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A
Historic Church
Source: Paris Mercury, July 2, 1909
Speaking of the June meeting of the old
school Baptists at Stoutsville recently the Banner, by whose
courtesy we reprint the picture, gives the following interesting
data regarding that historic congregation, of which only a few
members now remain:
The Primitive Baptist church of
Stoutsville, known as the North Fork Baptist church, held its
annual June meeting last Saturday and Sunday. For many years these
people have observed their annual meeting in June as a kind of
church reunion and roll call, and on such occasions dinner is
usually served on the ground on Saturday and all day services
held. Elder G. W. Murray, the present pastor preached on this
occasion and the on this occasion and the following members
answered to roll call:
C. L. Turner, Mamie Turner, J. B. Tipton,
Addie Tipton, Mildred Pollard, Belle Gatson, F. C. Nance,
Elizabeth Shearer, Alice Shearer, Nomie McGee, James Henderson,
Clarissa Woodson, Kate Bryan, Hattie Bannister, America Painter,
Lou Donaldson, Bert Armstrong, Joan Tewell, Jennie McGraw, Ella
Ragsdale, Ella Tillitt.
This congregation at one time was one of
the strongest in this county and numbered among its members men
who were prominent in the affairs of the county. But death has
wrought fearful havoc among its membership, the latest to receive
the summons being the lamented Reuben L. Tillitt of Paris, who was
ordained a deacon in 1891, which position he held until the time
of his death. It was truly pathetic to observe this faithful band
of God-loving people as they came together on this occasion,
carrying out a custom that has been established for more than 70
years.
The church was organized in the year 1832
with the following charter members:
William J. Henderson and wife, Jonas
Reavis and wife, Jane Donaldson, John Engle and wife, Zach Herndon
and wife, Charles Crutcher, Mary Dooley, Lucy Hardwick, John B.
Yowell and wife, Joel Finks and wife, William Turner and wife,
Richard Turner and wife, Bert Yeager and wife, James Bush and
wife, Geo. Williamson and wife, Edward Ragsdale, Polly Martin,
Samuel Vanshoick and wife, Wm. Crutcher, Hiram Dooley and wife,
Jane Ridgway, Wm. Allen and wife, Sophia Gatson, Dulcena Shearer,
Calvin Shearer, Wm. Wilkerson, Levinia Wilkerson and Peggie
Wilkerson. The above list of charter members may be incomplete, as
the original church was destroy by fire several years ago.
Among those who have served as pastors of
this church are: Elder Christy Gentry, Archibold Patterson,
Charles Turner, and William Priest. The ministration of Elder
Priest extended over a period of 35 years. Since his death the
church has had several pastors. The present pastor is Elder G. W.
Murray of Illinois, who is a highly educated gentleman and who has
made many friends in Stoutsville and vicinity since he took charge
of the church three years ago.
This congregation,
after meeting at various places, often at farm houses and in
groves, established what is now known as the North Fork Primitive
Baptist Church. The first building, which was log structure, was
erected in 1835 and is now occupied as a dwelling by Uncle John
Branham east of town. In the early days the church building was
used as a school house, and many of our older citizens received
their schooling there. The present building is a nice frame
structure and is located in the most picturesque spot in the
county. |
