The M. E. Church of Carterville was organized in the spring of 1876 by Rev. Jasper A Smith. Among the original members were J. N. Foster, Samuel G. Franklin and T. S. Holaday and wife. The edifice was nearing completion and was soon to be dedicated, but was entirely destroyed by the terrible tornado which visited this vicinity on the evening of May 13, 1883. It was a substantial frame building, sixty feet long by ninety-six feet wide, with an arched ceiling eighteen feet in the center. It had not yet been received from the hands of the contractors, but the society we understand, will sustain nearly the entire loss. Not-with-standing the above unfortunate circumstances a new church building will immediately be erected. On the evening of May 16th, a meeting of the building committee and trustees was held for the purpose of taking steps toward rebuilding. The new church-house will be after the pattern of the former, and will cost probably, (building & furnishings), three thousand dollars. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit are Jasper A. Smith, Jacob Miller, J. J. Martin and J. N. Moore, who has present charge. Present membership is one hundred and forty five. Trustees are Thomas Holaday, W. H. Stephenson, J. P. Walker, H. B. Mountain, and H. H. Aylor. Stewards are J. P. Walker and E. H. Hafford. There is and interesting Sunday School in connection, with an average attendance of seventy pupils: Mr. W. H. Stephenson is superintendent and Miss Allie B. Holaday secretary. Teachers E. H. Hafford, H. B. Mountain, H. H. Aylor, H. Martin, Misses Clara Fountain and Maggie Black. Several important revival meetings have been held; one conducted by Rev. J. N. Moore, in October and November resulting in one hundred and twenty conversions and ten accessions to the church. (Taken from the North's History of Jasper County).

 The earliest authenticated record on the Methodist church site in Carterville is the deed made on August 11, 1882. In part it reads that William A. Daugherty and wife S. B. Daugherty, Thomas A. Davey and wife Anne Davey and William McMillan and wife M. M. McMillan duly authorized under our hands and seals in consideration of the love we bear to Christ and His Church through the agency of W. A. Daugherty, J. A. Daugherty, W. F. Pierce, H. H. Aylor and S. D. Eirnt Trustee of the M. E. Church South and their successors, do hereby Grant, Bargain, Sell and Convey to the said Trustee's of M. E. Church South and their successors the following Real Estate; All of lots 151 and 152 in South Carterville Mining and Smelting Company, 4th addition to the town now City of Carterville, Missouri--------for the use of the ministry and membership for a place of Divine Worship of the Methodist Episcopal Church South on August 11, 1882. Although this deed was made on August 11,1882, it was not notarized and signed until April 2, 1891, and the present brick building was constructed and completed by October 18, 1891, at a cost of $4,868, but because of the faithful performance of the contract $5,000 was paid. The architect was Benjamin D. Price, the builder was John W. Keller, the building committee was J. A. Daugherty, J. W. Miller and T. W. Oyler. The contract was signed on July 18, 1891 with the stipulation to pay $400 on completion of the foundation, $2,000 on completion of the brick work, $800 on the completion of the roofing, and on the completion of the building a final payment of $1,668, all to be ready for occupancy before October 18, 1891. Because it was ready before the set date they paid the $5,000 total for the building. It was named St. John Methodist Episcopal Church.

 On December 22, 1891 a bell was purchased for the church. It was a tone "A" bell, weight is 775 lbs., and cost $142.56. The freight and metal mountings cost $22.50, coming to a cost of $165.06. The bell would "Toll" for all church services, and for all funeral, weddings and at midnight on New Years Eve. At one time all the churches had bells and were heard, especially on Sunday mornings, at the same time. Since some had different tones it was possible to tell which bell was tolling. It is interesting to note that the Methodist's original bell is still in use today.

A Pipe organ was installed around 1910, and was one of the finest in the area. More than one girl in the Church played the organ, and each wanted that privilege. In time, however, a system was worked out to share that responsibility. Many have since been able to provide music from this Pipe Organ. Fifty years later however, in 1960 the organ was replaced with an Allen electric organ, but the pipes were left in place at that time. Due to deterioration of the pipes they were finally removed in 1964.

 The building had plain glass windows originally, but around 1910 the lovely stained glass windows began to be installed. They are mostly in memory of, or in honor of some individual or family and are rare and irreplaceable, since this kind of glass is no longer manufactured.

 A steeple was above the bell area, but was destroyed by lighting sometime after 1918. It is thought to have occurred near 1930. In a handbook published in 1918, a picture of the church shows the steeple in place. At that time, according to the handbook, the church had an active Missionary Society, St. John's Sunshine Society, Sunday School, Epworth League and an official board.

 An interesting incident of the early Methodist Church was related by an earl member of the church. It seems that Carterville had an ordinance preventing the Negro race from residing in the city limits. However, W. A. Daugherty was allowed to go to Tennessee and return with a Negro salve family. They were considered his wards and as such, attended church services in the church in Carterville regularly. Aunt Em was the head of this colored family. She and her little company always sat in a reserved section, near the front of the church. They drew comment and appreciation for their courteous manners and strong loyalty.

 Lanny Stewart was the pastor in 1925, he lived in the parsonage next door to the church and built a radio station in the parsonage. It was the first licensed radio broadcasting station in this area. Programs were broadcast from the station, but were discontinued when Mr. Stewart moved from Carterville. The church was without a minister from 1926 until 1931, but a Sunday School was maintained most of that time. Except for part of a year in 1945, during World War II, it has been a continuously active church. The name was changed to the Carterville Methodist Church following the uniting of the North and South Methodist churches in 1939. The Epworth League became the Methodist Youth Fellowship or MYF at this time. The MYF was very active until 1970, when due to the lack of youth in the church, it was discontinued. However, in 1958, a Children's Hour had been started by the Rev. and Mrs. Eugene Farmer, for the children of pre-school age through the 6th grade. It has continued until the present time. They have always met on Tuesday afternoons immediately following school hours for the nine months of the school term. During this time there was an active Women's Society, and through the years it has changed in name as the church itself changed. First it was the Women's Society of Christian Service, and after 1958 it has been called the United Methodist Women. It is a vital part of all facets of the church.

 The Fellowship Hall to the church was built under the direction of the Rev. W. S. Butts in 1954. The church had no funds, however Rev. Butts assured us that we could start building the Annex and by the time it was completed it would be paid for. He assured us that all we needed was Faith, that God surely would provide, and it was all paid for by the completion date. It has been a great addition to help keep activities going, and folding doors were installed to enable it to be partitioned off easily for Sunday School and other activities.

 In 1968 after the Methodist Churches and the United Brethren Churches united, the name was again changed. It is now called the Carterville United Methodist Church.

 In 1970 while the Rev. Jerry Campbell was pastor, the Narthex Area was done over and new doors plus a new entrance with porch and steps entering from the old West entrance on Kentucky Street was completed. The entrance on main street was closed and bricked up. The steps which were on the sidewalk in front were removed. A white Cross was put in the center of the old doorway on Main Street. New furnaces and air-conditioning were installed in the old organ room in the area back of the Altar, and paneling was put over the wall in the center. A new Altar table was built at this time, also money from the memorial fund was used to supply new brass candlesticks, a cross and offering plates for the table. A room for an office was built in the Southeast corner of the Annex, at this time, and Rev. Campbell built a desk for the use of the ministers.

 Plexiglass storm windows were put over the stained glass windows in 1972, to preserve them from wind and vandalism. Most of them were paid for by the members, in honor of, or in memory of a loved one. Then in 1973 the memorial fund furnished an illuminated wooden cross for the center of the paneling above the Altar.

 The United Methodist Women saw the need for carpeting in the Fellowship Hall and began to have church dinners to raise the money for it. In 1980 carpeting was purchased, and soon after that air-conditioning was also installed in the Annex and Sunday School rooms. Donations from friends of the church gave money to put a new table top on the kitchen work table, a new cabinet top, and new sink, a garbage disposal, and the United Methodist Women had Torgonal flooring put on the kitchen floor. To continue improvements in the Fellowship Hall and Sunday School rooms, the men put new light fixtures up in 1982. Due to a gift to the church a new Sanctuary piano was purchased, and the one from the Sanctuary was put in the Annex to replace the old one. In May 1983 all the pews were upholstered in Mahogany velvet, then in October new carpeting was laid in the Narthex area and on the floors of the front pews, the Communion Kneeling pads and the rostrum areas.

 With a memorial left by Gertie Lillibridge, all the stained glass windows were refurbished in 1984. New glass doors were put in the front of the Fellowship Hall, and the outside kitchen doorway. Six new 8 foot long folding tables were purchased for the Annex area. Other memorial funds were used to provide new chairs for the choir loft, and a new outdoor lighted bulletin board. A photocopier was gotten for the office, and also in the same year the United Methodist Women, after months of working on Chrismon's made from felt, pearls and sequins, completed enough to decorate a seven foot Christmas Tree, which they had purchased at Christmas 1985. Much love and work went into accomplishing the finished Christmon Tree.

 The walls of the Fellowship Hall were covered with wood paneling in 1986. The United methodist Women bought the material and made new curtains for the Fellowship Hall and the office area, after the paneling was completed.

 The Parsonage had become unsuitable for ministers to live in, and in 1987 it was sold. The money of course could not be used for anything but to maintain the other church property. The church was incorporated that same year.

 In 1988 new gold colored choir robes were purchased, and some of the Altar cloths were replaced. All of the ceilings in the Fellowship Hall, the entire kitchen area, the hall, the rest rooms and both Sunday School rooms off the Sanctuary were painted. The Fellowship Hall carpeting was replaced, and new American Hymnals were gotten for special singing services. Many of the things done since 1983 were from generous memorial funds or gifts from friends of the church family.

 One of the best things the church has accomplished was the starting of the Annual Gospel Sing in 1987. It is held annually on the corner of Main and Kentucky Street by the Methodist Church. It has been an outstanding success for the Church and for the entire Community.

 With the beginning of the Conference year in June of 1990, we became a three point church charge, with Oronogo, Union Chapel and Carterville. The Rev. Robert Clyde was appointed to serve the three churches.

 A Memorial for Nancy Cruzan was used to purchase new equipment for music. It included a new sound system, and a cabinet for music to be kept in. This same year, Homer and Beth Lybarger, life long members of the church, left their entire estate to the Memorial Fund of this church. It was a tribute to their loyalty and love for their Church and friends. This was all done in 1991.

 In 1992, 60 new chairs and a rack to hold them were purchased for the Fellowship Hall, it has made it great for dinners and other activities held in the Fellowship Hall. This also freed up space by getting the chairs out of the way while not in use.

 The Parsonage Fund made it possible to put a new roof on the church proper, to tuck-point and clean all the bricks, and to clean and re-seal the windows and storm windows and also paint all the wood trim. The bell tower was repaired and completely repainted. An awning was put on the west front entrance to the church. The Leroy family gave a complete Nativity Scene, consisting of individual ceramic figures to the church in memory of their parents, George and Babe Leroy. 1992 was a very busy year.

 New Methodist Hymnals were purchased for the Sanctuary. A new refrigerator for the kitchen, and a new copier for the office was gotten in 1993, and in 1994 we replaced the kitchen range.

 The East room off the Sanctuary was repaired and updated, and also a new roof put on the storage building, back of the church. Our Minister, the Rev. Max Raney started a Scout Troop that meets on Tuesday evenings in the church Fellowship Hall. Also in 1995 we became a two church charge again, with just Union Chapel and Carterville.

 In 1996 we are continuing with the yearly Vacation Bible School, and the Annual Gospel Sing, which is held the second Saturday of August each year. Also in September of this year, extensive landscaping was done around the front, East and West sides of the Church, with a variety of bushes and shrubs. Sitting areas are being planned on the sides for people who want to come and relax for awhile.

 During all these years, the Spirit of love and unity among the members has remained steadfast, and although the number of members has become less, as the population of Carterville dwindled, the financial condition remains stable, and harmony has prevailed in our worship services, our choir endeavors, the Sunday Schools, among the Methodist Women, the Administrative Board as well as in all the things needed to maintain the church property.