History of Baker Chapel

            The site of Baker Chapel has been a place of worship since Thomas Baker came daily to pray amidst a cluster of giant oak trees.   Baker’s fervent prayer was that a church be built in his community.    His prayer was answered and settlers from the neighborhood constructed the church in the 1840’s.   It was constructed of rough logs with a fireplace taking up almost one whole side of the building.  The congregation sat on split logs supported by pegs.  Pegs were placed in the walls to be used as candleholders to provide light.   As was the custom in those days to name their churches, it was agreed that the church be named after Thomas Baker since he had spent many hours in prayer on this site praying for a church.

 In 1861 the log structure had become too small and so it was demolished and a second church building was erected in its place.   This building was framed but never painted.    It was heated with a wood burning stove and furnished with homemade wooden straight-back benches.

            In 1903, the third church was built.   Many improvements were made over the years with the installation of indoor restrooms in 1979 and a 36ft X 83ft addition in l985.   This addition contained the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, five classrooms and restrooms.  This structure was erected in much the same way as the original log church, that is, with largely volunteer help from the neighborhood.   On April 13, l985 over 60 volunteers from l0 churches came to lend their talents and share in the “barn raising”.   This addition was completed without indebtedness and dedicated to service on Sunday morning, December 15, l985.   This is the church that was so loved and revered by the DeGonia Springs community, with members coming as far away as Rockport.   This was also a period of growth for Baker Chapel with attendance reaching from 90-100.   It was this church, that is so etched in our memory, that was ripped down by a tornado on November 6^th, 2005.

      The congregation of the church has remained very steadfast during this loss and continued to meet at various locations including the Warrick County 4H Center, Boonville City Lake, and currently at the Boonville Junior High School.     With many prayers from the congregation and much work from a dedicated building committee, and in the same spirit of volunteerism, we have just begun building the new church.   We will add to this as progress continues.