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Sometime prior to the year 1840 a small number of Baptists settled in different parts of Raleigh Township, Kent County, Ontario. Wherever there were two or three Christian families in a settlement they would hold house-to-house prayer meetings. These services resulted in the organization of a church about the year 1850, meeting from house to, house, as they did in the days of St. Paul. As their numbers were increased by settlers, a church was erected on the eleventh concession on the Talbot Road, now commonly called the Middle Road. This church was, erected on a plot of ground sold to them for a nominal sum of five shillings by Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hatter. Its trustees were: Alfred West, Wm. H. Jackson, and Isaac Washington'. Some of its deacons were, Geo. Hatter, Willis Hosey and Joseph Burqes. Other charter members were: Mrs. Geo. Hatter, Mr. Jno. Carter, and Mrs. Ellen Hosey. This church was known as the South Buxton, or First Baptist Church, as Buxton was a tract of land consisting of 9000 acres, extending north and south from Gore A (or the 7th con. as we call it) to Lake Erie, and a blind line from east to West. Elder Lacy was perhaps the first pastor of this church.He carried on revival meetings and many newborn souls were gathered in the church. Christian families living in and near the North Western portion of this tract of land, found it quite inconvenient to attend services in this church as often as they wished, as there were no roads except the Talbot read, so they began holding meetings in a school house known as Shadd's School on con. 7. After a few years Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Moorehead donated a plot of land for the erection of a church in the 7th con. near the Drake Road. A log church was erected there in 1865. The deed was not issued until 1879; the names appearing thereon are: Solomon Jones, Abram Shreve, Jordan Harrison. Some of its deacons were: Gabriel Green, Wm. Isaac Rhue, Solomon Jones, Thomas Rhue, and Geo. B. Shreve. Some of its charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Moorehead and daughter Christine, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Isaac, Rhue and daughters Sarah and Angeline, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth Harding, Mr. Jno. Jackson, Mrs. Boswell, and Mrs. Mitchel This church was known as Second Baptist. As the result of a great revival meeting by Rev. Hubbs and the faithful members of this church, many sinners were drawn into the fold. Sometime prior to 1869 Sabbath Schools were organized in each of these churches. As time moved on the membership in both churches was reduced by death and removals. It was at this juncture that Enos Johnson donated a parcel of ground in a more central place (being lots 18 and 19 Clinton St.) in what became a portion of the village of North Buxton, providing these two bodies would unite and build a church on the donated site. This was accepted and consummated in January 1883 through the efforts of Rev. P. T. Stanford. The Cornerstone was laid out May 28, 1833, and the sermon preached in the B.M. E. church by Elder T. F. Scoff of Chatham. The building was erected and worshipped in, though not finished inside for a few years. The two Sabbath schools were likewise united and Mr. Jordan Harrison served as first superintendent in the new church. About this time the Women's Home Mission Society was first organized in this community. Mrs. E. Simpson was appointed organizer by the Association. During the pastorate of Rev. R. Quarles of Kentucky in 1888 Mr. Ned Harris plastered the church. A belfry was built and a bell placed in it. Chairs took the place of long benches, and a choir was organized with Miss Hattie Rhue (now Mrs. H. R. Hatchett) as its first organist and rector. A Young People's Society was organized as early as 1898 with Mt. M. F. Hatchett, President. Since, then it has been reorganized twice, continuing today as the B.Y.P.U. In spite of occasional setbacks, hard times, difficulties of travel etc. the church on the whole flourished. There were regular revivals, which built up the church membership. At one time the membership was well over one hundred, but a goodly number of them, were nonresident, as many had moved away, chiefly to the United States, without calling for their church letters. The present revised roll is between fifty and sixty members. (Information contained here is circa 1960, present roll is now 3 active members)
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