Coffee Creek
Constituted in May 1822



The first Sunday in May, 1822, Thomas Hill, Sr., Mary Hill, Wm. Whitsitt, Nancy Whitsitt, James Fowler, Sr. Jane Fowler, Wm. Blankenship, Polly Blankenship, John Hopkins, Zilpha Hopkins, Nathan Robertson, Ann Robertson, Patsey Peoples, Nancy Johnson, Betsey Bennet, Betsey Burnet, Sally Scott, Ann McCrora, Ann Prichard, Ann Wilkerson, Polly Hudson, Polly Bridges, Abigale Roberts, Polly Roberts, Hannah Earl and Susan Hill, convened at the house of Thomas Hill, Jr., on Coffee Creek, Jennings County, and were recognized as the Coffee Creek Baptist Church.
   The council of recognition was composed of messengers from Union,Vernon, Harbert's Creek, White River, Scaffold Lick and Graham's Fork churches. Isaiah Blankenship was Moderator, and W. C. Bramwell, Clerk. Elder Peleg Baker delivered the charge to the church and the hand of fellowship was extended by the council.
   Immediately after the council adjourned, the church organized for business. Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., through whose labors the church had been collected, was chosen Moderator, and Wm. C. Bramwell, Clerk. At this first meeting Thomas Hill, Jr., united with the church, was baptized and retained his membership till his death, in 1876.

 PASTORS

    Elder Thomas Hill, Sr., was the first pastor, commencing in June, 1822, and continuing until December, 1838, when old age and infirmity compelled him to resign; and, at the same meeting, Elder Thomas Hill, Jr., was called, and served with wonderful success nearly twenty-eight years, when the death of his companion and failing health induced him also to resign. Since that time the church has had the pastoral labors of Elders Wm. B. Lewis, two years; T. D. George, one year; W.E. Spear, one year, Wm. Gillaspy, two years; A. Connelly, two years; Wm. B. Lewis again one year; Allen Hill four years; and U. M. McGuire from March 1, 1881, to the present. Between these short pastorates Thomas Hill officiated, so that the church has never been destitute of a pastor.

 DEACONS AND CLERKS

    Deacons--John Hopkins, Wm. Whitsitt, Benoni Hollenshead, Aaron Scott, Henry Cobb, James Fowler, Samuel Malcomb, John Tobias, Wm. Graham and O.F. Philips.   Clerks--Thomas Hill, Jr., served eleven years; Allen Hill (brother of Thomas), fourteen years; Aaron Scott, fourteen years; Sidney Butler, twelve years; J.M. Cox, three years, and the present Clerk, A.W. Philips, six years. Address: Paris Crossing, Jennings County, Ind.

 LICENTIATES AND ELDERS.

    Nine men have been licensed, viz: Thomas Hill, Jr., Zachariah Bush, Jesse W. Robinson, Charles Snowden, Wm. B. Lewis, Henry Cobb, T. B. Lewis, Absalom Hudson and U. M. McGuire. Seven have been ordained, to-wit: Thomas Hill, Jr., in 1825, Zachariah Bush in 1832; J. W. Robinson and John Hill in 1837; Charles Snowden in 1838; W. B. Lewis in 1848, and U.M. McGuire in 1881. T. B. Lewis and Henry Cobb were ordained by other churches--Absalom Hudson went with the "Disciples."

 BUILDINGS

    The first house was of hewn logs, built in 1822. In the fall of 1834 the present house--a brick 30 X 34--erected near the site of the old one, was dedicated.

 LABORS AND RESULTS

    Coffee Creek was a member of Silver Creek Association from 1822-1826. For many years her membership was larger than that of any other in the vicinity, reaching as high as 225; but removals, dismissals and deaths have greatly reduced the ranks, leaving the present number only 112.

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