White River
Constituted in June, 1811

   In 1890, Alex. Chambers and family, and a few other families from Kentucky and North Carolina, located on a creek called White River, in Jefferson County, Ind., about 10 miles west from Madison. Some of these were Baptists, and they soon began to hold religious meetings in their cabins. Elder Jesse Vawter visited them and in June 1811, thirteen persons were constituted into theWhite River Baptist Church. The names of these brethren and sisters were: Alex Chambers and wife, Perry G. Magness and wife, Isom Blankenship and wife, Isaac Blankenship and wife, Isaac Hall, B.O. Hollenshead, Susan Wheat, Susan Monroe, Mary Hoagland, Sarah Monroe and Mary Chambers.
   The church was constituted and continued to meet at the house of Alexander Chambers for about three years, it being a large log building, the upper part especially designed for purposes of defense, with lookout and port-holes, to be used in case of attack by the Indians, of which early settlers were in constant dread. That their fears were well founded was shown by the horrid tragedy on Pigeon Roost Creek, Scott County, in 1812--but a few miles distant--where some fifty men, women and children were most brutally massacred.
                                                                             
PASTORS

    In the first thirty-one years, there were twelve changes of pastors; yet most, if not all, of these short pastorates were very successful. Elder Jesse Vawter was the first, serving two years, The church had no pastor for about three years, meetings being kept up regularly by Isom Blankinship, Wm. Whitsitt, Robert Monroe and Alex. Chambers, the last two licentiates. After that the church had the pastoral services of Elders J. Alexander for two years, Thomas Hill, Sr., for three years, Wm. Blankenship (recently ordained), for one year; Alex. Chambers (just ordained), three years; Thomas Hill Jr., three years; Alex. Chambers, three years; Thomas Hill, Jr., two years; Alex. Chambers, two years; Thomas Hill, Sr., one year; Alex. Chambers, two years, Jacob M. Cox, two years. John Chambers, ordained in 1842, served from that time until 1871, except about 4 years, Wm. Bussey being pastor in 1856, 1857 and part of 1862, and William B. Lewis in 1861. The church had no pastor in 1872, since which time Elders Wm. McCoy, W.Y. Monroe and A.J. Robins have each served one year, and G.W. Thompson and J.N. Spillman each two years. The present pastor is Elder F.W. Carney, of Tennessee.

LICENTIATES.

   Since its organization, the church has liscensed thirteen men to preach the gospel. They were E. Monroe, Alex. Chambers, W. Blankenship, Abram Smock, Jabob S. Ryker, S.D. Monroe, Benj. Davis, John Reese, Sylvester Roberts, John Chambers, James Monroe, A. Chambers and Wm. A. Chambers.

ORDINATIONS.

    Four of the above were ordained at White River, viz: Alex. Chambers in 1823, John Chambers in 1842, John Reece in 1846, and Wm. A. Chambers in 1866. Wm. Blankenship Abram Smock, Jacob S. Ryker and S. D. Monroe were ordained at other churches.

DEACONS AND CLERKS

   The deacons have been Alex. Chambers, B.O. Hollenshead, Wm. Whitsitt, J. Anderson, L. Perkinson, Wm. Monroe and A. Chambers.
   Clerks.--P.G. Magness, Michael Monroe, Abram Smock, Wm. Telford, S.D. Monroe, John Chambers, George Monroe, John Duggan, Andrew Wood, W.C. Ryker, A. J. Chambers, W.A. Chambers, A. Chambers, S.A. Chambers and A.C. Monroe, present incumbent; Post-office address, Swanville, Jefferson County, Ind.   

BUILDINGS

   The first meeting-house was built in 1814, of hewed logs, and was occupied until 1832, when it burned down. The same year a frame building was erected on the site of the old one, and used until 1855, when the present building situated about eighty rods northeast of the old house and one mile south of Kent, was erected.

REMARKS.

   White River has been a mother of churches. In the constitution of neighboring churches, she has furnished very many useful members. Scafold Lick, Lick Branch, Hopwell, Liberty and others have each received liberally. The Sunday-school work was entered into in 1835, and has been continued nearly every summer season since with very good results. Regular church meetings are held but once each month, but prayer meetings are maintained a good portion of the time, and special meetings quite often.
   White River united with Silver Creek Association in 1813, and entertained that body at its annual session in 1823. In 1827, it was one that united in forming Coffee Creek Association.
   The church record prior to 1820 is lost. At that time there were enrolled thirty members. Since then there have been received by baptism, letter and relation 403. Present number, 44.


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