1852: the first Presbyterian sermon was preached in the Connor’s unfinished log cabin on December 1st.

1853: January 4 is the date that our first record book was started.

1854: February 13th, First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale was officially “organized” by Rev. Wood with 7 members and 3 non-members attending.

1856: Daniel Brush’s home was built on the southwest corner of Main and Normal, near where the old Post Office was (now the blood collection center.)

1856: Brush was instrumental in the building of the first Presbyterian first church at what is now 210 W. Monroe.

1859: July 12, the first church was completed. At that time Daniel and Julia became members along with eleven other residents of Carbondale.

1868: City co-founder William Richart died. He left one-half acre, the site of the present Snider Hill Cemetery “for a Presbyterian burying ground”.

1867: New building had to be lifted off its foundation for repairs. “The bell was rehung so as to ring right”. An entrance platform with a railing, a front fence, and a new furnace were completed. Book racks were added to pew backs, rolling or folding blinds were added to all windows, new chandeliers- 4 burners with lamps for kerosene oil were added. The choir moved from the back to the front on a new, carpeted platform. Pews had lockable gates on the aisle. During one of Brush’s business trips, these were removed and the pulpit was lowered. Upon his return, Daniel entered, got almost to his family pew. Stopped! Looked startled! Wheeled around and left! He didn’t attend church again for three months.

Era of 1886, Session refused membership to any man or woman who “was accused of unchristian business transactions” and would call before Session any person of “unsound morals” to take his name from the record.

May, 1885, member Frank M. Alexander started his studies for ministry, Later they returned as faithful attendees.

1887: Session adopted a 3-year plan for tenure of office July 12, 1859. (instead of 5-years) for ruling elders and deacons.

1888: There were 6 ruling elders, 3 deacons and a membership of 189. “Sunday School officers were 5, teachers 14, scholars 200, with average attendance of 189".

Sept. 14, 1890, a parsonage was bought (maybe lot 181) and sold later for slightly less than cost.

1892-93: The major thing to occur was the installation of electricity. Dr. G.W. Entsminger worked to get lights installed.

As the church approached its 50th Anniversary, it needed more space. In 1893, plans were started for buying several lots at the corner of Normal and Elm.

And now, the rest of the story: 1900-1952