Blue River Baptist Church

Shelby  County,  Indiana


The  Shelbyville  News
Friday, June 3, 1983
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"Shelby County heritage"
by LOUIS A. KUHN, News columnist
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Familiar names on roll of Blue River Church
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          The Blue River Church in Shelby County was organized as the Union Class (commonly called Kingdom Class) in the fall of 1831, by the Rev. Aaron Farmer, pastor of Flat Rock Circuit, with 33 charter members.  Of these, 12 were  Carmony's, four  Myerses, two  Montgomerys, two  Talberts, two  Billmans, two  Bowers, two  Eagles, two  Hooks  and one  Copple.
          The Union Meeting-house, afterward called Kingdom Church, was erected in 1832 by  Rev. Farmer, preacher in charge, and by  John Carmony, Sr.,  William Montgomery  and  James Carmony, trustees, on the west line of Section 30, Township 14 north, Range eight east, on the Range line road, three miles south of Morristown.
         The church, situated in a locust grove, was a huge log structure. The first seats were split logs, with limbs of trees for legs. There were afterward replaced with more modern pews made of wide boards by James Carmony.  Greased paper was used for window panes, but was later exchanged for glass.
          Records reveal that the first name of this log church was Union Meetinghouse, and that later it was called Kingdom Church.  A relative of the elder Carmony gave this explanation as to how Union Church, Shelby County, got the name of "Kingdom Church:
          Among the charter members of that log church was one John Carmony, who had some resemblance to a giant.  He was tall, rawboned and strong.  He had the longest arms, was the tallest person, could outlift the other men and could chop off a log quicker than any many in the neighborhood.  As he was winner in all the contests, his friends and neighbors concluded to acknowledge his superiority by crowning him king.  At log rollings, wood-choppings, house-raisings and other pioneer employments requiring bodily action he excelled.
          Accordingly a wreath of leaves was prepared and placed upon his head, and he was called the king, the community was called the Kingdom neighborhood, and the meeting-house also was called "Kingdom Church".
          After having been used for 22 years, during which time the Indiana and White River Conferences each held an annual session within its walls, it was torn down in 1854.

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Sabbath observance
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          "Resolved, That a conscientious observance of the holy Sabbath be required and the practice of traveling on the Sabbath, except for religious purposees, is contrary to God's word, and should not be indulged in by ministers and members of our church."
The cemetery of the Blue River Church, situated west of the church across the highway, is the last earthly resting place of many members of this pioneer church."

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This book "History of the Blue River Conference" is of little interest for the lay leader. It is perhaps the best primary source for those who wish to research the history of the early churches in Shelby County. It is hoped that this material may be included in the archives of the Grover Museum as a highly qualified reference.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Democrat
Monday, January 15, 1912.
Page One
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REVIVAL  SERVICE
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          A special series of meetings was begun at the Blue River Baptist church in Jackson township, south of Marietta, last evening, in charge of the regular pastor, the  Rev. A. B. Bruner, who was called to the pulpit of the church last September.  His home is at Spencer, Ind.  He is a young man and the congregation of the church is well pleased with his work.  He has announced the following subjects for the services:  "I Will Die in My Nest,"  "Am I My Brother's Keeper"  "The Gulf Is Fixed,"  "What Shall I Do With Jesus?"  "The Devil's Tricks,"  "A Night Vision,"  "The Lone Battle,"  and  "Life."  The services are beginning suspiciously and the general public is most cordially invited to attend each night.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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