A CONDENSED HISTORY OF SOUTH FORK BAPTIST CHURCH

1782 - 1972

COMPILED BY: Joel M. Dixon, Margaret Dixon, Garnett Russell, and Jimmie Thomas

[transcribed by Jonathan Carl with original spelling, language, and organization]

South Fork Baptist Church was organized in what is now LaRue County in the year 1782, by Benjamin Lynn and James Skaggs.

The church was constituted under a large oak tree where it met for the first summer. Seven people were approved for baptism and were baptized by Elder Lynn in the South Fork of Nolin River.  Those were probably the first persons to be baptized in Kentucky.

The times were troublous.  It had only been a short time since the massacre of Elder John Garrade [Garrard], pastor of the Severns Valley Church, by the indians.  The candidates for baptism were guarded at the water by armed citizens from the indians, who wore lurking in the surrounding forest.

Bro. Lynn, pastor of South Fork for 15 or 20 years, was called the “Daniel Boone of the Kentucky Pulpit” or the “Hunting Preacher.” 

In the year of 1787, South Kentucky Association was organized and South Fork was one of 11 members.  Later South Fork joined the Green River Association and reported 41 members.  In September, 1804, the Russell Creek Association was organized and South Fork was a charter member, reporting 36 members.

In 1804, the first church building, which was of logs, was erected at

South Fork.  The site of the building was in the rear of the graveyard overlooking South Fork Creek.  The first service was held July 24, 1804. Elder Jonathan Paddock was pastor at that time. Joseph Todd was elected clerk in March, 1806.

For a number of years, probably 4 or 5, the church was badly split over the slave question and perhaps had no pastor from 1808 to 1811.  But in the year 1811 and 1812, a great revival swept Kentucky of which South Fork felt the effects and reported 37 members.  In 1818, there was another great revival with 19 new members.  Elder Paddock resigned as pastor in 1820 and Elder John Hodgen was called.

In 1828, Elder W.M. Brown was called as pastor.  A great revival broke out in Nolin, South Fork, and Three Forks of Bacon Creek Churches.  It started like this - Rev. David Thurman, in a fit of despondency, offered his resignation to Nolin Church.  A “Sister Larue” jumped to her feet and pointed directly at Bro. Thurman and said, in a strong emphatic voice, “Bro. Thurman, I'll tell you what is the matter, stop preaching 'John Calvin and James Armenius’ and preach 'Jesus Christ'."  After a few moments, Bro. Thurman arose with tears streaming down his checks and repeated the text, "For I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

A revival began that day which resulted in 100 persons being baptized in Nolin Church. South Fork had 21 additions.

Rev. W.M. Brown served as pastor of South Fork Church continuously from 1829 to 1861, a period of 32 years.  It is said that he baptized over 400 converts into the church.  In 1845, the church numbered 148, but in protracted mooting held a little later by Rev. Mose Akins and pastor, W.M. Brown, there were 45 additions, making a total of 193.

They had now outgrown their present little log church and became anxious for a new and larger one.  So, Royal Hankle and his wife sold the church one acre of land for $1.00 and they built a new church from October, 1848 to March, 1849.  Rev. W.M. Brown preached the introductory sermon.

The Lynn Association was constituted in the South Fork Church on November 8, 1856. In 1861, Bro. Robert Enlow presented a large Bible to the church. 

In November, 1868, in order to break a tie between Bro, R.M, Enlow and Bro. G.A. Colston, Bro. D.J, Brown, a son of W.M. Brown, was called as pastor. Bro. J.P. Bryant was called as pastor in March, 1872.  In November the following year, he was assisted in a meeting by Bro. I.W, Bruner and had 23 additions by baptism.

In March, 1874, Sunday School was organized by J.L. Smith. In a revival that summer, Bro. Mose Akins assisted Bro. Bryant with 28 additions to the church.  It was terribly dry that year and crops were parched.  On Sunday, Bro. Akins asked everyone to come back on Monday and pray for rain.  They did, and after about two hours of praying, Bro. Akins looked up and saw a small cloud and said, “we had better start home,” which they did but got soaked before they got there.

In November, 1877, Bro. W.L. Pierce became the pastor and in December of that year, Bro. W.L. Ramsey and Bro, I.W. Bruner held a meeting from December 17 to January 6, with 16 additions.

On Wednesday, May 1, 1878, 35 members who had secured letters from South Fork, constituted the Buffalo Baptist Church.  Our membership was reduced to 228. In 1880, there was a good revival with 22 additions, making a total of 250 members.

Bro. D.J, Brown was pastor in 1883 and 1884.  In 1785, they decided to build a new brick church and bought additional ground from E. Abbe Layman.  Now please listen carefully to what they did. On the fourth Saturday in September, they voted to tear the old building down on the following Tuesday.  This they did, and worshipped in a school house near F.K. Walters in October and November. They were in their now church on the fourth Saturday in December, just three months after starting the building.

The church lost its pastor, Bro. D.J, Brown, that year and called Bro. J.B. Turner. He and Bro, J.A. Veach held a revival in August, 1885, and one of our present members, Mrs. J.R. Redman, and 32 others came for baptism.

In August, 1886, the church decided-to ordain its deacons.  Before this time, they had served by appointments like other church officers.

In 1887, they had another good revival, conducted by Bro, J.H, Brown, Bro. James Crouch and pastor. There were 31 additions.  In this number was Mr. J.R. Redman.  South Fork now had a total of 346 members which gave it a lead in number in all the association. This the church held for 12 years.

On April 5, 1888 the new brick church was dedicated.  Bro. W.T. Underwood preached.  The Sunday School enrollment was 100.

Bro. J.B. Turner, having died as pastor, was replaced by Bro. M.B. Peterson. Bro. Peterson was ordained at South Fork in 1889.

A revival in 1890, conducted by Bro. W.J, Puckett, resulted in 12 additions by baptism.  In January, 1891, Bro. Puckett was called as pastor; Pleas McDowell, moderator; and J.M, Sallee, clerk.  Bro. Puckett served the church until January, 1900, at $150.00 per. year.  Mr. W.B. Mitchell was sexton at $15.00 per year.

The church licensed Bro. T.J. Brown to preach in August, 1892.  In January of the following year, Bro, J.B. Hutcherson was licensed to preach at South Fork. There wero 18 baptisms that year.

South Fork had 5 ministers in her membership and sent all as messengers to the association at Buffalo that year.

Bro. J.B, Hutcherson was ordained to preach in April, 1895.  Bro. Puckett held a revival with 16 baptisms that year.

1896, 1897, 1890, 1899, seemed to be lean years, Bro. Jeff Hutcherson

was granted license to preach in August, 1898.

From 1901 to 1907, it seemed the church got very draggy and lost a good number of members.  In 1901, 1902 and 1903, there was no Sunday School reported.  Mr. V.C. Brooks was superintendent in 1904 and Miss Nottie Creal in 1905.  Mr. Jake Walters was clerk in 1905 and 1906.

Bro. Don Q. Smith was called for pastor in 1907; with salary of $200.00 paid quarterly.  Mr. W.M. Keith was clerk; G.W. Hill, moderator.  Mr. Jake Walters was Sunday School Superintendent with 25 enrolled.

It seemed that now life came into the church in 1907 and 1908, with a gain of 59 members.  Bro. Smith was called for half time in 1909, but he resigned in April of that year and Bro. H.S. Bell was called for one Sunday per month for 1910.  He resigned in March, 1910.  Bro. Parish was then called at $150.00 per year.  No Sunday School nor revival was held that year.  The church lost 6 members.

In 1911, Bro. D.F. Hagan assisted Bro. Parish in a revival with 24 additions by baptism.  In 1912, the results were not so good, only 7 additions.  The results of the revival held in 1913 by Bro. Parish, assisted by Bro. J.R. Winn, was far better as 32 came for baptism and 5 by letter.  In 1914, there was a net gain of 23 members.  No Sunday School was had in 1915, but 8 members were received for baptism.

Mr. J.R. Redman was elected clerk; Bro. Parish, moderator; Tom Sutherland, sexton and Virgil Brooks, Sunday School Superintendent, in 1916.  Bro. I.J. Harp assisted in a revival. In 1916, there were 15 additions by baptism.  Messrs. R.S. Gaddie, J.R. Redman, E.E. Isabell and Virgil Brooks were ordained as deacons in 1917.

In 1918, there was no Sunday School or revival on account of war activities, so they say.  But, they increased the pastor's salary to $250.00 per year and paid more to missions. The winter of that year and the following one also, South Fork had no meeting on account of influenza.  Bro. R.A. Caves helped Bro. Parish in a revival with 11 additions to the church.

There is not much to report in 1920, no revival or Sunday School.  In 1921, Rev. R.A. Caves was called as pastor at $300.00 per year.  Mr. Roy Durham was appointed moderator.  The Lynn Association met with South Fork for the seventh time.  The church reported a net gain of 42 members.  There was no Sunday School.  The missions were paid $310.00.

In 1922, six were reported received by baptism and 16 by letter. The following year reports having received 14 by baptism and 5 by letter. The church lost 12 by letter and 3 by death. Mr. Glover Spratt was Sunday School Superintendent.

In 1924, Bro. Howerton helped Bro. Caves in a revival. There were 9 additions.  The pastor's salary was raised to $325.00.  Mr. T.W. Thomas was Sunday School Superintendent.  W.M.S. was organized with 20 members enrolled.

Reports show little progress in 1925, only one by baptism, four by letter and four were dismissed by letter. Bro. Caves resigned in December of that year.

In April, 1926, the church called Bro. E.C. Sanders, but he resigned in June to go to a larger church in Florida.  The church then called Bro. H.S. Bell in October. Mr. Roy Durham resigned as moderator and Mr. J.S. Bennett was elected.

The church had a net loss of 5 members in 1927. Bro. Caves was called back the following year which reports having received 4 members by baptism and 5 by letter. The church lost 10 by letter and 4 by death.  Bro. R.P. Merritt helped Bro. Caves in a revival.

In 1929, Bro. T.J. Taylor assisted Bro. Caves in a revival, with 20 additions.  The next year the pastor was assisted by Bro. Potts in a revival with 20 baptisms.  In 1931, Bro. Potts again helped Bro. Caves in a revival, with 13 additions by baptism and 6 by letter. Bro. Caves resigned in October. and Bro. Merritt was called in November.  He accepted and began preaching in November.

In 1932; South Fork had two revivals, one in March by Bro. Merritt with 11 additions, and one in July by Bro. David Druin with 11 more additions.  Messrs. John Hall, Henry Sallee and Glover Spratt were ordained as deacons in July.

Rev. O.L. Overlin assisted the pastor in a revival in 1933, with 10 additions.  South Fork celebrated its 150th Anniversary on the third Sunday in September of that year with a homecoming.

In 1934, Rev. Ernest Miller assisted Bro. Merritt in a revival in August with 16 additions to the church.  The following year, Rev. Grider helped the pastor in a revival in July, with 22 added to the church.  In April, 1936, Rev. R.P, Merritt resigned to go to a full-time church, after 5 years of faithful service.

The church then called Bro. Dan Beltz in June.  He held his own revival in August. The results are not recorded.  In 1937, Bro. Beltz again held his own revival of which no results are recorded.  The next year, Bro. Beltz resigned and the church called Rev. Manly Towles. 

Bro. Towles hold his own revival in September, with 23 additions.  In 1939, there was no revival and only one business meeting recorded.  In September of the following year, Rev. L.E. Whitlow assisted our pastor in a revival, with 4 additions.  In 1941, Bro. H.S. Puckett helped Bro. Towles in a meeting, with 5 additions to the church.  In 1942 and 1943, Rev. Leon Larimore assisted in the two revivals, with 11 and 13 baptisms respectively.

Mr. J.R. Redman resigned as clerk, having served 27 years.  Mr. Clyde Dixon was then elected clerk and Mr. John Hall was elected moderator.

In 1944, Rev. Slinker assisted the pastor in a revival with 14 members added to the church. The following year, Rev. Jones helped Bro. Towles in a revival in August, with 13 professions. Bro. Towles resigned in October, 1945, after 8 years of faithful service.

The church then called Bro. Clyde Allen as pastor in April, 1946, for half-time with salary at $700.00. Rev. Edward Straney helped in the meeting in August of that year, with 17 additions.

The church voted to start a building fund for Sunday School rooms in 1946. Messrs, Joel Dixon, Wilburn Vaughn and Henry Sallee were appointed to get the plan and the approximate cost of building Sunday School rooms to the old church.  They investigated and reported it would cost approximately $10,000.00, if it could be done at all.  Later on, an architect looked at the old church [1885 building] and he would not recommend adding rooms to the old church as the wall was cracked and in bad shape and the foundation was poor.  So, the church changed its plans, and voted to build a new building.  Mrs. Henry Sallee was appointed secretary and treasurer of the building fund.  On December 22, 1946, the first effort resulted in $4737.00. The pastor's salary was raised to $840.00.

In 1947, Rev. Melvin Faulkner helped in a revival in August, with 11 additions to the church. 

Building money was coming in slow.  Mr. Joel Dixon was elected clerk.  Mr. John Hall was elected moderator and Mr. Edward Ray Hall was elected sexton.

In 1948, Rev. Dill Martin assisted our pastor in a revival, with 23 additions.  Rev. Clyde Allen resigned in September to go to a full-time church in Alabama.

The church called Bro. W.T. Smith on December 12, 1948, and he immediately picked up the building program and was in it pushing to the finish.

1949 was a busy year for South Fork.  We had several special offerings and on June 26, we had in all treasuries and pledges, the amount of $16,000.00.  The church voted to let the contract for the now church.  After figuring with several contractors and doing much planning, the contract was let to the Jenkins & Essex Co. for the construction of the new church. The heating system was lot to C.G. Phelps & Sons and the wiring and plumbing contract went to J.O. Keith for a total sum of $25.132.18.  We have added screens, storm doors, built walks, bought chairs, piano and other things. That runs the grand total to over $26,000.00.  We are happy to announce that on January 28, 1951, we made our final drive and paid off the debt.

South Fork was organized 169 years ago, It is said to be next to the oldest Baptist church in Kentucky, the Sevens Valley Church of Elizabethtown being the oldest. Our present membership is 331. 

On April 29, 1951, the dedication of the new church building and the note burning was held.  An all day program was held with Bro. L.C. Allen preaching the dedication sermon and W.T. Smith, our pastor, in charge of the program.  The church history committee elected were: Joel M. Dixon, chairman, T.W. Thomas, Henry Sallee and Mrs. J.R. Redman.

On July 18, 1951, the church voted to order new pews at a cost of $2200.00 and the old pews were sold at $260.00. In the summer of 1951, revival was hold with Bro. W.M. Lunceford as evangelist and the pastor, W.T. Smith, was song leader. There were 6 that come for baptism.

The church officers for that year were: Joel M. Dixon, clerk; John Hall, moderator; Jimmie Thomas, Sunday School Superintendent.  A revival was held in June with Dr. T.C. Smith doing the preaching. There were 3 by letter.

On November 30, 1952, Bro. W.T. Smith resigned as pastor after 4 years of faithful service.

In March, 1953, the church called Bro. Jim Bouchillon as pastor.  A revival was held with Bro. Mozell doing the preaching.  There were 4 professions of faith and 1 by letter.  The church elected the following officers: Walter Sutherland, moderator; Joel M. Dixon, clerk and treasurer and David L. Miller, Sunday School Superintendent.

Bro. Sigurd Bryan was the evangelist in a revival held in 1954.  There were 7 professions.  The church officers were the same.

On November 14, 1954, South Fork organized her first Training Union, with 45 present.  Buddy Thomas was the president and Walter Sutherland was the assistant,

Rev. John Wall from Buffalo led in a revival July 31, 1955. Five came on profession of faith.  The church officers were the same.

Bro. Jim Bouchillon resigned October 1, 1955, due to bad health. He served faithfully 3 1/2 years.

The following officers were elected September 30, 1956: Walter Sutherland, moderator; Joel M. Dixon, clerk and treasurer; Mrs. John Hall and Norma Jean Dixon, pianist; David L. Miller, Sunday School Superintendent; Mary Bernice Sutherland, secretary; Jimmie Thomas, music director.

Bro. Virgil Peters was called as our pastor on November 11, 1956.  The church voted to have youth week.  On May 12, 1957, Bro. Peters resigned as pastor effective the last Sunday in May.  The church voted to send Bro. Peters to the convention in Chicago, May 27, 1957.

The church called Bro. Johnny Lee Taylor as pastor in June 23, 1957.  A revival was held with the pastor doing the preaching and Jimmie Thomas leading the singing.  There were 2 professions, 3 by letter and several rededications.

On October 1, 1957, a new budget system was started. The church also recommended having a "regular" monthly business meeting. The budget committee were: Bro. J.L. Taylor, Joel M. Dixon, Wilburn Vaughn and Richard McDowell.

A youth revival was held April 11,12, 13 of 1958.  Bro. Bradley Pope did the preaching with 3 dedications.  In July of that year, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ray Hall resigned as sexton of the church.  Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Bowen were elected to serve as next sexton.

In August, the church voted to buy some land in front of the church from Lule Poore and Andy Poore. There was approximately 3/4 acre for $340.00.

In March, 1959, the church voted to build a new pastorium near the church.  The building committee were: Joel M. Dixon, Hulet Sutherland, Leon Clopton, Gordon Gaddie and Harold McDowell.  The finance committee were: Wilburn Vaughn, Richard McDowell, Mrs. Richard Hornback, Walter Sutherland, Joel R. Dixon, Everett Salsman, Leo Scott, Paul Miller, Mrs. Everett Salsman

In the spring of 1959, a revival was held with Bro. Dick Allison as the evangelist.

Bro. Johnny Taylor resigned as our pastor effective May 1, 1959.

On May 17, 1959, the church called Bro. Eugene Reynolds as pastor.

A summer revival began on July 27 and continued through August 2, with Bro. Albert Geisler, Buffalo pastor, as evangelist.  Six came for baptism.  The church officers were the same.

In August, 1960, a revival was held with Bro. Ray Cummings as the

evangelist.  There was 1 profession of faith and 1 came by letter.  The church officers elected were: Walter Sutherland, moderator; Mary B. Sutherland, treasurer; Joel M. Dixon, clerk; Charles Miller, Sunday School Superintendent; Mrs. Wesley McDonald and Mrs. John Hall, pianist.

In April, 1961, a revival was held with a group from Campbellsville College conducting the services. On May 14, 1961, Bro. Eugene Reynolds resigned as our pastor.

On July 9, 1961, Bro. George Smith was called as our pastor.  A revival was held that summer with Bro. Smith as evangelist and Jimmie Thomas as song leader.  There were 13 additions, 9 on profession of faith, 23 rededications and 4 by letter.

The latter part of 1961, several things were added to the church: 100 new song books, church walls painted, floors refinished, a refrigerator, a speaker for the nursery and aluminum storm doors, which wore donated by Eugene Hutcherson, Leon Clopton and Wesley McDonald.

A spring revival was hold in April of 1962, with Bro. Doug Fullington as the evangelist and Jimmie Thomas as the song leader. There was 1 profession of faith. Bro. Thomas R. Roberson was the evangelist and Dellard Moore, song leader, in a revival held in August.  There wero 5 additions to the church. 

On September 30, 1962, a dedication and note burning on the new pastorium was held. Bro. Smith was in charge of the program.  Walter Sutherland, finance chairman and Joel M. Dixon, building chairman, burned the note.  The church officers were: Walter Sutherland, moderator; Joel M. Dixon, clerk; Mary B. Sutherland, treasurer; Jimmie Thomas, music director; Mrs. Wesley McDonald and Mrs. John Hall, pianist; John Hall, Sunday School Superintendent: Charles Miller, assistant.

A revival was held in July with Bro. Thomas Smethers doing the preaching

and Ty Clenny leading the singing.  On May 17, 1964, Bro. George Smith resigned. He served almost 3 years

On July 27, 1964, the church called Bro. Larry Adams as pastor.  A revival was held with Bro. Adams as evangelist. There were 3 professions of faith, 1 by letter and several rededications.

The church voted to build Sunday School rooms at back of church, March 14,

1965. They were to be 32 x 50, ten or twelve rooms.  Cosby Dobson was the evangelist in a youth revival hold on April 21 through April 25.  There were 11 for baptism.

In July, 1966, a revival was hold with Bro. Clyde Allen, a former pastor,

as evangelist. There were 6 for baptism and 3 by letter.  The church bought a new Thomas organ.  The church officers remained the same.

The church was very pleased when the "long lost church minutes" were returned.  Mrs. Charles Nicholas returned the book. We’d like to thank Mrs. Ella Grace Mather for making it possible for us to receive this book.  She found it while going through papers and files of Judge Mather and her late husband, Louis Mather. On June 25, Bro. Adams resigned, He served faithfully for almost 3 years.

Bro. William G. Reeder was called as pastor beginning the 1st Sunday in September of 1967. A revival was held with Cecil Campbell, from Campbellsville College, doing the preaching and Larry Craig leading the singing.  There were also 3 girl students that played the piano and organ,

In Juno of 1968, Bobby Rock made the shields for the piano and the organ and also the credenza in the vestibule.

A summer revival was hold with Jerry Oakley as the evangelist.  In April of 1969, a revival was held with Bro. Ferrill Gardner as the evangelist.  There were 6 that came for baptism.

Bro. Reeder resigned as pastor effective July 28, after 23 months of faithful service.  It was during this year that Mrs. Annie Hall was honored/for 50 years of faithfulness as church pianist.

The church called Bro. Robert Sowder, December 14, 1969.  He would be

here January 11, 1970.  The church held a revival with Bro. Sowder as the

evangelist.  On April 12, 1970, the church voted to add air conditioning, a church steeple and a front porch.  The steeple was erected July 30, 1971.  Its cost was $2300.00.

Bro Paul Prather, from Campbellsville, was the evangelist during the

revival in August. 

Bro. Sowder resigned as our pastor effective November 28, 1971.

On January 16, 1972, Bro. Lonnie Turner accepted the call to become our pastor effective February 13, 1972.  The church has boon greatly revived by his spiritual evangelistic messages.  A youth revival was held October 4 and continued through October 8, with Bro. Turner as the evangelist.  Bro. Tom Biggs, from Cave City, Ky., was the song leader.  There were 7 that came for baptism, 2 by letter and several rededications.  Since February of 1972, there has been 50 decisions made for the Lord.

The church put wall to wall carpet in the pastorium, costing $339.00.  New draperies were also bought for the pastorium.  A new front porch has been added, costing approximately $1100.00.  A new riding lawn mower has been bought, casting $875.00. A recreation and picnic area has been developed.

The deacons at the present time are:  Leon Clopton, Lawrence Thomas, Joel M. Dixon, Bobby Gaddie, Richard McDowell, Charles Miller, John Hall, Walter Sutherland, Harold McDowell, Wilburn Vaughn, Raymond McDowell, Madison Mather and Nobel Milby.  During this time, we would like to say also that Mr. Joel M. Dixon has served faithfully as church clerk for 27 years, as well as deacon most of those years.

As we bring this part of the history to a close, may we pause to pay tribute to our beloved deacons who have passed away during this period.  Thy worked faithfully and untiringly for their church.  They are: Mr. J.R. Redman-retired, Mr. Bob Gaddie-retired, Mr. Henry Sallee, Mr. T.W. Thomas, Mr. Everett Salsman, Mr. Ray Gaddie and Mr. Brown Redman.