USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 6
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PASTORS: Elder T. C. Brien was first pastor, serv- ing till October, 1880. It might be said here that he served there ten months before organization. Elder J. H. Grime was pastor from 1880-81 ; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1882-83; Elder J. H. Grime, 1883-84: Elder J. H. Vickers, 1884-87 : Elder William Simpson, 1887- 89 : Elder W. E. Raikes, 1889-92 : Elder A. C. Webb, 1892-93 ; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1893-97; Elder J. A. McClusky, 1897-98: Elder Stephen Robinson, 1898, and is the present pastor.
CLERKS: H. A. Hill, 1880-82 : R. W. Cooper, 1882- 83; W. M. Hill, 1883-84; J. B. Henley, 1884-86; A. S. Malone, 1886-87; D. M. Hill, 1887: W. M. Hill. 1887-89: D. H. Hill, 1880-90: J. B. Henley. 1890-91; W. M. Hill, 1801-92; N. H. Grandstaff, 1892-94; E. Yeargin, 1894-95; Robert Cooper, 1895-
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97; John F. Yeargin, 1897, and is still serving as clerk.
DEACONS: James Malone, 1880; William O'Neal, 1880; S. R. Sandlin, 1880; Isaac Cooper, 1885; J. S. Ayers, 1885; A. S. Malone, J. M. Henley, G. H. At- nip, N. H. Grandstaff, Wesley Crook. For the last five no dates are given.
This church has sent out one preacher, Elder Stephen Robinson, the present pastor. He was a Methodist minister and joined this church and was ordained by this church September, 1897, by a Presbytery consist- ing of Elders J. M. Stewart, J. H. Davis, J. A. Mc- Clusky and Deacons William Robinson and T. M. Givan.
This church has had a total membership since the organization of 160 members. The present member- ship is 77.
This church had a very prosperous history for a few years after its constitution, but of late years many things have hindered its progress. It is in a place where its work is much needed and it contains some faithful spirits.
SMITH'S FORX.
This old church is situated near the little town of Statesville, Wilson County, Tenn., six miles south of Watertown, on the head waters of Smith's Fork Creek. This church is an offspring of Big Cedar Lick Church (now Mt. Olivet, at Leeville, Wilson County, Tenn.). In the very early part of the nine- teenth century Elder Moore Stevenson, pastor of Big Cedar Lick Church, established an arm of said church on the head waters of Bradley's Creek, some five miles south of Statesville. This arm was fostered till the
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coming from Virginia of Elder Joshua Lester in the fall of 1805. He settled near Statesville and took charge of this interest. On May 17, 1856, this arm was moved to the present location and constituted into an independent church by Elders Joshua Lester and John Jones, pastor of Spring Creek. This is the third church constituted in Wilson County, Big Cedar Lick and Spring Creek being older. Round Lick is older, but was constituted in Smith County. This
DEACON DAVID B. SMITH.
church when constituted numbered twenty-eight mem- bers.
This church when first constituted was known as Hodges Meeting House. This name was derived from a family by that name, which afterward re- moved to Henderson County, Tenn. The old man, Jesse Hodges, was a Revolutionary soldier, and has a
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grandson, if still living, William J. Hodges, who is an eminent Baptist minister in Henderson County. This name was carried by this church till about 1812, from which time it has been known as Smith's Fork.
They adopted a strong Baptist Confession of Faith, from which we take the following: "Art. 9. We be- lieve in like manner the elect shall not only be called, justified, but they shall be converted, born again, and changed by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit."
"Art. 16. We believe that no minister has a right to the administration of the ordinances, only such as are regularly called and come under the imposition of hands by the Presbytery."
PASTORS: Elder Joshua Lester, 1806-43 ; Elder H. W. Pickett, 1843-47 ; Elder John Bond, 1847-48; Elder H. W. Pickett, 1848-60; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1860- 79; Elder James H. Jackson, 1879-80; Elder John T. Oakley, 1880-85; Elder J. H. Grime, 1885-86; Elder S. T. Alsup, 1886-90; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1890, and is present pastor.
CLERKS: P. Collins, 1806-08; C. Word, 1808-1816; William McHaney, 1816-19; John A. Smith was clerk in 1835 and W. S. Bailey in 1840; Abner Witt, 1841- 42; R. C. Jennings, 1842-52; J. L. Jennings, 1852-61 ; W. D. Jennings, 1861-71; J. S. Jennings, 1871-75; J. B. Johnson, 1875-79; B. C. Hale, 1879-84; W. W. Jones, 1884-90; A. J. Dunn, 1890-95 ; W. A. McMillen, 1895, and still continues at present.
DEACONS: James Cross, 1806; William Longmire, 1806; Peter Pool, 1806; P. Collins, 1808; Shadrack Smith, Sr., John Jennings, John Dillon and John Ward (dates not given) ; David Smith, 1842; Man- son Lester, 1842; William King, 1845; R. C. Jen- nings, 1845; William Jones, 1852; J. R. Jennings,
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1852; G. W. Jennings, 1852; James Jones, 1869; F. M. Persell, 1869; J. L. Jennings, 1869; D. F. Whit- lock, 1871; Z. McMillen, 1871; J. H. Davis, 1875; W. A. McMillen, 1879; Dr. J. M. Turney, 1880; James McMillen, 1894; A. J. Jennings, 1894.
This church has sent out, in whole or in part, the following churches : Marion, Auburn, Bradley's Creek, Union (Hurricane), Falling Creek, Ramah, Green Vale, Prosperity and Enon.
MINISTERS SENT OUT: James Bond and John Bond were licensed by this church. The following have been ordained by this church, viz .: Presley Les- ter, ordained 1815; John Whitlock, Washington S. Bailey, H. W. Pickett, ordained August 14, 1824; John E. Sullivan, ordained 1856; J. M. Phillips, or- dained November, 1865, by Elders L. H. Bethel, J. J. Martin, H. Bass, J. M. D. Cates and H. W. Pickett ; W. E. Raikes, ordained November, 1878, by Elders J. M. D. Cates and J. J. Martin.
Since 1840, as far back as we have data, there have been about 900 members belonging to this church. As early as 1821 this church had 235 members, and this after sending out some churches. It would be safe to say that this church has furnished a Christian home since its constitution for some 1,500 persons. In 1812 fifty persons were baptized and 100 in . 1819. The present membership is 170. This is still a good church with a noble membership, but has not the prosperity of which it could once boast. It might be of some interest to know that the same log wall, which was once called "Hodges Meeting House," and in which this church worshiped at the begin- ning, has been moved, and is still in use by Brother W. W. Jones as a part of his dwelling.
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This church has had one of the most enviable rec- ords of any church in this section, and it is to be hoped that still greater usefulness awaits her in years to come.
I feel it would be an injustice not to make mention especially of Deacon David B. Smith. It was he that made much contained in these pages possible, by pre- serving a file of the minutes of Salem Association. He was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, Sep- tember 24, 1804. He came to Tennessee and united with Smith's Fork Baptist Church November, 1819, and was made deacon of said church in 1842. He was treasurer of the Association thirty years; died April 8, 1879. He kept a file of associational min- utes from 1820 (including part of Concord Associa- tion) till he died, after which the family kept it up. He rarely ever missed a session of the Association. Noble servant, may his name live on as he has pre- served the names of others. It might be well to state that Elder John Whitlock led a division of this church in 1827, forming Pleasant Valley Church of Separate Baptists, some two miles down the creek below Statesville; but this church has never been troubled by the Anti-mission division of 1837. Elder Joshua Lester was pastor at that time and was able to hold his church to the old landmarks of the fathers.
Smith's Fork united with Cumberland Association in the fall of 1806, and remained in that body till 1810, when Concord Association was constituted, they being one of the constituent churches. We might say that Concord Association was constituted in Smith's Fork Church house, then known as "Hodges Meeting House." She remained in this body till
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1822, when she went into the constitution of Salem Association, where she still belongs.
UNION.
This church is situated ten miles south of Leba- non, Wilson County, Tenn., on the waters of Hurri- cane Creek. Locally it has acquired the name of "Hur- ricane Church," and many perhaps do not know its real name.
This church had the misfortune to lose all their church records by fire some three years ago, hence we gather this imperfect sketch from other sources. For the early history of this church, the reader is referred to Allen's Register for 1836, page 231.
Union Baptist Church was constituted on Satur- day before the fourth Sunday in August, 1815, with twenty-six members. This is an offspring of Smith's Fork Church, and was constituted for the convenience of her members living in that section, which was some twelve or fifteen miles distant from the church.
This church was constituted by Elders Joshua Les- ter and Edward Willis. James and John Bond were probably at that time licensed ministers of Smith's Fork Church and became constituent members of this new church. It might be well to state that they had worshiped as an arm of Smith's Fork Church at this place some time before they were constituted into a church. After the constitution Elder Joshua Lester became supply pastor till May, 1822, when Elder John Bond was called as pastor, having been ordained in 1820.
PASTORS : The following will approximately state the pastorates of this church: Elder Joshua Lester, 1815-22; Elder John Bond, 1822-61; Elder N. M.
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Green, 1861-80; Elder S. G. Shepard, 1880-89; Elder J. W. Martin, 1889-93 ; Elder J. W. Patton, 1893-96; Elder C. S. Dillon, 1896-99; Elder S. G. Shepard, 1899 to the present.
CLERKS: John Bond was first clerk; Alex Sim- mons was clerk in 1835; since then the following clerks have served, but dates not known : J. P. Lenore, William Alsup, Sr., H. H. Simmons, William Nelson, J. W. Edwards, M. R. Cluck and W. B. Ed- wards.
DEACONS: The following were the early deacons of this church, viz .: Jacob Bennett, Linsey Martin, Alex- ander Simmons and John P. Spain. These consti- tuted the deacons up to 1835. Since then the follow- ing have served in that capacity: William Nelson, D. R. Vaughter, J. W. Edwards, Wesley Martin, William Bennett, J. L. Cluck, - McRoberts, W. J. Knight, Jerry Cason, John Cason, W. T. Edwards, W. J. Baird, John Davis, J. P. Lenore, Lee Clem- mons, James Castleman, C. L. Baird, W. H. Alsup, T. H. Vaughter, D. C. Vaughter, J. W. Bennett, A. B. Edwards and W. T. Williams.
The early history of this church shows a prosperous career. In the first twenty years of their history they had sent out a number of members to other churches and reached an aggregate of 169 members. It might also be stated that they had lost during this time thirty members in the Separate Baptist and Camp- bellite controversy. This church was not so fortunate in the mission controversy of 1837 as her mother, Smith's Fork, but just the status of the division we have no means of learning.
She has ordained the following ministers, viz. : Elders John Bond and James Bond, in 1820; Presby-
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tery Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon, Elder N. M. Green, 18 --.
The following brethren have been licensed to preach : William Bennett, James K. Knight and Wal- ter Nelson.
This church united with Concord Association in fall of 1815 and remained till 1822, when it went into the constitution of Salem Association. In 1830 she asked for dismission to join Concord again, which she did in 1831, remaining there till 1882, when she returned again to Salem Association, where she con- tinues to meet at present.
Three things this church has never varied from since their organization, viz .: To call her pastor for indefinite time, to set no stipulated salary, and to hold to the fourth Sunday as her meeting day. This church has had many difficulties to encounter, but has been victor in them all and to-day is one of our most prosperous churches, numbering 272 members. Large multitudes gather there to hear the word preached. I suppose not less than 1,200 persons, pos- sibly more, have found a Christian home in "Old Hurricane" (Union) Church.
RAMAH.
This church is situated five miles south of Water- town, in Wilson County, Tenn., on the head waters of Smith's Fork Creek. This is a very broken but fertile section of the country. The citizenship is com- posed of staunch yeomanry, yet crude and unsophis- ticated. This section was first occupied religiously by the Methodists and Presbyterians. A few years since Elder S. T. Alsup began preaching in the church oc-
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cupied by the Methodists, and this soon stirred up the resident Baptists to have a church of their own, and on October 26, 1879, a Baptist church was con- stituted to be known as Rocky Branch. However, at the suggestion of Elder S. T. Alsup, the name was changed in August, 1880, to Ramah. This church was constituted by Elder S. T. Alsup, and others, with fifteen members, coming out of Falling Creek and Smith's Fork Churches, mostly from the former. They were constituted in a free house occupied by the Methodists. They soon settled all troubles by re- ceiving the Methodists into the Baptist Church and building a new and more commodious house of wor- ship hard by, and turning the free house over for school purposes. This church will stand as a monu- ment to Elder S. T. Alsup, who now stands near death's door.
PASTORS : Elder S. T. Alsup, 1879-90; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1890-91 ; Elder S. T. Alsup, 1891-92; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1892-93; Elder S. T. Alsup, 1893-95 ; Elder J. H. Grime, 1895, and is present pastor.
CLERKS: Daniel Harden, 1879-88; W. H. Leemon, 1888-95; W. A. Snyder, 1895-99; J. A. Tarpley, 1899, and is the present clerk.
DEACONS: W. C. Patterson, 1879; Purnel Lane, 1879; J. B. Tarpley, 1879; L. D. Phillips, 1881 ; W. H. Leemon, 1883; J. N. Johnson, 1883 ; W. N. Rick- etts, 1886; W. C. Ashworth, 1886; J. A. Tarpley, 1894; J. C. Leemon, 1894; R. N. Hays, 1894.
It might be remarked that Brother L. F. Porter- field has been housekeeper for twenty years.
This church is noted for plain spiritual worship, without any effort at show or set forms. Nine out of the fifteen constituent members have gone to their
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reward, but lived long enough to see the little vine grow into a flourishing church.
Since this church was constituted twenty-two years ago with fifteen members she has furnished a Chris- tian home for 307 persons. She now numbers 156 members and is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity. She has always represented in Salem Association.
SHOP SPRING.
This church is situated near the village of Shop Spring, seven miles east of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tenn. Their house stands on the Lebanon and Sparta pike in one of the best sections of the County. This church was constituted in a school house January 28, 1882, by Elders Henry Bass and John T. Oakley, with thirty-eight members, mostly from Round Lick Church. It might be said, however, that the month following sixteen others from Spring Creek cast their lot with them.
The gathering of this church was due to the labors of Elder J. W. Patton, who became one of the con- stituent members, and their first pastor.
PASTORS: Elder J. W. Patton, 1882-83 ; Elder J. J. Porter, 1883-84 ; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1884-88; Elder J. W. Patton, 1888-89; Elder J. B. Moody, 1889-90; Elder J. H. Grime, 1890-91 ; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1892- 99 ; Elder J. H. Anderson, 1899, and is still pastor.
CLERKS: John Bryan, Jr., served as clerk in the organization in 1882 and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time.
DEACONS: D. Young, 1882; William Bass, 1882; John W. Bryan, 1882; William M. Bryan, 1882; W. A. Rushing, 1896; W. P. Henderson, 1896; M. T. Bass, 1896; John Bryan, Jr., 1896.
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This church has sent out two young ministers, viz. : Elder E. S. Bryan, ordained October 3, 1890, by Elders J. H. Grime, J. W. Bowen, E. E. Folk and T. J. Eastes. Elder R. A. Rushing was ordained August 5, 1894, by Elders J. P. Gilliam, E. S. Bryan, J. M. Knight, J. W. Patton, G. H. Butler and A. J. Holt.
This church has had in fellowship since the begin- ning 291 members, and now numbers 169. This is one of the most efficient churches in this section of country, considering the time it has existed. She pos- sesses a good degree of property and is reasonably liberal in its distribution in the Lord's cause. Soon after the constitution she built a neat and commodious house of worship. Everything considered, few churches have such an opportunity to do work for the Lord.
This church united with Salem Association in the fall of 1882 and represented in this body annually till 1888. Then she became a constituent member of New Salem Association, in which body she has since represented.
COMMERCE.
This church is situated in the village of Commerce, four miles north of Watertown, Wilson County, Tenn. This community had been preoccupied religiously by the Cumberland Presbyterians, who had for many years sustained a prosperous church at this place.
The gathering of this church is due to the untiring labors of Elder L. D. Smith and wife. About forty years prior to the constitution of this church they moved into the village-a newly married couple. At that time they were the only Baptists in the village, but they talked the matter over and set their hearts
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on having a Baptist church there. God heard their prayer and blessed their labors, till finally the time came for them to realize their long-cherished hopes.
This church was constituted September 28, 1891, by Elders T. J. Eastes, Henry Bass and J. F. Mc- Nabb, with twenty-six members, mostly from Round Lick Church. Elder L. D. Smith and wife headed the list, he becoming their under shepherd.
PASTORS: Elder L. D. Smith, 1891-93; Elder S. B. Whitlock, 1893, and died : Elder J. F. McNabb, 1893-94: Elder J. H. Grime, 1895, and continues at present
CLERKS: L. H. Smith has served this church as clerk during its entire history.
DEACONS : Anderson Williams, 1891 ; Hugh Midget, 1891 ; J. T. Wilkerson, 1891 ; J. T. Midget, 1897; S. D. Midget, 1897.
This church is poor in this world's goods, but lib- eral with what the Lord has committed to her trust. It was not until 1894 that she was able to purchase a house of worship. She now owns a comfortable house, most admirably situated, with a beautiful lot of some two acres. Though poor and not able to do much, yet she keeps all her accounts settled, with a balance in the treasury.
This church in the brief history of her existence has given the hand of fellowship to seventy-seven persons, and now numbers sixty members. They com- mand good audiences, with a fair prospect for future usefulness. This church has always since her con- stitution represented in New Salem Association.
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ALEXANDRIA.
This church is located in the town of Alexandria, on the western boundary of DeKalb County, Tennes- see. This is a town of about 1,000 inhabitants, sit- uated in a fine section of country on the head waters of Hickman Creek. This town had for many years been mainly occupied by the Methodists and Camp- bellites, with a weak Cumberland Presbyterian inter- est more recently established. Elder T. J. Eastes had for years done some preaching in the town, look- ing forward to the time when a Baptist church should be established there. Everything looking in this di- rection was discouraged by both Methodists and Campbellites, while the Cumberland Presbyterian brethren held out their hand, and granted the use of their house of worship.
In the month of January, 1887, a public debate was arranged for this place between Elder J. B. Moody, editor of the Baptist Gleaner, and Dr. T. W. Brents, a leading light among the Campbellites, involving the differences between the Baptists and Campbellites. Vast audiences attended, and it is needless to say that Brother Moody carried everything before him. At the close of this discussion, the Baptists had grown so enthusiastic they decided to organize. So on Jan- uary 22nd, 1887, twenty-four brethren and sisters belonging to different Baptist churches in the sur- rounding country met in the Cumberland Presbyterian church house and were constituted into a regular Baptist church by a Presbytery consisting of Elders J. B. Moody, T. J. Eastes, J. M. Stewart and W. C. Grace.
After they were constituted they began at once to build a house of worship, and prosecuted to comple-
BAPTIST CHURCH, ALEXANDRIA, TENN.
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tion one of the neatest houses of worship in this en- tire section of country. The opening or dedication services were conducted by Elder J. B. Moody.
PASTORS: Elder J. B. Moody, 1887; Elder N. R. Sanborn, 1889-91 ; Elder W. H. Smith, 1891-93 ; Elder J. B. Fletcher, 1893-97; Elder Rutherford Brett, 1897- 99; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1899, and still officiates as the present pastor.
CLERKS: J. A. Walker, 1887-92; J. M. Walker, 1892-95 ; C. E. Bailiff, 1895 ; C. B. Bailiff, 1895 to the present, 190I.
DEACONS: L. E. Jones, 1887; Isaac Cooper, 1887; Levi Foutch, 1887; J. H. Snoddy, 1890; H. H. Jones, 1890; A. P. Smith, 1890; G. A. Measle, 1892 ; Samuel McMillen, 1892; J. A. Walker, 1892; C. A. Bailiff, 1898; J. S. Rowland, 1897; James Stark, 1901.
This church is enjoying a good degree of pros- perity. During her short history 178 persons have enjoyed her fellowship. She numbers at present 113. She has lost ten of her number by death, among whom was the lamented Elder J. H. Whitlock.
This church never united with an association till the fall of 1888, when she went into the constitution of New Salem Association, in which she has con- tinued to represent to the present.
They now occupy a prominent place among the religious denominations of the town.
PROVIDENCE.
Providence Baptist Church is situated on the waters of Mountain Creek, in Warren County, Tennessee, midway between Smithville and McMinnville. The gathering of this church is mainly due to the labors
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of Elder Henry Bass, assisted by Elders John Phillips and A. J. Brandon.
This church was constituted some time in the year 1856, possibly the latter part, as they did not attach themselves to the Association till 1857. The church was constituted by Elders A. J. Brandon, Henry Bass and John Phillips. She numbered but six members when she united with the Association. She built a neat house of worship, but because of a defective deed lost it, and had to rebuild, which made it ex- ceedingly hard on the struggling little band.
PASTORS: Elder Henry Bass, 1856-58; Elder J. C. Brien, 1858-61 ; vacant during the war; Elder Henry Bass, 1866-69; Elder R. K. Keaton, 1869-70; Elder J. W. Hunt, 1870-74 ; Elder L. Brown, 1874-76; Elder William Simpson, 1876-78; Elder Eukey Garner, 1878-80; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1880-82; Elder J. C. Brien, 1882-84; Elder R. K. Keaton, 1884-89; Elder A. J. Brien, 1889-92 ; vacancy ; Elder J. H. Davis, 1897-99; Elder William Simpson, 1899-00; Elder A. J. Brien, 1900, and still serves at present.
CLERKS: John O. Pope, 1856-66; John W. San- ders, 1866-74; Samuel Vanhooser, 1874-78; J. P. Hardcastle, 1878-90; J. T. Hardcastle, 1890, and is the present clerk.
DEACONS: J. O. Pope, 1856; J. P. Hardcastle, 1857; J. C. J. Kirby, 1867; J. W. Vanhooser, 1897; J. T. Hardcastle, 1897.
Elder R. K. Keaton was ordained by this church to the full work of the ministry in 1872. Two, churches have been organized from the members of this church.
This church is surrounded by almost all the heresies of the country, and it has been a battle royal with
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her during her entire history. At one time it seemed that the conflict would go against her. But the God of battles came to her rescue, and under the ministry of Elder A. T. Brien she is again coming to the front, having had twenty-five additions last year. She num- bers at present about sixty members. If this church had not contained some of the salt of the earth she would long since have given over the struggle. May the Lord nerve the arm for the fight.
She has represented in Salem Association since 1859.
WHARTON SPRINGS.
This church is situated in DeKalb County, Ten- nessee, three miles south of the town of Smithville. A number of Baptists had moved into this community from different sections of the country, some from the churches of Salem Association, and others from the churches of Union Association. Being deprived of the privileges of God's house, they agreed to band themselves together for this purpose.
This church was constituted July 6, 1889, by Elders William Simpson, R. E. Smith, Edwin Kelly and J. D. Howell. This church was constituted in the pri- vate dwelling house of E. B. Allen, with twelve mem- bers. The name of Deacon William Tibbs heads the list. This is at least three lists he has headed to con- stitute new Baptist churches.
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