Salem Church was constituted in 1798 in the name of the Old School Baptist. The meeting house stood where B.S. Burgher now lives. The early church records have been misplaced. The house was moved in 1840 to where the new one now stands, and about the same time. The Old School Baptist had gone down.
About 1846 Rev. S.V. Potts came as a missionary for Boone's Creek Assn. and held a meeting which resulted in an agreement of the old remaining members to go into the organization of the United Baptist Church at Salem S.V. Potts served as pastor 4 years. He was assisted by Rev. Ed Darnaby. BRo. James Shearer was elected clerk.
In 1850 Rev. T.I. Wills was chosen pastor. A building committee was appointed to erect a new log house which was built. Rev. Wills served 2 years and resigned. Manson Burgher was elected clerk at commencement of Rev. Wills care of the church.
The church chose Y.C. Huntor as pastor. He served 1 year and then T.I. Wills was recalled and served 1 year. The next call was N.B. Norris. He served 3 years. Rev. E. Bowman was next called. Manson Burgher resigned as clerk and S. Todd was elected. Rev. E.P. Bowman served until 1863 when Rev. Bartlett Arvin was called. In Aug 1864 there was a great revival; 40 additions. He served 18 months.
T.I. Wills was called in 1866 and served 1 yer.
Rev. N.B. Johnson accepted call in 1876 and served 2 years.
Rev. T.I. Wills was recalled in 1870 and served 6 months.
In 1871 Rev. N. Edmonson accepted a call; served 6 months.
In 1872 W. Tyre accepted a call, served 1 year. In Nov. of this year the chruch called a concil, consisting of Bros. J.C. Wray and W.T. Tyre to set apart one of the members. Bro. S. Todd to work in the ministry. J.C. Wray accepted a call in 1873; served 1 year.
In 1874 J.J. edwards accepted a call; served 2 years.
In 1876 Rev. N. Lowe accepted a call, being a licentiste from Republican Church, Madison Co. The church called for his ordination and also a presbytery consisting of Rev. S.V. Potts and S. Todd, and he was set apart to the work of the ministry. He served the church 1 year.
In 187 the church called Rev. S. Todd who served 2 years.
Rev. J.J. Edwards was re-called by the church in 1879. Served 2 years.
In Nov. 1879 the church called for the ordination of two of her members to the ministry - Brothers B.S. Burgher and N. Todd. A presbytery consisting of Rev. T.L. Lawson, J.J. Edwards and S. Todd met and they were legalled ordained.
In Feb 1882 the church called T.L. Lawson. At the same time Bro. N. Clark was appointed clerk.
No pastor in 1884 and 1885; but B.S. Burgher was clerk.
Rev. S.L. Lawson served as pastor in 1886 and 1887. Membership 124.
Dillard McKinney was clerk from 1886 for 6 years and in 1892 A. Lee was clerk.
After 1892 she reported no more to Boone's Clerk Assn. until 1803, when Salem Church came under the watch care of said Assn. until she could secure her letter from Irvine Assn. At this time Salem reported 44 members and Rev. O.C. Brown as pastor and J. E. Burgher clerk. After this, Salem Church reported by letter and mesenger each year to the Boone's Creek Assn. with 44 members up to 1903, J.E. Burgher clerk, but reported as having no pastor except 1908 when Rev. Geo. W. McIntosh was pastor. She has not affiliated with Boone's Creek Assn. since 1908 but we understand they have about 15 or 20 members, and that Rev. B.S. Burgher preaches once a month.
Soon after her constitution Salem Church united with South Ky. Assn. In 1801 that body became 2 Assns. Salem in 1802, with 132 members, the messengers being Elder Charles Finnell, Thos. Trimble, Solomon Turpin and Robert Henderson. In 1808 she was dismissed from North Ky. Assn. at her own request. She affiliated with Boone's Creek Assn. in 1845. There was another Salem Church. It is the opinion of the author that the old Salem Church prior to 1860 became 2 separate congregations, worshipping in the same home, one of which was the Old Baptist Assns., the other affiliated with Boone's Creek Assn. |
