(Note: During the construction of Lake Ray Roberts a
person walking through the woods entered an abandoned house and found these
church minutes from the 1940’s. This
information was copied by Cass Reasor who kindly
passed along to me. Norman L. Newton, Coordinator
for
Congregational
Page
1 Male Members of:
1.
Bro Hay Cummings (transferred)
2.
Jessie Hafley (transferred)
3.
E.L. Nicklos (transferred)
4.
Onus Wooten (Deceased)
5.
Allen Roark
6.
Ralph Wooten
7.
Dowel Fay Wooten
8.
O.A. Self
9.
Marvin Cummings
10.
Raymond Dotson (transferred)
11.
J.D. Dotson
12.
Lionel Edwards
13.
J.C. Cherry
14.
Willard Blanks
15.
Bob Woodie (transferred)
16.
?ainis Stogner
17.
Harold Crutsinger
Page
2 Female Members of:
1.
Sister Rev Emma Dotson (Transferred)
2.
Alta Wooten
3.
Emma Nichlos (transferred)
4.
Velma Hafley (transferred)
5.
Julia Wooten
6.
Leona Dotson (transferred)
7.
Viola Dotson
8.
Kate Roark
9.
Nadine Wooten Blanks
10.
Margrette Dotson Hale (transferred)
11.
Mildred Hafley Self
12.
Lizzie Woody (transferred)
13.
Grace Cherry
14.
Mary Blanks
15.
16.
Vera Cummings (transferred)
17.
Lula Edwards
18.
Lilly Blanks
19.
Marjorie Hafley
20.
Drucilla Dotson (transferred)
21.
Betty Joe Cherry
22.
Oleta Cummings (transferred)
23.
Mary Lous Wooten
24.
Billy Fay Hafley (transferred)
25.
Fay Dotson (transferred)
26.
Louise Cummings
27.
Betty Cummings (transferred)
28.
Thelma Dotson (transferred)
29.
Velta Jean Wooten
30.
Mollie Lance
31.
Girtie May Blanks
32.
Minnie Crutsinger
33.
Louise Dotson Riddles
Page
3
Scripture:
91 Psalms by Pastor Rev. Emma Dotson Prayer by Bro Jess Hafley
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of respective duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claims of pastor for the present
year? $40.00.
4.
How much of that has been paid? All.
5.
How much has been paid for missions? None.
6.
How much is due to other parties? None.
7.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
9.
Are there any miscellaneous business? Yes.
To elect new officers for the coming year and delegates to conference.
Voted and carried, that we retain the present Sec. Alta Wooten. That we retain
our present church leader, Bro. Raymond Dotson, Bro Jess Hafley Ass. Church
leader; That we retain the Stewards we had the past
year. Sister Hafley, Bro Hafley, Sis. Nickolas, Bro Starr was unanimously
elected as pastor for the coming year. The delegates to conference were as
follow: Sis. Emma Dotson, Bro Raymond Dotson, Bro Hay Cummings; Sis. Alta
Wooten, The Attorneys, Sis. Viola Dotson; Bro. J.D.
Dotson. Voted and carried conference. The Ben. Alta Wooten. Pastor Rev Emma
Dotson, Records by: Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
4 -
Scripture
14 Luke, by Pastor: R.J. Starr. Prayer by Bro. Caine.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
NO.
2.
Are all officers faithfully in their respected duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of pastor for the present
year? The 10th or the tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $33.80.
5.
How much has been paid for missions? None.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are church records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
9.
Are there any miscellaneous bus.? No.
Conference closed. Benediction by Rev R.J. Starr. Pastor, Rev R.J.
Starr. Recorded by: Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
5 -
No
Conference. Had church Services. Our pastor present.
Rev. R.J. Starr.
Page
6 -
No
Church services on the account of bad weather.
Page
7 -
Song:
Anywhere is Home. Prayer: by Rev. Emma
Dotson. Scripture by Pastor Rev R.J. Starr - 1 Chap. Job.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in their
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claim of pastor for his services
during the present year? Our Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been pd? $54.30.
5.
How much has bee pd. For
missions. None.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
9.
Are there any miscellaneous bus? Yes. To elect an evangelist was voted and
carried: To call Rev. Oscar Mills to help hold the revival the coming summer to
begin 3rd Fri. night before 4th Sunday in July. Ben. By
Rev Emma Dotson. Pastor: Rev R.J. Starr. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
8 -
Scripture:
24 Chap. Of Psalms by Pastor Rev. R.J. Starr, Prayer by Bro. Cummings, Song:
Farther Along
Questions:
1.
re there any complaints? No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in their
respected duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim for pastor of the present
year? The Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $62.30 by church.
5.
How much has been paid for missions? None.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past month. None.
9.
Is there any miscellaneous business. No.
Bend. By Rev R.J. Starr Pastor: Rev. R.J. Starr,
Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
9 -
Page
10 -
Scripture:
Questions
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in their
respective duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of pastor for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been pd? $97.80.
5.
How much has been paid for mission? None.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meetings been held in the past
month? None.
9.
Are there any miscellaneous bus? Yes.
They voted that we call Bro. Louis to hold the summer revival beginning
Fri. night before 4th Sunday in July. Ben. By Bro. Dotson. Pastor:
Rev R.J. Starr. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
11 -
Scripture:
3 Chap. Matthew by Rev R.J. Starr (Pastor). Prayer: by Sister Emma Dotson.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in their
respected duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claim of the presented year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been pd? $108.50.
5.
How much has been paid for missions? None.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
9.
Are there any miscellaneous? Yes.
Offering for lights. Conference closed. Ben. Bro. Hay Cummings. Pastor:
Rev. R.J. Starr. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
12 -
Song:
An
Questions
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respectful duties?
Yes.
3.
What is claim of pastor for the present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that amount has been paid? $126.00
5.
How much has been paid for missions? $37.00
6.
How much is due other parties? None.
7.
Are our records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None
9.
Are there any miss. Business? No.
Ben by Rev R.J. Starr.
Recorded by Sec Alta Wooten
Page
13 -
Song:
I Am Thine O Lord. Prayer: Rev. R.J. Starr. Scripture St. Mark 18 Chap.
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
charge of their respectful duties? No.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of pastor for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $142.00
5.
How much has been paid for missions? $37.00.
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meetings been held in the past
month? Once.
9.
Are there any miss. Business? Yes.
To repair the church, $25.00. donated $10.00
pd. Committees appointed: Bro Hay Cummings, Bro Jessie Hafley, Bro Onus Wooten.
Ben.
By Bro R.J. Starr. Recorded by Sec.
Alta Wooten.
$2.00
given by ? Bro.
Wooten. $2.00 given by Tom Wooten. $2.00
given by Bro Henderson.
Page
14 -
Song:
I Know Somebody Listening. Prayer Rev. Emma Dotson. Scripture 3 Chap. Of Kings
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
charge of their respectful duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claim of the pastor for the
present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $150.00
5.
How much has been paid for missions? $39.00
6.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
7.
Are our records present and properly kept? Yes.
8.
How often has church meetings been held in the past
month? Once.
9.
Is there any new or unfinished business? Yes.
To elect new officers. Moved and second that we retain our former Sec.
Alta Wooten. Moved and second that we elect Bro. Hay Cummings as church leader.
Bro Jessie Hafley as Ass. church leader. That retain our
former church stewards Sister Hafley, Bro. Hafley, Sis. Nicklos. That we elect
New trustee to take the place of Bro. Cherry who is now unable to be one and we
elected Bro. Hafley. Bro. Hay Cummings and Bro. Onus Wooten are our former
trustees. To elect pastor for coming year. Bro Rev. R.J. Starr was unanimously
reelected. To elect our delegate to conference. Delegates: Sister Dotson, Sis.
Alta Wooten, Bro Cummings, Sis. Cummings. Alternates: Bro J.D. Dotson, Sister
Hafley, Bro Hafley, Sis. Mildred Self.
Ben.
By Sis. Emma Dotson, Recorded by
Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page 15 - Missing.
Page
16 -
1945 1946 1947
Bro
Hay Cummings $7.00 $2.00 $12.00
Bro.
Jess Hafley $24.00 $13.00
Bro.
J.D. Dotson $7.00 $2.00
Sis
Rev Emma Dotson $2.00 $1.00
Sis
Velma Hafley $5.00 $4.00
Sis
Alta Wooten $7.00 $5.00
Sis
Julia Wooten $3.45 $2.00
Sis
Mildred Hafley Self $6.00 $3.00
Sis
Vera Cummings $4.00 $1.00 $5.00
Sis
Lula Edwards $3.00 $1.00 $3.00
Sis
Marjorie Hafley $2.00 $2.00
Sis
Billy Fae Hafley diss $3.00 $2.00
Sis
Mollie Lance $2.00
Sis
Louise Cummings $1.00
Sis
Velta Jean Wooten $1.00
Sis
Mary Blanks $1.00
Given
by others out of the church $6.50
Page
17 -
Song
Our Lords Return To Earth. Prayer: by Bro. Hay Cummings. Scripture: 5 chap. St.
Luke
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in their
charge in respective duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claim for the present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $13.00
5.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How much has been paid for missions? None.
8.
Are there any miscellaneous business? Yes There has been
$27.00 paid for the repair of the church.
9.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? Once.
Declared
conference closed. Benediction by Rev. R.J. Starr. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
Page
Page
20 -
Conference
opened by prayer by
Bro. Hay Cummings. Scripture reading by pastor Rev. R.J. Starr, Job 1 chap.
Song: No Tears in Heaven.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respectful duties?
Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of pastor for his services
the present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $50.95.
5.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often have church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
8.
Is there any miscellaneous business? No.
Declared
Conference closed. Benediction by Bro. Hay Cummings, Recorded
by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
21 -
Opening prayer, By Alta Wooten. Son: What a
Friend We Have In Jesus. Scripture
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all of officers faithful in the
discharge of their respectful duties?
Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of pastor for his services
for the present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $87.75.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often has church meetings been held in the past
month? None.
8.
Is there any miscellaneous business? No.
Declared
Conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Jess Hafley. Records by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page 22 -
Page 23 -
Page
24 -
Song:
Some Day. Prayer by Rev Emma Dotson. Scripture
Reading, 3 chap of Tim.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respectful duties?
Yes.
3.
What is the assessment or claim pastor for his services for
the present year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $113.45.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often has church meetings been held in the past
month? None
8.
Is there any miscellaneous business? No.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Sister Alta Wooten, Recorded by
Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
25 -
Song:
I Am Thine O Lord. Prayer by Sister Vera Cummings. Scripture reading by Pastor Rev. R.J. Starr 6 chapter of
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is the claim or assessment of pastor for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that amount has been paid and how is the
remainder secured? $120.00
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often has church meetings been held in the past month? None.
8.
Is there any miscellaneous business? Yes. To elect new officers for the coming
year and to elect delegates for conference.
Page
26 - (continuation of page 25)
Moved
and second that officers be elected as follows: Delegates were elected as
follows: to conference. Bro. Dotson, Rev. Emma Dotson, Bro. Hay Cummings,
Sister Velma Hafley. Alternates as follows:
Bro J.D. Dotson, Sister Lula Edwards, Sister Alta Wooten, Bro Jess Hafley.
Moved and second to retain our former church leader, Bro. Hay Cummings.
Assistant: Bro. Jess Hafley. To retain our former stewards with the exceptions
of Sister Nicholas who has moved away. Alta Wooten was elected to take her
place. Moved and second that Alta Wooten be retained as Sec. Sister Vera
Cummings as Assistant Sec. For the coming year. As yet
we haven’t called a pastor.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Hay Cummings. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
27 -
Prayer by Bro. Vernon. Song: Pray my Brother Pray The
Clouds Away. Scripture reading: 9 chap. Acts.
Questions
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
charge of their respective duties? As
much as possible.
3.
What is the assessment or claim of the pastor for his
services for the present year? No
Pastor.
4.
How much of that amount has been paid, and how is the
remainder secured? None.
5.
How much is due to other parties and for what purpose? None
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Not present.
7.
How often have church meetings been held during the past
month? None.
8.
It there any miscellaneous business? Yes. To elect or retain our old officers for
the coming year, to grant Mr. and Mrs. Hafley and Fae a release from the
church. And to obtain delegates for conference and Stewards for the church and
Pastor. It was moved and second that we elect as follow for church officers:
Bro. Cummings for Church Leader. Retain Sister Alta Wooten as Sec. Sister
Cummings and Sister Alta Wooten as Stewards. Bro & Sis Cummings as delegates
to conference. Bro Vernon as Pastor. Declared Conference Closed. Ben. By Bro.
Onus Wooten. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
27 -
Song:
The Old Rugged Cross. Prayer by Bro. Hafley. Scripture
reading by pastor Rev. Walter Vernon.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all the officers faithful in the discharge of their
duties? Yes.
3.
What is the assessment of claim of the pastor for the
present year? Tithes
4.
How much of that has been paid? $9.00. And how is the remainder secured? By
Church.
5.
How much is due other parties? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Properly kept but not here.
7.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
8.
I there any miss. Business?
No.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Onus Wooten. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
28 -
Song:
I Would Not Be Denied. Prayer by Sister Julia Wooten.
Scripture reading 6 chap of Eph’s by Pastor Rev Walter Verner.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is claim of pastor for his services for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that amount has been paid? $9.00. And how is the remainder
secured? By Church.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often has church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
8.
Is there any Miscellaneous
business? No.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Onus Wooten. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
29 -
Song:
Any Where Is Home. Prayer by Pastor Rev. Walter Verner.
Scripture reading 3 chap of First John.
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is claim of Pastor for his services for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $9.00.
And how is the remainder secured?
By Church.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often have church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
8.
Is there any Miscellaneous
business? None.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Cummings. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
30 -
Song:
Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. Prayer by Rev Hoy Cummings.
Scripture reading
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is claim of Pastor for his services for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $28.12.
And how is the remainder secured?
By Church.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often have church meeting been held in the past month? None.
8.
Is there any Miscellaneous
business? Yes. To get everything arranged for the revival
that is soon to begin..
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Bro. Alvin Chasteen. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
Page
31 -
Song:
To The Work. Prayer by Bro. Alvin
Chasteen. Scripture Reading by Pastor Rev. Walter Vernor the 14 chap of
Questions:
1.
Are there any complaints?
No.
2.
Are all officers faithful in the
discharge of their respective duties?
Yes.
3.
What is claim of Pastor for his services for the present
year? Tithes.
4.
How much of that has been paid? $102.12.
And how is the remainder secured?
By Church.
5.
How much is due other parties and for what purpose? None.
6.
Are our church records present and properly kept? Yes.
7.
How often have church meeting been held in the past
month? None.
8.
Is there any Miscellaneous
business? Yes. To elect officers for the
coming year and to elect delegates to conference. But on the account of such
small membership we can’t elect delegates.
Declared
conference closed. Ben. By Alta Wooten. Recorded by Sec. Alta Wooten.
****
(This appears to be the end of the church minutes. There are several blank
pages in the book and on page 35, there are the words to two songs - unknown as
to who wrote them or for what purpose.)
Page
35
They
were married in the church, this morning Bill
I
am writing this letter to let you know
And wherever you are on some Korean Hill.
I
wish you happiness every place you may go
I
know you loved her dearly, but she grew tired of waiting for you.
So
I will close with love, your sister Emma Lou.
Three
day later the letter returned with Bills few Army possessions
And
a note that read I regret to inform you that your Brother is dead.
I’m
Going To Quit Honky Tonkying
I
woke up this morning with a big headache
I
bent over to find my shoes and thought my back would break.
My
throat was dry, my eyes were red,
I
wish to the Lord I was dead,
Well
I know what I am going to do
I
am going to quite
honky tonkying and get rid of you.
Get
me a fishing pole and go down to the creek
And
if the fish are a biting, I’ll stay a week.
I’ll
get out of this dirty old town
Quit
my drinking and running around.
The
tears have washed away my pride
They
say that it is wrong for us to be together
That
talk will ruin my name.