Russellville Baptist Church History
Sixteen residents of the Russellville Community met on October 26, 1849, with three traveling missionaries from the Rehoboth Baptist Association to constitute The Baptist Church of Christ at Russellville. (The name was changed in 1920 to Russellville Baptist Church). They wrote and signed the Church Constitution, Articles of Faith and the Gospel Order. The church was in a small building on what is now Abercrombie Road 1/8th of a mile west of the present location. The church joined the Rehoboth Baptist Association (formed in 1837) part of the Southern Baptist Convention (formed in 1845). Conference was held on Saturday twice a year and worship on Sunday once a month.
On October 22, 1880, the building we worship in today was purchased from the Ebenezer Colored Methodist Church for $300 and the Baptist Church was sold to the Colored for $150. The land for the colored church had been given to the colored people by James Hardin family member. James Hardin was one of the Baptist Church charter members. Trees were cut and the church was built in 1845. Some of the original lumber remains in the building today.
Worship changed to twice a month in 1943. On October 1, 1954, the church voted to go to a full-time program. The church membership was transferred from the Rehoboth Baptist Association to the Centennial Association.
On October 22, 1880, the building we worship in today was purchased from the Ebenezer Colored Methodist Church for $300 and the Baptist Church was sold to the Colored for $150. The land for the colored church had been given to the colored people by James Hardin family member. James Hardin was one of the Baptist Church charter members. Trees were cut and the church was built in 1845. Some of the original lumber remains in the building today.
Worship changed to twice a month in 1943. On October 1, 1954, the church voted to go to a full-time program. The church membership was transferred from the Rehoboth Baptist Association to the Centennial Association.
The first sermon was delivered by Reverend W. I. Stevens.
The sixteen original members were:
1. James Hardin 9. Harriet Williamson
2. Davis Smith, Sr. 10. Martha Hardin Wilson
3. Davis Smith, Jr. 11. Mary Hardin Wilson
4. Joseph Williamson 12. Nancy Ware
5. Mary Hardin 13. Miranda Smith Holland
6. Elizabeth Nonley 14. Elizabeth Smith
7. Elizabeth Hogan 15. Mary Spain
8. Elizabeth D. Smith 16. Elizabeth Cook
The sixteen original members were:
1. James Hardin 9. Harriet Williamson
2. Davis Smith, Sr. 10. Martha Hardin Wilson
3. Davis Smith, Jr. 11. Mary Hardin Wilson
4. Joseph Williamson 12. Nancy Ware
5. Mary Hardin 13. Miranda Smith Holland
6. Elizabeth Nonley 14. Elizabeth Smith
7. Elizabeth Hogan 15. Mary Spain
8. Elizabeth D. Smith 16. Elizabeth Cook
