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This history was transcribed from a typewritten copy in the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Misspellings, including misspellings of names, were copied exactly. The byline for John Gullion is given at the end as in the original, but it also incorporated a history by Bertie (Robert) Shaw . (Robert Scott 1991)

1816-1954

In the year of 1816 there were a few Scotch families who left their home in Scotland and came to America to what is now known as Switzerland and Jefferson counties in Indiana. They journeyed from the coast through Virginia and Kentucky into Southern Indiana. The country in Jefferson county, Indiana was so much like their country in Scotland, that they sent word back to their friends for them to come over too. So by 1815 there was quite a settlement of Scotch families on Scotch Ridge, Dow Ridge, Tait Ridge, Fry Ridge, Poplar Ridge in Jefferson county and Switzerland county. They called it the Scotch settlement.

A praying Society or congregation after the manner of the Scottish custom was formed. The people came from all over the Settlement to those meetings. Most of the people walked as there were no roads. Some walked as far as two or three miles to worship at different houses. So many came that they had to have more room so they built a log building in which to hold services. They had attended a church back in Scotland called "Caledonia" so they named their new worship place "Caledonia". The first church was a log church building built about 1818 on a hillside just north of the present building. It was built on the Samuel Culberson farm in Switzerland County.

On August 16, 1827 they bought 1 square acre for $1.00 (described in deed record No. E page 19 in the Jefferson county Recorders office) from John and Margaret Culbertson in Jefferson county just across the road and county line, west of the log building. At the same time one square acre (described in Book D page 547, Jefferson county, from James Culberson, just south of the acre bought from John Culbertson. Also at the same time on square acre (described in Deed record C page 380) Switzerland county, just east of the last acre, from Samuel Culbertson. These last two acres were used as a hitching ground until automobiles took over, about 1920. In the last half of 1827 and the first half of 1828 they built a stone building facing south, on the acre bought from John Culbertson. In 1872 they built a brick building facing east just north of the old stone building on the same acre.

On the 21st day of October 1880 they bought 1/2 acre ($25.00 recorded in Book 44 page ______, Recorders office) from Robert and Mary Culbertson, south of east corner of the acre they bought from James Culbertson. On this half acre their first Parsonage was built. This was in 1880. In 1894 this building was destroyed by fire. On November 14, 1894 they sold the ground to Robert Danner who built a dwelling house on it, which still stands at the present time. On July 24, 1894 they bought 4 and 36 hundredths acres from William and Margaret Scott (recorded in record No. 16 page 179 Switzerland county) This ground was located in Mooresfield (sic), Indiana. It was on this lot that the present parsonage was built. They paid $327.00 for the acreage. On the 26th day of April 1947 the Trustees of Caldedonia Church sold to Norman Brown all of 4 and 36/100 acres excepting a strip of ground 115 feet where the parsonage and garden are (deed record 39, page 10, Switzerland county.)

Up until 1900 the west side of the acre on which the church buildings were built, was used as the Cemetery. But by this time they had to have more room so on September 5, 1900, they bought one acre and 147 perch for $70.00 (described in deed Book 72 page 111, Jefferson county, Indiana) from David and Anna Culbertson to be used as the Cemetery. The acre bought from Samuel Culbertson in Switzerland county. It was built in 1920 and 1921. It was dedicated June 12, 1921. This is the present building. [Note: there is
obviously a phrase missing about construction of the church]

We insert here a brief history that was written by (Bertie) Robert W. Shaw about 1920 or 1921.
The congregation of the Caledonia was organized during the last week of February in 1834 by the Rev. James Worth. There were no doubt many things to discourage the organizers of the congregation. The membership was not large, there were no roads of any consequence on which to travel to and from church. Money was scarce, the country was new, the larger portion of the settlers being of Scotch parentage, many of them having come from "Bonnie Scotland" themselves to seek new homes in the wilderness of Jefferson and Switzerland counties. In fact as we look back over the intervening years, we can hardly realize the difference between them and now. Our forefathers were courageous and rugged and gardships [sic] did not deter them from planting a vine or flower---what shall we call it---here in the wilderness, not to bloom unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert sit, [site?] but to grow and thrive slowly, it is true, but surely nevertheless and to prove an inspiration and comfort to the people of the neighborhood and surrounding country. On eht [the] first Monday May 1834, Rev. James Worth moderated a call for the Rev. Wm. Horne who was installed as pastor in July 1835 and who served the people faithfully for about twelve years. This pastor remained until 1845 (up until 1845 Mr Andrew Morton, Peter Van Nice Blunk, Andrew Anderson, Irwin, William Culbertson and Walter Weir had served as elders. [It seems likely the writer meant to put a comma between Van Nice and Blunk indicating Mr. Blunk's first name was omitted.]

The second pastor. Rev. N. R. Kirkpatrick was installed April 1, 1854 and served as pastor until about 1856. In 1855 George Morton, John Culbertson and Alexander Brown were ordained Elders. From 1856 to 1861 the Rev. Thomas Dickson was the Pastor. On June 23, 1861 Wm. Scott, Matthew Ralston, Walter Weir, Jr an Peter Culbertson were ordained as Elders. From 1861 to 1873 Caledonia was without a settled pastor. The next pastor, Rev. Andrew McBride was installed April 9, 1843 [sic. Write probably meant 1873]. His pastorate continued until 1879. On April 2, 1875 John Tait and Thomas Ralston were ordained as Elders. Rev. McBride was followed by the Rev. N.R. Walker who was pastor from Nov. 11, 1879 to Oct. 1, 1882. Rev. Thomas McCague spent several days at Caledonia in 1884. Much interest was manifest in the meetings held and ten new members were added to the church. The next pastor Rev. James E. Black was installed in 1885. He served until Dec. 1, 1879.

The old congregation was composed of families of Welch, Morton, Weir, Culbertson, Witherspoon, Glenn, Dagleish, Brown, Scott, Starret, Tait, Ralston, Anderson, Crawford, Gray, Jamison, Wilkins [sic, Wilkie], Imire [sic, Imrie also Emery], Dow, Irviine [sic], Bell, Storie, Shaw, Stevenson, Thompson, Kirkwood, McKeand and Graham. There is still a goodly number of descendents of the old families in the present congregation.

This history by John Gullion.