Prentiss Baptist Church Organized At Rail Station

(Published in The Franklin Press, May 15, 1958)

Tallulah Falls Railway is in the history of the Prentiss Baptist Church.

July 14, 1914, at the Prentiss railroad station, citizens of the community met to organize their new church.

The officiating Presbytery was composed of the Rev J J Kinsland, and the Rev R P McCrackin, the Rev J R Pendergrass, and the Rev J M Bennett.

Charter Members

Charter members were J A T Sanders, Mrs Margaret E Sanders, Raymond Sanders, Jesse L Sanders, J M Carpenter, Mrs J M Carpenter, Miss Nina Carpenter, Miss Laura Carpenter, Miss Grace Carpenter, W Roy Carpenter, Paul B Carpenter, C A Setser, Carl Setser, Miss Bell Setser, Mrs Blanche Setser Stanfield, D C Stockton, Mrs D C Stockton, and Mrs W A Gribble.

Eleven days later, on July 25, the new congregation met in a vacant store near the Prentiss station and Mr Bennett preached the first sermon. Following the sermon, J M Carpenter was elected superintendent of the Sunday School and Carl Setser was named church clerk. Mr Bennett was then elected pastor and the church was officially named Prentiss Baptist Church.

In Old Store

During the summer Sunday school was held in the old store, but when winter came it was moved to the Episcopal school building near the Georgia highway.

In 1915, Mr Bennett resigned to accept a position at Stockton Institute at Helen, Tenn. At this time a new church building was started on property now owned by Ned Teague. At the time it was donated by George Stiles.

Without Pastor

The church was without a pastor until 1917, when the new building was occupied and the Rev W W Mar was called as pastor. Also, Raymond Sanders was elected church clerk, an office he held until the late 30's when the church was moved to its present site about two and a half miles away.

The first deacons ordained were Raymond Sanders and J L Sanders, who still serve. J M Carpenter came to the church as a deacon in its organization.

Pastors Listed

In addition to Mr Bennett and Mr Marr, pastors who have served the church include the Rev J C Owen, the Rev G A Bartlett, the Rev Judson Smith, the Rev D C McCoy, the Rev George Cloer, the Rev K Allen, the Rev J I Vinson, the Rev J A Brendle, the Rev Joe Bishop, the Rev Lester Sorrells, the Rev Gordon Scruggs, the Rev Raleigh Guffie, the Rev Joe Medlin, the Rev W C Pipes, the Rev Claude Ledford, the Rev Lester Williams, the Rev Garland Shields, and the present pastor, the Rev Lee Crawford who has served for two years.

Church Moved

For about 20 years, the Prentiss church grew. Then, members started moving out of the community and by 1937 very few were left. In 1938, the church was moved to a new location on property donated by J L Sanders. At that time, two deacons were ordained, Harris L Sanders and David Griggs, who have since moved from the community.

Attendance rose rapidly and soon this building was inadequate. In 1953, a new building was started. Of brick and block construction, with ample classroom space, a pastor's study, and auditorium, the new building is debt-free now.

Membership stands at 100.

Present deacons are Floyd Potts, T H Hunter, Carl Henson, Raymond Sanders, and J L Sanders.

The clerk is T H Hunter and Carl Henson is Sunday school superintendent.

(transcribed January 14, 2006)