Published on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 11:26 AM CDT (Journal Gazette)

Building on faith: Mattoon church grows out of 'tent meetings'

The Seventh-day Adventist Church organized in 1931 with 25 charter members. Today, the church has services each Saturday at 9 a.m. Submitted Photo

The Mattoon Seventh-day Adventist Church started in 1894 as a result of "tent meetings" conducted by Elder Curtis, apparently assisted by his 8-year-old son.

As a result of these meetings, seven people were baptized to form the first congregation of Seventh-day Adventists in this area.

This group of people were organized into a church in 1931 with 25 charter members.

For many years the church was called the "Mattoon Waveside Chapel." The origins and duration of this name are unknown.

From 1900 to possibly the time of the organization of the church, the members met in the home of Homer and Cordillia Haugh. Following that, they met in a rented building believed to be on Marshall Avenue.

In February of 1942 the members met to discuss purchasing property and building a church of their own. Fund raising was started for the new church.

In 1945 land was purchased and a building was started at 2120 DeWitt Ave. As soon as the basement was finished, services were started in the church.

The main floor of the church was finished and put into use in 1947. The minister at this time was T.G. Herr.

During the intervening years there has been some minor remodeling to the interior of the building. A major addition was started in June of this year.

In 1947 a church school called Wayside School was started in a back room of the church with 12 students enrolled, most being children of the members.

In 1952 the church purchased two barracks from the "Federal Security Agency." These building had been located at Camp Ellis, Ill. The price of the two buildings was $16.

The two buildings were joined together as one building to house the two-room school. The school closed in 1972. The current addition will tie the "old school building" to the church.

The current minister is Joe Arner. Worship service is held at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by Sabbath School classes for all age groups at 10:30.