UNION ASSOCIATION met in Convention on Saturday before the third Sunday in September, 1824, at Little Flock, Curry's Prairie, Sullivan County, Indiana, having been previously dismissed from the Wabash District Association for the purpose of forming themselves into a new Association. Introductory Sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Anderson, from 2. Tim., 4. and 2., "Preach the word," after which Rev. Tyra Harris was chosen Moderator, and William Bruce, Clerk.Letters from the following churches were read and afterwards organized into an Association:
Wabash, Maria Creek, Little Flock, Busseron, Union, Veals Creek, and Boggs Creek, seven in number, and a membership of 232, 5 ordained Ministers and 1 Licentiate. Where are those ministers to-day? We are reminded of the saying of Solomon, "One generation passeth away and another cometh." While this grave fact appears in all the walks of human life, it has a marked interest and impressiveness in relation to pastors and prominent members of churches. In briefly noticing some of our pastors as well as other ministers who used to meet with us in holy convocations in the first existence of our beloved Association, we remember the following: Revs. John Graham, Samuel Anderson, Willis Pierson, Abner Davis, and Elijah Veatch; and the following who used to visit us: Revs. Isaac McCoy, A. Evans, Brice Fields, Stephen and Thomas Kennedey, J. D. Crabbs, Leroy Mayfield, James McCoy, and many others; also, Brethren Joseph Liston, (the only constitutional delegate now living,) John Keith, Joseph Chambers, Samuel Chambers, David Chambers, Clark Willis, J. Gardner, Overton Cosby, F. Donaldson, J. Morgan, Hamlet Sanford, Elijah Eads, N. G. Cole, and many others, but now all gone from labor to rest, from the cross to the crown.
In 1826 she opened correspondence with Lost River, Salem, and Little Pigeon Associations, which continued for a time with apparent harmony, but owing to the missionary proclivities of the Union Association, correspondence was dropped by Salem Association at her session in 1827, she having embraced the two-seed doctrine of Rev. Dan. Parker.
Wabash District Association was organized in 1809, and opened correspondence with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and continued her correspondence until 1819. In 1820 the name of Daniel Parker appears in her minutes; he circulated, in her midst, his pamphlets of Antiism, and the two-seed doctrine of which she embraced, and thus dissatisfaction arose and hence the necessity of the organization of the Union Association in 1824. The doctrines of Rev. Dan. Parker spread to some extent over Blue River, Lost River, White River, Little Pigeon, and Salem Associations, hence they all dropped correspondence with Union Association, as she would have nothing to do with Parkerism and its blighting influence, but the Lord has blessed Union Association, notwithstanding the many trials she has been called to pass through; although her progress has been slow, in 1833 she had grown from 7 to 19 churches:, and 843 members, but owing to the apparent necessity for the organization of Curry's Prairie Association at the session of 1835, she was again reduced to 7 churches, and 291 members. Yet her pastors and members continued to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, and He has blessed their labors and added to her numbers, and now - September, 1874 - she has 19 churches, and a membership of 1,380.
A few facts, to which I desire to call your attention. Blue River Association was organized in 1816; she opened correspondence with the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and continued the correspondence until 1824, when she dropped the correspondence without assigning any reason. Lost River Association was organized 1825, with a membership of 548, and she also opened correspondence with Union Association; and also with Flat Rock Association, both being missionary bodies. But in 1833 Lost River declared non-fellowship with all benevolent institutions, such as Bible, Publication, and Sunday School Societies, etc.; so we see she was born an anti-missiou. body 41 years ago the 7th inst: White River, organized August 1835, was also anti-mission; thus we see that the Baptists who first settled in Indiana territory were missionary bodies.
Other Associations in Southern Indiana spake against missions; Little Pigeon, Salem, Danville, and Eel River, all small bodies, some now extinct. While those Anti-Baptist ministers are abusing Missionary Baptists, they should remember they were once connected with Missionary Baptists, but they forgot their first love and followed strange gods, yet they claim to be old-fashioned, regular Baptists, while every Baptist acquainted with his own history knows that they are an off-shoot or water-spout from the old Missionary Baptist Church. The Lord has abundantly blessed the Missionary Baptists in Indiana, the membership, churches, and Associations have been largely increased.
But passing down the history of the Association we see the Lord has raised up in our midst other ministers to take the place of those gone before. We find the names of Revs. F. Slater, Wm. Stansil, L. Loveless, T. N. Robertson, G. W. Melton, H. Head, T. J. Swan, and Brethren L. D. Brewer and J. M. Stansil, Licentiates, to strengthen the bonds of christian brotherhood, under whose united labor the Lord has blessed the Association with an increase of churches and membership.
We pass to notice some of the changes in our accommodations for public worship. The few meeting houses that were built when the Association was organized were without taste or convenience; but all these have given place to new, commodious and comfortable houses of worship. This called forth great sacrifice on the part of some, but they have labored earnestly and faithfully, and their labors have not been in vain.
Another change we notice is the support of the ministry. The old style has given way and now the salary is raised by voluntary contribution. Too often, though, the matter is neglected and members forget that there are claims upon their pastor, arid they can only be met by their discharging their duty in the way of support. Our plan is not yet perfect and we hope soon to see a change for the better. There has been a withdrawal of respect and courtesy toward the ministry, especially the aged. You see me here, as well as Rev. Stansil - links between the past and the future. Many of our fathers in the ministry have passed away and we have entered into their labors, standing upon the same watch tower, myself for 48 years last August, and Elder Stansil 52 years since last May. We have great reason to bless God for the blessings hitherto attending our ministry.
As we look over the past and call to mind those old pastors and brethren, who have long since been called from labor to reward, the pressure on my own heart would stop my utterance did I not know that the best friend of the remaining pastors and churches holds these stars in his own right hand, and has removed them in his own best time, and, as he has taken them from the earth, he has set them in the purer, brighter skies of the heavenly world and bid them shine with unceasing lustre for ever and forever. But, thanks be to God, I see before me those whom he has called to proclaim the unreachable riches of Christ, whom we trust the Lord will bless in extending the cause of Zion.
Let us not in the anticipation of great results, be greatly moved, but trust the Lord and be careful to know and do the appropriate duties of each day, leaving the results with all cheerfulness to the care and control of boundless wisdom, goodness and power. How pleasant to see the young and the aged side by side engaged in the same great work. The very best good of the church may result from a cordial and happy reunion of youth and age in their modifying influences upon each other while mutually aiding each other in the cause of Christ and every good word and work.
As we review the past we are reminded that the time of our departure is nigh, hence the necessity of doing with our might what our hands find to do for Christ and immortal souls. Let us take courage and be zealous in His cause. Dear friends, faithful unto death, in heaven wearing a crown and enjoying eternal life, our prospect for this end is wholly through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Is it not enough to quicken us to know that these things are nigh, even at the door?
WABASH BAPTIST CHURCH. The Wabash Baptist Church is the oldest church in the Association and was organized prior to 1809, although the exact date could not be ascertained. The records from which this sketch was taken only date back to January 6, 1840. Rev. John Graham was pastor a number of years, but closed his pastorate in 1841, and was succeeded by Rev. William Stansil, who was pastor for 15 years, until May 31, 1856, when Rev. M. McRea was chosen pastor and remained such until January, 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. F. Slater and Rev. James Hooper, who preached alternately until March, 1858, when Rev. J. L. Irwin took charge and continued pastor for about two years. In January, 1860, Rev. Robert Moore was called to the pastorate and continued until 1867. During his pastorate the meetings were moved from Royal Oak church to the town of Bruceville, where they have since then been held. In December, 1870, Rev. W. Bicknell was sent to this church as a missionary and remained a few months and was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Irwin, who continued for a while and was followed by Rev. T. N. Robertson in 1872, who continued as pastor until 1873. Since that time Rev. Geo. W. Melton and others have preached occasionally. This old church was once strong and exerted a powerful influence for the Baptist cause, and now it should not be allowed to languish and die. We, as Baptists relying on God, must by His strength hold what we have gained.
MARIA CREEK. Maria Creek Baptist Church was organized May 20,1809. This is the second-oldest church in this Association. She was one of the constitutional churches dismissed from the Wabash District Association in 1824, to form Union Association.
The records of this church could not be obtained, consequently the early history is not known to the writer. Among her early pastors were Revs. Samuel Anderson, William Stansil, M. McRea, who, under God, were instrumental in implanting in the minds of her people those truths which characterize us as a denomination. She was made to pass through the ordeal of Parkerism and Antiism and their blighting influence, but true to her principles and the teachings of Christ she has come off more than conqueror, and to-day she has a representative in the Foreign field - Rev. T. J. Keith - whose labors the Lord is owning and blessing. She has a large, commodious house of worship, situated near Freelandsville, Knox Co., Ind., surrounded by a beautiful grove, in the midst of a rich farming country inhabited by an intelligent class of farmers. She is one of our strongest churches in this Association, and she has always exerted a powerful influence for the cause of Christ and for Baptist principles and teachings. Rev. G. W. Melton, her present pastor, is a young man of promise. May the stern and determined adherence to principle and the teachings of Christ that has ever characterized Maria Creek church, characterize all our churches, then the Baptist cause, the cause of Christ., will arise and be felt.
VEALS CREEK Veals Creek Baptist Church is situated 2 l/2 miles south east of Washington, in a thickly settled neighborhood, of thrifty, intelligent farmers. It was organized on the 15th of July, 1823, by Rev. Samuel Anderson, and made application and was received into the Wabash District Association the same year, and the following year, 1824, was one of the constitutional churches of Union Association.
At the first meeting of the church Abner Davis was licensed "to preach the gospel wherever God in His providence might call him." He was afterwards chosen the first regular pastor of this church.
In 1825 the church began preparations for building, and in October, 1826, David M. Hixon, Thos. Donaldson and Overton Cosby were elected the first Trustees of the church. Rev. John Graham was called to the pastoral care of the church in December, 1828, and continued until 1833, but was afterwards, at different times, pastor for a number of years. Among the other pastors are the following: Revs. J. D. Crabbs, William Stansil, Isaac H. Elkin, T. N. Robertson, H. Robb, P. H. Evans, F. Slater, R. M. Parks, and H. Head - the present pastor. At the time of the organization of the Association this was the only Baptist church in the county, and for a number of years was a strong and working church, but, since the organization of other churches in this part of the county, Veals Creek has been weakened in numbers. But through all her trials the Lord has abundantly b1essed her, and she holds fast the principles of the Baptist Church.
MOUNT OLIVE. Mount Vernon Baptist Church was organized in 1825, and was known by that name until 1844, when it was reorganized and named Mount Olive. This church is situated 8 or 9 miles east of Washington, Daviess Co., on the old Vincennes and Louisville road. She has never been a strong church, numerically, yet she has some strong and influential members. She worshiped in an old log house, but in 1872 and '73 she determined to arise and build, and in June, 1873, she dedicated a neat and commodious house to the Lord. Among her pastors were Revs. I. H. Elkin, Abner Davis, F. Slater, T. N. Robertson, and D. Manly, the present pastor, under whose labors the church has been abundantly blessed.
INDIAN PRAIRIE Indian Prairie Baptist Church was organized in 1832, and Rev. Stephen Kennedy was her first pastor. She, like Maria Creek, was made to pass through the ordeal of Anti-ism and its disastrous influence. The church, at one time, erected a log meeting house, but owing to the divisions in the church, I think it was never completed, and at the session of the Association in 1834, two letters and two delegations were received, each claiming to be from Indian Prairie church, but on examination it was found that one had departed from the faith and practices of the Baptist Church, and the one holding to the faith and practices of the Baptist Church were received and that party finally triumphed, and God in His mercy has abundantly blessed her, and to-day she is the strongest church in the Association and has a large and commodious house of worship. Her last pastors were Revs. B. B. Arnold, T. N. Robertson, L. W. Bicknell, but at present she is without a pastor.
WASHINGTON. Washington Baptist Church was organized Feb. 4, 1840, with 11 members. Rev. William Stansil was her first pastor and continued until 1850, and from 1857 to '59; Rev. B. B. Arnold from 1850 to '51; Rev. H. Robb from 1851 to '55; Rev. T. N. Robertson from 1856 to '57, and from 1860 to '62; Rev. J.R. Phillips from 1864 to '65; Rev. T. R. Palmer part of the year 1866; Rev. R. M. Parks from March, 1868, to March, 1873. Rev. H. Head, the present pastor, was called March, 1874. This church had to pass through many dark places; not being able to build a house of worship, she was compelled to meet from house to house and any and every place available; at one time she assisted in seating the Court House in order to have a place of meeting; but she struggled on and in 1859 she, by the help of the Lord, arose and built a large, commodious house of worship. The house is plain, but substantial, built of brick; it is 40 x 60, and cost, aside from the lot, on which it stands, $4,000.00. The church is comparatively strong, and is active and zealous for the cause of the Master.
SUGAR CREEK. Sugar Creek Baptist Church, situated near Alfordsville, Daviess Co., was organized 1841. I have not been able to learn the names of her different pastors. The church has a comfortable house of worship, and is comparatively strong in membership. Rev. D. Manly is her present pastor, whose labors the Lord has owned and blessed in building up Zion.
INDIAN CREEK. Indian Creek Baptist Church was organized May the 29th, 1841. This church has known by this name until 1870, when it was moved to Bicknell, Knox Co., Ind., and reorganized and called
MOUNT ZION. This church was organized with 17 members and, although weak, they have since then erected a neat and commodious house of worship, at a cost of about $3,000.00. They are a faithful band whom God will bless as he has blessed them in the past. Rev. F. Slater is their present pastor.
UNION. Union Baptist Church was organized in July, 1843. The ministers officiating were Revs. John Atmore, F. Slater, and John Black. The number of members was 7. Rev. F. Slater was their first pastor; of their other pastors I have no knowledge until the pastorate of P. H. Evans. He was succeeded by Rev. W. Sturgeon, and since then they ,have been supplied by Rev. Daniel Cain, Rev. Warren C. Keith, and Rev. F. Slater. Brethren Cain and Keith both died during their pastorate. Union church has a comfortable house of worship, 1 1/2 miles south of Petersburgh, Pike County. There is plenty of Baptist material in the immediate vicinity of this church, and when God in his own good time shall own the efforts of his people to bring it in, we shall here find a strong church.
AIKMAN'S CREEK. Aikman's Creek Baptist Church was organized Feb. 26, 1844. The council consisted of Revs. G. W. Harpold, Wm. Stansil, and Brethren Thos. Donaldson, Benj. Fitzgerald, William Cole. The church was organized with 17 members. Rev. John Graham was their first pastor and continued until 1848. Rev. W. Stansil was pastor from 1848 to '51. Rev. F. Slater was pastor from 1851 to '52, and from 1854 to '68. Rev. H. Robb was pastor from 1851 to '52. Rev. Lewis Loveless was pastor during the year 1869. Rev. D. L. Cain was called to the pastorate of the church January 13, 1872, and was pastor until God called him from labor to reward in 1873. Rev. H. Head, the present pastor, was called in March, 1874. This church has a good house of worship, 9 miles south-east of Washington, Daviess Co. She has a good membership of live, active christians.
SHILOH. Shiloh Baptist Church was constituted on April 6, 1844, at a school house near the south-west corner of Green Co. Rev. John Graham was Moderator of the council, and Rev. M. McRea, Clerk. It was organized with 24 members. Rev. M. McRea was their first pastor. In January, 1851, the church disbanded and a new organization took place April 12, 1851. Revs. W. Stansil, W. Sturgeon, J. L. Irwin, and T. N. Robertson have been pastors since [the] new organization. Rev. T. J. Swan is their present pastor. They have a neat and, indeed, beautiful house of worship near Sanborn, Green County. It is a live and zealous church, whom God has greatly blessed.
SULLIVAN. Sullivan Baptist Church was organized April 23, 1853, with a membership of 16 persons, by Revs. Wm. Stansil, E. B. D. C. Herring, and T. R. McKinney, beside lay brethren. Rev. Wm. Stansil was her first pastor, whose labors the Lord abundantly blessed in building up Zion, and he remained pastor a number of years, but in the providence of God he was called to other fields, and Rev. Roads was the second pastor, continuing one year. He was succeeded by Rev. L. W. Bicknell, and he was succeeded by Rev. M. C. Clark, who remained one year. The church never rose to a large body, but she is built of strong material, whose labor of love and faithfulness is realized in the community. She has had her trials, but out of them the Lord has delivered her. She has a good house of worship. Rev. T. N. Robertson is her present pastor.
WILSON'S CREEK Wilson's Creek Baptist Church was organized February 27, 1854, by Revs. W. Stansil and M. McRea; with 16 members. Revs. F. Slater, G. W. Hooper, M. McRea, John Campbell, John Lazwill, W. C. Keith, and L. Loveless, have been her pastors, and God has blessed their labors in building up here a strong church. They have a good house of worship and Rev. Lewis Loveless is their present pastor.
EDWARDSPORT. Edwardsport Baptist Church was organized June 4, 1858, with 23 members, by Rev. P. H. Evans. Total enrollment, including those dismissed in various ways, is 174 members. During the first three years they met in school houses and dwelling houses, but in 1856 and '57, by a determined effort, they erected a comfortable house of worship at a cost of about $700.00. Revs. R. Moore, Wm. Stansil, W. C. Keith, and F. Slater, have been pastors. May the cause of Zion arise in Edwardsport.
VINCENNES. Vincennes Baptist Church was organized May 1, 1864, with 9 members. Rev. J. S. Gillespie was her first pastor and remained a number of years. The church, by united effort and at heavy sacrifice, erected a neat and beautiful house of worship; in this they were greatly strengthened by the christian liberality of Mrs. Mary Heberd. Revs. L. D. Robinson, B. F. Cavens, and S. M. Strinpon have been pastors. This p1ace ought to be held by the Baptists, and we hope at no far distant day to see here a strong, se1f-sustaining church.
ALDER CREEK. Alder Creek Baptist Church, Dubois Co., was organized on the 5th Sabbath in September, 1862, by Rev. P. H. Evans. This band had many difficulties, but here are some noble christians who have kept the faith, although they do not any more have regular worship. May God in his mercy remember them and may it prove a vine of God's own planting.
PILGRIM.
Pilgrim Baptist Church, Pike County, was organized in 1862, by Rev. P. H. Evans. Of its results I know nothing. Her name still stands on our minutes, but she has not been represented in our Association for a number of years.
MOUNT GILEAD. Mount Gilead Baptist Church was organized in 1867. She prospered for a time, but dissensions arose and the church, I think, was broken up. Whether she ever disbanded or not, I am unable to say. Her name still stands on our minutes, although she has not been represented in our Association for a number of years.
LICK CREEK. Lick Creek Baptist Church, Pike County, was organized in 1873, by Rev. Lewis Loveless, with a membership of 11 souls. Rev. L. Loveless was her pastor. She has promise of becoming a useful church. May the tender plant become strong in Christ Jesus.
NASHVILLE. Nashville Baptist Church, Knox County, was organized August 20, 1874, by Rev. Lewis Loveless, with 9 souls. Eld. Loveless is her pastor. As she has little past to speak of, we can only say, May the Lord bless the labors of Brother Loveless in building up the cause of Zion, as he has in other places.
To the Churches of Union Association.DEAR BRETHREN: - It was your pleasure that I write the history of each church in this Association and publish it in the Minutes. I have discharged that duty to the best of my ability from the material that was available. In some instances I had to depend entirely upon my own knowledge of the churches, as I had no record to gather history from.
In this work two important truths have been impressed upon my mind.
1. The necessity of churches, Baptist churches especially, keeping a correct record of their work. Church record is church history, and in coming time the history of the Baptist Church must be gathered from the individual churches - and how shall such history be gathered if the churches have no record?2. Wherever there has been a church organized, however weak numerically or financially, if she has stood fast to the doctrines of the Baptist Church as taught and practiced by Christ and his apostles, that church, however great her trials have been, prospered and became a strong and self-sustaining church; but where differences arose, where new doctrines have been introduced and strange Gods worshiped, that church, if it lives at all is because she never becomes strong enough to die.
To Baptists "Thus saith the Lord" is sufficient; tis His to command, ours to obey. Human convenience or sense of propriety must not come in opposition to the commands of God. We must be built upon Christ, else we fail.
"On Christ, the solid rock, I stand
All other ground is sinking sand."Yours, in Christ,
HAMLET ALLEN.================== [From the Union Baptist Association Minutes (Fiftieth Anniversary), 1874, pp. 19-33. The document is from Franklin (IN) College Library, Special Collections. The title has been changed. - Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
More Indiana Baptist Histories
Baptist History Homepage