The Story of Black Jack Bethel Church : Page 6

note as Duncan C. Henderson, church clerk, Deacon, and faithful servant lad passed on to be with the Lord. That page of the minutes is herewith included directly copied from the minute book.

July 1853--During the last week of the month a protracted meeting was held. "After the divine service by Brother H. W. Portwood, application was made for a letter of dismission of Tabitha E. Maury which were furnished and handed over the following day."

August 1853--When the church was receiving members Mrs. Scana W. Rasberry came by letter.

January 1854--The church met in conference and elected Brother A. W. Portwood to serve as pastor again, for the coming year. He accepted the call. A collection was taken for paying the pledge of the church for the past year. The pledge amount was twelve dollars and fifty cents.

March 1854--A committee was selected - William Blan and William Houson - to correspond by letter to the Benton Church.

July 22nd 1854--Brother J. B. Hamblin was the preacher during this (?) There was mention made of repair on the church building which at this time was (about?) eleven years old. A committee was appointed to hear the experience of (?ck) man, belonging to J. C. Bull. The man had been received for baptism.

September 24th 1854--A protracted meeting that lasted nine days was held. Brother D. Patterson was morning speaker and Brother J. B. Hamblin was the evening speaker. Received for baptism were nine and by letter four - one was restored and one under the watch care of the church. During the meeting J. C. Bull, William Houson, M. R. Gasborough, and W. J. McNeal were appointed delegates to the association, "and also requests next association by holden within us " A collection was taken in the amount of $27.10 for Brothers Patterson, and Hamblin.

December 1854--At the conference Brother Portwood was asked to served the church for the next year. The answer were postponed until the next meeting, Letters of dismission were granted to Martin McNeal, W. J. McNeal and wife, and Mrs. Etheridge and daughter.

March 1855--Brother J. Patterson had charge of the service on confere? day. During the business meeting it was decided that Brother Portwood, through agreement with the church, would preach "every fourth Saturday on the e? side of Cypress in the Gasborough neighborhood."

May 1856--A motion was made to raise money "by subscriptions" to build a new church. The motion passed and J. C. Bull and William Watlington were appointed to "wait on" the people in the axes with a subscription list, and report back at the next meeting.

July 27th 1856--The committee reported that four hundred and eighty dollars had been subscribed for the erection of a new building "at Bethel." The ?rch resolved to build "said house." A committee was selected to superentend building process - those being - J. C. Bull, William Watlington, James M .D. Pearson, and Burton A. King.

September 1856--Delegates were approved to attend the association to be held at Brownsville, Miss.. Five dollars was sent for associational purposes.