Alice,

The Southern Baptist Convention was not formed until 1845. There are several
books on Baptist history which will give you details on regular Baptists and
early VA Baptists. Your pastor or church library, if you have one, might have
such a history. You may find that the "church" which had been meeting before
it was deeded land consisted of members from an earlier church in the general
area. Often when enough people in a given area became believers they formed
their own church in their own community so they would not have to travel long
distances. Or they could have had a disagreement over a belief and split off
from the mother church.

Your church might have records at the VA Baptist Historical Society located
at the University of Richmond. I would contact them and make an appointment
to view whatever they have on your church. This gives them a chance to pull
your church records as they have a very small staff. They may also be able to
give you some pointers on writing a church history. They do not have a
website. Their tel. # is 804 289-8434
P.O. Box 34
U. of Richmond, 23173
The director is Fred Anderson.

There should be records of church business meetings if they have survived.
Sometimes you can find lists of early church members many of whom have
descendants still in the church. Often they got into interesting
disagreements and dismissed members from the church for not attending
regularly, drinking, etc.

You might also ask church members if they have any old records at home in
closets or attics plus pictures.

IF you can't find any early church records, then check the association
records which should also be at the VA Bapt. Historical Society or at your
association office.

The Historical Society does not own these church records but stores them for
safekeeping. The church can get them whenever they want them. In the meantime
they are stored in a safe temperature-controlled climate and are available to
other researchers at the society. Many churches have their records
microfilmed as a further safety precaution. The society does this for a small
fee. I strongly recommend that churches put their valuable records at the VA
Baptist Historical Society.

Good luck.

Edith

In a message dated 8/12/02 8:45:32 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< Land was deeded from a landholder to two trustees for a "regular Baptist
church in Albemarle Co. June 1852. This deed mentions that the "church" had
been meeting prior to the deed.

My questions are at this point...
       1.   What was a regular Baptist Church and where would this
documentation to support this be found?
       2.   The church is Southern Baptist and has been as far back as anyone
remembers, but nothing in its existing records say when it changed from
'regular" to Southern, if indeed it ever did.
       3.   I want to get this data together as quickly as possible to work
on history for 150 year celebration.
       4.   What "official" records are there for churches, other than the
deeds, and trustees being recorded?
Alice in Fluvanna >>

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