This is a short history of the
Barrackville church of Christ

By Lewis Hall 1962

Members and friends of the Church of Christ at Barrackville face a new area of time, and work within the church. We claim that this field of endeavor is just as essential as any other within the field of labor. It is with this in mind that I prepare this paper, "A Short History of the Church of Christ at Barrackville".

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the following members of the church who have been so helpful in giving me information concerning the "older days of the Church". Without the help of sister Zana Michael, sister Lefa Hacker, brother Lawrence Conaway, sister Mary Ice, sister Mable Wilson, and Mrs. Jennis Burnett this history would not have been possible.

To the best of our knowledge the data in this history is correct; however it has been difficult to find all dates, and complete names. If there are errors we stand corrected.

According to the best sources that can be found at this time the church of Christ in Barrackville was in existence a few years before a place of worship was built. It is said that a few families would hold worship services in different homes in the community. For each service the members would meet in one of the homes, complete their worship and then later meet in another home until a complete cycle of the homes had been made.

There were three prime leaders in encouraging this new building. They were Mose Ice, Andy Ice, and Mary Ice Robison. It was with their insistence and with the aid of others, that it was decided to build a meetinghouse. Out of this effort grew the desire for a meeting house where all could come to worship, and others, who might be interested, could join this group, and the congregation could and would grow.

It was during this period prior to 1881 that Mr. Thacher, a minister from Moundsville came to Barrackville to hold a tent meeting. The length of this meeting is not known, but during the time he was here some boys described as "Rough necks" decided to break up the meeting. They approached the tent and started to disturb the services. Mr. Thacher took off his coat as he came down from the speaking platform and said; "I am fighting for the Lord." Seeing this the boys left immediately, and the meeting continued, until its scheduled end.

On September 30, 1881 Andrew Ice and his wife, Martha F. Ice to Trustees of the Christian Disciple Church, made a deed. The trustees and elders to whom it was made were James Z. Robison, John W. Floyd and John Robison and their successors. It states in part, that in consideration of the sum of one dollar to them, the parties of the first part in hand paid by the parties of the second part before the signing of this deed. Then the description of the property in which the building is to be located is described by position of Buffalo Creek, posts west and perches. "With all of the privileges there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining for the use and benefit of the Christian Disciple Church as a place of public worship subject to the following conditions and limitations. That is to say the trustees and their successors shall not prohibit any other denomination of Christians from using the building or said land as a place of public worship at the said time as the said Christian Disciple Church abandon and vacate the said land as a place of public worship, then in that event the said land shall revert to the said Andrew Ice and his heirs."

James F. Merrifield, a justice of Fairmont district, notarized this deed on November 5, 1881. A copy was delivered to Mr. J.Z. Robison in March 1882.

Thus the building was started in the year of 1881 and worship services began there at its completion. The log and lumber for the construction was hauled to the sight, being brought by team and wagon by N.J. Straight of Barrackville from the farm of John Robison. Bufford and Memi Dickerson both lived in this vicinity did the carpenter work. One of the things long remembered about this building is that the bricks that covered the building were made on the ground where the church was erected. William B. Ice sieved the lime used in the bricks; after that they were molded, and left to dry. Sanford Conaway, Ross Anderson and Lewis Hall did the brick lying with the help of others. The floor was made of oak and the seats were made of poplar and were in good condition upon being removed from the building after over 75 years of use.

Worship in the new building began late in 1881 or very early in 1882. Members or friends of the church donated some of the furniture and other items needed to conduct worship. The first superintendent of the Sunday school, Sant Conaway, provided the original clock. Jake and Lige Garner made the speaker's stand. It was used until new church came into being, and then was done over by Fay Shackleford and is now in the new speakers stand.

The large bible, which was on the speakers stand for many, many years, and the first communion set was presented to the church by a close friend of Elder J.Z. Robison. He was known as "Daddy" LaCock whose home was in Lagonda, Pennsylvania.

The first marriage in the church was in 1884 and performed by Perry Fortney, who was not only a minister, but was a tailor who lived in what was known as West Fairmont. He united T.F. Conaway and Ama Robison Conaway in marriage. This was the last marriage held in the church for quite a few years, as church weddings were not the custom in that day.

The Church was known as "The Christian Disciple Church" according to the fore mentioned deed, from 1881 to 1901. From 1901 to 1910 the Church was known as "The Christian Church" as the deed of 1901 is recorded. In the year of 1901 a deed was made by Andrew Ice and his wife to the trustees and their successors of the Christian Church at Barrackville joining the property for the Ice Cemetery, and that they have oversight of this cemetery, it also provides: Provided nevertheless, that should the time ever come (which God Forbid) when there will not be in the town of Barrackville a congregation of the disciples of Jesus Christ maintaining the worship and teachings according to the apostolic precepts and examples free from human inventions and devices then and that event the title of said lot shall vest in the trustees of the Church of Christ in a direct line to the said town of Barrackville which is thus maintaining the apostles teaching and worship pure and simple.

Then in 1910 through the efforts of Ira Moore the church took the name of "The Church of Christ". This name remained above the church until 1922 when the name of Christian Disciple was again put above the door. The name of "The Church of Christ " was again put up in the year of 1935 and remains there until this day.

Perhaps the above paragraph needs a bit of explanation. So we refer to the "Encyclopedia World Book", it reads, "Disciple of Christ" also called "Christian Church" and "Churches of Christ" as a religious body organized in Western Pennsylvania in 1809 by Thomas and Alexander Cambell, father and son. The purpose of the church was to follow the pattern of Christianity used by the Apostles. It regards the New Testament as its guide, baptizes by immersion and hold weekly observance of the Lords Supper. Campbell and his followers pulled away to form their own church between 1827 and 1830. In 1906 the organization divided into two branches the Conservatives called "The Church of Christ" and the progressives "The Disciples of Christ".

This may be an answer to the different deeds on record, and the names used on the Church. However, if we can find no definite answer to the question, it is a matter of fact that the Church at Barrackville has followed the same pattern of worship since it's beginning in 1881.

The first elders of the Church were Andy Ice, J.Z. Robison, and John Robison. Others who followed these men since the beginning are T.F. Conaway, William B. Ice, J.F. Ice, Walter Watson, Challen Ice and Ivis Cook, now all deceased. Which brings us to our present elders James Wilt and Dale Fortney.

To name all of the preachers who have preached in this pulpit would be near to impossible but we must say that many men who have been, and are yet remembered as "great preachers" of the brotherhood have passed through these asiles.

In the beginning years many of our preachers had other jobs as well as preaching, and others who preached in different communities. Also ministers from different places held gospel meetings at Barrackville. This was called a "Protracted Meeting". It was an outstanding event of the community and people came from far and wide to visit these meetings.

The first minister to preach in the new building of 1881 was Ephrim Doolittle, other early ministers were Mr. Shurtliff, Perry Fortney, Finley Oaks, J.M. Rice, James W. Zackery, from Kentucky, B.A. Ammons, W. H. DeVour, Lawrence Scott, A.A. Bunner, J.H. Pennel, Mr. Otey, Mr. Ryan, Albert McVery, Charles Morrin, Thad Hudson, Mr. Kirkman, and Ira and Dora Moore. Most of these preachers lived away from Barrackville, and either came here to preach, now and then, or came to hold a meeting. However, Mr. Kirkman, Ira and Dora Moore lived in Barrackville and preached here and other places as well.

The first full time minister to come to the church was H.C. Shoulders. After his stay he became the head of an Orphans home in Kentucky. From that time on the ministers were usually part or full time regular ministers at the church. Other ministers who have served here since H.C. Shoulders are I.M. Poling, A.J. McLaughlin, Bill Curry, and Earl P. Stevens who just left Barrackville this year (1962) he had served here almost thirteen years with the congregation, and now our present minister is John Pratt who has been here since August 1962.

Many other preachers who are outstanding in the brotherhood have held meetings here. We have had meetings with Paul Grey, Chester Grey, W.E. Fortney, Fred Denis, Horace, Joe and Novice Taylor, Harold DeNasco, Charles Gallaghan, George Butterfield, Tom Butterfield, Bill Hinzleman, Oliver Johnson, A.W. Wagner, S.R. Cassius, a Negro minister, S.D. Howell, W.D. Baumber, Charles Miller, Paul L. Calhoun, E.D. Cormmer, Reid Robison, Will Slater, a singing teacher, Mr. Cohn, J.E.Banks, H. Paul Lewis, Ray Duncan, and William Hull who may be considered a native son.

These men all have labored to make Barrackville a stronger church, and have baptized many into the church. Growing from a small beginning today the membership is around 200 faithful members.

I close with the words found in the Christian Herald of August 1962 "The congregation in Barrackville is one of the oldest faithful congregations in West Virginia".

With this paper we hope we have given you an insight on "The Church of Christ" a congregation located in Barrackville, West Virginia. May it with its new building, built by Paden Construction of Texas, in 1962, brother Neely, construction foreman, continue to grow in Faith, Knowledge, Wisdom, Love and Number.