The History of Alum Spring Baptist

Church 1855-2025

Alum Spring Baptist Church is located in Culpeper County, Virginia, approximately five miles north of the town of Culpeper at the point where the Drogheda Ridge Road is crossed by the road leading from Middle Mill to per Court House, as the deed recorded in Deed Book 12, page 542, at per Courthouse notes, or at the present intersection of Dutch Hollow Road Alum Springs Road. This is a point approximately halfway between Eldorado on highway No. 729 (Eggbornsville Road) and Rixeyville on highway No. 229

The building standing today is the original building erected in 1856. It is rectangular with a gable roof, originally shingled. The original building had a stone foundation. The exterior was weatherboarded, but since has had aluminum siding installed. Each side and the rear has two windows having eighteen panes glass each twelve inches by fourteen. Each window, in the beginning, had shutters. The front originally had two doors with steps going up to each and small windows directly above. The present cement porch in front was added in 1955. Also, on the left side near the front was a third entrance, similar to the front entrances, which was originally for slaves. This entrance was changed in renovation of 1955 allowing access to the sanctuary.

On the interior the walls and ceiling, about 24 feet high, were originally plastered. Later a tin ceiling was added and painted white. The walls were first painted gray and stenciled off in blocks of about twelve by eighteen inches. In 1903 the walls were papered with plain pastel green paper. A second papering job in 1928 used tan paper. In the redecorating of 1955, the walls were stripped the old paper and painted a bone white.

Opposite the front doors is the pulpit. The original elevated pulpit reached by steps was torn down in 1895 and replaced by one on a plain platform raised about a foot above the floor on the first level and the same height on a second level.

The planks in the floor were varying widths, ranging from four to twelve inches. The floor remained unfinished until it was sanded and sealed in 1950.

A balcony in the rear is supported by two octagonal pillars about 10 inches in diameter. It was originally reached by narrow, winding, steep steps. In 1955 the new stairway was added when the door was moved to allow an entrance to the basement addition.

The original pews on the main floor are no longer in use. Twenty- five short benches were used on the two sides, the "choir corner," and the "Amen" corner. Thirteen longer benches were placed between the two aisles.

The original heating system consisted of two large wood stoves with pipes running to the roof to two clay flues. The flues were replaced in 1918 by brick inside chimneys, these later giving way to the central heating system. The flues, according to the minutes, were constantly a matter for repair, note often being made of a committee named "to repair the flues."

The single ceiling-high octagonal column in the center was not a part of the original plan. It was added when the ceiling was found to be sagging, and in danger of collapsing.

Organization of Church 

The organization of Alum Spring Baptist Church followed a prayer meeting held under an arbor in the woods in the summer of 1854. The first minutes record that "several members of the neighborhood, feeling their deadness to Divine things, yet earnestly desiring to be revived, agreed to meet together at an arbor and unitedly, simply, and earnestly beseech the Lord to restore unto them the 'joys of his salvation'. Their meeting soon became pleasant to them and they were also cheered by the attendance of many persons from the neighborhood. When winter came on, neither the members nor the people seemed willing that the little meeting should be given up; and they were kindly permitted by Bro. G. Apperson to occupy a vacant house belonging to him not far from the spot. The people continued to come and the brethren were encouraged to persevere; and up to this period a space of nearly two years, the prayer meeting has been regularly kept up, with very little or any abatement of interest."

Gift of Land 

In deed book number 12, page 542, in the Culpeper Courthouse, is recorded under the heading, "Field to Cooper and Trustees" the transfer of the one acre of land on which the Alum Spring Baptist Church building was erected. The land was given by Richard H. Field. The deed reads in part as follows: "This indenture made this 30th day December 1854 between Richard Field and Philippa B. Field his wife of the first part and Leroy Cooper, Albert G. Simms, Enoch Jeffries, George S. M. Payne, and Albert Thomas of the second part, all of the county of Culpeper, Virginia witnesseth that said Field and wife for and in consideration for the sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the aforesaid parties of the second part at or before the unsealing and delivery of these present the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged but more especially in consideration of the uses, trust, and purposes hereinafter declared have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain and sell to the same Cooper, Simms, Jeffries, Payne, Thomas one certain lot or parcel of land in the County of Culpeper." ..(Here follows surveyor's location of lot)…” a small portion over one acre of land to have and to hold to them the said Cooper, Simms, Jeffries, Payne, and Thomas and the successor in office forever in trust that they shall cause to be erected and built thereon a suitable house of public worship for the use of the new school Baptist Church of the Shiloh Association according to the rules and description of the said church now in power or which maybe hereafter made and ordained by the said church and in future times that they and their successor in office shall at all times forever hereafter present such members and preachers belonging to the said church who may be duly authorized to do so to hold meetings in said house of worship and to preach and expound God's holy word therein."

Plans for Building

In the first minute book of the church, an account is given of plans for erection of the building. The pages of the minutes are very wanting in further accounts of the building activity. Perhaps the treasurer's books would have given greater details, but the first treasurer's book that is available begins with the year 1903. The account of plans for the erection of a building reads as follows:

"On Saturday, 24th February 1855, pursuant to notice previously circulated, several persons friendly to the object assembled on the aforesaid lot and organized a meeting by appointing George Apperson, Sen., chairman and Robert Thomas, Secretary. After full and free consultation, it was Resolved unanimously that the Lot of Land belong to the United Baptist and agreed, that they have the entire control of the house which may be erected thereon… A report of the amount of subscriptions already obtained showing the sum of $654 thereon having been announced to the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that preliminary measures for building a house be now adopted, and that in the meantime the holders of the subscriptions be requested to continue in their efforts to obtain additional funds. Messrs. George Apperson, Albert Thomas, Leroy Cooper, George S. M. Payne, and Enoch Jeffries, were appointed a Building Committee whose duty it should be to determine the precise spot on which the house should be erected, agree upon size and plan of the same and on terms of payment."

"Messrs. George Apperson and Enoch Jeffries were appointed an Executive Committee to receive proposals for building the house, contract for the same and superintend the erection thereof… Resolve that Mr. Albert Thomas be appointed treasurer."

Twelve First Members

From excerpts of the record of activities of November 16, 1855, an account of the organization of the church, the Constitutional members, and the church covenant is available. This meeting, held in the vacant house of George Apperson was presided over by Elder Cumberland George, pastor of Mount Pony Church. "Pursuant to notice previously given, the persons whose names are written below convened together at the dwelling house of Bro. George Apperson, in Culpeper County, and after Divine Service by Elder Cumberland George were in the manner usual as such occasions, recognized by him as a regular constituted Church: George Apperson, George F. Apperson, Richard S. Apperson, Albert G. Simms, Mary S. Apperson, Martha E. Apperson, Martha J. Apperson, Mary A. Newlon, Ruth J. Newlon, Matilda C. Tutt, Frances M. Payne, Elizabeth A. Hitt."

Church Covenant 

The covenant of the church was entered into under the same date, and follows: "We, whose names are written above, baptized on a profession of Faith, being desirous to be constituted a church of Jesus Christ, and have satisfactory knowledge, one of another, in regard to a work of grace on our hearts, religious principles, moral conduct and deportment; and being desirous of enjoying the privileges pertaining to a visible church of Christ do in the name of the Lord Jesus, voluntarily and freely give ourselves up to Him, and to one another, according to his word, to be one Body, under One Head, even Christ, jointly to wit and act by the bonds and rules of the Gospel; and we do promise and engage, Divine assistance, to do in our different capacity and relations all those things which the Lord has commanded us and evidently requires of us; particularly to deny ourselves - to take up our cross and follow Him - to keep the Faith, assemble ourselves together,- love the brethren, - submit one to another in the Lord, - care for one another, bear each others burdens, - endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace; - and finally, to honor and assist them that have the rule over us in the Lord. This Covenant we solemnly enter into in the fear of God, humbly imploring the Divine assistance and blessings, that we may be built up and established to the glory of God, the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom and the comfort and edification of our souls, through the riches Free Grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. And now, to the only wise God, Father Son and Holy Ghost be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen."

Cumberland George

 After the formal recognition, Elder George having retired, Brother George Apperson was appointed moderator, and on motion, "The church proceeded forthwith to the election of a pastor; where it appeared that Elder Cumberland George was unanimously chosen." He accepted and consented "to preach to us one day in the week once a month and at such other times as he might find convenient. Ordered for the present, our monthly meetings be held on Friday preceding the second Lord's day in each month."

Elder George preached his first sermon after taking over the pastorate of the newly formed church Friday, December 7, 1855, and used Romans 10:10 as the Scripture. At this service W.C. Apperson and Emily Apperson made professions of faith and were baptized the same day. Thus, they were the first additions to the church by baptism.

At the services on January 11th, 1856, Enoch Jeffries who had been serving as a trustee and on the building committee was received for baptism, and Elizabeth Jeffries was received by letter from Mount Pony Church. The minutes for this service also record an additional time of worship and the first revival of the church as follows: "Resolve that in the future in addition to our regular days of worship we have meetings on each fifth Sunday and Saturday preceding, and that in the week of the fifth Sunday in May we hold a protracted meeting." Three more names were added to the church roll during the year, namely, William H. Herndon, Samuel R. Rixey, and Caleb Shackelford.

Name of Church

The church went nameless or known as a Baptist church until April 11, 1856, when it was voted to name it Alum Spring. The minutes on the business of the selection of a name, March 7, 1856, say: "The church sat to transact business. Brother George Apperson proposed that we proceed to give a name to our Meeting House, when after some conversation it was agreed that Brethren G. Apperson, Sen., E. Jeffries, and G. Apperson, Jr„ be a committee to report to the church at next meeting, a suitable name.

"Friday, April 11, 1856, Bro. G. Apperson, Sen., from the committee to name

the Meeting House reported "Alum Spring" as in their opinion a suitable name, which after some conversation was adopted by the church." The name was selected from a spring, the favorite of Henry Field, donor of the land for the church.

First Deacons

The first two deacons of the church were George Apperson, Sr., and Caleb Shackelford, elected Friday, May 9, 1856. George Apperson, Jr., became clerk, and "Brethren Leroy Cooper, Enoch Jeffries, and Albert Simms, and Messrs. Geo. S. M. Payne and Albert Thomas were appointed Trustees to receive and hold the title to our Meeting House property." The deacons were ordained "on Saturday preceding the fifth Lord's Day in June." Up to this time the minutes had been signed by Albert Simms.

Membership in Shiloh

The minutes of July 10, 1856, note the church's petition to Shiloh Association for membership with A. G. Simms, Caleb Shackelford, Enoch Jeffries, and George F. Apperson bearing the petition, and to act as delegates. The Association has met at the church four times. The first time, in 1861, Elder P. M. Carpenter preached the introductory sermon. The meeting lasted only one day, adjourning "to meet when conditions of country permit." The neighborhood was filled with sick soldiers. The Association met again, or rather continued the meeting, in 1865, this time for two days.

The minutes of June 8, 1864 noted there had been no church services for eighteen months, partly because of the illness of the pastor but "mainly from the presence of our public enemy and that many of our own number being absent at war."

Elder George continued as pastor until his death in 1863. A biographer said of him: "He was doubtless the pride of the Piedmont Baptists, and as a pulpit orator stood at the front of the denomination. From more than one source comes testimony to the fact that he was of commanding presence, that he was an orator of no low rank, and that especially upon set occasions he was at his best as preacher. He had a fine physique, and his voice was like a trumpet."

Following Elder George's death, the church was pastorless for 18 months. In the remaining years of the century, eleven other regular ministers served the church, serving 21 months in the shortest pastorate to 24 years and four months in the longest one. There were numerous supply pastors who served one Sunday at a time or longer, two years and eight months being the longest period the church was without a regular minister.