Six Short Baptist Histories, Salt River Association (MO)

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      The following short Baptist church histories are: Winfield, Elsberry, Farber, Harmony, Haw Creek and Oak Ridge. They were in the Salt River Baptist Association (MO) in 1909. - Jim Duvall

Winfield Baptist Church
By Deacon F. D. Hardesty      Winfield Baptist Church was organized April 6, 1884, by Elder C. A. Mitchell and Elder F. M. Birkhead, in the new meeting-house, with fourteen members, whose names are as follows: F. D. Hardesty, Mary M. Hardesty, D. T. Killam, Kate Killam, W. S. Killam, Mary D. Hardesty, Amina Fielder, R. C. Magruder, S. A. Magruder, Anna Meadows, Lewis McClay, Girty McClay, Sarah Nelson and W. R. Admire.
     The following brethren have been the Pastors of Winfield Baptist Church: C. A. Mitchell, five years; E. J. Sanderson, four years; W. M. Tipton, three years; Charles E. King, one and one-half years; J. P. Stewart, one and one-half years; W. J. Patrick, four years; Charles E. King, two years. J. H. Terrill is the present Pastor. Brethren Calloway, Clayton and King have preached for us at various times when we had no Pastor. Clerks of Winfield Church: F. D. Hardesty, twenty years, C. F. Miller, present clerk.

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Elsberry Baptist Church
By Elder Abe C. Jones      The Elsberry Baptist Church was organized October 27, 1883. The constituent members were: J. W. Waters, Mrs. Mary Waters, J. R. Cannon, Mrs. Ida G. Cannon, Landy Waters, Robert Waters, Miss Lela Waters, C. L. Gennie, Mrs. Rosie E. Gennie, Mrs. Ada Mayes, Mrs. Anna Powell, Dr. J. W. Taliafaro. Rev. W. A. Bibb, moderator, and J. R. Cannon, clerk, in organizing. C. A. Mitchell was first Pastor, then J. D. Hacker and W. H. Stone to the time of withdrawal from Salt River Association.
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Farber Baptist Church
By J. D. Sutton      The Farber Baptist Church was organized by Rev. Whiteside in February, 1879. The constituent members were N. H. Sutton and wife, E. L. Grigsby and wife, George W. Adams and wife, A. B. Toliver and wife, Joe Toliver, Z. T. Burch and Mildred Farrington. In 1882 a frame house of worship was erected, the cost of which was $1,800.
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Harmony Baptist Church
By Mrs. Mack Fielder      Harmony Grove Baptist Church was organized February 1, 1880, with twelve members. Brother James Nickolds and Brother Morgan Turnbull were the Deacons and Brother Turnbull served until he died. Brother F. M. Birkhead was first Pastor and preached for the church nearly ten years; he resigned June 1, 1889. Brother P. W. Halley was next Pastor; he preached two years, and was followed by Brother C. W. Davis. Brother J. S. Eames was next Pastor; he preached his first sermon November 19, 1892, and resigned July 13, 1895.
     Brother James Nickolds, Brother James H. Norton and Brother S. D. Alexander are the present Deacons. Brother W. N. Maupin is our Pastor now. We have a good house of worship.

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Haw Creek Baptist Church
By Mrs. W. H. Caverly      This church was organized in 1870 with eleven members: J. Bradley and wife, Henry Hostetter and wife, William Caverly and wife, J. Nichols and wife, Tib Mefford and wife, and Betsey A. Davis. Elder S. G. Givens was the first Pastor, afterward Elder G. T. Colvin filled that office. Elder E. Jennings was the last Pastor. The clerks were, first, Wm. Caverly, then Joseph Bradley. Services once each month were held in the Haw Creek schoolhouse. There were some revival services. The church lived five years and had twenty-nine members when she dissolved.
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Oak Ridge Baptist Church
By Elder Abe C. Jones      This church was organized on Saturday, May 29, 1875, at the Edwards schoolhouse, with seventeen members, who had taken letters from the Ebenezer Church. Their names: James Barrett, J. A. Edwards, Annie G. Edwards, R. B. Edwards, Lina E. Edwards, W. L. Smith, T. J. Smith, Lucy Lilley, Davis L. Key, Ella Key, Mahala Thompson, Lydia A. Robinson, John, Sarah, W. N. Albert and Martha Mitchell. The church elected J. A. Edwards, R. B. Edwards and T. J. Smith, Deacons, who were ordained the following day; Rev. Albert G. Mitchell, W. W. Mitchell and M. S. Whiteside assisting in the same. In 1892 Leland V. Edwards was licensed to preach, and on May 18, 1893, he was ordained to the ministry by this church.
     The following have served as pastors: W. W. Mitchell, M. S. Whiteside, A. P. Rodgers, S. G. Givens, W. N. Maupin, C. A. Mitchell, E. J. Sanderson, S. W. Clay, Wm. Galloway, Charles E. King, L. V. Edwards, O. A. Gordon and Abe C. Jones.
     The church edifice is located three miles northwest of Elsberry; was built at a cost of $1,000 and dedicated free of debt, on the first Sunday in June, 1880. The same year a mission house was built at Damron, at a cost of about $200, where there have been some good revival meetings at different times; also now and then regular preaching services and a Sunday school. Only two of the constituent members are now members of the church, namely: W. L. Smith and Mrs. Annie G. Edwards. The church maintains a cemetery, well fenced and cared for, on adjoining lots.
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[From Wiley Jones Patrick, editor, History of the Churches of the Salt River Baptist Association, Missouri, 1909. From Google Books On-line. mom.saScanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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