Jonesborough Baptist Church

1842 to Present 

Location

201 E. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN

History

The Jonesborough Baptist Church was organized on 2 April 1842. It was preceded by the founding of the Buffalo Ridge Baptist, 1779; Cherokee Baptist, abt 1780; and Fall Branch Baptist Church, 1827.

The first pastor of the church was William Cate (1842-1860). Other early organizers were Reece Bayless, and Jesse Riggs. The first deacons were John Drain, William H. Prichett, and John B. Estes.

Some members transferred by letter from Cherokee Baptist to help start the church – John B. Estes, Rebecca Estes, Brester Deaderick, Clary Stuart, John C. Estes (a shoemaker), Wilson Bayless, Linia, black woman. Other charter members were: Wilton, Atkinson (a silversmith in Jonesboro), J. Pritchett (Singleton Pritchett family from MD; son, William Hiter Pritchett, a carpenter and early deacon), C. Hill, A. Brown, Isaac Murray (farmer, sawmill owner, Z.L. Burson (son of a Baptist minister in Bedford Co. VA; a farmer, drygoods merchant and ordained minister), Daniel Ellis, and Baxter Bean. Atkinson’s sons-in-law, John Drain and A.C. Collins were early members.

In the summer of 1842 a shed was erected for worship near the “Mechanic’s Spring” while the church was being built on the SE corner of Jonesboro on Spring Street opposite the first Baptist Church. The first church building was a small brick house built in 1842 or 1843. It was occupied by the church until completion of the second building and converted into a private residence.

On 13 Dec 1847 the corner lot on E. Main Street at the Blountville Rd. was deeded to trustees, Isaac Murray, Z.L. Burson and William T.M. Outlaw. They paid $400 for the property. In 1849 they deeded the property to the trustees of the church. Most of the timbers for the second meeting house were sawed by Isaac Murray and his son, Ephraim.

See link for an early photograph of the church.

The Bell

Early on there was a desire to hang a “Troy bell” in the steeple of the new church. Troy bells were noted for fine sound and effectiveness in calling the people to worship. The Presbyterians had bought a 1100 lb. “Troy bell” for their new church in 1847. The new Methodist Church was soliciting subscriptions to purchase a suitable bell for their church. Z.L. Burson finally donated the bell. It served the church and community for over a hundred years. The bell was made by the Menelly Bell foundry of West Troy, NY. On 27 Sep 1852 William H. Pritchett ordered the lumber so he could make the bench and wheel by the time the bell arrived. The church was dedicated in late 1852.

Holston Baptist Female Institute

In 1853 the Holston Association recommended the founding of a high school for girls – Holston Baptist Female Institute (HBFI). The Fall Branch Seminary was recommended for men.

First board of trustees of the HBFI included: W. Cate, W.C. Newell, M.V. Kitzmiller, J.A. Davis, W.A. Keen, E. Martin, J.H. Crouch, J. White, W.H. Humphreys, J. West, M.C. Hunter, R.P. Murray, J. Bayless, S.H. Smith, C. Hoss, J.D. Gibson, A. Brown and J. Spurgeon

The school building was a large brick building at what is now 233 E. Main St.. The school was never very prosperous. In 1856 it suffered from “exaggerated reports of scarlet fever and smallpox in the vicinity of Jonesborough.” During much of the Civil War the doors were closed. At the close of the war the school was deeply in debt to Z.L. Burson. Rev. J.D. Tadlock was permitted to move his school for boys from the Presbyterian Church to the Baptist school house. In 1867 Col. Robert H. Dungan, brother-in-law of Burson and an ex-officer of the Confederate Army purchased the school and established the successful Holston Male Academy.

The War Years

Differences which brought about the Civil War also gave rise to differences within the churches. Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches divided into northern and southern branches. Many Baptists were strongly opposed to slavery. It as customary for the few slaves to attend services with their masters. They were often received into membership (Linia –black woman who came by letter from the Cherokee Baptist Church in 1842). A small slave gallery was incorporated in the second house of worship and remained until the church was remodeled in 1892. After the Civil War most of the Negro members withdrew to form churches of their own. A separation took place in Jonesboro sometime between the association meeting of 1864 when 12 colored members were reported and 1866 when no colored members were reported.

Some members joined the Confederate army – D.W.F. Peoples, Mark Montgomery and William Hiter Pritchett. Others fought for the Union – sons of Wilton Atkinson and S.H. Smith. The town of Jonesboro was held by Southern sympathizers until the collapse of the Confederacy.

After the war Union sympathizers asserted themselves in Jonesboro, driving out many, such as Z.L. Burson who moved to Goodson (Bristol) VA. Col. Thomas H. Reeves, an officer in the Union Army from Fall Branch, became a leader in the Jonesboro Baptist Church. Col. R.R. Dungan, a former Confederate officer from VA, also joined the Church in 1867. Membership grew from 65 in 1865 to 129 in 1872

Cholera

Cholera reached Jonesboro in June 1873, brought to town by two Greeneville refugees who were nursed in the home of member A.C. Collins. The epidemic became severe during July and citizens were advised to flee. Rev. Thrasher remained devoted to his duties. Among the 30 odd victims were both A.C. Collins and his wife, Rev. Thrasher and other members of the Baptist Church. The epidemic ran its course by September, but the recovery of the church was slow.

The Changing Years

The middle years of the church brought about additions and improvements to the church itself. An effort was made to secure housing for the pastor. The first pastors of the church had owned or rented their homes. In 1904 the church purchased the Young Bayless residence on E. Main St. between the church and the Armstrong home at 139 E. Main St.. In 1924 a new parsonage was built on the opposite side of the street. W.E. Wauford was the first pastor to live in the parsonage at 212 E. Main St.

In 1892 the church was remodeled with many changes made to the interior, particularly to accommodate the growth in Sunday School.

While John R. Chiles (1906-1909) was pastor, the rear wall of the church began to bulge and had to be torn down and rebuilt. In 1918-1919, John D. Cox was responsible for remodeling and enlarging the church.

The Organ

The musical program of the church blossomed during the middle years of the church. Before the Civil War, a reed organ was used in the worship service. This organ was traded in 1886 for an improved New England model that cost $100. Among those who played the New England reed organ were:

Choir members included:

Justus T. Whitlock, Mr. And Mrs. W.A. Cooper and several of their children, John D. and Virginia Cox (Roach), Adelyn Deaderick, Laura Bruner (Dosser), Hansel Peoples, F.B. Poteat and others.

Pastors

Source: The History of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Tennessee by James F. Thomas, 1955, ETSU Thesis. Posted 29 May 2005