This church had 2 locations in Jessamine Co. The 1st was 2 miles east of WIlmore, on the Shaker Ferry turnpike; the old meeting house still stands but now used as a barn (in 1923). The 2nd location is at Wilmore in Jessamine Co. where they have a splendid brick building, erected in 1903; dedicatory sermon by Dr. W. H. Felix.
At the constitution of this church was the Friday before 3rd Saturday in Sept. 1823. There were messengers from Hickman, Mt. Gilead, Boggs Fork, Shawnee Run and Mt. Pleasant churches. Bro. John Rice was chosen moderator and Bro. R.L. Steinbergin clerk of the presbertery.
The church united with Boone's Creek Assn. the day following it's constitution and reported 12 members. Her messengers were B.P. Evans and Isaac Crisman. By resolution, the church "solemnly protested against the doctrines of Rev. Alexander Campbell and his adherents".
In Oct 1825 B.P. Evans was elected clerk; served 11 years. At the same time Bro. Josiah Minter invited to exercise his gift of prayer and exhortation for the church and elsewhere.
On motion of Elder John Rice was called as pastor - no answer from him.
In May 1833 Elder John Dean was called; served until Jan 1834.
In Aug 1833 Isaac Crisman was chosen a deacon.
In April 1836 Gabriel Slaughter was chosen a deacon.
Elder John Rice had preached for them from Jan. 1834 to April 1837.
Elder Edward Waller was accepted care of the church in April 1837 for one year.
In 1837 Boone's Creek Assn. voted to aid the American Bible Society.
At the next annual session of the Assn., Mt. Freedom was the only church in Boone's Creek Assn. to give anything for foreign missions.
In Fall 1837 a series of meetings was held by Elders Josiah Leak, Dennis Moss and Mason Owens; 33 additions to the church. At the close of this meeting Elder Josiah Leak accepted the care of the church, serving until Nov. 1838.
In April 1838 Josiah Minter and Joseph Curd were elected deacons.
Bro. Robert Melvin was ordained to the ministry in June 1838.
Elder Mason Owens accepted the pastorate in Feb. 1841, at salary of $150 a year. This is the first record of this church paying a pastor.
In May 1841 Henry Ballard was chosen a deacon.
Rowart Rowland and James Graves licensed by the church in May 1842. to exercise their gift of preaching and exhortation.
Elder Thos. J.Fisher assisted by the pastor, Mason Owens, held a series of meetings in July 1842; 50 white and 28 black additions.
In Aug 1842 Peter Campbell and Harrison Wilson chosen deacons.
James R. Graves and A. G. Rowland were ordained ministers in Oct 1842.
Brother Graves became editor of the Tennessee Baptist in 1846, which he published in Nashville until the Civil War caused its suspension. After the war he continued the putlication from Nashville for years.
Thomas Hawkins was elected clerk in Feb 1843.
In March 1843 W.L. Ballard was elected clerk.
In April 1843 the church invited Elder James R. Graves and R.G. Rowland to preach for them once a month.
In June 1843 the church decided to build a house of worship. They selected a lot adjoining the one they had been using.
A series of meetings was held in Sept. 1843, the pastor being assisted by Elder Willis Peek; 14 additions.
In Jan 1844 the church agreed to observe the Lord's Supper once every two months instead of once ever three months as had previously been her custom. Thomas Hawkins was elected clerk at this meeting.
In Jan 1846 the church went into the investigation of some difficulty involving the pastor, Bro. Owens and Bro P. Campbell, Brother Campbell having insunuated that he had some objections to Bro. Owens. The church called on him to state them which he did, to the effect that Bro. Owens had a fiddle in his house and that he had heard him trying to play it. The church dismissed the matter and appointed a committee of four to try and reconcile the aggrieved brethern. In a short time the difficulty was settled but when Elder Owens' time for which he had been called as pastor expiring the following month, he declined to accept another call.
In April 1846, on motion, the part of the minutes of the Jan. meeting in reference to Bros. Owens and Campbell were ordered to be expunged from the records.
In May 1846 the church went into the call of a pastor, but could not agree on one.
On account of a difficulty that arose in the church and which became serious, and afer failing to adjust the matter, two letters sent to Boone's Creen Assn. in 1847, each claiming to be from Mt. Freedom Church. On Oct 29 and 30, 1847 a committee from 6 churches met at Mt. Freedom Church and selected AmbroseBush moderator of Boonen's Creek Assn. as chairman of the meeting. After investigation the convention decided that the portion of the church who were in possession of the church records were the true Church of Mt. Freedom.
In the following Nov. Elder Edward Darnaby was called as pastor.
In Aug of the same year Thos. Hawkins was released as clerk and John Bradshaw was chosen clerk.
In Jan 1848 Elder T.I. Drane accepted the pastorate; served 3 years.
Elder Robert Noland accepted care of the pastorate; serving one year. He was succeeded by Elder Strother Cook, who remained until the latter part of 1853.
James Darman was chosen clerk in Jan 1852.
Elder Rowland became pastor in Feb 1854 and he was succeeded by Elder Jacob A. Ard in April 1856, who in turn was succeeded by Elder M.C. Clark. He tendered his resignation in April 1860, and was succeeded by Bro. E. Neal, who was ordained to the ministry in Nov. 1860.
Bro. Neal was succeeded by Elder Strother Cook, a farmer pastor who began his pastorate in Aug. 1862.
In May 1861 John Bradshaw and J.H. Wilson were chosen deacons.
In Dec. 1861 J.H. Wilson was elected clerk.
In Sept. 1866 the church agreed to send a letter to Boone's Creek Assn., after the church had made arrangements Aug 14, 1866 to prepare statistics of the church and a letter South Dist. Assn. The church requested a letter of dismissal from Boone's Creek Assn., which was granted. This terminated the connection of Mt. Freedom Church with Boone's Creek Assn.
The church entertained 4 annual sessions of Boone's Creek Assn., in 1837, 1843, 1853 and 1863.
In Aug 1867 she sent her letter of dismissal from Boone's Creek Assn. with her letter requesting admission into South Elkhorn Assn., and is a member of that Assn. at present time (1923) and reported in 1921 288 members and the Sunday School enrollment of 174.
The present clerk is Bro. J. Hunt Lowry. |
