Primitive Baptist Family History Research
Assistance
for Wapello County, Iowa
VILLAGE CREEK
Village Creek Church was organized in April 1846. The church united with the Des Moines River Association in August 1846, at which time there were 12 members, five having been received since the constitution. The messengers names were Silas Doggett and William McCrady. By 1848 the church had grown to 15 members. In 1852, the church was one of several churches which were dismissed from the Des Moines River Association to organize the Western Association. Elam Rush, an early member, was ordained to the ministry by this church.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Baker, Doggett, Hale, Higdon, McCrady, Owens, Rush, Tinsley (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
LITTLE FLOCK
Little Flock Church, in Wapello County, was organized in about 1851, and united with the Des Moines River Association that year. The church united with the Western Association when it was formed in October 1852. And, in August 1861 the church united with the Hazel Creek Association, by letter from the Western Association. The church represented in the Hazel Creek Association as late as 1873. Among the early members were Dennis Ball, Daniel Easley, I. D. Higdon, T. J. Lane, J. B. Jones, T. W. Stevens, and Thomas Tinsley.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Ball, Easley, Long, Stevens, Tinsley (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
CEDAR CREEK
Cedar Creek Church was organized on Saturday, July 12, 1856, at the home of A. V. Stevens. There were fourteen charter members, viz., Peter B. Long, Abraham V. Stevens, G. W. Francis, Alexander Vanwinkle, Luster Badger, Jacob Stevens, Robert McCormick, William McCormick, Katharine Stevens, Matilda Francis, Sophrona Badger, Mary Stevens, Elizabeth McCormick, and Abbie Leggett. They were all dismissed by letter from Big Grove Church in Illinois. The presbytery consisted of Elder Joseph H. Flint, Ezekiel Springer, and John Parkhurst, of Des Moines River Church; Joseph Higdon, Isham Higdon, and Samuel Owen, from Village Creek Church; and James Howell, James Atchison, and E. H. Bobbitt, from Big Grove Church. Elder Flint was chosen moderator, and E. H. Bobbitt, clerk of the presbytery.
A meeting house was built near the McCormick Cemetery, near
Highland Center, Wapello County, Iowa.
An article entitled "A Prairie Farmer" by a descendant of Abraham Stevens, a charter member of the church, states the following: "Their meetings always lasted two days, Saturday and Sunday, and were held once a month. Their members were scattered all over the country, and it was not unusual for them to come as much as ten miles to attend church. Those coming from a distance usually came on Saturday morning and stayed until Sunday night. I always looked forward to these meetings with great pleasure. To me, it was like being visited by relatives. My parents, too, were always pleased to have a crowd. They never seemed to mind the trouble or expense. When the neighbors would speak to them about the expense of feeding so many, they would say, "Pshaw, we never miss it." It came perfectly natural for the visiting women to lay right hold and help prepare the meals, talking, laughing and visiting all the time. I really believe they came as near observing the admonition "Love one another" as it is possible for a community of people to do."
Pastors of the church included Elders J. J. Rowland, Milton W. Byram, and Pleasant Burgher.
Note: (We are seeking a picture of this church.)
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Anderson, Badger, Baker, Bradley, Byram, Capps, Currier, Davis, Dennis, Francis, Goodwin, Hale, Harris, Knight, Leggett, Long, McCaslin, McCormick, Morgan, Morris, Oliver, Rowland, Rush, Spiers, Stevens, Vanwinkle, Wood, Wright (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
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