The early history of the ministry of Tunnel Hill Christian Church is sketchy at best. However, we do know that a group of people met on Tunnel Hill, then located in Duncan, Indiana around 1855 to worship and fellowship. These notes remain from an earlier history compiled by Nelson Black in 1976.

"The Reverend Moses Smith, a resident of Edwardsville, was a leading spirit in the organization of the society. Those present for the first meeting were William Lidikay, Moses Smith, Phillip George Lidikay and others. These and members of their families constituted the first organization. Meetings were to be held in the schoolhouse until 1863. In 1863, a little white frame church was erected at a cost of $1200 to $1500, besides the voluntary labor that was used in construction. As this was the only church in the vicinity of Edwardsville, it became one of the most prosperous congregations in the township with a membership of nearly one hundred. About a year after the church was erected, a Sabbath-school was organized and it greatly prospered. This little church continued to stand and serve its members and community until 1969 when it was replaced by the present building located across the road from the original site. The first building has not completely faded away as we have its belfry and bell, and the frame from the bulletin board sitting on the original location as a reminder of those of the past." The belfry and bell was moved to it new location along side the "new church building in June 2004.

As noted, by 1869 this small band of worshipers constituted Tunnel Hill Christian Church and affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Indiana Disciples of Christ. The land for the original church site was purchased for $100 from Mary Frances and Harritt Yenowine, "for the establishment of a Christian Church and a public grave yard." Some of the early leaders who took part in this transaction were: James Lloyd, Paul Cook, and George Lidikay. The purchase was made on the sixth day of August 1870. Again, as Nelson Black noted, before the purchase of the property, the congregation had been meeting in the local school (just across the road) and in homes. It was only a few months after the purchase of the property that construction of the church began. In the last years before her death Minnie Sarles indicated that her father, Mr. Cyrus Perkins, had prepared ("dug out") the site for the building of the "Old Church" and also had hauled the main wooden beam for the church with two teams of mules. An early record indicated, "Several men of the church felled a large oak tree about three mines north of here and pulled the tree to this location on wagon wheels, using two teams of mules. The tree was trimmed to a beam measuring one-foot square and about forty feet in length and was the center beam of the church. (It was still as straight and solid as the day it was put there.) In the early days of the century Mr. Perkins worked for the Southern Railway and was the one who, "walked the tunnel", to make certain that no animals or people had strayed into the tunnel.

Our church records are rather complete beginning in 1925 with the ministry of Rev. O. O. Kirkham. Rev Kirkham served from 1925 to 1953 and is the key linkage between the "Old Church" and the beginning of the vision of a "New Church". Rev Kirkham was a bi-vocational minister. In addition to being a mail carrier, he was also a carpenter. In point of fact, he was responsible for the construction of an addition to the side of the church. The records indicate that he was paid $15 a Sunday through many of the years prior to World War II. However, a number of living members indicate that there were Sundays when he was paid nothing. In addition to preaching at Tunnel Hill, he also preached at Chapel Hill Christian Church in Borden. Rev. O. O. Kirkham is also buried in the church cemetery.

During those early years new converts were baptized in a pond which was located just at the foot of the hill on the "Nichols place" near the present State Road 64. Dallas Howell, Kenneth Harritt, and Helen Meyer, all witness to how it looked to see horses and buggies tied to "hitching posts" all around the church during services and on special occasions such as "dinner on the grounds", special programs, hymn sings, weddings and funerals. Time and travel was quite different during those days. Odell McGlothan tells of her husband Stanley McGlothan and his family taking two days to travel by horse drawn wagon from Middletown, Kentucky to Georgetown in 1912. They came right through the heart of Louisville with their horse drawn wagon with a cow and its calf tied behind. They crossed the Ohio River by ferry, as there was no bridge at that time. They finally came to Georgetown after two long days of travel and found that all Georgetown could boast of was a "dirt road running right through the town".

The membership of the church grew slowly through the years, but the spirit and purpose of the church was a strong influence in the community. By the year 1903 the church had grown to 76 members and throughout the years the membership has grown slowly but steadily. Changes in the "Old Church" such as the addition to the side and front were completed in 1947 as a result of the leadership and carpentry of Rev. Kirkham. Additionally, Mr. Earl Brace, Mr. Billy Garot and Alvin Brace completed the "digging out" of the basement. The basement provided a place where meals and fellowship could be enjoyed.

The Church bell has been a center of great community interest through the years. In the early days of this century and continuing for many years Mr. Earl Brace was the official "bell ringer'. Many people who lived around the area testify to the beauty of the sound of the bell ringing on Sunday Morning announcing the beginning of Church School and Morning Worship. Later, the job fell to Mr. Lawrence Mayfield and Mr. Leonard Clutinger. This morning as we began our worship service we heard this old bell once again sound forth telling of the beginning of worship here on Tunnel Hill. The bell was rung this morning by Elders Lawrence Mayfield and Leonard "Red" Clutinger. They mentioned how the bell would "turn over" and one had to clime up into the belfry to straighten out the rope. Also they mentioned how someone tried to steal the bell but couldn't cut through the hard oak wood, which composed the belfry. One can still see the cut marks on the wood. We have asked Lawrence Mayfield to make some comments about the church bell and his memories of the "Old Church".

When the "New Church" was built in 1969, so strong was the attachment to the bell that the church decided to retain the steeple and the bell as a memorial to the "Old Church". We have asked Lawrence Mayfield to reflect on the meaning that the bell had for him and many others who worshipped at Tunnel Hill. After construction of our new church and through the generosity of the Black family a lovely carillon was given to the church in 1976. Throughout the years since that gift was made the people of the area have come to appreciate the lovely bells and music, which have filled the air. One recent new member of our church indicates that he was awakened to his need to 'get back to church' when he heard the music as he was cutting his grass. In addition to the carillon, a recent gift of a cassette of bells was made to the church. Now, each Lord's day a single tolling bell beckons worshipers to the church as in days of old. In addition to these gifts many individuals have given memorials to the church through the church's Memorial Fund. Such is the case with new front doors to the church, which were given as a memorial to Elders Earl Brace and Stanley McGlothan.

Through the years from 1925 to the present the church records indicate the usual "business" of the church such as concerns for members, provision for the physical needs of the church building, and concern for teaching, worship, and missionary outreach. It also reflects an active participation in the affairs of our denomination through the Indiana Disciples and to the Christian Church. Later, in 1983, Tunnel Hill played an active part in the establishment of Kentuckiana Disciples Area, a region that spans the Ohio River to meet the special needs of the Kentucky and Indiana disciples, thus, "Kentuckiana". Tunnel Hill members have been strong supporters of the various denominational activities such as regional assemblies, men's and women's meetings, and youth activities including the summer camp program having sent thousands of children to camp through the years. Men of the church have journeyed to Camp Bedford on many occasions to clean and refurbish that camp.

In order for us to better understand the life and times of the "Old Church" we have asked a number of members to reflect on the subject. "Remembering the "Old Church"." Please note this section and conclusion of the brief history. These testimonies coincide with the church records and help us to "put things in focus".

We have also asked Mrs. Helen Meyer to tell us about experiences of growing up just across the road for the "Old Church" and of having attended and taught at the old school located just across from the church. Wooden models were made by Allen Harritt (with architectural assistance from Louis Nelson) of the "Old Church", the Duncan Southern Railway Station, and the "Old School".

The cemetery has carried its own interest and place in our history. As noted, Rev. Hanger and Rev. Kirkham are buried there. Many of the original members of the church are also buried there. According to Bob Riley, who has served as an executive for both the church cemetery and the Edwardsville Cemetery, "The last person, known to us, to have been buried in the cemetery was Mabelle Collins in April of this year (1994). The only remaining plots in the church's original cemetery are for the related members of those individuals who are buried there."

As mentioned earlier, the ministry of Rev. Kirkham extended from 1925 to 1953. Under his able leadership the church was guided through the terrible years of the depression, World War II and into the post war period to the time of the Korean War. Following the ministry of Rev. Kirkham till the present (1994), there have been eight ministers and ten interim ministers. During the period 1953 to 1960 Rev. Richard "Dick" Moore was the minister. It was during this time that the community of Edwardsville began to change with the projection of the new interstate I-64 highway that was slowly coming through the country. The actual construction of I-64 radically altered the Edwardsville community and the "place" of Tunnel Hill Church in the community.

The opening of the Sherman Minton Bridge and the subsequent finishing of I-64 transformed the area around Floyd County from a basically rural community to an "urban fringe" or "bedroom" community. The increase in traffic, the introduction of people from across the river, and the "opening" up of the country, was a radical departure from the small and somewhat isolated community which surrounded the "Old Church". From the days when the Tunnel Hill community was know as "Duncan, Indiana" to the "splitting" of Edwardsville with I-64, to the emergence of Georgetown as the "Post Office", the community has seen many changes. However, during the turbulent days of the 60's Tunnel Hill Christian Church "held her course steady" with a "family centered" ministry when other communities were ripped apart with rioting, drugs, violence, and the opposition to the War in Vietnam. During the period after World War II the church grew in numbers. A significant addition to the church leadership during this time was Glenn and Thelma Deuser, and then Arthur and Alma Deuser. Tom and Mae Markland and their family came in 1951.

It must be emphasized that during the period from World War II until the construction of the "New Church", Tunnel Hill was the center of community life. Class parties and socials were a regular occurrence. Recently, a number of "old timers" remembered how hilarious it was to see Lawrence Mayfield, Dallas Howell, Red Clutinger, and Hayes Miller dressed up as women for the annual Halloween Party. Many of our members tell stories of the importance that the church had in their lives. Lawrence Mayfield proposed marriage to Julia in the parking lot of the "Old Church". Mary Harritt mentioned that Kenny Gerry and Ellen were the last ones married in the "Old Church", and that her son Doug was the first one baptized in the "New Church". Life-cycle events such as birth, baptism, graduation from high school, marriage, and death were all related in faith to the wonderful community of Christian believers. The baton of life was passed from one generation to the next through the life of the church.

In the year 1959 a significant event occurred in the affairs of Tunnel Hill Church, which has had a tremendous influence on its life ministry even to the present. In that year the "Building Booster's Club" was organized. (Please note the record book of this group in the Fellowship Hall). On April 26, 1959 there is an entry in the record, which reads, "Members of Tunnel Hill Christian Church met on Sunday evening April 26th to organize, "Building Boosters Club". Nineteen (19) persons and family units joined the organization. Envelopes were given each one and they are encouraged to give regularly, also to seek new members. Non-members of the church may also join the club. Meetings will be each 5th Sunday evening. The following officers were chosen: Lenora Faith - President, Reba Howell - Treasurer, Lyda Wolf - Secretary. Respectfully Submitted - Lyda Wolf."

This group met each month to "boost" the vision of building a new church. A cash box was kept by the treasurer each Sunday and monies contributed were placed in the box. The record of this group lives on today as an inspiration to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as a example of how a church can have vision and move toward the realization of that vision. As one reads the history of the church through the years 1956-1969, one cannot be but impressed with the single-minded dedication of the people to "vision" a new church building. The new building was a simple projection of the faith of a community of people who were trying to live out the truth of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

“The Building Booster’s Club” met faithfully and by the mid-1960’s the church was ready to move forward to contact an architect and began the process, which would eventually result in the “New Building” being built in 1969. During the transition from the “Old” to the “New” building Rev. Woodrow Jones was the pastor. Mr. John Hicks was the General Contractor. Under the able Building Committee leadership of Norman Markland our present building moved along toward completion. In addition to Norman Markland, Mr. Roger Spaulding and Mr. David Foxworthy composed the Building Committee. In addition to heading the Building Committee, Norman Markland drew up the working plans for the church. When possible Mr. Hicks used local labor to complete the construction. The main men on construction were: Charles Koehler (Wilma’s father), William Karsner, Herbert Karsner, Shelby Ferguson, and Lyman “Buck” Terry, the general foreman. A note in the records retrieved from our cornerstone said, “These men worked through the winter, often in freezing weather, and they are to be commended for their willingness to work and their dedication to the building for this church. God has richly blessed us by sending us this labor force to build His church.”

During the construction two events occurred which are still talked about by those who were around at the time. 1) the collapse of the building during construction and 2) an accident involving Bill Riley in which he broke both arms as a result of falling through the yet unfinished church structure. The dedication of this fine new building was marked by a beautiful ceremony in the afternoon of June 22, 1969. Historical items retrieved from the cornerstone inform us about the whole process of the building and dedication of this beautiful place of worship (Please see the static display about the dedication service).

In 1960 the need for a parsonage was agreed on by the congregation and through the generosity of the Nelson family a plot of land was given to the church and a lovely “all electric” home was subsequently constructed. In 1961 Rev. Clarence Bangs became the first minister to live in the lovely new parsonage. It has five rooms, including a kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, and a bath and a half. A garage is attached via a breezeway. There is also a basement. The parsonage has been cared for by the men of the church through the years and in recent times a number of ministers and their families have resided there.

As indicated, in 1969, our “New Building” was finished and dedicated. Following the construction of this new structure the church experienced a spurt of growth typical of such a church. The records reflect the vitality of ministry resulting from the new space, the beautiful worship facility, and the functional fellowship hall that could adequately accommodate the whole congregation for social and special ministry events. The design of a “Prayer Chapel” in the new building was quite intentional. Located of the foyer of the church, the chapel contains the “old” pulpit furniture, a stained glass window from the old church, a tapestry of the Lord’s Supper, a kneeling rail, and a small library of “prayer resources.” Each New Year to Easter we join together with other Disciple Churches in a “24 hour prayer vigil. Our prayer vigil is usually held for 24 hours beginning at 6:00 AM on Ash Wednesday and continuing to the next morning. Through the years many members have insisted on coming to the church even during the morning hours to keep the vigil. Our present “Prayer Ministry” builds off of this tradition.

The music ministry of the church also reflected the new and more adequate facilities of a choir room, piano and organ, and a spacious choir loft. The provision of a baptistery also was a convenience that the “Old” church did not possess. Through the years a number of traditions developed. Events such as a “Fifth Sunday Sing”, participation in the Harvest Homecoming in New Albany, the Harvest Day Offering, church picnic, Vacation Bible School, the annual Ice Cream Social, Halloween Party, and Christmas Program, have formed durable traditions, some of which continue to this day.

On November 12, 1972 an interesting service was held honoring those who had been members of the church for over fifty (50) years. That list is interesting in itself. They were: Earl Brace, Ora Campbell, Mabelle Collins, Jessie Crandall, Mae Davis, Walter Davis, Marie Garot, Mabel Harritt, Merton Harritt, Ruth Jones, Alma Mayfield, Lina McIntire, Hayes Miller, Mabel Miller, Clara Nichols, Hazel Ratliff, Ester Utz, Clarence Watkins, and Everette Yenowine. Of these members only May Davis and Hayes Miller are now living. Mae Davis is our oldest living member. (Note: All now have passed).

Following the ministry of “Woodie Jones” in 1973, other ministers came: Mike Armstrong, Guy Sayles, John Keener, and Eddie Phenix. In each case able “interim” ministries were launched. These interim ministers included, Dr. Warner Muir, David Upchurch, Dr. Bill Tuck, Dr. W. S. Van Arsdale, Kathy Barton, and the present pastor then, Dr. Dave Hunsicker. In three cases the interim ministers “stayed on” as was the case with Woodrow Jones, Guy Sayles, and Dave Hunsicker.

Stewardship has always been a natural aspect of Tunnel Hill Christian Church. The record speaks for itself. The Church has always been known among Disciples of Christ as “a good giving church”. However, the records show that in 1966 Rev. Jones had to rebuke the church because it only had a balance of $41.00 to work with. However, by the mid-eighties the church placed its finances on a firm course with a unified budget and the establishment of the “Grow One-Consecration Sunday effort”. In just a few years giving was greatly improved. A key mover in this regard was the church’s treasurer, Elder Terry Kehrer. In 1990 the church took a bold step in stewardship and determined to raise its contribution to the Disciples of Christ Basic Mission Finance (BMF) by 2 percentage points a year from a level of 10% to a goal of 20%. At the present time (this was 1994), the church has moved to 17% and is listed by the Church Finance Council as one of the 200 congregations in the denomination that gives that percent of money.

Another inspiring story of giving in our church is the establishment of the Nelson Outreach Growth Fund. Established by the Nelson family a sum of money held in escrow by the Disciples’ Board of Christian Extension. The money, which is gained by the fund as it is invested, is then “ put into ministry”. Three percent (3%) of the earnings on the fund is retained for growth and to combat inflation. The remainder earned is split evenly between a direct payment to Basic Mission Finance, on behalf of Tunnel Hill, and our board of elders for distribution to primarily local charities. By this forward looking plan the money “works for the Lord” in a creative and loving way.

Through the years many efforts have been put forth to enhance the beauty and function of the church. In the early years the women (Lisy, Netta, and Anna) of the Hessing family “took care of” the church. They not only cleaned the church but put fresh flowers in the church when they were available. Subsequently, numerous individuals cared for the church on a week-to-week basis until the building of the “New Church”. Since the building of the “New Church”, Hazel Ratliff and her daughter, Sherrill Ott, the Markland/Lindig family, Burl Beard, and Bradley Bartlett have kept the church in “tip top” shape.

Mr. James Hahn, husband of Regina Hahn, Lina McIntire’s daughter, painted the lovely painting in our baptistry. A number of banners were made which have enhanced our worship services. Jerry Glenn made lovely hangings for the altar and pulpit. A team composed of Sandy Markland, Mary Lynn Atherton, Merry Sue Lemmel, JoAnn Lemmel and Pam Riley made beautiful seasonal and special occasion banners for the sanctuary. Through the years many individuals and families have contributed to the beauty of Christmas and Easter by making memorials to loved ones by the provision of poinsettias and lilies. Each year at the beginning of Advent the Worship Committee and the men of the Church decorate the church. Our outside-lighted wreaths can be seen for miles around. Traditional lighted manger scene has been a regular part of our Christmas decor. In recent years JoAnn Lemmel fashioned a lovely Easter Wreath, which has graced our sanctuary, each year beginning with Lent. At various times beautiful window decorations have been fashioned for Christmas and Easter. The CYF have also had a prominent place in enhancing the beauty and care of the church. They have worked and walked in “Walk-a-thons” to gather funds for repairs and the lovely brass cross which hangs over our baptistry.

Numerous people have been involved with the youth ministry through the years. In the early seventies a Junior Church or Extended Church was organized. This arrangement included groups such as Young Crusaders, Chi Rho, and CYF. Donna Riley took a leadership role in these early years with the children and youth. The ministry included trips to such places a Caine Ridge in Kentucky where the “Reformation Movement” which produced the Christian Church near Lexington. Many trips were made in those days to nursing homes in the area. Following Donna Riley in the ministry were Bill and his wife Pam. In the nineties the church took a bold step and funded a youth ministry with Lori Strange, in 1991, and then in 1992, Dale McAbee came first as minister of music and then a Youth Minister. In recent years the youth ministry has been strengthened with the melding of music and growth/social offerings. In recent years a number of Baptist Seminary students have done their “field work” with our church. Mike and Lisa Talbert worked with our Young Adults and Career Class, George Poole worked with the Senior Adult Women’s Class and Mike Roberts assisted in developing our evangelism and outreach efforts.

During the ministry of Rev. Eddie Phenix, in 1988, another “Vision” came to the congregation, that of the construction of a “Family Life Center”. In a relatively short period of time plans were projected, a model was constructed and funds were gathered for the construction of yet another “new” building. That vision continues to this day yet with a adjustment in the scope and size of the building “vision’. In the beginning there was the hope for a Child Care facility to be an integral part of the Family Live Center. However, upon closer investigation the cost of such a facility was clearly out of the reach of our congregation. Accordingly, in 1991 the church determined following a consultation by a representative of the Board of Christian Extension of the Christian Church, that the church should consider a scaled down version of a center and, subsequently, the church determined not to build such a structure until it had $100,000 “in hand”. In August of that same year, 1991, a fund raising effort was launched called “Chicken, Fix’ns, and Fun”. This effort consumed the energies of many in the congregation under the able leadership of a committee headed by Bill and Bam Riley. Integral to this effort was a combination of a “sumptuous meal”, a gospel music program, an ecumenical volleyball tournament, as well as games and rides for the younger children. One of the most important functions of this event, which has now become a yearly activity, is the sense of the community, which it engenders for the congregation. People return to the church to “help out”, new people in the area learn about the church, and members reaffirm relationship with one another in a very warm and convivial way. In addition to the August event, a Christmas Bazaar was added in 1992 under the leadership of Becky Riley, which also contributed to the funding of the new building, which had by the time taken on a new name --- “Christian Activity Center” or CAC. The change in name reflects the adjustment in the perception of the ministry, which relates to the new building. Family Life Ministry describes an aspect of ministry, which has been, is, and of necessity continues with our church. Such a “new” ministry in a building would be both recreational and family/educationally centered. A “Christian Activity Center” would simply be the “center” where such a recreational/family ministry would be located. Consultations by various individuals from the area have confirmed that the church would be unwise to construct a building before establishing a ministry, which would “go on” in such a building. Accordingly, a “Family Night” ministry was begun in 1991 and continues. Each first Wednesday evening a family night “pitch-in” meal is held followed by a program usually centering on some aspect of family file or mission effort.

Dr. David Hunsicker came to us following a time as interim in 1990. At that same time he was seeking “standing” as a minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In January of 1991, he was granted standing by the Indiana Region, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and was then installed as Pastor of Tunnel Hill Christian Church and as a minister of the Christian Church on February 12th. Prior to that time the church examined its “vision” of ministry and determined to have six (6) goals in ministry, which were:

• To preach and do the gospel

• To teach the gospel to all members,

• To reach out into the community,

• To encourage greatest possible stewardship,

• To provide a comprehensive pastoral care effort, and

• To construct a Christian Activity Center as a focal point for all ministries.

Now, the church is examining its “Vision” for the coming years, 1995-2000 with a new vision statement. Please note the “Vision 2000” statement as follows:

“VISION 2000”

“The Vision of Tunnel Hill Christian Church for the period 1995-2000 A. D. is to Glorify God by:

Attracting un-churched families and individuals to Christ:

Discipling all believers; and

Involving all members and participating members in mission according to their spiritual gifts.

Integral to this vision is the following specific objective:

“Our objective is:

To preach then do the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

To teach the Gospel to all members,

To encourage one another in the greatest possible commitment of our time, talents, and treasure,

To reach out into the community in seeking mission opportunities, and

To develop and maintain a comprehensive pastoral care effort.”

In the last years the ministry of Tunnel Hill Christian Church has demonstrated its concern for a lost and needy world with many outreach efforts to the homeless, to the blind, to the Veteran’s Hospital, to various helping agencies, to hospitals, and to many individuals who happen along the highway, or find themselves victims of fires, flooding or simple out of work. A “Prayer Ministry” was launched in 1992 with a dedicated telephone line by which anyone in the community may call and receive the assurance that dedicated “prayers” will be offered up for them. Also in 1992 a senior adult ministry was launched through the consultation of George Poole a Baptist seminary student. The effort resulted in a ministry entitles, “55 Plus”. This ecumenical senior adult ministry complemented an already existent “VI” Singles group, which had been started some years ago as a grief support group. Each of these groups meets monthly. In addition to these outreach efforts, our church has also been a meeting place for local citizens to vote, for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Jazzercise, AA and various community organizations who have needed a meeting place from time to time.

Want to add something to our church’s history? Is there a story missing that you feel needs to be added to our history?

Contact Pastor Michael and he will provide some options for how you can help tell the story of all God has done, and is doing, at Tunnel Hill Christian Church.