Dry Fork
Baptist Church
Compiled
by
Rev. Jerry B. Anderson
8221 County Road 363
from the original minutes
Some notations are Rev.Anderson's comments in ( )
GUTHRIE - The Dry Fork Baptist Church had its beginning when a group of people met together for the purpose of organizing a church and the result of this meeting was recorded in the minutes as follows:
"On September 24, 1847, at a meeting being held at the school house in the neighborhood of William Cranks a number, of Brethren to be constituted into a church. Ministers present Rev. D. Doyle. Rev. P.H. Steinberger and Rev. Noah Flood. Deacons present W. Major, T. Martin and F. Sappington. The Brethern then agreed to be constituted into a church of United Baptists. Elder Doyle in the chair, the following constitution was then adopted whereof they were regularly constituted into a church, They agreed to call it by the name of Dry Fork Church. They then adjourned to meet on the morrow at 11 o'clock."
The Dry Fork Church was organized with 11 members from Providence Church namely, William Dozier, Sarah Dozier, Elizabeth Dozier, Caroline Dozier, John Holt, Mary Holt, Timothy Holt, Harriet Holt. Robert Brandon. Nancy Dorton and Emily Branham. The Church met on the fourth Saturday of each month for the business meeting and on the following Sunday for the worship service.
At the business meeting in November a committee was appointed to draw up plans for the church building.
In September 1867 a committee, J. Reynolds, Wm. Duley and Wm. L. Williams, was appointed to meet with committees from Providence and Union Hill Churches in regard to organizing a church for the colored members. The church was organized in Nov. 1867 at Dry Fork Church, named Oak Chapel Baptist.
On August 25, 1883, thirteen members went out to organize a church at Carrington. The members were as follows: Mrs. Sallie Chalfant, Miss Ela Chalfant, Miss Cora Chalfant, Miss Nannie Chalfant, Thomas R. Brooks, Nannie E. Brooks, Charles A. Davis, Martin Sacre, J. Clem Dunavant, Malisie Dunavant, William G. Hatcher, Mary Hatcher and Harriet Blackwell.
Thirty-one members went out from the church in May 1901 to organize a church of like faith and order near Sheley school house, later named Hopewell Church.
On March 22, 1913, the decision was made to erect the present church building. The church was dedicated in May 1914. Rev. Sam Brown preached the dedicatory sermon. The building has had two additions in recent years.
In October 1943, under the leadership of Rev. F.B. Raines, the church voted to go to half time. In June 1993, under the leadership of Rev. Jerry Anderson, the church voted to go full time. Services are each Sunday at 11 a.m. and Sunday school is at 10 a.m. Rev. Jerry Anderson has been pastor for 35 years.
The mission of our church is to share the Gospel with our community. We invite any to come, use their talents for the Lord, praise, pray and serve. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God. We believe salvation to be by the shed blood of Christ Jesus for our sins.
Minutes of Dry Fork Baptist Church
Book I
Page I
First Recorded Minutes - September 24, 1847
The first recorded minutes
were at a meeting held at the School house in the neighborhood of
William Crank. (Note: William Crank was Mother's great
grand-father.) A number of brethern were consti-
tuted into a church with Elders S.Doyle, P.H. Steinburger and
Noah Flood. (These were preachers.) Deacons present: W. Major, T.
Martin (Bonne Femme) and F. Sappington. The brethern then agreed
to be constituted into a church of United Baptist, Elder Doyle in
the chair. The following constitution was then adopted (see
seperate copy for same) that they were constituted into a church
and they, agreed to call it Dry Fork Church. They then adjourned
to meet on tomorrow at eleven o'clock. Noah Flood., Secretary, D.
Doyle, Moderator; Communion Service to be three times a year -
fourth Sabbath in February, June and October. The deed of land
was granted by William and Sarah Dozier, January 29, 1848. D.M.
White, J.P., a true copy certified by Robert Brandon, Clerk of
the Church - first clerk. (He had a typical hand write of that
period - very neat and legible. )The first business meeting,
fourth Saturday, September 29, 1847. The only business, the
church authorized the clerk to purchase a book to record the
minutes.
Brother George Maupin, Brother Charles Branham, Brother Robert Brandon, chosen as a committee to instruct and form a place to build a meeting house on the East side of the Parish (Paris) road near the widow Crank's property line. A report called for from the Committee and Trustees 8 on the Building report to build a frame house to be 46 feet in length on South, 30 feet wide and 12 feet high. Preachers stand to be in one end and a door on each side of stand with glass above the doors (transom) one door in the back for the benefit of the blacks and a railing put up between the blacks and the whites. The building was to have six windows, three on each side, to be 24 lights (they called paned window, lights), each glass to be 8 by 10. Brother William Dozier and Brother George Maupin chosen as Deacons. First day of Communion to be fourth Sabbath, July 1848. (One month late; lack of wine or lack of Communion Service.)
The next order of business was fourth Saturday in April, 1848. The church agreed to furnish a water bucket for the church (several times). The meeting then adjourned until meeting in course (moving from one place to another), May 1646. The trustees of the church were ordered to collect money subscriptions for the building and report the amount, July 1646, the church sent two delegates to assist Brother Steinburger and Joseph Blackwell. The church agreed to send fifty cents to defray expense of printing the August Minutes of 1646. The church approved Brother Charles Branham to purchase a stove for the church; they also agreed to get up three petitions for the purpose of raising money to pay for the stove for the benefit of Dry Fork Church. (Note: The stove probably cost five dollars.) Brother George Maupin was approved as Treasurer, December 1848 Jackson Blackwell was reported of disorderly conduct - Dosier, Watson and John Banks Moore were to counsel with him. He came before the church and acknowledged guilt and was received into full fellowship. He then called for a letter of dismissal, which was denied. Generally, at the next business meeting, a motion was approved for the church to pay over to the trustees of said church, the balance due for work done on the church. G.G. Foster owed $4.50 for service rendered by Charles Branham. At the next meeting, respecting Brother Branham's claim against Brother G.G. Foster be thrown out of the church.
August 1849, Brother R. Brandon was to purchase a dozen window panes and putty to put them in. Brother G. Watson, J. Clatterbuck and Brother Branham were appointed a committee to visit the spring school house and other places around the meeting house; suspect persons having spirits for sale on Sunday, a day of public worship, and deal with them accordingly. (Spirits as used by them, is liquor.) A letter of dismissal called for by Brother John Clatterbuck was granted.
The first protracted meeting ended November 5, 1849. Five joined by letter, three by experience, three for baptism. Total number of members is now 42.
December 1849, Brother Steinburger and Brother Dosier to act with Trustees, Brother Maupin, Baynham and R. Brandon as a committee that no imposter intral on the church. Brother Dozier to contract with our Coulard Brother Dick to keep the church cleaned up, .build fires, fetch water, etc.
William L. Maupin has excluded himself for our watch care by joining himself to a church calling themselves a Christian Body formally known by the name of Campbellites. A letter was granted Nancy Maup1n, now Nancy Jamerson.
April 1850, Wm. G. Hudson excluded from the church for immoral conduct as a Christian and getting drunk. July 1850, church voted to send $10.00 for Missionary purposes to the General Association. August 1850, the church approved committee of Brother Maupin and Brother Brandon to employ some person to make the seats to fill the meeting house and the members of the church pay for same. November 1850, Now Salem asked for deacons of church for aid in ordaining of deacons of New Salem by Thos. Hubbard.
April 1851, the church voted to pay Dick $3.00 for the last year due him for services to the church; agreed to Pay $2.75 for the next year, 1852. At July business meeting, 1851, Brother Charles Branham reported striking Brother S. Keen for reporting a falsity about him. Brother Branham confessed and said he was sorry and asked the church to forgive him.
Brother Watson and Brother J.B. Moore were appointed to a Committee to See Brother Keen and cite him to appear before the church and answer to charge against him for misrepresenting Brother Branham.
September 1851, Brother S. Keen confessed he had treated Brother Branham roughly and was sorry. The church forgave him and was willing to sustain him. Sister Selady Hudson brought charges against Brother Maupin of being guilty of hearsay in the church. October 1851, Sister Hudson withdrew charges against Brother Maupin. The church voted to call N. Flood for $100.00 for services for one year. He served seven months. He accepted with the liberty of withdrawing on a month's notice, as he expected to move out of the county, July 1852. Brother Richardson was elected to see Deacon Brother Bird (Byrd). Brother Moore came forward and confessed to getting drunk and asked the forgiveness of the church. The church forgave him. Brother A. Clatterbuck charged with getting drunk, confessed and asked forgiveness and promised not to drink any more spirits. The church forgave him and felt willing to bear him in their prayers,
May 1852, Rev. Flood resigned and G.F. Polk was elected by a unanimous vote. The church received Brother Smith, a collard man and servant of Martin Butler in fellowship by letter from the Arbour Church of Virginia. The church appointed R. Brandon as Treasurer, July 1852.
January 1853, Brother P.R. Steinburger brought a charge against the Church of treating him with contempt because he was not asked to open the meeting at the last church meeting. Incidently, he and his wife had asked the church for letters May 1852. G.D. Toll was elected third pastor in 1853 by unanimous call, July 1853, a motion was made to take up the difficulty between A.R. Brandon and P.R. Steinburger. A committee of Brother Dosier, Banks Moore, W. Richardson and H. Bullard was chosen by the pastor to settle the difficulty. The parties gave each other hand shakes and agreed to be friendly.
October 1853, Dick employed for $4.00 a year. September 18,54, Brother Noland was called; $100.00 a year pay, to be paid quarterly. December 1854, Dick, a servant of Nancy Holt, was received in full fellowship of the church, John Reynolds and wife Viny present letters from Now Salem Church and were received into full fellowship. No business January, February, March and April 1855.
May 1855, Margaret Reynolds called for letter of dismissal. (Why? Note: Each year a member was appointed to write a corresponding letter to the General Association and he and the pastor take same to the meeting and the church votes 500 to defray cost of postage (where are those old minutes?). Gone: also note each record of business meeting reads thus: "The United Baptist Church not at Dry Fork Meeting House the fourth Saturday in (month, year) after praise and prayer to Almighty God (many times neglected to capitalize God) proceeding to the business of the day. First visiting brethern sister churches invited to seat with us. Second, a door opened for the receptions of members." (I gather from the minutes, all uniting with the church, did so at business sessions.)
Third references called for: October 1855, Brother Hubbard and Richardson were appointed to purchase a stove (new stove or a second one?) and glass to fill the windows, November 1855. Voted to meet next Saturday and under pin the meeting house. (At this point, the clerk apparently ran out of ink and started writing with pencil, which was doubly hard to read.) Note: Many business meetings adjourned with no business to transact, Also, many clerks gave preachers text.
May 1856, sexton pay increased to six dollars. (Times more prosperous or more members?) Giving was always referred to as subscriptions rather than pledge or offering. (Evidently, was more like A pledge, for they speak of not being paid.) At July meeting of 1856, R. Brandon, who was designated at the June business meeting to write the letter to the General Association, was instructed to produce and read same to the church. Sent three delegates, Brother Robert Brandon, L.B. Hubbard and Wm. H. Richardson, along with the customary 500 to defray cost of printing the minutes. September 1856, Brother Hiram Holt, letter of dismissal by request. (Note: I think this was great grandfather.) Why? In November and December of 1856, a new trend - "If there is anything on the minds of the members, concerning the church and the gospel and steps need to be taken, now is the proper time to make it known - or any other matter that is necessary to come before the church or any proportion to be made." (Note: Did he mean proposition?)
January 1857 - To show that in this period there were those who could make a long story short, I quote the minutes. "After services proceed to business of the day, there being no business before the church, meeting adjourned until next meeting in course, (act of moving from one place to another) G. Maupin, Clerk Protem." Note: They still call themselves United Baptist of Christ.
On February 18579 Brother Stouts to make remarks on tomorrow respecting William Jewell College. March 18570 Brother Kiger dismissed for disorderly conduct. A committee was appointed to wait on A. Vaughan. In May, Brother Vaughan reported and was restored to fellowship. (Failed to give charge against Brother Vaughan.) June 1857, R. Brandon and W.H. Wilkerson appointed to write the letter to the Association and to bear the letter to the Association. Delegates J.B. Hubbard, S. Watson and W.H. Wilkerson were chosen. July 1857, W.H. Wilkerson read the letter to the church which was received rather than appointed. Note: W.H. were my dad's initials; however, this is not my dad, Dad was born in 1859, so evidently$ this is Uncle Bill Wilkerson, Claude Wilke Wilkerson's father.
The following joined the church - first named slave and second named owner: Charity B. Overton, Jane - Bro. Holt, Dick - Nancy Holt, H. Holt, Amy - Banks Moore, Jack and Viny (Collered) joined in July 1858. A committee was appointed to raise money by subscriptions for posting and planking in the meeting house, The building at this time had posts for support in the center of the room and I presume the planking was a floor of wide wooden planks or boards. The church voted for Bro. Hubbard, Moore, Wilkerson and Martin Butler to be added to the committee to aide in raising funds for same. W.H. Wilkerson now shows as Clerk Protem. A committee was appointed March 1858, to raise funds by subscriptions for the purpose of enclosing the meeting house and grave yard with a fence, The committee is authorized by the church to lay off the ground as to include the burying ground, by and all the committee is authorized - so soon as there is sufficient funds to proceed and have the encloser done. (enclosure)
Brother Wilkerson's servant, Ben (April 1858) was hired to keep the house in order, furnish water and keep up fires when needed, at $6.00 a year. Brother Robert Brandon request to be discharged from the clerkship as church clerk when there is another to fill his place. (Let's remember, he was the first clerk and is buried in the Dry Fork Cemetery.) June 1858, W.H. Wilkerson was elected to serve as Church Clerk until relieved by the church. July 1858, the church approved 7.50 to secure minutes of association. The deacons are to act as Treasurer of Church. Dry Fork to ask for the next association, 1858. Brother Vaughan and Brother A. Brandon were cited for intemperance. The church contributed 3.5410 for Missionary purposes.
March 1859, Ben Wilkerson's servant increased in salary to $9,00, (Are things looking up? Hal) Brother Roads excluded for immoral conduct, I-Which Roads?) Rhodes. June 1859, Brother Hubbard, Reynolds, Longley and Ashworth appointed to solicit subscriptions for hymn books, known as Southern Service. June 1859, B.A. Watson excluded at his request. September 1859, Saluda Hudson excluded to join the Presbyterian Church. November 1859, the church moved Brother Moore and Butler be appointed to stop trade and traffic of-all kinds with the Negroes.
January 1860, Dry Fork now without a pastor. Brother SteInburger brought the sermon. Resolved that when we make a call for a pastor, if we cannot unite, we will consider Bro. M.D. Poland for the ensuing year. The church went into a call and failed to unite. Brother J.T.M. Johnson unanimously called,
February 1860. (116 years ago) (J.T.M. Johnson was later pastor of the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis.) Brother Moore and Reynolds appointed to wait on Brother Johnson and acquaint him of his call and report at the next meeting. A motion was approved that Brother Dozier, Maupin and Wilkerson be appointed as a commitee to revise our file of Decorum. A motion was approved that Brother Longley and Wilkerson be a committee appointed to an Eulogy on Brother Noland and have it published in the Watchman. March 1860, Brother J.T.M. Johnson delivered the sermon. Third ballot for Brother Johnson, unanimous. Margaret Burnett restored to fellowship. (Why excluded?) Payne Reynolds requests the church to settle a difficulty between he and his wife, Rebecca J. Reynolds. Brother Butler, Chaney, Hubbard, Longley and Wintervower were appointed to a committee to wait on Brother and Sister Reynolds. At May 1860 meeting, the church licensed Brother Thomas Tuttle to preach. Brother W.T. Hudson excluded for drunkenness., using profane language and other immoral conduct. October 1860, Brother and Sister Payne and Rebecca Reynolds excluded for parting as man and wife. On February 1860, a charge against Sister Margaret Burnett for dancing, and she was excluded.
March 1861, Brother Thomas Tuttle oration given (at the busIness meeting)# Tuttle, Moderator Protem. July 1861, Margaret Reynolds returns to church, The church voted (August 1861) to set apart Thursday before fourth service in September as a day of humanization and prayer. November 1861, Brother Reynolds and Brother Brandon appointed to wait on Cagy Clatterbuck and to know why he holds his letter out of the church. Brother J. Holt and J. Clatterbuck appointed to wait on Brother Zumwalt for November attendance. Brother Dozier and Brother Maupin appointed to wait on Brother Watson for November attendance.
Cagy Clatterbuck returns his letter December 1861 and was received A second committee appointed to wait on Brother Watson, namely Brother Reynolds, Tuttle, Hubbard and Chaney.
April 1862, Samuel Watson was excluded for non-attendance and other unchristian conduct. May 1862, Brother Wilkerson appointed as a committee of one to have the fence around the church repaired. June 1862, John Byrd Moore appointed to prepare a letter to be inspected at our next meeting, to the association, Brother Chaney, H.H. Hubbard, Longley and Ashworth agreed to keep the house in order for the next twelve months. July 1862, Brother Byrd Moore to prepare the letter to the General Association. which war. adopted. Adopted $3.30 collected to send to the Association - W.H. Wilkerson, M.T. Ashworth and John Byrd Moore as delegates. September 1862, a motion to pay Brother Johnson and Burnham was approved.
May 1863, Brother John Reynolds was elected Deacon, ordained the fourth Sunday$ June 1863. Brother Wilkerson was to keep the meeting house in order three months. July 1863, Brother Griffin excluded from the church. Tom W. Holt, August 1863, cited for non-attendance at church. September 1863, a protracted meeting was hold. December 1863, Brother Brandon to repair fence.
February 1864, Brother R.H. Bullard and Brother Thomas T. Hudson excluded for drunkenness. W.H. Wilkerson, W. Chaney and H.S. Hubbard appointed as a committee to raise a contribution to support Brother Steinburger. (Note: At this meeting, Brother J.T.M. Johnson shows as Moderator.) May 1864, Squire and Mary Burnham presented their church letter from Now Salem Church. Brother Burnham's children, Mary (M) Hunt. Brother Brandon was appointed to a committee to buy a new church book.
Notations:
Dry Fork constituted the 24th of September, 1847 by the following members from Providence Church: William Dosier (Dozier), Robert Brandon (Brandon), Sarah Dosier (Dozier), Caroline Dosier (Dozier), John Holt, Mary Holt, William J. Hudson,
Elizabeth Moore, Elizabeth Dosier (Dozier), and Emily Branham, at total of eleven members. Note: Grandma Gibbs joined church in 1863, as Louisa Brooks and Grandpa William Gibbs joined church in 1863, before they married. He was elected Deacon, December 1893, with a unanimous vote. Note: Who is Joseph Rhoads? Note: Dad joined church December 14, 1893 (a Campbellite). Hat Mom joined church August 23, 1884.
The cost of the first church. We, the undersigned Trustees for the Dry Fork Church of United Baptist upon settlement and comparison of papers, find that the whole costs of the house amount to $236.55, That there is yet owing to A.H. Brandon, $18.15 and there is yet owing to George MaupIn $27-50 to J.J. Poster $4,50, which leaves the church in debt $50.15. There is yet due on subscriptions list $16.00, unpaid this 21st day of March 1849. R. Brandon', Trustee. Cash paid, George Maupin, $27-50 in full for work rendered Dry Fork Meeting House, Dry Fork Meeting House is being paid in full for same house. March 1849
Statistices show no balance, R. Brandon, Trustee. 127
127 members--, 1864
White Male 34
White Female 64
Colored Male 14
Colored Female +5
127 total