[p. 304]
On April 28, 1878, the following named brethren and sisters presenting letters of dismission from sister churches, organized themselves into a regular Baptist Church at Fowler's schoolhouse, in Ralls county: John S. Clark, Thomas H. Self and Sarah A. Self, Eleven Hitch, Pauline Hitch, John C. Hitch and Hester F. Hitch, Jennie Hitch, Mary Ferguson, Joseph L. Higbee, James A. Brown and Susan A. Brown, twelve in number. Elder E. Jennings, missionary of Salt River Association, acted as moderator. A committee was appointed to select a name for the church, resulting in the name Spencer Creek Baptist Church.Brother E. Jennings supplied the church with preaching until October, 1878. At this date Brother M. S. Whiteside was called as their first regular Pastor. Rev. S. G. Givens was called as Pastor and remained
Elder S. G. Givens
E. T. Smith, Esq.
Deacon Ezra Carstarphen
Deacon C. G. Daniel
[p. 305]
in that capacity until January, 1882, after which Rev. A. P. Rodgers was called and held that position one year.The house of worship was built in the summer of 1881. The building was a substantial frame twenty- four by thirty-six feet. The cost of the building was about $800. This building was found to be sufficient for a few years, but as the church prospered and the congregations grew the church was compelled to enlarge on the original building, which was done in 1890. During this interval the church had several Pastors. Rev. S. G. Givens was called again to fill the pastorate, and remained in that capacity until August, 1884. At this time Rev. James Reid became Pastor and remained until April, 1886. We called Rev. Bland Beauchamp, who retained this position until December, 1887. During his pastorate the church experienced a grand revival and ingathering, which is only one of many such revivals during the period covered by this history. The next Pastor called to the church was Rev. J. W. Neff; and in March, 1889. Rev. S. T. Hudson became Pastor and remained in that capacity until January 24, 1891. In February, 1891, Rev. W. S. Tucker was called and served in that capacity until his death in 1893. In January following the church called Rev. W. W. Brown. In March, 1895, Rev. C. A. Mitchell was secured as Pastor. February, 1896, Rev. F. M. Shoush was called and remained as Pastor until March, 1900. In November, 1900, Rev. A. M. Vardeman accepted the call of the church as their Pastor and remained in that capacity until his death October 24. 1901. The church called Rev. E. L. Rogers, January, 1902, who served as Pastor for two years, after which in March, Rev. Luke Kirtley was called. He remained until November, 1907.
During this period the church has had manv changes as to Deacons and clerks. In August, 1878. J. L. Higbee and John C. Hitch were elected the first Deacons of the church; Deacon Hitch filled the office until his
[p. 306]
death, January 7, 1880. J. S. Clark was elected Deacon in 1880. G. A. Lake was elected Deacon in 1881 and A. F. Manzke and Luke Kirtley were elected in 1887, and on the fifth Sunday in May the last three named brethren were ordained to the office of Deacon and Thomas J. Kendrick was ordained to the ministry. Again in 1894 S. K. Caldwell and J. B. Clark were ordained to the office of Deacon. In May, 1896, G. C. Cole and K. A. Cobbs were ordained Deacons, the former still filling that office. During this period there came to the church two Deacons from sister churches, Deacon D. D. Ellis in August, 1899, and Deacon H. L. Elzea in January, 1900; both were received as active Deacons. Deacon Elzea is still occupying that position.The first clerk was James A. Brown, being elected in May, 1878. J. W. Maupin and J. V. McGrew each served as clerk. Also J. B. Clark and O. W. Lake. K. A. Cobbs served two years, then Henry Lake was elected. At this date the present clerk was elected, J. J. Laylin.
========= [From Wiley Jones Patrick, editor, History of the Churches of the Salt River Baptist Association, Missouri, Missouri, 1909, pp. 304-306. From Google Books On-line. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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