History

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November, 1873 was the time when our forefathers used oil lanterns for light, burned wood and coal for heat, and used horse and buggy for transportation over the dirt paved roads. It was a time when they tilled the soil, and watched over the livestock to provide food for their families. A time when our forefathers had a very close and deep committal to God. It was this deep committal that gave the members of the Old Field Community a strong desire to thank the Lord for all His goodness.

Matthew 12:20 says “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Lack of a building did not deter the members of the Old Field Community, because you see, we are told that the first worship service was held in a Brush Harbor. Right in the midst of God’s own creation. No one is sure of how long they met in the Brush Harbor, but on April 6, 1878, for the consideration of one dollar, transferred from Samul B. Seat, Trustee, to Major Cross, Jesse Harris, Sam Sanders, Caleb Batson, Monroe West, Matt Barden and George Jamison, Trustees for Edgefield Baptist Church and successors, a lot of ground situated about two miles from Clarksville, Tennessee, near Paradise Hill Road.

We assume that this is when the name changed and a log building was constructed to be used for worship services until the year 1908. In that year, under the leadership of the Reverend Jack Ramey, a larger church house was erected and the Edgefield Baptist Church continued to do the Lord’s work.

Throughout the many years of our being, Edgefield has enjoyed the good fortune of having 18 men of God, such as the Reverend A.J. Hutcherson, Jack Ramey, J.C. Kates, T.M. Pettus, John Burney, R. Traughber, Edmond Northington, Jimmie Bowen, Charlie Toliber, Horace Fort, John Dickson, J.P. Johnson, C.E. Roberts, J.T. Knotts, G.R. Williams, A.T. Griffey, Sr., W.L. Williams and our present Pastor Brian Webster spreading the good news and leading the flock.

It was under the pastorate of the late Reverend A.T. Griffey, Sr., the year 1957 found the Church faced with a necessity of adjusting itself to the needs of a changed world. The atomic age had made its advent, with all of its profound effect upon the thinking of man. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6).” The Edgefield Baptist Church did not escape the growing responsibility for giving moral and spiritual guidance to the multitude of seekers. As a result, her physical facilities were exhausted and plans for renovation proved inadequate. Then the vision of a new church building was revealed to Pastor Griffey and a few of the members. The idea began to grow until it encompassed the entire membership and a building fund committee was formed to make tentative plans to bring about its fulfillment. The committee consisted of Brothers Lee Stewart, Ralph Collins, Jessie C. Northington, Fred Taylor,

Johnnie Washington, Ammon Collins, Lee Trice, Rufus Majors, Johnnie Hopkins, Joe Keesee,

Charlie Trice, E.L. Northington, Floyd Wilson, Bradley Dix.

In October, 1960, after much planning, the vision began to be realized. The old structure was torn down by the men of the church to clear the grounds for construction of a new church building. For the next six months, Edgefield never stopped serving and praising the Lord. For you see, all worship services were held in the old dining hall, which was located directly behind the old structure.

Then that glorious day arrived. It was April 30, 1961, when Pastor Griffey led the congregation into a new place of worship at a cost of $23,000.00, of which only $12,000.00 had to be financed. Edgefield continued to do God’s work and through His grace, the sanctuary was

enlarged, the men’s and ladies’ restrooms were added upstairs, a choir room and finance room (now occupied by the Mother Board) and bricks were added in March 1974.

After the October 15, 1977 death of Pastor Griffey, who had led the Edgefield flock for 22 years, Reverend Wilton L. Williams accepted the call in January 1978, under whose pastorage, Edgefield continued to grow. During the month of February 1980, the Concert Choir was organized and new pews were purchased. With pledges, a ramp for disabled and senior citizens was constructed under the watchful eye of the Usher Board and dedicated on the 4th Sunday in October, 1980.

In 1986, the old dining hall was torn down and a new fellowship hall was constructed to include a larger finance room, a larger Pastor’s Study and installation of central heat and air. Nineteen-ninety three brought the name change of the Missionary Society to honor our then oldest living Church Mother, Sister Ruth Northington Langford. In 1994 an organ was purchased for the sanctuary, and renovations were made in the Sunday School area. Through the initiation of over $18,000 in pledges by the Usher Board, pavement of the parking lot was done in 1996. In 1997 a scholarship fund was started. On May 11, 2003 a second note burning ceremony was held to mark the end of payments on the fellowship hall. In 2004 the “God’s Purpose” dance team was added to our ministries. In 2005 drums were added to the Music Department and the first woman was added to the Trustee Board, Sis. Lilia Terry.

Today, Edgefield has to her credit 140 years of Christian leadership to the glory of God and the service of mankind. Our records indicate that we have birthed 20 ministers of the gospel. The Reverends J.T. Martin, C.E. Roberts, D.W. Roberts, H.B. Gupton, Sandy Cooper, A. Henderson, Johnnie Washington, Charles E. Bagwell, A.T. Griffey, Jr., John Pace, Jimmy Bosley, Robert Brooks, Sr., Ike Lee Mallory, Fredrick (Rickey) Daniels, Demetrius Holland, Carl W. Ligon, Edmund Todd Jackson, Hulan Maewethers, Jamal Teasley and Edward Lucas.

We presently have 5 associate ministers on our roster, the Reverends William Bryles, Thomas Ligon, Jr., Edward Lucas, John McDaniel and Hulan Maewethers.

On March 2, 2008, the Lord in His infinite wisdom called our beloved pastor, W.L. Williams home to rest from his labors after sharing him with us for 30 years.

After more than 18 months of prayer, a revival of spirits was witnessed on December 1, 2009 when Reverend Brian Webster preached his first sermon as the “Pastor” of Edgefield Missionary Baptist Church. Under Pastor Webster’s leadership we have added the following ministries: Feeding of the Homeless and Hungry, Card Ministry, Church Beautification and Sermonic DVD. Edgefield is still growing and moving toward the mark of the high calling in Jesus Christ.

We have definitely come a long way, and have been truly blessed with such a glorious past that we can be proud of. But we must continue to do the work that our forefathers started so long ago.

Respectfully submitted this the 16th day of August, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Thirteen.

Pastor Brian Webster

Sis. Rose Valentine, Church Secretary

Sis. Tracy Stanley, Church Historian