Freedom
Constituted in July, 1827

  Freedom Baptist Church was constituted the fourth Saturday in July, 1827. Elders John Vawter and W.T. Scott had for some time been preaching in the cabins of different settlers in the neighborhood, and their labors were blessed to the saving of souls. Some of the settlers were already Christians,and were ready hlepers in the work, and eventually a council from the churches of the vicinity was called to recogniae these "belivers" as a regualr cjurch of Christ.
   The council met in the woods some three or four miles southeast from Vernon, on the date above given, and elected Elder John Vawter Moderator and Elder J. B. New Clerk. After an appropriate sermon, fifteen brethern and sisters, to-wit: Chesley Woodward, Elizabeth Woodward, Pleasant Carney, Elizabeth Carney, Elija M. Edwards, Hannah Edwards, Jesse Branham, Polly Branham, John Chambers, Jesse Stockton, Margaret Carney, Polly McGannon, Francis Chandler, Bracket Owen and Jemima Owen presented articles of faith and church covenant, and were recognized as a church, to be known by the name of "Freedom."
 
             PASTORS

    Elder J. Vawter, the first pastor, served until his removal to Morgan County in 1848 a period of twenty one years, and was followed by Elder W.T. Scott in a pastorate of nine years, after which Elder J.B. Swincher was pastor thirteen years. During the forty-three years' labors of these three veterans, the church was greatly built up and strenghtened. Since 1871 the pastors have been: Elder J.E. McCoy, six years; Allen Hill, one year; W.E. Spear, one year; _____ Randolph, one year;  and the present pastor, J.N. Spillman, two years.

 DEACONS AND CLERKS

    The Deacons have beenn: Bracket Owen, Jas. Butler, E. M. Edwards, Francis Chandler, John McGannon, Henry Carney, John S. Torbet and Achilles West.
   Clerks--Bracket Owen was Clerk six years; Pleasant Carbey, six years; W.R. Walker, seven years; Edward Walker, two years; Henry Carney, eleven years; W.D. Hill, five years; Henry Carney again, six years, and Robert from 1871 to the present; Post-office address, Dupont, Jefferson County, Ind.

 BUILDINGS

    Regular meetings continued to be held in the grove until November, when they were moved to the school-house. The following April a hewed-log meeting-house, built near the grove where the church was constituted, was completed, and was occupied until 1845, when the present house was purchsed. It is a substantial frame, located on the Madison & Indianapolis State Road, about three miles southeast from Vernon.

GENERAL REMARKS

    Freedom was the last constituent member of Coffee Creek Association, being constituted about six weeks prior to the organization of that body, and has ever manifested a deep interest in its annual sessions. The church has never been numerically strong, but is sound on all denominational questions, and ever ready to do her full part in all benevolent Christian enterprises.  Present number, 47.


Back to Book