It appears to have been written about 1934

Rev. Jno. W. Campbell, a Missionary Baptist, preached a sermon in the year 1880 in a log house dwelling built by Thomas Chilton, on Beaver Creek. This was thought to be the first sermon ever preached in Wichita County. J. H. Banta persuaded Rev. Campbell to locate in the community.

As early as 1332 D. J. Powell, a local Methodist preacher, preached to a small group in his own home. Rev. Powell lived in Beaver Creek community and preached there for eighteen years.

In January, 1883, Rev. J. T. Hosmer Organized a Methodist Church on the old arbor camp ground in a corner of the G. B. Ancell Ranch, on land at that time owned by a man named Gilliland. Charter members were: Rev. D. J. Powell, Mrs. Sarah Powell, J. A. Powell, Mollie, Nannie, Sarah, Ada, and Mary Powell: Julie L. Stearns, Tom E. Stearns, and G. W. Stearns. Later the Methodist group had their meetings in the Beaver Creek School House, which was also being used by such other denominations as were organized.

The first Church building in the community was Marvin Chapel, built by the Methodist people in ?? under the pastorate of Rev. I. N. Crutchfield. This little Church was located one-half mile east of Beaver Creek School House and was in a little cove on the banks of Beaver Creek between the school house and the old Stearns Bridge. The land for the Church site was donated by Jim Tom Hamilton. The Missionary Baptists organized a congregation at Beaver Creek in 1884. Charter members were Uncle Johnnie Ezell and wife, Uncle Tommie Chilton and wife, W. B. Swinson, Mr. N. E. Banta, W. M. Walker and wife, and son Robert.

Rev. Carey, a Baptist preacher who was a full-blooded Irishman, preached at Beaver Creek once a month during the years 1885 and 1886.

Back to NorthTexasRecords Home