THE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH AT

CANE PATCH

Aug. 14, 1870: was organized and constituted in Wise Co. Va.

Sat. Sept. 4, 1870: Sent Delegates to Oven fork Churchto request that Elder Wilson be granted to serve as Pastor.

Sat. Oct. 4,1870 : Request was granted and Elder Wilson Church was received as Pastor of Cane Patch Church.

Feb. 1st. Sat. 1871: Changed meeting time from fourth to first Saturday and Sunday.

Aug. !st. Say. 1884: John Sturgill ordained as Elder.

Sept. 1st. Sat 1875: Received by letter - Elder Wilson Church and wife Rachel and Sister Jane Church

Apr. 1st. Sat. 1876: Chose William Stidham and Skyler Stidham as Deacons.

June 1st Sat. 1879: Granted an arm to the Wiley Garden School for a monthly meeting to be held at the school house on the fourth Saturday and Sundaynof each month.

March 1st. Sat. 1872: Elder Wilson Church and John Sturgill were sent to aid in constituting a church at Crab Orchard in Lee County, Virginia.

Feb. 1st. Sat. 1883: Ordained William Robinett and Henry Wells.

April 1st. Sat. 1884: An arm was extended to Mouth of Callahan's Creek to be held on the 3rd. Sat. & Sun. of each month. Sent to establish it was Martin Stidham, Joel Sturgill and Andrew Sturgill. It was constituted on the 3rd. Sat of April, 1984. John Sturgill ,was to attend as pastor.

June 1st. Sat. 1885: Elder Wilson Church and others were sent to duly constitute the arm at The Mouth of Callahan as a fully functioning Church.

Feb. 1887: Members were dismissed by lettet to constitute the Church Wiley Garden School House.

Dec. 1901: Agreed to meet at Frank's Creek School in Letcher County Kentucky. until further agreements.

There was no meeting in Januaey but the next meeting was held at the school in

Feb: 1902. Next meeting was to be held at Levi Boggs School House.

The first union meeting of record began Friday before the first Saturday in October 1902. Elders requested were William Robinett, D. H. Riner and J. C. Smith.

Oct. 1902: M.K. Church and John Sturgill ordained as Deacons.

UNION MEETING

Friday: Prayer by Elder D. S. Kindrick followed with preaching by Elders W. M. Robinett, J. C. Smiith and D. S. Kindrick

Saturday: Prayer by Elder J. C. Smith with preaching by Elders-- William Robinett, D. S. Kindrick and J. C. Smith.

Sunday: Prayer by W. M. Robinett with preaching by--J. C. Smith, D. S. Kindrich and William Robinett.

At October meeting a committee was sent to speak to Elder John Sturgill concerning misconduct. If he failed to give satisfaction, they were to demand his credentials.

Dec. 1902: The committee reported unsatisfactory results in the meeting with Elder John Sturgill. It was agreed to continue the reference to the next meeting. The next day after prayer and preaching it was agreed to recind the act of the previous day and dismiss Elder John Sturgill from fellowship until he gives satisfaction for not attending his church meeting and joining Oven Fork Church which has declared non-fellowship with Cane Patch and would not receive his letter which was given him by Cne Patch Church.

May 1904: It was reported that the 0ld records had been copied in a new book.

At this time I do not know the location of this copy.

Feb. 1910: Brother J. H. Stallard of Sulphur Springs Church presented a letter frim said Church requesting a committee to assist in settling a difficulty in the Church between Brother Joshua Mullins and Sister Luena Bowling. The Cane Patch Church appointed a committee consisting of Elder Wilson Church, Brothers J.M. Boggs, James Maggard, H. C. Boggs and John Maggard to meet with Sulphur Springs at their third Saturday meeting in February.

Future meetings gave no record of the results of this meeting.

July 1910: Due to the failure of the Deacon's wives to be present, the Sacrement meeting was postponed until the first Sat. & Sun of October.

June 1912 (5th. Sat.) Received a letter from Thornton Church requesting a committee from Cane Patch Church to sit with them on Thursday and Friday before the 2nd. Saturday in Julu 1912 with other brethren from other Churches to sit as a council in a trouble that exists between Elder Joseph Hall and Robert Blair. The Church appointed Elder Wilson Church, Brothers H.C. Boggs and Thurston Mullins to visit Thornton Church and only give advice if said trouble comes before the council in gospel order.

From 1916 to June 1925, H.C. Boggs was clerk. Record keeping was eratic. only about twelve meetings wewr recorded in the Church book.

June 1925: Moved that the next meeting be held at Joe Mullins School House.

After this very few records have been found until,

July 1926: ( 4th. Sat.) On motion by Jack Sturgill, the Church agreed to letter to the Washington Association of Regular Primitive Baptiston the account of The Three Forks of Powell River association departed from the faith, doctrine and and practice. With the understanding that we the members of the Cane Patch Church claim to be standing with the doctrine, faith and practice that we were constituted on.Therefore we claim to be orthodox.For this reason we have appointed our beloved brethren, to wit.. Elder Wilson Church, Brothers Jack Sturgill, M. K. Church and Johnie Maggard to bear this letter to the Washington Association.

Although I have no record of which Cane Patch Church moved to Gilley School House, the only book record is the first Saturday of April 1926.

Aug. 1926-- 4th Sat.-- In response to the door to receive members, Viola Church, Rebecca Hounshell and Catherine Churchh responded.. Received by Reccomendation.

1st. Sat May 1927: Martha Niece was received by Letter,

1st. Sat. July 1928: W. H. Riggs was appointed Assistant Pastor.

4th. Sat. May 1932: Mary Church and Nancy Church Received.

4th. Sat. July 1932: Met at Flat Gap, Virginia.

4th. Sat. Sept. 1932: Pat Church and Nora Short Received.

The last record of Elder Wilson Church moderating a meeting was November (2nd. Sat.) 1931 .

He was chosem as Pastor when the Church was organized in August 1870. He served in that capacity until his death on Feb. 2nd. 1932.He served for a total of 61 years and 4 months.

Feb 1933 (4th. Sat.)Again met at Gilley School. At this meeting and July meeting made reference to ordaining Brother Pat Church as Deacon, exactly when it took place was not noted.

although no record of W. H Riggs being installed as Pastor at that time, he was moderator of record from the time of Elder Wilson Churches Death.

The first recorded presence of Elder Joseph Craft was in preaching at the meeting of Feb. (4th. Sat.) 1935.

The first record with S. M. Adams was May (4th. Sat.) 1935.

Sept. 1935: Henry Niece Recd. by Exp. and Bapt.July 1937: Elder W. H. Riggs was released as moderator. Elder W. M Dotson was appointed Moderator with Elder J. E. Craft as assistant.

This was the first time of record of an assistant maderator.

George Church was received by baptism.

August 1938 (1st. Sat.): The Church agreed to letter up to the Washington Association and ask for a letter of dismission. Appointed Bros. Johnnie Maggard, Pat Church, George Church and Jack Sturgill to bear the letter. The request was granted and the same brethren were to take it to the Union Association Friday before the third Sat. in Sept. 1938 at Union Church Pike Co. Kentucky.The letter and messengers were received and given the right hand of fellowship.

The move was not due to any disagreement with Washington Association but was a move to strengthen the Union Association.

Oct 1938, 1^st. Sat. Received Geneva Dotson by letter.

 April 1 1939 Extended an arm to constitute a church at Ermine Ky.

 August 1939 first Sat. Julia Dotson was dismissed by letter.

Received Lewis Roberts by letter. And Dorthy Hubbard by experience and baptism.

 April 1 1940- Joe Craft appointed moderator and Wm. Dotson Asst.

 March 1941 First Sat. Recd. Joseph Church by experience and baptism.

 June 1941 Appointed Andy James Moderator and J. E. Craft Asst.

 July 1942 1 st. Sat. Adjusted membership by eliminating names of those known to be attached to other orders.

 Jan. 1944 !st Sat. Appointed J. P. Holbrook asst.

 Moderator.

 Oct. 1944 1 St. Sat. Elbert Stevens appointed Moderator.

 Jan. 1945 1 St. Sat. Lewis Roberts excluded fat his request for an offense not mentioned in records.

 April 1945 1 st. Sat. Jonah Stidham recd. By exp. And baptism.

June 1 st. Sat. 1945 Recd. Sister Emmaline Stidham along with licensed ministers Anderson and Lee Craig's by past relations.

J. E. Craft listed as moderator but no election date was noted.

 May 1946 Pat Church was ordained as Deacon.

 June 1946 Recd. Drucill Mullins by experience and baptism.

 Dec. 1946 1st. Sat. Joe Church and Jonah Stidham Licensed to ministry.

 Jan. and Feb. 1948 Dewey Mullins listed ad moderator.

 March 1948 1st. Sat. Anderson and Lee Craig's ordained.

 July 1948 Recd. Mattie Ellen Mullins by exp, and baptism.

 Oct. 1948 Joe Church ordained.

 Dec. 1948 1st. Sat. Baptized Mae Church.

 Jan. 1949 1 st Sat. Ordained Bro. Jonah Stidham.

 March 1949 Recd. Otis Sturgill by relations.

 Sept 1949 1 st Sat. Elder Joe Church appointed joint moderator.

 May 1950 preaching arrangements. Joe Church, Vollie Church, Dewey Mullins, EL Moore, Anderson Craiger, Lee Craiger, Sammie Newsome, J.P,Holbrook, Jonah Stidham, J. E. Craft, A. R. Singleton, Gorman Sutherland, Martin Edwards, Hadley Edwards, Dan Atkins and Walter Chapman.

 Nov. 1950 1 st. Sat. Anderson Craiger appointed moderator.

 July 1951 1 st. Sat. Appointed Viola Church Clerk.

 Sept. 1951 1 st. Sat. Sister Mary Maggard was excluded due to affiliation with another order.

 1953 ( April) A committee was appointed to talk to Kelly about buying the building in which we were meeting. Gilly School. J. M Profitt was to represent the Church with a bid for the building.

 May 1953 1 st Sat. Elder Profitt reported submitting the bid.

Although I find no date of purchase it was purchased by Cane Patch Church.

 Sept 1953 1 st Sat. J. M. Profitt was recd. By letter.

 Dec. 1953 1 st Sat. J, M. Profit, Pat Church and Joe Church go to Wise. Re: The bid on the building.

 Feb. 1954 1 st Sat. Appointed Joe Church, Pat Church and Anderson Craiger to meet with Owen Bolling and C. O. Bolling to close the deal for the school Building.

 April 1954 1 st. Sat. Recd. Velda Hart & Lula Radford bu E & B

Sunday Eve. Recd Otto hart. He was baptized in June

 Nov 1954 1 St Sat. Pat Church And Monroe Church Appointed Trustee for the purpose of signing insurance papers for the church.

 Dec. 1954 1 St. Sat. Monroe Church ordained Deacon.

 Jan. 1955 1 St Sat. Monroe Church appointed asst. Clerk.

 June 1955 Recd Recd Justine Branson by e & b. She was baptized in July.

 Aug. 1955 1 St. Sat. Elder Joseph Church elected pastor and J. M. Profitt Asst.

 Oct. 1 st Sat. 1955 Rules of decorum was read and agreed to be read each 3 to 6 months.

 June 1956 1st Sun. Recd. Edison Church by E & B. Was baptized in July.

 Aug. 1956 1 st. Sat. Recd. Sister Shirley Finlay.

 Sept. 1 st Recd. Sister Mary Profitt by E. & B.

 Oct. 1956 Recd Sophia Hounshell By E. & B. Was baptized First Sun. in Nov.

 July 1958 Recd John H. Roberts by relations and restoration.

 Oct. 1958 Recd. Polly Roberts by E. & B.

 June 1959 1 st. Sat. Gave letter of dismission to Bro. Edison Church.

 Aug 1959 1 st Sat. On Sunday received by E. & B. Richard & Juanita Church.

 Sept. 1959 1 st Sat. Sister Nora Church and Sarah Short were appointed to see Mattie Mullins who was reported to have attached herself to another order.

 Nov. 1959 1 st Sat. It was stated that this allegation was dismissed. No explanation given.

 Dec. 1959 1 st Sat. Elder J. M. Profitt requested a letter of dismission . Request granted.

 Jan. 1960 1 st Sat. A letter from Millstone Church was read, noting the reception of Elder Profitt.

 March 1960 1 st Sat. With the dismissing of Elder Profitt, Elder Lee Craig's was appointed Asst. moderator.

 Apr. 1960 1 st Sat. Richard Church licensed to ministry.

 July 1960 1 st Sat. Richard Church Ordained to ministry.

Sunday Victor Church recd by E. & b.

 Aug. 1960 1 st Sat. Received on Sunday three by letter. Arlie Church, Alva Yates and And Beula Yates.

Baptized Victor Church, W. B. Church and Muriel Church.

 Sept. 1960 1 st Sat. Ordained W. B. Church –Deacon

Sunday Victor Church made his first attempt in the pulpit.

 Oct. 1 st Sat. Victor Church licensed to ministry.

 Oct. 1961 1 st Sat. Victor Church to be ordained to ministry. This was done on Sunday morning.

W. B. Church and Monroe Church were appointed to take a letter to Thornton Church requesting the services of Elder Evans hess as asst. moderator.

 Sept. 1961 1 st Sat. The committee returned from Thornton Church with approval and Elder Evans Hess was received as asst moderator.

 Oct. 1961 1 st Sat. Sister Viola Church resigned her position as clerk and Deacon W. B. Church was appointed her successor.

 Dec. 1961 1 st Sat. Mattie Mullins was excluded due to her affiliation with another order.

 Feb. 1962 1 st. Sat. Bros. Otto Sturgill & Hershell Boggs were excluded due to affiliation with another order.

 March 1962 1 st. Sat. During the worship service, Elder Jonah Stidham was called on to preach, He stood at the rear of the congregation and said he did not come to preach that he came on business. He said he couldn't go along with usand said he wanted to withdraw the church. The moderator told him that it wasn't time to bring up anything until we do the church work. He told him that this was a violation of the church rules. ( Trying to bring up business during worship service.)

At the call for peace and fellowship, Elder Lee Craig's attempted to bring up a charge against the moderator but he had not followed proper gospel steps and it was disallowed.

All this occurred ( the action of Lee and Jonah) before the door of privilege was opened.

 April 1962 1 st Sat. Elder Jonah Stidham and Lee Craig's were excluded for false doctrine and disorderly conduct.

Also non fellowship was declared against Millstone and Thornton Churches until such time as they set themselves in order.

Also declared non fellowship with any man preaching the whole man born again or other false doctrine.

Note. This including the events of the March meeting was brought about due to some Elders declarint whole man doctrine. ( perfection in the flesh).

April 13, 1962

“ Special Meeting”

 Minutes of a called meeting of Cane Patch Church.

 WE the Primitive Baptist Church of Jesus Christ met at Cane Patch Church house.

Following prayer by Elder Joseph then called the church to order.

Next by move and seccond, Deacons W. B. Church and Monroe Church were to go and talk to the members who left the church and report back at the next regular church time. (Sisters Sarah Short, Melissa Sturgill, Eptha Hounshell, Pollie Roberts and Bro. John H Roberts.) They went to Millard Proffit's place with Jonah Stidham And Lee Craig's. They held a meeting there and claimed to be Cane Patch Church.

Next – By move and seccond Appointed W. B. Church to talk to Elder Vollie Church and notify him that Elders Jonah Stidham and Lee Craig's were in disorder. Also that Thornton and Millstone churches were in disorder and if they preach with any of them they also would be in disorder

This was done and signed by the order of the Cane Patch Church in session April 13, 1962

Elder Joseph Church Moderator

Elder Evans Hess Asst. Moderator

Deacon W. B. Church Clerk

Deacon Monroe Church Asst. Clerk

 May 1962 1 st Sat. Appointed Sisters Nora Church and Viola Church to go to Pound Fork Church to see if these brothers who were deemed in disorder were preaching there.

 June 1962 1 st Sat. The committee reported that disorderly borthers were preaching there.

Non fellowship was declared with Pound Fork Church.

 July 1962 1 st Sat. Letter and messengers were sent to Washington Association. Elders appointed were Joseph Church, Victor Church, Evans Hess and Deacons W.B. Church and Monroe Church.

 Sept &, 1962-- Cane Patch Church was received in membership with Washington Association.

Nov. 1st Sat.  The following Appointed trustees-- W.B. Church  Monroe Church  Evans Hess.

Aug. 1963 -1 st Sat. The church agreed that anyone departing from the doctrine now advocated would have no right to church property. This to be incorporated into property deed.  Recd. Henry Church by E & B

Sept. 1963  Meeting dismissed due to association schedule.

Oct. 5 1963 The church agreed to government offer for church building.

Nov. 2, 1963 Monroe Church resigned from office of treasurer. The trustees were to look after all monies collectively. Mony to be put into Pound Bank.Money received in payment for the building to be deposited and all expenses to be paid as necessary.

March 7, 1964- First meeting held in the new building at Pound, Va.

Dec. 5, 1964  Richard  received back in the church. Restored after acknowledging wrong.

Aug. 7, 1965  Henry Church Ordained deaconm.

Nov. 6, 1965  Elected to defend against charges made by Jonah Stidham.

Dec. 7,1968Hiram Profitt excluded for affiliation with churchec not of our order.

May 5,1973 Instructed the deacons to check records of those showing no interest in the church and advise the clerk to remove them from church records.

April 1974 1st Sat. Open door: Recd Lola Church, Alan Church and Janet Church.

May 4, 1974  Bsptized these three candidates.

July 5, 1975  Special session called due to the death of Deacon  Clerk and Trustee Deacon Henry Church appointed trustee   Elder Victor N. Church appointed clerk Regular meeting was dismissed in respect to his passing and the funeral was held in thje church building. 

Oct. 4,1975 Elder Victor Church and Elder Evans Hess were appointed to go to Elder Joe Church And Sister Margie to inquire int  their life together as pertaining to the church.  They were reported to be living together and not legally married. The committee was to report back to the church Oct 4, 1975 during evening session

Oct. 4, 1975 Evening session: Report of the committee concerning Elder Joseph and Margie Church.    The committee found brother Joseph and sister Margie to be home. Brother Joe maintained that a previous vow to sister Margie was the most important issue and the sister concurred. They were offered a means of living apart until they were married but both declined.They maintained that they were justified in their action and would be satisfied in whatever course of action the church chose to follow.

Upon hearing this report to the church, a motion was made to exclude them both. Upon a second the motion was open for discussion. With no objection,the vote was unanimous for exclusion.

At this point the church was without a pastor. By move and second and no objection, Elder Victor N. Church was elrcted Pastor.

June 6, 1976 At this meeting Elder Hess reported that he had remarried  Brother Joe and Sister Margie. It was determined that he acted in love and was reconciled.

Oct.2,1976  Elder Joseph Church came forward in acknowledge of doing wrong, asking  the church for forgiveness. He was joyfully received and restored to full fellowship in the church. We thanked God for the return of a greatly loved brother as service was closed by song and prayer.   "THANK GOD" :THANK GOD"

On Sunday Oct. 3, 1976 a worship service was entered into after the previous day's action of receiving Elder Joe Church back into fellowship.  We did not know at that time that this would be the last in which Elder Joe Church would preach in The Cane Patch Church.  He passed away the following week-end.

      & ;nbs p;      &a mp;n bsp;             & ;nbs p;               ELDER JOSEPH CHURCH

First licensed to the ministry    Dec 1946           Ordained        Oct, 1948 

Appointed asst. Moderator with Elder Joe Craft  Sept. 1949 

Elected Moderator Aug. 1955 and served through Oct 1975.

We all feel that he was truly blessed  as a minister of God and will be long remembered by all who knew him. His prayers which rang through the hills, I feel will ring throughout the ages in the hearts of those that are born of God.             & ;nbs p;      &a mp;n bsp;             & ;nbs p;      &a mp;n bsp;             & ;nbs p;   This in his memory--     Elder Victor N. Church

Thank God I was able to call him Uncle and Brother in the Lord.

Sept 3, 1977. Request to resign by the clerk was granted and Sister Belinda Church was appointed clerk.

Oct. 1,1977 It was  recommended  that the members of Cane Patch Church refrain from visiting Sumac Grove until their position about seating women in the church business and accepting an arm to conduct in a proper manner is clearified.

Nov. 5,1977 Elder Hess reported that all was in order at Sumac Grove.

Jan 7, 1978  The report back from Brother Alan was that he said to remove his name from the book. By move and second this was approved.

June 3,1978By report, Sister Janet Church asked that her name be removed from the book.By move and second this was done.

July 1, 1978  Elder Victor Church was appointed trustee due to the death of Deacon Henry Church

Sept. 2,1978 By move and  second it was decided to move our meeting time from the first Sat. & Sun. to the fourth Sat. & Sun.