In the late 18th century there was a schism in the Methodist Church and the
Christian Church was established. James O'Kelly, who had been a Methodist
preacher, was involved in the establishment of the Christian Church. (One
reference: W.E. MacClenny, *The Life of Rev. James O'Kelly and the Early History of
the Christian Church in the South*, Raleigh, 1910.) Methodist Bishop Francis
Asbury mentioned the division, but he placed it as starting with a group at Ruff Creek
in Mecklenburg Co. (Va.) but I think it was probably in neighboring Charlotte County,
on Rough Creek. Don't know of a Ruff/Rough Creek in Mecklenburg.
I can't "speak to" the history/strength of the Christian Church in the state, but can
contribute this: by December 1800 there was at least one Christian church
congregation in Mecklenburg County. Mecklenburg County Deed Book 10, p. 434-
436: Archibald Phillips sold to named trustees 1 acre "whereon a meeting house is
built for the benefit of the Profession of the Revd. James O'Kelley and the Christian
Church which said home is Called & known by the name of Cox Creek Chappel."
Cox Creek is east of the center of the county and flows into the Roanoke (Lake
Gaston).
Also: Mecklenburg Deed Book 11, p. 233 shows the deeding of an acre, on a branch
of Layton's Creek, in 1802 by one Benjamin O'Kelly, for the purpose of constructing a
"Meeting House free and open for all orderly Christian Society to worship God in …"
-- I wonder if that was for a "Christian Church" meetinghouse or if it was for any
worship by any Christian....?? (Location of Layton's Creek is northwest of Cox.)
Hope there's some info there that helps.
Susan Sheppard
On Fri, 2 Dec 2005 12:48:08 -0500, Brian McKnight <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>Kent,
>
>You may be seeing a reference to the Disciples of Christ. It originated out
>of Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell in the early Second Great Awakening
>and really thrived in Kentucky and Tennessee. Not sure how influential in
>Virginia though. An email to the Lexington Theological Seminary (Charlie
>Heaberlin) asking about church locations in Virginia during that time
>(provided you know the location of this one) might glean more specific
>results.
>
>Brian
>
>Brian D. McKnight
>Department of History and Philosophy
>The University of Virginia's College at Wise
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of N.K. Moran
>Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 12:49 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Christian Church
>
>To all concerned:
>
>What constituted the "Christian Church" in Virginia in the late 18th
>Century. I found the it noted in a document where a bond was posted
>for a minister and his church was referred to as the "Christian Church"
>with no other mention of demomination.
>Sincerely
>Kent Moran
>
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>
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