Organization of Various Baptist Churches

The organization of the North Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington, is interesting. Not only is its actual organization of interest, but also it is worth noting that the Pastor of the organizing church became the pastor of the newly organized church. J. C. Baker, the Baptist historian, relates the following information: "In 1886, under the pastorate of Rev. D. J. Pierce in the First Church, a mission Sunday-school was started in North Seattle, which proved to be nearly as large as the home school. It had for leaders such solid and influential men as Judge R. S. Greene and Robert Knipe; but after a time of marked prosperity, its property and members were given over to other churches.

"Early in 1889, however, a Baptist family of strength and vigor moved into that section, that namely, of Dea. Alonzo Hall, whose name was familiar to all Baptists on the coast at that time and subsequently. He began to agitate the question of a church and Sunday school. At a meeting in his house, he secured the names of twelve persons who promised to unite in any practicable effort to organize a Baptist Church in North Seattle. At a subsequent meeting, held at the residence of Robert Knipe, August 26, 1889, thirty-five members of the First Church took their letters and united in organizing the North Seattle Church, securing Rev. D. J. Pierce to supply their pulpit for six months" (Baptist History of the North Pacific Coast, p. 208, 1912 edition).

Then there is this information about the Forest Baptist Church, which is equally interesting: "Located in Clark County, near Salmon Creek Church. This church was organized by Rev. Alvin Clark, after his exclusions from the Salmon Creek Church, and consisted of about a half-dozen members who agreed with him in his feetwashing notions. He preached for it about a year; some moved away; Brother Clark died, and the church came to nothing. It made an application to come into the Puget Sound Association in 1873, but the committee to which it was referred did not recommend its reception, and it made no further efforts for recognition" (ibid., p. 153).

The Oysterville Baptist Church was organized June 4, 187l. In November of the same year it adopted the following resolution: "That baptisms administered by any other than a Baptist will not be considered by this church as valid administration of the rite" (ibid., p. 153).

The Kiokee Baptist Church was the first organized within the bounds of Georgia. Here is the act of incorporating of this church:

"An ACT for incorporating the Anabaptist church on the Kioka, in the county of Richmond.

"WHEREAS, a religious society has, for many years past, been established on the Kioka, in the country of Richmond, called and known by the name of 'The Anabaptist church of Kioka';

"Be enacted, That Abraham Marshall, William Willingham, Edmund Cartledge, John Landers, James Simms, Joseph Ray and Lewis Gardener be, and they are hereby, declared to be a body corporate, by the name and style of 'The Anabaptist church on Kioka.'

"And be it further enacted, That the Trustees, (the same names are here given) of the said Anabaptist church, shall hold their office for the term of three years; and, on the third Saturday of November, in every third year, after the passing of this Acts, the supporters of the Gospel in said church shall convene at the meeting-house of said church, and there, between the hours of ten and four, elect from among the supporters of the Gospel in said church seven discreet persons as Trustee,"etc. (History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia by Samuel Boykin, Vol. I, p.15, 1881 edition).