Exhibit 23(a)

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 and Prospectus of First Merchants Corporation, relating to the issuance
of securities in the proposed merger of Lafayette Bancorporation into First
Merchants Corporation, of our report, dated January 22, 2001, except for note 19
as to which the date is February 8, 2001, on the consolidated financial
statements of First Merchants Corporation as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000. We also
consent to the reference to our firm appearing under the heading "Experts" in
the Prospectus.

BKD, LLP
December 21, 2001
Indianapolis, Indiana


                                   Ex. 23(a)-1