A HISTORY OF BIG SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH

1884-1984

The winter wheat was green and growing, birds sang of the coming spring. Big Spring, Kentucky, was a busy little community with a population of two hundred. It's residents were excited about the approaching spring. The town was blessed with the presence of two physicians and one druggist. Other storekeepers included blacksmiths and jewelers, as well as owners of a general store, a furniture store, and a flour mill. The Big Spring Hotel was a favorite stopping place for those who came to observe the harness races, the track was just outside of the town.

That winter the Baptists in the community had been discussing the possibility of organizing a Baptist church. The initial name mentioned for the new church was United Baptist Church of Christ; the name finally decided upon was West Big Spring Baptist Church. Thus, on 23 March 1884 members of various churches in the community came together as a council and organized West Big Spring Baptist Church. The Council included several members of Hill Grove Baptist Church and others from Buck Grove Baptist Church, New Salem Baptist Church, Bewleyville Baptist Church and New Highland Baptist Church.

Their names were-(Hill Grove Baptist Church) S. R. Wrather, J.F. Williams, E. A. Smith, C. B. Sefoes, Wm. Board, R. Willit Sr., G. W. Smith, (Buck Grove Baptist Church) R. S. Dowell; (New Salem Baptist Church) B. G. Saunders; (Bewleyville Baptist Church) J. W. Albright, G. Paul; (New Highland Baptist Church) R. S. Able.

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The first order of business after the church was organized was calling a pastor. Bro. J. W. Albright was elected as the first pastor of the West Big Spring Baptist Church. First deacons elected by the church were A. H. Miller and John Tabor. It was decided that the meetings would be held on the third Saturday and Sunday of the month; services would begin at 11:00 both on Saturday and Sunday. On 19 April 1884 the motion was made and carried that a church building 36 feet wide and 50 feet long with 14 foot ceilings would be erected.

On 17 May 1884 a pulpit Bible was given to the church by Mrs. Ben Dowell. By 18 October 1884 the outside of the church building had been completed and was ready to be painted. The first pastor's term was very brief--short stays were typical of many other pastors at West Big Spring through the years. On 3 January 1885 Bro. Albright resigned and J. J. Willet was called as pastor for the coming year. Rev. Willet was elected as pastor for the coming year on 15 May 1886; he resigned the following May. On 18 June 1887 Elder R. C. Kimble was called as pastor; he would be available for the first meeting on 16 July 1887. A highlight that occured four years after the organization of West Big Spring Baptist Church was the election and ordination of two deacsons. The two deacons elected were J. A. Taber and Gus Dowell.

Bro. B. F. Hagen and Elder R. C. Kimball were invited to assist in the ordination service. Other churches invited to participate in the ordination council were Bewleyville, Hill Grove, and New Salem Baptist Churches.

The dedication of the church building was celebrated on the fifth Sunday of December 1889. Even though no mention had been made in the

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church's minutes of how funds were raised to pay for the building at the dedication service it was noted that the building was debt free. In the month after the dedication of the building Rev. R. C. Kimball resigned as pastor of West Big Spring Baptist Church. There followed several months in which no meetings were held. On 18 July 1890 the church voted to call Bro. Kimball again as pastor- -he deferred to answer the call until the following meeting. On 19 August the church voted to pay the paster $100.00 for the coming year and at that time the pastor accepted the call. Bro. Kimball continued as pastor until 14 March 1891, when he submitted his resignation. From April until July, Bro. J. D. Dunkin served ten~.porarily in the absence of a pastor. On 5 December 1891 the church voted to call Tom Robertson as pastor. He served till 3 September 1892, when he resigned. The church voted to pay Bro. Robertson for preaching. Apparently they had been unable or unwilling to pay the preacher at that point.

During the next few months the church continued to meet and selected several individuals as pastors, but none of those who were called was willing to accept. Finally, on 13 May 1893, Bro. E. W. Barnett accepted the call as pastor. Several other pastors served through the next few years. On 14 April 1900, H. East accepted the church's call, taking a salary of $120.00 a year. A highlight of that year was a protracted meeting to begin the third Sunday in August with Bro. Montgomery Dehalf. During August of that year a motion was made to invite the Association to meet at West Big Spring Baptist Church on the following year. Delegates to the Association were elected and included Bros. John Taher, John Richardson, A. H. Miller, James Humpreys, Jas Taber, Johnnie Richardson and Guff Tabor.

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During the 20 October meeting the delegates reported to tile church tilat the Association would meet at West Big Spring Baptist Church the following year. In the November meeting a motion was made and seconded that the church require five cents (5_) from each member for the tent that would be used by the Associational Board. Jas Taber was to oversee the collection frown each church member.

On 16 February 1901 a motion was made that the church take a public collection for the benefit of the Baptist church at Galveston, Texas. Presumably this was result of damage done from a hurricane in the Galveston area. In April of that year a committee was appointed to search for a new pastor. After a failed attempt to call Bro. Partee, Jim Willet was called as pastor on 20 July 1901. Often in the meetings they would begin by inquiring about the peace of the church--if all members were at peace they would proceed with other items of business. If all members present were not at peace committees were appointed to go and talk individually with the discontented. If the issue could not be resolved members were sometimes excluded from the church.

On 17 May 1902 the record notes that a member was excluded at his own request. On 15 July 1903 the record indicates that a motion was made to forgive a certain brother because he had been dancing and church members were instructed to pray for him. On 17 October 1903 one item of business dealt with a sexton being appointed to take care of the church. There was no meeting in December of that year and then in January 1904 a motion was made to appoint a committee to raise money to pay the sexton. Then, in June 1904, the committee reported back that they had raised forty- five cents for the sexton. On 20 August they paid the sexton four dollars and fifteen cents. During that same period Bro. J. J. Willet

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accepted the call of the church and indicated that his salary would need to be $10.00 per month. On 19 November 1904 the church passed a motion to sanction Jim Tabor to petition to get whiskey out of Big Spring and the motion carried unanimously. The church was involved at various times with the needs of other churches. For example, on 23 December 1905 the church voted that Bro. Minter be appointed to help build a church at Constantine. In that year the church also dropped the use of "West" from it's name and became known as the Big Spring Baptist Church.

The minutes of church activities from 1913 through 1922 have been lost. Asrecorded in the annuals of the Salem Association the following individuals served as pastors during that period: W. S. Shipp, H. S. English, C. E. Hamric, J. W. McGarock, J. J. Hutchinson. Bro Shipp also served as a missionary for the Salem District Mission Board and gave the following report at the Board meeting at Big Spring Baptist Church 29 October 1915. This report was in the Salem Annual for 1916.

"On Monday night after the Association, we began a meeting at Big Spring, which continued for ten days and nights. There was some interest, but no professions of faith. We think the church was strengthened by the work done at this time. We think the church will be ready for self support by first of January. The two appointments for September and October have been filled and some visiting done."

THE DEPRESSION AND

BEYOND

The next book of minutes of the Big Spring Baptist Church covers the period of 4 June 1922 through 4 August 1957. Big Spring Baptist Church continued to meet on a monthly basis. Their emphasis included at least one protracted meeting each year which was usually accomplished when the church had a pastor. The meeting on 1 August 1925 indicated that there was no pastor. A Bro. Hammack preached from that date until

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17 September 1927, when the minutes indicate he was called as pastor. Another activity to which the church was committed was sending appointed delegates to the district mission board meetings of the Association. At times they indicated that they did not have enough money to support the board's work, but they would often reimburse individual members who had paid money to the board from their own pocket.

The care of the church itself often became an item of concern. On 20 October 1928 one of the items of business called for a motion and second to get locks put on the doors of the church. Funds continued to be an area of difficulty.- In November 1934, after calling Rev. Joe Claycomb as new pastor, the church appointed a member to see how much money the members would promise for the pastor's salary in the coming year. We may presume that they were able to raise some money, because the next entry into the record of minutes (in August 1936) indicated that the church meeting was called to order after a sermon by Bro. Joe Claycomb. They also indicated that there were no minutes of previous meetings to be read.

In 1936, one of the items of business dealt with raising funds to roof the church. One meeting indicated that the shingles taken off of the church were to be sold for whatever could be gotten for them. This was apparently the time at-which the metal roof was put on the church building. The amount obtained by the church member in charge of selling the shingles off of the church, Bro. Claud Borders, came to $4.50. Apparently the drive to raise money to cover the roof of the church was very successful. An item of business on 14 November 1936 indicated that the remainder of the money that had been rationed , pay for the roof would

be used to repair the sidewalk at the church 23 November 1836
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new deacons were ordained at the Big Spring Baptist Church: Clemmie Farrow, Daniel Compton, and Claud Borders.

In 1937 the church voted to purchase pests and fix the bell as soon as weather permitted. In the October 1937 r.meeting the church voted to call Bro. F. W. Martin as pastor for one year, paying him $5.00 per month and requesting that the District Mission Board also provide $5.00 per month. The Board agreed to this financial supplement and met with the

church on 30 October.

The 15 May 1938 business session indicated that there were only a few members present to act on the business at hand. The motion was made that business meetings and Saturday services be eliminated, with the business meeting being held after the regular preaching service on Sunday. In 1938 the Board was still providing financial support to the church. They had agreed to pay $4.00 per month on the pastor's salary, with the provision made that they would do so "when they have any money in the treasure." Also in November 1938, a motion was made and seconded that the church would elect someone to clean the church and ring the bell --Ida Condor was elected as sexton. "We are to pay her twenty-five cents for cleaning the church and fifteen cents each Sunday she rings the bell and builds the fire." In March 1939 the church voted in business session to paint the church. A committee was established to see that money was

raised to buy the paint.

In following business meetings the ladies that were appointed to the committee were released one by one as they turned in the money which they had raised for the buying of the paint for the church. "Motion was made and seconded that we dismiss Mrs. Nall from committee for money to paint church, she having turned in $20.50." In July that same year

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another member was released from the committee having turned in $16.75. By August 1939 the financial situation had apparently improved and the church voted not to ask the Board for financial help during the coming year.

Nineteen thirty-eight began a period during which a pastor, Brother D. V. Keys, remained at the church for several years. He was called as pastor in October 1938 and resigned in March 1943. During the period of 1941-42 much discussion occurred concerning the starting of a Sunday School. On 25 April 1942 an item of business indicated the starting of a Sunday School had been discussed but no satisfactory plan was reached. In May 1942 the church elected Miss Irene Miller as Superintendent for the Sunday School. In August 1942 the pastor gave a report which reflects the financial condition of the Salem Association: "After a sermon by the pastor, Bro. D. V. Keys, we began our business meeting with Bro. Keys as moderator. Bro. Keys told of his attendance (1 day) at the Salem Association meeting on Wednesday and Thursday with the New Highland Baptist Church. He made a report. (We can proudly say that we had Bro. Keys salary paid in full, to date.) He tells us the Board is yet helping a lot of the weaker churches. Large crowds attended." Another item of business in that same meeting indicates that Bro. Keys, pastor of Big Spring Baptist Church, was also active in conducting Revivals in the community. "Motion was made and seconded that we hold a Revival meeting sometime soon (in the near future) question is whether to have it in church house or Bro. Keys Gospel Tent. (Decide later)." Rev. Keys resigned in March 1943. In July 1943 the church voted to invite the Women's Missionary Union to hold meetings in Big Spring Baptist Church.

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The Women's Missionary Society at the Big Spring Baptist Church was organized 23 October 1947.* The organizational meeting was assisted by members of the Buck Grove Baptist Church. Officers elected for the new organization (through the coming year of 1948) were Mrs. Paul Johnson, President; Mrs. Arnold Drake, Vice-President; Mrs. Lester Lockard, Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. Martin Miller, Community Missions Chairman; Mrs. George Prather, Chairman of work with young people; and Mrs. Frank Hilf, Mission Studies Chairman. The members enrolled in the organization 1947 were Mrs. Lillian Dowell, Mrs. J. B. Norris, Mrs. Arnold Drake, Mrs. George Prather, Mrs. Frank Hilf, Mrs. Martin Miller, Mrs. Lester Lockard, Mrs. Luther Miller, Mrs. Milburn Thornhill, and Mrs. Lannie Poole.

The first regular meeting of the group was held in the home of Cora Johnson 6 November 1947--nine members were present and one visitor. The community missions report for November of that year indicated the type of activities in which the group would be very active in the years ahead. They indicated that they had visited a lady in the community who was confined to her bed-- they had made some clothes for the individual and also had taken in food and had a prayer meeting before leaving. The group continued to be very supportive of individuals in the community who had special needs through the years. The group has consistently sent cards to the ill in the community, whether they were at home or in hospitals.

*The 1922 Salem Association Annual includes a Women's Missionary Union on the Big Spring letter with thirty-six members. Mrs. J. V. Norris is listed as President of the WMU in 1924. No record of this organization is found in the church minutes from 1922 until after the 1947 date.

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A significant activity in which the Big Spring Baptist Church W.M.U. became involved centered around a celebration in the Big Spring Community that became known as "Down Home Days." Under new business at the W.M.U. meeting on 7 March 1974 the following was recorded: "Project for the Centennial to be held in Big Spring sometime in June was discussed. Eva Mae donated a quilt top. Missionary women are to quilt it and sell it that day. Ruby has a quilt to be quilted and will pay the women to do it. Decided to sell food at the Centennial one day." By the meeting of 9 May 1974 the group had made a commitment to sell food on both days of the Centennial which was to be held in Big Spring 1-2 June. The report for June 1974 included the profits from the Centennial celebration, $498.15. This money became the seed money for project which the W.M.U. discussed: providing restrooms for the Big Spring Baptist Church. That beginning became a yearly activity for the women of the Big Spring W.M.U,--feeding the community with the money going toward the project of adding restrooms for the church. The minutes for 11 April 1974 give an indication of the type of commitment the women of the Big Spring W.M.U. had in the community. It indicated that the Missionary Women had worked at Brandenburg for one day helping tornado victims. Big Spring community sent groceries amounting to about $150.00, as well as clothes.

Scattered throughout the brief minutes of the group are other indications of the attempt of the W.M.U. to assist families in the community who had suffered losses of homes and household items in fires and natural disasters.

In March 1944 they called a special business meeting to discuss the repair of the ceiling of the church. A motion Lad been made in

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February to begin collecting money for the repair. The motion was "That we take all our money (W.M.U., (Moorman Day Money,) and balance left from painting church, and help put on the ceiling material)." Mrs. Paul Johnson was instructed to order the materials for the repair of the ceiling. They also discussed and provided for the nailing down of the roof of the church. If any money was left over they were to explore the possibility of wiring the church. In April 1944, while the church was being repaired, they were invited to meet in the Big Spring Methodist church for their services. The cooperation of Big Spring Baptist Church and the Methodist churches in the area dates back a good way and continues to the present. In August 1944 the church voted to express appreciation to Mrs. Lillian Dowell who had donated money to buy a Communion set and the collection plates. These were donated in the memory of the late W. P. Dowell.

In 1945 a motion was made and seconded that the church would start a "Birthday offering" for the Orphans Home. The pastor volunteered to get a box in which the offering would be collected. Use of the birthday offering has continued down to the present time. The first insurance purchased on the building was mentioned on 28 October 1945, insuring the building for $1500.00 at a cost of $20.40 per year. The salary for the pastor in October 1945 was $15.00 per Sunday for two Sundays per month. They were hoping for the possibility of having a service also on another Sunday. A constant item of business from the very beginning of the organization of the church has been the need to provide for the repair of the road from Big Spring out to the church. On 24 March 1946 the minutes record that Mr. Johnson paid Sam Brown $74.10 for hauling gravel for the repair of the road.

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In April 1946 the first mention of the Cooperative Program was made: "Bro. Stone handed out booklets on "The Baptist Cooperative Program". The church was requested to donate 10% of their funds to the State Mission Board. By 1948 the salary of the pastors had risen to $40.00 per month. The pastor called at this time, Percy Magee, was a student at the Seminary. The church continued to be active in the work of the Association--they voted to send $6.00 for twelve copies of the minutes in 1948. In that same meeting they voted to put together Rev. Magee's salary for the month with Revival money--to be paid in a lump sum of $216.48.

In the 5 December 1948 meeting the church discussed whether to have a motion picture of a Christian nature shown in the church in the near future; the motion was not carried. They did vote to have a"little program and Christmas tree at church on the third Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock." On 26 February 1949 the church voted to give one tenth of all collections to help pay the expenses of Bro. Harold Marsh, a missionary in the Salem Association. The comment with that item was "for his great work that he is performing." The next item of business in that session included an admonition that each member be asked to increase their gifts to the church.

On 13 November 1949 the church voted to call Bro. Paul Kalb as pastor, and for the first time the call was extended as an unlimited call. The vote was unanimous that such a call be extended. On 2 April 1950 the church voted to have a revival during the first two weeks of August of that year. Along with the revival they would schedule their Vacation Bible School to meet during the first week in the afternoons. Another activity that the church has had a great deal of interest in over the

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years has been that of the Baptist cemetery adjacent to the
church. The land for the cemetery was donated by the Meaders family and its
care is provided for in a separate "cemetery fund". Ordination services
for deacons continued to be a significant part of the church life. On
4 November 1951 an ordination service was held for George F. Kaelin
and Shermon Thornhill. Participating in the service were deacons and
pastors from New Salem, Grandview, and Constantine churches.

Somewhere along the way the church had stopped using wood for heating the building and had switched to coal. On 3 September 1952 the church voted to order two tons of coal for the church. In the following meeting in March the church voted to order two tons of coal for the church. In the following meeting in March the church voted to hire a sexton to build the fires in the church, the amount to be paid for building the fires was forty cents. The burden of paying the salary would be shared, with the Sunday School paying one-half and the church paying one-half.

On 8 April 1953 the church treasurer, who at that time was George Kaelin, was voted to also function as treasurer of the Sunday School. Items necessary for the Sunday School would be bought out of the Sunday School money. In May 1953 the church bought-one ton of coal at a cost of $14.75. In the summer of 1954 the church voted to begin having Training Union, this under the leadership of Bro. J. H. Ball, who had been called as pastor in October 1953. In the July meeting of that year they voted to begin full time services at Big Spring Baptist Church. By October of that year Bro. Ball had been dismissed and the church had voted to go back to a part-time basis.

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The next three years saw three pastors-Bro. Stacker, Bro. Gilbert and Henry McInnis, who was elected pastor in 1957. On 3 November 1957 a business meeting was conducted under the direction of Bro. McInnis as moderator. A motion was made and seconded and carried that the church business meeting be held after preaching services on the first Sunday night of each month. A discussion was held concerning how much the church should give for the Associational Missionary home and a committee appointed to work out a plan. They also discussed having a Cemetery Fund and a committee was appointed to work that out. The church clerk, Mrs. Wayne Jackson, gave Bro. McInnis a letter that she had received inviting the Big Spring Baptist Church to bring as many boys as they could to an Royal Ambassador conclave at Ekron Chruch Wednesday night, November 6th. There was some discussion about getting the boys interested in R.A.'s and trying to organize a group in the church. The following month the Cemetery committee was appointed, the committee was Paul Johnson, George Kaelin, Tula Kaelin, and Edith Lockard.

Two business meetings later the church voted to give $12.00 toward the new addition on the Missionary's home. The cemetery committee reported and recommended that each immediate family be asked to pay $3.00 per year for clean up and up-keep of the cemetery, and $2.50 for each grave. The following month the cemetery committee indicated that they would be typing up a letter that would be mailed out to individuals as soon as possible. In the 2 March 1958 meeting they voted to have a Bible School that summer. Teachers and staff were appointed for the Bible School, no date was set. At the next meeting a date was set for the Bible School. It would begin 21 July and run through the 25th. They also voted to have a revival which would begin 3 August and run through the 10th.

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On 4 May 1958 a motion was made and seconded that a census be taken of the community for the purpose of reaching the unsaved and building up our Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. The time set was 8 June. They also voted to take down a fence along the front of the parking lot and to put gravel on the parking lot. The following business meeting they voted to pay George Kaelin $185.00 beginning 1 April 1958 running through 1 April 1959 to take down the fences and keep the cemetery mowed--the motion was accepted. Immediately following the June 1958 business meeting minutes was a note concerning a marriage conducted by Rev. Henry McInnis on Friday night, 27 June 1958, between Miss Beverly Neff and Mr. Wayne Cundiff.

On 20 July 1958 there was a motion made and passed that a permanent stand for the church bell be built and that the bell be repaired. The money to pay for the project would be taken out of the church treasury. In the October 1958 meeting, motion was made and seconded to buy one load of fine gravel to make a walkway from the parking lot to the church door before bad weather set in. The church also voted to erect a bulletin board in front of the church; the church was to furnish the material for Mr. Kaelin to construct the bulletin board. The business meeting for 21 April 1959 was called to order by Mr. Paul Johnson, moderator. Apparently the pastor had resigned in the interim. In the 26 May 1959 meeting the church noted that they had agreed to try another preacher on the fifth Sunday if one were available. They further agreed that the dates of the Vacation Bible School would be decided on by the W.M.U. at the June meeting. They also took note that Cora Johnson would be elected church clerk, taking the place of Mrs. Wayne Jackson who was moving to California. By the 5 July meeting of 1959 Bro. Armbrister had

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been called as pastor. In the July business meeting they voted to call off Vactation Bible School and set the time for the revival as 17-23 August.

The church voted on 2 August 1959 to request that Bro. Armbrister's home church in Bluefield, West Virginia provide ordination into the ministry for the pastor. On 11 May 1960 the church met in business meeting for the purpose of calling a new pastor.

A secret vote was taken and the vote was unanimous that a new pastor be called. Cora Johnson was instructed to write Bro. Joseph Stiles, field director for the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and have him send a new preacher. On 21 June 1961 a business meeting was held and it was noted that it was the first business meeting since 10 August 1960. In the interim Bro. Humphrey had been called as pastor. They voted for the Sunday School to go to the Falls of the Rough River Dam for a Sunday School picnic on the first Sunday in July. They agreed to have church on the fourth Sunday in July so Bro. Humphrey could go to his father-in-law's church on the third Sunday to conduct the preaching services. They voted to change the time for Sunday School and church services from slow time to fast time, Sunday School to meet at 10:00 and church at 11:00.

On 30 July 1961 they voted to request that Bro. Taylor come and preach their revival, 14-24 August. Apparently the requested minister could not come because in the 23 August business meeting a motion was made and seconded to extend our appreciation to Rev. Clyde Tilly for the wonderful message he brought each night. On 6 September 1961 they held a Wednesday night business meeting after Prayer Meeting the purpose of the meeting was for the calling of our pastor back or a new bone.

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Paul Johnson acted as moderator, a vote was taken and the majority was in favor of calling Bro. Humphrey back, "if he would accept the call and the rules the church asked for." A motion was made and seconded carried that the church pay three dollars a trip to the pastor when the church requested his service beyond the regular call of duty and that our church will have first call on his services at all time.

On Wednesday night 29 November 1961 the church was called to order and they listed the requirements and duties for the pastor:

1. Expected to preach four sermons a month (once in the morning and once in the evening on the first and third Sundays of the month.)

2. Visit people throughout the community especially during revivals.

3. Conduct a business meeting the first Sunday of each month following each evening service.

4. Our church should have first call on all the pastor's services.

5. Pay not to exceed $20.00 per Sunday except by agreement of the church.

6. Communion service to be held the first Sunday of each quarter.

The next business meeting is dated 15 April 1962 the business meeting is held under the direction of Bro. Jim Richardson, pastor, as moderator. The minutes indicate that he was a Southern Baptist Seminary student at the time. At the business meeting the following month, a time for Vacation Bible School was discussed and set for 6-10 August with the pastor serving as principal. A revival would begin on 13 August and continue through the 26th, Bro. Richardson would preach the first week and Bro. Jack Goodwin the second week of the revival. The church also voted to erect a building for tools and coal.

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On 3 June 1962, the church voted to observe Sunday the 24th as a time to give 50% of the offering to the cooperative program. At the following Business Meeting, it was decided that the building for coal and tools would be '3 x 12 feet with an estimated cost of $140.00. It was also voted to take out the security light in front of the church.

On 5 May 1963 the church accepted the resignation of Brother Richardson to become effective 1 June 1963. He had been called as pastor of the Powereville Baptist Church in Kentucky. During May Brother Richardson was appointed to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Kansas City as a delegate from Big Spring Baptist Church. The church extended a call in September of 1963 to Tyson Rogers. He did not accept and on 23 October Brother William L. Conley was called as pastor. The pastor's salary would be $15.00 each Sunday to be paid once a month.

On 4 December 1963 the Sunday School reported an average attendance of 40. At the December meeting, a building program was discussed. The church voted for Mr. Kaelin to build a small model church to hold donations made to the building fund. They also voted to hold an ordination ceremony for Brother Conley on 12 January 1964. Brother Conley had been licensed to preach by the Muldraugh Baptist Church on 13 June 1962. The ordaining council for Brother Conley consisted of Reverend Felix Montgomery, pastor of Muldraugh Baptist Church; Reverend Blane Tucker, pastor of Payneville Baptist Church; Reverend Ray Batemon, pastor of Buckgrove and Salem Association moderator; Mr. Jack Simmons, Associational Sunday School Director; Mr. W. E. Watts, deacon of Muldraugh Church Mr. Sylvester Ferrell, deacon of Muldraugh Church; Mr. Paul Johnson, chairman of deacons, Big Spring Baptist Church; Mr. George Kaelin, deacon of Big Spring Baptist Church. Brother W.,E. Watts

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gave the invocation, Reverend Felix Montgomery preached ordination sermon, Reverend Blane Tucker gave the charge to the candidate and Reverend Ray Bateman gave the charge to the church and the dedicatory prayer. Brother Paul Johnson and Brother George Kaelin presented the Bible from Big Spring Baptist Church to Brother Conley. After the laying on of hands by the ministers and deacons, the benediction was given by Brother Conley.

On 12 February 1964 there was a discussion of Christian Education Advance. The program was explained by Brother Conley. Big Spring Baptist Church was asked to give $954.84 in a four year period. A further item of business at that meeting involved the need to pay the fire insurance of $15.00. The church requested Mr. Kaelin to see about a higher amount of insurance coverage for 1964. The amount of coverage at that time was $2500.00. It was noted in the 18 March business meeting that the pastor's salary was $100.00 per month and the janitor's salary $6.00 per month. Sunday school literature was to be $7.00 per month. $4.00 per month was to be set aside for operation of the Church. $9.00 per month for building and equipment, lights and insurance. $20.00 per month was to go to the building fund. A miscellaneous item was to be $15.00 per month. The budget was approved item by item.

In April an Easter Sunrise Service was scheduled to be held at 6:30AM. A motion was made, seconded and passed to designate $20.00 of Cooperative Program monies for the next two months to the West Point Church for flood damage. A committee was appointed to canvas the church members about the building program; "Whether to remodel or build a new Church". A report was to be given at the next business meeting.

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At the following business meeting on 30 April 1964 a committee was appointed to make an estimate of what it would cost to remodel the church and build Sunday school rooms. Members on that committee were Brothers Kaelin, Bowers, Hilf, Neff, Johnson, Miller and Daniels. The committee was to meet during the first week of May to draw plans to present to the Church on Wednesday, May 6th. The committee was to contact construction firms for estimates on remodeling the present building. The building committee's report was accepted at the business meeting on 6 May 1964.

In May of 1964 the Sunday school had an enrollment of 73 with an average attendance of 69. In July a training union was organized with 11 intermediates enrolled. Brother Bowers was the leader. Brother Bernard was to lead the junior group. The building committee reported that an estimate of cost would be presented at a special business meeting July 15th. The work that was to be bid upon included the following: level floor, pull building together, put stone-effect metal siding around outside of lower part, lower light fixtures and ceiling. A motion was made and seconded and passed that the listed work be done.

At the special business meeting on 15 July 1964, the following bids were received for remodeling on the church building: Walter Compton $765.00 plus $234.00 for ceiling work for a total of $999.00. Charles Bernard $1,000.00 for the entire bid. Motion made, seconded and passed to award Mr. Bernard the work of remodeling the church building.

In August of 1964 the Sunday school had an enrollment of 74 and an average attendance of 66. The offering for the month was $167.98. Total contacts 33. New enrollment 3. The training union had an enrollment of 25 with an average attendance of 20. The W.M.U. reported that they donated $28.00 from a Stanley Party for the building fund.

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At the 9 September 1964 meeting, Or. Bowers, Mr. Neff and Mr. Kaelin were appointed to serve as the building committee. Each window donated to the church will be $50.00 per window with a name on the window. The bids that were received for installing heating units in the church building: Berkheart Heating $950.00, Radcliffe Plumbing and heating $1060.00. The building committee voted to accept the bid of Berkheart Heating for $950.00. A motion was made seconded and passed for the church to borrow $2,000.00 from the Farmer's Bank of Vine Grove, Kentucky, to complete the remodeling of the church building.

In the 7 October 1964 remeeting, the church voted to draw numbers to decide the location in the church of the donated stained glass windows.

At the 13 December 1964 meeting, the church voted to license Brother Hampton to preach the gospel.

On l0 February 1965, it was noted that Brother Conley would be retiring from the Armed Services May 31st and will be looking for a full- time pastoral. A called business meeting was announced for 17 February' at 7:30 PM at the Church to decide about going full-time. At the called business meeting on 17 February, the Church indicated that they were financially unable to increase the-minister's salary at that time. They indicated they would have to consider releasing him to seek another church. A motion was made, seconded and passed to pay Brother Conley $20.00 per Sunday when he would preach and pay a supply $20.00 when Brother Conley was away. On l0 March 1965 they revised that amount to $25.00 per Sunday.

On 5 May 1965 the Church voted to write the Christian Ed,.location Advance and indicate that due to the Church's financial condition the

22
donations to the CEA fund would cease until further notice.

On 30 June 1965 the Church discussed whether to call Brother Candy as Pastor. They decided to have Brother Stephenson come back again. The Church again indicated what it expected of a pastor.

(1) Take interest in children and young folks.

(2) Visit aged and sick regardless of denomination.

(3) Helping Bible School and Revival.

(4) Be available when needed anytime in case of sickness or other needs.

On 7 July 1965 they indicated that Sunday School enrollment was 87 with an average attendance of 54.

On 4 August 1965 "an overwhelming majority voted to call Brother Takahiro Que"(a 22 year old Japanese from Vine Grove Baptist Church). They also voted to take a free will offering for Jack S-.Mr.~ons in appreciation for his help as principal of the vacation bible school. They also voted not to have church service Sunday, August 8, as everyone was attending our neighboring Methodist church service.

On 6 October 1965 the church voted that the building committee would draw tip plans for Sunday school rooms. They also voted to use $i00.00 from the church treasury to build the rooms. At the following business meeting, they accepted plans from the building committee that there would be three Sunday school rooms.

At the Business Meeting of 5 January 1966 the minutes note that Mr. & Mrs. Neff went to see Mr. & Mrs. Martin about ground offered to the Church.

At the 6 April 1966 business meeting, it was indicated that insurance on the building had been raised to $15,000 at $6.00 per thousand. At that business meeting, the church also voted to try a

23
church council consisting of pastor, deacon, Sunday school superintendent music director, and W.M.U. president.

On 8 June 1966 it was indicated in the business meetings that $80.00 earned by the W.M.S. would need to be turned over to the building committee in order to finish the floors of the Sunday school rooms.

At the 6 July 1966 business meeting, the church voted that they would start having night services on Sunday July 17th beginning at 7:30PM.

In August of 1966 the church voted to call the pastor for an indefinite period. A yearly meeting would be held to discuss progress. A motion was then made and passed to call Brother Takahiro Que as pastor for an indefinite period.

At a called meeting on 21 September 1966 it was indicated that the church voted to give $35.00 to Mr. & Mrs. Simmons in appreciation of their help during Vacation Bible School.

The church voted in October to request Josie Dowell to turn on the heat Sunday mornings. The pay would be the same as for the previous year. The church agreed to give Brother Takahiro Que permission to attend prayer meeting in Louisville on Wednesday nights instead of making the trip down to Big Spring.

In November the Sunday School reported an enrollment of 85 with an average attendance of 62.

At the 5 April 1967 meeting Brother Kaelin reported that the church debt had been paid off.

On 30 August 1967 the church discussed calling a pastor. It indicated Brother Takahiro Quewould be leaving in September. A pulpit committee was appointed at the 6 September 1967 meeting. The project of

24
erecting the church bell was discussed, everything was ready except for the concrete. The church agreed to buy ready mix concrete. Immediately following the regular service on 24 September 1967 the church voted unanimously to send WHAS Crusade for Children a check for $25.00. The intermediates of the church also sent $10.00 to WHAS Crusade.

On 11 October 1967 Mrs. Rudy Mcatee requested the church to pay the postage for boxes that the W.M.U. was preparing to send to the boys in Viet Nam. Mr. James L. Neff moved that the church do this to send the things to Viet Nam. The motion was seconed and passed.

In November 1967 Brother Roy Miller accepted the call to be the pastor of the church. The salery for the pastor was $125.00 a month. Preaching services would include every Sunday morning and night.

At the 21 January 1968 business meeting a commitee was appointed to investigate the ground that Mr. Carl Martin had offered to the church for purpose of extension. Brother Miller appointed the following to be on the committee: James L. Neff, George Kaelin, Ruby Mcatee, and Roy Barnes.

On 25 February 1968 Brothers Ernie Carmen and Johnny Daniels were both ordaibed as Deacons of the Big Spring Baptist Church.

On 10 April 1968 the building committee reported they had decided to extend the church on the back and divide the rooms with folding doors. The plans were further explained and discussed. Mr. Roy Barnes gave an estimated $4500.00 for the addition.

In May the following item was contained in the business minutes. Margaret Neff explained that the S & H Green Stamp Company gave the church $10,000 S & G green stamps to replace those that were lost in fire. These could be used for purcasing furniture for the church. She

25

requested that these stamps be used to buy chairs for the nursery. Betty Atkins moved that the women contribute these S & H green stamps to supply the church with the needed equipment. The motion was seconded and carried. It was suggested that the W.M.U. sponsor this effort. At that same business meeting, it was reported that the church bell had been erected.

At the 5 June 1968 meeting Brother Miller gave a report on materials for the church to include 43 strips of plywood for the floor for $212.85 and 1,360 sq. feet of tile at a cost of $299.20.

At the 4 September 1968 meeting the building committee reported on a meeting with a representative for a company who would provide church pews. The pews and pulpit came to a total of $1800.00. It was recommended by the building committee that the church explore borrowing money from the Farmer's Bank. The church further directed that they buy 50 extra chairs for the choir and Sunday school rooms. It was voted that Roy Barnes and George Kaelin be permitted to go and borrow that amount of money.

On 12 September 1968, a called business meeting was held. "This was a special meeting to decide where to look for a pastor as well as what age person to try to find." In a continuation of that same meeting, George Kaelin stated that the Farmer's Bank of Vine Grove had required the majority of the five deacons to sign the contract to borrow $2000.00. The bank requested the church to call a business meeting and vote to authorize the deacon's of the church to borrow the $2000.00. The church voted to authorize the deacon's to borrow the money and purchase the new pews.

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YEARS OF

IMPROVEMENT

A Little Country Church

A little Coventry church

with no steeple on its top

Resting beside the pasture green

inviting the linear, to stop

A little country- church

it's history marching for a hundred years.

Rests under shady trees and

remembers the laughter and tears

A little country church

white walls sing the passage of time.

Where children still gather in Bible School

and repeat sweet verses that rhyme.

37

A little country church

Where God's people preached.

And people bow and pray

That others may be reached.

A little country church

where people meet to share

And sing with happy voices

the message that God still cares.

EJR

Dictated February and March 1984

by Ezra J. Richardson

PASTORS

BIG SPRING BAPTIST CHURCH

1884 - 1984

J.W. Albright        March         1884   -   January       1885
J.J. Willet          January       1885   -
R.C. Kimball         June          1837   -
Tom Robertson        December      1891   -   Seotember    1892
E.W. Barnett         May           1893   -
J.M. Street          May           1894   -    Seotember    1895
J.E. Goble           September     1895   -
A.G. Mosley          October       1896   -   April         1898
Bro. Watson          April         1898   -
H. Garnette          September     1898   -
L.B. Parker          May           1899   -
H. East               April         1900   -
Jim Willet           July          1901   -   September     1904
Bro. Jaggers         November      1904   -
B.L. Phariss         July          1906   -
C.E. Scott           June          1908   -   December      1911
John Winchel         February      1911   -   November      1912
W.S. Shipp                                -                 1915
H.S. English                              -                 1917
C.E. Hambric                              -                 1919
J.W. McGarock                             -                 1920
J.J. Hutchinson      June          1922   -   May           1923
Bro. Rivers          October       1923   -   March         1924
Bro. Mullins         March         1924   -
Bro. Pedigrew        October       1924   -
Bro. Morrison        November      1924   -   March         1925
Bro. Beal            April         1925   -
Bro. Hammock                       1926    -                 1931
Bro. Burkhart        April         1933   -
Joe Claycomb         November      1934   -   September    1937
Ered W. Martin       October       1937   -
D.V. Keys            October       1938   -   March         1943
J.C. Stone           April         1943   -   August        1946
Jack Davis           October       1947   -
Percy Maqee          May           1948   -
Paul Kalb            November      1949   -
Lewis Duvall                       1951    -                 1953
J.H. Ball            October       1953   -
Joe Stacker          December      1954   -   April         1955
Larry Gilbert        July          1955   -   May           1957
Elenry McInnis       July          1957   -
David Armbrister                   1959    -   May          1960
R.G. Humohrey                      1960    -                 1961
E. James Richardson  April        1969    -   June         1963
William L. Conley    October      1963    -   June         1965
Takahiro Que         August        1965   -   September     1967
Roy Miller           November      1967   -   August        1968
Lee Gallman          November      1968   -   December      1970
Carl Townsend        February      1971   -
Robert Elliot        August        1971   -
Jim Oliver                         1973    -
John Sylvester       July          1974   -   January       1976
E. James Richardson  March        1976    -   Present