 In
August 1931, the church membership was split into two factions
concernin matters of procedure when differences of opinion developed
over whether a brush arbour should be build on the church grounds for
the 1931 summer revival and whether the revival morning services should
be held at dawn instead of the usual 10 o'clock a.m. time. The
pastor, Rev. J.L. Carter of Honey Grove, felt that an old-fashioned
arbour meeting would "stimulate a revival spirit" as well as holding
the morning services at day, as well as enable farmers to attend the
morning services who would be working in their fields at the customary
10 o'clock time. The 1931 revival services were held in an arbour on the church grounds and the morning services were held at dawn. However, this unusual state of affairs was the daily topic of conversation in the homes and amongst the men who gathered to play dominoes at the two local stores. The two factions in the church continued to be separated despite discussions and thus carried on their differences for over a year. In fact, the two factions began to hold separate services. The church survived although its numbers decreased as some withdrew and transferred their membership to churches in Whitewright and Tom Bean. The church had regular Sunday School services at 10 a.m. and Sunday night prayer service, conducted by the members. In 1932 the church called Rev. J. Alvis Henderson as quarter-time pastor; he served the Kentuckytown Baptist church for over a decade when he resigned in order to accept a pastorate elsewhere. The Whitewright Sun Thursday, April 21, 1932 pg. 1 ORDINATION SERVICE AT KENTUCKYTOWN The Kentuckytown Baptist Church ordained three deacons at a special service Sunday afternoon at which officials and members of ten churches were present. Rev. J.L. Truett was elected moderator of the meeting, and Rev. C. Chumbley of Howe was elected secretary. Rev. A. Reynolds, retired minister residing at Pink Hill, who officiated at the ordination for Dr. George W. Truett of Dallas, examined the candidates, Arthur Stanford, Joe Stephens and Charley Anderson. Rev. J.L. Truett preached the ordination sermon, Rev. C. Chumbley delivered the charge to the deacons, and Rev. E. Prince of Bells charged the church. Ordaining prayer was by Rev. A. Reynolds. The church had no pastor for approximately two years. No records of membership or minutes have been found for the period of 1933 - 1943. In September 1944, the Church called Rev. Rudolph Russel, a ministerial student, as their pastor on a half-time basis. He served until late summer 1948 when he gave his resignation as pastor in order for him and his wife to become missionaries in French Indo-China. On September 1, 1948, Rev. Roger Brink was called as pastor, serving two years. The church, once again, continued to operate without a pastor for three years until Bruce Cushman was selected as full-time pastor and was paid a salary of $100 per month. In November 1953 the members voted to not tear down the church building but, instead, to remodel it. The remodel job began January 1954 with J.C. Whipple and Herman Gray being the carpenters for the job. 1. The belfry was removed. 2. The front porches were removed. 3. The front entrance changed from the southwest and northwest corners to the center of the west side. 4. The ceiling was lowered to make heating and cooling more efficient. 5. The roof lines were altered. 6. The choir loft was eliminated. 7. The decorative lattice across the upper front was removed. 8. The 1907 bell was reinstalled on a permanent mounting at the front of the church.  In August 1964 Rev. Cushman resigned in August 1954. About five weeks later, the church selected Stacy Cole, another ministerial student, as pastor. His stay at Kentuckytown Baptist Church was short-lived and in less than a year, Rev. Hoyt Bledsoe was chosen as pastor of January 20, 1955. The church continued to conduct services even though their numbers were small. Frequently pastors resigned and a new one as selected. In 1975 the church continued to operate after serving the Master's cause for over 125 years. On October 30, 1966 the historical plaque was unveiled during a special service as well as the Kentuckytown's historical marker placed at the intersection of Jefferson Street and State Highway 11. Source: Joe W. Chumbley. Kentucktytown and its Baptist Church. Houston, Texas: D. Armstrong Co., Inc., c1975 Kentuckytown Baptist Church History Elaine Nall Bay ©2017 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |