A History of Mount Pelia Baptist Church established 1829
by Douglas Ryan and Craig Peevyhouse
The loss of early records make it impossible to accurately give the exact date of the organization of the church, but from research made, it has been fairly well determined that the church was established either in 1829 or near that date.
Following is a short historical sketch of the church made from available records.
Perhaps the Mount Pelia Baptist church was organized due to the efforts of Bro. James P. EDWARDS, a missonary of TroyTennessee, who’s field of labor was Weakley and Obion counties.
In 1837 at the meeting of the Baptist State Convention of West Tennessee at Paris, his church at Republican Grove reported that there had been 23 additions, and that much good had been done since Bro. EDWARDS accepted the pastorate of the church. Brother SPANN, Moses T. was also a missonary for Obion and Weakley counties.
The first mention of the Mount Pelia Church that we find is at the West Tennessee Baptist Convention held at Spring Hill Baptist Church in 1855,When it named David WAGSTER, pastor of Mount Pelia, M.F. Union, Thompson’s Creek, and Troy.
In the proceedings of the 22nd anniversary of the West Tennessee Baptist Convention held with the Bluff Spring church, Gibson county, Tennessee, September 15, 1856, Bro David WAGSTER represented the Mount Pelia church.
We find that on motion of Elder D. WAGSTER, resolved that a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the request of the Beulah Association, Brethren J.B. DUNCAN, M. FLY and Wm. CALDWELL were appointed to said committee.
The special committee on request from Beulah Association made their report, which was received and adopted, via report of special committee. The special committee appointed on the petition from Beulah Association have had the subject under consideration, and we ask leave to present the following report: The petition for aid from this convention, to the amount of $36.00 in support of a missonary who is employed by the board of that association, independent of this convention, and in no way accountable to it or under it’s control, We therefore report against the prayer of the all of which is respectfully
submitted. — John B. DUNCAN, Chairman. (Copied as written, ????)
Mount Pelia’s pastor, David WAGSTER, reported that Dresden, Troy, Dyersburg, Huntingdon, Jackson, and Trenton are destitute of Baptist preaching and that there is only one Baptist preacher in Obion County.
Mount Pelia had contributed $5.00 to the convention. Elder WAGSTER was the Vice-president of this convention.
Minutes of the 38th session of the Western United Baptist Association and held with the church at Bird’s Creek, commencing on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1860. W.H. MCGOWAN, pastor of Mount Pelia church, messenger W. CRITTENDON. Total members was 47. Following is the report of the church Church M.D.,2 Baptized, 10,
received by letter,2; received by examination, 1; dismissed by letter, 3; died, 1; net members, 47; contributions $2.00. W. CRITTENDON was appointed to the board for Missionaries.
At the 44th annual session of the Western District United Baptist Association, held with the church at Bethlehem inOctober 1886, Mount Pelia sent no messengers, but a letter, they had baptized 16, received by letter ?? reported 1 dead, a total of 50 members. They contributed $1.50. At this meeting the Mount Pelia church presented a letter requesting that they be dismissed from this association. It was resolved that said church have a letter of dismissal.
It is not known what the first building was, it is assumed to be a log building.
Mount Pelia Church was destroyed by a storm, somewhere around the turn of the century(1900). This was a frame building.
In 1941, a new building was built on the original lot. We are unable to find any record of when the original lot was given or purchased, this being the south part of the present property.
In 1957, the church purchased a lot approximately one acre of land, this being the north side of the present property.
The present auditorium was built in 1965. The building that was built in 1939 was torn down and the present educational building was erected in 1969.
In 1940, pastor, Bro. Warren HILL , under the direction of the church, began pastoring on a half time basis. Preaching services were conducted on the first and third Sundays in each month. Until this time, the church had services once a month, when weather permitted.
In 1946, the church bought a pastors home. In 1960, the church built a new parsonage on ground donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold WAGGENER. The church then sold the old parsonage.
The church bell was bought from T.H. Hall and company for $6.30 in 1866. In February, 1869 a committee was appointed to sell the bell, and with the proceeds pay off the demands against the church. In June of 1869, the church recinded their act in regard to selling the bell and a committee was appointed to put up the bell. The following committee was appointed. Wm. WAGSTER, Abia CRITTENDON, B.W. STOVALL and Joel HATCHETT.
PASTORS
Some of the early pastors were, David HALLIBERTEN, S.T. JONES, W.A. DYSON, J.H. DAVID, David WAGSTER, W.H. MCGOWAN, Columbus HALL, Morgan BEECHUM, Will MOUNT, W.B. CLIFTON, Charley BELL, N. PENICK, B.F. SMITH, Alton WAGGNER, M.E. WOOLDREDGE, W.A. Butler, Roy Keathley, C.A. MORRISON.
NOVEMBER 20, 1921, BRO. T.A. Duncan was ordained and called to pastor Mount Pelia Church. Bro. DUNCAN was a member of the church. Other pastors were, J.L. ROBERTSON, John R. CLARK, J.D. YATES, E.J. Blackford, J.B. Andrews, Warren HILL, Harry HARP, Bruce WILLS, Marvin MILLER, Noel EDWARDS, Kermit BRANN, Jerry SPENCER, Gerald BLANE, J.P. SELPH, Cayce PENTECOST, John HARRISON, J.W. ABNEY, R.L. DODSON, Ray MORGAN, Bill WILLIAMS, Donald DOSTER, John FIELDS, Craig PEEVYHOUSE.
Men Ordained to the ministry by Mount Pelia Church
T.A. DUNCAN, Roy BUTLER, Leonards,BOWERS Kent COOK, R.C. Ryan, Noel EDWARDS, Don COOPER.
Some of the early members of Mount Pelia Church were, the ALEXANDERS, HALLS, CRITTENDONS, DUNCANS, WAGSTERS, COLLIERS and BELLS.
At the writing of this document there were a few members that have been members for over 50 years. They are Miss Janette PRUITT, Mrs Irene TANSIL, Mrs Blanche COLLIER, Douglas RYAN, Mrs Lubye COLEMAN was a member at Mount Pelia for almost 70 years before her death. Mrs. Lizzy HALEY was the oldest member until her demise. She was close to 100 years old.
EXCERPTS FROM CHURCH MINUTES
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met Saturday June, 1st, 1907 . After preaching by Bro. B.F. SMITH, the Church met in conference, withdrew fellowship from Bro. SUTHELAND for taking the Lord’s name in vain. New business, Committee for rebuilding church. W.A. PARRISH, Walter ALEXANDER, Blake CRITTENDON, Oscar
COLLIER, Carl POYNER. There being no other business, conference adjourned.
B.F. SMITH, Moderator, C.B. POYNER, C.C.
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Feb. 7, 1909
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Saturday before the first Sunday in Feb.1909.
Bro. Butler confessed his rongs (their spelling) to the church. A motion was made and seconded to forgive him. Church forgave him.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church of Christ met on Saturday before the first Sunday in September, 1909. Preaching by our pastor, Bro. Alton WAGGENER. Church sends 1.00 for ministers funds, $5.00 for orphans home, $6.00 for Associations missions, $5.00 for home missions. C.B. POYNER C.C.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Saturday before the first Sunday in November, 1909-Committee of two, Bro, John SHILEY & Carl POYNER was appointed to wait on Sister Lillie T. LINSON for dancing. C.B. Poyner C.C.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Satterday(their spelling) before the first Sunday in Feb. 1913. On the account of funeral services of little Leslie CAUDELL, there was no other services on Saturday. C.B. POYNER C.C.
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Thursday August 14, 1913
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met near the waters edge near Mr. BLAKES to attend to the audience of baptisms, as our pasture(their spelling) was unable to do the baptisms, Bro. L.D. SUMMERS was authorized bu the Church to do the baptizing.
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Feb. 6, 1915
On account of bad roads and sickness, there was no services Saturday nor Sunday.
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Dec. 5, 1925
New business was by motion and second to draw the months of the year off on strips of paper and members of the church to draw the months they take care of the pastor_____twelve members drew to take care of our pastor.
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July 16, 1944
Our protracted meeting was in progress from July 16 to July 22, with night services – Our pastor was assisted in the meeting by Bro. James SHIRLEY our associational Missionary. Bro. SHIRLEY preached some fine and inspiring sermons during the meeting. There wer
(their spelling) (43) forty three to come into fellowship with the church. (24) twenty four by baptism, namely, ThelmaCARNELL, Jean LITTRELL, Nell MILES, Clyde BROCK Miles, Buddie GAMMOONS, Margaret SMITH, Elwanda WADE, Bill WADE, Mrs. Lula WADE, Mary Evelyn MURRY, R.C. MURRY, Leon HAZLEWOOD, Marshall HAZLEWOOD, Shirley VAUGHN, Allie VAUGHN, Loyd VAUGHN, Mrs. Lucile OSEMAN, Halbert THOMAS, Mrs. Margaret THOMAS, Mrs. Jewel THOMAS, Robert THOMAS Jr., Benton OSEMAN, and Donald HILLARD. (19) Nonteen by letter or prospective letter, Namely Mamie THOMAS, Martha Thomas, William Eugene THOMAS, Mr. Robert THOMAS Sr, Mrs Robert THOMAS, Mr. James TURNER, Mrs James TURNER, all from Alamo Church.
Submitted by Joe Stout
