BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH
submitted by Verna Smith Bice
Organized in 1824 East of Louisville, Barbour County, Alabama
Source: D. D Tidwell Collection, File # 1724
James Cadenhead was the first preacher and moderator in 1824. The first presbytery in 1825 was composed of James McLemore, and ordained
minister; Richard Head, ordained deacon; Francis Baker, clerk of the
presbytery. James Cadenhead was again moderator in 1825. Also in that year, William
A. Williams was preacher and moderator.
The following preachers served as pastor from 1825 to 1843:
Brother Kennigton, 1826
Brother Tew, 1827
Brother Simon (was licensed to preach in 1827)
William Harrod, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832
Brother Horn, 1833
Joel Sims, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837
William Tryon, 1838, 1839
Rev. Peter Eldridge, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843
The following brethren served as church clerks:
Allen Green, 1838
Daniel McKenzie, 1838
William Tryon, 1839
James Shipman, 1840
In 1839, when the Baptists in the South were beginning to divide over the question of Bible societies, missionary societies, etc., the
Bethlehem Church was divided over those matters. William Tryon and Rev.
Peter Eldridge appeared to be the "over turners," both of the them being sympathizers of the missionary movement.
A set of what appeared to be Primitive Baptist propositions were put to vote and were rejected. Rumor has it that Daniel McKenzie then "passed
the hat" for a collection to help the Primitive element start a new
church at Antioch.
Bethlehem continues to the present time (1967) as a missionary (Southern) Baptist Church. The Antioch Church, organized in 1839,
continues to the present time as a Primitive Baptist Church. It was
officially styled as the "Antioch Church of Christ of the Primitive Baptist Faith and
Order. "(The above was furnished by Winfred R. Horne, Clayton, Alabama to William T. Parmer, Nacogdoches, Texas in 1961).
After the Bethlehem Church split over the question of missions, both William Tryon and Rev. Peter Eldridge came to Texas by 1850.
(Note: Rev. Peter Eldridge was also the Pastor of "Mount Moriah Church"
of Barbour County before his move to Texas)
Provided by: Verna Smith Bice & Suzanna Edwards:
jbice@brazosport.cc.tx.us
(Descendants of Rev. Peter Eldridge)
