Randolph County AlArchives Church Records.....The First 50 years of Christiana Baptist Church Copyright Date 1851 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 September 29, 2022, 10:38 pm Township 19, Range 10, Section 18 Randolph County Alabama. Christiana Baptist Church was organized sometime in the 1850's. Possibly 1851. In 1859 Tobias Cockrell, Andrew Taylor and Archibald A. Young all patented land in TS 19, Range 10, Sect 18. It is thought Archibald A. Young gave the land for the Church and Cemetery. The Homecoming/Decoration/Memorial Day is the 4th Sunday in May. The church rival was the 4th week in August, starting on Sunday night and running until Friday night. There is one story about Christiana church that dates many years. During a drought. The corps were dying, the steams were drying up. The members of the church gathered one Saturday morning, formed a circle, joined hands and began to pray. All day they stood there, all at once the sky darken like night, rain began to fall, and fell all night long. Early members of the church were: John Bean & wife [Sarah Thomas] Benjamin Taylor & wife [Mary Gladney] Archibald A. Young & wife [Lucinda Neal] Wm Lott & wife [Elizabeth Taylor] Catherine Neal Tobias Cockrell & wife [Abigail Ferrell] Henry B. Ferrell [Son of Abigail Ferrell-Cockrell] Richard Neal & wife [Julia Bean] W.H. McCollum & wife [Dicey Strickland] Willis H. Taylor & wife John T. Thompson & wife [Minerva McInnish] Wm Harrison Thompson & wife [Missouri A. East] Isaac Marion Thompson & wife [Nancy V. Preston] James H. Taylor & wife [Martha Knight] Thomas T. Thompson & wife [Mary S. Abercrombie] James Thompson & wife [Elizabeth Storey] James Taylor & wife [Basheba Ferrell] James Taylor & wife Rev. John W. Stephens & wife [Esther Ferrell] D. M. Bean & wife [Jane E. Taylor] Mrs. Blair C.C. Dennis & wife [Jane Davis] J.D. Knight & wife [Martha McDonald] Wm C. McDonald & wife [Sarah J. Carter] John H. McDonald & wife [Mary E. Graben] Rev. Henry Clay Knight & wife Newt Davis & wife Lee Davis & wife John R. McKinney & wife [Margaret Stephens] Adeline McKinney Rev. L.P. Hodnett & wife [Nancy E. Hayes] Thomas M. Hayes & wife [Elizabeth Nolen] Samuel B. Ingram & wife [Martha Carter] John Duke & wife Jesse Duke & wife [Fannie Duke] John M. McCollum & wife [Martha Stephens] [2 Tabitha Ferrell] George Parmer & wife [Georgia A. Preston] Vinson Taylor & wife [Haley Duke] Henry East & wife [Missouri Bean] James W. Mitchell & wife [Savannah Moore] Wilson Johnson & wife [Cythnia Freeman] Calvin H. Mason Mark Z. Prestridge & wife [Martha O.C. Hodnett] Wm A.H. Mason & wife [Eugenia Boggs] Felix Ford & wife [Sopfronia Hodnett] George W. Barfield & wife [Ida E. Blake] Wm H. Preston & wife [Lovie W. Rollins] Wm G. Preston & wife [Delania Smith] Andrew J. Preston Elijah W. Cofield & wife [Ida J. Braswell] Andrew J. Taylor & wife [Amanda Knight] James H. Taylor & wife [Martha Latham] J.A. Shaddix, H.C. Knight, T.H. Howle, James D. Jordan, L.P. Hodnett and W.H. Preston in those days were circuit riding preachers. This means a pastor would serve more than one church. He might serve two or more. Preaching at one on the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s and the 2nd and 4th at another. The circuit riding preacher was at Christiana on the 4th Sunday of the month. A licentiate preacher would preach the rest of the time or just once a month, and the other two Sundays would just be Sunday school. Around Civil War Christiana joined the Boiling Spring Baptist Association. The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Christiana Church [Randolph] September 12th, 13th, and 14th 1868 Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: James A. Shaddix, Pastor Bro. Tobias Cockrell, Thomas Thompson, James Thompson and John W. Stephens. Baptized: 1 Dismissed by Death: 1 Members: 59 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Bethsaida Church [Cleburne] Sep 10, 1870, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: Rev. J.A. Shaddix, Pastor Bro. Tobias Cockrell, Thomas Thompson, James Thompson and H.C Knight. Members: 54 1871-1874 Missing. The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Good Hope Church [Clay] Sep 11, 1875, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: Rev. H.C. Knight, Pastor Bro. A.A. Young, John Bean and W.G. Preston. Members: 36 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting Bethlehem Church [Cleburne] Sep 9, 1876, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: T.H. Howle, Pastor T. Thompson, Clerk Bro. A.A. Young, T.T. Thompson and W.G. Preston. Baptized in the past year: 3 Members: 40 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting Christiana Church [Randolph] Sep 8, 1877, Delegates Christiana Baptist Church: T.H. Howle, Pastor T. Thompson, Clerk Bro. A.A. Young, John M. Bean and W.G. Preston. Members: 50 Baptized in the past year: 1 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Bethel Church [Clay] Sep 21, 1878, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: T.H. Howle, Pastor Bro. W. Kidd Clerk and W.G. Preston. Baptized in the past year: 11 Members: 58 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Salt Creek Church [Talladega] Sep 27, 1879, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.D. Jordan, Pastor A.J. Preston, Clerk George Parmer, John Thompson, John McKinney and I.M. Thompson. Baptized in the past year: 1 Members: 54 [Note: In 1882 Rev. James D. Jordan organized a new church called Beulah Baptist in Marshall County AL with help of Rev. S. T. Collier from Clay County AL. A few people from Christiana followed him to Marshall County. Including: W.H. & Dicey McCollum from Randolph County] The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Mount Moriah Church [Clay] September 25, 1880, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.A. Shaddix, Pastor A.J. Preston, Clerk Members: 50 1881 Missing. The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Union Church [Clay] Sep 21, 1882, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.A. Shaddix, Pastor W.H. Taylor, T.T. Thompson, J.R. McKinney and A. Young Baptized in the past year: 6 Members: 38 Dismissed by death: 1 1883 Missing. The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Bethel [Clay] Sep 27, 1884, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.D. Robinson, Pastor W.H. Taylor, T.T. Thompson, J.R. McKinney and G.W. Barfield. Baptized in the past year: 3 Members: 69 Dismissed by death: 1 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Bethlehem Church [Cleburne] Sep 26, 1885, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: H.C. Knight, Pastor J.R. McKinney, Clerk W.H. Taylor, J.T. Thompson and G.W. Barfield. Baptized in the past year: 14 Members: 92 The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Delta Ala Sep 25, 1886, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: H.C. Knight, Pastor G.W. Barfield, Clerk J.T. Thompson, A.J. Taylor, J.D. Knight, J.C. Knight and T.M. Hayes. Baptized in the past year: 32 Members: 110 Dismissed by death: 1 [Note: The Thompson family left Randolph County and moved to Marshall County AL and help start a church called Union Grove, which they gave the land for the cemetery.] 1887-1888 Missing. The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Christiana Church [Randolph] Sep 21, 1889, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.A. Shaddix, Pastor G.W. Barfield, Clerk J.T. Thompson, Henry Taylor and J.D. Knight. Members: 90 1890 Missing. The Boiling Spring Baptist Association Meeting at Union Church [Clay] Sep 21, 1891, Delegates Christiana Baptist Church: W.H. Preston, Pastor Wm P. Newell, Clerk M.Z. Prestidge, Jesse Duke and T.M. Hayes. Baptized in the past year: 1 Members: 86 Dismissed by death: 1 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Mt. Moriah Church [Clay] Oct 18, 1892, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: L.P. Hodnett, Pastor Wm P. Newell, Clerk M.Z. Prestidge, J.F. Duke, H.J. Taylor, T.M. Hayes and J.H. Taylor. Baptized in the past year: 1 Members: 81 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Pleasant Grove [Clay] Oct 17, 1893, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: L.P. Hodnett, Pastor W.T. Hodnett, Clerk W.C. Mason, J.H. Taylor, T.M. Hayes, W.C. McDaniel [McDonald]. Baptized in the past year: 14 Members: 91 Dismissed by death: 1 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Bethsaida Church [Cleburne] Oct 23, 1894, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: L.P. Hodnett, Pastor J.F. Hayes, Clerk J.L. Duke and J.H. Taylor. Baptized in the past year: 14 Members: 117 Dismissed by death: 2 Obit: Brother T.M. Hayes a Deacon at Christiana. The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Mt. Moriah Church [Clay] Oct 18, 1895, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: L.P. Hodnett, Pastor J.F. Hayes, Clerk J.C. Knight, W.T. Hodnett, W.J. Prestridge, J.H. McDaniel [McDonald], S.B. Ingram., J.H. Taylor and W.C. McDaniel [McDonald]. Baptized in the past year: 17 Members: 133 Dismissed by death: 2 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at New Home Church Oct 24, 1896, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: L.P. Hodnett, Pastor J.D. Knight, Clerk John Duke, C.H. Mason, J.H. McDaniel, W.C. McDaniel [McDonald] S.B. Ingram., J.H. Taylor and Wilson Johnson. Baptized in the past year: 16 Members: 133 Dismissed by death: 1 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Bethlehem Church [Cleburne] Oct 26, 1897, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.A. Shaddix, Pastor J.D. Knight Clerk N.L. Davis, C.H. Mason, E.W. Cofield, S.B. Ingram, F.J. Ford and Wilson Johnson. Baptized in the past year: 2 Members: 152 Dismissed by death: 1 The Boiling Springs Baptist Association Meeting at Christiana [Randolph] Oct 25, 1898, Delegates: Christiana Baptist Church: J.A. Shaddix Pastor J.D. Knight Clerk J.H. Taylor, C.H. Mason, Lee Davis, S.B. Ingram, F.J. Ford and J.W. Mitchell. Baptized in the past year: 10 Members: 88 1899 the Association disbanded. Lineville Headlight Newspaper Obits: Dec 27, 1907: The home of Grover Pope was made to feel sad Monday morning by the finding of his dear little infant dead in bed. It was buried at Christiana Tuesday. Mar 20, 1908: [Rev] John Stephens died last Thursday night and was buried by the Masonic Fraternity at Christiana Saturday. Apr 17, 1908: Uncle John McCollum dropped dead last Monday about 1:30 p m with heart failure and was buried Tuesday at Christiana. He leaves a wife and four children, besides a host of relatives and friends to mourn his death. Sep 4, 1908: Thomas Liles little child was buried yesterday at Christiana. It had typhoid fever. Nov 19, 1909: The little two months old babe of Garfield McCollum died last Thursday and was buried at Christiana Friday. Dec 2, 1910: Mrs. Nannie Blair died at her home near Christiana Sunday night, and her remains were interred of Christiana cemetery Tuesday morning November 29th. She had been in ill health for more than a year. The deceased was a member of Christiana Baptist church and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. She is survived by two sons and one daughter, all of whom are under 21 years of age. Sep 22, 1911: In honor of the memory of Rev. L. P. Hodnett, deceased, the Woodmen of the World unveiled a monument with most impressive ceremonies, at Christiana Sunday. The Knights of Pythias held memorial services in memory of Rev. L. P. Hodnett and William Graben. These services were held at the church at Christiana, Mr. J. O. McCollum acting as master of ceremonies, and, Prof. T. M. Whitley introducing the speakers, who were, Messrs. B. C. Bynum, M. M. Eppes, J. D. Knight, and J. C Knight. The people of Christiana were most lavish in their hospitality, and a very profitable day was spent. Jun 13, 1913: Mr. Joe Ingram died at home on Route 2, Lineville Sunday, June 8th. He was about 23 years old, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ingram. He bore enviable reputation in the community in which he resided and was prominently connected with several fraternal orders. The funeral services were conducted by the Knights of Pythias and Masons and the interment took place at Christiana cemetery Monday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock. The deceased is survived by his widow and one child. Aug 1, 1913: Mr. Sam Ingram, a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Delta, died at his home Monday morning at 9:00 o'clock, from typhoid fever. The deceased was about 60 years of age and had lived for about 18 years in the community in which he died. He was a much beloved member of Christiana Baptist church. He is survived by his wife and six children. The funeral services and interment took place at Christiana Tuesday morning, Rev. T. J. Preston having the services in charge. Sep 19, 1913: The two-and one-half-year-old child of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Davis, of this place, died last week and was buried at Christiana. We extend sympathy to the bereaved ones. Jan 7, 1916: Mrs. Jane Young, of Delta R. 2, died Wednesday of last week and was buried Thursday at Christiana graveyard. Stie was one of the oldest residents of the Christiana community and was highly esteemed. Jun 7, 1918: Mr. E. W. Cofield died at his home in beat No, 13 Randolph County, last Sunday morning at 4:00 o'clock, after an illness of several weeks. He was first at tacked by German measles and before he had recovered from the effects thereof, he was stricken with typhoid fever. The funeral services were held Monday at Christiana and some four or five ministers and citizens talked on the life of the deceased. The funeral services were then turned over to the Masonic fraternity of which he was a member, and the remains were laid to rest in the Christiana cemetery with Masonic honors. The deceased is survived by a widow and twelve children. Sep 13, 1918: Mrs. J. W. Boggs, of Delta R 2, died Monday morning September 9th, after having been in ill health for several months. Her remains were laid to rest Tuesday at Christiana. The deceased was the daughter of Mrs. J. D. Knight and was a woman of many estimable traits of character and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. March 16, 1923: Mrs. J.F. Warren killed by Shafting. Mrs. Jim Warren was instantly killed Saturday evening at Ofelia by her clothing which was caught in a mill shaft. Very near all of her clothing was torn off and her hair being caught, jerked all skin from the head. Every bone was seemingly broken. She had gone to the mill where her husband was at work, but how she became entangled no one knows. Mr. Warren had started the machinery to do a little cleaning and a little son saw his mother entangled and gave alarm. Mrs. Warren once lived in Marshall County before returning with her mother to Lineville. While her husband operated the Farmers Union gin at one time and is well known in Clay County. She leaves a husband and several children. Internment was at Christiana Sunday. This took me a long time to compile, I do not want to see it copied on another site. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/churches/thefirst182gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 15.5 Kb