USA > Kentucky > Golden jubilee of the general association of Colored Baptists in Kentucky : the story of 50 years' work from 1865-1915 including many photos and sketches, compiled from unpublished manuscripts and other sources > Part 12
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Braxton was its first pastor. This property having been owned by Miss Todd. She married Abraham Lincoln in the adjoining building. He conveyed the property through John D. Garis and his wife to F. Braxton, Trustee of the Independent Congregation. This was in 1863. The following constituted the Deacon Board : Nelson Maxwell (till the rest came from the war), John Graham, Paul Lewis, Jack Jonson, Geo. Lewis, Charles Oldham, John Ethic Brown. At the age of 19 Willis Coles joined the church and at the age of 24 years was added to the Board. The church prospered and many were added ; he often boasted of having baptized 3,000 persons and adding a membership of 2,000 to this one Church.
It was here the first Colored school was organ- ized and conducted by a man by the name of Rogers.
During the funeral of Brother Benjamin Taylor the building fell in. This was in 1869, and in 1870, he built the present house of worship, which stands to bless his memory with the coming years. He pastored them until his death, or 13 years.
Rev. Wm. Gray was the next pastor for six years. Under his administration it seemed for a while that new light had come with this intellectual giant, but after a short time internal dissensions began and Lansomboro Baptist, now known as Liberty Baptist Church, was born; this church also gave birth to Mt. Gilead, Houston, Braxtown, Madoxtown, Ft. Springs, Shiloh.
Rev. Eugene Evans was the next pastor and re- mained two years. He was indeed an organizer ; he at once restored order and did much good.
Rev. G. M. Moore was the next pastor ; he re- mained with them twelve years, paid the debt and made another improvement. Was very successful.
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Rev. Robt. Mitchell was the next pastor for two years. About the time he might have been of great service he was called to another charge. Rev. A. E. Edwards, succeeded him and remained two years. Rev. C. D. Douglas followed him and remained four years ; was a good pastor. Rev. R. T. Frye was the next pastor for six years. This was his first charge. He did much constructive work and paid on the old debts, etc. Rev. N. L. Cheek was the next pastor, three years. He did a great work in reconstructing the church and paid on the old debt. On account of his invincible stand he was not so much admired, but he will stand out in history as one of the great pastors of this church.
Rev. J. J. Mccutchen, D.D., the present pastor was born in Logan Co., at Shakertown. Brought up on the farm, enjoyed the common schools and converted at the age of 15 years. Began teaching at the age of sixteen or before he had reached his 17th year. Attended the academy at Bowling Green and graduated in 1891, with honors. Took a post course. Also Scientific Course from the Corre- spondence School in Danville, N. Y. Shorthand and typewriting, etc. First charge, Bristow, Ky., from there to Mt. Zion, Russellville, Ky., to Fairview, Mayfield, remained in charge ten years; resigned to take up Mission work in Western Kentucky, 1905. On the Field till October, 1913. During these years he demonstrated unusual ability as an evangelist and church builder and financier. Received the de- gree of D.D. at Eckstein Norton Institute, 1909.
Was called from the field to the Main Street Baptist Church and has been pastor about 18
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months, during which time 183 persons have been added to the membership and $5,000 improvement has been made on the property.
Present officers: B. C. Green, R. C. Speed, H. Davis, H. C. Porter, J. W. Miller, Sam Burde, John Rankins, Deacons; J. C. Snowden, B. C. Green and V. G. Drake, Trustees ; B. E. Smith, Financial Clerk; Annie B. Jackson, Corresponding Clerk; Marie S. Blackburn, Superintendent Sunday School; Estella Burdette, President B. Y. P. U .; Miss F. B. Jewett, President College Society ; Mrs. L. D. Jackson, Pres- ident Missionary Society; Mrs. Annie Boswell, President Choir.
JOSEPH FRANKLIN GREEN, LL.B.
Born at Corydon, Ky. Attended the Public Schools, State University and Central Law School, Louisville. Converted, 1908. Baptized by Rev. Wm. Dickerson. Ordained, 1912. Pastored one church. Rev. Green is the assistant pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Louisville.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH, BLOOMFIELD
Was organized, 1869, by Rev. Simon Grigsby. There were about ninety members who drew out from the white Baptist Church. Rev. Grigsby held a revival meeting the same year and added about 68 converts. He pastored this church, with the excep- tion of one year, until his death, 1887.
REV. GRAHAM FORD.
Born at Smith Grove, Warren Co., Ky., Rpril 5, 1870. Attended the common county schools. Car-
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penter by trade. Ordained, June 26, 1896. Pastored eight churches; erected three and baptized 275 per- sons. Taught school about six years. Rev. Ford pastors the following churches: Green Hill, War- ren Co .; Caney Fork, Allen Co .; Greenville, Allen Co .; Jim Town, Barren Co. He is moderator of the Liberty Baptist Association and chorister of the Liberty Sunday School Convention.
REV. JOHN FISHER, D.D.
Born in Shelby Co., Ky. Attended the public school at Hatten, Ky. Converted, 1873. Ordained, January 10, 1884. Pastored the following churches : Oakland, Maria Grove; Hopewell Baptist Church, Glasgow; South Union, Middletown, Indiana Ave- nue, Jeffersonville, Ind .; Rose Hill, Jeffersonville, Ind .; Main St. Baptist Church, Covington, Ky .; New Castle, Ky .; Brownsborough, Ky .; First Baptist Church, Paris, Ky .; First Baptist Church, Nicholas- ville, Ky .; Pleasant View, Evergreen Church, Law- renceburg, Ky .; Madoxtown; Centennial, Harrods- burg, Ky .; First Baptist Church, Winchester. Churches erected : Camp Branch and Woodburn. Baptized 1,500 persons. Rev. Fisher is now pastor- ing the Little Flock Baptist Church, Hancock St., Louisville. This is the fourth oldest church in Lou- isville. Rev. Fisher has been serving this church, as pastor, three years, during which time over 200 have been added to the church. He is ex-Moderator of the Consolidated Association and member of the Executive Board of the General Association.
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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON.
When the African Baptist Church, which was organized in the year of 1801, was split under the pastorate of its organizer, Rev. Captain, the Rev. London Ferrill took a part of the congregation, which is now known as the First Baptist Church of Lexington, Ky., and the other part of the congrega- tion, which is now the Pleasant Green Church, re- mained loyal to its pastor, who at the time was close to ninety years of age, a spirit which has character- ized the church until the present time. The church continued to worship at Maxwell and South Lime- stone for some time afterward, when the church is said to have moved its place of worship to Speigil's Hill, and from thence to a point near Second and North Upper Sts., where it seems to have remained until it removed to its present place of worship at Maxwell and Patterson Streets. Brother Captain died in the year 1823, with the happy distinction of being the organizer of the first Baptist church on this side of the Alleghanies, which according to the claims of this pioneer of Kentucky Baptists and host of his followers, both dead and living, is now the Pleasant Green Baptist Church of Lexington, Ky. The church believing its claim to be well found- ed, dates its organization from the year of our Lord, 1801, yet it is thought by some to have been organ- ized in the year of 1790. The records of the Fayette County Court show that the church continued to wear the name of African Church until about the year of 1829. The present property was bought from Dr. Frederick Ridgeley, August the 27, 1822;
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one month from the date (July, 1822), when Rev. Ferrill's congregation was received in the fellowship of the white Baptist church of this city. The deed is made to Harry Quills, Benjamin Admon and Sol- omon Walker, trustees of the African Church of Fayette County, Lexington, Ky. Because of an er- ror in describing the property, Dr. Ridgeley, made a second deed, May 28, 1823, in which the names of Harry Quills, Joseph Preston, Thomas Christian and William McDowell are mentioned as trustees. Since that time the church has erected three church houses. The first being a small frame house, which in order to erect and to make last payment on church lot, the church was forced to sell one-half of said property to Harry Quills, one of the trustees of the church. This building is said to have been destroyed by fire; then a small brick building was built in its stead which remained until the present house was erected under the pastorate of the Rev. Morris Bell, in 1872. It has since been remodeled and enlarged until it is now one of the most hand- some buildings in the State.
The church has played a large part in saving and developing the city of Lexington for God and His Christ. As an evidence of her interest in the edu- cation of the race, she points with pride to the fact that the city school was for a long time conducted within her walls. She has been no less active in the spread of the gospel and points with equal pride to the fact that she is the foster mother of the Ever- Green Baptist Church of the city, and has done and is doing much to encourage the smaller churches in the community.
The following is a list of succeeding pastors since its organization : First, Rev. Captain, from the year
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1801 to 1823, who according to Spencer's history of Kentucky Baptists, was born in Caroline County, Virginia, about 1733. He came to Lexington be- tween the years 1790 and 1797, where he soon began to exhort from house to house among his own peo- ple, which in short resulted in fifty or more conver- sions, who applied to him for baptism. Not being ordained, he refused their request until he could visit the South Kentucky Association accompanied by his converts, where he applied for ordination. The Association did not consider it proper to ordain him, since he was limited in his scholastic attainments, but gave the right hand of Christian affection, and directed him to go in the name of their common Master. Returning home, Brother Captain immersed this little band of believers and organized them into a church about the year of 1801. He continued to pastor this church with a great degree of success until the day of his death. After the death of Broth- er Captain, a Rev. Brother January was elected as his successor, the nature of which work and the length of his pastorate we are unable to give at this time. The same may be said of the Rev. George Brents, who is said to be a possible successor of Rev. January. In the year of 1855, the church called the immortal, George W. Dupee, as its pastor, who at that time was a slave. On January 1, 1856, he was sold at public auction at the court house door to Rev. Wm. Pratt and some others who allowed him to purchase his freedom. A large part of the money needed for this purpose was given by the Pleasant Green Baptist Church, an act to which the older members of the church often point with pride. Rev. Dupee resigned in 1864, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Morris Bell. The other pastors since
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the days of Bell are, Jacobs, J. M. Parrish, Lyons, Manuel, Howard, O. Durrett, J. B. Anderson, E. W. Hawthorne, H. W. Jones, and the present pastor, E. T. Offutt, who acepted the church, August 6, 1912, and since that time 200 or more members have been added to the church, and a collection of about $10,- 000 has been raised and expended. The church building has been renovated and one of the best pipe organs in the city has been installed. It has recently purchased two houses and lots adjacent to the church property. The church has a splendid Sunday School, B. Y. P. U., and a Missionary and Educa- tional Society. It has a membership of about one thousand which consists of some of the leading citi- zens of Lexington.
REV. ELMORE THEVALL OFFUTT, A.B., B.Th.
Born in Logan Co., Ky. Attended the common schools of Logan and Simpson counties and State University. Tanner by trade. Ordained, 1896. Pas- tored six churches and baptized about 500 persons. Rev. Offutt is pastor of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Lexington.
MRS. FANNIE R. GIVENS
An artist of national repute, who painted the picture of Hon. John R. Waller, Minister to Mada- gascar. It was presented to President Harrison and hung in the White House. She also painted a pic- ture of the home of a millionaire which called the at- tention of the art lovers, for which she was paid the
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sum of one thousand dollars. Another work of note was a painting of Countess Modjeska, the noted ac- tress.
She was the principal of the art department at the State University for some years. From that de- partment exhibits were sent to the World's Fair, Chicago, St. Louis and Buffalo, N. Y., by her pupils and found space with other art schools of the world.
"Spring Time" painted by Mrs. Givens took first place in an exhibition given by the white artists of Kentucky, where artists from New York and for- eign countries exhibited. The painting of Dr. Book- er Washington was so life-like that it caused Mr. Trotter of Boston, to lose his temper and demand that it be removed from "The Council" when it met at Louisville, Ky.
Mrs. Givens was the president of the Baptist Women's Missionary Convention, for some years, of the State of Kentucky. Is now field missionary for the Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention. She was a delegate to the World's Con- gress, 1905, that met in London, England. Mes- senger to the World's Missionary Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1910. Author of" Glimpses of the Old World" and music and words of "Hallelujah, He Is Risen," also a num- ber of poems that have been printed. Appeared as one of Dunbar's supporters and read her own poems in what Mr. Dunbar called "The Feast of Poetry," on the launching of his first book at the State University.
Head of the Art Department of State Federated Colored Women's Clubs of Kentucky, and the au- thor of "The National Historical Art Institute."
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DANVILLE, KY.
The First Baptist Church, Danville, one of the strongest and most influential churches in the State, was organized the first Saturday in August, 1846, with one hundred and twenty-three members. It was set apart by the white Baptists of Danville as an independent church, and the recognition services were held the following Sunday.
The Rev. Jordan Meaux was its first pastor. He was noted for his piety, godliness and deep spiritual life. He was succeeded as pastor by the Rev. Henry Green. Rev. Green was never a slave and was well educated for a man of his day. He was recognized as an able preacher and was a leader among his people.
The Rev. Isaac Slaughter was the third pastor of this historic church and for twenty-six years stood as a cedar of Lebanon among his people. He was a great Bible student and a fearless defender of the faith.
At his death Rev. Wallace Fisher, a young man who had been trained in the church under the pas- torate of Rev. Slaughter, supplied the pulpit for five months. He added over two hundred to its mem- bership. .
In August, 1892, Rev. David S. Slaughter as- sumed the pastorate of the church and served the same until the spring of 1898. He was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Wood, D.D., the present pastor.
The church has had marked success under the pastorate of Rev. Wood. One of the most modern and attractive church edifices in the State has been erected and paid for. Over seven hundred members
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have been added to the church and its contribu- tions to missions, Christian education and benevo- lences have been doubled.
This church operated a school in Danville for a number of years, known as the Baptist Academy. Mrs. Mary Bell Wallace was the teacher in this in- stitution and many of the foremost citizens in Boyle county owe their training and intellectual acquire- ments to her tutorage.
The church has a present membership of over nine hundred, a live Sunday School, Missionary So- ciety and B. Y. P. U. Society. Its present edifice is located at the corner of Second and Walnut streets ; and this property and furniture are easily worth $30,000.00. Its membership is composed of intelli- gent, progressive and spiritual men and women and exerts a strong influence for good in the community.
DEACON P. L. PARRISH
Of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Lexing- ton, is a prosperous Baptist in real estate, amounting to $25,000.00. He is prominent in local, civic and secret society work.
REV. THOS. H. SMITH
Born, June 2, 1882, in Fayette County. Baptized, 1891 ; ordained, 1910. Pastored four churches. Bap- tized 62 persons and is now the pastor of Zion Bap- tist Church, Georgetown, Ky.
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B. Y. P. U. CITY UNION By G. H. Winstead.
The Baptist Young People's Union in the city of Louisville, crystallized in the organization of the city union at the Calvary Baptist Church in the spring of 1901, representatives of Zion, Ninth St., Lampton St., Centennial and Antioch unions par- ticipating.
Rev. C. M. Hammonds was chosen president; Prof. G. E. Carter, Recording Secretary ; Rev. J. L. Mason, Vice-President. Mrs. Vienna Parker was the first missionary and began her remarkable ca- reer as a city mission worker in the B. Y. P. U. field. Prof. G. E. Carter and Mrs. Mattie E. Carter, as chorister and soloist began their career about this time in the city union. Voice culture and singing were at once made a prominent feature of the work. The present B. Y. P. U. chorus has charmed thou- sands and carried away laurels wherever they have gone.
Christian culture work was and is now a special feature of our work. The city union has trained and developed more Christian workers than any other society in our churches. We were the first to take up organized mission work among colored peo- ple in this city and nearly every one of our trained workers received their inspiration from the city union. Two of our ex-presidents are prominent ministers and all our membership are prominent workers in their churches. The city union is at pres- ent under the direction of President George Swani- gan, who is doing a great work in developing our young people and preparing them for Christian ser- vice .. The present organization is composed of the
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following local unions: Calvary, Green St., Lamp- ton St., Ninth St., Zion, Portland, Centennial, New Hope, Antioch, N St., Mt. Lebanon, Little Flock, Hill St., Virginia Ave., Beargrass, State University.
The B. Y. P. U. service is held in all these churches, Sunday evening, 7 to 8 p.m.
REV. MILTON CALBERT MCINTYRE.
Born at Wakeeney, Kansas, Trego County. At- tended State University. Farmer. Converted, 1902. Baptized by Rev. John Brock and was ordained, 1914.
LAMPTON BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized, 1866, under the lead- ership of Rev. Spencer Caldwell. It was then situ- ated on Caldwell Street between Preston and Jack- son and was called Caldwell Street Baptist Church. Rev. Spencer served six years before his death. Rev. P. Simco succeeded him and served 6 months. Rev. J. M. Harris was the next pastor under whose ad- ministration the church moved to Caldwell and Chestnut and from there to Hancock and Roselane, and then to Third between Breckinridge and Ken- tucky-then from there to Lampton St. While wor- shipping on Third Street in a carriage shop, they purchased the church on Lampton Street and called it Lampton Street Church. In 1881, Rev. Harris re- signed and Rev. C. C. Bates was called. The church's membership increased so rapidly it became neces- sary to have a larger building; therefore, an addi- tion was made to the church.
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Again in 1904, the membership had increased to such proportions that more room was needed and the present commodious building, on Hancock be- tween Madison and Chestnut was purchased at a cost of $9,000.00 and the name changed to Lampton Baptist Church. In 1907, the building was dam- aged by a storm. There was no tornado insurance on the building, but by December of the same year repairs were completed at a cost of $8,000. Rev. Bate pastored successfully until his death, June 3, 1914, having given 33 years of service to this con- gregation, finishing a brilliant career for the Lord. Rev. J. M. Williams, the present pastor, was called, December, 1914. He is one of Lampton's own sons. May success crown his labors.
REV. P. H. KENNEDY
Rev. P. H. Kennedy, D.D., was born September Ist, 1848, in Hardin county, Kentucky, two miles from Elizabethtown, Ky. Was converted in the year 1873, and was baptized in the fellowship of the First Baptist church by Rev. G. W. Seales, Clarks- ville, Tenn., and, in a way, entered the ministry at once-the same day. His first call was to the Bap- tist church at Leitchfield, Ky., jointly with the Bap- tist church, Greenville, Ky. He was next appointed Missionary for the First District Association joint- ly with the then State Sunday School Convention.
He also enjoyed the following calls and appoint- ments but did not serve: Baptist churches, New- port, Ky., and South Carrollton; Missionary for the what is known now as the Consolidated Educational Association at Covington, Ky. He afterward ac- cepted an appointment as State Missionary. Back
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to the pastorate, Poplar Street Baptist church, Pa- ducah, Ky .; First Baptist church, Henderson, Ky .; Morgan Street Baptist church, Boonville, Mo .; Cor- rinthian Baptist church, Indianapolis, Ind.
Back to the Missionary work, for the last twenty- seven years he has served the State of Kentucky as General Missionary. He has entered upon his twen- ty-eighth year's service. A systematic history of the Missionary work can be had by getting one of Dr. Kennedy's late charts.
"N" ST. BAPTIST CHURCH
Was organized in 1899, in the Fifth St. Baptist Church. The following ministers have pastored in their order: Revs. S. Whallen, - Jewell, T. J. Lewis, Finis Edmundson, L. A. McIntyre, Andrew Webber and the present pastor, Rev. Paul C. Cayce, D.D. It was organized with five members and num- bers now 200. Rev. Cayce was born in Christian county, about five miles from Hopkinsville on the Richgrove Farm, owned by John Clark. He began preaching in 1896, and was ordained, 1899, in the Church Hill Baptist church, where he pastored two years. He has pastored the following churches : Oak Grove, Madisonville; St. James, Robards, Ky .; First Baptist, Mt. Vernon, Ill .; Good Shepherd and "N" Street Louisville. He has traveled as an evan- gelist and conducted revivals in eleven states. Has added to different churches about 3,000 members.
REV. RUTHERFORD HAYES HUGHES.
Born at Glasgow, Ky., January 7, 1877. Attend- ed the public school. Carpenter by trade. Or- dained, March 29, 1906, at Louisville. Pastored two
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churches, erected one and baptized 150 persons. Rev. Hughes is pastoring Gethsemane Baptist church, which church he organized, May 3, 1910, with nine converts, which were the result of a re- vival meeting conducted by Rev. Hughes. The present site was purchased, September 1, 1910, and present building completed, April, 1911. Cleared from all debts, September 1, 1912.
REV. WILLIAM MATTHEW JOHNSON, D.D.
Born in Shelby County, Ky., October 2, 1868. Attended State University. Converted in 1887; joined Green St. Baptist Church and was baptized by Dr. D. A. Gaddie. Licensed to preach 1893, and ordained, 1894. He pastored the following: St. Luke Baptist Church, Long Run, Ky., two and one- half years; St. John Baptist Church, now known as Antioch Baptist Church, Louisville, two years; re- ceived call to present charge, 1898. Purchased new church home on Chestnut Street, near 18th St., 1906. Entered new building first Sunday in May, 1907. Property valued at $20,000.00. He has baptized 960 persons.
NINTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
Of which Rev. William M. Johnson is pastor, was the consolidation of two bodies, The Shiloh Baptist Church and another small body in 1886. This organization purchased property on Ninth St., between Broadway and Magazine and gave itself the name "Ninth Street Baptist Church." The follow- ing ministers have pastored in their order: Revs. J. M. Morton, - Jackson, A. A. Russell, Rhodes, J. M. Burley and the present pastor, Rev. William M. Johnson, D.D.
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WILLIAM THOMAS AMIGER
Son of Rowland and Margaret (Alexander) Amiger, born in Culpeper, Va., July 16, 1870. Baptized by Rev. R. H. Carey, Beulah Baptist Church, Sept., 1885. United with the Baptist Church. Attended Wayland Seminary, Washington, D. C .; State Nor- mal School, Geneseo, N. Y .; Lincoln University, Chester County, Pa .; Newton Theological Semi- nary, Newton Center, Mass. Received the follow- ing degrees : A.B., A.M., S.T.B., S.T.D., D.D., LL. D. In 1892, at Rochester, N. Y., he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Green. There are four children, Naomi, Rowland Kittredge, Ruth, and Eleanor. Was supply pastor at Ocean City, N. J .; West Newton, Mass. Called to the pastorate of the Third Baptist Church of Springfield, Mass., May, 1903; ordained at Cambridge, Mass., June, 1903. Served the Third Baptist Church, Springfield, 1903- 1908. Baptized 175 persons, united in marriage sev- enty couples. Was called to the presidency of State University in 1908. Member National Geographical Society, Religious Education Association, National Teachers' Association. Has written the following booklets: "The Hands of Jesus," "Studies in An- thropology," "Miracles of Messiah," "Inductive and Deductive Hebrew Lessons."
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