USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 9
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PASTORS : Elder Micajah Hollis, 1808-15; Elder -. Warren, 1815-21; Elder Richard Cunningham, 1821 -; Elder Gideon Rucker,-42 ; Elder James Bond, 1842-44; Elder P. T. Henderson, 1844-46; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1846-55 ; Elder A. J. Brandon, 1855-58; Elder A. T. Hollis, 1859-60; Elder J. J. Martin, 1860- 62; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1864-72; Elder R. S. Kim- bro, 1872-73 ; Elder J. G. Nash, 1873 ; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1873-75; Elder A. J. McNabb, 1876-78; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1878-86; Elder J. H. Grime, 1886-87; Elder A. J. Brandon, 1887-89; Elder D. B. Vance, 1889-91 ; Elder W. E. Raikes, 1891-92; Elder A. J. Brandon, 1893-94; Elder J. T. Hancock, 1894 ; Elder Charlie McNabb, 1895-99; supplied by Elder J. W. Jamison.
CLERKS : The dates of the early clerks are not known. The first clerks were James Bell, Joshua Bar- ton, J. T. Taylor to 1889; D. B. Yearwood, 1889; W. D. Cates, 1889-90; A. G. Brandon, 1890 to the present.
DEACONS : W. Hollis, 1808; J. R. Taylor, P. Du- bois, R. M. Williams, A. G. Brandon, O. H. Ford, 1886; J. D. Prater, 1886; G. N. Becton, 1886.
This church sent out a colony in 1815 which was constituted into an independent church the second Sun- day in September, 1817, known as McKee. This church became extinct. She has furnished members in other constitutions.
The following ministers have been sent out: Elder McKee, ordained September, 1817, by Elders Gideon Rucker and William Keel; Elder Calvin Curlee, time of his ordination not known ; Elder P. T. Henderson, ordained October 14, 1844, by Elders R. W. January, W. F. Luck and Williamson Williams; Elder Elisha Bell, time of ordination not known; Elder A. J. Bran-
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don, ordained November 3, 1852, by Elders Joseph H. Eaton and J. M. D. Cates; Elder A. T. Hollis, or- dained June, 1856, by Elders E. Strode, Theophilus Jones, J. M. D. Cates and A. J. Brandon ; Elder E. J. Hollis, ordained August, 1868, by Elders P. T. Hen- derson and J. M. D. Cates.
This church, like many others, had an unfortunate division in 1827. Two ministers belonging to this church became infatuated with the plea of Alexander Campbell. They succeeded in leading a large per cent of this church away and formed a Separate Baptist Church, which is known to-day as Hopewell, or "Wells." Elder Curlee soon divided this new church and he and his party went on to the Campbellites. Elder Bell remained true to this new church. This church stands south of Cateston, in the Bradyville com- munity. (See Chap. on Separate Baptists.)
After this division the church languished till 1844, when the coming of Elders J. M. D. Cates and P. T. Henderson gave it new life.
In the latter part of the forties this church estab- lished a high school known as "Marion Collegiate In- stitute." It was presided over by Professor James A. Delk and flourished for a number of years, sending out some noble men and women. In 1853 the church changed her name from Brawley's Fork to Marion.
This church has represented in Cumberland, Con- cord and Salem Associations.
In 1878 she built a large and commodious house of worship. Not being wealthy, this required great sac- rifice. On March 29, 1893, it was burned to the ground. She has never been able to rebuild and has no house of worship, but uses a school house. A few have pledged never to abandon the field, though they
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are in a somewhat disorganized state. This is one of the most important fields known to this author. This is often referred to as Elder J. M. D. Cates' church. It was here where he spent most of his min- isterial life, it was here he fell, it is here he sleeps, and it is here he will be resurrected.
BARREN FORK.
This church is situated in Warren County, Tennes- see, twelve miles west of McMinnville, on the waters of Barren Fork of Collins River. The Baptist inter- ests of this section are among the very oldest of this section of the State. The exact date of their origin is not known to this author. We find reference to them in the records of Salem Church, which shows they were organized and in working order as early as A. D. 1809. This old church, too, was known as Barren Fork and stood a short distance down the creek from where the church now stands. They belonged no doubt to the old Elk River Association. In the division of Elk River Association in 1826, led by Elder William Keele, which resulted in the origin of the Separate Baptists (see Chap. on Separate Baptists), this church left the United Baptists, as they were then called. and went with the Separates. This church continued to grow till in 1850 (I give this date from memory) they mutually agreed to divide and form two organizations. These bodies were called, respectively, Shady Grove and Big Spring. Thus matters went till some of the brethren of Salem Association began preaching in the community and a band of brethren were gathered about them. On June 24, 1871, the present Barren Fork Church was constituted with eighteen members, Elders J. M. D. Cates and A. J. McNabb acting as
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History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
Presbytery. They have a good house of worship at Oak Grove almost complete. The Barren Fork and Big Spring churches both worship in it. They are one in faith and exchange letters in the transfer of members. (If a historian is allowed an opinion) I think they ought to consolidate.
PASTORS : Elder A. J. McNabb, 1871-78; Elder J. W. Saulman, 1878-79; Elder W. M. James, 1880-82; Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1884-88; Elder D. B. Vance, 1888-89; Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1891-95; Elder J. H. Davis, 1895-96; Elder A. C. Webb, 1897- 98; Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1898, to the present.
CLERKS : E. J. Summers, 1871-79; S. R. M. Shockley, 1879-85; R. M. Tarpley, 1885-90; W. R. Davenport, 1890-92; A. J. Orrick, 1892-93; T. L. Robinson, 1893, to the present.
DEACONS: R. G. Hollis, 1872; J. H. Dodd, 1878; W. M. Wilson, 1879 ; J. S. Lance, 1890; J. R. Daven- port, 1890; G. N. Becton, 1890; George Mitchell, 1900; D. McGowen, 1900.
They sent out a colony on Charles' Creek, which was constituted into a church, known as Pleasant Grove, December, 1878. This church, I believe, has since become extinct.
A. J. Orrick was licensed to preach April 25, 1896. This church is situated in a barren land which is fast developing into a leading section of country. They represent in Salem Association. They have had in their fellowship since their constitution 152 members. They number at present 67 members, and are fairly prosperous.
SMITHVILLE.
This church is situated in the town of Smithville, the county seat of DeKalb County, Tenn., and was
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constituted August 25, 1844, with fourteen members, by a Presbytery consisting of Elders John Bond, Archamac Bass and Jesse Allen. The church was constituted in the Methodist house of worship and was denominated "The United Baptist Church in Smith- ville." The records do not inform us where the con- stituent members came from, but most likely from Sa- lem.
PASTORS: Elder Jesse Allen, 1847-60; Elder L. H. Bethel, 1860-70; Elder J. C. Brien, 1870-73 ; Elder J. R. Bowman, 1873-75 ; Elder A. J. McNabb, 1875- 76; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1876-78 ; Elder J. J. Martin, 1878 -; since this date, Elder J. J. Porter, about 1880; Elder J. C. Brien, about 1881-85 ; Elder J. T. Oakley, about 1885-88; Elder N. R. Sanborn, 1889-90; Elder William Simpson, 1890-91 ; Elder W. H. Smith, 1891- 92 ; Elder J. H. Grime, 1893-95 ; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1896 to the present.
CLERKS: J. L. Bond, 1847-51 ; Abner Witt, 1851- 60; P. P. Johnson, 1860-74; J. A. Wilson, 1874-84; L. W. Beckwith, 1884 to the present.
DEACONS : Nicholas Chambers, 1860; Lemuel Given, 1861 ; P. P. Johnson, 1874; S. D. Lowry, 1874; J. J. Smith, Z. P. Lee, 1878; L. W. Beckwith, 1900; John D. Patton, 1900; F. R. Terry, 1900; F. Z. Webb, 1900. The records from which the above is drawn are very imperfect.
She has sent out the following ministers, viz. : Elder A. P. Moore, ordained by Elders D. B. Vance, T. T. Thompson, G. A. Ogle, J. T. Oakley and J. H. Grime; Elder J. D. Rives, ordained third Sunday in November, 1900, by Elder J. T. Oakley and deacons of Smithville church. J. R. Hays was licensed to preach in September, 1900.
BAPTISMAL SCENE BY ELDER J. H. GRIME, IN DRY CREEK, DEKALB COUNTY, TENN., AUGUST, 1897.
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She is arranging to build an elegant house of wor- ship. This church has had quite a struggle, but her cry now is "onward and upward."
The church united with Salem Association in 1846 and has continued to represent in this body ever since. Her pastors were, for a number of years, paid by this body in the main. She numbered only twenty-two in 1872, but has furnished a Christian home since her organization for 167 persons. She now numbers eighty-two members.
Smithville has about 1,000 inhabitants, and this is an important field to the Baptists of this section.
DRY CREEK.
This church is situated on the bank of Dry Creek, DeKalb County, Tennessee, five miles west of the town of Smithville. The first Baptist preaching done in this community was by Elder William Simpson about the year 1879. This resulted in the organiza- tion of Round Hill Baptist Church, some three miles up the creek from where the church now stands. This church was constituted A. D. 1880, with thirteen mem- bers, mainly from Pistole's Baptist Church, in White County. Elder William Simpson was elected pastor and W. J. Vickers clerk. Elder Simpson served till 1886, when he was succeeded by Elder J. H. Vickers, who served only a few months, when the church dis- solved. They had ordained the following deacons, viz .: W. J. Vickers, S. S. Craddock and J. H. Davis. They had also collected some lumber for the purpose of building a house of worship.
In the meantime Elder J. M. Stewart had awakened an interest some six miles lower down the creek, and on August 29, 1886, he, with the assistance of Elder
126 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
J. H. Vickers, constituted Dry Creek Baptist Church, near a straw stack in Dr. J. A. Fuson's lot. This church was an offspring of Salem Baptist Church, and consisted of twenty members. This brought about the situation of two homeless churches on the same creek. But by mutual agreement, in 1889, the Round Hill Church, which now numbered forty-nine members, dissolved and united with Dry Creek Church. They then selected a spot midway between the two for the erection of a house of worship, upon which now stands a neat church building. It would be an injustice to close this narrative without stating that the erection of this house, in a large measure, was due to some enterprising young men who were not members of any church.
PASTORS: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1886-90; Elder William Simpson, 1891-93 ; Elder J. H. Davis, 1893- 95; Elder William Simpson, 1895-96; Elder J. H. Grime, 1896-1900; Elder Stephen Robinson, 1901 to the present.
CLERKS : J. D. Fite, 1886-90; W. J. Vickers, 1890 to the present.
DEACONS : W. J. Vickers, 1886; J. H. Davis, 1886; S. S. Craddock, 1886; J. A. Fuson, 1886; H. M. Fite, 1886; T. D. Vandergriff, 1886; W. C. Hendrixson, 1891 ; J. M. Bailiff, 1891; Wyley Hendrixson, 1895; H. R. Herndon, 1895 ; W. R. King, 1899 ; H. P. Crips, 1899.
Elder J. H. Davis was ordained to the ministry in August, 1892, by Elders William Simpson and J. A. McClusky.
This church sent out a colony which was constituted into Snow's Hill Baptist Church March 27, 1897.
During the short history of this church 250 persons
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have found a home with her. She numbers at pres- ent 148 members. Perhaps no church ever did more for a community in the same length of time. She has represented in Salem Association since the time of her organization.
CEDAR GROVE.
This old church is situated five miles north of Leb- anon, near the Hunter's Point Pike, Wilson County, Tennessee. The church was constituted May 15, 1813, by Elders Josiah Rucks, John Wiseman, John Jones and Thomas Durham. The records fail to give further information concerning the origin of this church. But from the names which make up the above Presbytery we feel almost warranted in saying that this church was an offspring of old Spring Creek Baptist Church and was brought up under the foster- ing care of Elder John Jones.
PASTORS: Elder Elijah Maddox, 1815-41 ; Elder E. W. Haile, 1841-45; Elder William Barton, 1845- 50; Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 1850-52; Elder D. W. Lee, 1852-54; Elder Richard Lyon, 1854-58; Elder John Johnson, 1858-60; Elder John S. Rice, 1860- 70; Elder Richard Lyon, 1870-73 ; Elder John S. Rice, 1873-81 ; Elder T. B. Chapman, 1881-82; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1882-84; Elder J. H. Vickers, 1884-87; Elder Z. A. Lyon, 1887-88; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1888-89; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1889-90; Elder L. N. Brock, 1890- 91; Elder J. H. Grime, 1891; Elder W. J. Couch, 1891-92; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1892-93; Elder J. J. Carr, 1893, and is still serving as pastor.
CLERKS: We are not informed as to who acted as clerk prior to 1832; James Arington, 1832-44; William H. Jackson, 1844-46; Isaac Hunter, 1846-
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49; S. R. Shaw, 1849-50; John Chambers, 1850-55; James Arington, 1855-75 ; David Chambers, 1875-85 ; J. J. Carr, 1885-87; A. J. Lyon, 1887-90; J. M. Perkins, 1890-91 ; J. M. Mann, 1891-92; F. M. Rutledge, 1892-93 ; B. F. Tracy, 1893-94; R. M. Led- better, 1894-96; J. F. Jolly, 1896 to the present.
DEACONS: Carter Irby, 1816; Ransom King, 1817; Edward Trevillian, 1819; William Davis, 1826; John Murphy, 1830; Radford Walker, 1835; Littleton Moseley, 1835; Robert Sypert, 1844; Thomas Trevillian, 1844; Granvil Mansfield, 1849; Eli Corum, 1849 ; C. I. Cloar, 1861 ; E. N. Mitchener, 1861 ; Henry Corum, 1864; T. B. Chapman, 1867; Randolph Mor- ris, 1867; John C. Jones, 1880; J. K. Brown, 1880; I. D. Corum, 1880.
This church is probably the mother of Corum's Hill and Mt. Olivet Churches, north of the Cumberland river, and Rice's Chapel, now extinct.
She has sent out the following preachers, viz. : Elder David Chambers, ordained March, 1878, by Elders John S. Rice, Richard Lyon and W. B. Jones ; Elder T. B. Chapman, ordained October, 1879, by Elders J. S. Rice and David Chambers; Elder J. J. Carr, ordained October, 1893, by Elders J. F. Mc- Nabb, J. H. Grime and M. J. Osborn.
This church was not affected by the anti-mission "split" of 1837. While other churches were dividing and factions going off to form Primitive Baptist Churches, it seems that a revival spirit took hold on this church. The very next year twenty baptisms were reported.
She did not unite with the association till 1814, when she cast her lot with Concord Association while in session at Salem Church, Liberty, Tenn. They con-
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tinued to represent in this body till 1822, when they went into the constitution of Salem Association. They represented in this body till 1889, when they lettered from Salem and attached themselves to New Salem Association.
We have no means of knowing just how many have belonged to this church since her constitution, but from what data we have we would suppose not less than 1,000 persons. They have at present 157 mem- bers. They have a new house of worship.
This has long been an old Baptist landmark, and in many particulars one of our best churches. Camp- bellites are striving to make inroads there now, but ·they find the ground contested at every point.
BARTON'S CREEK.
This church is situated three miles southwest of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tenn., on the waters of Barton's Creek, from which they derived the name. They were constituted with only four members (W. P. Wilburn, Mary Johnson, R. S. Wilburn and Nancy Wilburn) on April 21, 1849, by Elders Elijah Mad- dox, John Bond and a Brother Muse. They were or- ganized in what was known as the Clemmon's School House. They worship now in a neat new house con- structed in 1896, this being the third house they have built.
PASTORS: Elder Elijah Maddox served as their first moderator till they were started in business; Elder W. P. Wilburn, 1849-57: Elder N. M. Green, 1858-59: Elder John Phillips, 1859-67; Elder J. C. Brien, 1867-70; Elder J. S. Rice, 1870-72; Elder William Barton, 1872-73; Elder J. C. Brien, 1873-74 ; Elder Lewis Lindsley, 1874-76; Elder A. E. Johnson, 5
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1876-79; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1879-82; Elder A. E. Johnson, 1882-85 ; Elder John S. Rice, 1885-91 ; Elder W. J. Couch, 1891-92; Elder W. P. D. Clark, 1892- OI ; Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1901 to the present.
CLERKS: C. L. Johns, 1849; Mathias Johnson, 1849-56; L. W. Parham, 1856-59; E. J. T. Fields, 1859-60; J. E. Lain, 1860-67; J. M. Seat, 1867-72; J. M. Johnson, 1872-84; Isham Johnson, 1884-92; John Alexander, 1892-93; J. H. Johnson, 1893-94; B. H. Rogers, 1894-95; W. R. Davis, 1895-96; Doc L. Fields, 1896 to the present.
DEACONS: John W. Johnson, 1849; R. S. Wil- burn, 1849; John Fields, 1852; James H. Lain, 1874; John Floyd, 1874; J. S. Floyd, 1879; Jos. W. John- son, 1892; Edward Ligon, 1892; T. E. Watson, 1877 ; F. H. Palmer, 1877 ; G. W. Tomlin, 1896.
This church did not unite with the Association till 1850, when they cast their lot with Salem Association while in session at old Brawley's Fork Church (now Marion), Cannon County, Tennessee. The four mem- bers had increased at this time to fifty, and everything was prosperous. It was only a few years till a trouble arose which hindered the work for some time. They remained a member of Salem Association till 1888, when they went into the constitution of New Salem Association, in which they continue to represent. It might be stated just here that their name does not ap- pear in the minutes of Salem Association from 1871 to 1883. The cause of their ceasing to represent is not known to this author. I have no means of ascertaining the number of members which have belonged to this church, but from what data we have I suppose 500 would be a safe estimate. They number at present 126 members.
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They have sent out the following ministers, viz. : A. E. Johnson, and others.
Before closing this narrative let me state that there was an interest fostered in this section and a church constituted in the early part of the century by Elder Moore Stevenson. But it became extinct about 1842, and if it had any connection with this church we are not advised.
RIDDLETON.
This church is situated in Smith County, Tennes- see, some eight miles west of Carthage on the pike leading from Carthage to Hartsville; and in the vil- lage of Riddleton. Baptist preaching was done in this community before the church was constituted by Eld- ers M. B. Ramsey, W. M. Kuykendall and J. F. Mc- Nabb.
This church was constituted with forty-one mem- bers from various churches, mostly, however, from Peyton's Creek, on January 2, 1888, by the following Presbytery, viz .: Elders E. L. Smith and J. F. Mc- Nabb, with Deacons James Earps, W. C. Porter, Alex- ander Porter, J. C. Nixon and J. J. Chambers.
PASTORS: Elder J. F. McNabb, 1888-90; Elder A. J. Brien, 1890-91 ; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1891-92; Elder Wiseman Drury, 1894-96; Elder S. N. Fitz- patrick, 1897-99; Elder T. T. Thompson, 1899-00; Elder R. B. Davis, 1900 to the present.
CLERKS: J. H. Brimm, 1888-89; C. D. High, 1889-91 ; J. H. Brimm, 1891 to the present.
DEACONS : James Piper, 1888; T. J. Maxey, 1888; C. D. High, 1888; A. H. Brimm, 1888; J. H. Brimm, 1898; R. J. Bowman, 1898; Obed High, 1898.
This church has had an existence for thirteen years, and, for so short a period, has encountered many diffi-
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culties. But they are onward and upward. They have baptized on an average five persons every year since they were organized. They have had in their fellow- ship 152 members since their constitution and num- ber at present ninety-five.
They became a constituent member of New Sa- lem Association in 1888, and have represented in that body ever since. They have a neat house of worship centrally located in a prosperous village surrounded by a fertile section of country.
LANCASTER.
This church is situated in the railroad town of Lan- caster, Smith County, Tenn., on the southern side of Caney Fork River.
The Baptist cause in this section dates back to the early part of the nineteenth century. Under whose ministry the cause was first established here, we have no means of knowing. They united with Concord Association in 1821, and in 1822 they went into the constitution of Salem Association. They remained in this body until about 1827, when from some cause they ceased to represent, and their history is lost.
This early church was composed largely of the Conger (or Congow) family; also among them are found the names of Thomas A. Lancaster and James Evans.
This church was probably an offspring of old Bethel Church, which at that time was known as Cove Hol- low. Nothing more is known authentically; but a probable conjecture is that in 1827 they were led into the Separate Baptists by Elder William J. Bomer, and in after years resulted in the constitution of Mace- donia or Club Spring Church, just across the Caney Fork River.
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Here the history closes till a few years ago, when Elder J. M. Stewart began to preach in this section and gathered about him a small band of brethren, mostly members of old Bethel Church, which stood four miles south up Smith's Fork Creek. Some time in the year 1890 a church consisting of nine members was constituted by Elders J. M. Stewart and R. E. Smith. They were constituted in a school house some little distance from the village and worshiped there until 1899, when they completed a neat house of wor- ship in the village, which is fast growing into a town of some importance.
PASTOFS : We have been unable to gather dates, but the following pastors have served in the follow- ing order: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1890; Elder R. E. Smith, Elder T. J. Eastes, Elder M. W. Russell, Elder J. H. Agee, 1899 to the present.
CLERKS : J. L. Fisher, 1890-92 : J. D. Fisher, 1892 to the present.
DEACONS : W. H. Lester, 1890; J. G. Pulliam, 1890; J. D. Bussell, 1893 ; J. D. Fisher, 1893 ; W. H. Nixon, 1896; T. Sampson, 1899: J. B. Fisher, 1899.
This church has had forty members in her fellow- ship since her constitution. She now numbers twenty- eight members. Isaac Robinson was licensed to preach by this church in 1890.
This church has represented in New Salem Asso- ciation continuously since the organization.
This is a difficult but hopeful field.
BETHEL.
This church is what you might call extinct. There is perhaps yet a small remnant of the former mem- bership, with some little property. This has long
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been a Baptist landmark in this section and it seems sad that it should be blotted out.
This church is situated on Smith's Fork Creek a short distance below Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Tenn. We are unable to gather the particu- lars concerning the early history of this church. They were constituted about 1814, and took the name of Cove Hollow Church. They united with Concord As- sociation September 10, 1814, when convened with Salem Church, Liberty, Tenn. They represented in this body for a short time, when they transferred their membership to Caney Fork Association. They repre- sented in this Association until 1828, when they brought a letter from said Association and united with Salem Association. They continued to represent in Salem Association till 1888, when they became a constituent member of New Salem Association.
This church at the beginning was situated at, or near, where the village of Temperance Hall now stands, and moved her place of worship to the present location about 1848, after which the church was some- times known as New Bethel. The exact date when this church changed her name from Cove Hollow to Bethel is not known, but it was some where about 1830. The earliest direct records we have begin with 1848, and from that date to the present the officers are as fol- lows :
PASTORS: Elder Samuel Odum, 1848-49 ; Elder E. W. Haile, 1849-60; Elder N. Hays, 1860-69; Elder R. A. Dillard, 1869-70: Elder J. R. Bowman, 1870- 71 ; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1871-76: Elder William Simp- son, 1876-79; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1879-81 ; Elder M. W. Russell, 1881-83; Elder J. H. Vickers, 1883-87;
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Elder J. M. Stewart, 1888-89; Elder M. W. Russell, 1889-91, when the records close.
CLERKS: Thomas Fisher, 1848-59; G. W. Close, 1859-65; J. K. Hardcastle, 1865-69; J. W. Stevens, 1869-75 ; J. L. Fisher, 1875-84; W. H. Nixon, 1884 to the dissolution.
DEACONS: Thomas Fisher, Sr., 1848; Nicholas Smith, 1848; George Kelly, 1858; Thomas Fisher, Jr., 1866; J. K. Hardcastle, 1870; Samuel Christian, 1870; J. S. Rowland, 1875; J. B. Fisher, 1875; W. H. Nixon, 1888.
This church could properly be called the mother of Mount Zion and Lancaster, and probably others.
When this church had grown weak, they had the misfortune to have their house of worship wrecked by a storm, a shock from the effects of which they never rallied. This was once a leading church of this section and many sacred memories cluster about this old dilapidated temple of worship.
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