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H E N R Y   P R A I R I E   B A P T I S T   C H U R C H M E M B E R S H I P   R E C O R D S   A N D   M I N U T E S

The original copy of this paper has been given to the Texas Collection of Baylor University.  It has been catalogued and placed in the Texas History Collection Library as a gift from the author, Mrs. R. S. Smith. 

The Henry Prairie Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1878.  A few Baptists met on the J. R. Gilstrap farm and organized the church in a log house which later was used as a barn.  Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Patton, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Peeler, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Mooney, Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Mooney, Mrs. J. R. Gilstrap and Mrs. M. J. Goodwin are remembered as being among the charter members.  Some of the early pastors and ministers who conducted services for the church were Fred King., Tommie Eaton, Evens Allen, John Shim and Minnefee. 

For a number of years the church did not have a building, but held services in various school houses.  The first of these, a one room log structure with split logs for benches, was located about one mile south of the present church house.  Another building on Cottonwood Branch which served both school and church, was moved in 1882 to a site near the present church and was used by both the Methodists and Baptists until about 1888, when the building was burned by someone who left a note on a nearby tree saying, “I do this in revenge for the Henry Prairie community has been talking about me”.  The community re-built the house on the same site “just like the one that was burned” and used it for school and church until about 1896, when the Methodists put up a building of their own, while the Baptists continued the use of this building.  All records were destroyed in the fire, hence this early history has been gained by correspondence and residents of this date. 

The first building owned by the church was of brick erected in 1900-1901.  The following entry is in the minutes for-- 

Saturday before the third Sunday in April 1900.  (b) Motion was made and carried that the church pass resolutions in regard to building a house of worship.  And the following named persons were appointed as a building committee and authorized to solicit and receive contributions and also to proceed with the building of the same when they have collected enough to begin the work.  Brethren:  A. Mauk, F. M. Petty, R. Blythe, R. O’Rear and Mr. J. R. Gilstrap, Misses Ida Petty, Ada O’Rear and Ethel Mauk. 

Conference Adjourned

Rev. C. P. Lumpkin, Moderator
W. O. Cobb, Church Clerk 

No further report or reference to the building is given until Saturday before the 4th Lords Day in July 1901 the church went into conference.  1. An opportunity offered for the reception of members.  2. The clerk being absent Robert Blythe was appointed clerk pro tem.  3. Called for reading of the minutes of last conference.  Not having the minutes of Saturday’s meeting, the minutes of Sunday’s meeting were read and adopted.  4. New business: a vote of thanks was tended the ladies for seating in house.  A motion was made and carried that Bro. Walker preach the dedication sermon on the following Lords Day.  5. Conference adjourned for the day. 

J. M. Zimmerman, Moderator
Robert Blythe, Clerk pro tem 

“Woman’s ingenuity” was put to the test by the Ladies Aid Society in raising the money to have the benches built for the new church.  The holding of ice cream suppers was a favorite procedure, but not the only method of securing funds. 

The first minutes of which there is record is as follows:           

The Henry Prairie Baptist Church at Henry Prairie met in conference Saturday before the third Sabbath in February 1889.  Visitor Brethren invited to seat with us.  The door for the reception of members was open. 

The minutes read and adopted,  No reference.  New business called for.  Sister O. N. Gannaway was reported as joined the Methodist Church (The church withdrew fellowship from her, later).  The church went into an election for the purpose of electing a pastor, Bro. J. D. Holton was unanimously elected and the church agreed to pay him $50.00 for his services the balance of this Associational year.  Being no further business conference closed in order. 

J. D. Holton, Moderator
W. J. Patton, Church Clerk 

An examination of succeeding minutes will prove interesting.  One of the prominent items of business at almost every conference for many years was that of church discipline.  Members were excluded from church membership, unless “satisfactory acknowledgements” were made to the church, for such things as drinking liquor, fighting, using profane language, heresy, dancing, “unchristian conduct”, and non-attendance upon the services of the church.  However, after the turn of the century this practice gradually disappears from the record.  Not only was there “unchristian conduct” within the church, but it seems that some churches did not always abide in harmony among themselves for in the minutes of September (?), 1892, is found this entry, “The reading of the resolutions as adopted by the Rocky Ridge church were read, unanimously adopted.”  Said resolutions were: 

August 27, 1892 

By an act of the church while in conference the following resolutions were adopted which was as follows:

Resolve 1st

Dear Brethren and sisters greetings.  Whereas there has been some contention and strife existing between we the Rocky Ridge Church and the Henry Prairie Baptist Church of Christ, therefore be it resolved that we the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church in the interest of the Master cause and for Christ sake declare by the adoption of these resolutions that we will exercise a spirit of brotherly love towards each other and that we will work harmoniously together that the cause of Christ may prosper and the Lord glorified thereby.

Resolve 2nd 

That we request that these Resolutions be read before the Henry Prairie Church while in conference and that if these resolutions meets the approval of the brethren and sisters of Henry Prairie Church that they adopt a similar one and that the resolutions become a matter of record.  Approved by the Rocky Ridge Baptist Church while in conference on Saturday night before the first Lords Day in August 1892. 

J. H. Jackson, Moderator
W. H. Sherrod, Church Clerk 

From its organization, the Henry Prairie Church has been affiliated with the organized work of Texas Baptists and for many years sent “delegates” to the Bryan Association, but later joined the Robertson County Association.  A glimpse into the denominational life of the church is given in the following minutes: 

September 25, 1897 

We, the members of the Baptist Church of Christ at Henry Prairie met in conference.  Door of church opened for the reception of members - none.  Minutes of last conference read and adopted.  Charges against Bro. Smith deferred until next meeting. The church withdrew fellowship from Bro. Joe Fulton for using profane language.  Bro. H. B. Beall and Bro. J. F. Hutchingson was elected as delegates to the Texas Baptist State Convention.  The following resolutions was adopted by the church. 

Resolve 1st

That we favor the reduction of expenses in our mission work.  The dispensing with the so called “General Missionaries” or rather collecting agents and the restricting the financial secretary’s salary to the fixed amount by the convention.

 Resolve 2nd 

That we favor the replacing Dr. R. C. Burleson to his merited position as President of Baylor University. 

Resolve 3rd 

That we favor new members on the State Mission Board of Trustees of Baylor University.  Also displace the Mission Board of Waco. 

Resolve 4th

 That our messengers to convention be instructed to have these resolutions carried into effect.  The above resolutions read and adopted.  Pledge money collected $5.00 minute money by the church in regular conference on Sunday 26.  The associational letter read and adopted.  Pledge money collected $5.00.  Minute money collected $1.50.  Moved and carried that the church pledge $2.50 to each mission viz:  Foreign Mission $2.50 (?) Associational Mission $2.50, States Mission $2.50, Buckner Orphan Home $2.50.  This done by order of church in conference September 25, 1897. 

Conference adjourned 

Rev. J. W. Stephens, Moderator
A. W. Pope, Church Clerk 

Although the financial program of the membership has never been large, yet in comparison to the numerical strength it has been commendable. In the minutes of the early church are found regular offerings for foreign missions, home missions, Buckner Orphans Home, etc.  A second mention of pastor’s salary is found in the minutes of: 

Saturday before the third Sabbath in September 1889.  The door for the reception of members was open.  Visiting brethren invited to seats with us.  The minutes read and adopted.  New business called for.  A motion was in order to elect a pastor for the ensuing year Bro. J. D. Holton was unanimously elected pastor.  W. J. Patton, church clerk. 

Conference left open until Sunday.  Sunday, Bro. Holton and ? (could be accepted)  the church by saying he would serve the church for $100.00 which amount the church agreed to pay.  Conference closed in order. 

J. D. Holton, Moderator
W. J. Patton Church Clerk 

In the minutes for October 1889 is this note “The Bro. Treasurer Deacon reported that the amount the church promised to pay Rev. Holton for the year ending the third Sabbath in October 1889 had been paid in full” and in the minutes for November 1889 is this entry - “Bro. W. W. Taylor, treasurer of the church reported that after paying off our pastor he had $5.25 still in the treasury.  By motion Bro. Taylor was instructed to take out enough to pay for a broom he had bought and the rest to be used for church purposes.  “Various and sundry ways and means of raising the needed cash were followed throughout the years until the adoption of a budget system in 1925.  In that year the following minutes are recorded: 

October 25, A.D. 1925 

Bro. Miles accepted the church call as pastor.  The church went into conference - new business called for.  Moved and second the church adopt the budget system for the purpose of taking care of all expenses.  Committee appointed to work and plans to get the budget system started.  Committee to meet at 3:30 o’clock in afternoon.  Committee:  Bro. Robert Best, Bro. Newt Price, Arch Maniard, O. P. Sandifer, Reece Smith 

Conference adjourned. 

R. S. Smith, Clerk 

The following month the above named committee reported that $500.00 had been estimated as necessary for all expenses of the church. 

As ample proof of the success of the budget system of church finance through the years since its adoption, the following treasurer’s report is cited: 

Treasurer’s report at close of the year.

October 1, 1950, Balance on hand $154.67. 

The following financial apportionments be made monthly: 

Co-op Program   $6.00,   Associational Program   $5.00,   Insurance - lights   $1.50,   Gas   $1.00,    Literature   $5.00,   Pastor’s Salary (weekly, $35.00)   Miscellaneous Expenses   $1.25, Total Monthly   $179.75, Total Weekly   $41.49,   Total Year   $2,157.00. 

That the following special offerings be given during the year: 

Lottie Moon (Christmas),   Foreign Missions (March),   Hospital Offering (Mothers Day),   Offering for Orphans:  For turkeys in November and for eggs at Easter.  The collection of clothing for the orphans will be taken among the ladies.  All other special offerings will be taken only after a majority vote to do so.  That the church approve a committee to investigate a better fire insurance plan for the church property. 

Immediately following the minutes of July, 1898, is found this most interesting entry: 

Rules of Decorum
The Baptist Church at Henry Prairie

1.  We, the church shall meet monthly to transact business at such time and place as seems best.

2.  The pastor shall be elected annually.

3.  The pastor shall set as moderator unless otherwise ordered.

4.  The clerk shall be elected annually who shall keep a correct record of all business.

5.  The church shall determine what number shall constitute a quorum.

6.  Conference shall be opened with prayer.

7.  Visiting Bro. and sisters shall be invited to seats with us to aid by their counsel.

8.  First item of business shall be receiving members.  Second - reading the minutes, Third - call for references and dispose of same.  Fourth - call for new business.

9.  Any Brother wishing to speak shall rise to his feet and address the moderator with the (illeg.) salutation Bro. Mod. and shall strictly adhere to the subject.

10.  No one shall be interrupted while speaking (illeg.) of order or for information.

11.  All business must be presented by a motion with a second and stated by moderator.  Motion with a second shall be acted upon unless withdrawn by the mover.

12.  The majority shall rule in all cases except in fellowship and it shall be unanimous.  It shall be the duty of all members to vote.

13.  Charges shall not be preferred against a member until some member has seen the offender talked to them on the subject if they live in reasonably distance.

14.  A committee may be appointed by the moderator or elected by the church, the report of committee shall be received by vote, the report may be recommitted to committee.

15.  The church shall commune twice a year April and September meetings.

16.  The moderator shall be the judge of order and shall see that those rules are enforced.

17.  These rules shall be read ever 6 months or oftener if called for.

18.  Those rules may be changed at any regular conference. 

Undoubtedly, the church had adopted Rules of Decorum before this date, since in earlier minutes, reference is made to certain changes therein. 

Because of the lack of a proper foundation, the brick building erected in 1900-1901 rapidly deteriorated and on Sunday, August 29, 1937, the church met in regular conference.  The church members promised to pray each day for the new church.  Pledges were made for the new church building.  On motion and second Bro. Brown appointed 5 on a committee to see about church building.  R. S. Smith, F. C. Petty, O. P Sandifer, Chairman of Committee, Mrs. Winnie Petty and Mrs. H. O. Cole. 

Thus, with Rev. Herbert Brown as pastor, the church launched a building campaign.  On March 7, 1938, the last service, a very sacred one, was held in the old brick building after which it was torn away and a new frame building erected on the same grounds, much of the material in the old house being used in the new one.  Rev. T. F. Maynard, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Hearne, Texas, preached the sermon at this last service from the text of Matt. 16:18, and the last song was “My Hope is Built”.  Mrs. Jodie Petty, oldest living member of the church, removed the first brick. 

On May 15, 1938 the new building was dedicated.  Mr. Tom Hamilton, Franklin, Texas, gave the church an organ at which he was seated when the congregation entered the auditorium.  Standing, the audience sang, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow: and then the stirring old hymn, “All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name”.  The dedicatory sermon was by Rev. C. E. Bullock, Normangee, Texas, a minister associated with the church for many years.  His text was from I Kings, eighth chapter.  Two songs, “The Lilly of the Valley” and “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” were sung by the congregation.  A solo, “I’m a Child of the King” was rendered by Mrs. Beall, of Easterly, Texas. 

From time to time a Sunday School was organized, but each time the organization lived only a few months.  Among the earlier superintendents were W. W. Taylor, Bro. Graham, A. W. Pope, Bro Huchingson, Robert Blythe, R. O’Rear, J. J. Sandifer, and F. M. Petty. 

There had been no Sunday School for several years when the present one was organized in April, 1911.  Before the organization there were a series of prayers that “it will not die”.  Mr. J. C. Smith was elected superintendent, Miss Irma Jones, secretary, and five classes were arranged with the following teachers:  Miss Mattie Jones, Miss Dollie Elliott, Mr. Lipscomb, Mrs. A. Mauk and one other whose name has been lost.  There were fifty enrolled in the school. 

In September, 1917, the Sunday School was re-classed, graded and placed under church control.  There were nine teachers elected by the church at this time:  W. A. O’Rear, B. E. Peeler, Miss Dollie Elliott, Mrs. Carrie Lipscomb, Mrs. S. W. Smith, Mrs. Eunice Griffin, Mrs. Alam Young and Mrs. Ida Frost.  V. N. Price was elected superintendent, later superintendents were:  B. E. Peeler, 1918, Arch Maniard, 1921, J. C. Smith, 1924, Haston Petty, 1925, F. C. Petty, 1936, Milton Smith, 1946, Earnest Sanders, 1946, Bobbie Best, 1950, Mozelle Smith, 1951, Robert Best, 1951. 

Miss Mozelle Smith was principal of the first Vacation Bible School, conducted in 1944. 

A Training Union has been conducted for a number of years, but statistics concerning it are not available at this time.  However the first B.Y.P.U. in the church was organized about 1915 with Miss Maggie Smith as president.  In 1922 a Junior B.Y.P.U. was organized with Mrs. Irma Smith as president, their slogan “Back your pastor Up”.  Some of the directors of  Training Union:  Howard Smith, 1926, Bick Dyer, 1927, Jessie Swanner, 1932, Sam Neely, 1934, Mrs. Milton Smith, 1938, Mrs. Petty, 1939, Mrs. Lucile Petty, 1940, Miss Mozelle Smith, 1941, Milton Smith, 1946, Travis Morgan, 1946, Margie Morgan, 1954. 

Church Officers

Pastors

Clerks

Treasurers

Deacons

Pastors and Ministers Who Have Preached in Revivals - Partial List

J. D. Holton, 1890,  B. A. Barnett, 1892,  Bro. Jackson, 1893,  Bro. Ayers, 1894, Walter Gilstrap, 1894, Bro. Walker, 1895, W. H. Jackson, 1896, Walker, 1896,  F. M. Walker, 1896,  F. M. Rollins, 1898,  C. P. Lumpkin, 1900,  R. S. Taylor, 1900,  Marion Walker, 1901,  Eclar Smith, 1903, 1912,  J. W. Stephens, 1906,  S. T. Thomas,  Key, 1909,  J. T. Young, 1912, L. M. Cole, 1913,  C. E. Bullock,  Graves Darby,  W. M. Read, 1917-1918,  H. C. Wroghton, 1919,  J. J. Pipkins, 1920,, U. G. Hale,  G. B. Holloway, 1921,  U. G. Hale, 1922,  W. M. Robertson, 1923,  G. L. Bushy, 1924,  Alpha Shelton, 1922,  L. W. Crouch, J. W. Storms, 1929,  Hargroves, 1930,  S. T. Thomas, 1932,  Chester Cadwallader,  C. W. Bullock, 1933,  O. Cobb, 1935,  Barrow, 1936,  Herbert Brown, 1937,  J. Mason 1940,  Barrow, 1945,  Rufus Strickland,  R. James Eastland, 1947,  L. W. Crouch, 1948,  Cecil MacBeth, 1949,  Gordon Edwards, 1950,  Stanley Ray, 1951,  Arthur Smith, 1953,  J. D. Stevenson, 1953,  Judson Prince, 1954,  and R. L. Elliott, 1955.