History
Black Springs Baptist Church
On November 18, 1843, eleven people led by God felt a need for a place of worship in this community and met together with Elders J.J. Salmon and Benjamin Roberts for the purpose of constituting a church.
Each person handed over their letters for membership to Brother Salmon. Brother Salmon read the previously proposed Constitution and Covenant, and believing all to be orthodox, proceeded to pronounce them a regular constituted Baptist church according to the Gospel. He then gave the right to fellowship to all members, and they to each other. The Baptist Church of Christ at Black Springs was now established.
The first pastor, J.J. Salmon, was called on December 16, 1843, and the twelfth member, J.M. Palmer, joined by letter from Beulah Baptist on the same date.
The Church's first decorum was drafted and presented to the Church on April 20, 1844, by J.M. Palmer and J.R. Scott.
On July 22, 1844, Black Springs gained its first member by profession of faith, Mrs. Nancy Johnson. Also, the Washington Baptist Association was petitioned by the church for admission into that body and was accepted.
In 1845, Michael Graybill deeded three acres of land around a black spring for the purposes of building a Baptist church and schoolhouse. The church building was completed in 1847.
The 20th Century brought many changes to Black Springs. The sanctuary was first added on to in 1928. This addition consisted of the four Sunday School rooms, two on either side. In 1951, our present-day pews were purchased, adding much need comfort, and in 1955, an annex was built back of the pulpit, giving us more Sunday school rooms, restrooms, and an inside baptismal pool.
In 1959, the land on which we worship today was purchased. At that time, the usage had not been determined when the church felt a need to secure this tract. A need for a parsonage in order to have a pastor on the field was felt, and in 1968 our present parsonage was completed. By 1990, the church added a much needed fellowship hall, which was built in stages beginning in 1983.
In April of 1992, many of Black Springs' members and interested people in the community watch with mixed emotions as the church building was moved across Highway 22 to it's present location. The sanctuary was enlarged, more Sunday School rooms added, and a pastor's study. These new additions adjoined the sanctuary and the fellowship hall into one large physical plant. During the summer of 2007, Black Springs remodeled the sanctuary by increasing the size of the platform, installing new carpet and pew cushions, repainting the ceiling and walls, adding chandeliers, and building an audio/video booth.
In the years since its founding, God has never failed in blessing Black Springs with His love and goodness. By God's mercy, He has enabled many people over the years to serve Him and to bring glory to His name through the ministry of Black Springs Baptist Church. We give all of the credit to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death on the cross enables us to have fellowship with God and to be a part of His Church. May Christ forever bless His Church as we continue to serve Him according to His will.
Jubilee Moments
2018 was Black Springs Baptist Church's 175th Anniversary, and we celebrated it as our "Year of Jubilee." Over the course of the year we shared special "Jubilee Moments," brief remembrances that celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Black Springs Baptist Church. Each Jubilee Moment focuses on a 25-year period during the church's history, taken from church meeting minutes that have been preserved throughout the life of the church.
The Jubilee Moments were researched and prepared by church member Dianne Ray.
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Each person handed over their letters for membership to Brother Salmon. Brother Salmon read the previously proposed Constitution and Covenant, and believing all to be orthodox, proceeded to pronounce them a regular constituted Baptist church according to the Gospel. He then gave the right to fellowship to all members, and they to each other. The Baptist Church of Christ at Black Springs was now established.
The first pastor, J.J. Salmon, was called on December 16, 1843, and the twelfth member, J.M. Palmer, joined by letter from Beulah Baptist on the same date.
The Church's first decorum was drafted and presented to the Church on April 20, 1844, by J.M. Palmer and J.R. Scott.
On July 22, 1844, Black Springs gained its first member by profession of faith, Mrs. Nancy Johnson. Also, the Washington Baptist Association was petitioned by the church for admission into that body and was accepted.
In 1845, Michael Graybill deeded three acres of land around a black spring for the purposes of building a Baptist church and schoolhouse. The church building was completed in 1847.
The 20th Century brought many changes to Black Springs. The sanctuary was first added on to in 1928. This addition consisted of the four Sunday School rooms, two on either side. In 1951, our present-day pews were purchased, adding much need comfort, and in 1955, an annex was built back of the pulpit, giving us more Sunday school rooms, restrooms, and an inside baptismal pool.
In 1959, the land on which we worship today was purchased. At that time, the usage had not been determined when the church felt a need to secure this tract. A need for a parsonage in order to have a pastor on the field was felt, and in 1968 our present parsonage was completed. By 1990, the church added a much needed fellowship hall, which was built in stages beginning in 1983.
In April of 1992, many of Black Springs' members and interested people in the community watch with mixed emotions as the church building was moved across Highway 22 to it's present location. The sanctuary was enlarged, more Sunday School rooms added, and a pastor's study. These new additions adjoined the sanctuary and the fellowship hall into one large physical plant. During the summer of 2007, Black Springs remodeled the sanctuary by increasing the size of the platform, installing new carpet and pew cushions, repainting the ceiling and walls, adding chandeliers, and building an audio/video booth.
In the years since its founding, God has never failed in blessing Black Springs with His love and goodness. By God's mercy, He has enabled many people over the years to serve Him and to bring glory to His name through the ministry of Black Springs Baptist Church. We give all of the credit to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death on the cross enables us to have fellowship with God and to be a part of His Church. May Christ forever bless His Church as we continue to serve Him according to His will.
Jubilee Moments
2018 was Black Springs Baptist Church's 175th Anniversary, and we celebrated it as our "Year of Jubilee." Over the course of the year we shared special "Jubilee Moments," brief remembrances that celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Black Springs Baptist Church. Each Jubilee Moment focuses on a 25-year period during the church's history, taken from church meeting minutes that have been preserved throughout the life of the church.
The Jubilee Moments were researched and prepared by church member Dianne Ray.
Back to the About Page