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Historic Dry Fork Church
343 Dry Fork Creek Road * Bethpage, Tennessee 37022 (615) 456-9136 |
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History of Dry Fork Historic Dry Fork Church finds its roots in the great revival that swept the frontier about the years of 1799 - 1801. A large revival was planned near Gallatin TN in 1800, but because of dry weather and a water shortage, it was moved to Blythe's Big Spring about three miles from the present site of Dry Fork Church. The response was overwhelming with people traveling for as long as three days on wagon and horseback to camp out for the three day revival. Thousands attended and hundreds were converted at this joint effort of the Methodists and the Presbyterians which included at least a dozen preachers. After the revival, a camp meeting ground was established on the present site, upon which a log structure was built by 1821, in which the Reverend Richard Beard preached. Reverend Beard later served as Moderator of the General Assembly, head of the Theology Department at Cumberland University, and was a leader in the revision of the Confession of Faith of 1884. In 1831 there were 175 members and it was one of the largest churches in Sumner County Tennessee. Bethpage was a thriving town that equaled other Sumner County towns. The first pastor was Reverend Francis Johnston. The log structure burned down about the time of the War Between the States and was replaced by another untill the present building was constructed in 1896. The cemetery contains the graves of many of the early settlers in this area, early church members, as well as two Revolutionary War soldiers. When Dry Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church was constructed, they gave us a treasure of a church. The sound carries so well inside the sanctuary the not electronic help is needed to be heard. It will hold about 175 inside. We have pictures of people pouring out onto the lawn about the early 1900's, what a crowd. The services were so well attended, the windows had to be open so that the crowd outside could hear. Over the years the crowds have grown smaller, the building was improved, electric lights, restrooms and a heating and cooling system that replaced the potbelly stove and open windows, but its still like stepping back in time. We have asked to be placed on the Register of Historic Places and at some point want to replace the steeple that was blown off and restore the outside of the church. And we are going to start with the cemetery restoration as soon as we are able. Dry Fork Church still holds it charm and vibrant feel, even now. For more information, check out the Sumner County Historical web site and our picture gallery. Please join us anytime, come and enjoy worshiping at Historic Dry Fork Church. This history of Dry Fork Church was written by the late Harlan Savely a lifetime member, thanks Harlan, we miss you.
More info, http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnsumner/cemdryfork.htm
Pastors Page Welcome to the Historic Dry Fork Church web site. I hope you enjoy getting to know us. I am Andrew Ward the Pastor here at Dry Fork Church. I am a student in the Program of Alternative Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary. I am a husband to Leigh Ann and father of five and own a plumbing company in the Nashville area. I love history and preaching here at Historic Dry Fork Church. The building may be old but the message is centered in the present and any one of any age will relate. Please join us for worship every Sunday morning at 11:00 am. We have an ongoing Bible study at 10:00 am, you are always welcome to join us for good conversation. Sunday June 1, we had our very first, in modern history, a homecoming. The place was filled to the brim with friends and family and neighbors. We all had a great time. Mary Ann Alexander and Randy played for our worship service. Anna Harris and Sue Carr both sang for special music and Richard Trest closed our worship with a song he had written about fellowship and Christian love. We put a huge tent up, tables and chairs and eat Bar-B-Que till way after 2:30. Daniel Rothwell entertained us in the sanctuary with his great banjo playing (where it was cool ). A big thank you to our neighbors the Martin's for the use of their field. And to everyone else ( there where many ), for getting tables and chairs, food, singers, Bar-B-Que, drinks, cleaning, mowing, it took a lot of work. 9-14-08 Sunday night, September 21st Dry Fork Church at 6:30 pm we will have a Talent Show / Chili Supper. If you have something to share, bring it on, we want you. Want to see and hear some interesting talent, come and enjoy. Bring the family and enjoy a fun Sunday night at Historic Dry Fork Church, It's free and open to all. Then, we have our annual fall revival November 9th, 10th and 11th. This year we have Rev. Denny Shepard leading us, it should be a great revival, please join us, 6:30 each night. 9-21-2008 The Talent Show / Chili Supper was great. New pictures are posted, I will edit names later this week. Thank you to all that helped and the people that gave us a chance to see and hear their talents. We hope to make this musical venue once a quarter. If you would like to join us, please contact me for dates or keep checking in on the web site. God gave all of us a talent for something, do not bury it, use it, God gave it to you for a reason, God Bless. ********************* Historic Dry Fork Church is a Cumberland Presbyterian Church which is about as main stream as they come. To check out the denomination, click on the Celtic Cross on the home page. God Bless You, see you Sunday. Questions or comments, contact me at AndrewBWard@aol.com Bro. Andy |