French Broad Church

(1874-?)

The Gospel Messenger May 11, 1901 page 301 Vol. 39 No. 19

 French Broad Church, Jefferson Co., Tenn.

  This church was organized in 1874.  Before that time however, there had been preaching by different brethren.  About the time of the organizing Eld. Jacob Wine, of Flat Rock, Shenandoah Co., Va., did some preaching here and found a few willing to accept the truth. He influenced his cousin Jacob Wine, of Sullivan County, to move here.  He came and has made this his home ever since.

  In about the year 1876 W. S. Noe moved here with his family, and in  short time Jack Wine and here were ordained by G. C. Bowman, of Washington County, Tennessee, and Eld. Molshee, of Hawkins County, Tennessee’s.  Bro. Noe was a good man full of the Spirit and loyal to the church.  He was considered by those that were able to judge a fluent speaker, a good elder and a living epistle, known and read of all men.  The church called him in a short time to more isolated churches.  This left the work of the ministry for Jacob Wine alone for several years.  The church increased slowly in number and has maintained the doctrine of the church with a few exceptions.  Our church has lost by Western emigration more than any other cause.

  The member have been scattered over a large area, it being twenty-five miles to the nearest church.  Eld. Wine has labored hard and faithfully for this church, often walking fifteen miles to fill his appointment, as in his first years of ministerial work he was not able to keep a house. But through it all the Lord has crowned the labor of his band and he has been blessed both spiritually and temporally.  I heard him say he had never missed a meeting since he has been in this county, more than twenty-five years, and never failed to fill an appointment, let the weather be what it would.  His wife always started him on his way with a cheerful heart. Let the home affairs be what they would.  She stood at the him of the home.  He has by his godly life a legacy to us all that is the priceless value.

  We now have two young ministers.  John Satterfield, who has been in the second degree nearly five years and is now doing some good work for the church, and William Willeford, a very young man.  He was advance a few months ago. He is tender-hearted, enthusiastic man that may do much good for the church.

  This church worshiped without a house for several years. Though few in number and not having much of this world’s goods they determined to have a house of worship in.  they had many  hard struggles to overcome all the difficulties that had to be surmounted.

 This church has had her trial and troubles.  She has also had her season of refreshing. We hope for better days when all will feel a more sacred nearness to the Lord of glory, and he more loyal in all things.

K. E. Noe McCrary.    Oak Grove, Tenn