CANAAN FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH

Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Christ, and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.

We promise, by His grace, to love and obey Him in all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to abstain from all sinful amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and sale of intoxicating beverages, and to “provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in reference to the study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the ordinances of the Gospel; nor fail to pay according to our ability for the support of the church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.

We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to “keep the unity of the Spirit” in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one another’s happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage the afflicted, admonish the erring, and as far as we are able, promote the success of the church and of the Gospel.

We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society, constantly praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational and denominational enterprises, the support of missions, the success of Sunday schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world. And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The original church was built in the 1880’s and named Oak Grove. Church and school were held in this building. The second church was a log building that was built in the 1890’s and was reorganized as Canaan Church. This building burned in the early 1900’s. The third church was built in the early 1900’s and moved to its present location.

Mr. Ben Grissett donated the land for the present church and was one of the first deacons. The deed was signed June 24, 1911.

Each church was built on the north side of the cemetery. One or both of the later churches were used as a school until all schools held in churches were consolidated in 1928. The teachers known are: Mr. Mooney, Miss Ester Watts, Miss Gladys Wallace, Miss Emma Ridgeway, and Miss Betty Langley.

Information for this history was originally compiled by Rev. Theo J. Buck and members of Canaan Church.