The first meeting of the Macoupin Baptist Association was held with the Shiloh Baptist Church on the fifth Saturday in October, 1859.  The body was to be known as “The Macoupin Association of United Baptists.”  A committee of five was appointed to prepare a Constitution and the Principles of Union.  “Rules of Order” were adopted at the next meeting.  It was the original intention to combine all the churches in Macoupin County as one Association.

    The cardinal point of differentiation from all other Associations was the demand for a Scripturally qualified administrator of baptism.  William Penn Hart, however, had only Campbellite immersion.  The eight churches included in the formation of the Association were:  Apple Creek, Charity, Hickory Point, Mt. Moriah, New Salem, Oakland, Richwoods, and Shoal Creek. 

The second annual meeting of our association was with the Apple Creek Baptist Church (Youngblood) October 12-14, 1860.  Elder Zachariah Waters was Moderator for the first ten years; William Penn Hart was clerk for the first seven years; and William C. Waters was Treasurer for the first fourteen years.  Otter Creek and Shiloh churches united with the body.

    Resolutions commending the Sunday Schools, prayer for ministers to be called and equipped, and condemning the support of the liquor traffic and of “mixed or free communion.”  There was a balance of $20 in the treasury.

The third annual meeting in 1861 met with Charity.  The Sandy Creek church was received into the Association.  A strong resolution was adopted condemning “the Rebellion against the government.”  A resolution favoring “feet washing” as an ordinance was laid on the table.  “Union” meetings were appointed for all the churches, with four preachers going to each place for a revival.

The Tenth Annual Meeting (1868) met with Charity Church.  Zachariah Waters completed 10 years as Moderator.  Athensville and Hartland united with us, making a total of 22 churches in the body.  There were 17 ministers  and 8 others were licensed to preach.  200 baptisms were reported with a total membership of 1,181.  Richwoods church (Elder B. F. Cleveland, pastor) had the largest number of baptisms -- 41.

In 1870, the association was hosted by Providence church in Murrayville.  Deacon Isaac Hill served as Moderator.  Mt. Gilead and Head of Apple Creek churches united with us -- the latter is now located at Modesto, and is the first church building to be erected under the direction of the Illinois Baptist State Association.  The Oak Dale church was "dropped," being found in disorder.

The following resolution was adopted:  "Resolved, That we regard no minister sound in doctrine who preaches or teaches the apostasy of a believer in Christ; and, that we regard such instruction devoid of comfort to the Christian, and the belief of it, distrusting Christ."  Elder Waters was ordered to aid  J. D. Cole in preparing the history of the Baptists of Illinois, of Macoupin County in particular.  141 baptisms were reported.  The total membership was 1403.  The largest church was Otter Creek with 184 members.  Mt. Gilead (W. P. Hart, pastor) reported the most baptisms - 16.