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(8.)
Sesquicentennial
Celebration
Liberty ~ Graham Baptist Church, Butlerville,
Jennings County, Indiana
that pulled out of the Union.
Brother Jacob Cox was cited for sending
five sons to serve in the civil War, two of whom died for the Cause. In
1865, after the war, a letter was received by the Church from
"Brother Robert Wilson for Council and Ministerial aid to Constitute
some colored Brethren in a Church and ordain a colored Minister."l
The Church refused "from the fact that the Constitution and Laws of
the State of Indiana forbids them emigrating to the State."l Nearly
one hundred years later, Graham welcomed the first blacks into her
membership. However, as they soon moved away, they did not remain as
members. The man died soon after leaving the community and was buried in
Graham's Cemetary.
Graham has had a good Sunday School for many years. According to the
Church report in the 1860 minutes of the Association,
"Graham have had one of these precious seasons seldom enjoyed.
Have an interesting Sabbath School and Monthly preaching."3
Again in 1862 the Association Minutes read, "Has a good Sabbath
school, well attended with young people."3 Sometimes the Sunday
school met in school houses nearby in conjunction with neighboring
churches.
The first Vacation Bible School was held at the San Jacinto school
house about 1939. It was sponsored by both Bethel and Graham. Later,
around 1948, Graham started holding Bible School sessions a week or two
each summer, which continues at the present time.
In September 1966, with the approval of the County Superintendent of
Schools and San Jacinto Principal, Dean Chambers, a Release-Time Bible
School was started for the upper classes at San Jacinto Elementary School.
The children received one hour of bible instruction each week and were
alternately bussed between Graham and Rush Branch M. E. Church for these
sessions. It was a joint effort by these two Churches and some of their
dedicated members taught the classes. It only continued for that one
school year but was a rewarding teaching effort.
An interesting item found in the Church Minutes and U.E. Smith's history
is as follows:
"On the third Saturday in January 1876, Rev. Nelson Johnson
was absent being at North Vernon assisting in a protracted meeting. In
his absence, Sister Hunt of Madison addressed the congregation. This
being the first woman to preach at Graham."l
The congregation must have accepted her as in July 1876 she returned
and conducted services again. This showed that although the Church has
always been strict in faith and doctrine, Graham is also a modern thinking
church. Women have never served as daconesses, nor has a woman been called
to Pastor the Church. Through the years, women have served in a prominent
role in teaching and missions. And this year for the first time, a woman,
Helen Pettit, has been elected moderator.
In 1972, a (woman, Laura Marie Welch,)
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