A Brief History of the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association
The Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association was organized on Saturday before the third Sunday in September (17th), 1870. The organizational effort was accomplished in an open field, under a tree and near a stream located nine miles north of Huntsville, Alabama. Elder William Harris, founding pastor of the Old School Huntsville African Baptist Church in 1820 which is now called Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, encouraged three other churches to unite under the bounds of a common faith and doctrine for the purpose of organizing an Association of Black Primitive Baptist. The four churches that participated in the organizational meeting were Saint Bartley, Meridianville Bottom, Beaver Dam, and Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Churches.
Prior to the Civil War that led to the Emancipation of African Slaves in America, Elder William Harris was a member of the White Flint River Primitive Baptist Association. However, after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, circumstances encountered in the White Flint River Primitive Baptist Association, the freedom realized by slaves as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Divine Providence of God moved Elder William Harris to seek a fresh direction for the former slaves in North Alabama. Consequently, contact was established, in 1869, with the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association of Nashville, Tennessee for the purpose of forming a Black Primitive Baptist Association.
The Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association was organized by Elder Thomas Williamson, Moderator of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association, Nashville, Tennessee. He was aided by Elder Eli Grant, a member of the same Association. The name, ‘Indian Creek’ was adopted because in the place where the organizational meeting was held there was a flowing stream of water nearby that was frequently utilized by Indians as their campground as they traveled through this region of the country. Presently, the stream is known as the Indian Creek.
The names of men who have willingly and gracefully accepted the leadership of this Association from inception to the present include: Elder William Harris, first moderator; Elders B. L. Chapman, John Malone, J. S. Bailey, Jerome Sales, Elias Patton, J. M. Smith, Wesley Batts, Eli Moore, W. M. Mastin, Amos Robinson, Ezell Tibbs, Eugene Lewis, Robert Rogers Sr. and the current moderator, Mylon L. Burwell.
Prior to the Civil War that led to the Emancipation of African Slaves in America, Elder William Harris was a member of the White Flint River Primitive Baptist Association. However, after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, circumstances encountered in the White Flint River Primitive Baptist Association, the freedom realized by slaves as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Divine Providence of God moved Elder William Harris to seek a fresh direction for the former slaves in North Alabama. Consequently, contact was established, in 1869, with the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association of Nashville, Tennessee for the purpose of forming a Black Primitive Baptist Association.
The Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Association was organized by Elder Thomas Williamson, Moderator of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association, Nashville, Tennessee. He was aided by Elder Eli Grant, a member of the same Association. The name, ‘Indian Creek’ was adopted because in the place where the organizational meeting was held there was a flowing stream of water nearby that was frequently utilized by Indians as their campground as they traveled through this region of the country. Presently, the stream is known as the Indian Creek.
The names of men who have willingly and gracefully accepted the leadership of this Association from inception to the present include: Elder William Harris, first moderator; Elders B. L. Chapman, John Malone, J. S. Bailey, Jerome Sales, Elias Patton, J. M. Smith, Wesley Batts, Eli Moore, W. M. Mastin, Amos Robinson, Ezell Tibbs, Eugene Lewis, Robert Rogers Sr. and the current moderator, Mylon L. Burwell.
Historian, Elder Harrison Burruss interview with WAFF
https://www.waff.com/2020/02/27/tennessee-valley-pastor-keeping-history-alive/
Also Attached is a PDF Transcript of that Interview (Double Click to Read Article)
https://www.waff.com/2020/02/27/tennessee-valley-pastor-keeping-history-alive/
Also Attached is a PDF Transcript of that Interview (Double Click to Read Article)