The Black Church instills brotherhood and community in Chester County

The Black Church has been the strength of the Black community over the years. It is because of the spiritual emphasis that the Black American has been able to endure the challenges presented to them. This is true even presently. The resiliency and sense of community was extremely strong in the past. Denominational differences did not overcome the sense of brotherhood and community among the Black people in Chester County.
There are three Baptist congregations here in Chester County. Each having its own rich and wonderful histories. Although the ancestors have left us here on this earth, they left legacies, as well as histories to perpetuate. Reading the histories and talking with long-time members of these congregations helps one to understand the healthy pride they have for the local Church with which they are associated.
These Baptist congregations are Beech Springs, Cool Springs and J P Baptist. Beech Springs is in Jacks Creek, Cool Springs is in the Jay Bird community and J P is in the Lucyville community. They are all missionary Baptist Churches.
Beech Springs – The first congregation mentioned is Beech Springs. The writer spoke with Tubby Massengill and Deny Bond. Both provided written documentation for the history of the Church. The father of his ancestor, R. McCullum, provided the land where the first Church building was erected. The written record stated that it was on June 14, 1881, that the property was sold to the group for $5.
The Church was named for a large stream across the highway from the site of the first building. The stream was surrounded by beech trees and for a long-time furnished water for the congregation and travelers. The report stated that in the 1980’s, Mr. Ludell Ross was instrumental in getting two beech trees planted. One died and one presently remains. This was done as a memorial to remind future members of both the legacy and origin of the name of Church.
At the time of the purchase of the property in 1881, and the building of the edifice, the Church was in Henderson County. This is because Chester County had not been formally organized until 1882. This first building was used for worship services and an elementary school. The congregation grew with new Pastors. Observing the number of Pastors and the length of time they served, this is an area of health for the congregation.
Beech Springs will have existed 143 years on June 14, 2024. They are still an active congregation and are in the same edifice that was built in 1965. This building has had several additions. The Beech Springs family continues to be actively involved in ministering to the community. Many prominent citizens have been and are members of this Church. There is a tremendous amount of history that is not shared in this brief article, but the history of this congregation is rich.
Cool Springs- James Welch, one of the deacons, shared the written history of the Cool Springs Baptist Church for this article. The history gives that the congregation was organized under a brush arbor by a sulfur spring known as Sugar Creek Bottom in 1890. This is nine years after the Church was established in Jacks Creek. The block building was built on what is now known as Franklin Street. The written record reports that this and the restored building were destroyed by two tornadoes. The Church moved to a wood frame building on Harmon Street. This is the site of their present edifice. The history suggested that brothers E. L. Burnett and John L. Welch secured the money to build the building. However, they were told, at the time, “the bank did not lend money to Black Churches.” They got the money! Just as Beech Springs the congregation has had several prominent Baptist pastors. Finally, the Church has had steady growth along with the need to upgrade their building several times.
J P Baptist – The history of J P Baptist was provided by Amanda Johnson. The Church’s name comes from the man who donated the property for the Church. The man donating the property was J P Brown. This property was located on Beechwood with the stipulation that if the Church moved from the location the property would revert to back to him.
According to the history, founding members of J P Baptist were once members at Cool Springs. Some members felt that it was too difficult to travel to Cool Springs, and therefore found the need for a congregation in Lucyville. This is in the late 1890’s. The Church on Beechwood was a house-Church and moved to its present location either in 1946 or 1947. The members did all the work. J P Baptist did not meet every Sunday. Generally, they met twice monthly but in 1984, Pastor Jimmy Godwin convinced them to meet every Sunday and fifth Sundays were reserved for singing. Just as Beech Springs and Cool Springs, J P has made several upgrades to their building. There seems to have been steady growth over the years. And just as Beech Springs and Cool Springs, J P Baptist has also had prominent pastors whose service has been considered healthy. This Baptist congregation continues to be active and continues to be a strong support in the community.
Larry A. Ivery, Sr.