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TYLER COUNTY, TEXAS
BEECH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
Location: south off Farm 1013, between Hillister &
Spurger in Tyler County, Texas.
Mailing Address: Beech Creek Baptist Church; Rt. 1; Spurger, Texas 77660
Note: Oldest Baptist Church in Tyler County with complete records of existence.
History of Beech Creek Baptist Church
by Rev. E. C. Holland
(1980)
The Beech Creek Baptist Church was organized on
September 24, 1855. There were eight Charter Members that came to this
settlement from Georgia. They were: James G. Collier and his wife Elizabeth, Mary Keith, Mary Caswell, Valumnia Freeman, Lucy Ratcliff, Thomas Collier and Margaret Baker.
The first meetings after organizing the church
were November 24 and 25, 1855 in a log house on Spring Branch. This house
was just west of the present location. At the Turner Branch school in
Spurger, Mary Jordan, W. R. Ratcliff, and a servant, the property of Thomas
Collier, were received into the church for baptism. These were the first
additions to the church after organization.
On December 24, 1888 J.P. Jordan, R. J. Jordan,
L.A. Jordan, M.J. Jordan, W.G. Collier, R.A. Collier, M.E. Collier, Bill
Swearingen, Warren Hooks, Elizabeth Stewart and Joe Ratcliff called for their
letters and organized Oak Grove Church in a log house two miles south of the
present location. On April 26, 1891, the Beech Creek Baptist Church went
to the Oak Grove Church and asked them to unite with the Beech Creek Baptist
Church. The Oak Grove Church agreed and they appointed to locate a place
for a church building.
The committee consisted of: J.G. Collier, J. P.
Jordan, W.G. Collier, W. L. Collier, Allison Jeffcoat, J. G. Ratcliff and G. L.
Rich. They chose the present location. J.G. Collier known as Captain
Collier gave three acres of land for the church yard and cemetery. The
house was built shortly afterwards. At that time the road went through the
cemetery. That is why the building faces the cemetery instead of the
present day road.
The first minister to be ordained in this church
was Joseph D. Phelps on August 30, 1857.
Henry Gainer, the servant of Col. Gainer, was
ordained in this church on November 3, 1867. He was the first Negro
Preacher ordained in the State of Texas. (1) (2)
Our country is two hundred years old and our
church has been active one hundred and twenty-one years of that time. It has had
seven hundred and sixty-six white members and twenty-seven negro servant
members.
In later years the building has been
remodeled. The old building was typical of the time it was built. It
was a one room building made of ruff lumber. It had a beam from the floor
to the ceiling to help support the ceiling. It had cracks in the floor, a
wood heater, an outdoor toilet and kerosene lamps for light/
Rev. R. L. Pope was pastor longer than any other
person. He was pastor from 1917 to 1953, which is a total of 46 years.
In it's beginning, the church was small and
compared to modern churches it is still small, but we believe we have
contributed in a large way to God's work over the years and hope and prey we can
continue to do so for many more years.
(NOTE: above by Rev. E. C. Holland written in
1980 and submitted by James E. Holland
)
BEECH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTORS 1855-1980
| John Bean |
Sept. 24, 1855 |
- |
Jun 26, 1858 |
| S. C. Martin |
Sept. 26, 1858 |
- |
records are not clear when Bro. Martin
left. |
| J. G. Masterson |
Sept. 1, 1864 |
- |
Sept. 2, 1865 |
| John Bean |
Sept. 2, 1865 |
- |
July 6, 1867 |
| J. D. Phelps |
July 6, 1867 |
- |
Sept. 8, 1877 |
| J. G. Masterson |
Sept. 8, 1877 |
- |
June 21, 1879 |
| J. D. Phelps |
June 21, 1879 |
- |
Oct. 21, 1882 |
| James Bean |
Oct. 21, 1882 |
- |
Sept. 27, 1884 |
| J. D. Phelps |
Oct. 20, 1884 |
- |
Sept. 4, 1886 |
| A. C. Sims |
Sept. 4, 1886 |
- |
July 23, 1887 |
| W. D. Hooks |
Aug 27, 1887 |
- |
Aug 25, 1888 |
| David Martin |
Aug 25, 1888 |
- |
May 10, 1890 |
| A. C. Sims |
Aug 23, 1890 |
- |
Nov. 1, 1890 |
| J. E. Duff |
Nov. 1, 1890 |
- |
March 1892 |
| B. A. Willis |
March 1892 |
- |
May 6, 1893 |
| W. D. Hooks |
Sept. 1, 1893 |
- |
Dec. 30, 1893 |
| J. C. Fondren |
Feb 19, 1894 |
- |
April 4, 1896 |
| D. K. Martin |
Aug 1, 1896 |
- |
Aug 6, 1898 |
| C. C. Swearingen & D.K. Martin
(jointly) |
Aug 6, 1898 |
- |
Aug 19, 1899 |
| CC. Swearingen |
Aug 19, 1899 |
- |
Jun 25, 1904 |
| S. L. Scott |
Sept. 24, 1904 |
- |
April 21, 1906 |
| R. L. Pope |
Dec 28, 1906 |
- |
Sept. 24, 1910 |
| J. G. Ratcliff & S.A. Hawthorne
(jointly) |
Sept. 24, 1910 |
- |
Aug 17, 1912 |
| R. L. Pope |
May 24, 1913 |
- |
Sept. 21, 1918 |
| R. L. Pope & J.G. Ratcliff (jointly) |
Oct 26, 1919 |
- |
June 27, 1920 |
| A. T. Nash |
Nov 27, 1920 |
- |
Sept 24, 1921 |
| D. D. Swearingen |
Sept 24, 1921 |
- |
March 1923 |
| Bro. Richardson |
Oct 28, 1923 |
- |
Sept 25, 1927 |
| R. L. Pope |
Mar 24, 1929 |
- |
Sept 1935 |
| J. G. Ratcliff |
Sept 1935 |
- |
Aug 22, 1936 |
| R. L. Pope |
Sept 1936 |
- |
Sept 26, 1953 |
| E. E. Sheffield |
March 1954 |
- |
July 10, 1956 |
| Charles Haynes |
July 10, 1956 |
- |
June 12, 1957 |
| E. C. Holland |
June 12, 1957 |
- |
Jan 13, 1960 |
| David Hobson |
Feb 21, 1960 |
- |
Oct 8, 1960 |
| Paul Gallion |
Oct 15, 1961 |
- |
Sept 13, 1964 |
| Pat Monroe |
Nov 8, 1964 |
- |
Jan 9, 1966 |
| Norris Scott |
April 10, 1966 |
- |
April 1967 |
| E. C. Holland |
April 30, 1967 |
- |
Jan 1983 |
| Kenneth Fusielier |
1983 |
- |
|
| J. E. Hopkins |
1984 |
- |
1985 |
| Carl Redmon, Jr. |
1986 |
- |
1987 |
| Larry Delcambre |
1988 |
- |
|
| Robert McClelland |
1989 |
- |
1994 |
| Andrew McIntosh |
1994 |
- |
|
| Hails Taylor |
Interim |
- |
|
| Bill Swearingen |
1996 |
- |
1997 |
| Chuck Willis |
Interim |
- |
|
| Jim Houston |
1999 |
- |
present (thru Sep 2000) |
MINISTERS ORDAINED
BEECH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
| Joseph D. Phelps |
August 30, 1857 |
| Henry Gainer |
November 3, 1867 (note: 1st reported
colored minister ordained in Texas) |
| J. G. Ratcliff |
March 16, 1912 |
| Arlis Bingham |
January 8, 1956 |
| Drew Sheffield |
April 2, 1967 |
| Carl Redmon, Jr. |
August 17, 1986 |
| Larry Delcambre |
March 1988 |
DEACONS ORDAINED
BEECH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
| Thomas Collier |
March 28, 1858 |
| Robert L. McDonald |
January 9, 1876 |
| James F. Mayo |
August 25, 1878 |
| G. L. Rich |
June 26, 1884 |
| J. P. Jordan |
November 7, 1886 |
| Hurshal Hicks |
April 4, 1897 |
| C. C. Hicks |
September 20, 1902 |
| J. G. Ratcliff |
July 29, 1905 |
| W. M. Porter |
August 24, 1907 |
| M. J. Perryman |
April 25, 1915 |
| Tyrus Green |
April 25, 1915 |
| Juriah Jordan |
April 25, 1915 |
| W. A. Sheffield |
July 1955 |
| Willie Jordan |
July 1955 |
| W. F. Teel |
July 1955 |
| Arlis Bingham |
July 1955 |
| Jack Jeffcoat |
December 11, 1955 |
| Elmer Smith |
March 2, 1962 |
| Drew Sheffield |
March 2, 1962 |
| Henry Joe Jordan |
March 2, 1962 |
| J. B. Jordan |
April 2, 1972 |
| Elmo Gibbs |
April 2, 1972 |
| Thomas Cupper |
April 2, 1972 |
| Lee Bingham |
July 24, 1974 |
| Jesse Powell |
July 24, 1974 |
| Pete Holland |
November 11, 1980 |
| Eddie Jordan |
May 8, 1992 |
| Paul Williams |
May 8, 1992 |
| Richard Jordan |
May 24, 1998 |
| David Evans |
August 16, 1998 |
| CHURCH MINUTES:
Sunday Nov 3rd. 1867 --- Agreeable to the request of the Church
on yesterday Elders J. F. Phelps and S. C. Martin formed a Presbytery
and preceded to the ordination of colored Brother Henry Gainer as
follows: Examinations by Elder Martin. Imposition of hands by Elders
S.C. Martin and J. D. Phelps. Prayer by Elder S. C. Martin.
Charge and presentation of
Scriptures by Elder J. D. Phelps.
J. G. Collier, Clerk |
Account of the
ordination of Henry Gainer, a colored preacher:
Texas Baptist Herald 3:2 Jan 29,
1868
Bro. A. E. Pope, reports the following ordinations:
Tyler (County) Texas, Dec 30, 1867
Bro. Kink:--- By the request of Beech Creek Church, Elds. J. D. Phelps
and S. C. Martin, set apart by the imposition of hands to the Gospel
ministry, Henry Gainer, a colored brother, on the first Lord's day in
November 1867.
Also, by the request of Bethany Church,
Tyler county, Texas Elders S. C. Martin, S. Lacy and J. G. Masterson set
apart by the imposition of hands to the Gospel ministry, Bro. J. M. Fant,
on the 3rd Lord's day in November 1867. |
The above information was furnished to the Tyler County
TXGenWeb site by James E. Holland of
Grand Prairie, son of E. C. Holland above, from papers found among his
father's possessions. Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Holland for his
generosity of sharing so that all Tyler County researchers might benefit.
CHARTER MEMBERS
BEECH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
by Barbara Yancey Dore
Great-Great Granddaughter of Capt. J. G. Collier
Capt. James G. COLLIER
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James Gautney/Gwaltney COLLIER
Called Capt. COLLIER after the Civil War
Also referred as Uncle "Jeems"..... son
of Benjamin
C. COLLIER and Margaret
LANE (dau of Joseph
LANE & Elizabeth
GWALTNEY), was born February 24, 1812 in Twiggs Co. Ga.
and died October 23. 1896 in Tyler County, Texas. He was first married
on September 27, 1832 in Ga. to Elizabeth
Ann ("Eliza") STEWART, who was
born May 24. 1816 in Ga and died on April 2, 1843 in Blakely,
Early Co., Ga. Eliza was buried in Blakely. After Eliza's death, James
G. was married again on June 4, 1843 in Early Co.
Ga. to Elizabeth Wynn
STEWART. She was later called "Aunt Bettie". She was born August 12, 1824 in Ga. and died May 29,
1904 in Tyler Co., Tx. Both wives were the daughters of John
STEWART and Lucretia
WYNN. James was a Captain in Company D, Spaights
Battalion, Texas Volunteers, during the Civil War. Capt. Collier and his
second wife are both buried in the Beech Creek Cemetery, near
Spurger, in Tyler County, Tx.
Elizabeth
Wynn (Stewart) COLLIER
wf of James G. COLLIER.... daughter of John
STEWART and Lucretia
WYNN, was born August 12, 1824 in Ga. and died
May 29, 1904 in Tyler Co., Texas. Betty was married on June 4, 1843 in
Early Co. Ga. to James G.
Collier. She is buried beside her husband in the Beech Creek
Cemetery, Tyler County, Texas. Photo
|
Elizabeth Wynn STEWART
COLLIER |
Mary (?Barr/Granberry)
Collier Keith |
second wife of Benjamin
C. Collier. After Benjamin's death, his widow (2/w) married Joseph
J. Keith in Early County, Georgia in 1849 and moved to Tyler County,
Texas in 1852 with the rest of the Collier family. Little is know about
her including the certainly of her maiden name. She is assumed to be
buried in the Beech Creek Cemetery..
|
| Mary E. "Polly" (Collier)
Caswell |
daughter of Benjamin
C. Collier and Margaret
Lane, was born August 25, 1805 in Virginia and died in 1875, Tyler
County, Texas. She was first married on September 16, 1824 in Georgia to
Deleware
Freeman, who was born November 25, 1802 and died August 29, 1844 in
Early Co., GA. Polly was married again (date/place unknown) to William
L. Caswell, who was born ca. 1782 in North Carolina. Polly is
believed to be buried in the Beech Creek Cemetery, near Spurger, in
Tyler Co., Tx (unmarked). See: 1850 Census Early County, GA HH#468
|
Malluary "Valumnia"
Freeman
Dickey |
dau of Mary
E. "Polly" Collier & Delaware
Freeman. She was born May 3, 1833 in Ga. She was married on March
18, 1860 to William
Nathaniel Dickey. They were later divorced and she sometimes used
her maiden name of Freeman. Valumina died 7 Apr 1896 in Tyler County and
is buried in the Beech Creek Cemetery.
|
Lucy Blanche (Collier)
Ratcliff |
daughter of James G. Collier and Elizabeth
Ann "Eliza" Stewart. Lucy was born August 31, 1834 at
Lakeland, Laurens Co., Ga. She was married September 22, 1853 in Tyler
Co., Tx to William
Richard Ratcliff, Jr. Lucy died 15 Jun 1910 in
Tyler County, Texas with burial in the Beech Creek Cemetery.
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Thomas John Collier
(some records say
John Thomas Collier) |
son of Benjamin
C. Collier and Margaret
Lane, was born February 1, 1820 in Twiggs Co., Ga. and died January
19 1900 in Texas with burial in TownBluff Cemetery, in Tyler Co.
Tx. It is believed he was married on July ?4/14, 1846 in Early Co.
Ga to Lucy
Jane Walker, daughter of Lee
Walker and his first wife. Lucy was born November 30, 1828 in GA and
died October 14, 1893 in Texas. According to census records they had no
issue.
|
Margaret (Freeman)
Baker |
daughter of Mary
E. "Polly" Collier & Delaware
Freeman. Margaret was born January 12, 1828 in Ga. She was
first married May 2, 1847 in Early Co., Ga to John
A. Baker. She was married, a second time, on January 15, 1865 in
Tyler Co., Tx to F.
M. Harris. Place of burial uncertain.
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Articles about Beech Creek
Church
82nd Anniversary & 118th Anniversary
BEECH
CREEK CEMETERY
The
Southeast Texas Collier Family
Collier
Family Letters
|
Tyler County, Texas Entry