Volume 2, Number 5 - Fall 1965
Minutes of the Mincy Valley Baptist Church of Christ
1871 - 1885
by Eva B. Bruner
Continued from Summer Issue of Quarterly
Entrance to Souder Cemetery.
-Photo courtesy of Vernie Gardner.
Dec. 1871: Saturday before 3rd Sunday in December, 1871. The church met and after Devine services proceeded to business 1st by appointing Bro. A. Hopper Moderator protem and Bro. Creel Hopper Clk. Protem. 2nd Peace of the church was called for all in peace. 3rd by motion and second agreed that we build a house of worship on the following plan: the house to be of hewed logs 18 by 20 ft. square, 2 windows in each side, doors in end and pulpit in same end. Floor at least 1 ft. from ground, 10 ft. from floor to ceiling to be covered with 2 ft. boards showing 8 inches.
Adjourned to meet at 6 o’clock P. M. 6 o’clock the church met and after worship proceeded to business. 1st. took up the question of the church house by motion and second agreed that we build the house at a site offered by Bro. A. Hopper in the Mincy Branch ½ mile above the Mincy Post Office. 2nd by motion and second agreed that we appoint Bro. A. Hopper to superintend the building of said house. 3rd by motion and second that we proceed to the election of a Pastor, Two Deacons and a Clerk. The vote was taken which resulted in the election of Bro. J. F. Brittain for Pastor and Bros. George Brittain and J. C. Speer for deacons and Bro. Creel Hopper for clerk.
Adjourned in order.
Sunday evening the church met for worship after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. Augustus P. Marrs and Sister Elisabeth Marrs came forward and was received by letter.
January 1872. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in January 1872. The church met and after worship proceeded to business. 1st the minutes of the previous meeting was read and received. 2nd by motion and second agreed that we call Bro. A. Hopper, J. F. Brittain, and H. Hollers as a presbytery to examine and set apart for the office of Deacons the two Bro. formerly elected for that office.
3rd peace of the church called for -- all in peace not withstanding it was found that a slanderous report was abroad concerning Bro. J. F. Brittain -- whereupon a committee of 3 -- Bros. Vise, Bro. J. J. Fortner, John C. Speer, and A. Hopper was appointed to investigate the matter and report at our next regular meeting.
3th by motion and second agreed that we license Bro. John C. Speer to preach the Gospel.
Adjourned in order.
February 1872. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in February 1872. The church met and after devine services proceeded to business in order, 1st the minutes of the previous meeting was read, corrected and 2nd received. The report of the committee on investigation was called for and read as follows: We your committee appointed to investigate the report as covering our Pastor do find by investigation that they are false and we do hereby clear him of the report. Anderson Hopper, John C. Speer, Jacob Fortner. Committee. The report was received and committee discharged. 3rd peace of the church - call for - all in peace. 4th by request
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of Bro. J. C. Speer he is released from the office of Deacon and Bro. J. J. Fortner was elected to the office.
Adjourned.
Sunday at 10 o’clock the church met and the presbytery proceeded to the ordination of Bro. George Brittain and J. J. Fortner to the office of deacons.
March 1872. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in March 1872. The church met and after worship proceeded to business. 1st. minutes of previous meeting was read and received. 2nd peace of the church called for - all in peace. 3rd by request of Bro. John Hutchison and Sister Sintha Hutchison his wife and Bro. James Hutchison and Sister Nancy J. Hutchison his wife and Bro. Aaron Hutchison they are granted letters of dismission from us.
Adjourned in order.
Saturday evening the church met for worship after which an opportunity was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. Orlando Jones came forward and was received as a candidate for baptism. Sunday the church met for worship, after which the ordinance of baptism was administered to Orlando Jones.
Sunday evening the Church again met for worship, after which an opportunity was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. R. B. Stafford and Sister Amanda Stafford and Sister Emma Brittain all came forward and was received as candidates for baptism.
Apr. Saturday of before 3rd Sunday in April 1872. The church met and after worship proceeded to business in order. 1st peace of the church called for, all in peace. No other business on hand. Adjourned in order. Sunday the church met for worship after which the ordinance of baptism was administered to Bros. R. B. Stafford and Sister Amanda Stafford. Sunday evening the church met for worship after which an opportunity was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. James Glistrap and Sister Glistrap came forward and was received on the promise of a letter.
May Saturday before 3rd Sunday in May 1872. The church met and after divine services proceeded to business in order. 1st. Br. A. Hopper was appointed moderator protem. 2nd the minutes of previous meeting was read corrected and received. 3rd peace and fellowship of the church called for whereupon the church preferred the following charges against Bro. Hyrem Hollers. 1st for making unlawful and unchristian proposals to females. 2nd for making use of profane language. 4th by motion and second the church appointed Bro. J. J. Fortner and J. C. Speer to visit Bro. Hollers and inform him of said charges and request him to meet with us at our next regular meeting. 5th by request of Bro. A. Hopper he is released from the superintendency of the building of our church and Bro. A. P. Marrs was appointed in his stead.
Adjourned in order.
Martha J. Murphy, born in Kentucky, April 17, 1845.
Photo taken May 30, 1922 in Souder Cemetery.
Sunday evening -the church met for worship, after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when Sister Maline Stafford came forward and was received as a candidate for baptism. A. P. Marrs, Elizabeth Marrs, Isaac Speer, Nancy Speer, John C. Speer, Sarah Speer, Louisy Watts, Malinda Stafford, Harvey Brittain, Sarah Brittain, James Glistrap, Ann Glistrap, Tilphah T. Brittain, Emma Brittain, Melcena Brittain. 5th Viz: motion and second - adjourned to meet at 6 o’clock this evening. 6 o’clock the church met and after worship again proceeded to business.
1st. The time having arrived for the election of a pastor by motion and second the church agreed to go into an election. The vote was taken, Viz: private ballot and resulted in the unanimous election of Bro. Bell. 2nd by motion and second Bro. A.Hopper was appointed to visit or write to Bro. Bell and inform him of his call to the church. 3rd by motion and second Bro. A. Hopper, R. B. Stafford and Orlando Jones was appointed messengers to bare our letter to the association.
Adjourned in order.
Sept. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in September. The church met and after worship proceeded to business in order. 1st. Brethren of sister church were invited to aid in council. 2nd the minutes of previous meeting was read and received. 3rd Peace of the church called for - all in peace. 4th by motion and second it was continue to act as our clk. for coming year.
Adjourned in order.
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1872. Oct. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in October 1872. The church met and after worship proceeded t o business. 1st Brethren of sister churches were invited to aid. 2nd peace of church called for - all in peace. 3rd by motion and second Bro. A. Hopper was again appointed as Superintendent to continue the work on our church house and to take up collection to buy a stove for the church. 4th by motion and second Bro. Orlando Jones is granted a letter of dismission from us at his request.
Adjourned in order.
Nov. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in November. A part of the church met but not enough to form a quorum so no business done.
Dec. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in Dec. 1872 the church met and after worship proceeded to business. 1st by motion and second Bro. A. Hopper was appointed moderator protem. 2nd peace of the church called for when Bro. Jacob Fortner got up and stated that he had found another denomination not of our faith and order. 3rd by motion and second agreed that we withdraw ourselves from B. Fortner for want of fellowship.
Adjourned in order.
Saturday evening the church again met for worship after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. John C. Speer came forward and was rec’d into full fellowship having been previously dismissed from us by letter.
Jan. 1873. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in Jan. 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business 1st by motion and second Bro. A. Hopper was appointed mod, protem 2nd the minutes of the previous meeting was read and received. 3rd peace of the church called for all found in peace.
Adjourned in order.
Feb. Sat, before 3rd Sun. in Feb. 1873. The church met but no business was done.
Mar. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in March 1873. The church met for worship but no business was done. The meeting continued for several nights. On Tuesday night an opportunity was given to Sister Sarah Speer who came forward and was received by letter.
Apr. Sat, before 3rd Sunday, April 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Bro. A. Hopper was appointed Moderator Protem.
2nd The minutes of the previous meeting was read and received.
3rd Peace of the church called for - all in peace.
Adjourned in order.
May Saturday before 3rd Sunday in May, 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Brethren of sister churches was invited to aid in council.
2nd The minutes of previous meeting was read and received.
3rd. The peace of the church called for - all in peace. Adjourned in order.
June. Sat. before 3rd Sunday in June, 1873. The church met but no business was done.
July. Sat. Before 3rd Sunday in July, 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
2nd Brethren of sister churches was invited and in council.
3rd Peace of the church called for - all in peace.
4th By motion and second agreed that we be represented on the association this year.
5th By motion and second Bro. A. Hopper, R. B. Stafford and J. W. Hopper was chosen as messengers to bare our letter to the association.
6th By the request of Bro. J. C. Speer and Sister Sarah Speer they are granted letters of dismission from our body. Adjourned in order.
Saturday night the church met for worship after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. Nathaniel Pruitt came forward and was received by relation.
Aug. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in August 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Invited Brethren of Sister Churches to aid in Council.
2nd. The Minutes of the previous meeting was read and rec’d.
4th. Our letter to the association was then read and adopted.
5th. By motion and second agreed that hence-forth we be known as the Baptist Church of Christ.
6th. The time having arrived to elect a pastor and clerk by motion and second agreed to refer the election to our next regular meeting. Adjourned in order
Sept. Sat, before 3rd Sunday in Sept. 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Bro. J. R. Chambers was chosen Moderator Protem.
2nd. Minutes o f previous meeting was read and rec’d.
3rd. Peace of church called for whereupon Bro. A. Hopper got up and stated that he had been overtaken in a fault that he had got into difficulty with Bro. J. F. Brittain and that he had resorted to un-Christian means and he prayed the church to forgive him for his fault. By motion and second the church forgave him.
4th. By request of Bro. George Bly and Sister Sintha Bly and Sister Rebecca Jane Justice they are granted letters of dismission from us. Adjourned to meet at early candle lighting. Early candle lighting the church met and after worship proceeded to business.
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1st. By motion and second agreed to go into the election of a pastor and clerk. The vote was taken by private ballot which resulted in the election of Bro. J. R. Chambers as pastor and Bro. Creel Hopper as Clerk.
2nd. By request of Sister Melvina Watts she was granted a letter of dismission from us. Adjourned in order.
Oct. Sat. before 3rd Sunday in Oct. 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Brethren of sister churches was invited to aid in council.
2nd. Peace of the church called for - all in peace
3rd. By request of Bro. R. B. Stafford and Sister Amanda Stafford and Sister Elizabeth Laws and Henrietta Laws they are granted letters of dismission from our body. Adjourned in order. Sunday evening the church met for worship after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when Sisters Edny Thomasson and Mary Killinan came forward and was rec’d as candidates for baptism and Sisters Susan Killman and Isyphena Hopper came forward and was rec’d by relation.
Nov. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in November 1873. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Brethren of Sister church was invited to aid in Council.
2nd. The minutes of the previous meeting was read and received.
3rd. Peace of the church called for - all in peace - no other business. Adjourned in order. Saturday evening the church met for worship, after which an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church, when Bro. Henry Killman and John Thomasson came forward and was received as candidates for baptism. Sunday at 9 o’clock the church was repaired to the water where the ordinance of baptism was administered to Bro. John Thomasson and Sister Edny Jane Thomasson and Bro. Henry Killman & Sister Mary Kiliman.
December 1873, and January and February, 1874. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Peace of the church called for - all in peace.
2nd. By motion and second agreed that we extend an arm of the church into the neighborhood of Bro. T. A. Coulters six miles East of this place.
3rd. On motion adjourned in order.
April, May, June and July. The church met regular for worship but no business was done til the evening of the 3rd Sunday in July an opportunity was given for persons to unite with the Church when Sister Marania Bedford came forward and was received into the church by relation and Sister Amanda Layton came forward and was received as a candidate for baptism.
Aug. Sat. before 3rd Sunday in August, 1874. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Peace of the church called for - all in peace.
2nd. An opportunity w a s given for persons to unite with the church when Bro. Milford Hopper came forward and was received as a candidate for baptism.
3rd. Whereas in May 1872 certain charges was preferred against Bro. Hyrem Hollers and a plenty of time has been given and said charges has totally failed to be sustained, therefore by motion and second agreed that the church release Bro. Hollers of said charges and exhonorate him. By motion adjourned to meet next Tuesday evening. Sunday morning the church met for worship after which they repaired to the water and Bro. Milford Hopper and Sister Amanda Layton was baptised by our pastor, Elder J. R. Chamber.
Tuesday evening the church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. The time having arrived to call a pastor for the coming year. By motion and second agreed to go into an election. The vote was taken by acclamation which resulted in the unanimous election of Bro. J. R. Chambers. Adjourned in order.
Saturday before 3rd Sunday in Sept. 1874. The church met but no business done. Saturday before 2nd Sunday in October 1874. The church met for worship, they was called to order by the Moderator for any business that mite come before her.
1st. Brethren of Sister Church were invited to aid in Council.
2nd. Peace of church called for - all in peace.
3rd. An invitation was given for persons to unite with the church. When Bro. T. A. Coulter and Sister Coulter came forward and was received by relation.
4th. By motion and second Bro. T. A. Coulter is granted liscense to preach the Gospel.
5th. By request of Bro. Hyrem Hollers and Sister Elisabeth Jane Hollers they are granted letters of dismission from our body. Adjourned in order.
Oct. Saturday before 3rd Sunday in Oct. 1874. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Bro. A. Hopper was chosen as Moderator Protem.
2nd. By motion and second agreed that we change our day of business from Saturday before 2nd. Sunday in each month. Adjourned in order. Owing to the severeness of the winter and bad health our pastor failed to attend us regular but the church continued to meet for worship each month, but no business was done till the following June.
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June 1875. Saturday before 2nd Sun. in June 1875. The church met and after preaching by our pastor the church proceeded to business in order.
1st. Peace of church called for. All found in peace.
2nd. By request of Bro. T. A. Coulter and Sister Virginnie Coulter they are granted letters of dismission from our body. Adjourned in order.
July - No Business done in July.
Aug. Sat. before 2nd Sunday in August 1875. The church met and after divine services proceeded to regular business in order.
1st. Church called to order by the Moderator.
2nd. Peace of the church was called for. Found in peace.
3rd. By motion and second the church went into the election of Bro. J. R. Chambers. The church continued to meet for to worship God the following week. Sunday evening Sister Louisy Watts came forward and was rec’d into the fellowship of the church by letter. On Wednesday evening Bros. Benjamin Osburn, James Pruitt, and Sisters Sintha Delila Sperry, Lenory Hopper and Sarah Ann Osburn came forward and was rec’d as candidates for baptism. Thursday evening Sisters Martha Ann Pruitt, Frances Cameron, and Eliza Ann Watts was rec’d as candidates for Baptism. Friday 11 o’clock the church met and after preaching Bro. James H. Sperry came forward and was rec’d as candidate for baptism. Saturday 11 o’clock church met and after worship Sister Mary Hardin was rec’d by letter. (Also Friday evening Bro. William Osburn came forward and was rec’d as a candidate for baptism.) Saturday evening Sisters Nancy Margot Pruitt and Sousin Osburn was rec’d as candidate for baptism. Sunday morning church met for worship and after services Sister Amanda Hopper was rec’d as a candidate for baptism after which the church repared to water where Pastor baptised the above candidates.
J.R. Chambers, Moderator
A.Hopper, Clerk Protem.
Sept. The church met for worship but no business was done.
Oct. Friday night before 2nd Sunday in October 1878. The church met and after worship proceeded to business on motion and second agreed that we extend an arm of this church into the settlement of Bro. Noill, 12 miles south of here and give our Pastor and Bro. A. Hopper the privilege of receiving members into the church at that place. Adjourned in order.
Nov. November and December the church met for worship but no business was done. But from November 1875 til May 1876 our Pastor and Elder A. Happer held meetings regular each month at Bro. Noell’s during which Brother Jackson Middleton, Jo. W. Middleton, Ruben Noell, Joseph Noells, W. M. Canfield, and Sister Delila Noell, Florence Middleton and Julia Jefferies was received into the church. On the 1st. Sunday in January 1876 Elder Thomas Foster, our Missionary, visited us and commenced a meeting which continued the following week. On Sunday night Bro. Joshua H. Covey, and Sister Lucy Covey was rec’d into our fellowship by relation. On Thursday Bro. Thomas Watson was rec’d by restoration and Bro. William Caldwell was rec’d by relation and Bro. F. P. Grogen was rec’d as a candidate for baptism. On Thursday night Bro. S.B. Covey was rec’d as a candidate for baptism and Sister Edna Watson was rec’d by relation, and Bro. S. H. White and Sister Margot White was rec’d by letter.
Jan. 1876. Saturday before 2nd Sunday in January 1876. The church met and after preaching by our Pastor, an invitation was given for persons to unite with the church when bros. James A. Covey, Peter Covey, and David L. Pruitt and Sisters Mary Layton and Susan Bedford was rec’d as candidates for baptism. The church was then called to order for business. 1st. Brethren of Sister Church was invited to aid in Council. 2nd. The minutes of previous meeting was read and adopted. 3rd. Peace of the church called for .All in Peace. 4th. On motion and second agreed that we extend an arm of this church into the settlement of the Bro. Layton School House. After which, adjourned in order.
Sunday morning at 10 o’clock the church met at the water and Bro. F. P. Grogen was baptised by Elder A. Hopper.
Feb. 1876. Sat, before 2nd Sunday in February 1876. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
1st. Brethren of Sister Churches was invited to aid in council.
2nd. The minutes of the previous meeting was read and adopted.
3rd. Peace of the church called for. When it found that reports was going about that Sisters Nancy M. Pruitt and Sister Sarah A. Pruitt had been visiting public places of sinful mirth and that Bro. Wm. Osburn has been making use of profane language and had been out with a gun hunting on Sunday. Whereupon by motion and second a committee of 3 Bros. was appointed to visit said Sisters and Brother, and Bro. Joshua H. Covey, J. N. Pruitt, and Creel Hopper was chosen as said committee.
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