Browns Valley Baptist
Browns Valley Baptist Church
Source: taken by Jim Zach. At the time I took this photograph, May 24, 2020 the church services had stopped and it had become a private residence.
Browns Valley Baptist (small, white) and Christian (brick) Church - 1960- Patty Lewellen Mason took these pictures for a Bible School project. These are AWESOME ! Additional information - this more Hard-Shell Baptist church was within a quick walk of the more traditional Baptist Church (still standing, not pictured) They only met maybe once/month there - no bathrooms or running water, just the "hard shell" of the church. The Christian was just that for many years and may have been a Presbyterian at one time. It still stands but is -- Thanks PLM
Browns Valley Missionary Baptist - In 1874, the Browns Valley Baptist Church was built with 66 charter members. Sadly, the building was destroyed by fire just two years later. In 1900, the present day church had a belfry added. In 1980, Dee Rice, a member bequeathed the church in her estate and the roof was repaired and redeocration helped the church in its beauty. Walter and Ruth Taylor Penn left a large sum of money which aided in several people going into seminary, a new piano and various improvements. (shortened from a history by Mrs. Franklin Johnson)
Source: 1874 – History of Missionary Baptist Church of Brown's Valley.
The first church organization was the Old Union Church located where Old Union Cemetery is now in 1826. In about 1834, some of members decided to form another church due to believe in Sun. School and missions, as Freedom Church was organized by this group with aid of Elder Parmer as their pastor. Many members were from east of Brown’s Valley. Due to road and winter conditions and traveling several miles, the members near Brown’s Valley desired to establish a church there with about sixty-six members. Freedom was then called the Mother Church. The first Browns Valley church was erected in 1874. It burned in 1876. A new church was built and completed in December 1876. The first pastor was Elder Reese Davis. A Presbyterian Church, where Indian Creek Hill cemetery is now contributed some members. Some of charter members are or were: Leonard and Bette Galey; Lucy Patton; Anna Davis; Rollie Crist; Nancy Coons; Rebecca Gilliland; Charles and Sarah Allen; Sarah Buser; Thomas Foster; John and Nancy Hanna; James Galey; Mathias Giltner; John Jones; John & Julia Kinkaid; William and Sarah Lydick; Elijah Pitts; Thomas & Nancy Doyel; William J. Myles and Caleb Conner (others not mentioned). The first deacon, John W. Hanna and his wife, Nancy left money to the church which was used for purchasing doors which bear their names. Other noticeable changes in the church was made in 1956 when the basement was remodeled to make more Sunday School rooms. (last written in what I believe to be the same hand but some crossing out and in black ink vs. green – kbz typist).
Thanks so much to Nicole for this wonderful history – greatly appreciated girl!