A History

Harmony Baptist Church

Founded 1850

History of Harmony Baptist Church

Founded 1850

                Harmony Baptist Church was organized May 25^th, 1850 by elders: Jesse Riggs, William A. Keen, and Martin U. Kitzmiller. The land was given by Enos Kincheloe, W. B. Chase and M. E. Chase. According to an act of church in session March 22^nd, 1902, a motion by R. E. Deakins that nine members could transact business or that nine would constitute a quorum. The oldest member on record was Mary E. Fulkerson baptized into the church January 16^th, 1896. The records show that Bro. W. K. Cox was the first Pastor in 1896, which some time had elapsed, there could have been others during this time. The new church was built in 1887. Bro. Jesse Riggs was never a Pastor at Harmony but he always worked with Bro. W. A. Keen. Martin U. Kitzmiller was a Baptist minister for forty years and served all that time at Double Springs. In a meeting at Fall Branch in 1841, 75 were converted and baptized by Bro. Riggs, Bro W. A. Keen being one of them. Double Springs in 1845 was the largest church in the Holston Association, with 223 members. Bro. Riggs, it is said, was a powerful exhorter and a firm believer that the Lord didn’t need any human help to carry on his business.

W. A. Keen was born April 20^th, 1820. His descendants were Welsh, German, and English, His unconquerable will and splendid physique, a massive frame, six feet, one inch, 240 pounds, a deep voice, brain and head made to fill a 7 ¾ hat. 

He was saved in the Fall Branch Church November 16^th, 1841 licensed to preach in 1842. In his early years his Mother was left a widow therefore he didn’t get much education. As he grew to man-hood he mowed, cradled, grubbed, and plowed for $8.00 per month. 

He learned to read from the New Testament. He was a great student however in the school of every-day life his textbook was on Baptism, which he read through once a year for several years. Paul to the Romans was his favorite, reading it over as much as 50 times to get the clues. It was discipline like this, persisted in more than a half a century that made him what he was at 75 yrs.  His descendants are the Boyer family which served the following churches: Fall Branch, Buffalo Ridge, Limestone, Harmony, and many others. His pastoral life was more than 50 years, never receiving more than $150.00 per year.

He passed away Jan 27^th, 1902. There was quite a bit of humor in Bro. Kean’s Life. It seems about the middle of his ministry he seemed to lose his effectiveness in a Revival. He poured out his heart to young brothers in the church saying, “I know more than I need to know about God and the Bible, and want to tell it. Why is it I can’t have the success I used to have?” The reply was to try something simple, He answered “I’ll try that with the Lord’s help.” That night he preached on John 3:16. Eighty souls were saved and 100 joined the church.

                At Harmony he took for his text at one time “Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?” Everyone in the house shouted.

Bro. Martin U. Kitzmiller was born in Washington County Jan. 25^th 1825, son of Henry and Elizabeth Kitzmiller. He was converted at the age of 15 years, was baptized into the Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church.

                He was pastor there in 1845. He was also pastor at Harmony and Fall Branch. One thousand persons were baptized by him during his ministry

                They were very strict and business like back at this time. The sexton received $6.00 per year for his work. Wood was furnished the church for $1.00 per cord.

                The members were notified to be present to answer charges preferred for telling falsehoods for the sake of gain.

                The church would withdraw fellowship for unchristian conduct and unbecoming talk.

                Services were held on the second Sunday and Saturday in the month. Offering to missions at one was $2.62. Saturday services at one time were dismissed on account of rain.

                The Association met at Harmony in 1869 and also in 1896.

                In 1890 W. K. Cox was pastor, with 100 members and a salary of $60.00 a year. Bro. Cox served as pastor until 1900. Membership then was 131.  R. E. Deakins served from 1900 to 1902. T. L. Hale served from 1902 to 1905. The membership was 126 and salary still remained $60.00 per year. In 1906 A. J. Watkins became pastor, serving 4 different times for a total of 24 years of more.

                Other pastors were: R. W. King, H. T. Templeton,  J. H. More, and Robert L. Lyons.

                The Association met here in 1923 for the third time.

                Bro. Jack Campbell was elected in 1944 and served until 1948 by this time the salary was increased to $457.76.

Bro. Bill Pitt was elected in 1948 and resigned in 1949.

                In 1949 Bro. Dana E. Hood was elected and served thru most of 1953. During his pastorate there were 3 more Deacons elected, E. G. Brown Jr., Floyd Morrell. Niles Wheelock. It was during this time that the church went to full time preaching.

                Our Women’s Missionary Society was organized in April  1951.  Mr. J. B. Kincheloe was our first President. Our enrollment was 34 members. It was organized by Mr. Freeman Wright of Glenwood Baptist in Kingsport. In 1954 during the pastorate of Bro. John Miller our Sunday School rooms where finished.

                By the records we have had Bible /school since 1954 with a good attendance.

                Training Union was organized in 1946 by a group from the Cedar Grove Baptist Church.

                Bro. John Miller was elected Pastor in 1953 and served until 1957 bringing his last message Dec. 29^th 1957.

                Bro. Dallas Hardin also served as Pastor during 1958, resigned January 25^th, 1959 to accept the Fordtown Church.

                Bro F. C. Wood Jr., of Colonial Heights was elected pastor in 1959 and served until 1965. It was during this time that new seats were bought, church painted inside, song books purchased, and a furnace installed.

Bro. Elmer Luster was elected in May 9^th, 1965. During his pastorate, water was installed in church, support for two missionaries, Larry and Carol Fish. A piano was purchased. Bro. Luster gave the church his resignation Aug 30^th, 1967.

                Bro. Charles Tester was elected pastor January 28^th, 1968.

                On June 5^th, 1968, there were three Deacons added to the church: Bill Harris, Jim Daniel, and Bo Wheelock, making a total of seven Deacons.

                The organ was purchased June of 1968. The rest rooms and pastor’s study were also added to the church. Three trustees were elected, Leon Cox, Leonard Cox, and Vaught Blair. Carpet was laid in the auditorium, study and hall.

The Y.W.A.’s were organized in October 1968 with Vanessa Wheelock and Linda Cox as counselors.

                The roof was repaired and covered.

                Bro. Tester gave his resignation to the church August 6^th, 1969 after having been in an accident and was hospitalized and could not resume the pastorate. His first visit back to the church was January 5^th, 1970 where he preached the message that morning.

                Bro. Harold McNabb was appointed to fill in until a pastor was called.

                Bro. Kenneth Jennings from Orebank was elected in Nov. 1969.  Steve Pate is our current pastor.

HOLSTON ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED

                The body was organized at “Cherokee Meeting House,” in Washington County on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October, 1786 ten years before Tennessee was admitted to the union. Seven churches were represented: Double Springs, Bent Creek, Braver Creek, Greasy Cove, Cherokee Creek, and North Fork Dandridge.

                Tidence Lane was the moderator; William Murphy, the clerk.

                The Association answered questions sent in by the churches, and gave advice on such matters as, points of doctrine, church discipline, duties of Deacons, qualification of Deacon’s wives, laying on of hands, foot washing and etc.

                The Association was missionary from the beginning.

                In 1802 the year before the body was divided, that is, in a period of 16 years the body had grown to 36 churches and 2,477 members.

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