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Sheakleyville |
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Georgetown
Baptist Church |
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 The
Georgetown Baptist Church dates back as far as 1807, at which
time services were held in this community as often as once a month by a
prominent Baptist from Philadelphia, who had been recently stationed at
Sharon, Elder Thomas G. Jones. The little
flock, to which he preached for the modest sum of $1.50 per month,
consisted of James and Isaac Hazen and
wives. Joseph Mattox and wife,
Thomas Philips and wife and Joseph Nelson
and wife. In 1820 these were constituted a branch of the Sharon charge,
under the ministry of Elder Adamson Bentley. Rev.
Jesse Brown, of Carmel, preached for the new branch for a period
of two years. During the years 1826 and 1827 Rev.
Henry Frazier conducted monthly services, the sermons being
frequently two hours in length. In 1830 the meetings of the branch were
held for the first time in the village school-house, the services
previous to that time having been conducted either in private houses or
in the woods. The regular church organization was effected in August,
1831, by Rev. Samuel Churchill, of Erie
County, assisted by Rev. Isaac Davis, of
Crawford County. The original members were Joseph
Nelson and wife, Thomas Philips and
wife, Mrs. Mary Limber, Mrs. Turner, Mrs.
Freeland, Isaac Hazen and wife, Asher
Williams, William and Mary Lackey, James
Wood and wife, Mrs. Jesse Hofford
and Stephen Rowland and wife. Rev.
Churchill was the first pastor of the new congregation. During
his ministry, in January, 1833, the congregation decided to erect a
suitable house of worship. This was accomplished, and a new structure
dedicated four years later, at a cost of $800. In September, 1841, Rev.
Franklin Kidder was employed as pastor, but resigned two years
later. Provisional services were then bold for a period, until Rev.
J. Hicks became pastor in 1845. He was succeeded by Rev.
J. H. Hazen in 1848, under whose ministry, which closed in 1853,
the membership of the congregation was built up to 177. During his stay
a parsonage and eight acres of land were purchased by the
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List
of the Churches in Sheakleyville today
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Early
Members of the Georgetown Baptist Church
James
Hazen
Isaac
Hazen
Joseph
Mattox
Thomas
Philips
Joseph
Nelson
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Churches
in the Sheakleyville area |
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continued -
accepted a call. He
was succeeded seven years later by Rev. D. L.
Clouse, who remained but a few months, and gave place in
September, 1863, to Rev. Ephraim
Mills. The latter remained a year only. He was followed in the
ministry by Rev. J. Winter and Elder
John Moses, each of whom remained but a short time. Rev.
Ross Ward was called to the charge of the congregation December,
1806, remaining five years. Since then the following have been pastors: Rev.
Norman Thomas, 1872-77; Rev. John T.
Griffith, 1878-80; Rev. J. T. Bradford,
1881-82; Rev. O. M. Herrick, 1882-84; Rev.
G. M. Evans, 1884-86, and the present [1888] pastor, Rev.
J. T. Davis, whose labors began in 1880.
History of Mercer County, 1888, page 477.
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