Providence Church, 1780, the oldest constituted church on Kentucky oil and was known as one of the "Traveling Churchs", which came from Virginia.
The first Baptist Churches in Va. were constituted before the Revolutionary War, when their preachers were exposed to fines and imprisionment, and were disqualified for any puglic office. A number of preachers who had been thus punished afterwards became pastors of the older churches in the section affiliated with Boone's Creek Association, among these were David Barrow, Joseph Craig, John Tanner and Thomas Ammon.
The Bush Colony ws one of the very earliest permanent settlements in Kentucky. A part of this colony were the constituent members of the "Traveling Church", know known as Providence Church.
Tradition says that when the ship Neptune touched the shores of America in 1618. One John Bush was among those who came in her at his own charge, and he settled in Virginia. Another John Bush, the testator of a will probated in Orange Co. Va. In Feb 1746 (Will book 2, p. 94), iw believed to have been the grandson of "Neptune" John. In his will of 1746, John Bush mentions among his children a son Philip, who became the father of Philip, Johnn, William (Captain Billy), Ambrose Francis and their sister Mary Richards, and those came to Kentucky with many others under the leadership of Captain Billy Bush and were the founders of the Bush Colony.
Philip Bush Sr. had other other children besides thses six. See his will in Orange Co. VA, Will Book 2, page 153, dated 1771.
Tradition also says that when Daniel Boone was passing through Virginia from his old home in Pennsylvania to his new home in North Carolina, he met William Bush, then a young man, and the two became friends. The following inscription is to be found on the tombstone of Captain William Bush in the old Bush burying ground about one mile north of Boonesborough: "He was the friend and companion of Daniel Boone and others in the settlement in Kentucky."
We know that Captain Billy Bush was one of the men that assisted Boone in blazing the trail to Boonesborough in 1775, and was one of the party that went in pursuit of the two Calloway sisters and Boone's Daughter when they had been captured by the Indians in 1776. Captain Bush was so well pleased with the new country that he returned to his old home in Virginia for the purpose of organizing a colony and from the glowing description which he gave a colony ws soon organized, consisting of about 40 families from among his kinsmen, neighbors and friends in Orange and Culpeper counties, most of them being Baptists. So in the early part of 1780 preparation swere begun for the exodus in the fall of that year to the land of "Kaintuckee".
Some months before the colony started, Captain Billy Bush had returned to Boonesborough to select and locate farms for the different families, whom he wished to be near him, and in the selection of these he used good judgement, locatin gthem on the north side of the Kentucky river, in what is now Clark Co.
The outlook for the Americal Colonies had never been darker than in 1780, the year prior to the surrender of Cornwallis. As Capt. Bush did not think it wise for the colony (from Va.) to enter Kentuck at this time, he sent a runner with a message advising them not to proceed any further. The colony had reached the Halston, in Dec. 178- when they received this advice from their leader. Here they remained for three years, during which time they raised three crops of corn. They also organized a Baptist Church and held regular services.
Elder John Taylor, who arrived at Bear Creek, ner Louisville, in 1782, in his History of the Ten Churches says "It was a gloomy thing at that time to move to Kentucky." It was during the halt at Holston, that the glorious news came of the British surrender at Yorktown on Oct. 19, 1781, and this patriotic colony made the Wolf Hills (Holston) ring with the firing of rifles, loud rejoicing and praises to God. This victory together with the passing at Halston of other immigrants on their way to "Kaintuckee", especially Lewis Craig and his colony of Baptists from Upper Spottsylvania Church. Who halted for a few weeks Halston, no doubt increased the desire of the Bush colony to continue their journey.
One evening in latter part of August, 1783, came a steed and rider into the settlement [at Halston] waving his hat and shouting aloud. "On, on to Boonesborough, are the orders of Captain Billy Bush." It must be remembered that within one month after their arrival at Halston, a part of the colony organized themselves into a church and held regular services with Elder Robrt Elkin as pastor. The name of this church at that time, if it had one, was not survived, but after the departure from Halston, it has ben rightly named a Traveling Church.
On Sept. 1, 1783, the colony bade farewell forever to Holston and started westward. In this caravan were not only the church members, but also their children, negro slaves and other immigrants, who for better protection had attached themselves to this organized expedition. In this church and with it were s ome of the best families of Viriginia. There were five married daughters and three sons of Thomas Burrus, a rich planter of Virginia, the sons and the husbands of four of the daughters all being brothers-in-law of Captain Billy Bush, he having married Frances Tandy Burrus. When the Bush colony arrived at Craig's Station, sometime in the spring of 1784, after a long, wearisome and hazardous trip, they found empty cabins awaiting them, for Elder Lewis Craig and his colony of Baptists, who had preceded them to Kentucky some three years and erected Craig's Station, had moved to South Elkhorn, near Lexington, so that the Bush colony took possession of the empty cabins and remained there a short time before proceeding to Boonesborough.
On April 3, 1784 we find the first preserved record of the Traveling Church holding services in the cabin of their pastor Elder Elkin, when Philip Bush was elected kerk and Joseph and Mildred Embree were received into the church by letter. The record book of the church was lost on the way from Halston, but on the first page of the earliest book that has been preserved there is an abridgement of the work on the Halston.
After a brief stay at Craig's Station, the colony passed to the north side of the river at Boonesborough and entered upon the farms selected for them by their kinsman and friend, Captain Billy Bush, which he either gave them or sold them very cheaply in order to have his relatives and friends around him.
On Nov. 27, 1784 according to the church record (not 1785, as some historians have it), the first meeting was held at the cabin of Captain Billy Bush. The map of the farms previous to 1800, in this work, shows how the Bush colony settled around their church as a nucleus. First a log meetin ghouse was erected soon after the colony arrived in the new country on the Lower Hunter's Creek, and sometime before 1793, on the same lot, the Old Stone Meetin gHouse was reected, and this building is still in a good state of preservation at the present time. In 1870, a new frame house was erected and is the present house of worship. The settlement around the church was known as the Bush Settlement. Besides his four brothers, Captain Billy Bush had nine brothers-in-law, namely, Robert Richard, who married his sister, Mary; Elder James Quisenberry, Elder Andrew Tribble, Joseph Embree, --- Embree, --- Brockman, Will T. Burrus, Roger burrus and Thomas Burrus, Jr. Thus it will be seen that Thomas Burrus Sr., had five daughters and three sons in the settlement. (For notes on Elder James Quisenberry, see history of Unity Church.)
Soon after the Bush colony arrived at Boonesborough, other immigrants from Virginia also began to arrive, among whom wer Nathaniel Haggard and his four married sons, who were all Baptists. Nathaniel Haggard, Sr., located between the church and Winchester and erected a one room house of cherry logs, which room is still in a good state of preservation at the present time, but has been added to. His son John settled about eight miles east of the Bush Settlement, which community was known as the Haggard Settlement. (See history of Mt. Olive and Unity Churches.) The five Bush brothers and their sister Mary Richards lived and died on adjoining farms and are buried on their respective farms.
The place where the Bush colony halted for three years is eight miles north of the Tennessee state line, in Washington County, VA. and was known by the names of Wolf Hills, Black's Fort, Halston, and at the present day as Abingdom. It is a narrow strip country surrounded on all sides by mountains. Tradition says the name of Wolf Hills was given it by Daniel Boone, on accout of the large numbers of wolves in the hills. On one occasion Boonesborough ws relieved during an attack by the Indians by forty riflemen from Holston. When civilization started westward the colony of VA. erected in the hills a fort, called Black's Fort, and it was to this fort that the backwoodsmen of the contiguous regions, as well as the immigrants, while stopping at Halston, looked for aid in time of danger.
Whether or not Providence Church was constituted before moving to Holston, in 1780 has been discussed pro and con. A.C. Wuisenberry (History of the Quisenberry and Bush Families) says that is was, but this statement is bades purely upon tradition. Ambrose G. Bush (a grandson of Ambrose Bush, Sr., one of the five Bush brothers), who was a clerk of the church for fifty years, wrote a brief history of the church in 1876, in which he says "the earl history of teh church is lost in antiquity". But ten years later, in 1886, Mr. Bush was a member of a committee of three, appointed by the church to draft reolutions in regard to the failure of Dr. Spencer, in his History of Kentucky Baptists, to do justice to Providence Church. This committee made its report in the form of a protest in March 1887, claiming that Dr. Spencer gave no credit for the first thirteen years of her existence as a church, and further claiming that the history of Upper Spottsylvania Church in Va. organized in 1767 was the early history of Providence Church.
After a very careful investigation, there appear to be many reasons for believing that the church organized on Halston never came out of Upper Spottsylvania Church as an organized traveling church, and it is even doubtful if any of her members were ever connected with Upper Spottsylvania Church. We shall mention only the live facts, which seem to prove beyond doubt that Providence Church did not come out of Upper Spottsylvania Church.
First, after arriving in Kentucky with the Upper Spottsylvania congregation. Elder Lewis Craig is credited with having said that he passed a Baptist colony on the Holston, from his section of Virginia. Now, if the Baptist colony had been from the Upper Spottsylvania Church of which he had been a pastor for ten years, he would in all probability have made a very different statement in regard to this colony Baptists. Second, in the Publi Library of Lexington, Ky., is a list of nearly one hundred names of the first members of South Elkhorn Church of Fayette County, with a note following which states that practically every name on this list was that of a former member of Gilbert's Creek Church, the "Traveling Church of Elder Lewis Craig". This being true, they were therefore members of Upper Spottsylvania Church, in Va. Among the names on this list we failed to find any of the families of Bush, Quisenberry, Haggard, etc. who were so largely identified with the early history of Providence Church. This would seem to strongly indicate that the members of Providence Church came from a different section of Va.
The author has corresponded with all the older churches in Orange and Culpepper counties, and has been greatly assisted by Brother Garnett Ryland and the office force of the Baptist Historical Society if Richmond, Virginia and also by the Baptist historical Society of the Colgate University of New York. As a result of these investigations we are of the opinion that the constituent members of the Church on the Halston were former members of different churches in Orange and Culpepper counties. Blue Run Church probably being one of these, and that they did not start from these counties as an organized church, but the colony was composed mostly of Baptist families and, as their records state, in January 1781, they with other Baptists formed themselves into an organization in order to carry on church discipline. From this time they built a continuous record though the record for the three years on the Halston is only an abridgement.
Abridgement of Church Records
"Dec., 1780. Moved to the Halston, Brother Robert Elkin Minister and John Vision elder, and in Jan., 1781 they with other Baptists formed themselves into a body in order to carry on church discipline, and on Sept. 28 1781, was constituted by Lewis Craig and John Vivion with the members to wit:
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Wm. Bush Sr., Franky Bush, Wm. Bush Jr., Ambrose Bush, Lucy Bush, Philip Bush, Franky Bush, John Bush, Sarah Bush, Mary Richards, Vina Jones, Philip Johnson, Anna Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Mary Johnson, Franky Johnson, Ruth Wall, Thomas Harris, John Harris, Mary Harris, Sarah Johns, Charles Sinclair (St. Clair), Sarah Sinclair (St. Clair, Susannah Turner, Milly Crosswaite, Mary Clark, Mary Cole, Marthy Thomas, Susannah Humphries, Hanna Dungins (Duncan), Hannah Dawson, Leonard Dozier, Rebecca Dozier, Sarah Dozier, Susannah Dozier, Wm. FLetcher, Daniel Ramey, Elizabeth Baker, John Vivion Frl, Sebbis Mane (Maux), Hannah Mane (Maux), Thomas Sutherlin, and continued there a constitution till the first day of Sept. 1783, then a principal part of the members with their minister being about to move to Kentucky, it was agreed they should carry the constitution with them.
This is an abridgement of the business on the Halston." |
The above is a true copy from the old church book, which continues as follows:
"Now having arrived in Kentucky and settled on the south side of the Kentucky River near Craggs Station, but through the badness of the weather and scattered situation nothing of importance was done till April the 3rd, 1784. Then having met at Bro. Elkins, appointed Philip Bush Clerk, also received by letter Joseph and Milly Embry, and appointed church meetings on the fourth Saturday in each month."
The records show they met every month for service at or near Cragg's Station, until Nov 27, 1784, when we find this record:
"Through a turn of God's providence the church chiefly moving to the north side of Kentucky and for the health and prosperity of Zion, we have appointed a church meeting at Bro. William Bush's. Nov 27, 1784, the former clerk not yet having moved to the north side, the church appointed Daniel Ramey clerk, also received John Johnson by letter."
Capt. Wm. Bush lived and died at the place where he first settled, which was about one mile south of the present Providence Church meeting house on the turnpike and he is buried about one-half mile from where his home stood and where the first meeting of teh church was held after they crossed to the north side of the river.
April 16, 1785, Received by letter Elder James Quisenberry, Thomas and Elizabeth Burrus and Martin Haggard by recommendation.
Nov. 1785 received James Ragland by letter.
Jan 14, 1786, received by letter Elder Andrew Tribble.
March 26, 1786, It is recommended to the church to look out for officers, Elders and Deacons.
May 6, 1786, received by letter James and Elizabeth Haggard.
June, 1786, received by experience and in next month Samuel and Mary Boone received by experience.
Aug, 1786. Frances Bush received by experience. Francis Bush was the youngest of the fine Bush brothers that came in the colony from Va., and he and his wife Rachel, and his sister Mary Richards, gave the land upon which to build the old church.
July, 1786. John and Rachel Martin received by letter.
In March 1788, we find the first query vis: "Whether all members of the church, male nad female, have a privilege to speak to any subject that comes before the churh, petition for relief of any grieveance, to answer, they have."
August 1788. Ambrose Bush ordained as Elder
June 14, 1788. Nathaniel and Elizabeth Haggard received by letter.
July 1790. Sarah Hampton received by letter.
August 13, 1790. Church agrees that the mmbers divide with the ministers, and that Elkin keep the old constitution and the next day the church set to hear experiences, and several were received. It appears that some who wer not present on August 13 were not satisfied with the division, for on Aug. 19, 1790, we find this record:
"Some members not being present at the time of the division came forward and assumed the constitution, received Andrew Tribble and the part with him, and threatened Elkin and the part wit him excommunication, which was the cause of application being made for referees being called who were as follows, to wit: Joseph Bledsoe, Wm. Bledsoe and John Embry.
Sept. 1, 1790. They constituted Elkin and the part with him as a church by the name of Providence Church, and also constituted Andrew Tribble and the part with him as a church by the name of Unity Church, with free recourse to each other in matters of dealing, as other churches in fellowship with the society and that the steps taken in the division of Howard's Creek Church shall not be a matter of dealing on either side here-to-fore.
Providence Church acted under the new Constitution, valued and received the servides of our brother referees and met at the old meeting house and met at the old meeting house on Howard's Creek Sept 9, 1790 and on said date received six by experience. Unity Church, soon after the division, built a log meeting house above two miles above Providence Church, on the same creek. (See history of Unity Church.)
**Portrait of Mrs. Rachel Martin Bush (not included in transcription)
Born in Va. 1767, died in KY 1860.
Wife of Francis Bush**
At the time the division occurred, the membership of the old congregation was about 170, and not quite half of them went with the Unity Church.
Jan. 1791. James Haggard, elected Elder, and Philip Bush and Edward Kindred as Deacon, James Haggard and Edward Kindred both became Baptist preachersand had pastorates in Clark County. Elder Kindred died in Clark Co., but Elder Haggard removed to another part of the state later in live.
June 1792, the first member excluded by being a sister, for immoral conduct.
Sept. 1793, Qurey: What power do we delegate to our members to an association? Answered "But as an advisory Council".
In March, 1796, a brother was excluded for "vainly swairing, singing vain songs and his non attendance to Meeting for a long time and still appears indiffrante."
At the next meeting another borther was excluded for "stealing and agreeing to be whipt".
July 1706, Queestion: "Is it right for members to purchase lottery tickets." Answer, "no".
In April, 1798 it was ordered that the trustees of the church on Howard's Creek secure a deed for the meeting house lot. This deed is dated May 2, 1798, and conveys 1 1/2 acres of land, which was given by Francis Bush and his wife, Rachiel, and Robert Richards and his wife Mary. (See Deed Book No. 3, page 193, Clark County KY.)
The great revival that was sweeping over the state reached this community in 1801, and 120 were added to Providence Church by experience and baptism. It was during this year, on Aug 22, 1801, that the committees of the S eparate and Regular Baptists met and agreed upon terms of union, which were later ratified by a convention of all the churches of at the Ol Stone Meeting House and from that time they were known as United Baptists.
May 1802. Whether black members shall preach...
In Oct 1802, the Church appointed Bro. Nathaniel Haggard Jr. to set the tunes in singing.
In July 1803, a sister was excluded for scolding her husband. Afterwards this sister was restored on repentance.
In March 1806, Gholson Bush was elected clerk.
In July 1806, the church settled with the deacons; 1/2 of a shill in debt.
In Nov., 1897, Robert Didlake was elected clerk.
In Aug 1808, records names messengers to the Association. THis is the first time an association is mentioned in the church records, but we know that the church had united with South Kentucky Association in 1787 and North District Association in 1802.
In Oct. 1811, sixteen members were by request granted the privilege to meet and do business as an Arm of the Church and on Feb 11, 1812, on petition of the Arm of the CHurch, 21 members were granted letters of dismissal to form a new constitution (church). THis is believed to have been Dewett's (Jouett's) Creek Church.
In May 1813 the church agreed to send a petition to the Association to alter the constitution. In the minutes of the North District Association for that year, we find the following petition from Providence Church:
"We wish the Association to form and add to the constitution some uniform rule for constituting churches and ordaining ministers." The Association, in answer said: "We advise that in the ordination of ministers, the united consent of the church be gained, and we think it not improper for her to advise with sister churches most convenient, and that tow or three experienced men in the ministry be called to assist in the work."
In 1816 Providence Church being a member of North District Association, the said Association agreed to open a correspondence with the Foreign Mission Board, but Providence Church seems to have been opposed to Foreign Missions, for at her regular business meeting in April 1817, she voted that she was not willing to correspond with teh Foreign Mission Board, and that this be inserted in her letter to the next Association.
The North District Association, at its annual session in 1817, voted that all correspondence with the Foreign Mission Board cease.
The constitution adopted by the church while sojourning on the Holston from 1780 to 1783, was lost on their way to Kentucky, so that the church was without a written constitution for about forty years, for beginning in Sept 1820, several attempts were made to draft and adopt a constitution, and finally on Sept. 17, 1823, they agreed to adopt as their constitution the first eight articles of the terms of the General Union of 1801.
In March 1821 the church received a colored man into their membership by experience, against the judgement of their venerable pastor, Elder Robert ELkin. The question was again brought before the church in Aug. 821, and Elder Elkin gave his reasons for not voting with the church on receiving this colored man, Warrick, but the church did not think his rea sons sufficient. This is the last time Elder Robert Elkin is mentioned in the records. He lived but a few months after this, and we wondr whether this action of the church, which he had shepherded for forty two years, could have hastened the death of this dear old brother. The church made no note of his death in the records until Dec. 1889, but we presume this was an oversight. He was with them while on the Halston, was their Shepherd as they travelled through the wilderness, fraught with so many dangers, to the land of plenty, where they could worship their God according to the dictates of their own consciences, as well as escape from the persectuions of the State Church in the Old Dominion. After leaving the Holston, when the colony moved forward he moved with them; when they halted, there he pitched his camp and held religious services, and when they stopped for a time in the spring of 1784, near Craig's Station, it was in teh cabin of Brother Elkins that the church held her first recorded business meeting on Kentucky soil. Later, when they moved to the north side of the river and settled and bilt their meeting house on Howard's Creek. Brother Elkin built his little home in sight of the church building from which he went and came on his faithful old "nag". Being a fine disciplinarion, he endeavered to keep his flock in the paths of righteousness, as the church records show. He loved the pastoral work, and preferred to be among the shiip, and thus did not acquire the reputation of bein ga "travelling preacher". He was one of the committe who wrote the terms of union for the Regular and Separate Baptists in 1801. He was the first moderator of the North District Association in 1802, and served several times in this capacity.
From the minutes of the North District Association for 1822, we copy the following: "Our venerable, beloved and extensively useful brother in Lord, Brother Robert Elkin in the 77th year of his age, and the 51st of his ministry, rested from his labors in March last."
On the little farm where he lived and died are the remains of Brother Elkin and his loving companion, in a poorly kept and unmarked grave, same for a small rough creek stone.
The next pastor was Elder Richard Morton, accepted in May 1822. Elder Wm. Morton was accepted in Sept. 1822 and Elder Richard Morton began again in Oct. 1823 to March 1827.
Two former clerks of the church, A.G. Bush and W.P. Heiatt, in their history of the chruch failed to mention the pastorate of Elder Wm. Morton for one year, but gave Elder Richard Morton credit for serving until March 1828, when it shoudl have been March 1827.
In March 1823 the church agreed to continue the practice of washing the saints feet, as an ordinance heretofore practiced by her.
In Nov. 1824, Thomas Vivion resigned as clerk and T.V. Bush accepted the clerkship, which he rsigned in Sept. 1827, when Pleasant Bush was chosen clerk.
In Dec. 1827 one of her members, Bro. John Alexander was ordained as a minister. In this year the church had a great rvival and received 60 additions by experience.
In March 1828 the church extended a call to Elder George G. Boone. He served the church 3 years (not 5 years as stated by Brethern Bush and Heiatt in their history). Bro. G. G. Boone was moderator of Boone's Creek Association for 4 years. Following Bro. Boone's pastorate, the church had no regular pastor for 3 years.
At this period, the doctrine preached by Elder Alexander Campbell and his followers was gaining many adherents from the Baptist churches in Kentucky, and through the influence of Elder John Smith, in 1828, the Association passed a resolution that at the next annual session she would take a vote to abolish her constitution as an association. Providence Church, at her business meeting in Feb. 1928, took up the request of the Association relative to the abolishment of her constitution and voted to insert in her letter that she wishes the Association to keep her present constitution.
When the divisioin came in 1829, Providence was one of the 7 churches that voted to retain the constitution of the Association.
In Feb. 1830 Pleasant Bush resigned as clerk and D.B. Hays accepted the clerkship.
On Aug 7, 1830 the records name 65 members (51 white and 14 colored) who having become displeased with the rules and regulations of the church, have withdrawn themselves and are no more of this body. This left Providence with a membership of 222. Those who withdrew formed themselves into a body known then as reformers, and trough the kindness of the Baptists they were permitted to use the Providenc Church building (Old Stone Meeting House), one Sunday in each month for 40 years.
On Oct 2, 1830, a motion ws made to know whether Providence Church will or will not commune with members of the Baptist churches that call themselves Reformers. The church voted she will not.
After Elder G.G. Boone resigned in 1830, Elders Thomas Boone, T.Ballou and T. Jerman preached there occasionally, until Elder Robert Elrod accepted the call in Jan 1833. He remained one year and was succeeded by Elder D. Landrum in Oct 1834, who was their under-shepherd for nearly four years.
In Dec. 1837, the church received 49 additions by bapism.
In Feb 1838, Elder Thomas Jerman became their pastor and remained for four years.
In July 1839 the chruch requested that there be preaching on Saturdays of our church meeting. We infer from this that there had never been preaching on Saturdays before this time, but it was a day for transaction of the business of the church.
On May 1, 1841 the church agreed to the request of the President of the Untied States that all religious societies should meet on 14th May tto fast and pray for the welfare of the people and the prosperity of the country.
In July 1841 the church agreed that on comminion days, after this ordinance had been celebrated, they would attend to the washing of feet.
In July 1842 Elder B.E. Allen accepted the pastorate and served them as regular pastor until Nov. 1846, when on account of his health he resigned, but continued to preach occasionally for them as a supply preacher for several months.
In July and Aug 1842 the pastor, assisted by Elder E.H. Darnaby, held a series of meetings, which resulted in 67 additions by baptism, making a total membership of 256.
In Nov 1845 Bro. Wm. A. Taliaferrs was ordained as a minister.
**Portrait of Ambrose G. Bush (Not included in transcribed record)
Born Jan 18, 1823; died July 22, 1903**
In Feb. 1846 A.G. Bush was elected clerk and he was their faithful and efficient clerk for over half a century. When he had rounded out his fifty years of service as clerk, in June 1896, he requested the church to release hism but instead of accepteing his resignation , the church appointed W.P. Hiett as assistant clerk. The last time Bro. Bush's name appears in the record as clerk in in August 1898.
In April 1846 the church voted that hereafter their church minutes shall be headed as follows: "The United Baptist Church of Christ at Providence." This is the first time in the history of the church that the name of either the moderator or the clerk is signed to the minutes.
A series of meetings was held in Oct. 1846 and thre were 25 additions by experience and baptism.
In August 1847 Elder Edward H. Darnaby accepted the pastorate, retaining same until Oct 1848. The church was then without a pastor for one year.
In Sept 1848 the subject of foot washing was taken up and the church voted that we did not consider foot washing a bar to fellowship, and after debating the proposition the reference was withdrawn.
In Sept. 1849 Elder B.E. Allen again accepted the call of the church for no definite period of time, and only remained about one year.
In Aug 1850, the church ordered that the moderator and clerk shall sign all church proceedings. This had been done only a few times previous to this date.
In March 1851 the church rescinded its action in regard to foot washing after communion service. The church having been without a pastor or some time, Elder B.E. Allen again accepted the pastorate in Aug 1851, serving them for one year.
In Oct 1851 one of her members, Bro. P.T. Gentry was ordained to the preaching of the Gospel, and Jeremiah Bush was ordained as deacon, after a committee had been sent to Sister Bush to ask her co-operation in the ordination of Bro. Bush.
In Jan 1853 by unanimous vote the church decided that it is nto right to encourage dancing schools, nor to permit dancing in the homes of members of this church, nor for members to frequent racing fields.
In June 1853 the subject of washing of feet as an ordinance was again taken up and by vote the church agreed to attend to it as an ordinance.
For the fourth time, Elder B.E. Allen became their under-shepherd in Nov. 1855, and was their pastor this time until his death, which occurred on Dec 9, 1861. Bro. Allen labored faithfully and effectively as pastor of this church at different periods for 13 years.
In Feb 1862 there were entered upon the minutes of the church resolutions to the m emory of this servent of God. (See Boone's Creek Church.)
Bro. Allen was for 8 years clerk and for 10 years moderator of Boone's Creek Association, and at their annual session in 1862, resolutions expressing high esteem in which he was held by the Associatin wree made part of their recors, and are in part as follows: "He was a good and honest man, an able and beloved minister, a constant and devoted Christian and in the 60th year of his life he closed his eventful career covered with honors."
In June 1859 ten members were granted letters of dismissal to go into the organization of a church in Winchester (First Winchester Church).
In Sept 1860 the church agreed to request the Association to send Brother Maey, Agent of the General Association, into the Boone's Creek Association to collect money for the maintenance of a missionary in said Association, the surplus to go to the benefit of the general Association. If we have read the records of this church correctly, this is the first mention of any missionary activities of the church.
In Jan 1862 Dr. Ryland T. Dillard began his labors as pastor, and remained as such for three years.
In May 1865 the pastorate was accepted by Elder N. McDonald, but he relinquished the same in the following November.
In July 1866 Elder C.E.W. Dobbs became their pastor, serving until Oct. 1867, and he was succeeded by Elder W.B. Arvin in Feb 1868, who made them a loving and faithful pastor 6 years.
In July 1868 at the request of many of the colored brethern and sisters, 19 of them were granted letters of dismissal.
In Oct 1868 the subject of building a new house of worship up on the pike was discussed, and a committee appointed. At the next meeting the committee reported that they thought it impracticable to undertake to build at that time.
In June 1869 a committee was appointed to raise funds to purchase a library for the Sunday School. This is the first mention in the records of a Sunday School.
In Nov 1869 the subject of building a new house on the pike was again discussed and a committee appointed, which soon raised the funds and Brother R.G. Bush gave a two acre lot, situated on the Winchester and Boonesborough Turnpike, about one mile south of the Stone Meting House, and 3 miles north of Boonesborough. Bro. R.G. Bush was a great nephew of Francis Bush, who gave the lot on which the Stone Meeting House was erected, sometime before 1793. A fine large frame house was soon erected on the lot given by Bro. Bush and dedicated on fourth Sunday in August 1870. Elder Cad Lewis preaching the dedicating sermon. So the old location at the Stone Meeting House, which had been the place of wroship for the Bush colony and their descendent for nearly a century, passed by deed from the white Baptists to the colored Baptists in 1870 and the latter still hold regular services in teh Old Stone Meeting House at the present time (1923) and it is in a good state of preservation.
As to the date of erectin of the Old Stone Meeing House, historians in the past have given many different dates, none of which were earlier than 1800. We desire to submit proof that this building was constructed before Oct 22, 1793. In the first place, the minutes of the South Kentucky Association, which covened with Jessamine Church on second Friday in Oct. 1796, show the following entry: "The Association adjourned until the second Friday in Oct 1797, then to meet at the Stone Meeting House on Howard's Creek." The records for the following year show that they met at the Stone Meeting House on Howard's Lower Creek in 1797. Thus it is shown that the construction of the Old Stone Meeting antedated the year 1796.
In the second place, we find that at a County Court held in Clark Co. KY, in Oct 22, 1793 (Order Book 1, page 57), the following entry was made: Philip Bush having been previously appointed to lay off a road between certain points made his report on day above mentioned and in his report mentioned the Stone Meeting House on Howard's Lower Creek. It will thus be seen tht the date of erection of the building antedates Oct 22, 1793 which is 7 years earlier than any previous writer has given.
**Picture of Providence Church
New Meeting House Ereted in 1870.**
On this same lot (Providence Church), in the year 1787, these pioneer Baptists erected their firt meeting house, which was of logs and had port holes for use in defending the worshipers from attacks by the Indians, and tradition says that while one portion of the contregation watched the port holes from the gallery, the other part worshipped. Before they built the log meeting house they met from house to house for worship about three years.
In a series of meetings in Dec. 1871, 22 members were received by experience and baptism.
In April 1874 Elder G.T. Strassberry accepted the pastorate but served only until the following October. While Bro. Strassberry was pastor a call meeting held at the house of Sister Mariah Tate on July 13, 1874, and Zachariah Tate, an invalid son of Sister Tate made confession of faith in the Lord and was baptized in a large trough and received by the brethern into the fellowship of the church.
After Bro. Strassberry resigned, Elder George Yeizer preached as a supply until March 1875. He was succeeded by Elder A.F. Baker, who began his labors in June 1875; he served until May 1880.
On August 4 1875 a centennial meeting was held in the beautiful woodland near the church building... disppointment when the excercises ended without references to the history of the church, it being the oldest on Ky. soil. Just what was the object of the meeting the records fail to state.... the first Baptist sermon preached on KY soil by William Hickman in spring of 1776.
Portrait of A.S. Hampton
Born Nov 11, 1834 died Maarch 22, 1908
A faithful member and Deacon of Providence Church
In June 1876 the church appointed A.G. Bush the clerk to transcribe as much of the old church records as were in danger of being lost, as a result of being badly scorched from a fire in the Baptist Church in Lousiville, KY wher they were kept temporarily by Bro. Burrows, who had borrowed them to get information for use in centennial work.
In Oct 1878 the church agreed to systematize all the missionary interests of the church.
In July 1880 Elder J. Pike Powers accepted a call and served as pastor until April 1881.
In Nov 1880 the church agreed to hold a centennial meeting to commemorate the 100th anniversary of their first meeting on the Holston in Dec. 1780. The meeting was to be held on first Saturday in Dec. 1880, but on account of heavy rains the meeting was postponed until some future time.
In Jan 1881 the minutes of the first meeting for business just 100 years ago were read.
Rev. J.D. Simmons became an under-shepherd in June 1881, and for more than 6 years led them ... Upon his resignation in Oct 1887 (Resalutions)
March 1882. Question: Whether this church will or will not permit a member of this church to retail or manufacture intoxicating liquor, except for medical purposes. Without a dissenting vote, the church said she would not.
In July 1882 the church records the death of Sister Nancy Elkin, who was in her 95th year, being the oldest at the time of her death in the church, having joined in April 1812...
In Dec. 1882 the church purchased an organ, this being the first one used in the church.
In April 1886 the church appointed a committee composed of their pastor, J.D. Simmons, A.G. Bush the clerk and Bro. R.D. Hunter to draft resolutions upon the failure of the History of Kentucky Baptists by Dr. J.H. Spencer, to do justice to Providence Church. The committee made their report in March 1887, in the form of a strong protest against (what the committee calls) inaccuracies of Dr. Spencers History, as pertaining to Providence Church, which report was unanimously adopted by the church, and is in part as follows:
| 1st |
The History (Spencer's) gives us no credit for being the first 3 years of our existence. We claim the history of Upper Spottsylvania Church in Virginia, organized Nov 20, 1767 in the early history of our church. See the History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia, by Robert H. Semple, also the History of the Ten Baptist Churches, by John Taylor, and our own Book of Record. |
| 2nd |
The historian (Spencer) ignores words, phrases and facts as to our Record and quotes it incorrectly, inserting such words and phrases as seem to suit him and then interprets the whole to, if possible, establish a theory that there other churches in the State older than ours. The Historian Spencer says, Vol. I, page 45, see it also see what our Book of Records does say, it will appear to even a casual observer that our records have been garbled or misinterpreted. |
| 3rd |
The Historian declars repeatedly that we disbanded on the south side of the KY river. See Vol. 1 pages 30, 31 and 40; also Vol. II p. 10. Compare John Taylor's History of Ten Baptist Churches, pages 9, 11, 41 and 42; also see our records. And see this whole matter as our pastor J.D. Simmons discusses it in the Western Recorder of April 7, 1885. (This date should be Feb. 1, 1883). |
| 4th |
We think the Historian (Spencer) studiously avoided giving us proper historical connection with church organization that grew out of ours and with events and men of importance with which we have had to do during our early history. One noticable example is that of Bogg's Fork Church. See Vol I, p. 478-479 as to their omission; see our record date of Oct 12, 1811, Nov 9 to Feb 1812. We desire nothing but the truth should some day be manifest."** The author, S.J. Conkwright feels that the committee and the church did an injustice to Dr. Spencer's valuable work.** |
It seems the committee did not examine very closely the references given and were perhaps led too much by tradition rather than authenic records in making such a protest. In the claim that they came from Upper Spottsylvania, reference is made to the histories of Robert E. Semple and John Taylor, but neither of these make any reference to this congregation (Providence) as coming out of Upper Spottsylvania, and I am fully convinced that they were never a part of Upper Spottsylvania for the reasons heretofore mentioned. In the third item, it is claimed that Dr. Spencer states that this congregation (Providence) disbanded while on the south side of the river, and reference is made to Vol. 1, pages 30, 31, 40 and Vol. II, page 10, but Spencer is speaking of another cogregation, namely, Old Gilbert's Creek Church, that came out of Upper Spottsylvania, and on their march to Ky. passed the congregation, later known as Providence Church, while stoppong on the Holston River. Elder Lewis Craig, the pastor of the Upper Spottsylvania congregation (a traveling church), assisted in or wrote the Constitution for the Baptists stopping on the Halston, who later became known as Providence Church. In the references made to Taylor's History, pages 9, 11, 41 & 42, there is nothing relating to the congregation known as Providence Church, for Taylor was speaking of Upper Spottsylvania Church in Virginia.
In regard to teh fourth item, in speaking of Bogg's Fork Church, neither the committee nor Dr. Spencer ar correct. The committee cites the records of Providence Church from Oct. 1811 to Feb. 1812, claiming that Bogg's Fork Church was constituted from members out of Providence Church in 1812. It will be seen from the sketch of Bogg's Fork Church that she was constituted on July 28, 1800, twelve years before the Providence records say she was constituted. The writer called the attention of Providence Church to these errors and showed them the authentic records, and on Aug 6, 1922 the church, on motion, made corrections in regard to this protest, particularly in reference to the fourth item and the same was recorded in the church minutes. The church constituted out of Providence in 1812 was Dewetts (Joutet's) Creek Church, hence a part of the fourth item censuring Dr Spencer was a sad mistake on the part of the committee and church.
In Jan 1888 Elder J. P)ike Powers again became pastor and served for 2 years.
On the first Saty in May 1889 the church meeting was broken up by an alarm of fire, the pastor's house, which was within sight of the church, being on fire and was totally destroyed.
In Dec. 1889 the church discovered she had failed to make any notation in the church records of the death of their first pastor, Robert Elkins, though 67 years had elapsed since his death, so they recorded the following form the minutes of North District Association: "Rocord of the death of our venerable, well-beloved and extensively useful brother in the Lord, Brother Robert Elkin, in the 77th year of his age and 51st year of his ministry. Rested from his labors in March, 1822. Extract from the minutes of North District Association held in July 1822. A true copy by A.H. Rupard, Ckerk of said Association."
Rev. A.H. Anthony accepted the care of the church in April 1890, serving them till July 1891. He was succeeded by Rev. H.A. Hunt in the following Nov., and retained the pastorate until July 1894, at which time Rev. I.T. Creek accepted the pastorate [in July 1894] remaining 2 years.
In Oct 1894, Bro. A.L. Hackett, a member of the church, was ordained.
In June 1896, W.P. Heiatt was elected assistant clerk of the church and in Sept. 1898 Bro. A.G. Bush, having become too feeble to attend to the ckerkship, after 50 year of faithful servides as a clerk. Bor Heiatt became the acting clerk and served as clerk until his death on Feb 11, 1919. (In the following April - resolutins concrning W.P. Heiatt.)
In July 1896 the church appointed a committee to purchae a book for recording the names of all members who had attached themselves to this church from and after Dec. 1780. This record was never made as it could not be found.
Rev. H.F. Searcy accepted the pastorate in Jan 1897 and served until May 1898.
He was succeeded the following Nov. by Rev. J.S. Wilson, resigning in Jan. 1903.
In May 1903 Bro. Oscar Brown, a member of the church, was ordained.
The church records the death of Bro. Ambrose G. Bush in 1903. He was the grandson of Ambrose Bush Sr., one of the 5 Bush brothers, pioneer settlers of KY and constituent members of the church. He was a faithful member of the church for 61 years and, as above stated, was their efficient church clerk for half a century.
The church was without a regtular pastor during the year 1903, but in Aug. of that year, Rev. T.C. Ecton held a series of meetings for the church, which resulted in 14 additoins by experience and baptism.
In Sept. following the statistics of the church show a membership of 200. Rev. T.C. Ecton accepted the pastorate in Jan 1904, serving for 2 years.
In Oct 1904 the church resolved that she believed that dancing is contrary to the teaching of the scripture, and by a unanimous vote forbids her members to engage in this practice.
Rev. A.R. Willett accepted the care of the church in Jan 1906, remaining 2 years, when Rev. B.J. Davis accepted the pastorate in Jan. 1903; he remained with them 4 years.
In Oct 1908 the church passed resolutions that she would not grant letters of dismissal to members who had not paid their subscriptions to the pastor's salary.
Following the close of the pastorate of Bro. Davis in Jan 1912, the church was without a regular pastor until April 1913 when Rev. W.S. Taylor accepted the care of the church, serving until Dec 1916.
In June 1917 Rev. R.B. Jones became their leader for 3 years. He was succeded by Rev. S.A. Taylor who began May 1,1821, serving until May 1923.
It is believed by the best authorities that Providence Church was one of the 11 churches that went into the organization of South Ky. Assn. in 1787. However, we find thename of Providence Curch in the list of 21 churches on the first leaf of the record book of that Assn which we believe to have been the churches composing that Assn in 1795. The annual session of South Ky. Assn. for 1797 was held with Howard's Lower Creek (Providence) Church, and accordin gto their records was held in the Stone Meeting House. Providence Church remained in that Assn. until it became so large that it divided nto South District and North District Assns. Providence Church was one of the constitutentchurches of North District Assn. in 1802 and her pastor, Robert Elkin was chosen moderator of the Assn. for that year, whith which position he was honored several times. Providence Church entertained three annual sessions of North District Assn. in the years 1804, 1807 and 1812. She remained a member of this Assn. until she united with Boone's Creek Assn. in 1823 and she has entertained 11 sessions of that body, in the following years: 1826, 1834, 1839, 1850, 1859, 1868, 1876, 1885, 1905, 1817 [1917?] and expects to entertain the annual session this year [1923], for which a special program is being prepared. This will be the centennial session of Boone's Creek Assn., and the 143rd year of the constitution fo Providence Church, the oldest constitution in the state.
Pastors
During her 143 years of existence as a church, Providence has been served by 29 pastors as follows: (Year indicates the beginning of service)
| Name |
Year |
|
Name |
Year |
| Robert Elkin | 1780 |
|
A.F. Baker | 1875 |
| Richard Morton (2 pastorates) | 1822 |
|
J. Pike Powers
| 1880
and 1888 |
| Wm. Morton | 1827 |
|
| Goerge G. Boone | 1827 |
|
J. Dallas Simmons | 1881 |
| Robert Elrod | 1833 |
|
A.H. Anthony | 1890 |
| D. Landrum | 1834 |
|
H.A. Hunt | 1891 |
| Thomas Jerman | 1838 |
|
I.T. Creek | 1894 |
| Benj. E. Allen (4 pastorates) | 1842 |
|
H.F. Searcy | 1897 |
| Edward H. Darnaby | 1847 |
|
J.S. Wilson | 1898 |
| P.T. Gentry | 1852 |
|
Thos. C. Ecton | 1904 |
| Ryland T. Dillard | 1862 |
|
A.R. Willett | 1906 |
| H.M. McDonald | 1865 |
|
B.J. Davis | 1908 |
| C.E.W. Dobbs | 1866 |
|
W.S. Taylor | 1913 |
| W.B. Arvin | 1868 |
|
R.B. Jones | 1917 |
| G.T. Stansberry | 1874 |
|
S.A. Taylor | 1921 |
Deacons
Year indicates year ordained:
| John Embree (Embry) | 1788 * |
|
Roger Quisenberry | 1855 |
| Nathaniel George | 1788 |
|
C.W. Boone | 1862 |
| James Ragland | 1788 |
|
Peter Evans | 1866 |
| Philip Bush | 1791 |
|
Loyd Quisenberry | 1866** |
| Edward Kindred | 1791 |
|
A.S. Hampton | 1876 |
| Thomas Berry, Jr. | 1797 |
|
Jackson Epperson | 1876 |
| Enoch Elkin | 1822 |
|
Bartlett S. Haggard | 1893 |
| Lewallen Elkin | 1836 |
|
Thomas Tucker | 1893 |
| Robert Elkin | 1843 |
|
Clayton Strode | 1902 |
| Pleasant Gentry | 1843 |
|
S.J. Conkwright | 1902 |
| Achilles Eubank | 1846 |
|
Wallace V. McCormack | 1908 |
| Ambrose Bush Sr. | 1850 |
|
W.P. Heiatt | 1908 |
| Stephen Quisenberry | 1851 |
|
Jesse n. Hodgkin | 1914 |
| Jeremiah Bush | 1851 |
|
Joseph W. Thomas | 1918 |
| E.J.M. Elkin | 1855 |
|
| |
| * |
Oldest record |
| ** |
Previously ordained by another church. |
Clerks
Years indicate when services began:
| Phillip Bush | 1784 |
| Daniel Ramey | 1784 |
| Gholson Bush | 1806 |
| Robert Didlake | 1807 |
| Thomas Vivion | Resigned 1824 |
| T.V. Bush | 1824 |
| Pleasant Bush | 1827 |
| D.B. Hays | 1830 |
| A.G. Bush | 1846 (52 years Clerk) |
| W.P. Heiatt | 1896 (Assistant) |
| W.P. Heiatt | 1898 (Acting Clerk) |
| R.B. Hunter | 1919 (Present Clk., 1923) |
Ministers ordained from this church:
| James Haggard | (no record of) |
| Edward Kindred | (no record of) |
| John Alexander | 1827 |
| Wm. A. Taliaferro | 1845 |
| P.T. Gentry | 1851 |
| A.L. Hackett | 1894 |
| Oscar Brown | 1903 |
**View of tomb of Mary Bush Richards (not included in transcription)
Sister of the 5 Bush brothers)
Francis Bush, her brother is also buried here.**
|
