Big Prairie Church ~ Carmi, IL - Country Churches on Waymarking.com

Big Prairie Church and cemetery, where some of the first settlers in the county came before 1810.
County of Church: White County.
Location of Church: County Rd. 1450E, half way between Carmi and Epworth.
Historical Marker Erected by: White County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Date Marker Erected: 1967.

Marker Text:

BIG PRAIRIE CHURCH
ESTABLISHED 1812
This church was the cradle of Methodism in White County. Early pioneers risked Indian raids to worship in the cabins of Robert Land and John Hanna. In 1812 presiding elder Peter Cartwright sent circuit rider John Smith to this settlement. This church was organized in Hanna's house.

Was told by locals in Carmi that the church was still active. Yet, I could not find any sign with service times, nor could I find a web site to confirm the information.
The first white settlers came to White County between 1807 and 1809. The first settlements were near the Little Wabash River and Big Prairie, one of the numerous prairies in the county. These families—Hanna, Land, Hay, Williams, Calvert, Ratcliff, Holderby, Robinson, Stewart, among others—typically had spent time in the Carolinas, Kentucky or Tennessee before moving into Illinois, and most were of Scots-Irish descent. Many came through the land office at Shawneetown, Illinois, which was a port for flatboats which traveled the Ohio River.

Church Name: Big Prairie M. E. Church Church In Use (even only just occassionally): yes Date Church Built: 1812 Rate this church.:

Visit Instructions:
Photo required...prefer photo with church and sign showing church name...if both in one photo terrific.

Pictures required:
1. Church picture
2. Church sign (schedule sign with Church name on it &/or gate with Church name, etc).

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