Here is the article that appeared in the Western Recorder, on December 2, 2008:
New Society to 'Promote and
Preserve' Ky. Baptist HistoryLexington - Determined to increase awareness and appreciation for Kentucky Baptist history, the J. H. Spencer Historical Society held its inaugural meeting last month prior to the Kentucky Baptist Convention annual meeting in Lexington.
The purpose of the new group is "to promote and preserve Kentucky Baptist history," according to Ben Stratton, pastor of Farmington Baptist Church and the society's elected secretary / treasurer.
With a modest current membership of about 20 pastors and laypeople, Stratton said he hopes the society can become a significant resource that rivals those of other state conventions.
"Kentucky is one of the few states that doesn't have a Baptist historical society," he pointed out. But it once did.
Messengers to the 1999 KBC annual meeting voted to disband the former Kentucky Baptist Historical Commission. In its place, the Kentucky Baptist Archives Advisory Board was formed.
Members of that board decided last year that it "really wasn't accomplishing as much as it could," Stratton noted The KBC Mission Board in May approved the dissolution of the advisory board while simultaneously affirming the formation of the J.H. Spencer Historical Society.
The new historical society is named for historian J.H. Spencer, who authored the two-volume narrative "A History of Kentucky Baptists," which chronicles Baptist life in the commonwealth from 1769 to 1885.
About 16 people attended the group's inaugural meeting last month, Stratton said. Participants elected officers and heard a series of messages regarding Baptist history. The society's elected officers are Stan Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church of Cannonsburg, president; Charles Blair, pastor of Poplar Grove Baptist Church in Hickman, vice president; and Stratton, secretary / treasurer.
"There's as much Baptist history in Kentucky as anywhere," Stratton explained. "A lot of great things have happened here, but a lot of it is forgotten." The society intends to hold yearly meetings and put out an annual publication, he said. It likely would contain sermons from past Kentucky Baptist pastors and evangelists as a way "to bring back things that have been forgotten," Stratton added.
While the J.H. Spencer Historical Society is not officially connected with the KBC, Stratton said the group does plan to work with the convention's archives office. KBC Assistant Executive Director Steve Thompson said the relationship with the society is "loosely defined," but the KBC will provide a limited amount of funding for expenses.
The J.H. Spencer Historical Society is open to all Kentucky Baptist pastors and laypeople. Membership is $10 for one year, $17 for two years. For more information about the society or to become a member, contact Stan Williams at (606) 928-4981, or sdwilliams@zoomtown.net.
4
More on the Journal