STONE COAL BAPTIST CHURCH
Researched and submitted by
Dr. Dennis Brewer
The Stone Coal Baptist Church first gathered together at the old school house at the mouth of Little Stone Coal Creek. Later, the church bought one-half acre from the late John S. Brandenburg and wife. When the house was built, all the work was supplied by the members of the church; all woodwork inside was hand planed and the seats were made of split logs with holes bored for wooden pegs.
The church was organized on July 5, 1884 with the following people from various churches becoming charter members: John and Nancy Brandenburg, John and Margaret Farmer, Jackson and Martha Brandenburg; Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Lynch; William Brandenburg, John S. Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Dunagin. In September of the same year the church affiliated with the Booneville Association of Baptists.
In 1902 the church became affiliated with the Irvine Baptist Association and reported a membership of 77. The Messengers to the association in that year were John Farmer, S. P. Farmer, James Moore, Jesse Dunagin and Elder J. S. Ward. These messengers bore a letter of dismissal from the Booneville Association.
In 1934 the church membership stood at 70; T. B. Barrett was Church Clerk and messengers to the association included: S. P. Farmer, Tom B. Barrett, Walter Brandenburg, and Mr. and Mrs. Luther Brandenburg.
Elder J. S. Ward was listed as serving as Pastor from 1902 until about 1907 when T. H. Lynch became Pastor. J. S. Ward is again leading the church in 1912 and may have continued until his death in 1926.
It appears from the minutes that are available that John Farmer was Clerk of the church perhaps from its organization until his death in 1931. He is listed in the obituaries of the Association in 1931 and Tom Barrett is listed as Clerk. Tom Barrett continued to serve as Clerk until .945 when he was replaced by Ray Brandenburg. Tom Barrett became Clerk again in 1953 and served until 1968.
The oldest book of the church was destroyed or misplaced and we depend upon Associational records to fill in missing details of the early history of the church. The Minute book which is available contains the following items of importance:
August, 1934 H. B. Eversole, Moderator and Tom Barrett, Clerk. Messengers to the Association include: S.P. Farmer, Luther and Walter Brandenburg and Tom Barrett.
September, 1934 James Botner serving as Moderator
September, 1935 Everett Farmer elected Treasurer
August, 1939 There is a motion to move the church to Brother Robert Farmer’s place. A building Committee consisting of Wilson Smith, Andy Creech and Everett Farmer is appointed.
November, 1939 The church adopted the following resolution:
“We, the Missionary Baptist Church of Christ at Cressmont never met at this meeting time because our beloved pastor was stricken with paralyses of which he never did recover. Brother James Botner had served us as Pastor for five years and he put forth all of his effort with •the greatest of faith to strengthen us and build up the Kingdom work around the Stone Coal Church. And, how we do miss our beloved pastor and mourn his loss. It was always an inspiration to set under his great counsel and hear him demonstrate the word of God. We the Missionary Baptist Church of Stone Coal feel that we have lost one of our great Baptist leaders from amongst us, and his family a loving Christian Father and we are made to wonder who will fill his place but, God saw fit to take Brother Jim home to Heaven. We now submit to God’s will knowing our loss is Heaven’s gain....”
The church was without a pastor for sometime and no minutes were kept of the business meetings. Sam Hogan served as Pastor for awhile and John Gilbert was called in 1942 as Pastor.
October, 1944 Ray Brandenburg elected Clerk.
November, 1944 Half-Time preaching held.
January, 1945 Church instructed Clerk to write members encouraging attendance.
April, 1945 110 attended services.
August, 1945 A presbytery was called for the purpose of ordaining Ray Brandenburg, Layton Spivey. Members of the Presbytery were E. R. Sams and F. I Waters(Walters).
October,1945 Church voted to send 10% to the Mission Board each four months.
March, 1946 Committee appointed to value the Old Orchard Church and to sell the building to Robert Gentry. This was a mission to Stone Coal. Members of the Committee were: Andy Creech, Luther Brandenburg, Dave Brandenburg, Sid Webb, S. P. Farmer and Ray Brandenburg.
April, 1946 Committee recommended the property be sold for $150
May, 1946 Brother Sasser, Moderator
August, 1947 E. R. Sams, Moderator
May, 1949 John Bass, Moderator, Ralph Clem, Clerk and Treasurer
January, 1951 James Smith, Pastor; Coleman Brandenburg, Clerk.
September, 1952 W. E. Sears, Pastor
November, 1953 Tom Barrett, Clerk