The Full Story
Our History
The Willow Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized as a society on October 11, 1863. In forming this society, the fifteen founding members approved the doctrine of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and were under the government and care of Foster Presbytery. Through reorganization within the denomination, we are now a member of North Central Presbytery, a part of the North Central Synod.
Rev. Robert Bailiff and his son, Rev. Thomas Bailiff, were founding pastors. The original elders were: Abel Ronnels and Isreal Jarret. Felix Chesser served as Session Clerk. Rev. Thomas Bailiff served the congregation from 1863 - 1888.
To learn more about the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination, click here.
Pastors
For the first 95 years of the church's history, Willow Creek was served by part-time pastors. In the early years, preaching services were held only once a month and then later twice a month. Ministers were hired by the year and because they were from the general area, it was not uncommon for them to serve multiple times.
J.E. Williamson was the first full-time pastor, but he was at Willow Creek less than one year. Rev. Williamson was from Arkansas, and he and his wife were eager to return to their family and home in the south. Our current pastor, Kevin Small, is the longest serving pastor. Kevin has served since 1996.
Membership
Originally, members were farming families from the immediate area. The church was the source for spiritual growth and the center of the social community. It was a priority. With the evolution of a more mobile society, people started moving from the country to pursue employment opportunities and businesses in nearby towns. As a result, the church lost some members, but fortunately, also started drawing people from a wider geographic area.
Today we're a diverse congregation with members from throughout Clark, Crawford, and Jasper counties. The diversity of the congregation provides greater opportunity to touch the lives of others who may not have a church home. It also provides for a strong pool of talent in leading, teaching, and working in our church programs.
Willow Creek's House of Worship
When the church was organized in 1863, the congregation met in the old Union Butternut Church, a log cabin, located in the northeast corner of the Butternut Cemetery (west of current building). The Church experienced continued growth in the early years and in 1892 a new church was erected. Its one room served as the sanctuary and all other church functions. There was a 200' hitching post east of the church. In 1912, a large classroom and nursery were added onto the east side of the building. At the same time, the pulpit was moved to the center of the west side and the entrance was moved to the northeast corner.
The church continued to grow, building up to 95 members in 1925, with an average Sunday School attendance of 134. New pews were added to the Sanctuary in 1937. The church families paid for the pews in memorial or honor of family members. Some of the pews are still in use today in the church. In the foyer, there is one pew that has the old memorial plates affixed to the front of the back.
A basement was put under the original building in 1937, and a coal furnace was installed. The basement was dug by hand. The committee in charge of digging the basement was Glen Cooper, Glenn Applegate, and Ansel Buckner. The basement was used for Sunday School, Bible School, and fellowship meals. Electricity was connected to the church in the 1939-40 time frame. In 1953, the vestibule entrance was added.
The Lord's Acre Program
In the late forties, the Lord's Acre Program was instituted. The purpose was to raise funds to finance building projects. The program encouraged each family to dedicate an acre equivalent of their harvest to the building fund. Those who worked in industry have their first hour of wages for each Monday morning. Livestock farmers gave proceeds from the sale of their hogs, cattle, sheep, or poultry. Housewives contributed proceeds from their handwork, quilting, canned goods, etc. The program took on a heightened focus in the late 1950's as plans to build a manse were under way. The Lord's Acre Fund has been used for the construction of the manse, educational annex, and current sanctuary. It continues to be well supported and is still dedicated for building maintenance and improvements.
Each year, a special "in-gathering" service is held the Sunday before Thanksgiving to dedicate offerings to the Lord's Acre Program. The celebration of the harvest season has become a rich tradition at Willow Creek and the Lord's Acre Program has made the growth and sustainability of the church campus possible.
Educational Annex
A new educational annex was built in 1964. It has five classrooms, an office for the pastor, two restrooms, and a supply room. A full basement with a complete kitchen and dining area for 100 people were included in the addition. Again, the project was built with volunteer labor. Committed support of the Lord's Acre Program allowed for the loan to be paid off within 6 years.
Current
Sanctuary
At a congregational meeting on September 23, 1993, the congregation voted to build a new sanctuary, including a full basement. The building erected in 1892 had served the church for well over 100 years, but it was time to move forward. A groundbreaking service was held on October 17, 1993. The current sanctuary was dedicated on October 29, 1995. In 1998, additional Sunday School classrooms and a bathroom were finished out in the new basement. In 2000, an elevator was installed. After the sanctuary was completed, landscaping was planted by the Youth, the cross was placed on the front, a new outdoor lighted bulletin board, and new exterior lighting were added.
Missions and Ministries
Bible-based Christian Education is a key value of Willow Creek. Helping others, both near and far, has been core to the church's purpose throughout history. Missions have been supported through the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination as well as locally organized projects. According to the financial records, Willow Creek started contributing to foreign missions as early as 1892. Teaching God's word through Sunday School, VBS, Church Camps, and youth programs is a fundamental part of the missions and ministries.
Women's Ministries
The women of Willow Creek have been active in mission study and support for over 55 years. Madge Buckner was instrumental in organizing the first women's organization, called Ladies' Aide, in 1938. She served as the Founding President. In 1949, the Missionary Auxiliary was organized. This group included both men and women and their study focused on foreign and home missions. The Cumberland Presbyterian Women (CPW) was organized in 1965. At the denominational level, in 2001, the CPW was changed to Cumberland Presbyterian Women's Ministries (CPWM). Women of the church enjoy monthly Bible studies and fellowship in the members' homes. CPWM supports local and foreign missions.
In 1981, the CPW organization made and sold their first nutty bars at the Martinsville Fair. It is estimated the ladies (along with help from the men and children of the church) have made and sold over 55,000 nutty bars. This project is not only a successful fundraiser to support the missions of CPWM, it is also a way to be involved in the community and witness for Christ.
Men's Fellowship
Men's Fellowship was organized in 1961, with Raymond Misner serving as the first President. The group was instrumental in leading projects around the church and community. Everyone looked forward to their annual fish fry. Another popular event held each winter was sausage making in Enos Buckner's shed. Willow Creek's Men's Fellowship group contributed much to the local and highest levels of our church government.
Christian Education
Christian Education is a key value of Willow Creek. The programs listed all promote studying and understanding the Bible.
The Children's Sermon has been a tradition at Willow Creek for many years. Over the years, as the little children go to the front each Sunday morning to hear Kevin's special message, two things remain constant; you never know what the children will say when asked a question, and getting a piece of candy at the end is a high priority.
Following the Children's Sermon, pre-school children are dismissed for Children's Church where they hear Bible stories, sing, and enjoy snacks. Volunteers take turns being responsible for Children's Church.
Willow Creek was one of the first churches to hold Bible School, and children were transported in from throughout the community. Bible School remains a great summer tradition of Bible stories, singing, crafts, and, of course, recreation and refreshments that the children love.
Christian Fellowship
A review of Willow Creek's history would not be complete without recognizing the important role of Christian fellowship throughout the years. We have all depended on our church family for support and encouragement at some point. Willow Creek has a reputation of being a group that likes to eat and having many excellent cooks. Reminiscing about the church camping trips of the 1980's can still bring out some of the funniest stories you'll ever hear. Whether it be camping together, picnicking together, preparing a bereavement meal together, selling nutty bars, or just shaking hands and saying "hello" during the open greeting each Sunday.....people are always blessed in these times of Christian fellowship.