Dry Ridge Christian Church

The Dry Ridge Christian Church had its beginning in June 1896, when Reverend B. H. Melton, an Evangelist of the Christian Church held a revival at the Dry Ridge Missionary Baptist Church. At that time the "Christians (Reformers)" began with an organization of fifty members, according to a history of the church by Reverend G. Phillips Points, based on early church records which are no longer available. In 1897, the members decided to buy and remodel the old Methodist Church, James Chapel as their church, but later abandoned this plan. The opera house (Adkins Hall) on the Covington-Lexington Turnpike in the Lower Ridge was rented for a time for church purposes. There were twenty additions to the church in 1897, and perhaps thirty-nine or more the following year, including William Price, 87 years old.

In December 1897, G. W. and Lucia Tucker, in consideration of $425, deeded lots 20, 21, and 22 in Tucker's subdivision to "... J. T. Hinton, J. N. Gosney and Manoh Lucas, Elders and B. N. Lemmon, R. H. Martin and Florence Hutcherson, Deacons, Officers of the Christian Church..."

Reverend Point's history lists the dates and methods of joining by the following early members:
James A. Carter November 1898 letter from Baptist Church.
 Mrs. Louisiana November 1898
John Evans November 29, 1898 Baptism
C. E. Prather (clerk) 1898
Sadie Rash  November 10, 1898 Baptism
Claude Wilson November 12, 1898 Baptism
Mary E. Callahan November 1897 Baptist
James W. Dunn December 11, 1898 Letter
Mrs. Hattie Evans December 10, 1897
Tandy House (clerk) December 1897 Letter
Mrs. Louvinna House December 11, 1897
Mrs. Luttie Points December 11, 1897
Mrs. Flora Thomas
Mary Ella Metcalfe Baptism

Other early members include the families of Lee Ashcraft, Jeff D. Rankin, Tip Hume, E. B. Hogan, Abe Clemons and Walter and Stella Eskridge Lanter.

The new church was dedicated in July 1900 and is still in use today. The 1901 souvenir edition of the Williamstown Courier reported that the church has a membership of 100 and that 55 attended Sunday School superintended by C. E. Prather. Early Sunday School teachers included Mary Belle Carter, Iva Clements and Viola Bennett.

Two young members of the church, W. O. Wolf and Fred S. Carter, entered the ministry at an early date. Nothing more is known about the Reverend Wolf, but Reverend Carter was ordained in 1905. He pastored churches in Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and southern California, last known to be residing in Inglewood in 1925.

History of Grant County, Kentucky
John B. Conrad, Editor
Published by the Grant County Historical Society
Williamstown, Kentucky

Dry Ridge Christian Church
The Falmouth Outlook
Friday, September 14, 1934

The Dry Ridge Christian Church held it's homecoming and basket dinner on Sunday, August 26, with a large crowd present and a splendid program. At the Lord's table were John N. Gosney and R. H. Martin, two of the founders of the church. A splendid sermon was delivered by the pastor, Rev. Herbert Tinsley.

CHURCH HISTORY

After conducting several revivals in the Baptist Church, which the members so graciously loaned for our services, the members of the Disciples of Christ living in or near Dry Ridge decided that they need a church organization at this place. So at 10 a. m. on December 11, 1897, they met at Atkins Hall to complete a church organization. Song services were conducted by Bro. Will Fryer of Osesprea, Kentucky. Scripture and prayer by Rev. Mills of Falmouth, who had just finished a revival here. After prayer, Bro. Mill was then asked to act as chairman and Bro. J. N. Gosney as secretary.

The following names were then enrolled as those willing to help with the organization of the church: Napoleon Ashcraft, Nannie Ashcraft, Lee Ashcraft, Hattie Ammerman, Lila Ammerman, Martha Bannister, Samuel Bonar, Annie Blackburn, Nathan Butler, Hattie Carter, J. M. Conley, Martha Conley, Masilla Carter, Ninivan Carter, J. W. Dunn, Thomas Evans, Laura M. Lucas, Manoah Lucas and wife, R. H. Martin, J. M. Milliner, Sarah Milliner, W. G. McNay, Nick Northcutt, Mary E. Northcutt, Lutie P. Points, Mary E. Prather, Charles E. Prather, James L. Ramey, J. D. Rankins, Mary P. Daubdman, Jacob Daubdman, Hattie Evans, Lizzie Evans, Newt Gill, Atha Gill, J. N. Gosney, Mila A. Gosney, Addie Hutchinson, Florence Hutchinson, J. T. Hinton, Emma Mae House, J. T. Hurt, Newt Lemon, Fannie Lemon, George Spaulding, W. H. Spaulding, Eva Sechrest, Ora Sayers, Marion Sayers, Flora Thomas, W. T. Thornsbury, Alex Trowbridge, Nannie M. Vest and Mary York.

The above named members selected for officers whom they unanimously elected: Elders, J. N. Gosney and J. T. Hinton; deacons, R. H. Martin, J. N. Lemon and Florence Hutchinson; treasurer, J. M. Conley; clerk Tandy House. These officers served of one year. Bro. J. W. Maddox was called as pastor.

The church moved along nicely and during the year 1898 the following were added to the roll: Artie Anderson, Annie Butler, Fred Bailey, Sarah Blackwell, Nora Cox, Jerry Carter, Louisiana Carter, James A. Carter, Leona Dickerson, Eva Hughes, George Holton, Mattie Holton, Sadie C. Martin, Joseph Martin, Annie Martin, Ada Milliner, Missouri Milner, Edwin Milliner, Edwin Milliner, Claude Preston, Beatrice Preston, Elsworth Preston, Mabel Spaulding, Ellen Spaulding, Alfred Wilson, Claude Wilson, Effie Wilson, Sally York, Elisha York, Daisy Jeffers and Walter Frakes.

After worshiping in the hall for over a year they purchased the resent site from Mr. Tucker, paying during the year $300 and the balance at a later date. J. T. Hinton gave the first $100 donated on the church and always loved dearly to come here. They started to build this building, some members furnishing work, others rock and teams, and after the foundation was laid Bro. Lewis Martin did the stone work. With all helping, it was soon complete.

From time to time new officers were needed as some moved from the vicinity and some went to the great beyond. The following officers have served the church during its lifetime and some are serving at the present times as elders: J. N. Gosney, J. T. Hinton, C. E. Prather, B. T. Crouch, H. H. Penick, Henry Marshall, T. C. Powers, Russsell Lawrence and R. H. Martin.

Mr. Martin has served as an elder since 1901 and is still an elder, he being the only officer of the church to serve continuously since its organization.

Deacons-R. H. Martin, Newt Lemon, Florence Hutchinson, Charles E. Prather, J. M. Conley, Nick Nortcutt, Walter Frakes, J. W. Dunn, T. M. Lawrence, Alonzo Sorrell, R. T. Rash, George Sebree, John Sebree, Walter Lanter, William Marksberry, Holton Hume, Abraham Hedges, Roy Gardiner, William Newkirk and Joseph Spillman.

Clerks-Tandy House, Sr., served from Dec. 11, 1897 to Dec. 1, 1898; C. E. Prather from Dec. 1, 1898 to May 21, 1905; T. S. Latimer from May 21, 1905 to May, 1920; R. T. Rash from May, 1920 to 1930, when Russell Lawrence was made clerk and financial secretary. R. T. Rash has severd as treasurer of the church since 1920 and is still treasurer. Holton Hume was elected clerk in 1933 and is also secretary of the board.

Dry Ridge Church has much to be proud of, for though she is young (37 years since it was organized) it has had some of the very best men of the brotherhood as its evangelists. A partial list I will now give: Bros. D. Y. Donaldson, S. D. Grubbs, Heldebrandt, Haley, Milton, Mills, Hawkins, Calhoun, Lois, Clark, Runyen, Webb, Laws, Small, Watson, Foster, Bowen, Baugh, Baker, Bowling, Johnson, McGowan and Bamber. Some of these have held their second meetings.

As pastors this church has had: Revs. J. W. Maddox, B. F. Cato, L. B. Haskins, Case, Gifford Gordon, W. S. Buchanan, J. T. Brown, D. T. Buck, Lawrence Weil, R. M. Sims, N. K. McGowan, Edwin Marx, D. D. Dugan, G. L. True, Ernest L. Ford, George C. Fry, J. H. Moore, L. N. Bowling, R. H. Jones, R. L. Harrel, H. A. Windley and T. H. Tinsley, our present pastor. Five of these former pastors have passed to the great beyond to hear the plaudit, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Dry Ridge has always been a missionary church. The first year it gave $15 for missions and, though not being able to give what it wants to, it keeps on in a feeble way hoping to do better.

This church is thankful that it was able to give the following young men to the work of the Master: Fred S. Carter, W. A. Wolfe, William Hogan and Harry C. Dougherty. These are all promising young ministers. Bro. Robert Carter was also a student in our Sunday School and we feel an interest in his work. Bro. Edwin Marx we claim as our missionary, as he closed his pastorate at this church to enter the field of China as a missionary.

Our church is still growing and we pray God's richest blessings on its work and especially send our prayers up for the eleven charter members who are still enrolled at this place: Mrs. Flora Thomas, R. H. Martin, J. W. Dunn, Marion Sayers, Mrs. Lizzie Vest Webb, Mrs. Mry Nortcutt Mulford, Lee Ashcraft, Mrs. Hattie Evans, Mrs. Lutie P. Points, Tandy House, Sr., and J. D. Rankins. May their good influence, with the help of all the members, continue to make this church stand out as one of God's choicest blessings in the community, ever holding high the banner of Christ.

Written and read by Mrs. R. T. Rash, August 26, 1934.

Submitted by Sandra Burbridge and Bonnie Snow - thanks!
April 2008

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