Some History & contributors to building of Church

On June 3, 2001 the bell in the steeple will ring out to mark the 100th anniversary of the Broughton United Methodist Church. Old memories will be remembered and new ones will be made throughtout this special day, as Pastor Paul Brown will open the services, leading his congregation through the threshold of a new century of praise and worship.

This special Sunday will be much like another Sunday now separated by a span of 100 years. This former Special Sunday was June 16, 1901 when the Pastor, Robert Morris, and congregation hosted the dedication of the Broughton Methodist Episcopal Church. Although it was a very warm June day, with the threat of rain all around, not a bit of rain fell on those taking part in the dedication services, and the large attendance enjoyed the day's special services with dinner on the grounds (east of Highway #142, under the grove of trees). An excursion train with two coaches full of people from the McLeansboro area attended the service. The Mt. Carmel District Superintendent, Rev. John Wesley Cummins of Olney, Illinois preached that afternoon and attendance that the church building cost $1500 to errect; with these funds being raised by subscription. The following names were recorded as contributors:

Robert Morris, Pastor	Harriet Davis	Rev. J. W. Jackson of Harrisburg	Mrs. G. O. Reeder
Agnes Allen	Marian Davis	Dick Johnson	D. A. Reeves
C. A. Allen	Willis Davis	Susan Keasler	Mrs. D. A. Reeves
S. B. Allen	J. F. Derickson	John Kelley	Frank Reeves
Tom Allen	F. G. Donelson	J. H. Lane	G. Reeves
H. H. Bagby	Ethel Donley	J. J. Lanhorn	Thos. Richardson
Estelle Barker	G. W. Donley	James Lemay	Wesley Richardson
Allen N. Barker	L. B. Donley	J. T. Lemay	Earl Roberts
Ferris Barker	F. N. Eckley	Frank Lockett	Mrs. A. W. Robinson
H. M. Barker	Geo. K. Edwards	A. Lockwood	F. M. Robinson
Mrs. H. M. Barker	T. B. Edwards	Rev. John Lunn	Mrs. Janie L. Robinson
John Barker	Rev. J. C. Elliott	J. H. McDonald	Moses Robinson
Jas. Barnett	Thos. Elliott	W. A. McElvain	Vesta Robinson
Dr. J. S. Barter	P. N. Epperson	C. A. McMurtrey	G. V. Roundtree
John F. Baugh	D. M. Farris	F. S. McMurtrey	Holly Roundtree
Mrs. John F. Baugh	A. A. Foster	Amie McNail	J. A. Shroyer
Raymond Beasley	Chas. Francis	Mamie McNail	Mrs. J. A. Shroyer
Geo. N. Beck	N. J. Francis	John McPherson	E. C. Sigler
Henry Belts	Ella Gaines	Martin Mann	J. S. Sneed
Mr. Biggerstaff	F. E. Gaines	Minnie Mann	W. H. Stroltner
Jas. N. Blades	H. Gaines	Mrs. Rachel Mann	F. J. Sturman
W. H. Blake	Claude Gallian	N. S. Marper	Roy Summers
R N. Boyd	W. R. Gallian	I. N. Mercer	C. O. Talkington
Jas. Bridwell	Mrs. W. R. Gallian	Mrs. M. M. Mercer	C. B. Thomas
G. O. Brown	Chalon Garrison	L. Merrett	W. G. Thomas
Elizabeth Brown	Bessie Gholson	Alvin Miller	John L. Thompson
B.F. Bruce	Edward Gholson	J. H. Miller	Harriet Trout
Mrs. B. F. Bruce	Mrs. Gertie Gholson	L. D. Mitchell	L. A. Trout
W. P. Buntain	Nancy P. Gholson	R. G. Mitchell	J. J. Tyson
D. M. Butler	W. W. Gholson	W. C. Mitchell	Nathan Upton
John C. Call	John Gibson	Wm. E. Morris	W. L. Vaughn
Mrs. A. Calvert	Henry Gibson	Mrs. Jane Morris	Sam Varney
Wm. Campbell	Julius Greenlee	John W. Moutry	J. A. Vineyard
Frank J. Chapman	Albert S. Gregg	Mrs. John W. Moutry	C. V. Warren
F. M. Clark	Frank Gregg	Riley Odd	Mrs. C. V. Warren
Mrs Lou Clark	Loomis Gregg	Wm Owen	Dr. C. W. Weaver
Minnie Clark	Ollie Gregg	Emma Perkins	I. H. Webb
Robert Clark	Wm Gregg	Kenna Perkins	J. Webb
C. G. Cloud	W. F. Hall	Geo. W. Perry	Sam Wells
Mollie Cloud	Inman Hamilton	Rev. Godfrey Phillips	Dr. J. G. Wheeler
J. L. Cook	Mrs. Jane Hardesty	A. B. Porter	Mrs. Minnie Wheeler
Mrs. J. L. Cook	Wm. Hardesty	Ella Porter	J. B. Wiggins
J. R. Couch	W. D. Hargroves	Hezekiah Porter	Hon. J. R. Williams
Joe Courtney	M. E. Harrawood	M. A. Porter	A. J. Wilson
J. R. Cross	Mr. Harvey	O. C. Porter	J. H. Wilson
Jas. Crouse	Mrs. J. H. Hendrix	Otis Porter	D. L. Wood
Rev. J. S. Cummins	Ed Henson	Mrs. A. J. Randall	Mrs. C. S. Young
Rev. J. W. Cummins	G. W. Hogan	J. P. Reed	P. A. Young
Whit Dailey	W. J. Hopper	Mrs. J. P. Reed	Z. W. Young
Daitry Bros.	W. C. Ingram	Carrie Reeder
A. Davis	Albert Irvin	Emma Reeder
B. F. Davis	Orval Irvin	G. I. Reeder

It all began prior to 1890 when the Methodist congregation, having no church building of their own in which to worship at Broughton, they would conduct religious services in the Union Church, where various denominations (Missionary Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian) were meeting in one building, and taking turns at being in charge of the worship services. Eventually the Baptist, and later, the Methodist would establish their own buildings; therefore, in later years the Union Church Building became the Presbyterian Church. It served the community as a church for several years, then later on this wooden structure (painted a yellowish color in latter years), situated on the north side of the Walpole Blacktop, just west of the railroad tracks, between the present homes of Claude Owens and Bobby Barker, was converted into a school building, originally housing the first four grades of school. Today, the only remaining evidence of the site is the well and pump which sets in the front yard of Bobby and Geraldine Barker's home.