Bethlehem Baptist Minutes 1881-1885

These records are from the Bethlehem Baptist Church near Grubville, Mo. The tombstone above, for James W. Thompson who died Feb. 21, 1890, is in the cemetery there. The membership records for this period, show the condition of some of these documents and why there are pages missing. Click here.
Feb. 12, 1881 ". . .Owing to a violent storm there was no meeting of the Church on Saturday nor any preaching on the Sabbath. . ." George Steel, Clerk [married to Margaret Julia Graham's granddaughter Mary Mildred Lee]
March 12, 1881 ". . . The Committee in the case of Bro. Wm. A. Jones made a report and was discharged. Bro. Jones having written a letter to the Church in which he acknowledges his faults and asks foregivenes, the church forgave him and the case was dismissed. Bro. Jones also applied for a letter of dismission which was granted. The case of Mary Patton was next taken up but as the sister was sick, the case was continued. The clerk George Steel tendered his resignation. . .Bro. Stephen Pounds [Lucinda Graham's brother-in-law] was unanimously elected. . .Bro. Wayne K. Deffenbach applied for a letter of dismission which was granted. . .Bro. George Steel applied to the church for license to preach which was granted. . . The case of Sister Margaret Leeper [daughter of Arah Graham and Giles Sidney Lee] having obtained a letter from the church and having united. . ."


continued: "with a church of another faith and order church while wishing and praying for Sister Leeper's prosperity is compelled to exclude her from fellowship. . ."

April 9, 1881 ". . .the case of Sister Mary Patton was taken up and a new committee consisting of Bro. Stephen Pounds and Sister Margaret and Ardell Carrow were appointed. . .charges of immoral conduct were preferred against Bro. Fred Weber, and Bros. J. P. Lollar, Theodore McKee and George Steel were appointed a committee to see Bro. Weber. . .Bro. [J.J.] Carrow, Treasurer made his report which showed that the Church has only paid Bro. McKay ten dollars of his salary for the current year."
May 7, 1881 ". . .The case of Sister Patton and Bro. Weber were continued there being no report from the committee of such a nature that the church could act upon them."
Aug. 1881 ". . .The committee on singing. . .recommended the Baptist Tune and Hymn Book and the Church add Lord Book on motion the Church ordered two dollars and fifty cent be raised and sent the delegates to the association. . .church instructed a letter of Recommendations for Br. Elder George Steel to presented to Brotherhood wherever his lot may be cast. . ."
p. 55 Nov. 11, 1882 ". . .the church agreed to pay the pastor fifty dollars to labor as pastor for one year. The church gave Brother Pierce the right hand of fellowship greeting him as pastor. The church re-elected Bro. John T. Lee [son of Margaret Julia Graham and Lewis Harrison Lee] as treasurer for the ensuing year. .." John S. McKay, Clerk Elder N. M. Pierce, moderator.
Jan. 13, 1884 ". . .the abstract of names from the church book as corrected was presented. . .committee discharged. . .Stephen Pounds not present. . .new one appointed to report a February meeting. Bro. Silas Pounds [brother of Stephen Pounds]. . .Judson Pounds and James Thompson. . ." Sadly, there are pages missing.July 1885 ". . .Bro. Price McKay, the clerk was appointed to write the letter of greeting to the association. . .appointment of brothers John Lee [Margaret Julia Graham's grandson?], J. Price McKay and John S. McKay [delegate to Association]. . .the church agree to the ballot for pastor which resulted in the election of Bro. N. M. Pierce. . ."
Aug. 8, 1885 ". . .Bro. George Evans charged with dancing. . .a comitee appointed to cite him to the church com. John T. Lee, John S. McKay. Bro. August Marrah [sometimes written as Merrieu] charged with dancing. ..committee appointed to cite him. . .Joseph Brown [son of Mary Polly Graham] and Julius Valley [Julius Valle was the son of Caroline Tyrey]. Sister Emily Pilant charged with dancing. . .a committee appointed to cite her. . .Silas Pounds and Sister Frances Lee [daughter of John T. Lee?]. Ardell Dickey charged with dancing. . .com. appointed to cite her. . .John Lee Perkins and Sister Martha Bittick [daughter of Margaret Julia Graham]. ..a letter from George Steel requesting the church [assist]. . .J. Price McKay in going to school and also to bring his case before the association. S.S. Bittick appointed to take subscription and collect for that purpose. . .John S. McKay, Clerk Deacon L.H. Lee, moderator."