In 1829 the family  of Daniel & Ann Osborn settled in northern Morgan County., Adams, Township, which later became the southern part of Franklin Township, Hendricks County. The first religious meetings held in the township were held by the New Light Congregation, the parent of Stilesville Christian Church. John Smart and Thomas Woods did the preaching. The denomination organized a church at Osborn's Horse Mill.

The New Light Christians had Barton Stone as their leader and they believed in open communion, open membership, Christian unity and Biblical Christianity in the sprit of mutual forbearance. They did not believe in authoritarian church government, doctrines and secretarian names.

When Stone came in contact with Alexander Campbell they found many beliefs to be in common. Stone emphasized New Testament Christianity and a spirit of unity. Campbell emphasized conformity to the primitive faith and practice. Neither believed in creeds, but both believed in faith on evidence and baptism. They differed on issues like the name Christian, how often the Lord's Supper should be celebrated, as well as the emphasis on immersion and how to evangelize. most

Three of their most important beliefs:

1. Where the scriptures speak, we speak; where the scriptures are silent, we are silent.

2. No creed but Christ.

3. In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love.

Since their similarities were greater than their differences, in 1832 the churches joined and became the Christian Church-Disciples of Christ.

Dan Osborn III was the only carpenter in the area, and he volunteered to hew the logs and with the help of the other five men, they built the little cabin church house. The church took its name from the beautiful walnut grove in which it was situated and was therefore known as the Walnut Grove Christian Church. The bell was obtained at an abandoned church in Springtown, north of Amo. The windows of the church were openings in the log walls covered with greased paper.

Disciples of Christ in Indiana records an article from the Millenial Harbinger published by Alexander Campbell which records the first State Meeting of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. It took place in Indianapolis from Friday June 7, 1839 and continued through Tuesday, with Barton W. Stone as speaker. Walnut Grove was present as a member from Morgan County and listed 70 members. In 1999, the region of Indiana celebrates it's 160th birthday, and Walnut Grove -Stilesville Christian Church Congregation has been with them from the beginning.

In 1842, the Walnut Grove congregation outgrew it's original meeting house and moved into Stilesville. A frame structure, 40x50 feet, was built where the present church now stands. The Sunday School was formed in 1865, at the close of the Civil war. In 1869, an organ was purchased and J.L. Osborn and Mary Chritchfield were the Organists. In 1878, a fire destroyed the church and its records. After the fire, the Baptist and Methodist Churches helped by letting us worship in their buildings. A brick building was built after the fire and dedicated in 1880.

In 1893, a few of the ladies of the church organized a "Ladies Aid Sociey." In 1911, the name was changed to "Social Helpers," and the ladies carried on projects to help the community and the church, a tradition still continued today.

On July 24, 1934, the Centennial of the Church was celebrated and a large boulder was placed at Walnut Grove, drawn there by a four-horse team and the assistance of 30 men. The boulder has a bronze tablet stating, "the original site of The Stilesville Christian Church 1834."

In 1937, the annex on the south side of the building was completed. In 1949, the parsonage was dedicated. In 1960, the basement was being enlarged and the front of the building fell into the street. The church met at the school gym and then at the Baptist Church. On June 4, 1961, the newly remodeled church was dedicated. Since then, many changes have taken place in the church building and the lives of its members and friends. In the past few years, the Walnut Grove Cemetery has been kept in good order and is a lovely reminder of our heritage.