Ritchie Co., WV: Auburn Baptist Church
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It is reprinted here courtesy of:
The Ritchie County Historical Society
September/October 1978 Newsletter

AUBURN BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY, APRIL 24, 1963
by Mrs. Vessie Sheets, Church Clerk

The Bone Creek Church, now known as the Auburn Baptist Church was organized
May 31, 1846 at the home of Lemuel Hall.

The organization was by Rev. John Woofter and Rev. John Bennett.  There
were twelve members present at the council meeting, namely: Lemuel Hall,
elie Bush, John Hall, Philip Bush, Susannah Hall Jr., Sarah Bush, Rebecca
Hall, Lydia Bush, Susannah Hall Sr., Mary Wesley, Mary A. Adams, and Sarah
A. Adams.

Lemuel Hall and John Hall were ordained as deacons, Philip Bush was elected
clerk, Rev. John Woofter was released from the Tanner Fork Church and was
called to the pastorate, being the first pastor of the church.

The pastor's salary was not large in those early days.  The sum of $15.00
to $20.00 was good pay.

The Church was admitted to the Broad Run Association the same year, 1864.
On Sept. 12, 1879, the Church joined the Mt. Pisgah Association.  On Sept.
11, 1920, the Church joined the Harrisville association.

On Mar. 13, 1915, the congregation voted to build a new Church.  A building
committee including five men of the Church was appointed, namely: J.A.
Hall, J.T. Hall, H.N. Warner, Gilbert Hayden and E.B. Sheets.

The new Church building was completed in the fall of the same year, 1915.
The name was changed from the Bone Creek Church to the Auburn Baptist Church.

During this period of time many faithful servants deserve mention.  One of
the outstanding leaders was the pastor of the Church at the time the Church
was built, Rev. J. F. Cook.

Rev. J.F. Cook was a man of action, he rolled up his sleeves and went out
in the woods and helped saw down the trees for this building.  He spoke of
this work as play, "Going out to play with the other boys."

Rev. Lon T. Marks also left a reminder of his stay at Auburn.  A beautiful
painting which decorates the wall space back of the baptistry.

One of the highlights of our church, was the sending of three of our youth
to preach the gospel.  Namely: Joseph C. Gluck, ordained in March 1943; Ray
J. Heckert, licensed to preach, Oct. 8, 1949 and James E. Sheets, ordained
June 20, 1954.

The pastors who have served here in the present church building are: Rev.
J.F. Cook, Rev. J.W. Kirby; Rev. J.E. Elliott, Rev. A.A. MacQueen, Rev.
H.U. Thompson, Rev. H.V. Layhew, Rev. E.A. Day, Rev. G.H. Wiseman, Rev.
Harry Miller, Rev. Lon T. Marks, and Rev. Loyal Williams.

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