History
LIBERTY GENERAL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
ESTABLISHED 1860: Liberty General Baptist Church was first organized by Elder Thomas Norris, James Hannable Hogan and M. C. Martin on September 1, 1860, as a United Baptist Church. On July 7, 1866 it was re-organized by Elder Thomas Norris and Deacon M. H. Hutchinson as a General Baptist Church.
ORIGIONAL LOCATION: The location of the church was on the Little North Fork at the old Sycamore School House. This little community was known as Dilla. It is now known as the Haskins Ford area and located on County Road 865.
RELOCATED: In the late 1800’s to 1900’s the Church was moved to the old Isabella School House, on the highway beside the Isabella Cemetery. Several times the services had to be held at the spring located across from the Old Kyle’s Store due to burning of the old school house and in 1948 the building of a new school house. The services were conducted in a brush arbor built by the members and rough sawed benches for seats. Water from the spring was the drawing point of the location, as many came by horse and wagons and water was needed for the animals.
Most members would walk or ride a horse and needed water when they came to church. Most services on Sunday would include lunch and a service after lunch. Very few services were held during the week unless there was a revival in process.
PRESENT LOCATION: In 1951 a new church was built at the present site of concrete block. This consisted of the chapel area only. In 1981, two large class rooms, kitchen and two restrooms were added. In the 1990’s the basement was added, along with more chapel area.
This church has been a resting spot for many while they were alive and the final spot when they left this world. Many have accepted the Lord as Savior, no matter how humble the facilities were. God has always blessed this old church with his love and grace and with the attendance of those who wanted to serve Him and the community.
PASTORS: According to minutes of Church, the following ministers have served following Elder Thomas Norris, James Hannable and M. C. Martin September 1, 1860; No recorded minutes from founding to 1913; J. H. Honeycutt, 1913-1917; J. F. Hale, 1917-1919; L. P. Tannehill, 1920-1921; G. W. Wilhoit, 1923-1924; C. M. McCullough, 1924-1926; J. F. Hale, 1927-1928; Brother Tannehill, 1929-1930; G. A. Shaffer, 1931-1935; Nel Rich, 1935-1936; Allen Ledbetter, 1937-1939; G. W. Wilhoit, 1939-1941; Howard Wilhoit, 1942; Nel Rich, 1943; Raymond McGinnis, 1944-1945; C. M. McCullough, 1946; Nel Rich, 1947-1948; W. W. Hillhouse, 1949-1951; L. B. Hobbs, 1952-1953; W. W. Hillhouse, 1954-1958; Marlin McGinnis, 1959-1960; Loyd Norton, 1961-1968; Marvin Wray, 1963-1964; Jim Kyle, 1972-1991; Walter Wray, 1992-1993; Dennis Cowen, 1993-1994; David Dodson, 1994-1997; Jeff Alcorn, 1998-2009; Joe Gaddy, 2009-