History of  Maria Creek Church                                                                         

            In the beginning of the present century pioneers began to push out from the Eastern States into Indiana Territory.

A number of these bold, energetic men settled in what is now the northern part of Knox county, Indiana, between the Wabash and White rivers, and some of them on the west side of the Wabash river in Illinois Territory.

This country was then on the extreme Western frontier, and almost an unbroken forest, full of wild animals and savage Indians, where the first settlers had continually to guard their stock from the one, and their wives and children from the other.

Most of them had come from Kentucky and Ohio, and had settled in this wild country. With strong arms they attacked the forest for the purpose of making homes for themselves and children, and with brave hearts purposed to de- fend them. Among these hardy pioneers were a number of Baptist people, who, with the assistance of Elder Alexander Diven, from Columbia, a little village on Patoka river in what is now Gibson, then Knox county, Indiana, and Elder James McQuaid from Kentucky, organized Subsequently the following record appears: "John Hansbrough, formerly a member of Flat Rock Church, who was excluded in consequence of information from this church, came forward and related that he hoped the Lord had healed his backsliding, and had loved him with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness had drawn him, which gave unanimous satisfaction and joy. On motion, the clerk directed to inform Flat Rock Church of the happy return of our Brother. "March, 1814. The church is of opinion that any stranger traveling under the character of a Baptist preacher, be not invited to preach unless he brings a certificate from the church where he has his membership, certifying his character, or gives some other satisfaction of his standing in society." on the 20th day of May, 1809.

There were thirteen members that entered into that organization, viz: Samuel Allison, Phoebe Allison, Charles Polke, Sen., Charles Polke, Jr., Margaret Polke, Achsah Polke, William Polke, Sally Polke, John Lemen, Polly Lemen, William Bruce. Sally Bruce, and .John Morris, a man of color.

Of the above named persons Samuel Allison, Phoebe Allison and John Morris lived on the west side of the Wabash river in Illinois Territory. The foregoing covenant we, in the fear of God, enter into, and have subscribed our names hereunto this 20th day of May, 1809.

Being thus constituted they proceed to business by choosing William Polke Church Clerk.

Thus was planted, on the then Western frontier, Maria Creek Church. A Church that was destined to have a wide influence; not only in all that part of the country in which she was located, but on many other and far distant places, by the removal, from time to time, of persons who had been received into Her fellowship, and instructed under Her teaching in the truths of the Religion of Christ, and who carried with them the religious teaching, and Christian character thus received in Maria. Creek Church.

At the third meeting of the Church they invited Isaac McCoy, then a member of Silver Creek Church, Clark Co., Indiana Territory, and holding a license to preach from that Church, to visit and preach for them. Sometime in the latter part of the year 1809, he removed to Maria Creek and became the pastor of Maria Creek Church, and in January, 1810, united by letter with the Church.

On the 16th of June following the Church took into consideration the propriety of ordaining Brother Isaac McCoy to the work of the ministry. After holding the matter under consideration for two months they decided to have him ordained. They then wrote to Kentucky for ministers to come and assist in his ordination. In October the following Elders George Waller and William McCoy (father of Isaac McCoy), from Buck Creek Church, Shelby Co., Ky., being present in answer to the request of the church. "After a sermon preached by Bro. Waller, suitable to the occasion, proceeded to the ordination of Bro. Isaac McCoy as a preacher, to the general satisfaction of the church."

From the organization of the church until the meeting in October 1810 the church had received eleven members by letter. At this meeting, the same at which Isaac McCoy was ordained, the church received her first convert, viz: Elizabeth Chambers, wife of .Joseph Chambers. She, however, was not baptized at that time. Joseph Chambers says in a short sketch of his life from which I quote, ''She refused to submit to the sacred ordinance from a sense of her unworthiness, until January following, when we were both baptized on the same day." But he says further, that on the day she was received a candidate for baptism he, himself, became very much concerned about his soul's salvation, and the hope that he would soon go with her was probably one reason why she waited. In the mean time, while she was waiting, Joseph Listen and his wife were received and baptized, being the first persons baptized into Maria Creek Church.

                                                                                       Church Minutes

The following extracts are copied from the church records during the earlier years of her history, for the purpose of showing something of her inside workings as a church, and of exhibiting some of the characteristics of her members, their frankness, their straight-forward honesty and singleness of purpose, and for the further purpose of illustrating, as they sometimes do, Baptist principles and doctrines. They are copied as they appear on the church records. There is, in some of them, some peculiar forms of expression, and a certain degree of quaintness, that will be of interest to those at least for whom this history is written.

"Sept., 1809. Query. What methods shall the church pursue in the reception of members who bring letters with them from churches not certifying the doctrines held by said churches.  Answer. Any member to have liberty to ask questions for satisfaction."

"June 16th, 1810. Sister Elizabeth Brown handed in her letter, which not giving general satisfaction as to the doctrines held by the church from which she comes. After examination she was cordially received."

"June, 1810. Brother Kennedy handed in his license as a preacher. The church not being acquainted with Bro. Kennedy as a preacher, agrees to hear him before they give him a certificate of approbation on his license, and return the same to him."

"July, 1810. The church agrees to give Brother Kennedy a certificate of approbation on the back of his license, which he handed in last meeting and return the same to him."

"Jan., 1811. Bro. McCoy brought forward a piece he had written in answer to a pamphlet wrote by Mr. Timothy Merrit on absolute perseverance. The church after hearing said piece, gave Bro. McCoy liberty to make what use of said piece he thinks proper. March 1811. The church, after re-hearing Bro. McCoy's answer to Mr. Merrit on the perseverance of the saints, advise him to publish the same."

"Feb. 16tb, 1811. The church agrees to raise six dollars for the use of the church one year."

March, 1811: "The church agrees to appoint Saturday, the 23d instant, to meet for the purpose of building a meeting house, and that we request our neighbors to assist us on that day."

"June, 1811. Zacharia Bawls came forward with his letter, which not giving satisfaction; on examination the church conceives it prudent not to receive him; as fellowship is not obtained."

"August, 1811. Bro. McCoy proceeded to read to the church a number of spiritual songs he had composed on different religious subjects, and requested the advice of the church, in what way he should act in regard to said composures. The church unanimously approve of said composures, both in respect of poetry and doctrine, and bid him God speed in the same. The church unanimously advise Bro. McCoy to make the same public in the manner that seems to him right."

"Feb., 1812. Peter Hansbrough presented a letter asking admission into the church. Objected to on account of his holding slaves, by Brethren Wm. Bruce and Wm. Drake, and by Sisters Delila Listen, Elizabeth More and Polly Chambers. Referred."

"March, 1812. The reference respecting the reception of Bro. Peter Hansbrough being taken up, the objectors being called on to know whether they continued their objections. A preparatory motion to come at the business, moved and seconded, that an enquiry be made of the church whether they wish to continue the union with the Baptists they stand united with. The church say with the exception of one member, Wm. Bruce, they wish to continue the union. The objectors to the reception of Bro. Hansbrough being again called on, whether they still continue their objections to his reception on account of his holding slaves. "Bro. Wm. Bruce continuing his objections and the church conceiving the objections to amount to a declaration of non-fellowship with the Baptist connection with whom we are in union; and the church believing it will be to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom and the peace and prosperity of the church to continue the union, and Bro. Bruce being unwilling to continue in union with slave holders, he is considered no more a member with us; at the same time they declare they have no objections to his moral character as a christian." Bro. Wm. Bruce was afterwards, (July, 1816,) at his request, restored to, the church.

''May, 1812. Owing. to our situation on the frontier, in respect to the Indian alarms, people being in a defenseless situation, the church failed to meet at our April meeting; but have the satisfaction to meet together (owing to the goodness of our God) at our meeting in course on the 16th of may and in order proceeded to business. "Received by relation Polly Thomas, who was formerly a member of the denomination called Christians or New- lights, but professing to believe the doctrines this church was constituted on, and having been Baptized by immersion, she was unanimously received a member with us.'" This was the first example of alien baptism in Maria Creek Church.

"Aug., 1813. Moved, that as a number of our Brethren have failed to attend for the last three meetings, the church agrees to request them to attend in October." A number of members were appointed to notify them to attend and give reasons for their failure. Then follows this: "The Sisters, owing to our exposed situation on the frontier, the church thinks not proper to request their attendance." Just think of it. Three of these absent members, living on the west side of the Wabash, fifteen miles away, were cited to attend and give reasons for their failure to attend for three meetings, and at the same time the Sisters advised not to attend on account of danger from the Indians, it being unsafe for them to leave their fort. [ [ The record says these Brethren attended and gave satisfactory reasons for their failure. In view of all the circumstances it would be interesting to know what those reasons were. ]

"March, 1813. It appearing from the minutes of our last association that Bro. John Lemen, who was appointed by the preceding association to prepare a circular letter, has failed to prepare the same, and the association advising this church to enquire of our Brother Lemen the cause of his failure. "Brother Lemen, being called on, stated that, owing to his situation on the frontiers, his mind was not sufficiently calm and unmoved to compose said letter; and secondly, lie did not believe it his duty to attend the association, owing to the exposed situation in -which he lived, and therefore thought it improper for him to write said letter as coming from the association, he not being present at the meeting thereof. "The church unanimously are of opinion said reasons are proper."

"Jan., 1814. Polly Thomas informed the church that she had been guilty of a wrong in joining the young people on last new years evening in their plays and pastimes, which was unbecoming a professor of religion. The church are of opinion our sister be reproved and keep her seat as a member in full fellowship, Bro. McCoy to remove our sister, which he did in presence of the church."

"June, 1814. The church being informed that John Hansbrough, being a member of a church in Kentucky, and it being known to the church that he makes use of profane language, and other conduct unbecoming a professor of religion, the church conceives it her duty to write to Flat Rock Church, Jefferson Co., Ky., informing them of his conduct. Bro. Wm. Polke to prepare a letter and present to the church tomorrow morning. Sunday morning. The church approved the letter prepared to be sent to Flat-rock."

Subsequently the following record appears: "John Hansbrough, formerly a member of Flat Rock Church, who was excluded in consequence of information from this church, came forward and related that he hoped the Lord had healed his backsliding, and had loved him with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness had drawn him, which gave unanimous satisfaction and joy. On motion, the clerk directed to inform Flat Rock Church of the happy return of our Brother.

"March, 1814. The church is of opinion that any stranger traveling under the character of a Baptist preacher, be not invited to preach unless he brings a certificate from the church where he has his membership, certifying his character, or gives some other satisfaction of his standing in society."

"June, 1815. A request from the church at Lamotte for a committee to look into their standing as a church to determine whether they are in order to join the association. The church are of opinion that it would be improper to send such a committee, as it would be assuming more authority than one church ought to exercise over another."

"Oct. 1817. Brother McCoy informed the church that he had accepted an appointment from the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States, for the ensuing year; and requests of the church her approval or disapproval of his conduct. After conversation had thereon the church unanimously approve of the same."

"March, 1819, Bro. Richard Brock informed the church that he had imprudently been guilty of a wrong in correcting his daughter agreeably to a former promise he had made that if she joined the Methodists he would whip her. He expressed his sorrow that he was so unpleasantly situated as either to break his promise, or to proceed to rash measures. The church, after hearing the Brother's acknowledgement and conversing thereon, admonish the Bro. to let his moderation be known to all men, and do nothing rashly. And while we thus counsel our Bro. we wish to take the counsel to ourselves, and wish it distinctly understood that this church disapproves of all rash measures to restrain the liberty of conscience in our Families, and to use no other methods than reason and arguments drawn from the scriptures, to restrain our Families from joining any other denomination of professed Christians." They were true to Baptist principles.

"May, 1819.- Moved that Bros. Joseph Chambers and William Keith wait on Mr. Duty and wife and inform them this church fellowship their daughter Sally as a Christian; and request their approbation to her being baptized and becoming a member with us."

In 1821 Maria Creek Church had so increased in numbers that the log cabin was too small to accommodate her meetings. Accordingly they proceeded to erect a more commodious house.

"Sept., 1822. The committee appointed last meeting on the subject of the meeting house, made the following report, which was adopted:

''Sept. 28th, 1822. We the undersigned, appointed a committee to converse with Brother Samuel Lemen, respecting a site on which to build  a meeting house, and to suggest a plan for a building, beg leave to report as follows: "Brother Samuel Lemen proposes to let the church have one acre of ground at Five Dollars, located so as to include the creek and a spring, and a sufficiency of high ground to build on. Also Brother Jonathan Cox proposes to let the church have one-half acre adjoining the tract proposed by Brother Lemen, at the price of Two Dollars and Fifty cents. "We also recommend a brick building 30 by 45 feet. We have made a rough calculation of the cost and are of opinion that a house one story high, that is, 12 feet above ground, have it put under cover, with plank for the floor and doors, and windows can be built for 8450.00. We further recommend that the expenses of the same be raised by assessment of the members. But we wish it to be distinctly understood that no person shall be assessed who has conscientious scruples as to that mode of procedure. Accordingly a committee was appointed to superintend the building, trustees were elected, and a title to the ground secured, and the building erected. The location of this house was on the bank of Maria Creek near the present crossing of the Oaktown road.

After the revival in 1819-20, already mentioned, in which Elder Aaron Frakes was engaged, he continued to visit the church occasionally and preach for them. In March, 1820, he was called as pastor, in which office he continued until his death, Feb. 23d, 1821. From this time until May, 1823, the church was without a pastor. They had occasional preaching by Elders Robert Elliott, Tyra Harris and Royce McCoy. In Nov., 1822, Elijah Veach, a member of the church, was licensed to preach, and occasionally preached for them. In May, 1823, Elder Samuel Anderson was called to the pastorate of the church, and continued pastor until December, 1827. In July, 1825, John Graham, then a member of the church, was ordained a minister of the Gospel. In August, the same year, a Sunday-school was organized, being the first Sunday- school organized by the church, and one among the first organized in this Western country.

                                              Membership Rosters by date can be viewed here

                                      Ministers of Maria Creek Church

                                              All data on this website is © Copyright 2006 - 2008 by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters.