West Fork Baptist celebrates 200 years

The West Fork Baptist Church is celebrating 200 years of faithfulness to its community through the membership that has supported it down through the years. Just 50 years shy of the 250th celebration of our country’s independence, members agreed that freedom is a most precious gift and they have documented history taking the church back to July 1826.

A group of five came together last weekend to talk about their celebration and what it means to keep the doors open in a small country church. The oldest member of the church, Pauline (Denning) Anderson, is half as old as the church and has fond memories of yesteryears along with living in the present. At 100-years-old, Pauline was in the pew where her husband, Fred and she brought their five children – Gary, Donna, Margie, Rhonda and Sandy, every Sunday. Third pew from the front on the piano side, the Denning family were faithful with both Pauline and Fred serving in many ways. Pauline said she taught Sunday School for many years and together with her husband were youth leaders.

Others who gathered with Pauline on Sunday were her daughter, Margie Sparks, who still attends church there, Ila Tankersley who came as a small child, moved away for a time, but is back, and the Holmans – Harry and Bernadette, who are faithful members.

The memories were aplenty as they recalled days of the church being filled with children’s laughter, teenage antics, church bells, many gatherings for food and fellowship together with the hardships the church would endure. “We’re just like one big family,” they agreed, saying they’ve enjoyed lots of fellowship over the years. People come and go, but Pauline has held fast and marks 100 years of life and much of that at West Fork Baptist. The truth is many local families attended the church over the years bringing about relationships and marriage that continue to make their heritage strong.

Much historical memorabilia were shared and will be on display at the 200th celebration set for Sunday, June 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the church located at 10468 South County Road 450 West, (Madison).

There will be pastors from years gone by attending coming from various states across the country and some local as well. They will have food, fellowship, music and so much more.

History of the church

Armed with a dream, 18 charter members came together in September of 1826 with recorded history from James Christie, the first church clerk. Those members were documented as David Shephard, Elizabeth Shepard, John Rayburn, Elizabeth Rayburn, Ralph Rayburn, Nancy Rayburn, Sr., Nancy Rayburn, Jr., Debbie Watts, Polly Stevens, Jane Custer, Rosy Roberts, Debby Cox, Asa Cox, Ruthy Cox, Sally Cox, James Christie, Elizabeth Christie and Polly Smithe.

David Shephard, David Perkins and John Rayburn were elected as the first church trustees.

This church dates back to the Circuit Riding days, with the group at West Fork meeting once a month for a Saturday combination business meeting and worship service followed on Sunday by a morning and evening (lamplight) meeting for worship.

They first met in their homes and came together to adopt what some other churches were doing and find their own rules as well – all according to scripture.

Some interesting rules were that they were to open and close every meeting with prayer, not to move their residence to any distant part without applying to the church for dismission, and members could not vacate their seats in time of church meetings without leave. They also did not have the privilege of laughing or whispering in time of public speech. This was early worship and not uncommon in those days.

In March of 1846 they began to acquire land for a cemetery. The oldest tombstone in the cemetery is that of Preston Christie, whose family gave cemetery land.

“1849 marked one of the greatest changes in building for the church. Upon our present site a stone church was erected and this building served faithfully until 1957,” was an entry in their church book. It noted that the building had a stucco finish some years later.

In May of 1864 the church established its first “Sabbath School” with Brother Thompson Rayburn as Superintendent, J.S, Vawter was secretary and Joseph Shephard was librarian. This was what most churches today refer to as Sunday School.

A singing clerk was appointed in 1827 with the first mention of song books recorded in April of 1896.

It was noted that 1908-1909 were eventful years with the young people holding regular services. Second-hand seats were purchased for $160.99 and the old stoves were replaced with new ones at the cost of $24.15!

Women have played an important role in the church dating back to 1918 when the Ladies Aid Society was organized. Barbara Land was the president with Velma Flint Dicus being the secretary-treasurer. An excerpt from a meeting reads in part, “Today is the 7th anniversary of our Ladies Aid of West Fork Church…to each of us it has a meaning all its own. For me, it is the greatest organization in the world, a place I can go, to make new friends, meet new faces, and know each other, as we are known. It brings each one closer to the throne of God, if we only put our trust in Him…”

At one time the log church also served as a school. This was in 1844 until 1867.

At the 1926 Centennial Celebration, members gathered with a picnic on the ground (literally) with Mrs. Myrtle Demaree, who was the secretary at the time, writing her report to the newspaper: “Several hundred people attended the centennial anniversary at the West Fork Baptist Church Sunday.” Some of the pastors mentioned in her report were Rev. Hughes and Rev. Antrobus of Madison, Rev. Hughes of Correct, Rev. Swarthart, Rev. Baldwin, Rev. Nickolson and Rev. Martin.

Some today remember the fire which destroyed the sanctuary in 1957. They raised a fund to help with rebuilding and interestingly enough members were to have their yearly amount paid by the third last meeting of the year when a list of delinquents would be read. Those found delinquent would be visited and asked to pay or give a reason why they should be relieved from such obligation. According to records one lady was relieved of paying due to ill health and another to her husband objecting.

In 1976 the church marked their 150th anniversary, again with much celebration. At that time Mrs. Myrtle Campbell was the oldest living member and it was noted “she has literally raised most of us.” She was remembered as a true source of price and a living document of the church’s history.

Church membership has dwindled over the years with people passing away, moving away, or going other places. Those remembering the past and looking forward to Sunday’s 200th year celebration say they hope the church will continue for another 100 years.

A list of former pastors has agreed to come to the celebration with a few of them being Watson Mills, Wallace Jeffs, Jim Carpenter, Dennis Horton, Roy Fuller, Ed Roberts, Dave Blazier and Karen Reynolds. Right now the church does not have a paid pastor, due to the small congregation. They welcome new members and people to help them keep the lighthouse of West Fork Baptist Church shining brightly in the small farming community that is nestled between Versailles and Madison in the countryside. They offer a warm welcome and lots of fellowship. Their goal is for “each one to reach one.”

Editor’s Note: The above article is a small snippet of the rich history of this beautiful church. Archives will be on display on Sunday to give the full picture of the blessing it has been over the past 200 years.