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Acknowledgement for Content
In the preparation of the history of Little Rock Creek Baptist Church, Tommie Edwards found information in “A History of the French Broad Baptist Association”, (the first name that Mitchell County Baptist Association was known by) compiled by Rev. Frank Parson in 1943.
Tommie prepared this in 1984 for Little Rock Creek Baptist Church’s 100th birthday celebration, dictating it to daughter Connie Edwards Buchanan who copied it for him.
Other sources were all the Church records from years back. Church Clerk Rosa Edwards searched these and compiled information also from the 100th birthday celebration in 1984. Recent happenings were added to complete this history as a remembrance from the dedication and ordination of Deacons Gordon Lovejoy and Ritchie Harrell, to serve the Lord at Little Rock Creek Baptist Church.
Secretary Kathy Harrell typed and copied the booklet.
Prayerfully hoping the contents are correctly copied by the clerk, from her sources, of diligent work of Church clerks who recorded years ago.
To God Be the Glory!
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Acknowledgement for Content
In the preparation of the history of Little Rock Creek Baptist Church, Tommie Edwards found information in “A History of the French Broad Baptist Association”, (the first name that Mitchell County Baptist Association was known by) compiled by Rev. Frank Parson in 1943.
Tommie prepared this in 1984 for Little Rock Creek Baptist Church’s 100th birthday celebration, dictating it to daughter Connie Edwards Buchanan who copied it for him.
Other sources were all the Church records from years back. Church Clerk Rosa Edwards searched these and compiled information also from the 100th birthday celebration in 1984. Recent happenings were added to complete this history as a remembrance from the dedication and ordination of Deacons Gordon Lovejoy and Ritchie Harrell, to serve the Lord at Little Rock Creek Baptist Church.
Secretary Kathy Harrell typed and copied the booklet.
Prayerfully hoping the contents are correctly copied by the clerk, from her sources, of diligent work of Church clerks who recorded years ago.
To God Be the Glory!
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**Below is a short section out of the Booklet. Below will be a PDF copy of the entire booklet**
It was a crisp, September day, as the lone rider topped the ridge overlooking the Toe River Valley. Already the chilling breeze spoke of the soon coming winter. The man, Stephan Morgan, now in his 68th year, drew his horse to a stop at a point where the valleys below spread out in panoramic view. As the Baptist minister sat erect in his saddle and observed the beauty of the mountainous terrain that lay before him. His mind went back across those 39 years of preaching the gospel. For 39 years now he had crossed these ridges and rounded his way through the foothills to establish Churches in the Toe River area. There had been many wonderful things accomplished in this fast-growing area. His mind went back to the associational meeting held at the Bethel Meeting House in Burke County, NC, August 26th, 1815. He was then a young preacher of 10 years. The state of the Churches in that year was encouraging. There were 15 Churches represented, representing 586 members. As he sat and pondered, he also thought of that associational meeting of the French Broad Baptist Association, held at Cain Creek Meeting House in Buncombe County, August 22nd and 23rd, 1823. There were 23 Churches represented, representing 744 members. He remembers that year, Roan Mountain had 62 members and was the largest Church in the French Broad Association. He also remembered that Grassy Creek reported 34 members, baptized three, and received four by letter.
As he sat there and pondered, he also thought of the associational meeting of 1827, held that year in Waynesville, Haywood County. He remembered again the Roan Mountain Church had received seven by baptism that year, four by letter, and had grown to a membership of 84; that Grassy Creek had received four by letter and had grown to a membership of 46. He recalled that year, 23 Churches were represented, representing 997 members. That was indeed an encouraging year.
The reports showed the results of the fruitful activity on that part of the brethren who labored in that area. But all of his memories were not good. He also remembered that the 1830 associational meeting minutes showed a drop from those 23 Churches to 17 Churches, and the total membership had dropped from 997 to 568. He recalled that Roan Mountain had reported 84 in 1827, and reported only 21 in 1830, and Grassy Creek’s membership had dropped from 46 to 28. Yes, there had been dissension and misunderstanding in those years.
But this was the year 1844, and new and wonderful things were beginning to happen. As he started his descent down the winding trail, his mind rushed ahead to think upon the things that were surely ahead. He was making his monthly visit to the Roan Mountain Church. Before he reached his destination, he spent the night with Brother Stephen Collis and his wife. These good folks lived in the Grassy Creek area. For many years now he had been a close friend. So close, indeed, that the Collis’es had named their son Stephen Morgan Collis. He was looking forward to seeing this young man who was now pastoring two new Churches that had started in the French Broad Association in this year of 1844. They were Rock Creek and Bear Creek. Because of the outstanding revivals in both Roan Mountain Church and Grassy Creek Church, these two new Churches were formed. Roan Mountain reported dismissing 50 members, 39 of which organized Rock Creek Baptist Church. They had sent delegates, George C. Hopson, Shadrach Greene, and Joseph Greene. All three of these men had been members of Roan Mountain Church that previous year. So, in this year, 1844, we mark the beginning of Rock Creek Baptist Church, presently known as Little Rock Creek Baptist Church. We can note that in 1849, the church had 35 members. By 1861, it had a total of 70 members. In 1869 it had grown to 78 members.
Our celebration of 100 years was based on our Church records at hand, dated March 1884 even though older records show Rock Creek Baptist Church being founded in 1844.
(Note: The largest membership to my knowledge was 222 members, in 1910. Stated Tommie Edwards)
As he sat there and pondered, he also thought of the associational meeting of 1827, held that year in Waynesville, Haywood County. He remembered again the Roan Mountain Church had received seven by baptism that year, four by letter, and had grown to a membership of 84; that Grassy Creek had received four by letter and had grown to a membership of 46. He recalled that year, 23 Churches were represented, representing 997 members. That was indeed an encouraging year.
The reports showed the results of the fruitful activity on that part of the brethren who labored in that area. But all of his memories were not good. He also remembered that the 1830 associational meeting minutes showed a drop from those 23 Churches to 17 Churches, and the total membership had dropped from 997 to 568. He recalled that Roan Mountain had reported 84 in 1827, and reported only 21 in 1830, and Grassy Creek’s membership had dropped from 46 to 28. Yes, there had been dissension and misunderstanding in those years.
But this was the year 1844, and new and wonderful things were beginning to happen. As he started his descent down the winding trail, his mind rushed ahead to think upon the things that were surely ahead. He was making his monthly visit to the Roan Mountain Church. Before he reached his destination, he spent the night with Brother Stephen Collis and his wife. These good folks lived in the Grassy Creek area. For many years now he had been a close friend. So close, indeed, that the Collis’es had named their son Stephen Morgan Collis. He was looking forward to seeing this young man who was now pastoring two new Churches that had started in the French Broad Association in this year of 1844. They were Rock Creek and Bear Creek. Because of the outstanding revivals in both Roan Mountain Church and Grassy Creek Church, these two new Churches were formed. Roan Mountain reported dismissing 50 members, 39 of which organized Rock Creek Baptist Church. They had sent delegates, George C. Hopson, Shadrach Greene, and Joseph Greene. All three of these men had been members of Roan Mountain Church that previous year. So, in this year, 1844, we mark the beginning of Rock Creek Baptist Church, presently known as Little Rock Creek Baptist Church. We can note that in 1849, the church had 35 members. By 1861, it had a total of 70 members. In 1869 it had grown to 78 members.
Our celebration of 100 years was based on our Church records at hand, dated March 1884 even though older records show Rock Creek Baptist Church being founded in 1844.
(Note: The largest membership to my knowledge was 222 members, in 1910. Stated Tommie Edwards)
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