CHURCHES.
There are but two churches in the precinct, the Belmont Episcopal church and the Wesleyan Methodist, of Bald Bluff, both of which are in a flourishing condition. When the Belmont church society was organized, is a date in its history which we have not been able to reconcile, on account of conflict of authority, but prior to the building of the church edifice, the society held meetings at different places, among them Belmont school-house, which were officiated at by itinerant ministers. Early in 1860 the people resolved to have a church build ing and immediately took the necessary steps to do so, as the following exhibit will show : We do hereby certify that at a meeting of the society of the Methodist Episcopal church, holden at the Belmont school-house, in Dist. No. 6,T. 12 N.,R. 4 W. of the 4th P.M., on the 14th day of March, 1860, for the election of trustees.
We, the undersigned, were duly elected under the name and title of the Trustees of the Belmont Methodist Episcopal church, and that the term of service of said trustees expires when they shall be removed by death or a vote of said society.
Given under our hands and seals this 26th day of March, 1865.
CHARLES WATSON, ROYAL RANNEY,
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM MORY,
LUTHER WATSON, JAMES H. HULECK,
JEREMIAH GIVENS, GEORGE SLOAN, LAMS HOLLINROKE.
The congregation is now under the leadership of Rev. Cole ; has a membership of about fifty. The Belmont church has been a power in the upholding of the cause of Christ in its vicinity. The building is a frame structure, 28 x 40, and was built in the year 1860.
BALD BLUFF WESLEY..METHODIST CHURCH.
BY REV. A. R. BROOKS.
This church was organized March 15, 1868, Rev. J. A. McGilvra, pastor ; R. E. Cassel, class steward. The following is a list of the church members at the time of organization : R. E. Cassel, Perry Cooper, Francis Ann Cooper, William Goff, Mary Goff, Francis Pattern, Lycurgus Cooper, Leroy Cooper, Harriet Crawford, Christian Edwards, Judith Miller. This little band worshiped for a long time in Sixteen school-house, but in the year 1878 they erected a commodious house of worship. This work was due in a great measure to the untiring labors of the Rev. Joseph Campbell.
The following is a list of the pastors who have served the church since its organization : Revs. J. A. McGilvra, organizer, from March 15, 1867, to September, 1868 ; S. G. Cheny, April, 1868,- to April, 1871; F. Barton, April, 1871, to September, 1871 ; A. D. Manly, September, 1871, to September, 1872 ; H. Breckenridge. September, 1872, to September, 1874 ; L. Davis, September, 1874, to September, 1875 ; Joseph Campbell, September, 1875, to September, 1878 ; W. W. Stewart, September, 1878, to September, 1879 ; A. R. Brooks, present pastor.
This church has passed through severe trials, being strictly reformatory in its organization and discipline, and holding definitely to the doctrine of vital holiness as a distinct christian attainment in personal. experience. Many souls have been converted to the Saviour through the instrumentality of this organization. Some of its original members have now passed over to the silent majority ; some have gone to distant lands and are still laboring to build up the Master's kingdom there. The church is striving amid much opposition to advance the cause of true religion. It maintains regular services, has . two out stations, and carries on a union Sabbath school. The church building is now owned in part by the said Wesleyan Methodist church and in part by a joint stock company.
List of present members : A. Patten, Frances Patten, Mary Ball, Reuben Ball, Louisa Ricketts, James Smith,
_______ Croyse, Richard McCullen, A. R. Brooks, M. E. Brooks, Hattie Brooks, William Speck, Olive M. Speck, Louisa Staley. The church membership at present scarcely exceeds in number the original charter members.
Its membership has been greatly diminished of late by emigration and removal of members.
History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.
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