Oldest Church in Weakley Observes 150th Anniversary
Macedonia Primitive Baptist church was constituted in the home of John Terrell, who was one of the first (if not the first) settlers in Weakley County, living on Mud Creek near Dresden.
The Charter members of the church included John and Elizabeth Terrell, Perry and Unity Vincent, and Edward and Rebecca Jackson. The church was moved from the home of Bro. Terrell to a site near Dresden, then to Ralston, then to Martin on McComb Street. In 1963 a new building was erected on West Peach Street with an addition to the building having just recently been completed.
According to court records, Macedonia was the first church organized in Weakley County. It was originally constituted as Macedonia Baptist Church. However, as has been the sad case in man’s religious history, there have been some strong differences of opinion. The disagreement over missions and doctrinal matters came to sharp focus among Baptist in the South as well as other areas around the turn of the 19th century resulting in a separation of the Baptists in this area around 1832.
Those that retained the original Church covenant and Articles of Faith called themselves “Primitive” or Original Baptists and those that took the opposing view called themselves “Missionary” Baptists. Macedonia still has the original Church Covenant and Articles preserved in the church records and recorded in the State Archives in Nashville.
Macedonia has been served by a host of able New Testament ministers in its 150-year history. Without claiming exact chronological order, those ministers who have served Macedonia as pastor are Elders: J. B. Slate, Reuben Ross, T. S. Dalton, J. D. Stephens, N. W. Little, S. F. Cayce, A. B. Ross, A. H. Insco, K. M. Myatt, W. J. Jackson, W. E. Brush, George E. Brann, Harvey Smith, James Thetford, Hassell Wallis, and Houston Patrick.
Submitted by Elder Houston Patrick, pastor, Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church, June 10, 1974.
Originally appearing in the Weakley County Press, June 13, 1974