It originated from the Saline Fraternity, which was organized in 1834, which in turn was an offspring of the Old South District of the Friends of Humanity.
In October 1840, a meeting was held with Union Church, six miles southwest of Patoka, Illinois, for the purpose of forming a new Baptist Association.
The following churches located in the South Central Illinois counties of Fayette, Marion, and Clinton were represented: Vandalia, Salem, Marshall Creek, Bethel, Clinton Hill, Diamond Springs, and Beaver Creek.
The organization was completed by the adoption of the associational constitution and the election of a moderator, clerk, standing secretary and treasurer.
J. R. Ford engaged in missions under appointment of the Baptist Convention of Southern Illinois, the latter supplying eight churches.
We recommend the Executive Committee to make an effort to procure preaching at least two Sabbaths in each month in all the churches in our Association."
[1] In 1867, Missionary Elder J. R. Ford reported that he traveled 1,205 miles during the year, preached 155 sermons, baptized 19 converts, and collected $339.80.
During the annual meeting of 1868, the association addressed the question of recognizing baptisms from church candidates from other denominations.
At the meeting in 1875, several books were purchased from the Baptist Publication Society by friends and presented to J.C. Carter, W. R. Andereck, and J. Holloway.
Prominent deceased associational lay members were honored at this meeting: James Joliff, John Carter, Samuel McClelland, James Chance, John Wright, Jeremiah Gilmore, William Craig, Asa Entrikin, Smuth Moore, W. R. Huey, J. R. Tolbert, and Isaac Andereck.