Our History
Middle Creek Baptist Church was organized on October 10, 1886 in Morgan County, Tennessee with thirteen charter members. The first place of worship was a one room log building with four windows and benches made of rough lumber. This building was used for approximately nine years before it burned. In 1895 or 1896, the
second building was borrowed. It was known as the Big Mountain Schoolhouse and was located where the current Big Mountain Church sits. In 1908, a church site was purchased from Sam Walls. Materials were donated and labor was provided by the members.
A building committee began to serve once again in 1924. Construction of a new church was completed on the site where our current building sits. This building had several additions as the church continued to grow. Class rooms were added and a foyer with a bell tower was also added.
This picture shows the church in the 1940's before the foyer and classrooms were added.
A view of the church after the foyer and bell tower were added.
This view from the Coalfield side,
shows the classroom addition that is
still part of the current building.
During the early years, money was very hard to come by for the members of the church.
They still faithfully tithed and made tough decisions about how the money was spent.
This is an excerpt from the church minutes:
"Feb. 26, 1933
We the Missionary Church of Middle Creek met on the regular meeting day to consider church business. The record of last meeting was called for, read, and approved with an amendment added to scratch out the clause where this church voted to pay the Janitor $2.00 per month. Motion carried.
Balance in the treasury 52 cents.
CR Walls-Moderator
Alex Hays-Church Clerk"
Middle Creek has had active mission organizations since the 1920’s. The first Women's Missionary Union often met in member’s homes since it was too far for some of the women and children to walk and attend the meetings. We still have an active missions program that includes: Women's Missionary Union, Acteens for girls grades 6-12, Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors and the Awanas program for ages preschool through young adults.
The RA's (Royal Ambassadors) and their leaders in 1973.
This shot of the GA's (Girls in Action) is from a 1982 Coronation service. After the girls complete a series of tasks and Bible study, they advance and earn recognition.
Another shot of the GA's and their leaders
An early shot of the RA's and their leaders
Another early shot of our Girls in Action.
This is our current RA group as they worked on Operation Christmas Child. The boys gathered items to send boxes overseas for needy children at Christmastime.
Another ministry of Middle Creek is the Vacation Bible Schools held each summer. The first VBS was held sometime before 1932 and is still going strong. In previous times, VBS was in session for two weeks every summer and then held for another week in the Prudential community at the home of the Bowling family. Each year the children looked forward to the many pounds of peanut butter and crackers, along with gallons of Kool-Aid. The most common comment heard from the kids was "I wish VBS lasted all summer!"
An early VBS at Middle Creek
The children met outside the building each morning and marched in carrying the American flag, the Christian flag,
and the Bible.
This VBS is from the 1950's
Ruth Hamby, May McGlothin and Pastor Homer Hooks showing some of the children's handiwork in the 1950's.
This VBS was in the 1960's.
Mr. Christopher and Uncle Alex Walls would sit outside during VBS to guard against the hazards of road-front property in case of any "escapees"!
Louise Crowe and Madge Jones served as VBS secretary and director for over 30 years.
In the past, Middle Creek hosted a parade through the Coalfield community as a kick off to the start of VBS.
No one was safe from spreading peanut butter during VBS! This picture of Pastor Lloyd Napier was taken in the fellowship hall before the gym was added. This room serves as the current nursery.
This is a shot of our officers during a more recent VBS.
This shot comes from a VBS in the 1990's.
A present day VBS during the 2000's
The church took a leap of faith and hired our first full time pastor in 1959. Pastor Lloyd Napier and his family moved to Coalfield to serve Middle Creek.
In the 1960’s, the church members took another leap of faith and began construction on the present building. The congregation continued to meet in the old building while the construction was underway and it was with great sadness that the old building was taken down. God continued to bless our members
and the new church was paid in full in 1973.
This was taken at the ground breaking ceremony for the new building. Pastor Bill Bargoil is pictured on the far right.
This newspaper clipping shows the progress of the new building.
Pastor Bill Bargoil and former pastor Lloyd Napier burned the note in a special service to celebrate our church being debt free.
In 1979, an activities building was completed and construction began on a new parsonage next door to the church. Until this time, the church had owned a parsonage nearby in Back Valley. This property was sold when the new home was completed.
This picture was taken in 1967 before the classroom, activities building, and parsonage were added.
The new classroom addition is completed.
Groundbreaking ceremony for the activities building.
Homecoming in 1956.
Each year Middle Creek celebrates it’s roots with a special Homecoming service on the second Sunday in August. Some of you may remember the days when we ate on planks nailed to the trees in the woods. These special “tables” were always filled with home cooked goodies for everyone to enjoy.
These lovely ladies are enjoying the Homecoming celebration.
When Middle Creek reached it's 125th year in 2011, over 300 members, former members, and visitors gathered for the Homecoming celebration. The service began with a memory walk to enjoy displays that featured hundreds of pictures dating from the early1900‘s through the present day. This special service included hymns from the 1800‘s, ringing of the old church bell, and shared memories from the congregation. The names of the charter members were read and over 50 direct descendants of those members were recognized. The church was presented with a plaque from the state commemorating 125 years of Christian service and was received by Pastor Ronald Guthrie. After the service, everyone enjoyed a fellowship meal that was followed by homemade ice cream and watermelon.
The anniversary was celebrated all during the month of August with special activities. To kick off the month, a dedication service was held for the original church bell that had been restored. Facts from the old church minutes were shared each service. A former pastor, Reverend Homer Hooks, was a guest speaker during the third Sunday in August. Everyone enjoyed our Popcorn and Movie Night, when old movies of church activities were shown.
The month was culminated with the burying of a time capsule. The time capsule included pictures and signatures of everyone present that day, records of church history, and information about daily life in 2011.
