The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition
Thursday, July 1, 1976
Section B, Page 4

HARMONY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH IS ORGANIZED IN 1859

Harmony Grove Baptist Church was organized in a log building i 1859 with
ten members. Ten years later with Brother M. C. OWING Pastor and Mr. J. J.
DICKINSON serving as church clerk, they went into North River Association
with about 23 members, the church was know(sic) as Harmony Grove Baptist
Church of Christ. In 1892 they went into Harmony Grove Association with 60
members with Pastor R. COLBURN and church clerk D. I. MEADS meeting once a
month. Still in1903 meeting once a month with Pastor J. A. TRIM and clerk
M. C. BOWLING membership had grown to 101. In 1925 they went into the
Marion County Association with Pastor F. M. HOLLY  with his annual salary
$77.10 with 140 members. Repairs on the building for year was $27.20.
Serving as church clerk W. T. PATE.

IN the last 30s still meeting once a month with Pastor W. M. REEVES, is
salary $91 a year. In the late 40's, Pastor T. L. GRIFFIN of Fayette was
pastor, with about 201 members.

Then in the 1950s Brother Ray GREEN served as Pastor, serving as clerk was
Louis NORRIS. In 1955 Pastor Glenn HOULDITCH and Junior Ray MARKHAM was
church lcerk with Pastor's salary $720 a year.

In 1964 they called a full time pastor Brother Art HERFORD and built a
Pastorium. In 1968 the Harmony Grove congregation built their fifth
building with Brother C. W. BOX as Pastor and serving as clerk was Presley
COUCH. We have has (sic) one Preacher ordained to the ministry who serves
today as paster, Brother C. W. BOX, with membership of approximately 250.