DUANE
Get the App
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Vineyard Grove Baptist Church, out in Fannin County. Now settle in, because this story starts the way all the best ones do, with somebody showing up. November 9, 1847.
An elder by the name of Willie Pickett, missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention, arrived with a purpose. Under his direction, Vineyard Grove Baptist Church was instituted. Just like that, something that would outlast every soul in the room was set in motion.
The charter members were Betsy Parrish Gilmer, Margaret Hart, John W. Jones, Tamazine D. Jones, Tamazine F.
Jones, Benjamin B. Parrish, Theresa C. Parrish, Sinclair Stapp, and Sallie Parrish Stapp.
Nine names. Nine people who said yes on a November day in 1847. Elder Pickett was chosen pastor.
John W. Jones was chosen deacon. And Sinclair Stapp took on the role of clerk.
Now, a congregation needs more than a name and a roster. It needs a place to gather. That part took a little longer.
On June 16, 1849, Jones, David Pevler, and Adam Yoakum were asked to superintend the building of a meetinghouse. Asked, mind you. That's how communities work.
You ask three men you trust, and you wait to see what they build. Well, they took their time and did it right. The meetinghouse was completed in 1853.
And here is the part that earns this story its place on the road. The church still serves this community. Whatever the years have brought through Fannin County, Vineyard Grove Baptist has been there, doing what nine people set out to do on a cold November day back in 1847.
What the marker says
Instituted under direction of Elder Willie Pickett, missionary of Southern Baptist Convention, on Nov. 9, 1847. Charter members: Betsy Parrish Gilmer; Margaret Hart; John W. Jones, Tamazine D. Jones, Tamazine F. Jones; Benjamin B. Parrish, Theresa C. Parrish; Sinclair Stapp, Sallie Parrish Stapp. Elder Pickett was chosen pastor; John W. Jones, deacon; and Sinclair Stapp, clerk. On June 16, 1849, Jones, David Pevler, and Adam Yoakum were asked to superintend building of a meetinghouse. This was completed in 1853. The church still serves this community.