Scott County, Tennessee
FNB Chronicles

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Byrges Creek United Baptist Church Observes 75th Anniversary

By NATOMIA CROWLEY

Contributing Columnist

Seventy-five years ago, on September 23, 1923, eighteen members of the Bull Creek United Baptist Church decided to organize a church at Byrges Creek and it was named the Byrges Creek United Baptist Church of Christ. The organizational meeting was held in the Cordell School House. Elder ELI BROWN was requested to act as Moderator and R. L. HARNESS as Clerk for the purpose of permanently organizing this body.

Figure -1: Scenic View of Byrges Creek United Baptist Church as it appeared in May 1997

The members were M. D. LAWSON (who was elected first Church Clerk), BERRY CROWLEY, JASPER SEXTON, MARTHA LAWSON, CANSADA JEFFERS, REBECCA CROWLEY, INDA CROWLEY, MAY CROWLEY, DELPHIA SEXTON, ADA SEXTON, ALLIE SEXTON, NELLIE SEXTON, MARY BURCHFIELD, BERTIE CROWLEY, GUSSIE SEXTON, LUVONIA HUTSON, ELIZABETH JEFFERS and DORA SEXTON, Rev. W. S. WATSON was elected as Pastor and Rev. JERRY JEFFERS was elected Moderator.

On October 27, 1923, a committee was appointed, consisting of JASPER SEXTON, BERRY CROWLEY, JASPER JEFFERS, Jr., ALEX HUTSON and BERRY JEFFERS, to look after the building of the Byrges Creek Church house. The church was built across the road from the Cordell School. M. D. LAWSON and his wife, MARTHA, donated the land.

There is no record of when the church building was completed, nor when they started having services in the building. Also, there is no record of who worked on the building, nor about the material or how much it cost. On October 23, 1926, since SYLVESTER JEFFERS was the only carpenter in the community, he was asked to build a pulpit. With the help of others, seats and a rostrum were made.

Figure -2: Rev. W. S. Watson

Figure -3: Rev. M. D. and Martha Lawson

The church was the typical one room structure, complete with pot bellied stove. In March 1943, weather boarding and varnished window sills were put on the church.

A used piano was donated to the church in 1980 and then a new one was purchased by the church in 1998.

During the past years. there have been many improvements made to the church. Money was raised by church members through donations of materials, having fundraisers, such as benefit services, yard sales, selling baked goods, selling pop, and people making things to sell. Also, donations were received from friends.

On June 23, 1979, the church floors were carpeted.

On September 26, 1981, two classrooms were built on the back of the church.

In February 1983, a shed for homecomings and picnics was built, along with two more classrooms. Also, a new rostrum and bench were built.

In February 1985, new padded seats were purchased, along with a communion table. In May, a porch and steps were built on the front of the church.

In August 1987, gutters were put on all the buildings.

In September 1991, a central heat and air conditioning unit was installed.

In June 1992, a new door was put in and in June 1996, new windows and vinyl siding were put on the church.

In May 1997, the inside of the church was remodeled and a ramp for wheelchairs was added by a contractor. At the same time a metal roof was put on the church.

Faithful church members, friends and young people who were generous with their labor and their talents have contributed to the betterment of the church.

A new shed will be built in the near future for homecomings and picnics.

On September 22, 1998 the church celebrated its 75th anniversary with special services.

We are proud of the church leaders who have worked long and hard to assure the church’s success. But most of all, we thank God for all His many blessings and guidance; without this, nothing could have been done.

Brother DUDLEY HARNESS has been Pastor since July 27, 1991 and has provided untiring service.

Deacons Who Have Been Ordained At The Byrgess Creek United Baptist Church
(Sept. 26, 1923 - Sept. 26, 1998)

M. D. LAWSON
June 28, 1924

LYHUE CROWLEY
February 24, 1982

BERRY CROWLEY
June 28,1924

LARRY DEAN JEFFERS
March 28, 1982

JASPER JEFFERS
July 24, 1926

CLOVIS CHAMBERS
March 28, 1982

MARION LAWSON
August 1929

GARY MASSENGALE
December 25, 1983

MIKE LAWSON
August 1929

MICHAEL CHAMBERS
February 25, 1995

HARRISON SEXTON
September 23, 1945

RANDY HARNESS
September 16, 1995

HARRISON YORK
Sept. 23, 1945

J. R. MASSENGALE
December 1, 1998 (by letter)

Preachers Who Have Been Ordained At The Byrgess Creek United Baptist Church
(Sept. 22, 1923 - Sept. 26, 1998)

M. D. LAWSON
August 1927

BILL PACE
November 6, 1982

ELI CROWLEY
November 6,1982

JOE WALKER
October 28, 1984

Church Clerks Of Byrgess Creek United Baptist Church
(Sept. 26, 1923 - Sept. 26, 1998)

M. D. LAWSON
Oct. 27, 1923 - Aug. 22, 1945

HARRISON SEXTON
Feb. 28, 1948 - Oct. 24, 1953

JASPER JEFFERS
Sept. 26, 1925 - Oct. 23, 1925
Aug. 27, 1927 - June 1928

VERTIE SEXTON
Dec. 26, 1953 - Nov. 27, 1962

JASPER SEXTON
April 23, 1927 - July 23, 1927
Oct. 1929 - March 1945

IVONA ANDERSON
Jan. 26, 1963 - Dec. 26,1964

DESSIE SEXTON
April 1945 - Oct. 25, 1947

NATOMIA CROWLEY
Jan. 23, 1965 - present

Byrges Creek United Baptist Church Pastors
(Sept. 23, 1923 - Sept. 26, 1998)

Rev. W. S. WATSON
Oct. 27, 1923 - May 22, 1926
Feb. 1939 - Dec. 1939
Jan. 1941
Jan. 1942 - Nov. 1943

Rev. VIRGLE CROSS
Jan. 23, 1965 - June 26, 1965

REV M. D. LAWSON
Jan. 22, 1927 - Oct. 1937
Dec. 1938 - Jan. 1939
Dec. 1944 - May 24, 1947

Rev. GEORGE HONEYCUTT
July 24, 1965 - Oct. 27, 1973

Rev. JOHN L. LAWSON
Oct. 1928 - Aug. 27, 1930
Feb. 1932 - Dec. 1933

Rev. LEE WILLIAMS
June 22, 1974 - Dec. 27, 1975

Rev. EMMETT HUGHETT
Feb. 1932 - Dec. 1933

Rev. ROGER SEXTON
Feb. 1, 1976 - Mar. 26, 1977

Rev. JERRY JEFFERS
Feb. 1940 - Nov. 1940

Rev. ARNOLD SMITHERS
May 29, 1977 - June 24, 1978

Rev. ROY LOWE
Feb. 1941
Jan. 28, 1951 - Dec. 27, 1952

Rev. J. C. STRUNK
Nov. 25, 1978 - Jan. 24, 1981
Aug. 30, 1981 - Jan. 22,1983

Rev. LAWRENCE BLEVINS
Apr. 1941 - Dec. 1941

Rev. RONNIE LOWE
Feb. 28, 1981 - July 25, 1981

Rev. TOM BURRESS
Dec. 27, 1947 - Dec. 24, 1949

Rev. BILL PACE
Mar. 26, 1983 - Oct. 27, 1983

Rev. ISAAC PHILLIPS
Jan. 27, 1950 - Dec. 23, 1950

Rev. LARRY ELLIS
Feb. 25, 1984 - Nov. 23, 1985

Rev. McKINLEY CHAMBERS
Jan. 24, 1953 - Dec. 28, 1957

Rev. JOE WALKER
Feb. 22, 1986 - Nov. 22, 1986

Rev. ODIE BRUMMETT
Jan. 25,1958 - Dec. 24, 1960

Rev. BOBBY MASSENGALE
Mar. 28, 1987 - Apr. 23, 1988
Nov. 26, 1988 - Apr. 22, 1989

Rev. BURT NEWPORT
Feb. 5, 1961 - Dec. 23, 1961

Rev. ALLEN WOOD
Feb. 24, 1990 - Oct. 27, 1990

Rev. SHIRLEY COOK
Jan. 27, 1962 - Dec. 23, 1964

Rev. DUDLEY HARNESS
July 27, 1991 - present

FNB Chronicle, Vol. 10, No. 2 – Winter 1999
First National Bank
P.O. Box 4699
Oneida, TN 37841
(pages 1, 4-5)


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