Saltpetre Christian Baptist Church

History

The first meeting house of the church was an old store building near the present site owned by uncle John Lynch. Saltpetre Methodist Church was organized in 1920 by Christians of the Saltpetre community and the Methodist conference. They were placed in charge of the Fort Gay Methodist Circuit Rider. There were three services per week; Sunday School, Sunday night and Wednesday night prayer service, with the pastor attending the Sunday night service once a month, weather permitting. The old church seemed to weather the storms of the day under the direction of faithful Christians like uncle Jake Workman, uncle John Lynch, Mrs. Rebecca Lynch, Mrs. Mary Wheeler, Mrs. Hannah Pauley, Mrs. Victoria Pauley and Mrs. Lula Stamey. Evidently, this old store building served as a meeting place for the church from 1920 until March 1938.

In January, 1938 Sister Hattie Craft and Avonelle Duncan from Portsmouth, Ohio came to the little church for a weekend meeting. On Sunday night, "Sister Hattie", as she was affectionately called by all who knew her, gave the alter call and 22 came forward. This was the beginning of a "Great Pratracted Meeting", lasting three weeks with more than 70 people making a profession of faith. Sister Hattie, Sister Mary Wheeler, and Sister Victoria Pauley went to the pastor and asked him to come and accept the converts into the church. He refused to accept the converts and dropped the church from the Fort Gay Circuit. Not wanting to leave the little church unattended, Sister Hattie called for her husband and Brother Bob Cooper to baptize the new converts. Two other baptismal services followed this in the Saltpetre branch. There were 15 baptized the first Sunday by Brother Luther Craft and Brother Bob Cooper.

The old store building soon proved inadequate, and a building fund was started. A committee was appointed to take donations for a building. The committee consisted of: Sister Hattie Craft, Sister Mary Wheeler and Sister Victoria Pauley, who went from door to door asking for donations. Another group of ladies made aprons and a community quilt to help the church. When the committee approached Mr. W. M. Pauley for a donation he readily replied, "When I see something started, I'll give my part." He and Mr. Theron Wellman gave $800.00 of the first $1,000.00 toward building the church. The construction of the present church edifice was a venture of faith, as none of its members had above average means. However, the church was never very far in debt, nor was it necessary to borrow money. The building of this church represented the combined efforts, contributions, and prayers of many people.

In February 1938, French Wellman, Arthur Wellman, and Earl Wellman set about the task of hewing logs for the foundation of the present church. Uncle John Lynch gave the land for the church and the logs for the foundation. Three months later the main auditorium of the present church building was ready for services.

The church was organized June 18, 1938 by members given up from the Fort Gay Methodist Circuit. A committee was sent from the Christian Baptist Conference of Franklin Furnace, Ohio to examine the body of members as to their qualifications to organize a church. Reports were favorable and the church was given the name Saltpetre Christian Baptist Church.

Theron Wellman and Jake Workman were appointed deacons; Ruby Wheeler, Clerk; W. M. Pauley, Mary Wheeler and Theron Wellman, Trustees; Lula Stamey, Stewardess; and Sister Hattie Craft, Pastor, who faithfully served in this post for 7 consecutive years.

Saltpetre Christian Baptist Church has continued to grow and prosper throughout the years. We are currently under the direction of Pastor Richard Maynard, Assistant Pastor Rick May and Youth Pastor, Brent Fortney. We have been blessed with many great leaders, loving people, and an atmosphere where people love to worship the Lord. We are preparing to start construction on a new building that will give us the ability to seat more people and have more modern facilities and equipment that will assist us in teaching and spreading God's Word.

We extend and open invitation to everyone and hope to see you at Saltpetre very soon!

Pastors