Clearwater Baptist Church

Clearwater Baptist Church

In the mid-19th century, early area settlers labored in sawmills and over crops, including corn, potatoes and cotton. In 1869, the Rev. Elisha Blanton and nine others organized a Baptist church in a home near a sawmill north of nearby Bethel. Three years later, the church joined the Rehoboth association, a network of area Baptist congregations.

Church member, and owner of the sawmill, C. Henry Lennon served after Blanton as pastor of the congregation. When Lennon relocated the sawmill c. 1875, the church followed, holding services in the home of E. Whittiker, near the Clearwater Cemetery (1.1 mi. E). By 1880, the congregation was meeting in the old Clearwater School, which was used until they could build a sanctuary.

In the summer of 1884, Isaac and Catherine Winkle conveyed one acre of land to Clearwater Baptist Church. On this acre, the first sanctuary was built in 1888. Records indicate it was not completed until 1902, when the local Woodmen of the World lodge built a hall on the second floor and helped complete the original structure. In 1917-18, the congregation built a new sanctuary; it was destroyed by fire ten years later. Reese and Flora Anderson Camp and Arthur and Ada Camp Hawkins helped secure from the Center Ridge Community a church building, which was moved to this site, piece by piece, in 1932. The dedicatory sermon was delivered in 1934. Shortly thereafter, the community schoolhouse burned, and the church provided classroom space.

During its many years as a congregation, Clearwater Baptist Church has continued its association with the Rehoboth association, also affiliating with the Smyrna association. Periods of growth brought additional facilities and resources. Through its revivals, youth ministries and other outreach programs, the church has supported the lives of those in Clearwater and the surrounding communities.

(2003)