In the State of Illinois in Hamilton County on April 19, 1850 some brethren of the Ten Mile Baptist Church sat in council at the school near Anderson Daily's home. A grant was received from the Ten Mile church that we be constituted into an independent body. A motion proceeded to call a presbytery, to wit--Elders: R. Lee, R. Shirley and C. R. Pitman.

At the may 1850 meeting the record certifies that on May 19 the undersigned presbytery presented themselves for constitution and examination and were pronounced orthodox according to the faith of the United Baptist Denomination—Elder Lee, Elder C. R. Pitman, Elder R. Shirley, and Deacon J. A. Ingram.

The first building was completed in 1850 and Elder R. Shirley was called as the first pastor. Mr. Daily, a hardware merchant in McLeansboro, donated nails for the privilege of naming the church, Blooming Grove, for his native community in Kentucky.

The first meeting house was completed in March 1850 at the cost of $65.00. The house, said to be log, was located in the cemetery grounds and also served as a school.

The first Deacons were Lofton Echols, Johon Echols, P. M. Echols, Pressley Maulding, A. D. Bettes, F. Daily, and William Henson Trustees were: Levi Daily, W.A. Compton, A.D. Bettes and William Daily. Discipline consisted of Lofton Echols, John W. Echols, Pressley Maulding, A.D. Bettes, and T. Daily. W.M. Maulding was the church clerk. The collection was small in the early years, averaging from $0.50 to $1.00 each meeting, which usually was held monthly.

In January 1867, the second building, (above)  a frame house, was constructed near the front of the present cemetery. A Sabbath school was added in 1869 and an organ was admitted in 1862.

In 1905 a third building was built across from the cemetery on top of the hill. (pictured below)  For 66 years this structure, know as Blooming Grove, served its congregation. During this time improvements included a basement, hardwood floors, Baptistry, educational annex and air-conditioning.

On January 16, 1971 the building was destroyed by fire, and for the first time in its 121 years there was no meeting place on the hill. Services were held the day after the fire and the following three months in the Senior Citizen Center in McLeansboro. The educational wing of the new building was ready for Easter Sunday, April 11, 1971- The new structure has several class rooms, kitchen, reception hall, nursery, restrooms and large auditorium. In 1978 an additional wing was added with more classrooms and a library. This addition gave the building a "T" shape with the auditorium in the front.

IN 2002  A LARGE NEW KITCHEN WAS ADDED, ALONG WITH NEW HANDICAP-ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS.  THESE NEW MODERN CONVENIENCES WERE NEEDED TO UPDATE OUR CHURCH FACILITIES.  IN ADDITION, THE FOYER HAS RECENTLY BEEN REDECORATED WITH NEW CERAMIC TILE, AND NEW WALLS REPLACING THE OLD ONES.  IN 2002, WE ADDED A DRIVE- UP CANOPY ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.  THIS ENABLES PEOPLE TO BE DROPPED OFF AT THE DOOR IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.  IT IS A VERY VALUABLE ASSET TO OUR CHURCH. THE FUNDS FOR THIS WERE MADE AVAILABLE BY ONE OF OUR MEMBERS AND ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.