Rising Sun UMC Parsonage

About Us

             Founded in 1815, Rising Sun United Methodist Church celebrated its 185th birthday in the year 2000.  An article written by L. M. Jones, a former pastor, states that in 1815, one year after the town of Rising Sun was laid out, the Rev. John Strange preached the first Methodist sermon ever heard in Rising Sun.  He gave his sermon on the bank of the Ohio River near the foot of present day Main Street.  His pulpit was the trunk of a tree and the pews were the tree tops left after cutting logs for cabins.  The first services and classes were held in a bar room owned by Caleb A. Craft.  He closed the bar room each week for the services.  Later classes were held in a log school house on the corner of High and Main Streets.

             In 1818 a lot was purchased to build a church.  Records show that the sum of $100.00 was paid for the lot upon which the present church now stands.  A small one story brick building, 36 by 40 feet, was built and completed there in 1821.  In 1837 this building was razed and the next year a larger building took its place.  This church survived until 1860 when parishioners began discussing the building of a new structure.  After much discussion and various fund raisers, a new building (the current one still in use today) was begun in 1865.  People were concerned about the high prices of building materials as it was the close of the civil war and such materials were still quite high.

             A parishioner’s letter tells that brother Craft “is an architect and has prepared plans and specifications.  It will be 85 by 50 feet with the basement 12 feet high and the auditorium 22 feet high, with classrooms at the two sides, two above and two below; also two others to be used for infant classes at the rear of the main basement room.” (The basement referred to is above ground and is now referred to as the first floor.)

             The church contains many marvelous features such as the beautiful stained glass windows and pipe organ.  In recent years, modern heating and plumbing systems have been installed.  In 1998 an elevator was installed, a gift of Roy O. Turner and parishioners, so that the infirm could get upstairs to the sanctuary for services.  In 1938 Mr. and Mrs. Clay Miller gave a beautiful historic home to the church which is still in use as the parsonage.  Many parishioners have given gifts which have helped with the upkeep or improvements made to the church and parsonage.  A more complete church history is available.  Please contact Mrs. Anita Swinford Massey for additional information at 602 S. High St., Rising Sun, IN 47040, or email akmassey@hotmail.com.