On July 25, 1842, a group of friends and neighbors desiring a church body of their own in which to hold regular monthly meetings,
discipline, receive and dismiss members who resided within their bounds, established the Eel River Branch of the Logansport Baptist
Church. Services were often held in "houses of the brethren", the Reed School, or sometimes in the woods. Donations of money,
labor and grain were given toward the building project. The building would be erected adjacent to the Miami Baptist Cemetery
located about a mile southeast of the present building location. The structure was to be a small frame building, the size of
which was 28 feet by 36 feet. On July 22, 1843 a contract was let for the building and in May of 1844 the church was dedicated as
the Eel River Branch of the Logansport Baptist Church.
Elder William M. Pratt, a young man of great speaking ability, awakened an interest in the Lord and could well be called the founder
of this church. In early years local leadership was devoted people of local residence.
By 1863, church membership had greatly diminished without regular pastorial leaders, reaching a low state of religious enjoyment.
In 1872, observance of "The Lord's Supper" was adopted and set to be held the first Sunday of every month.
In 1879, J. G. Tedford, a school teacher from Burnettsville, was secured as pastor. In this same year it was voted to build a
brick structure 36 by 45 feet at the present location. One and one half acres of land was purchased from Joe Gingrich at a price of
$20.00. The bricks for the church were burned at Floyd Swigart's place. Margaret Moore's grandfather did all the stone and brick work.
Sam Carr did all the wood working. The building was 12 feet high and had eleven windows and two doors. There were two wood burning
stoves used for heat. One stove was on each side of the center aisle. The inside ceiling conformed to the outside roof line. Wood
shutters and blinds were on all the windows. Horse hitch-racks and abutments were installed on three sides around the exterior of
the church lot. On July 4, 1879, the Miami Baptist Church was dedicated.
Notices of the first dedication were to be published in "The Journal and Messenger of Cincinnati"; "Standard of Chicago"; "Logansport Journal"
and "Logansport Pharos Tribune."
In 1887 the church was damaged by a windstorm to the extent of forty to fifty dollars.
In April of 1893, Sister Henson arranged for the organization of the Women's Mission Circle.
June, 1893, Brother Samuel Brown was appointed to collect money for putting up more hitching racks. In December of the same year, Brother Monroe
Kinder declared there would be no entertainment of any kind allowed in the church when an admission fee was charged at the door.
"The amount collected for Brother Bender's Salary since he first began to preach for the church was $437.40. The amount paid to him was $426.40.
Amount on hand in the treasury is $11.00. Amount collected for church expenses was $6.97. The amount paid out was ninety-seven cents.
Balance on Hand $6.00."