History and Recollections of Paynesville Christian Church, as told at the rededication services held Dec. 6, 1981

This account focuses mainly on the physical aspects of PCC. Please, forgive any omissions or errors that may have occurred since much contained here has been recalled to memory from the last 100 years. A newer, more complete printed history was made available at the PCC Centennial Celebration in October 2007.

In October of 1907, W. O. Cliffe held a four week meeting in the I.O.O.F. Hall at Paynesville, Indiana (the hall later became Hearn's grocery store). At the close of the meeting there was a band of 35 disciples. During the month of December, 1907 property was acquired at Paynesville and they began at once to build a house of worship. By hard labor, donations from produce, and perseverance, a $4000.00 house was erected. Allen Miles was very instrumental in the establishment of the church with his $1000 donation.

During the construction, as recalled by some, timber was donated by members such as Himes and Dallas Hardy among others. Bill Dawson, who owned a sawmill, along with the help of Clarence Nichols, and John and Bill Maddex, prepared the lumber for building. Cedar floors were used as they were resistant to termites and decay. One member was very insistent on having double doors at the entrance for funerals. He was the first member to pass away. The piano in the auditorium, Regulator clock in the annex, and the pews were all purchased at about this time.

Some of the charter members of Paynesville Christian Church were: Minnie Bair; Allen Hutsell; Cordie Snyder; Dallas, Ben, Allen, and Cora Noell; Evie Payne, Boris Hearn, Allen Miles, and Edgar Palmer. At the early meetings, still in the I.O.O.F. Hall, Ruby Hearn was the pianist. Later Mary Pender was pianist in the church house. Allen Hutsell was the song leader.

On the Lord's Day, December 20, 1908 a large audience assembled for the dedication of Paynesville Christian Church. T. J. Legg conducted the service and Brother Peirson of New Albany, IN, a gifted singer, led the music. The sum of $1, 017.30 was raised which cleared all indebtedness.

During a dinner held at the church house, the east flue caught on fire because of the wood burning stoves in use at the time. Mr. Allen Miles said that he had too much in this building to let it burn down, so he climbed up and put out the fire. This story was retold by Anne Hensler, Claude Hardy, and Jack Baker. In the early congregational meetings, the front pew was always filled with men. For revivals, people put chairs in their wagons and brought them filled with people for the services. One snowy morning, Allen Miles, had ridden his horse several miles, and Jack Baker had arrived to start the wood stoves. But those even within sight of the church failed to attend because the snow was so deep.

In the early days of the church, carbide lights were used. Later a Delco engine, located in a tool shed, provided electric lighting. It was necessary for someone to come early and start the engine. Brother Johnny Allen, minister, was instrumental in this effort.

A Sunday School and Ladies Aide were organized. Minnie Bair was the first president of the Ladies Aide. In 1926, Sunday School classrooms were added to the church building. Donations of material and labor were again used. Earl Bare was the architect and had Lynn Lawson, Claude Hardy, and Carmel Baker as helpers from the congregation. Every mother who had a child in the nursery donated money to buy one chair. These chairs are still in use today.

Early in the year of 1954, the church building was in need of some improvements. With only $10.00 in the building fund, a few zealous, hard working brethren started excavation under the south end of the building with pick, shovel, and wheelbarrows. Under the supervision and skill of Brother Sherley E. Harsin the basement was completed and a new oil-burning furnace was installed. A formal dedication was held on June 19, 1955, according to Joe Rowlett, the minister at that time. Also, the auditorium floors were sanded and refinished, the walls were papered, and the ceiling painted.

Around 1970, after years of wear, the auditorium walls were stripped of wallpaper and prepared for painting. Much of this work was done by several youth in the congregation. The walls were then painted.

About the same time, electric heat was installed by Lanier Arbuckle as a gift to the church. In the basement the furnace was removed, the walls refinished, and paneling placed overhead. Members of the church and Brother George Uppling, minister during that time, combined efforts to build the front entrance onto the church. Following that construction, there was another dedication ceremony.

In the year of 1972, the members agreed that more room was needed if the church was to continue to grow and remain a house of worship. Three new classrooms, a multipurpose room, restrooms, and a kitchen were completed with much faith and many donations. These donations even included some pledges of God's rewards from soybean sales. Brother Tom Noble built the frame work and other members proceeded to finish the interior as donations became available, while making payments of $50.00 per month. Lloyd and Lillian Bair, and Ilene Harsin donated much of their time installing the tile floor while Claude Hardy and Sandy Newman worked on the paneling. Many others put a lot of effort into this labor of love. Brother Jim Bowyer was ministering here during most of the construction. When the note for the loan was paid off, we had a formal burning of the mortgage at a dedication service.

In the spring of 1980, with the coming weddings of 4 of our church members, it was decided to redecorate the sanctuary, especially since the pews were being refinished and looked so nice. Volunteers painted the walls, and the floors were refinished by the ladies of the church. A new carpet, and new runners were installed.

During the year of 1981, after many donations, the bill for the refinishing of the pews was paid off. Those donating $300.00 or more received a plaque to be placed on the end of a pew. Also, the congregation decided to prepare the annex as a temporary housing facility for the minister. Jim Strickland installed a built-in shower, water heater, and closet.

This is how the church building appeared after the annex addition in the early 1980s.