The international denominations of Church of God and Church of God of Prophecy trace one system of roots to Shoal Creek Civil District in Cherokee County, North Carolina. More specifically, the movement for such a Pentecostal "holiness church" was fully initiated near Camp Creek that twisted within the Unaka (now Unicoi) Mountain Ridge rising along the North Carolina and Tennessee border.

In 1884, Richard G. Spurling, Sr. and a few others from Barney Creek just across the state line in Monroe County, Tennessee became dissatisfied with Baptist and Methodist churches. Setting themselves apart, they worshipped in private homes, prayed, and studied the Bible devoutly.

Under the leadership of the elder Spurling, a miller and farmer, the little group was "moved by the Spirit" to establish a church on August 19, 1886. First referred to as the "Holiness Church," these dissenters soon became objects of community ridicule and scorn. Members of neighboring churches who "dared to darken the doors" of this new congregation often found themselves "turned-out" of their own churches for doing so.

In addition to Richard G. Spurling, Sr., the group included John, Polly, Melinda, and John Plemmons, Jr., Barbara Spurling, and Margaret and Adeline Lauftus [sic - Loftis] as its first members.

On September 26, 1886, the church ordained Richard G. Spurling, Jr. as first pastor. Services were held in Shearer School at Camp Creek or in homes because they had no building and no funds to purchase land. This school, used often as a center for various community activities, became their common gathering place until local opposition so raged that they were ejected.

Sympathetic toward the "outcasts," Miles Dickson "Dick" Kilpatrick, a well-known miller and land owner at Camp Creek, came to their rescue with his donation of land on which to build a church. Dr .Conn wrote that the land was "ideally situated across the dusty road from the schoolhouse within a stone's throw of the place where they had been ejected." Kilpatrick also helped the members cut timber from his land and erect a crude log church. With thanksgiving in 1896, they were worshipping in their new building. The denomination calls 1896 the year of "The Great Revival" in which some 100 people received the Holy Ghost and "a few were baptized in the Ghost and spake in tongues."

Antagonists to the movement burned this church about 1897, and church meetings had to revert to nearby homes such as William Franklin Bryant, Jr.'s located at the present site of Fields of the Wood. Bryant, Dick Kilpatrick's nephew, had been selected a lay leader to serve in Reverend Spurling's absences.

The first general assembly was held January 26 and 27, 1906, at J. C. Murphy's home in Camp Creek Community. Reverend Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson who had joined the church on June 13, 1903, was elected the first General Overseer. Along with William Franklin Bryant, Jr. and other ministers, he spread the doctrines and established World Headquarters at Cleveland, Tennessee.

Conn, Charles W. Like a Mighty Army. Cleveland, Tennessee: Church of God, 1955.

Raper, Glen T. Some Kilpatricks Past and Present. Cleveland, Tennessee: (privately published) 1976.

Stewart, Mrs. Christine. (Church of God history in preparation). Cleveland, Tennessee: 1983.

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