USA > Indiana > History of Coffee Creek Baptist Association, (Southern Indiana): an account of present churches, and biographical sketches of its ministers > Part 4
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1854. Session 28 at Hopewell, September 5, 6. Introductory by T. Hill, Eph. ii. 19-22. Officers of last year. Churches, 15; mes- sengers, 45. Ministers same as last session, with addition of Wm. Bussey. Circular Letter by W. Y. Monroe. Collection for Foreign Missions. Visitors: C. Blood, J. P. Barnet, N. V. Steadman, John Stevens, of Cross and Journal.
Baptized, 74. Total, 1, 119.
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1855. Session 29 at Coffee Creek, August 29, 30. Introductory by W. Y. Monroe, Jude 20, 21. Officers same as last year. Church- es, 15; messengers, 46. Ministers same as last session. Liberty meeting-house burned and church dissolved. Zoar received. Cir- cular Letter by J. Chambers. Visitors : Wm. Gillaspy, C. Blood, W. T. Stott, M. B. Phares, Wm. McCoy, Wm. Vawter. Baptized, 49. Total, 1,032.
1856. Session 30 at Scaffold Lick, September 3, 4. Introductory by J. B. Swincher, Psalm cxvi. 9. Same officers. Churches, 15; messengers, 50. Ministers same, with ad- dition of A. Ward. Circular Letter by T. Hill. Correspondence with Flat Rock dis- continued. Obituary of Elder James Glover recorded. Changed time of meeting back
to Saturday. Visitors: Wm. Gillaspy, W. T. Stott, John Stott, Wm. McCoy, J. R. McCoy, Wm. Vawter.
Baptized, 33. Total, 1,022.
1857. Session 31 at Zoar, September 5-7. In- troductory by W. Y. Monroe, Acts ii. 47. Officers of last year. Churches, 15 ; mes- sengers, 45. Ministers same as last session, except W. B. Lewis absent. Circular Let- ter by W. B. Lewis. Centerville Church 7
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received. Obituary of Elder A. Chambers recorded. Visitors: J. D. Lewellen, W. T. Stott, J. D. Crabbs, O. F. Faegler. Baptized, 38. Total, 1,017.
1858. Session 32 at First Marion, September 4-6. Introductory by T. Hill, 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. Officers same as last year. Church- es, 15; messengers, 46. Ministers same,
with W. B. Lewis again present. Circular
Letter by J. B. Swincher. Visitors: M. B. Phares, W. T. Stott, Wm. McCoy, Wm. Gillaspy, S. McConnell, C. E. B. Armstrong. Baptized, 50. Total, 1,004.
1859. Session 33 at White River; September 3-5. Introductory by W. Y. Monroe,
Heb. iv. 14. T. Hill, Moderator; W. Y. Monroe, Clerk. Churches, 18; messengers, 61. Ministers same as last year, except J. B. Swincher and W. B. Lewis are absent. Cir- cular Letter by Wm. Bussey. Lancaster and Hebron received. Visitors : R. Stephen- son, T. D. George, W. T. Stott, J. D. Crabbs, John Stott, Wm. Gillaspy, S. D. Monroe, U. B. Miller, - Smith.
Baptized, 90. Total, 1,050.
1860. Session 34 at Zion, September 1-3. In- troductory by Wm. Bussey, Col. i. 18.
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ASSOCIATION.
Officers of last year. Churches, 17; mes-
sengers, 57. Ministers of last session, with W. B. Lewis again present. Opened cor- respondence with State Association. Cir-
cular Letter by J. Chambers. Visitors : W. T. Stott, John Stott, Wm. McCoy, Wm. Vawter, M. G. Clark, T. D. George and , John Vawter.
Baptized, 35. Total, 1,052.
1861. Session 35 at Lick Branch, September 7-9. Introductory by T. Hill, Titus ii. II-13. T. Hill, Moderator; J. M. Wallace, Clerk. Churches, 18; messengers, 63. Min- isters : J. Chambers, Wm. Bussey, T. Hill, W. H. Lawrence, T. B. Lewis. Circular Letter by W. Y. Monroe. Visitors: W. T. Stott, Wm. McCoy, E. W. Clark, C. Blood, J. B. Swincher, W. Y. Monroe. Baptized, 63. Total, 1,070.
1862. Session 36 at New Bethel, September 6-8. Introductory by T. B. Lewis, Eph. vi. IO, II. Officers same as last year. Churches, 16; messengers, 49. Ministers same as last session, except W. H. Law- rence is absent. Circular Letter by W. B. Lewis. Domestic Board dissolved. Vis-
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itors: T. D. George, W. T. Stott, Wm. Gil- laspy.
Baptized, 43. Total, 1,058.
1863. Session 37 at Hopewell, September 5-7. Introductory by W. B. Lewis, Eph. i. 1-4. J. Chambers, Moderator; J. M. Wallace, Clerk. Churches, 19; messengers, 49. . Min- isters same as last year, except Elder Hill is absent and G. L. Mercer is added. Union Church received; New Frankfort dissolved. Circular Letter by J. M. Wallace. Visitors : J. B. Swincher, W. T. Stott, T. D. George, Wm. McCoy, W. Y. Monroe, J. M. Cox. Baptized, 6. Total, 991.
1864. Session 38 at Lancaster, September 3-5. Introductory by John Chambers, Rom. x. 8, 9. T. Hill, Moderator; J. C. Tibbets, Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 59. Min- isters: J. Chambers, Wm. Bussey, T. Hill, W. B. Lewis, T. B. Lewis, G. L. Mercer. Circular Letter by J. C. Tibbets. Changed time to meet on Wednesday and Thursday. Visitors: Wm. Gillaspy, Wm. McCoy, T. D. George, J. B. Swincher, W. T. Stott, John Stott, Wm. Wallace.
Baptized, IO. Total, 973.
1865. Session 39 at Freedom, August 30, 31.
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Introductory by T. Hill, Titus ii. 14. T. Hill, Moderator; J. M. Wallace, Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 45. Ministers same as last year, except Wm. Bussey and T. B. Lewis are absent and W. J. Buchanan is added. Circular Letter by G. L. Mercer. Union Church dissolved. Visitors: J. B. Swincher, W. Y. Monroe, T. D. George, W. T. Stott, John Stott.
Baptized, 7. Total, 866.
1866. Session 40 at Hebron, August 29, 30. Introductory by W. B. Lewis, Prov. xxiv. 27. T. Hill, Moderator; Wallace and Tib- bets, Clerks. Churches, 16; messengers, 48. Ministers same as last year, with Wm. Bussey, present. Circular by W. B. Lewis. Visitors : Monroe, Swincher, Stott, McCoy, M. C. Clark, J. D. Griffith.
Baptized, 100. Total, 967.
1867. Session 41 at Bethany, September 4, 5. Introductory by T. Hill, Psalm lxxxix. 15, 16. Officers same as last year. Churches, 16; messengers, 53. Ministers same as last session. Circular by Wm. A. Chambers. Pleasant Ridge Church received. Obituary of Elder Wm. A. Chambers recorded. Visitors: F. D. Bland, G. H. Bingham,
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Harry Smith, J. Cummins, A. Carter, M. C. Clark, McCoy, Gillaspy, Stott, George, Swincher.
Baptized, 53. Total, I,OII.
1868. Session 42 at Kimberlin Creek, Septem- ber 2, 3. Introductory by J. Chambers, 2. Cor. v. 20. T. Hill, Moderator; J. M. Wallace, Clerk. Churches, 15; messengers, 50. Ministers : Hill, Chambers, Bussey, Mercer. Circular by J. Chambers. Visit- ors: Monroe, Swincher, McCoy, Stott, Gillaspy, A. J Robins, Isaac Coker. Baptized, 1 38. Total, 1,085.
1869. Session 43 at Hopewell, September 1, 2. Introductory by T. Hill, I Cor. xv. 58. Officers of last year. Churches, 13; mes- sengers, 42. Ministers of last session, with addition of W. B. Lewis and W. H. Law- rence. Circular by W. B. Lewis. Visitors : T. R. Palmer, Wm. Wallace, McCoy, Monroe, Gillaspy.
Baptized, 33. Total, 1,05 I.
1870. Session 44 at Scaffold Lick, August 31, September I. Introductory by W. B. Lewis, Prov. iii. 13, 14. T. Hill, Moder- ator; Wallace and Tibbets, Clerks. Churches, 14; messengers, 54. Ministers: J. Cham-
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bers, T. Hill, W. B. Lewis. Circular by J. M. Wallace. Visitors: E. A. Russell, L. D. Robinson, Harry Smith, T. R. Pal- mer, Thomas Allen, F. M. Huckelberry, W. E. Spear, Robins, Gillaspy, Monroe, Swincher, McCoy.
Baptized, 75. Total, 1,047.
1871. Session 45 at Coffee Creek, August 30, 31. Introductory by T. Hill, Acts xiii. 38, 39. T. Hill, Moderator; J. C. Tibbets,
Clerk. Churches, 15; messengers, 58. Ministers: J. Chambers, W. Bussey, E. Williams, T. Hill, W. B. Lewis, W. H. Lawrence. Circular by J. Chambers. Vis- itors : A. J. Essex, A. Carter, R. Stephen- son, J. Stott, O. F. Faegler, McCoy, Monroe, Swincher, Gillaspy.
Baptized, 49. Total, 986.
1872. Session 46 at Zion, September 4, 5. In- troductory by W. B. Lewis, Rom. vi. 22. John Chambers, Moderator; J. C. Tibbets, Clerk. Churches, 14; messengers, 41. Min- isters: J. Chambers, W. B. Lewis, George King. Circular Letter by J. C. Tibbets. Visitors: F. M. Huckelberry, J. R. McCoy, Joseph Brown, R. M. Parks, J. Stott, Swin- cher, Faegler, Monroe.
Baptized, 190. Total, 1, 208.
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1873. Session 47 at Lick Branch, September. 3, 4. Introductory by John Chambers, Rev. i. 5, 6. T. Hill, Moderator ; J. Cham- bers, Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 61. Ministers same as last year, with Father Hill again present. Tea Creek Church received. Circular Letter by J. Chambers. Visitors : A. J. Robins, Wm. McCoy, J. R. McCoy, A. Connelly, Gillaspy, Monroe, Swincher. Baptized, 77. Total, 1, 225.
1874. Session 48 at Elizabeth, September 2, 3. Introductory by J. Chambers, John. iii. 14, 15. John Chambers, Moderator ; Wm. McCoy, Clerk, pro tem. Churches, 16; messengers, 41. Ministers, only Elder Chambers present. Circular Letter by Clerks of Freedom and Hopewell. Visi- tors: McCoy, Monroe, Gillaspy, Swincher, Reynolds, Martin, N. Johnson. Baptized, 89. Total, 1, 269.
1875. Session 49 at First Marion, September I, 2. Introductory by T. Hill, I Tim. i.
15. T. Hill, Moderator; J. C. Tibbets, Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 53. Min- isters: T. Hill, W. B. Lewis, W. H. Law- rence. Elder Chambers detained by sick- ness from which he never recovered, and
ASSOCIATION.
Elder Hill present for the last time. Circu- lar Letter by Clerks of Bethany and Zion. Visitors: T. R. Palmer, Wm. Gillaspy, I. Coker, W. Y. Monroe, J. B. Swincher.
Baptized, 56. Total, 1, 305.
1876. Session 50 at Tea Creek, August 30, 31. Introductory by W. B. Lewis, Prov. xxiv. 27. W. B. Lewis, Moderator; J. C. Tib- bets, Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 58. Ministers: W. B. Lewis, W. H. Lawrence, Marion Noell, G. W. Thompson. Circular Letter by Clerk of First Marion. Agreed to hold sessions of three days, the second day devoted to Sunday-school exercises. Obituary of Elder Thomas Hill recorded. Visitors: A. J. Essex, A. Connelly, W. Y. Monroe, J. B. Swincher.
Baptized, 57. Total, 1,307.
1877. Session 51 at Bethany, August 29-31. Introductory by G. W. Thompson, Eph. ii. I-7. Officers same as last year. Churches, 15 ; messengers, 67. Ministers same as last session, except W. H. Lawrence is absent and Allen Hill added. Circular Letter by Clerks of New Bethel and Kimberlin. Thursday devoted to Sabbath-school work. Visitors: A. J. Essex, F. M. Huckelberry, W. N. Wyeth, D. D., E. A. Russell, H.
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Woodsmall, J. E. McCoy, A. Connelly, W. Y. Monroe, J. B. Swincher, Wm. McCoy, W. M. Jordan, John Stott, A. J. Robins, I. Coker.
Baptized, 90. Total, 1, 324.
1878. Session 52 at Kimberlin Creek, Septem- ber 4-6. Introductory by Allen Hill, Luke ii. 10. Allen Hill, Moderator ; J. C. Tib- bets, Clerk. Churches, 15 ; messengers, 61. Ministers same as last year. Circular Letter by Clerk of Lancaster. Visitors: J. W. Hammack, Essex, Wyeth, Monroe, Swin- cher, Gillaspy, Coker, John Stott, Wm. McCoy.
Baptized, 175. Total, 1,451.
1879. Session 53 at Hopewell, September 3-5. Introductory by W. N. Wyeth, D.D., Rom. viii. 28. Allen Hill, Moderator; J. C. Tib- bets and L. L. Clark, Clerks. Churches, 16; messengers, 67. Ministers: A. Hill, M. Noell, G. W. Thompson. Circular Let- ter by Clerks of Hebron and Tea Creek. Circulars of last nine years are histories of churches. New Prospect Church received. Visitors: W. E. Pritchard, J. G. Craven, J. N. Spillman, W. T. Carpenter, N. John-
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son, Wm. McCoy, A. J. Essex, W. N. Wyeth, W. Y. Monroe.
Baptized, 107. Total, 1, 543.
[880. Session 54 at Scaffold Lick, September I-3. Introductory by J. G. Craven, I Tim. 1. 15. A. Hill, Moderator; J. C. Tibbets,
Clerk. Churches, 16; messengers, 74. Ministers of last year, with G. L. Mercer added No Circular Letter. Pleasant Ridge Church changed location to Brownstown Association. Visitors: S. M. Stimson, K. W. Benton, W. W. Smith, Essex, Russell, Craven, Spillman, Carpenter, Monroe.
Baptized, 68. Total, 1,460.
1881. Session 55 at Lancaster, August 31, Sep- tember 1, 2. Introductory by G. H. Elgin, I John iii. 2. A. Hill, Moderator; L. L. Clark, Clerk. Churches, 15; messengers, 62. Ministers: A. Hill, G. W. Thompson, J. N. Spillman. Circular Letter by Alex- ander Chambers. Elder John Chambers brought to the stand for a short time. Vis- itors: G. H. Elgin, R. J. Gorbet, E. A. Russell, A. J. Essex, J. G. Craven, A. Car- ter, W. Y. Monroe, J. Stott.
Baptized, 30. Total, 1, 368.
1882. Session 56 at Coffee Creek, August 30 to
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September I. Introductory by G. W Thompson, Acts xxviii. 15. J. C. Tibbets, Moderator ; U. M. McGuire, Clerk. Church es, 17; messengers, 71. Ministers: G. W. Thompson, J. N. Spillman, N. L. Petty, U M. McGuire. Commiskey Church received. Circular Letter by U. M. McGuire. Com mittee on Associational Missions appointed Reports from Committees on Home Mis sions, Foreign Missions, State Convention Work, Franklin College, Religious Litera ture and Sunday-schools received and dis cussed. Obituary of Elder John Chambers is recorded. Visitors: W. N. Wyeth, D. D., C. E. W. Dobbs, D. D., G. H. Elgin, Wm Elgin, E. A. Russell, F. W. Carney, J. G. Craven, W. Y. Monroe, Wm. McCoy, Al len Hill.
Baptized, 42. Total, 1, 354.
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ASSOCIATION.
PART II.
HISTORY OF PRESENT CHURCHES.
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WHITE RIVER.
Constituted in June, 1811.
IN 1809, Alex. Chambers and family, and a few other families from Kentucky and North Carolina, located on a creek called White River, in Jefferson County, Ind., about ten miles west from Madison. Some of these were Baptists, and they soon began to hold religious meetings in their cabins. Elder Jesse Vawter visited them, and in June, 1811, thirteen persons were constituted into the White River Baptist Church. The names of these brethren and sisters were : Alex. Chambers and wife, Perry G. Magness and wife, Isom Blankenship and wife, Isaac Hall, B. O. Hollenshead, Susan Wheat, Susan Mon- roe, Mary Hoagland, Sarah Monroe and Mary Chambers.
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The church was constituted and continued to meet at the house of Alexander Chambers for about three years, it being a large log building, the upper part especially designed for purposes of defense, with lookout and port-holes, to be used in case of an attack by the Indians, of which the early settlers were in constant dread. That their fears were well founded was shown by the horrid tragedy on Pigeon Roost Creek, Scott County, in 1812-but a few miles distant -where some fifty men, women and children were most brutally massacred.
PASTORS.
In the first thirty-one years, there were twelve changes of pastors; yet most, if not all, of these short pastorates were very successful. Elder Jesse Vawter was the first, serving two years. The church then had no pastor for about three years, meetings being kept up regularly by Isom Blankenship, Wm. Whitsitt, Robert Monroe and Alex. Chambers, the last two licentiates. After that the church had the pastoral services of Elders J. Alexander for two years, Thomas Hill, Sr., for three years, Wm. Blankenship (re- cently ordained), one year ; Alex. Chambers (just ordained), three years; Thomas Hill, Jr., three years; Alex. Chambers, three years; Thomas Hill, Jr., two years; Alex. Chambers, two years ;
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Thomas Hill, Sr., one year; Alex. Chambers, two years; Jacob M. Cox, two years. John Chambers, ordained in 1842, served from that time until 1871, except about four years, Wm. Bussey being pastor in 1856, 1857 and part of 1862, and Wm. B. Lewis in 1861. The church had no paster in 1872, since which time Elders Wm. McCoy, W. Y. Monroe and A. J. Robins have each served one year, and G. W. Thomp- son and J. N. Spillman each two years. The present pastor is Elder F. W. Carney, of Ten- nessee.
LICENTIATES.
Since its organization, the church has licensed thirteen men to preach the gospel. They were R. Monroe, Alex. Chambers, W. Blankenship, Abram Smock, Jacob S. Ryker, S. D. Monroe, Benj. Davis, John Reece, Sylvester Roberts, John Chambers, James Monroe, A. Chambers and Wm. A. Chambers.
ORDINATIONS.
Four of the above were ordained at White River, viz .: Alex. Chambers in 1823, John Chambers in 1842, John Reece in 1846, and Wm. A. Chambers in 1866. Wm. Blankenship, Abram Smock, Jacob S. Ryker and S. D. Monroe were ordained at other churches.
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COFFEE CREEK
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
The Deacons have been Alex. Chambers, B. O. Hollenshead, Wm. Whitsitt, J. Anderson, L. Perkinson, Wm. Monroe and A. Chambers. Clerks .- P. G. Magness, Michael Monroe, Abram Smock, Wm. Telford, S. D. Monroe, John Chambers, George Monroe, John Dungan, Andrew Wood, W. C. Ryker, A. J. Chambers, W. A. Chambers, A. Chambers, S. A. Cham- bers and A. C. Monroe, present incumbent; Post-office address, Swanville, Jefferson County, Ind.
BUILDINGS.
The first meeting-house was built in 1814, of hewed logs, and was occupied until 1832, when it burned down. The same year a frame build- ing was erected on the site of the old one, and used until 1855, when the present building, situated about eighty rods northeast of the old house and one mile south of Kent, was erected.
LABORS AND RESULTS.
White River has never had as large a number of names enrolled as some others, and has prob- ably never had as great an ingathering at any one time, yet many precious revival seasons have been enjoyed-seasons when the Divine presence seemed to fill every heart, and the goodness and mercy and tender compassion of the Redeemer
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ASSOCIATION.
were so impressed on the minds of his people that they will be remembered through life- probably throughout eternity.
REMARKS.
White River has been a mother of churches. In the constitution of neighboring churches, she has furnished very many useful members. Scaf- fold Lick, Lick Branch, Hopewell, Liberty and others have each received liberally. The Sun- day-school work was entered into in 1835, and has been continued nearly every summer season since with very good results. Regular church meetings are held but once each month, but prayer meetings are maintained a good portion of the time, and special meetings quite often.
White River united with Silver Creek Asso- ciation in 1813, and entertained that body at its annual session in 1823. In 1827, it was one that united in forming Coffee Creek Association.
The church record prior to 1820 is lost. that time there were enrolled thirty members. Since then there have been received by baptism, letter and relation 403.
At
Present number, 44.
8
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COFFEE CREEK
SCAFFOLD LICK.
Constituted in October, 1818.
Scaffold Lick Church is located in Scott Coun- ty, about one mile west from Holman Station, O. & M. Branch Railroad, and derives its name from a "deer lick" near which hunters had erected a scaffold high up in the branches of a tree, in order to be screened from the keen vision of deer and other wild animals when they came to the watering. These "licks," as they were called, are springs of water slightly salt, and on that account were, in early times, daily visited by wild animals of their vicinity.
Scaffold Lick settlement, like most others of Southern Indiana, was composed of immigrants from Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky, who came in very early times and located in an unbroken forest. Some of the settlers of this locality had united with White River Church, some eight miles distant, but being desirous of a church organization in their own neighborhood, met at the house of Valentine Chasteen on the 14th of October, 1818, and were duly constituted as a church. The constituent members were five men with their wives, viz .: Valentine Chas- teen, Mary Chasteen, George James, Mary James, Benj. Boyd, Nancy Boyd, Robert Chas-
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ASSOCIATION.
teen, Magdaline Chasteen, John Chasteen, Anna Chasteen ; and the council was composed of Elder Thomas Hill, of Graham's Fork Church, and Alex. Chambers and others from White River.
PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.
The church minutes for the first five years are lost. Elder John Chambers (lately deceased) informed me that regular monthly meetings were kept up during that period under the pastoral care of Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., and Alex. Chambers, a licentiate. Since 1823 the follow- ing Elders have officiated: Wm. Blankenship, four years; Thomas Hill, Sr., ten years; Zacha- riah Bush, four years ; John Chambers, eighteen years; Wm. B. Lewis, three years; John Cham- bers again, two years; Wm. A. Chambers, from September, 1866, to his death in July, 1867; A. J. Robins, ten years; G. W. Thompson, three years; A. J. Robins again, one year, since which time Elder F. W. Carney has been pastor to the present, about one year. Meetings were often held, also, by George James, Valentine Chasteen and George Chasteen, licentiates, and members of Scaffold Lick.
LICENTIATES AND ELDERS.
Valentine Chasteen was licensed in 1823 ; S.
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Henderson in 1832, and George Chasteen in 1856. Wm. Blankenship was ordained in 1823.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
Deacons .- Wm. Davis, George Chasteen, John Rogers, W. M. Chasteen, Archibald Cain and H. C. Dismore.
Clerks .- Peter Chasteen, N. Robins, Wm. Davis, Alex. Chambers, Wm. B. Stout, H. C. Dismore, L. L. Clark and Peter Ringo, the present incumbent; Post-office address, Holman Station, Scott County, Ind.
BUILDINGS.
The little log meeting-house built in 1819 served as a place of worship for several years, when a small frame building was erected. This, in turn, gave place to the present commodious frame, which is amongst the best in the Associa- tion.
CHURCH WORK.
Regular meetings for business and conference have been held each month since its constitu- tion, and it is worthy of remark that compara- tively few cases of discipline have occurred. Church trials have been the exception at Scaffold Lick. Prayer-meetings are generally maintained and a very flourishing Sabbath-school about seven months in each year. Liberal contribu-
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tions are regularly made for Home and Foreign Missions, Publication Society, State Convention and all other denominational work, and the church has ever contained a good proportion of working members.
REMARKS.
Scaffold Lick united with Silver Creek Asso- ciation in 1819, remaining until Coffee Creek was organized. . Many trials and discouragements have been passed through, and the loss of loved ones has often caused mourning. Anna Chas- teen, the last constituent member, died in 1878, and many other useful and prominent members have been taken; but many times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have also been granted them-times when sinners were led to cry, "What must I do to be saved?" and when saints were made to rejoice with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Such seasons were frequent in the early days of the church, and, indeed, have often occurred during her entire history. The revivals of 1870 and 1878 are probably amongst the most noted of recent date. Scaffold Lick is now the strongest church in the Association.
Present number, 158.
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COFFEE CREEK
COFFEE CREEK.
Constituted in May, 1822.
The first Saturday in May, 1822, Thomas Hill, Sr., Mary Hill, Wm. Whitsitt, Nancy Whit- sitt, James Fowler, Sr., Jane Fowler, Wm. Blan- kenship, Polly Blankenship, John Hopkins, Zil- pha Hopkins, Nathan Robertson, Ann Robert- son, Patsey Peoples, Nancy Johnson, Betsey Bennet, Betsey Burnet, Sally Scott, Ann McCrora, Ann Pritchard, Ann Wilkerson, Polly Hudson, Polly Bridges, Abigail Roberts, Polly Roberts, Hannah Earl and Susan Hill, convened at the house of Thomas Hill, Jr., on Coffee Creek, Jennings County, and were recognized as the Coffee Creek Baptist Church.
The council of recognition was composed of messengers from Union, Vernon, Harbert's Creek, White River, Scaffold Lick and Graham's Fork churches. Isaiah Blankenship was Mod- erator, and Wm. C. Bramwell, Clerk. Elder Peleg Baker delivered the charge to the church, and the hand of fellowship was extended by the council.
Immediately after the council adjourned, the church organized for business. Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., through whose labors the church had been collected, was chosen Moderator, and Wm.
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ASSOCIATION.
C. Bramwell, Clerk. At this first meeting Thom- as Hill, Jr., united with the church, was baptized the next day, and retained his membership till his death, in 1876.
PASTORS.
Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., was the first pastor, commencing in June, 1822, and continuing until December, 1838, when old age and infirmity compelled him to resign; and, at the same meet- ing, Elder Thomas Hill, Jr., was called, and served with wonderful success nearly twenty- eight years, when the death of his companion and failing health induced him also to resign. Since that time the church has had the pastoral labors of Elders Wm. B. Lewis, two years; T. D. George, one year; W. E. Spear, one year ; Wm. Gillaspy, two years; A. Connelly, two years; Wm. B. Lewis again one year; Allen Hill, four years, and U. M. McGuire from March 1, 1881, to the present. Between these short pastorates Thomas Hill officiated, so that the church has never been destitute of a pastor.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
Deacons .- John Hopkins, Wm. Whitsitt, Be- noni Hollenshead, Aaron Scott, Henry Cobb, James Fowler, Samuel Malcomb, John Tobias, Wm. Graham and O. F. Philips.
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Clerks .- Thomas Hill, Jr., served eleven years ; Allen Hill (brother of Thomas), fourteen years; Aaron Scott, fourteen years; Sidney Butler, twelve years; J. M. Cox, three years, and the present Clerk, A. W. Philips, six years. Ad- dress : Paris Crossing, Jennings County, Ind.
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