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Shady Grove Church History
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SHADY GROVE GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH
In regular conference service of the Independent Baptist Church of Christ on December 11, 1897 there was a motion and second that the church be reorganized as a General Baptist Church and go to the Mt. Union Church with a petition for reorganization. A committee composed of the following was selected to present the petition: Bros. W.L. Sanders, J.H. Spencer, J.H. Cornwell and W.B. Lightfoot, who was pastor and moderator for the religious group.
The petition from Shady Grove Church of Allen County, Kentucky requesting reorganization aid was presented to the Mt. Union Church on Saturday before the third Sunday in December 1897. A committee was assigned to investigate the condition of the church and organize it into a General Baptist Church. The committee composed of Bros. W.L. Harris, J.W. Cookery, B.C. Goodrum, J.Y. Buchanan, N.J.Stamps, W.J. Ayers, E.L. Kelsey and J.A. Justice.
The report of the committee was accepted and Shady Grove General Baptist Church was organized at Bailey School house in Allen County, Kentucky January, 1898, with fourteen charter members. Rev. W.L. Harris served as Moderator and Bro. E. L. Kelsey as clerk, Bro. W.E. Lightfoot one of the charter members was the first pastor. Chosen to serve on the Board of Deacons were: Bros. L.S. Railey, J.H. Cornwell and L.S. Pruitt, Bro. W.B. Lightfoot and Bro. W.L. Sanders were chosen as Elders.
Ministers who have served Shady Grove as pastors are: Bro. W.B. Lightfoot 1898-1904; Bro. W.L. Harris 1904-1918; Bro. J.E. Hargett 1918-1922; Bro. J.W. Johnston 1922-1923; Bro. E.C. Jones 1923-1929; Bro. Roy W. Spears 1929-1937; Bro. Ira L. Horn 1937-1950; Bro Fred J Harmon 1950-1951; Bro. Edward Carver 1951-1953; Bro. John E. Williams 1953-1957; Bro. Joe M. Powell 1957-1962; Bro. Hobert Cook 1962-1974; Bro. Hubert Gilliam 1974- July 1978; After Bro. Gilliam’s sudden death we did not have a pastor from July 1978 until September 1978 when we called Bro. Ricky Dickerson he served until August 1981; Bro. L.V. Bonds 1981-1985; Bro. Doug Carter, Sr 1985-to June, 1986 when Bro Carter had to give the church up due to health problems. At that time we elected Bro. Doug Carter, Jr. he served until August 1989: Bro. L.V. Bonds 1989-1991; Bro Pat Cline 1991-December, 2001; Bro. Jimmy Turner January 2002 to present time.
Deacons that have been ordained are: Bros. L.S. Railey, J. H. Cornwell, L.S.Pruitt, J.H. Spencer, Tom Hayes, Price Watkins, O.J. McDonald, Major Spencer, Charlie Cornwell, Murl Corder,Walter Cornwell,Virgil “Pete” Moore, James Q Oliver, Maxie Cornwell, Franklin Cornwell, Oscar Lee Conner, Vamaley Tabor, Ora Atwood, and Stanley Conner.
Our present deacons are: Bros. Murl Corder, James Q Oliver, Franklin Cornwell, Oscar Lee Conner and Stanley Conner.
Our trustees at present are Bros. Franklin Cornwell, James Vincent,Cecil Minix, John Jones and Damon Kirby.
Members who have served as Church Clerks since the time of organization are as following: Bro. J.H. Spencer, Sisters Virgie Spencer, Dorothy Buchanon, Vada Cornwell, Vessie Cornwell and Leatrice Cornwell, who is our present Clerk and Treasurer.
Sunday School was organized during a business session on May 13, 1899. Mrs. Bettie Agee served as the first Sunday School Superintendent, and Mrs. Virgie Spencer as the first secretary.
Sister Odie Pearl Willoughby has served 42 years as our Sunday School Secretary. Sister Brenda Willoughby served as
Secretary, Our present Secretary is Sister Anita Minix.
Bro.Brian Hill is our Sunday School Superintendent at present.
Our Custodian at present is Sister Clementine Kirby.
The church membership has grown from 14 to 201.