Boone Creek Baptist Church celebrates 170 years
Photo submitted
The family of former Pastor Paul Branstetter was at the Homecoming. From left are his daughter, Michele (Branstetter) King; son-in-law, Pat King; wife, Marsha Branstetter; and son, Jason Branstetter.
Boone Creek Baptist Church held their annual Homecoming celebration Sunday, and it marked their 170th year of existence. The day saw several returning to the church for a true homecoming, with over 100 in attendance.
Pastor Fred Bobe delivered the message Sunday; he pastored the church from December 1975 to September 1984.
Photo submitted
Former Pastor Fred Bobe delivered the message; he was accompanied by his wife, Carolyn; son, Doug and his wife, Linda Bobe; and daughter, Sheila and her husband, Kent Sturgeon.
Special music was provided by Pat and Michele (Branstetter) King. Michele’s father, Rev. Paul Branstetter, pastored the church for a decade, from 1963 to 1973.
On October 28, 1854, charter members William and Elizabeth Thornton, William Medlock, G.W. Williams, J.C. Williams, Rev. W.F. Thornton and wife, Parthena, Elizabeth Williams, H.G. Leonard and Elizabeth Leonard Davis organized the church. Services were held in a small log building east of Highway 137, with the precise location unknown. J.S. Springer was the first pastor and William Thornton was clerk.
Rev. Wilson Thornton donated land for a cemetery and church at a later date, and the first of three buildings was erected, just a few feet northwest of the current building. The present church building was dedicated in May 1930. Rev. F.W. Taylor was the pastor at that time.
A basement was dug under the church auditorium in 1954, and more classrooms were added to the basement level shortly afterward.
Rev. Paul Branstetter pastored the church from May 1963 to August 1973. During his pastorate, the auditorium was enlarged and a choir room, baptistry and restrooms were added.
Over its 170 years, the church organized five other churches – Cave Springs, Antioch, New Salem, Licking First Baptist and New Salem.
Historical information was obtained from Texas County Heritage Vol. 1, submitted by M.L. Smith. The early church history was attributed to Mrs. W. F. (Pearl) Harry, who served as pianist, WMU director and Sunday School teacher for many years.
