Was located on Dry Fork, a branch of Upper Howard's Creek, at what is known as Ruckerville, Clark Co., KY. The church has long since dissolved. The church was constituted April 3, 1802, by Elder Robert Elkin and Edward Kindred with 29 members as follows: James Elkin, John Vivion, Smith Vivion, Milton Vivion, Thomas Vivion, Flavel Vivion, Isaiah Vivion, Thacker Vivion, Henry Vivion, Mary Vivion, Silby Vivioin, ELizabeth Vivion, James Muer, Bartlett Wills, Wm. McDale, Nancy Vivion, Martha Elkin, Mary Jones, May Trowbridge, Elizabeth Kelly, Martha Newton, Sarah Oliver, Mary Penland, Catherine White, Dolly Conkrite (Conkwritght), James Wells, and 3 black persons, Vivion's Ellick and Rachiel and Duncan's Grace.
This book of church records is largely made up of charges preferred against members and trials of same. Often a member would be his own accuser in the church.
In Sept. 1802 a charge was preferred against Sister Sarah for "letting a falsity and afterwards acknowledging it". She appeared before the chruch and gave satisfaction and was retained in fellowship.
James Muer and Smith Vivion were elected elders in the church, and Robert Oliver was chosen deacon in Oct. 1802. In the following month Bro. Wells is charged with "tradng on the Sabbath day" and sent out. Sentence: Repentence for which he paid a pint and a half of brandy. Secondly, likewise he drank too much himself. Thirdly being persuaded by a man to abscond such company and he did not do it". He was excluded.
Wm. Haggard was chosen deacon in Feb. 1805.
In July 1805 "Jesse Wilcoxen and Thomas Vivion came forward and made acknowledgement that they had paid money to see a Lyon. The church took it up and professed a distress with the two brethren for this conduct, and laid it before moderator to admonish them, as he thought right, which he done." The two brethren were retained in fellowship.
Milton Vivion was elected clerk in Jan. 1807.
In June 1807 Philip Johnson "came forward with a charge against himself for presenting a subscription for a squirrel hunt on Sunday at the meeting house, and the church took it up and from his acknowledgement forgave him."
In Feb. 1809 Jonathan Baker came forward as his own accuser "for pushing a man in a dispute and giving him the lye in his own house". The church forgave him.
In Jan 1811 the church agreed to build a new meeting house, to be of stone, size 30 by 40 feet, one and one-half stories high. The building committee was John Gibbs, Smith Vivion, Milton Vivion, James Muer and Jesse Wilcoxen.
In June 1811 Elder kindred (pastor) preferred charges against himself for whipping an apprentice boy. The church took it up and after examining the matter, and from Brother Kindred's acknowledgement retained him as formerly".
Jan 4, 1842 met according to appointment. Fellowship inquired for and all in peace. The committee appointed to settle with the deacons reported that the church was indebted to the deacons 7 shillings 3 pence."
At this period the church had 150 members.
Elder Edward kindred seems to have been their only pastor during the first 10 years.
This church was one of the constituent churches of North Dist. Assn. which was constituted in 1802, and reported every year by letter and messengers until July 1842, when she had 105 members.
A few days after this the church agreed to become two congregations, and each to have equal rights to occupy the house one half the time. The larger congregation still retained the name of Upper Howard's Creek Church of the Old Baptists, and affiliated with North Dist. Assn. until the church ceased to exist.
The smaller congregation, composed of 28 members, also called themselves Upper Howard's Creek Church of the Missionary Baptists untied with Boone's Creek Assn. in Sept 1842, her messengers being Nathan Haggard, J. Acton (Ecton), S. Acton and Horatio Acton.
This congregation reported by letter and messengers to Boone's Creek Assn. until 1848, when several of her members went into the constitution of Ephesus Church, about 5 miles northeast of Upper Howard's Creek Church. This is the last we hear of this congregation of Upper Howard's Creek Bhurch which affiliated with Boone's Creek Assn.
In 1845 this Assn. was entertained by upper Howard's Creek Church.
Nelson Bush was born March 13, 1789; died Sept. 25, 1874. Nancy Neil Bush born Jan. 24, 1801; died Jan. 15, 1879. (Partraits, pg. 82.)
Nelson Bush was a son of John Bush, who wa one of the 5 Bush brothers that came from Va. with the "Travelling Church", now Providence Church, Clark Co. Ky. He was a faithful member for 50 years or more of the Old Baptist congregation of Upper Howard's Creek Church.
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