USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 24
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She has sent out the following ministers, with per- haps others of which we have no account: Elder Daniel Smith, ordained in the fall of 1824, by Elders John Wiseman and Miles West; Elder E. B. Haynie, ordained in May, 1832, by Elders Miles West, W. C. Bransford and Daniel Smith; Elder R. B. Davis, or- dained August 20, 1887, by Elders D. W. Smith, J. C. Brien, W. H. Smith, M. B. Ramsey, E. L. Smith and T. A. Hudson.
This church has had a remarkable record. We have no means of knowing how many have found a home in this old church since she first unfurled her banner in
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1812. Perhaps the number would not fall far short of 2,000. At one time they numbered nearly 400. They number at present 211. This is one of the greatest places for the multitudes to assemble to hear the word preached known to this author. They have built sev- eral houses of worship and, within the past few years, 'have built a neat frame building.
This church first united with Concord Association in 1812, while in session with Hopewell Church, Sum- ner County, Tennessee. In 1822 she became a con- stituent member of Salem Association, and repre- sented annually in that body until 1850; then she went into the constitution of Enon Association, where she still continues to represent. This church was never disturbed by the anti-mission rupture of 1837. Allow me to say, in this connection, that Peyton's Creek, and her contemporary churches, are much older than the present so-called "Primitive Baptists." They were here, looking after the Master's business in these hills and hollows, long before such a thing as the "Primi- tive" Baptists were ever heard of. May the colors never trail in the dust about old Peyton's Creek.
LAFAYETTE.
This church is located in the town of Lafayette, the county seat of Macon County, Tennessee. This is on the High Land Rim in the northern part of the State. This church is an offspring of Liberty church and was gathered through the ministry of Elder Daniel Smith. They were constituted an independent church A. D. 1849, prior to the meeting of the Association in that date. The number in the organization is not known. They brought a constituency of twelve mem- bers into the Association. The constituting presbytery
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consisted of Elders Daniel Smith and Wm. C. Brans- ford. The town in which this church is situated is an inland town, beautifully situated, and has a popu- lation of some 1,200 souls.
PASTORS: Elder Daniel Smith, 1849-54 : Elder W. H. Maddox, 1854-55 ; Elder E. G. Cartwright, 1855- 56; Elder W. H. Maddox, 1856-58; Elder Willis Turner, 1858-66; Elder D. W. Smith, 1866-72; Elder Giles C. Harris, 1872-74; Elder J. H. Jackson, 1874- 76; Elder D. W. Smith, 1876-78; Elder John Mc- Kinnis, 1878-83; Elder W. L. Buie, 1883-85; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1885-91; Elder A. Malone, 1891- 1900 ; Elder J. H. Swann, 1900 to the present.
CLERKS : M. N. Alexander, 1849-66; Smith Meador, 1866-80; W. M. Gammons, 1880 to the present.
DEACONS : The present deacons are Alexander Jenkins, Miles West, W. H. Smith and W. A. John- son.
This church has had quite a struggle for existence. It has been war with the Campbellites-"war to the knife and the knife to the hilt." But the God of all grace has brought the truth out victorious, and the church was never so prosperous as now. They num- ber at present 109. This church united with Salem Association in 1849, while in session with Bethel Church, near Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Ten- nessee. In the next year they went into the consti- tution of Enon Association and represented in that body until 1891, when they went into the organization of Wiseman Association. May their light never grow dim. They have a splendid house of worship, well located.
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SMITH'S CHAPEL.
This church is located on the north side of Cum- berland River, on the road leading from Carthage to Gainsboro, in the Fourteenth Civil District of Jackson County, Tennessee.
The church was constituted in a schoolhouse, No- vember 5, 1894, by Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, with seven members; two from Plunkett's Creek Church, one from New Hope, DeKalb County, and four from Lib- erty Church, Jackson County.
PASTORS : Elder T. H. Vantrease, 1894-97 ; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1899; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 1900-01 ; Elder J. L. Talmon, 1902.
CLERKS: D. A. Tyree, 1894-97 ; Ben Taylor, 1897 to the present.
DEACONS : D. A. Tyree, 1895; Joseph Williams, 1895 ; Ben Taylor, 1895.
They have had eighteen members on the roll. They number at present only twelve.
They have ordained one minister, Elder T. H. Van- trease, ordained April 7, 1895, by Elders S. N. Fitzpatrick and R. B. Davis, with a number of deacons.
This church united with Enon Association in 1895, and have represented in this body annually to the present.
They have no house of worship, but hold their serv- ices in a schoolhouse. They have secured a lot most admirably located, some two miles from where they worship now, on the waters of Salt Lick Creek. They have part of the lumber and expect to erect a house of worship on this lot within this year. This is an important point, which should not be neglected.
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ENON.
This church is located on the waters of Big Salt Lick Creek, eleven miles northeast of Lafayette, in Macon County, Tennessee. This. church is an off- spring of old Liberty Church. In A. D. 1853 Lib- erty Church extended an arm to Hickory Grove Camp Ground-presumably a schoolhouse. They worshiped here as an arm of Liberty Church for a year or so, when they were constituted into an independent church, April 3, 1854, with seventeen members and taking the name of Enon. The constituting presbytery consisted of Elders Andrew Jackson, Washington Glover and L. A. Smithwick, with Deacon Randall Smith. In the constitution Elder Andrew Jackson acted as moderator and L. A. Smithwick as clerk. From the best infor- mation obtainable, it seems this church was gathered through the ministry of Elder Andrew Jackson, who became the first pastor.
PASTORS: Elder Andrew Jackson, 1854-59; Elder Washington Glover, 1859-61 ; (war vacancy ;) Elder S. B. Harper, 1866-67; Elder John Patterson, 1867-89; Elder Harrison Evans, 1890-91 ; Elder John Patterson, 1891 ; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1891-92; Elder John Pat- terson, 1892-94; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1894-96; El- der John Patterson, 1896-97; Elder J. H. Swann, 1897-1902.
CLERKS : WV. B. Meador, 1854-57; W. M. Wood- cock, 1857-61 ; (war vacancy ;) Wm. Gentry, 1866-72; I. P. Meador, 1880-81 ; Daniel Smith, 1881-85 : C. N. Patterson, 1885-86; Robt. Dotson, 1886; W. T. Meador, 1886-88; Daniel Smith, 1888-91 ; T. F. Dot- son, 1891-96; T. M. Kirby, 1896-97; Thos. Wilson, 1897; E. M. Meador, 1897-98; W. W. Wilson, 1898- 1902.
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DEACONS : John Harlan, 1854; William Dunlap, 1854 ; J. C. Harlan, 1865; W. B. Meador, 1865 ; T. S. Meador, 1865 ; T. F. Dotson, 1894; Thos. Kirly, 1894; Wiseman Deckard, 1894; E. M. Meador, 1897; O. K. Harlin, 1897; McCager Dotson 1897.
Elder Stephen B. Harper was ordained to the mini- istry on Friday before the third Sunday in May, 1860.
In December, 1872, William Gentry was licensed to preach. The church held no services during the Civil War. She united with Enon Association in 1854, while in session with Peyton's Creek Church, having at that time thirty members. She continues to repre- sent in this body to the present. She now numbers forty members, and has a fair house of worship. This church has seen better days, once numbering one hun- dred. She has had some noble spirits in her ranks. This is the Christian home of Elder John Patterson, one of the noblest Christian spirits of this age. He is now waiting for the summons home. This is the birth- place and home church of W. M. Woodcock, of Nash- ville.
CEDAR BLUFF.
This church is located six miles north of Hartsville on the head waters of Goose Creek, Macon County, Tennessee. They were constituted into an independ- ent church July 29, 1887, with seven members from different churches. The constituting Presbytery con- sisted of the following coming from a number of dif- ferent churches, viz .: Elders J. F. Lambert and J. J. Dyer, with Deacons A. J. Robinson, Gus Fuqua, R. W. Mason, A. J. Claiborn and Henry G. Gammon. Elder J. F. Lambert acted as moderator, and, im- mediately after organizing, a number of converts were received for baptism.
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PASTORS : Elder C. N. Simmons, 1887-94; Elder J. L. Hawkins, 1894-99; Elder J. W. McQueen, 1899- 1901 ; Elder C. N. Simmons, 1901-02.
CLERKS: A. T. Bransford, 1887-89; B. R. Reid, 1889-91 ; D. H. White, 1891-95; J. W. Blankenship, 1895-1900; D. H. White, 1900-02.
DEACONS: Dock Cothron, 1887 ; D. A. H. White, 1887 ; P. E. Livingston, 1887; J. D. White, 1887.
This church, with a constituency of sixteen mem- bers, united with Enon Association in 1887, while in session with Dixon's Creek Church. They represented in that body until 1891, when they became a con- stituent member of Wiseman Association. This church has the distinguished honor of being the birth- place of Wiseman Association. This has never grown to be a strong church, but has always been an active, thrifty body. They are located in a broken, but very fertile section, and number at present forty-four mem- bers.
PLEASANT GROVE.
This church is situated on the High Land Rim, in the northeastern part of Sumner County, Tennessee, near the railroad town of Westmoreland. This church was constituted December 3, 1881, with fifteen charter members, five males and ten females. The council or presbytery, which constituted this church consisted of Elders J. S. Pardue, A. H. Rather, W. M. S. Wilks and I. M. Ashlock, with Deacons J. G. Pardue, J. M. Jones and J. M. Pardue.
PASTORS : Elder A. H. Rather, 1881-83 ; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1883-85 ; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1885-86; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1886-87 ; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1887-88; Elder J. S. Meador, 1888-89; supplied by
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Elders J. F. Lambert and C. N. Simmons, 1889-93 ; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1893-95 ; Elder A. Malone, 1895- 96; Elder J. S. Pardue, 1896-97; Elder C. N. Sim- mons, 1897-1902.
CLERKS: F. M. Atkerson, 1881-87; W. A. Dorris, 1887-1902.
DEACONS : A. M. Gammon, 1881 ; C. T. Hawkins, 1881.
This church has had sixty-four members on their roll since the constitution. They number at present twenty-eight members. They have a good house of worship, and, though but few in number, have a good live membership.
They united with Enon Association in 1882, while in session with New Harmony Church. They num- bered at that time twenty-nine members. They rep- resented in that body until 1891, when they went into the constitution of Wiseman Association, where they continue to represent.
ANTIOCH.
This church is located seven miles northeast of La- fayette, Macon County, Tennessee. This church was constituted Saturday before the second Sunday in March, 1874, and is an offspring of Liberty Church, drawing all of the constituent members from that staid old church. They were constituted with eleven mem- bers. The records of this church have been burned and the following is approximated by personal testi- miony.
PASTORS : Elder W. L. Buie served eleven years ; Elder J. S. Meador, two years ; Elder J. B. R. Knight, twelve years ; Elder T. W. Matthews, two years ; Elder J. B. R. Knight is the present pastor.
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CLERKS: The following have served as clerks in the following order, but time not known: J. F. Free- man, H. H. Tucker, F. P. Harwood, W. W. Tucker, Daniel W. Smith, H. S. Cook, Milton Shaw, G. G. Tucker, H. S. Cook.
DEACONS: The following deacons are given, but date of ordination not known: C. B. Holland, Abra- ham Freeman and M. B. Freeman. These were the early deacons. The later ones are J. F. Freeman, Isaac Meador, W. T. Fox and W. P. Holland.
This church is enjoying a wonderful degree of pros- perity at this time, having, within the last year, added fifty-three members to their number. They now have a membership of 161. They united with Enon Asso- ciation in 1874, while in session with Enon Church, Macon County, Tennessee. They have represented annually in this body to the present.
BELLWOOD.
This church is situated in the town of Willette, twelve miles east of Lafayette, Macon County, Ten- nessee. The church was constituted with twenty mem- bers on Friday before the first Sunday in July, 1855. The constituent members perhaps came from a num- ber of surrounding churches. The presbytery which constituted this church consisted of the following: Elders Daniel Smith, L. A. Smithwick and D. W. Smith, with Deacons John Shoulders, Richard Wil- liams, G. Owen and Alfred Gibbs.
The church, at the organization, was located on the ridge some little distance below where the house of worship now stands and was given the name of Timber Ridge Church. They retained this name until about 1884, when the present elegant house of worship was
370 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
constructed and the name changed to Bellwood. This church can boast of the following able ministry as their
PASTORS : Elder L. A. Smithwick, Elder D. W. Smith, Elder L. A. Minick, Elder John Patterson, El- der Washington Glover, Elder Willis Turner, Elder T. W. Matthews, Elder W. M. Kuykendall, Elder Wm. Shelton, Jr., Elder M. B. Ramsey, Elder W. H. Smith, Elder John Washburn, Elder W. S. Drury, Elder T. A. Hudson, Elder J. H. Swann, Elder W. J. Watson, Elder J. S. Pardue and G. W. Ramsey, the present pastor.
CLERKS: The following have served as clerks of this church, viz .: E. B. Kemp, Thomas Jones, G. H. Wakefield, A. P. Kemp and W. C. Jones, the present clerk.
DEACONS : Alfred Gibbs, J. C. Kirby and John Evans have passed to their reward. Those still living are Thomas Jones, 1873; W. C. Jones, A. P. Kemp, Allen Kemp and J. S. Russell.
Elder J. A. McKinnis was licensed by this church in August, 1871, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by this church on Saturday be- fore the fifth Sunday in June, 1873, by Elders L. A. Smithwick, D. W. Smith and L. A. Minick, with Deacons Richard Williams, Alfred Gibbs, J. C. Kirby and John Evans.
Elder B. A. Copass was ordained on Friday before the fourth Sunday in July, 1887, by Elders W. H. Smith, D. W. Smith, T. A. Hudson, M. B. Ramsey and T. W. Matthews, with Deacons Wiley Jones, Thomas Jones, J. M. Williams, A. P. Kemp, Allen Kemp, W. H. Graves, W. J. Jones and King Robin- son.
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Elder Don Q. Smith was ordained in February, 1898, by Elders G. W. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, M. H. Drury and J. H. Swann, with Deacons J. M. Wil- liams, Thomas Jones, A. P. Kemp, Allen Kemp and W. C. Jones.
They sent out a colony in 1874 to form Pleasant Valley Church on Jenning's Creek, in Jackson County.
This church has a membership of sixty-four. Alto- gether, this church has a fine record. They united with Enon Association in 1855, when convened with Second Creek Church. They have represented an- nually in this body to the present.
RUSSELL HILL.
This church is located on the Carthage road, twelve miles south of Lafayette, in Macon County, Tennes- see. The church was constituted in Brackett's school- house, August 14, 1885, with seventeen members. These members were perhaps from different surround- ing churches. The presbytery consisted of Elders D. W. Smith, H. W. Pickett, Jr., E. L. Smith, M. B. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, S. B. Harper, T. A. Hud- son and John Smith, with Deacons Wiley Jones, W. H. Graves, Thomas Jones, A. P. Kemp, J. C. Kirby, A. M. Gibbs, W. C. Kennedy and W. S. Towns.
They adopted the Abstract of Principles of Enon Association. This church was probably gathered through the ministry of Elder H. W. Pickett, Jr., who was immediately called as pastor of the church.
PASTORS: Elder H. W. Pickett,: Jr., 1885; Elder M. B. Ramsey, four years; Elder E. L. Smith, two years ; Elder T. W. Matthews, two years ; Elder J. H. Swann, two years; Elder G. W. Ramsey, one year ; Elder M. B. Ramsey, till 1892. Elder C. E. Ramsey is the present pastor.
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CLERKS: J. M. Hall, G. W. Ramsey, J. J. Dillahay, Mollie Jenkins and W. A. Ivins, the present clerk.
DEACONS : Joseph Covington, 1885; William Rus- sell, 1885; King Robinson, 1885; George Canter, 1885; William A. Ivins, 1890; James Russell, 1890; J. M. Hall, 1890.
Elder G. W. Ramsey was ordained by this church cn Friday before the fifth Sunday in August, 1897, by Elders T. A. Hudson, T. W. Matthews, W. M. S. Wilks, J. H. Swann, M. B. Ramsey, J. F. Lambert and E. L. Smith, and a large number of deacons.
This church has a neat house of worship, beautifully located. They now number forty-seven members. They united with Enon Association in 1885, while in session with Pleasant Grove Church, Sumner County, Tennessee. They have represented annually in this body to the present.
EBENEZER.
This thriving church is located on the waters of Peyton's Creek at the foot of the dividing ridge, be- tween this and Dixon's Creek. This is a very broken, but fertile section with a dense population. It was once regarded as an uncultured, immoral community, without church or anything to make it a desirable place of residence. Lands were cheap and the citizenship, who, in the main, were honest yeomanry, but lacked the essentials of the Christian life, were almost shut off from the outside world. This community is found in the southern part of Macon County, Tennessee, nine miles south of Lafayette. The faithful Baptist min- isters of the surrounding country, perhaps led by El- der L. A. Minick, carried the gospel into this section. It was at once seen that they were ripe for the harvest
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and it was deemed expedient to constitute a church in their midst. The church was constituted with four- teen members, seven males and seven females, at Brown's schoolhouse, October 4, 1871. The follow- ing constituted the presbytery, viz .: Elders D. W. Smith and L. A. Minick, with Deacons J. G. Jenkins, J. Evans, Thomas Gammon and D. J. Smith. These brethren knew not how wisely they built.
PASTORS : Elder L. A. Minick, 1871-84; Elder E. L. Smith, 1884-92; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1892-1900; Elder R. B. Davis, 1900, to the present, 1902.
CLERKS: F. J. Cartwright, 1871-82; T. J. Hargis, 1882-1901 ; W. C. Gregory, 1901, to the present.
DEACONS : H. A. Gammons, 1871 ; W. R. Cothron, 1871; John Buie, 1871; T. M. Cothron, 1888; A. J. Massey, 1888; James Cothron, 1888.
They have enrolled since their organization about 366 members. They number 201 at present. It would be difficult to estimate the work of this church. This is now a community with a fine state of morals, all interested in the church and the prosperity of Zion. Land has wonderfully advanced in valuation, and the community has a prosperous moral citizenship.
Just two days after the constitution this church united with Enon Association, while in session with the church at Hartsville. They have represented an- nually in this body from then to the present and are in a prosperous condition.
SYCAMORE VALLEY.
This church is located on the waters of Peyton's Creek, nine miles southeast of Lafayette, Macon County, Tennessee. They were constituted on Sat- urday before the fourth Sunday in March, 1889, in
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the Sycamore Valley schoolhouse. They were consti- tuted with twenty-one members by the following pres- bytery, viz .: Elders E. L. Smith and R. B. Davis, with Deacons Wiley Kemp, W. A. Hargis, E. F. Tuck, J. M. Williams, W. C. Porter, A. J. Massey, H. A. Gammons, Wesley Cothron, T. M. Cothron, W. R. Cothron, J. C. Nixon, J. H. Williams and King Rob- inson.
This church is an offspring of Mt. Tabor Church and was gathered largely through the ministry of Elder E. L. Smith.
PASTORS: Elder E. L. Smith, 1889-95 ; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1895-98; Elder E. L. Smith, 1898-99; El- der R. B. Davis, 1899 to the present, 1902.
CLERKS: W. N. Uhles and W. W. Tuck, dates of service not given.
DEACONS: P. W. Oliver, 1890; John A. Gregory, 1890; H. S. Gregory, 1890; John Russell, 1899; George W. Jenkins, 1899.
This church has constructed a neat house of wor- ship and is enjoying both peace and prosperity, and is wielding a great influence for good. This young church has a fine record so far. May she live long to do good. Their present membership is 113. They united with Enon Association in 1889, while in session with Hopewell Church, Sumner County, Tennessee. They have represented annually in this body from that time to the present.
HILLSDALE.
This church is an offspring of Dixon's Creek Church and is one of the oldest churches in this sec- tion. The church is situated at Hillsdale, on the East Fork of Goose Creek, Macon County, Tennessee.
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They were constituted an independent church, at what was known as Ellis' churchhonse, one mile east of Meadorville, in what was then Smith County, July 16, 1817, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Miles West, John Wiseman, Joseph Sitton and Malcom Smith and Deacon William Martin. The church was given the name, at the organization, of East Fork Goose Creek, by which they were known for half a century. This church is located in one of the most fertile sections in Middle Tennessee.
This church was mainly gathered through the min- istry of Elder Hiram Casey, who also became one of the constituent members, and was installed as pastor at the organization.
PASTORS: Elder Hiram Casey, 1817, to November, 1824, when he resigned and moved to Hardeman County, Tennessee; Elder Malcom Smith, 1824, to August 25, 1827, when he was called from labor here below to refreshments on high; Elder William C. Bransford, 1827, to November 3, 1851, when he, too, went to his reward; Elder William Simmons, 1852; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1853-55 ; Elder William H. Mad- dox, 1856-57; Elder James Barrett, 1858-60; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1866-71 ; Elder W. O. Bailey, 1871-72; Elder William H. Haile, 1872-77 ; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1877-78; Elder T. J. Ham, 1879-83; Elder W. H. Smith, 1883-85; Elder William Shelton, Jr., 1885-86; Elder C. N. Simmons, 1886-87; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1888-89 ; Elder A. Malone, 1890-92; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1893-1901 ; Elder G. W. Sherman, 1901-02. They are at present without a pastor.
CLERKS: The first clerk of which we find any record is Moses B. Freeman. At what date he began we do not know. He was clerk in 1835, and closed
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his service in November, 1838; Jacob S. Johnson, 1838-42; N. M. Adams, 1843-48; John S. Johnson, 1848-92, a period of forty-four years, when death finally released him; J. W. Cothron, 1892 to the present, 1902. It should be stated just here that John F. Bransford was elected clerk, November, 1842, and served four months, when he was drowned in the Mis- sissippi River, while en route to New Orleans on a flat boat.
DEACONS: Dates cannot be given of the early dea- cons, which are as follows, so far as we can ascertain : James Jones, Wamack Parker, Dempsey Parker, Stephen Holland, Jacob S. Johnson, 1842; Wilson T. Meador, 1845; Wm. C. Johnson, 1866; Lambert M. Cothron, 1866; Wm. W. Bransford, 1855; Jonathan A. Parker, 1882; T. J. McClard, 1895; T. J. Thomp- son, 1895; Andrew C. Meador, 1895.
This church has ordained and sent out the following ministers : Elders Thos. D. Johnson and Henry Roark, ordained in 1842, by Elders William C. Brans- ford, Daniel Smith and William Simmons; Elder W. O. Bailey, ordained May, 1871, by Elders Geo. W. Griffin, W. H. Haile and Josiah J. Wiseman.
They have also, in whole or in part, sent out the following churches, viz .: Lafayette, 1849; New Harmony, 1848; Meadorville, 1869.
This church worshiped near where they were con- stituted for some time when they moved to Meador- ville. They worshiped at that point until their wor- ship was interrupted by the Civil War. At the close of the war the church was in a disorganized condi- tion; but a few of them got together and agreed to move their place of worship to where the church now is located, and called Elder E. B. Haynie as pastor.
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They worshiped, for a time, in a schoolhouse, then the neat house in which they now worship was erected and the name of the church changed from East Fork Goose Creek to Hillsdale.
The era of prosperity with this church seems to have begun with the pastorate of Elder W. C. Brans- ford. They increased in membership, in a few years, from twenty-nine to 108. This church has enrolled about 882 members during her existence and numbers at present 145.
This church united with Concord Association in 1817, while in session with Hickman's Creek Church, Smith County, Tennessee. She became a constituent member of Salem Association in 1822, also of Enon in 1850, and again of Wiseman in 1891, where she continues to represent at the present.
This church was not materially affected by the mis- sion troubles of 1837. Some twelve of their members went off with the Hardshells, but the great body of the church remained intact.
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