HISTORY


CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY
It was in the spring of 1840, the City of Anderson was then known as Andersontown, and would barely be recognizable to it's citizens today. The town was 350 souls strong and still shared by Native Americans and the white settlers that had come to build their homes and businesses along the White River. That spring, the seeds of what is now CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH were sown. Elder John Longley (photo right) began holding "house meetings" for those interested, and other leaders and "town fathers" followed his lead.
		The first meetings were held in the home of Andy Steward, on the corner of 11th and Meridian Streets.
The meetings begun in 1840 continued sporadically, and un-officially through the years, with leadership by Elders and volunteers, until 1844 when the regular meetings dissolved. Madiscon County was well-served, however, by traveling Ministers and Evangelists making their way through the Mid-West.
And then, on December 5, 1858 a new Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was chartered. Permission was given by the Madison County Commissioners for this new congregation to meet in the County Courthouse. These 13 people sealed their lives to help nurture the seeds of the First Christian Church of Anderson, Indiana: William Mustard & wife Elizabeth, Burket Eads & wife Eliza, John R. Stephenson & wife Sallie, John T. Kindle & wife Elizabeth, Michael Doll & wife Rachel, Margaret Sigler, Josiah Cartwright & wife Sidney Jane.
		In 1862 the congregation moved to their new building, on the corner of 13th & Main Streets (the current home of "The Toast" Restaraunt, photo on the left) and remained there until 1899. On November 16, 1899 the cornerstone was laid for a new church building on the corner of 10th and Jackson Streets
	Elder Z. T. Sweeny delivered the address of the laying of the cornerstone of the Central Christian Church, Thursday, November 16, 1899.
C. R. Cravens’ history book gives great detail to the laying of this cornerstone. Included in his book is the complete address given by Hon. W. R. Myers and address given by Elder Sweeny.
He states that Elder Sweeney was a surprise to those who had not heard him before. His voice was such that even under the trying circumstances of out-door speaking, he could be herd by everyone in the large crowd.