Chapter Thirty-One

Marion County Churches

by Mrs. Bernice Johnson

Baptist Churches

Peel Baptist Church

Page 489-491

Prepared from memory, by Burl Risley

The Peel Baptist Church was organized in 1907 and a building program started. It was a community effort and a joint building with the Odd Fellows Lodge constructing the upper story. Most of the families contributed labor and finances. Those that can be remembered are the families of: Yocham, Hudson, White, Evans, Parker, Weaver, Treadway, Risley, Smith, Hensley (donated the land), Farmer, Baker (the main carpenter), Jones, Milum, Fee; the early leaders were: Farmer, Weaver, Fisher, Risley, Hudson, Parker and Baker (the carpenter) who was the first pastor

Since Baptists took the leading roll and, no doubt, furnished most of the finances, it became known as the Baptist Church of Peel. This church was associated with the Crooked Creek Association of Boone County and the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastors were: Bro. Joshua Baker; R. W. Baley who led in the organization and was pastor when the church reached its peak in 1915; A. E. Farmer; J. H. Purdom; L. R. Goodson; J. K Aickele; Bill Schultz; J. H. Horton; and Bro. Deatherage. Two members of this church have become preachers-Ed Farmer and Bernard Risley, (At one time this church withdrew from the Southern Baptist Convention over the controversy of the 75 Million Dollar Campaign and became affiliated with a Landmark Baptist Association.) The membership kept decreasing and when Bro. and Mrs. Joe Benton moved to Yellville the church became inactive, except for an occasional revival meeting. Bro. Dale Barnett, Associational Missionary for White River Baptist Association, and Bro. Otha McCracken held a revival in September 1960. This effort resulted in several young people being saved. The Sunday School was organized September 25, 1960, with 46 present. For the first few months services were conducted each Sunday afternoon. Some of the leading families at this time were: Jess Weaver, Nora Risley, George Risley, John Hudson, Nora Evans, Mrs. Betty Rose and some whom I do not personally know.

In October 1961 under the leadership of Troy Melton, (who was pastor) the church became affiliated with White River Baptist Association and the following was copied from the minutes of 1961:

"The Peel Baptist Church respectfully petitions you for membership in the White River Baptist Association. Our church was duly organized in 1907 by some leading pioneer Missionary Baptist preachers in this area-Rev. R. W. Raley and Rev. Joshua Baker. The church, at that time, adopted the Church Covenant and Articles of Faith as found in Pendleton's Church Manual. Our church voted in conference on September 24, 1961, to petition for membership. We invite your committee to investigate the regularity of our organization. Our letter reflecting the work done by our church this Associational year accompanies this request.

The letter reported 30 resident members, 10 by baptism, three by transfer of membership, Sunday School enrollment 52 with an average attendance of 28. Total gifts for all purposes were $492.00.

Pastors from 1961 to date are: Troy Melton - 1961; Roy Dunn - 1962; Otha McCracken - 1963; Don Mulford 1965-1967; Kenneth Blackford - 1969; Wilbur DePreist 1970-1973; William Cook - 1974-1976.

The church acquired the property where it presently is located in March 1973 and became known as the First Baptist Church of Peel. The property now belongs to White River Baptist Association and is used for an Associational Youth Camp.

This history, prepared from memory, was given by Burl Risley, son of 0. L. and Nancy Ledhetter Risley. He was born on October 27, 1897, at Peel; he was "born in Christ" August 1915 in a meeting conducted by R. W. Raley when 15 souls were saved-four of whom were his brothers and sisters- Ross, Troy, Mae and Minta. Burl moved to the Yellville Baptist Church in January 1921 and has been active in the work here until the present time.