Antioch West Baptist Church - Butler Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thu, 12 Nov 1998 13:16:06 EST Antioch West Baptist Church - Butler Co., AL The following is an excerpt from Rev. J. W. Joyner's book, A History of the Baptists in Butler County ( 1819-1957). Surnames have been capitolized for easier visualization. Mildred Stinson Brown Gatesville, Texas ------------------------------------ ANTIOCH WEST BAPTIST CHURCH This is one of the oldest churches in the Butler Association. A sign over the door of the church building says "Organized in the year 1852." The writer has not been able to find the old records of the church, but in an old minute of the Bethlehem Association of 1880 it says that John STANFORD went as a messenger to the Association from this church. My father, Rev. W. H. Joyner, was past of this church for a number of years when I was just a boy. W. T. FAIRCLOTH, who lived near the church, was one of the leading members, and his wife was a first cousin of my father. In 1894 I went with my father to this church wen they had their revivals, Large crowds attended and the church was looked upon as a tower of strength. Some of the leading members of this church were the STANFORDs, FUSSELLs, MATTHEWS, THOMASes, and GRIFFINs. Rev. M. C. GRIFFIN, who is now clerk and treasurer of the Butler Association, was brought up in this community, joined this church when a boy, and was ordained a minister there. This is one of the churches referred to in another chapter as being affected by "economic changes." The church is located three miles west of Bolling. When it was organized, in 1852, it was located about two miles southeast of the present location. The resident membership at present is ninety-two; non-resident, thirty-two; total membership is one hundred and twenty-four. The present pastor is Rev. J. J. CAMP, Weogulfka, Alabama.