Smith_Family_Pictures

The following was found in the Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, KY

And retyped by Jean Eason, Sept., 2004

HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The Republican Christian Church is located in the Sylvan Dell Precinct of Harrison County, Kentucky in the community known as Buena Vista. One of the local citizens of recent years wrote a poem entitled “Buena Vista on the Hill.” The Republican Church stands on the peak of this hill looking out over the meadows of the community. It stands as though it is beckoning its people to worship.

It has been reported that the church was originally organized by Elder Barton Stone about the year 1814-15. (The members were: Brunker, Florence, Feeback, Fryman, Harney, Kennedy, Marsh, McCauley, Marshall, Pope, Platt, Peterson, Sipe, Smith, Vanhook, White, and Ward). A log church was built in 1816 on the ground diagonally across the road from where the church now stands. All that remains on this original sight is a cemetery with the graves marked only by a stone or a small pile of stones. Occasionally this cemetery plot has been cleaned up by people of the community, but at the present it is completely grown over with weeds, vines, and bushes. The probability is that this log church was built similar to churches of that era like the one at Cane Ridge.

The people who met in the first church building were known as “NEW LIGHTS” which is the American spelling of the original phrase “New Lights.” They met in this building to worship occasionally until 1833 when the Christian Church proper was organized by Elder John Robards with the following members.

Fielding McDuffy and wife, Nicholas White and wife, James Davis and wife, Thomas Harney and wife, David Snodgrass and wife, Jonathan Evans and wife, Josehua Evans and wife, John Pope and wife, and several others.

The Republican Christian Church is one of the many rural churches that helped to give stronger development to the denomination that has come to be known as the Disciples of Christ. Due to the fact that a comprehensive study has never been made of the history of this church, the writer has endeavored to do what should have been done years ago. Like many of churches throughout the world, as well as other institutions of society, accurate records have never been kept on the development of the church.

In order to preserve what facts remain in writing and in the memories of various people, this history is being presented that posterity might have some ideas of its origin. It is hoped that in the years to follow someone will add to this collection of facts from time to time.

Much time and patience has been exerted in getting the information for this church history. The writer wishes to acknowledge those who have spent time in interviews with him in order to gain some resemblance of facts.

Mr. Harry Marshall, Mrs. Harry Marshall for use of clippings from her personal scrapbook, Mr. “Gus” Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lenox, Mr. H.E. Marshall, and Mrs. Charles B. Marshall for lending a history of four countries. I am also grateful to those few, who in the years past have left a few records of the church’s development. Dr. Howard Short, Professor of Church History in the College of the Bible, should also receive mention since his course in the “The History of the Disciples of Christ” and his personal interest in church histories was influential in my writing this history of Republican Christian Church at this particular time.

By Charles E. Crank, Jr, June, 1949, Lexington, KY
1859: Wesley Smith, treasure & deacon
1888: Committee: C. Smith, Jane Smith, G.W. Florence
1948: Harry Marsh, deacon

On one of our visits, to Harrison Co.,
We visited the old cemetery across the road from Republican Christian Church. There was a rounded rock that marked the grave of Elizabeth Baker (Fryman), according to Ishmael who could read the “scratched” writing on it 30 years ago. We took a stick and did a lot of rubbing on it, and made out, “Elizabeth” but could not see anything else except her birth date, July 17 1791. To the left of her grave was another rock with “W.F.” (That’s all we could make out). To the right of her grave was a larger tombstone: Nicholas Florence b. Mar 25, 1813 d. July 1881.

“Elizabeth Florence, wife of N. Florence: Apr 22, 1859 her 45^th year of her age.”

Ishmael said the Florence and Bakers were related. Elizabeth Baker Fryman was the mother of Nicholas Rankin’s wife.

Republican church

1st church - a log church across the road built in 1826.

2nd church - a frame building in same spot (log building) built in 1837 (log building burned).

3rd church - a frame building where present building stands was built in 1870.

4th church - present building was built in 1924.

So there has been 2 across the road and 2 at the present site.

REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY

In the year 1812, Robert Snodgrass and Jacob Pope were hoping to organize a church on Beaver Creek. Through the efforts of Robert Snodgrass, and his son David, and John Pope, Barton Stone came in April 1815 to preach a week. At the conclusion of his nine day meeting, forty people were baptized in Beaver Creek.

In 1826 a log church was erected on land donated by Robert Morrow.

The church was organized formally June 29, 1833. The organizational statement read: Believing the scriptures of Eternal truth to be the only infallible rule of Faith and practice do hereby jointly agree to renounce all human creeds and confessions of Faith and live according to Gospel enrolling our names together as Brethren having already put on the Lord in Baptism.

The statement was then signed by each man present. Among them signing were: Fielding McDuffey, Nicholas White, James Davis, Thomas Harney, David Snodgrass, Jonathan Evans, Joshua Evans, John Pope, David Evans, William Marshall, Robert Smith, Samuel Marshall, Enoch McDuffey and Peter Pope.

David Snodgrass and John Pope were selected as elders for the congregation because of their leadership abilities. They served as lay ministers for several years.

In 1837, the log structure was destroyed by fire and a new frame building was erected immediately. When the third church, also a frame building, was built in 1870 across the road where the present building now stands, the previous building served as the Buena Vista school for a period of time before being torn down.

Today, 179 years later, all that remains of the old meeting site are the tombstones which surround it.

The present building was built in 1924 due to the necessity for a larger building.

The Republican Christian Church is a congregation deeply rooted in history and has progressed with the added strength of new ideas and new members along with the name life long members.

Submitted by our cousin who is now a member of this church (2006)

Meyers Station Picture taken in 2004 Chickens and Cats all around the house.	Story is being told by Frank R. Smith and Jean Smith Eason Brother and Sister The best I can remember of dad’s (Ora T. Smith Sr.) story, he was around fourteen when they moved to this log house. He talked about him and brother climbing out of the upstairs window and running up and down the railroad tract (right in back of the house) with other kids. Dad talked about how they cooked in the old fire place – when you look at it you can see how it would be possible as it is huge – it extends to the room behind it – serving as a fire place there. When dad heard about this old house being restored, he delighted in visiting the people moving in, and making it into an Antique Shop. He loved sharing the old stories with her – and even looked for his chaw of tobacco that he remembered hiding in the old chimney rock! Aunt Lois (Lois Allison) made many bears that sold in the shop.
REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH Harrison County, Ky. GPS Coordinates 38.43427 -84.16392	Below are 2 different histories of the Republican Christian Church: The following was found in the Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, KY And retyped by Jean Eason, Sept., 2004 HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Republican Christian Church is located in the Sylvan Dell Precinct of Harrison County, Kentucky in the community known as Buena Vista. One of the local citizens of recent years wrote a poem entitled “Buena Vista on the Hill.” The Republican Church stands on the peak of this hill looking out over the meadows of the community. It stands as though it is beckoning its people to worship. It has been reported that the church was originally organized by Elder Barton Stone about the year 1814-15. (The members were: Brunker, Florence, Feeback, Fryman, Harney, Kennedy, Marsh, McCauley, Marshall, Pope, Platt, Peterson, Sipe, Smith, Vanhook, White, and Ward). A log church was built in 1816 on the ground diagonally across the road from where the church now stands. All that remains on this original sight is a cemetery with the graves marked only by a stone or a small pile of stones. Occasionally this cemetery plot has been cleaned up by people of the community, but at the present it is completely grown over with weeds, vines, and bushes. The probability is that this log church was built similar to churches of that era like the one at Cane Ridge. The people who met in the first church building were known as “NEW LIGHTS” which is the American spelling of the original phrase “New Lights.” They met in this building to worship occasionally until 1833 when the Christian Church proper was organized by Elder John Robards with the following members. Fielding McDuffy and wife, Nicholas White and wife, James Davis and wife, Thomas Harney and wife, David Snodgrass and wife, Jonathan Evans and wife, Josehua Evans and wife, John Pope and wife, and several others. The Republican Christian Church is one of the many rural churches that helped to give stronger development to the denomination that has come to be known as the Disciples of Christ. Due to the fact that a comprehensive study has never been made of the history of this church, the writer has endeavored to do what should have been done years ago. Like many of churches throughout the world, as well as other institutions of society, accurate records have never been kept on the development of the church. In order to preserve what facts remain in writing and in the memories of various people, this history is being presented that posterity might have some ideas of its origin. It is hoped that in the years to follow someone will add to this collection of facts from time to time. Much time and patience has been exerted in getting the information for this church history. The writer wishes to acknowledge those who have spent time in interviews with him in order to gain some resemblance of facts. Mr. Harry Marshall, Mrs. Harry Marshall for use of clippings from her personal scrapbook, Mr. “Gus” Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lenox, Mr. H.E. Marshall, and Mrs. Charles B. Marshall for lending a history of four countries. I am also grateful to those few, who in the years past have left a few records of the church’s development. Dr. Howard Short, Professor of Church History in the College of the Bible, should also receive mention since his course in the “The History of the Disciples of Christ” and his personal interest in church histories was influential in my writing this history of Republican Christian Church at this particular time. By Charles E. Crank, Jr, June, 1949, Lexington, KY 1859: Wesley Smith, treasure & deacon 1888: Committee: C. Smith, Jane Smith, G.W. Florence 1948: Harry Marsh, deacon On one of our visits, to Harrison Co., We visited the old cemetery across the road from Republican Christian Church. There was a rounded rock that marked the grave of Elizabeth Baker (Fryman), according to Ishmael who could read the “scratched” writing on it 30 years ago. We took a stick and did a lot of rubbing on it, and made out, “Elizabeth” but could not see anything else except her birth date, July 17 1791. To the left of her grave was another rock with “W.F.” (That’s all we could make out). To the right of her grave was a larger tombstone: Nicholas Florence b. Mar 25, 1813 d. July 1881. “Elizabeth Florence, wife of N. Florence: Apr 22, 1859 her 45^th year of her age.” Ishmael said the Florence and Bakers were related. Elizabeth Baker Fryman was the mother of Nicholas Rankin’s wife. Republican church 1st church - a log church across the road built in 1826. 2nd church - a frame building in same spot (log building) built in 1837 (log building burned). 3rd church - a frame building where present building stands was built in 1870. 4th church - present building was built in 1924. So there has been 2 across the road and 2 at the present site. REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH HISTORY In the year 1812, Robert Snodgrass and Jacob Pope were hoping to organize a church on Beaver Creek. Through the efforts of Robert Snodgrass, and his son David, and John Pope, Barton Stone came in April 1815 to preach a week. At the conclusion of his nine day meeting, forty people were baptized in Beaver Creek. In 1826 a log church was erected on land donated by Robert Morrow. The church was organized formally June 29, 1833. The organizational statement read: Believing the scriptures of Eternal truth to be the only infallible rule of Faith and practice do hereby jointly agree to renounce all human creeds and confessions of Faith and live according to Gospel enrolling our names together as Brethren having already put on the Lord in Baptism. The statement was then signed by each man present. Among them signing were: Fielding McDuffey, Nicholas White, James Davis, Thomas Harney, David Snodgrass, Jonathan Evans, Joshua Evans, John Pope, David Evans, William Marshall, Robert Smith, Samuel Marshall, Enoch McDuffey and Peter Pope. David Snodgrass and John Pope were selected as elders for the congregation because of their leadership abilities. They served as lay ministers for several years. In 1837, the log structure was destroyed by fire and a new frame building was erected immediately. When the third church, also a frame building, was built in 1870 across the road where the present building now stands, the previous building served as the Buena Vista school for a period of time before being torn down. Today, 179 years later, all that remains of the old meeting site are the tombstones which surround it. The present building was built in 1924 due to the necessity for a larger building. The Republican Christian Church is a congregation deeply rooted in history and has progressed with the added strength of new ideas and new members along with the name life long members. Submitted by our cousin who is now a member of this church (2006)
	Jean Smith Eason and Garland T. Smith Sr. have tried to verify the relation of our family to the Adam Rankin mentioned here, but fail to do so. But Ora T. Smith Sr. thought it was true, so the story is included here just so it won't be lost as time goes by. Maybe some day we will find out what Ora T. Smith Sr. knew that might change our mind. This is the first house built in Lexington, Kentucky in 1784. Original house was build of Log's and later covered with clap-board. History of this house can be found here.
	Story from Jean Eason. Pictures taken at G.T.'s house sometime in 2006 Mentioned in the story is Frank,O.T., Lois , Dad. and G.T. Dad is O.T. Smith Sr. Father of Jean Smith Eason Frank is Frank Smith Brother to Jean Smith Eason O.T. is O.T. Smith Jr. Brother to Jean Smith Eason Lois (Emma Lois Smith ) Sister to Jean Smith Eason G.T. is Garland T. Smith Jr. Sally Jane & Ezekiel Smith's OLD CORNER CUPBOARD Frank and I were not aware of this old piece of furniture. Where had it been before we saw it for our first time in Lois' shed? There it sat – with gray paint peeling off - the doors were barely hanging and a piece missing at the top. Evidently no one in the family wanted it – I can’t imagine dad not storing it himself – or using it – unless there was not room for it – because he always treasured anything belonging to his family! We don’t know how come Lois to have it or who she got it from – but I guess it was too big for her little house and she stored it in one of the sheds out doors. Dad was discussing it with O.T. and one day O.T.'s step son, Doug and dad went to Lois's and brought it to the barn at O.T. and Ann's house on Parkers Mill Rd. When O.T. and Ann moved to Stoner Creek, they left the old damaged cupboard and many other things in the barn. O.T.'s friend, B.J. Collins had seen it and asked if he could take it to his friend who was well acquainted with antiques. B.J.'s friend refinished it. O.T. tried to pay him but he refused to receive any pay. Later, Ann bought a police radio and gave it to B.J. along with some cash. He accepted the radio but refused the money. So the old damaged ugly cupboard came to Stoner Creek, with a brand new look! My, she was a pretty site just like dad knew she would. Dad kept saying it was cherry wood and would be beautiful refinished! Dad remembered this old cupboard being in his house when growing up - it could have been given to his parents when they went house keeping. The back of it is very rough resembling a tree! Dad was so very proud that his mom’s old cupboard finally found a home – he had fond memories of it while growing up. When O.T. moved back to Lexington the old cupboard looked beautiful in both of the homes he lived in before his death. Then, it was in Ann's daughter's house for awhile. Maryann treasured and loved it and hated to part with it, but there wasn’t a place for it John’s home when she married. She thought Frances Ann would take it, but she didn’t have a place for it either. Frank thought it should reside in a house with the name "Smith" and since G.T. was O.T.'s great grandson, that was the perfect place for it!! We're so happy that it has a happy home and is appreciated once again! Aunt Jean
Places where Ora T. Smith Sr. Lived	Click Here for listing.