This church was constituted in July, 1801, and was then called Sulphur Fork. Eight members then composed the body. The church book having been twice destroyed by the burning of the house of the clerks, there are no records remaining until May, 1809.

     In November, 1809, the late Elder Alan M'Guire was called to and accepted the pastoral charge thereof. During the first five years of his pastorship thirty-one were added to their number by baptism, and twenty-nine by letter.

     In l815 it was resolved to raise means by subscription to aid in sending a missionary to preach to the destitute on our western frontier.

     In 1816 the contribution for missionary purposes was sent on by Brother M'Guire (the pastor), who was a member of the Missionary Board.

     The year 1817 was a memorable one to this church. One hundred and sixty-five were added to their number by baptism; increasing theit number to about two hundred. Among others received during this revival was the late Elder Peter H. Vories, and in November of the same year he was licensed to preach.

     In 1819 John A. M'Guire was received by letter, and P.H. Vories was ordained to the work of the ministry. Whole number, one hundred and eighty-five.

     In 1821 J. A. M'Guire was appointed clerk.

     In 1825 the church urged J. A. M'Guire to exercise his ministerial gift. A conference was held with this church on the subject of forming a new association. In Octobter of this year Elder P. H. Vories died, and Elder Alan M'Guire was requested to assume the pastorship, which he agreed to do. In Nov. John W. Thomas was received by letter and licensed to preach.

     In July 1827, the Sulphur Fork association was organized with this church. In November John W. Thomas was ordained to the ministry and the late Wharton M. Ransdell was received by experience. Elder Alan M'Guire, being about to remove to Missouri, resigned the pastorship of the church, and received a letter of recommendation expressing their love and esteem for him.

     In March, 1827, John A. M'Guire was ordained to the ministry.

     In 1828 the first day of October was set apart as a day of prayer for a revival of religion. Elders Thomas and M'Guire preached and administered ordinances jointly. The Lord was pleased to hear and answer, and a most glorious revival was enjoyed. Between that time and February, 1829, one hundred and sixty-seven were received by baptism. Elder M'Guire's daughter (in her tenth year) was one of them. In November J. A. M'Guire resigned the clerkship, and J. H. Oliver was appointed. The church now numbered three hundred and fourteen.

     In July, 1830, Elders Thomas and M'Guire were jointly called to the pastorship, which they accepted.

     In September, 1831, Elder J. W. Thomas was dismissed by letter, and removed from the State. Elder J. A. M'Guire was appointed moderator.

     In 1835 twenty-two were received by baptism. The late Levi Scott and several of his family were among the number.

     In 1838 Wharton M. Ransdell was licensed to preach. In this year eleven were received by baptism. Joseph F. M'Guire, the son of the pastor, was one of them. His three oldest children were now members.

     In 1839 Elder M'Guire was unanimously requested to continue to serve as pastor, and D. N. Porter was licensed to preach. Number, one hundred and seventy-four.

     At the March meeting in 1850 it was agreed to take into consideration the course pursued by Brother M'Guire in relation to missionary matters; referred until the next meeting. April meeting: the reference concerning Bro. M'Guire taken up and voted satisfactory.

     In May Bro. Wharton M. Ransdell was ordained to the ministry. During the July meeting a vote was taken as to whether the church would sustain Bro. M'Guire in his course in relation to the missionary system, and decided in the affirmative.

     September meeting: The anti-missionaries (numbering twenty-nine) declared themselves no more of us; and having got clear of this incubus the church continued the meeting for twelve days in succession, the pastor being aided by Elder E. G. Berry, during which time fifty-two were received by experience -- forty-seven of whom the pastor baptized on the last day of the meeting. His youngest son was one of them. Oh! "it was a happy day." All the children of the pastor (five in number) were now members. The church now numbered one hundred and seventy-five.

     At the November meeting, 1840, the anti-missionaries were excluded.

     In October, 1841, Bro. D. N. Porter was ordained to the ministry.

     In January, 1843, a series of meetings were held in Campbellsburg, and fifteen were received for baptism. In February, 1844, five were received.

     In September, 1845, it was agreed to hold our church meetings hereafter in Campbellsburg. Twenty-seven received for baptism during October.

     During the February meeting, 1846, Elder J. A. M'Guire having gone to Louisiana, Elder D. N. Porter was called to fill his place as pastor.

     In 1847, Bro. M'Guire not having returned, Bro. Porter was again called as pastor.

     Brethren E. B. Stratton and J. B. Porter requested to preach for us when convenient.

     October meeting: Elder D. N. Porter resigned the pastoral charge.

     November: Elder E. B. Stratton, who had been received by letter, was requested to serve as pastor until Brother M'Guire returned.

     March meeting, 1848: Elder M'Guire having returned, Elder Stratton resigned the pastoral charge, and Elder M'Guire was requested to resume the same.

     In 1849 Elder M'Guire continued pastor. Nineteen added by baptism.

     In 1850 fifteen were added by baptism.

     In 1851 ten were received by baptism.
In 1852 Bro. M'Guire was requested to continue pastor. In July and August twenty-five were received by experience. November meeting: Elder M'Guire, being about to remove to Louisiana, resigned the pastoral charge; he and his family, eight in number, were dismissed by letter.

     In February, 1853, Elder William Price was called to the pastorship.
In 1854 Elder Price continued pastor. Five baptized. Whole number, two hundred.

     In August, 1854, Bro. M'Guire was requested to return and resume the pastoral charge.

     In April, 1855, Elder E. B. Stratton was called as pastor for the present.

     In 1856 Bro. Stratton continued pastor. Thirty-two received for baptism.

     In April, 1857, Elder Wm. Johnson was called to the pastoral charge, Bro. Stratton being in bad health. Thirty were received by experience in October.

     December meeting: Elder Johnson resigned the pastoral charge and Elder E. B. Stratton again accepted the same, until October, 1858, when Bro. J. Cook was ordained to the ministry and called to the pastoral charge. Sixty-three were received for baptism during the year. Whole number, two hundted and thirty-eight.

      In 1859, Bro. Cook removed, and Bro. T. M. Daniel was called to the pastoral charge, and is yet serving them.

     Oh! may the old mother church of near three score years' standing continue to appear "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners!" Amen.

J. A. M.

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[From Samuel. H. Ford, editor, The Christian Repository, August 1860, pp. 589-592. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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