Sardis Cemetery, Jackson County, Florida

Sardis Church changes name to Shady Grove Church - Oct. 29, 1916

SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

1825-1975-1982

Sardis Baptist Church, about three miles south of where Sneads is located in the vicinity of what is now Mill Springs, was organized 1825. According to Doak S. Campbel1 (in Florida Baptist Association 100th Anniversary) Bethlehem, and Sardis Churches in Jackson County were among the original churches that constituted the F1orida Baptist Association. The minutes of the fourth annual meeting of the Association shows they requested letters of demission to participate in organizing West Florida Baptist.

There is no record or information of the date Sardis Baptist Church was moved to Shady Grove. The church building was a log structure and it was badly decayed about 1895 approximate time present building was erected.

Prior to April 23, 1904 J.M. Blount was church clerk. Mr. Blount lost his home by fire and it has been said by old members the church records were burned.

Rev. T. J. Culverson was pastor April 23, 1904. No records beyond the above date. Preaching days were fourth Sunday and the Saturday before. Members of West Florida Baptist Association Churches held monthly conferences.

Next date, September 22, 1906, W. W. Oliver, W.J. Johnson, P.A. Simpson and J.M. Blount appointed a committee to negotiate with W.H. Boone for the purchase of one acre of land where the church stood. Purchase was made for $50.00. Mr. Boone giving $10.00 of said amount and making deed, December 31, 1906.

January 26, 1907 - Arthur Blount was elected church clerk.

April 2, 1907 - accepted Bro. Culverson's resignation.

April 25, 1907 - called Rev. W.D. Simpson as pastor for the balance of church year.

August 27, 1907 - called B.F. Dunaway as pastor.

Sept. 24, 1908 - called Rev. C.L. Barnes as pastor.

February 28, 1909 - licensed

July 7, 1909 - Arthur Blount resigned as clerk.

July 29, 1909 - Henry Harris elected clerk.

February 28, 1910 - J.F. Griffin clerk.

Sept.10, 1910 - Rev. D.L. Poston cal1ed as pastor.

October 25, 1911 - Asked for letter of dismission from West Florida Baptist Association.

September 25, 1912 - Rev. C.T. Stewart called as pastor.

November 23, 1912 - Took offering for first organ.

1912....Probably petitioned Rocky Creek Association for affiliation.

April 26, 1913 - $4.45 received for organ.

August 23, 1913 J.F. - Griffin resigned as clerk.

August 23, 1913 - Henry Oliver elected clerk.

December 27, 1913 - J.F. Griffin elected deacon

January 24, 1914 - J.F. Griffin ordained as deacon

August 23, 1914 - Henry Oliver resigned as clerk

August 23, 1914 - Jack Blount elected as clerk

September 25, 1915 -George Johnson elected as clerk

January 16, 1916 - C.H. Alford elected clerk

September 26, 1916 - Rev. C.L. Barnes called as pastor

Oct. 29, 1916 - Sardis Church changes name to Shady Grove.

Feb. 26, 1910 - W.S. Joyner elected a deacon

March 22, 1910 - W.S. Joyner ordained as deacon.

September 1910 - Rev. J.S. Judah called as pastor,

Nov. 16, 1910 - church changes meeting time from fourth Sunday and Saturday to Third Sunday and Saturday.

December 1918 - John Alford elected clerk

August 4, 1919 - Rev. C.T. Stewart called as pastor.

September 24, 1921 - E. Segrest elected as clerk.

October 21, 1922 - Rev. W.C. Floyd elected pastor.

April 21, 1923 - Rev. W.C. Floyd resigned as pastor

Oct. 27, 1927 - Rev. T.J. Culverson was asked to preach until pastor could be called.

October 3, 1924 - Rev. J.L. Hand elected as Pastor.

October 3, 1924 - Theo Edenfield elected clerk.

November 11, 1924 - Worship hour changed from Sunday A.M. and Saturday before to 3 P.M. Sunday end Saturday before.

August 15, 1925 - elected delegates to meet at Malone in October to participate in forming Jackson County Assn.

August 15, 1925 - Henry Oliver & Theo Edenfield elected to go.

October 20, 1920 - Worship hour changed to 2nd Sunday P.M. and Saturday before

September 6, 1930 - J.R. Alford elected deacon

September 7, 1930 - J.R. Alford and Theo Edenfield Ordained as deacons.

August 26, 1934 - Rev. J.L. Hand resigned as pastor.

August 30, 1934 - Henry Oliver ordained a deacon

Jan. 26, 1935 - Rev. Tolar called as pastor (Blind)

Jan. 26, 1935 - Worship hour changed to 11:00 A.M. on Sunday and Saturday before,

March 23, 1935- church voted to have preaching second & fourth Sundays.

June 22, 1935 - Rev, Tolar resigned

Oct. 26, 1935 - Rev. J.T. Heglar called as pastor

August 25, 1937 - Theo Edenfield resigned as clerk

August 25, 1937 - Doug Alford elected clerk.

(Minutes lost from Oct. l937 - Dec. 1940

Sept. 1940 - C.G. Garrett called as pastor

July 1941 - bought piano for church

Sept. 14, 1941 - Rev. C.T. Stewart called as pastor

January 1942 - B.D. Godfrey & Frank Stewart elected Deacons

March 1942 - B. D. Godfrey & Frank Stewart Ordained deacons

Oct. 1943 - Sam Renfroe called as pastor

Oct. 18, 1944 - Rev. G.T. Hunt indefinitely called as pastor

Jan. 14, 1946 - Building Committee empowered to proceed with building program

Sept. 21 1945 - Jeff Segrest elected clerk

Sept. 25 1949 - Henry Oliver elected clerk

March 11, 1951 - Rev. G.T. Hunt resigned as pastor.

April 15 1951 - S.A. Coxwell called as pastor

Sept. 23 1951 - J.R. Alford elected Clerk & Treasurer

April 1951 - May 5, 1958 - S.A. Coxwell pastor

July 1958 - March 1960 - D.E. Williams pastor

April 1960 - January 1964 - Raymond Estes pastor

March 1964 - March 1966 - James L Summer pastor

June 1966 - July 1969 - Merlin L. Morris pastor

August 1969 - July 1970 - Douglas Birge pastor

Sept. 1970 - Sept. 1971 - Arvil Dunnaway pastor

Oct. 1971-Sept. 1972- Ronald Salvo pastor

Nov. 1972 - March 1973 - Ralph Thornbell? pastor

June 1973 -1975 - A.C. Scott pastor

Nov. 1975 - Dec. 1978 - S.R. Colona pastor

January 22 - 1979 - Sept. 2, 1979 - Edward Wyatt pastor

Sept. 1979 - Dec. 1980 - Ron Wagner pastor

April 1981 - Rodney Deese pastor

Thanks to Wayne N Carpenter for sending this information on Sardis Church.