Baker Chapel UMC (Boonville, Ind. / Degonia Springs, Ind.)  - Warrick County

MC 390-393

                                                   Archives of DePauw University
                                                    and Indiana United Methodism

Baker Chapel (Boonville, Ind. / Degonia Springs, Ind.) UMC

Warrick Co.

Size: 4 document cases, 15 bound volumes

Restrictions:  none

Accession:  M008.021

Provenance:  donor

Processed: January 2008, Jenney Taylor

Historical Sketch:  The site of Baker Chapel has been a place of worship since Thomas Baker came daily to pray amidst a cluster of giant oak trees.Baker’s fervent prayer was that a church be built in his community. His prayer was answered and settlers from the neighborhood constructed the church in the 1840’s.As was the custom in those days to name their churches, it was agreed that the church be named after Thomas Baker since he had spent many hours in prayer on this site praying for a church.In 1861 the log structure had become too small and so it was demolished and a second church building was erected in its place. This building was framed but never painted.In 1903, the third church was built.Many improvements were made over the years with the installation of indoor restrooms in 1979 and a 36ft X 83ft addition in 1985.This addition contained the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, five classrooms and restrooms.This structure was erected in much the same way as the original log church, that is, with largely volunteer help from the neighborhood.On April 13, 1985 over 60 volunteers from 10 churches came to lend their talents and share in the “barn raising”.This addition was completed without indebtedness and dedicated to service on Sunday morning, December 15, 1985.This is the church that was so loved and revered by the DeGonia Springs community, with members coming as far away as Rockport. This was also a period of growth for Baker Chapel with attendance reaching from 90-100.It was this church that was ripped down by a tornado on November 6th, 2005. The congregation of the church has remained very steadfast during this loss and continued to meet at various as a new church was built.

Collection Statement:   The collection contains board meeting minutes, charge conference reports, histories, membership records, officer listings, photographs, pictorial directories, trustees minutes, UMW / WSCS records, and numerous Sunday School records.

MC 390

Board Meeting Minutes, 1963-1983

Board Meeting Minutes, 1984-2002

Bulletins, Programs, Flyers,  etc.

Certificates and Recognitions

Charge Conference Reports

Groundbreaking, 1984

History

Membership Roll

Membership Transfers

Officers / Leadership 1970-2005

Photographs

Pictorial Directory

Quarterly Conference

Trustees Minutes, 1989-1995

UMW/WSCS/Ladies Aid, 1906-1920

UMW/WSCS/Ladies Aid, 1950-1957

UMW/WSCS History

UMYF, 1978-1993

Vacation Bible School

Warranty Deed, Abstract of Title, etc.

MC 391

Sunday School, 1932-1934

Sunday School, 1934-1935

Sunday School, 1935-1942

Sunday School, 1943-1950

Sunday School, 1950-1957

MC 392

Sunday School, 1958-1960

Sunday School, 1961-1967

Sunday School, 1967-1971

Sunday School, 1972-1975

Sunday School, 1975-1977

Sunday School, 1978-1980

MC 393

Sunday School, 1980-1982

Sunday School, 1982-1985

Sunday School, 1985-1986

Sunday School, 1986-1989

Sunday School, 1990-1992

Sunday School, 1993-1995

Sunday School, 1997-1999

See also:   Meth.  Vols. #5644-5658 (Includes Ladies Aid/WSCS/UMW records 1902-1995, Sunday School records 1928-1932, membership records ca. 1945-2000)