Back in those early years when Sunman was but a small village of a few scattered homes dotting a clearing surrounded by mighty giants of the forest, the great majority of the inhabitants of those homes were a godly people whose only place of worship was the log cabin of some settler wherein the Word of God was taught in the light of a flickering candle.
In the 1880’s the organization of a church society was begun; but did not last. In 1890 Rev. David L. Vandament of a neighboring town was successful in effecting the organization of a Christian Union Society. You will notice the sign above our present sanctuary entrance. Rev. Vandament and his handful of followers who were aided by a generous public of various sects and creeds, a frame structure was erected at another location in town and in 1898 was dully dedicated to its worthy purpose and named “Perry Chapel” in memory of Perry Vandament, a little son of the pastor whose death occurred during the work of construction.
For a number of years prior to 1923 religious interests had been suffering a gradual decline until dreams of a churchless town finally awakened its people to a realization of what the future might be if such condition was permitted to exist. And so weary of the strife and denominational competition then prevailing and tired of the economic waste of competing institutions, a group of town and community citizens inspired by the masterful leadership of Rev. Alfred Thomas.
Many denominations were and still are represented in the Community Church. The people of the time emphasized the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ over denominational loyalty.
The church has over the years enjoyed a number of gifted pastors. In 1972 it was a joy to see the first missionary go out from the church. This was Harriet (Cook) Bouchillon whose husband is James Bouchillon. They are serving with CAM International.
Over the years a number of building projects were accomplished. In 1982 the parsonage kitchen and existing bathroom were remodeled. The following year, as a prelude to our 60th anniversary celebration, the church auditorium was redecorated. This was a joint project of the congregation as a whole and the Women’s Fellowship. In 1986 a fund drive began for remodeling the Sunday School building. This project was started in the summer of 1987 with architectural work by Mylar church Building Systems of Crawfordsville, Indiana. In keeping with the history of the church, most of the preparatory work and basement remodeling was done by volunteer labor from the church family.
During this project the Sunday School building was completely rebuilt to provide class rooms, nursery facilities, and main floor rest rooms. A fellowship room was added to the building which can be used for Sunday School or weekly meetings. A handicapped access ramp was installed, new entrances made to the basement, the basement remodeled and the foyers enlarged. These improvements were dedicated in February, 1988. Another building project was undertaken in 1991 with the addition of two bedrooms and a second bath to the parsonage. These projects have been paid for, and the church property is debt free.
During the past decade the church has been active in the Sunman Area Clergy Fellowship whose programs include the Food Pantry, the Assistance Fund and the Christmas Food and Toy distribution. The Clergy Fellowship also sponsors the Community Good Friday Service, Crop Walk, and the Community Thanksgiving Service. We have participated in national events such as the 1991 Cincinnati Life Chain. In 1988 a group of volunteers from the church spent one week at United World Mission’s International Training Center. As of 1993, our church supports 25 missionary families representing six evangelical missionary organizations.
Under the leadership of Pastor Ed Johnson, an Awana Clubs ministry was begun in 1994 for grades K-High School and has been a growing ministry each year. In 1997, Joey W. Nelson was called as our pastor. Pastor Nelson served until the end of the year 2003.
Dean Kronke joined Sunman Community Church in 2008. He came from Columbus, Indiana where for the previous six and a half years he worked as the Minister of Christian Education and Youth at a local church.
Dean is married to Miranda and they adopted their son Johnathon from Guatemala in 2006.
My vision (Dean Kronke) is to help the members of Sunman Community Church become more deeply committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Then to help those disciples to make fellow disciples, first in Sunman, then to the surrounding area, and eventually the entire world. The world is changed one person at a time.
75th Anniversary Reading – A Brief History
In 1858, a brick church was erected near the center of Sunman and was used for almost 40 years as an interdenominational church. A wood-frame church building was erected on Vine Street and dedicated in 1898. It became known as Perry Chapel. The original sign is hanging above our present sanctuary entrance.
In 1923, Reverend Alfred Thomas from Missouri suggested that a community-based church be officially organized where people could attend and worship without severing their previous church affiliations. Unfortunately, for a number of years prior to 1923, religious interests had been suffering a gradual decline and denominational competition was dividing the community. A core group in the community felt that this disharmony and divisiveness had to change. Believing that no one denomination or church had a monopoly on God’s grace, a group of town and community citizens courageously signed a covenant one Autumn Sunday which read:
“In order to form a more perfect union for worship and service, we, the undersigned residents of the Sunman community, having accepted the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, do covenant together to form Sunman Community Church (interdenominational); and we do pledge our loyalty to Christ’s Kingdom, our united efforts to the spiritual service of the Sunman community, and ourselves to seek the harmony of all God’s people.”
As a result, Sunman Community Church was born on October 14, 1923 under the leadership of their first pastor, Reverend Alfred Thomas. Many denominations were represented in the church. The people of the time emphasized the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ over denominational loyalty. This founding purpose continues to guide this church as she matures in her present mission to the community and to the world.
The church has enjoyed a number of gifted pastor-leaders who have supported this founding purpose and led this church through her various stages of growth and maturity.
In her infancy and childhood, it was Reverend Alfred Thomas and Reverend David Warner who nurtured her. Reverend Thomas pastored until his death in February, 1929. Reverend David Warner was then called upon to be the pastor. It was under his leadership that the title to the church property was cleared of denominational claims and the church constitution reorganized so that a truly non-denominational church existed.
After Reverend Warner’s retirement in 1936, the church entered her young adulthood period. The Reverend Charles White filled the pulpit until 1940. He resigned in order to bring his academic studies to completion. He was succeeded by Reverend Robert Hamm who served until 1944 when he resigned to accept a position as Assistant State Fire Marshall.
The church went into her middle age years under the guidance of a young student-pastor, Reverend John Wrenn, who filled the pulpit from 1944 to 1948. He was the only pastor who did not live in Sunman, but commuted from Louisville, Kentucky where he attended a school of higher learning. Following a year of pastoral supply, Reverend Virgil Carter was called in 1949 and served until 1953. With the resignation of the Reverend Carter, Reverend Dwaine Derrick accepted the call and served until 1959.
Under Reverend Derrick’s leadership, the church entered her older adult years and demonstrated her maturity by becoming an active supporter of international missions. Reverend Derrick was succeeded by Reverend Sterling Cauble in January, 1960. It was during his tenure that the first missionary was sent out from our church in 1972. Her name was Harriet (Cook) Bouchillon. In 1977, Reverend Kenneth “Pappy” Greves became our pastor until 1979. Pappy’s jovial humor and generous spirit brought healing and maturity to our church family and prepared the way for a man that endeared himself to this local congregation.
In June of 1979, Reverend Dennis Hillman accepted the call to pastor our church. His tenure here proved to be the golden years in the life of our congregation. Many ministries were initiated and structural improvements were made under his leadership. As a result, the church facilities were greatly improved and the church is debt free today. In 1993, Pastor Hillman resigned to become a senior editor of Kregel Publishing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In December of 1993, Ed Johnson became the churches eleventh pastor. He pastored until October of 1996. Pastor Johnson began the AWANA ministry that has proven to be very effective among our children. After a period of interim preaching by Mark Craft, Joey Nelson was called to Pastor our congregation and has done so since July of 1997.
Because of God’s providential care and the capable leadership He has brought to this congregation, this church has stood true to its original purpose for over 75 years. All of the things that have been accomplished have come about by His help and to His glory. God has been faithful to this congregation and we firmly believe that great things are in store for this local church as we approach a new millennium. God is raising up “Sunman ‘New’ Community Church” that will extend the legacy and spiritual heritage that so many have begun in previous years.
If you’re new to this group of believers, we want you to know that Sunman Community Church is alive! She continues to be an interdenominational church of friendly, happy people who are excited about moving all people toward Jesus Christ regardless of their theological or denominational background. In fact, don’t feel like you have to be a religious expert in order to ever attend here. We are all life-long learners, seeking to find God’s way through Jesus together as we head into the 21st Century.
We see a place where people are enthusiastic; a place where people are both joyful and real. We see a place where love flows freely from friend to friend in kind greetings, in conversation, in words of encouragement. A place where people come and relax from all their tension; where people sing songs of worship in excitement and fervor; a place where people challenge themselves from God’s Word. We see a family, that takes care of each other, and holds arms open wide to anyone who would wish to be a part. We see a place where tears are shed, confessions of sin and faith are made to people with loving eyes and ears, and where hugs are given frequently. We see a place where you don’t have to try to impress anyone; where you have nothing to prove and nothing to lose. We see a place where you can be yourself and receive unconditional love. A place where you can share your problems, heartaches and troubles and there is always someone to listen and pray. We see a place of growth. A place of service. We see a place of faith, love and forgiveness. We see a place that will change our community and our world. God bless Sunman Community Church on this her 75th year. To God be the glory!