Cow Creek Baptist Church Organized July 1846 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed to the Estill Co., KY Archives by: Jen Bawden Published by the ECHGS and used here with their permission Date: 05/16/1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Cow Creek Baptist Church is the second oldest active protestant church in Estill County. It was organized July 1848 with nine charter members: Thomas McDowell, John Barnes, Jefre Tipton, James Barnes, William T. Barnes, Frances Tipton, Margaret Barnes, Martha Tipton, and Zarilda Barnes. By October, the same year Jane McDowell, William H. Robinson, Brinsley Barnes, John Tipton, and Sally Tipton were added to the church. The first business meeting was held in October 1846. Henry C. Porter acted as moderator and R.S. Tipton was elected church clerk. The church joined the Boones Creek Baptist Association at Salem Baptist Church at Spout Springs (Estill County) in 1847. Salem Baptist Church is the oldest active protestant church in Estill County according to the minutes of the Boone's Creek Baptist Association. It was constituted in 1792 and united with the Association in 1846. The Association met at the Cow Creek Baptist Church in 1848. No church minutes were recorded during the Civil War. Cow Creek Baptist Church is located about 2 miles east of Ravenna on Highway 52. October 1846 - The United Baptist Church of Christ at Cow Creek met on the fourth Saturday in October 1846. After singing and prayer proceeded to choose brother Henry C. Porter, Moderator and R.S. Tipton, Clerk; then the Moderator gave invitations to brothers and sisters of sister churches to take seats with the church and assist them in business. Then the reference concerning the rules of decorum was read and the church agreed to receive the same as their rules to be governed by them. Fellowship was enquired after all at peace. The door was opened at the meeting for the reception of members, and received by Experience Robert L. Tipton November 1846 - The church met on the fourth Saturday in November. After singing and prayer, proceeded to choose Brother R.S. Tipton, Clerk acting. The door was opened for the Reception of members, and the church received by Experience Sister Barbara Tipton. Smith V. Potts, Moderator, R.S. Tipton, Clerk acting. January 1847 - The church met on the fourth Saturday in January 1847. After singing and prayer proceeded to business, invitation was given to brothers and sisters from sister churches to take seats with us. Then the preference concerning the choice of a clerk was read and the church chose brother William H. Robinson, Clerk. The reference concerning the choice of a Deacon was read and the church made choice of brothers Jesse Tipton and Robert L. Tipton as their Deacons. Then the church agreed to appoint brothers William H. Robinson and James Barnes to see brother Edward Darnaby between this and their next meeting and invite him to attend at this place on the fourth Saturday in February next to help ordain their Deacons. Then fellowship was enquired after. All at peace. Then a door was opened for the reception of members and the church received by Experience Sister Adeline Tipton. Smith V. Potts, Moderator, R.S. Tipton, Clerk acting. February 1847 - The reference in regard to ordaining Deacons was read and agreed to continue it until the next meeting. They appointed John Tipton and Robert L. Tipton to see William H. Robinson and cite him to attend at this church on the fourth Saturday in March next. March 1847 - The ordination of Deacons for the church at Cow Creek was read and agreed to have the ordination at this time. The presbytery consisted of Edward Darnaby and Smith V. Potts. They went forward and ordained Jesse Tipton and Robert L. Tipton as decons. Following the ordination the reference concerning William H. Robinson was called for and the church agreed to continue it to the next meeting. The church received into fellowship John L. and Castriva Tipton. April 1847 - The reference concerning William H. Robinson was read and upon his confession the church restored him to fellowship again. May 1847 - The church voted to commence a Communion Season on the fourth Saturday and Sunday in June and continue quarterly. They also voted to have a large yearly meeting (homecoming) to commence on Friday before the fourth Saturday in May 1848. June 1847 - The church voted to go into a call for a preacher for the ensuing year. Smith V. Potts was choses by an unanimous vote. He accepted the call until Christmas, if not longer. July 1847 - John J. Tipton, John Tipton, robert L. Tipton, William H. Robinson and Jesse Tipton were elected as delegates to attend the Boone's Creek Baptist Association Meeting at Salem Baptist Church on the second Saturday in September 1847. The church also voted that a request be sent in the letter to the Association to have the meeting held at Cow Creek in 1848. August 1847 - The church letter for the Association meeting was presented and approved. 62 cents was paid by the members to cover the cost of the church minutes. October 1847 - A letter was received and read from Mt. Freedom Church requesting a delegation be sent to investigate their church difficulties. Jesse Tipton, Robert L. Tipton, John Tipton, John J. Tipton, William H. Robinson and James Barnes were appointed as delegates to answer their request. Henry C. Porter, Jane Porter and Reuben L. Tipton were received in the church by letter. ****************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm