RHEA COUNTY, TN - CHURCHES - History of the Old Friendship Church ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Edna Clack Woodchippy@AOL.Com ==================================================================== Old Friendship Church History Rhea County, Tennessee NOTE: The original church book from Nov. 1875 to April 1941 plus a few pictures & history of Old Friendship Church is on microfilm at Nashville - copies can be bought from: The Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention 901 Commerce St., Suite 400, Nashville, Tn. 37203-3620 Pub. #5531. The following was hand written and signed by William Raleigh Clack. The original is in the possession of William Baxter Clack (1997). Preamble, Explanation for the cause of the division of the Bethel and Sulphur Springs churches and the constitution of another church at Breeding, School house. Rhea County Tennessee. Whereas a majority of the members of Bethel and Sulphur Springs Churches have not complied with the terms of union agreed upon by the Hiwassee Baptist convention, held at Concord meeting house Meigs County Tenn. in October A. D. 1865, and afterwards ratified by the Churches of the Hiwassee Association, and; Whereas, they have served themselves and gone off from said Association in disorder; And Whereas said majority hold and teach the doctrine of a hired Clergy, claiming that it is right and Scriptural to make contracts with their Clergymen and agree to pay them a stated salary for their services as Pastor or Missionary, and; Whereas, a Minority of said Church Members dissenting there from, and desiring to respect the afore said terms of union and to live in union and fellowship with their sister Churches of the Hiwassee Association, and; Whereas, they hold that the Doctrine of a hired Clergy is absurd and unscriptural and that it is the Doctrine of men and not of Jesus Christ. Therefore said minority called for and obtained letters of dismission from their respective Churches for the purpose of being constituted a Church of Jesus Christ at this place. Third Saturday in October 1875 James Johnson, Chairman W.R. Clack, secretary. (This was included here because this act preceded the forming of Old Friendship Church---EC) HISTORY OF THE OLD FRIENDSHIP CHURCH Written by W.R. Clack--1913 This being the 38th anniversary of the organization of the Baptist church at Old Friendship, Rhea County, Tennessee. The church held a short memorial service at twelve M. on the third Saturday in November 1913. Rev. P. R. Brown of Kingston, Tennessee, delivered an address which was both interesting and instructive. Following the address a brief history of the church from 1875 to 1913, was read. Prepared by W. R. Clack, Historian, as follows: To our Pastor and the members of the Old Friendship church greetings. Dear Brethren and Sisters--let us turn back in our minds today for a few moments, and briefly sketch or review some of the incidents connected with the organization of the Old Friendship church. In the year 1875, there was no organized church in this valley, and no regular divine service kept up. Therefore a few old veterans in the service of Christ, feeling impressed with duty, and realizing the necessity and great importance of organizing a church here, entered into a compact, to establish an "altar of prayer" and erect a house to be dedicated to the service of God. Eighteen brethren and sisters, as follows, to-wit; Micajah Clack, Margarette Clack, Jas. Johnson, F. M. Clack, Amy Johnson, Mary V. Clack, Susan M. Hurst, W. R. Clack, Sabria C. Clack, C. Stephen Breeding, W. S. Wyrick, C. Wyrick, Feebie Wyrick, Evan Breeding, Wm. Owens, Barbara Ann Owens, Lucinda Pinion and Martha Breeding. This list consisted of one minister, 4 deacons and 13 lay members who had procured letters of dismission from sundry churches and was constituted a church of Christ, at Breeding's school house (now known as the Garrison schoolhouse) On the 4th Saturday in Nov., 1875, by a presbytery composed of the following ministers: J. B. McCallon, of Ten Mile, J. K. Chastin, of Fellowship, Asa Newport of Hinds Valley, and A. Haun of Yellow creek, Churches, upon the articles of faith and rules of decorum, set out in the church record. After which the church organized by electing Eld. James Johnson moderator and W. R. Clack, clerk. At this point they cast about for an appropriate name for the church and sister Margarette Clack, then 79 years old, suggested the name Old Friendship, which was unanimously adopted. We were at the time dependent upon our good neighbors and friends for we had no place or house of our own for public worship and was also destitute of means to build, but we were neither dismayed nor discouraged. We placed our full strength into our plans, put our faith and trust in God and pushed ahead. Eld. James Johnson, W.R. Clack and Dr. W. M. Wilson were appointed a committee to select a site for the church, and to raise the necessary means to build a house. They procured this beautiful site from Dr. W. M. Wilson and his estimable wife. The means was soon raised to build a house and the work on the building under the directions of Bro. Johnson and Clack was pushed to completion in August, 1876, at which time the first divine service was held in this house. Elder Asa Newport conducted the services. Since then a regular monthly service has been kept up here by this church and the Lord has graciously blessed our efforts in bringing many precious souls to Christ. Elder James Johnson served continuously as pastor of this church for nineteen years (and four) months, or until his demise, which occurred on the 29th of March, 1895. During his pastoral care of this church 43 other names were added to the church roll. Elder J. S. McCallon was then called to the pastorate of this church and served for nine years and three months. Elder J. R. Smith served as pastor for four years. Elders S. A. Waller and William White served as pastor for nearly two years each. W. R. Clack has served continuously as clerk since the organization of the church. Elder James Johnson, W. R. Clack, Dr. W. M. Wilson, Arch McCaleb and Spencer G. Clack were selected trustees. A. C. Ewing and J.D. Gillian were selected to fill vacancies occasioned by the death of Elders James Johnson and Arch McCaleb. W. R. Clack is the only one of the original trustees of the church now living. Since the organization of the church, including the 18 charter members, 101 names have been enrolled upon our church record. 31 have been dismissed by letter. Withdrew fellowship from 4, and 24 have died, leaving total membership at present 42. Of the original members only two names (W. R. Clack and Sabria C.Clack) are now left upon the church roll. Six were dismissed by letter and ten have died. "How peaceful and how powerful is the grave Which hushes all, a calm unstormy wave Which oversweeps the world. No one hears the door that opens When they pass beyond recall. Soft as loosened leaves of roses, One by one our loved ones fall." Twenty-four members of this church have died since the organization in 1875. Their names and dates of death are as follows: Margaret Clack Sept. 10, 1877 Micajah Clack Aug. 16,1886 Even Breeding Dec. 5, 1879 Lucinda Pinion May 14, 1881 Steven Breeding Oct. 27, 1888 Martha Breeding 1886 W.S. Wyrick Aug. 1, 1884 C. Wyrick Dec., 1892 Eld. James Johnson Mar. 29, 1895 Amy Johnson Nov. 6, 1906 The above 10 were in the organization of the church. The following 14 joined since: Rebecca Paul Feb. 10, 1886 Sarah E. Clark May, 1899 Jesse Stinecipher May 25, 1905 Eveline Brown May, 1892 Farley Brady, Sr. Nov. 9, 1889 Elizabeth Tallent J. F. Stinecipher Mar. 27, 1890 Martha Caldwell Mar. 24, 1895 Mahala Caldwell Mar. 19, 1894 J. M. Caldwell April 30, 1899 F. S. Brady Feb. 17, 1902 Mattie McElwee Sept, 14, 1908 James Monroe July 22, 1912 Margarette J. Smith Oct. 1, 1912 The battle day of these old veterans in the cause of Christ is past, their life's work is ended, but their works will follow them. We mourn the loss of all these dear brethren and sisters in Christ who have passed beyond our mortal touch and vision, but we feel and realize that our loss is their gain, so let us banish sorrow from our minds today--and rather rejoice that our names are written in the "Lamb's Book of Life." By and by we hope to meet our loved ones on the eternal shore beneath the wide expanded Bowers of the Tree of Life, robed and crowned for the society of heaven. The services were closed by the congregation standing and singing the verses of "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" led by Bro. Jonas Duckworth of Meigs county. Benediction by Rev. T. O. Dake of Meigs county. (Copied from the original printing by Edna Clack Sachs, 1986) COSTS OF THE MEETING HOUSEContract Article of agreement for the building of a meeting house near Dr. Wilson's. The house is to be 37 ft long & 25 ft wide and 12 ft from sill to joist to be weather boarded & ceiled & covered with shingles using good material the floor to be tongue & grooved but laid without dressing. Now it is understood that W. R. Clack & Jas Johnson has undertaken to build said house except 2 ft in length for the sum of two hundred dollars and paid in proportion for said two ft in length payable in subscription when said house is finished in good substantial workman like manner and received by Arch McCaleb, Wm. M. Wilson & S. G. Clack the same being 3 of the 5 trustees of said house. All the building material for the house is to be delivered at the place of building. The house is to have one door at the front end double shutters about 5 ft wide and ......... windows in each side 12 lights to each 10 x 16 inches. This material also to be furnished as above. The benches are also left out of the above agreement. The corner posts door posts and all the window post are to be morticed at the bottom end in a good substantial manner and well fastened. All the weather boarding ceiling & flooring to be put down with broken joints. (The above contract was hand written, apparently by W.R. Clack - EC) Cost of Lumber, Materials, and Labor (This is the building of Old Friendship Church before 1880--EC)Amt of lumber furnished by James Johnson; 4438 feet at 1.75 per hundred delivered ......77.66 500 feet at 1.00 per hundred at mill ...... 5.00 184 & one half lbs nails & hauling load shingles from Newports ...... 10.85 TOTAL ...... 93.51 Amt of lumber furnished by W R Clack; $1.75 per hundred delivered also 1700 shingles at $4.00 ...... 6.80 also hauling 2 loads shingles ...... 2.00 also hauling sash & fixtures from Phillips ...... 1.50 amt shingles furnished by S G Clack = 2500 ...... 1.50 amt of shingles furnished by F M Clack = 2500 ...... 10.00 amt shingles bought of A Newport ...... 20.50 amt paid in lumber by W H Johnson delivered ...... 10.00 amt paid in lumber by Houston Hurst ...... 10.00 amt hauling by Granville Hurst ...... 5.00 amt of building material furnished by Wilson ...... 24.00 cost windows & door shuters, W R Clack & James Johnson for geting (or seting?) 9 joist at 81 and one quarter cents ...... 7.31 for scoring & hewing 17 sleepers ...... 2.69 for building the House under contract ......200.00 for additional 2 feet in length in proportion We agreed to take the subscription list for amount specified above when received by Arch McCaleb, W M Wilson and S G Clack. Amt. of lumber furnished by Jas. Johnson some 4438 ft. at 1.75 per hundred ......77.66 some 500 ft at $1.00 per hundred at mill ...... 5.00 219 1/2 lbs nails ......10.60 Hauling 1 load shingles from Newports ...... 2.00 Total ......95.26 Amt. of lumber furnished by W. R. Clack 1700 shingles at 4.00 per 1000 ...... 6.80 Hauling 2 loads shingles ...... 2.00 Hauling sash & fixtures from S. Phillips ...... 1.50 2152 ft of plank & scantling at $1.75 for 100 ft ...... 1.50 1193 ft sheeting at $1.25 per 100 ft (Paid) ......14.91 Newport for 2050 shingles (Paid) ...... 7.00 Wm. Bell for hauling shingles ...... 1.20 Total ......71.07 S. G. Clack made 2500 shingles ......10.00 F. M. Clack made 2500 shingles ......10.00 500 ft of plank furnished by W. Johnson $2 per 100 ft ......10.00 500 ft plank furnished by Houston Hurst at $2 per 100 ft ......10.00 Granville Hurst for hauling 2 loads of shingles & 1 load of plank from C. G. Gipson ...... 5.00 W. R. Clack & Johnson for getting out joists and hewing sleepers ......10.00 Window sash, blinds & c ......37.20 Whole Amt ....258.53 Amt. for building as per agreement ....200.00 Lumber timber hauling by Wilson ......28.00 Total ....486.53 Expenses of building J. Johnson Paid McCain ......47.55 Paid Jas.Bell for Board ...... 4.00 Paid Mrs. Paul ...... 9.00 Work on doors ...... 5.00 Total ......65.55  : Expenses of building W. R. Clack Paid McCain(Paid) ......10.20 F. M. Clack(Paid) ...... 4.00 George Farmer ...... 4.25 work by self, 22 1/2 days ......22.50 Total ......40.95 SUBSCRIPTION LIST FOR THE CHURCH HOUSE Wm. M. Wilson (X) 100.00 James Johnson (P) 50.00 Mc. Clack (P) 20.00 Wm. R. Clack (P) 10.00 F. M. Clack (P) 10.00 S. G. Clack (P) 10.00 Wm. H. Johnson (P) 10.00 Houston Hurst (P) 10.00 Stephen Breeding (P) 10.00 Tho. Breeding (X) 10.00 Evan Breeding (P.$5) 10.00 W. S. Wyrick (X) 5.00 Jas. P. Roddy (P) 5.00 Maryville Hurst (P) 5.00 Jesse Stinecipher (P) 10.00 Hamilton Ponder (X) 5.00 Granville Hurst (P) 5.00 R. L. Garrison (P) 5.00 Calvin Gipson (P) 5.00 J. C. Abernathy (P) 5.00 Birt Leuty (P) 5.00 A. J. Gibson (X) 5.00 (the two different spellings of Gibson/Gipson are his--EC) Wm. M. Wilson for the ME. Church south $100.00 paid $22.00 Jan., 1878 Garet Tallent (P) 25.00 Jas. L. Cash (P) 5.00 J. Peters (P) 1.00 J. L. McPherson (P) 1.00 John Pyott (X) 2.00 Wm. Gass (P) 1.00 Wm. Cash (P) 2.00 Coleman Smith (P) .25 Arch Paul (P) 1.00 Mrs. Paul (P) 3.00 Arch McCaleb (X) 25.00 Asa Newport (P) 10.00 Lucinda Gillespie (P. $5 10.00 S. Phillips (P) 10.00 John Hoyl (P) 5.00 Mrs. Anderson (P) 5.00 Received of Wilson $25.00 for the ME. Church June 19th., 1879. FINANCIAL RECORDS OF THE OLD FRIENDSHIP CHURCH The following was in the contents of a small deposit and withdrawal book from the First National Bank, Rockwood,Tenn., in account with W.R. Clack. A pre-printed notice on the front of the book states: "Always bring your book with deposits. See that the entries agree with your tickets. Please leave your book once a month for balancing". Paid to Church Treasurer since Apr 20, 1907 this Nov. 16, 1907 J.P. Brady .75 D.J. Stinecipher .50 A.J. Stinecipher 1.00 Isaac Jolley 1.25 W.D. Smith 1.50 E.B. Patterson 1.75 S.B. Moulton 2.50 Harriet Brady & Family 5.50 W.R. Clack & Family 6.40 A.C. Ewing 7.00 By former Treasurer 4.60 Total 32.75 Total Disbursements 22.90 Bal on hand Nov.16, 1907 9.85 Disbursements from Apr to Nov., 1907 to J.R. Smith pastor 16.00 to J.D. Tanner 2.50 to Rebecca Caldwell 2.00 Contributions to assoc. 2.00 2 plates & 2 glasses Com. Table .40 Total 22.90