Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1905-05-11
100 YEARS OLD.
Salem Baptist Church Celebrates
is Centennial.
The Oldest Baptist Church in West
ern Kentucky.

Early sunday morning, April 30th.
people from all parts of the surround
ing country began to gather at the
Old Salem church, the only century
plant in this part of the state The
church and community proud of the
distinction, aparcd No effort to com.
memorating the event with appro-
pirate services.
The meeting was called Ia order by
the pastor, Elder 4. q Hughes, aud
X 4. LaRue was elected clerk.
The choir and congregation joined
in singing feclingly, oh. think of
a Home Over There, after which
flder W. r. Gibbs lead in prayer.
The history Of the church, prepared
by Elder j : Henry was then read
by the authoE IA the house aud Elder
T. 4 Conway in the grove The
following brethren then made inter
csting addresses With reference Ia the
history Of the church Bro G.. l..
McGrcW called attention "a the strict
discipline Of the father, and lament
ed d. neglect to-day Bro VIM
Padou touchingly told 81 bis child
hood training here hi. ancestor. all
member. here heard Do, first sermon
here was converted and Joined here
aud learned Co give hi- missions here.
Bro John farri. Joined here IN 1860
and remembers how the fathers took
their iamilic. a. church Ia those
dsys. Bro. Henry Cochran told Of
the great revival 80 YEAR, ago 30
joined the same day Elder Willis
Champion the pastor for 80 year,
Bro John Asobrook told Of the
brothorly love that prevailed in those
days, aud how they lowed the church.
Bro. Charlie CLARK noticed the church
has had only fourteen pastor, IN the
100 YEAR,. and marked the difference
81 the churches to-day Elds. Gibbs
aud Blackburn were glad to have had
the honor Of preaching Ia a church
that has .toA a hundred years. Eld.
J. J Franks told Of Elder Willis
Champion visit, Ia his fathers
home aud feclingly sang one of the
fsyoritc songs 81 those DAYS Roll
on. Roll On Sweet River aud LEI the
Poor Pilgrim go Home Ed. John
Lockhart spoke tcndcrly of his con
version here aud first efforts Ia preach
the gospel. Bros. e. C.. Alsobrook
and j " Woodward rejoice that they
are members to-day of church with
such a history. Bro. Alex Lockhart
pr,1e.scd religion here aud believes
Il Ne had such faith a. our fathers
had souls would be .ayed here to-day
The history of pastors and future
outlook Of the church. was spoken on
by various brethren. Bro. Henry
Cochran rccolloc,s- Whcn Ed. Willis
Champion closed his long pastorate
and recommended as his successor
Elder NJ H. Utley. Elders Bennett
Barnes and Colin Hodge died while
pastors Of this church. Bro. Dell
Robinson rccoIlects great revival in
which there we're near fifty CONVEX
sions, five If when afterward made
faithful preachers of the gospel re-
collects when Elder James Mansfield
organized Gum Spring church from
Salem.
On motion of Elder T. 4, Conway
the Ohio River Association is re-
quested to print the History of the
Church, in its next minutes.
Adjourned with singing, "A Hun
dred Years to Come, and God be
With You Till we Meet Again. The
meeting closed in handshaking, tears
and brotherly love. Bcncdiction by
Elder r. IL Blackburn.
Fie r. A. LARUE.