NEGenWeb Project
Merrick County, Nebraska

Prairie Creek Baptist Church

Known as the "Woodpecker Church"

by Mary Alice Vampola

Reverse says:
Church thought to have been built about 1884.
Rev. Baird fell dead about that middle window on the side,
June 1st 1887 aged 41 years 6 mons 13 days.

 

Chruch was 8 miles west of Central City on Ormsby Road. The building faced north.
The Prairie Creek Cemetery is still at that location.

Abbreviated history:
Church was organized by people that met at Pemberton School in 1883. Believe the building was erected the next year. First Pastor was Rev. J. E. Ingram; and the first deacons, John H. Sutton and R. T. Lewis.

Merrick County's 100th Year (1858-1958) Souvenir booklet shows the following as charter members:
Perry M. Sutton, Ella Sutton, Adam J. Harshberger, James E. Fitch, Francis M. Hirst, Elizabeth Hirst, James A. Sinsel, E.A. Sinsel, B. F. Jones, Mary Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Schmelzer, R.T. Lewis, L.E. Lewis, Wm. F. Sinsel, Fannie A. Sinsel, John H. Sutton, Hannah Sutton, James W. Teagarden, Joel F. Widman, Mr. & Mrs. John Newlon, F.L. Frazier and Mrs. R.S. Frazier.

The church building was sold at auction in 1954.

Another image of Prairie Creek Church taken in 1925, contributed by Steve Jones

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© 2001 for NEGenWeb Project by Mary Alice Vampola, Steve Jones, T&C Miller