Scott County, Tennessee
FNB Chronicles

This page was created 06 Sep 2008

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.

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.

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.

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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