Church and Family History Research Assistance for Lewis County, Washington
CHURCHES:SULPHUR CREEK
Sulphur Creek Church, at Riffe, Lewis County, Washington, was organized in 1888, by families who had formerly been members of the Laurel Bottom Church, Greenbriar County, West Virginia. The church united with the Siloam Association in 1896, at which time it reported 41 members. The records of the church were destroyed by fire in about 1897. In 1938 the church merged with the Cowlitz River Church in the same area, and the name of the church was changed to Bethel Primitive Baptist Church. A new building was erected in Mossyrock, Washington, where the church continued to meet until a few years ago.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Belcher, Blankenship, Bogle, butler, Carr, Coleman, Davis, Feldtman, Green, Hughett, Johnson, Lambert, Lee, Peters, Riffe, Roberts, Schoonover, Schwartz, Short, Stinson (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
COWLITZ RIVER
Cowlitz River Church, Riffe, Lewis County, Washington, was organized April 30, 1904, with four charter members, viz., W. H. Riggs, John D. Cox, Arminta Cox, and Permelia Wyatt. The presbytery was composed of Elders S. B. Moffitt, Silas Williams, and W. S. Mathews, all of Oregon. The articles of faith of Siloam Association and Rules of Decorum of New Hope Church in Oregon were adopted. Immediately following the formal constitution of the church, an invitation was extended for members and ten people came forward and united with the church. Two more joined the following day. Among those who joined were Elders W. R. Belcher and L. F. Adkins. In March 1938 the church merged with Sulphur Creek Church, and the name of the church was changed to Bethel at that time. The building where the church met was sold to the city of Tacoma, due to the construction of the Mossyrock Dam and flooding of the area where the building was located. A new building was erected in Mossyrock, and the first meeting was held there in February 1966.
Some of the pastors were Elders J. W. Peters, I. F. Coleman, Simon Coleman, and W. H. Shields.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Adkins, Belcher, Coleman, Cox, Davis, Inglent, Peters, Riggs, Schoonover, Shields, Simpson, Smith, Stinson, Thompson, Wyatt (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
Go Back to the Primitive Baptist Library Page
Go Back to the Family History Assistance Page
Copyright c. 2001. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
