Missions:
To change lives through God's loving transformation of people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Vision:
To become a Christ-centered community of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary

A Brief History:

In 1838, in the place where Carmel is now, was frontier country occupied by Delaware Indians, uninhabited forest, deer, wolves, bears, wild turkeys, and the like. Several Quakers had settled in the area, named the place Bethlehem and started a church. (The name Bethlehem was later changed to Carmel.) As Methodists started to settle near by, they wanted to meet together. In 1838 a 'Class' was formed. In 1848 it was registered as the Carmel Methodist Episcopal Church.

At first, the class met in an old blacksmith shop. In 1850 they built a frame building on what is now Range Line Road. By 1905 the community and the church had grown and a larger building was needed. A cement block building was erected just south and east of the main crossroads. In 1906 it was completed and dedicated.

In 1946, World War II ended and building materials again became available. Many Indianapolis families moved north to Carmel. The church welcomed these new people and grew rapidly. Carmel church had always been one of several small churches served by the same pastor. By 1946 it was large enough to support a pastor without help. By 1955 it had outgrown the building. Classes were held in the Lion's club building, the town library, the parsonage and, of course, the church building. Something had to be done.

A search for a new site was begun. After a series of marvelous (and miraculous) events, a new building on a beautiful acreage just south of the crossroads was opened for worship in 1957. That building is still in use today, however, it has been enlarged four times as the congregation continues to expand. Today, there are more than 2,000 members, and a full program for every age, with activities taking place seven days a week.