many said there was no way that a church of our size and financial condition could build the facility that was needed. After much thought and prayer, we decided to proceed with the project and depend upon the lord to provide what was needed. Construction began in 1975 and the first services in our new church building were enjoyed in early 1976. The greatest miracle of our building program happened almost three years later. The note was paid in full!

Photo of the new Ten Mile Church, built in the 1970's, as it looks today.

We, at Ten Mile Church, are certainly glad our Lord did not listen to the experts which said it could not be done!

After 177 years, Ten Mile Missionary Baptist Church, which we pray will continue to leave its legacy and influence with Hamilton County and other parts of the world forever as a part of history in Southern Illinois.

(Copyright 1997 - 04/04/1997 Abbi McCormick, Corey Phillips, & David Gage)