EBENEZER CHURCH ( BAPTIST)
From the book
History of the Pan-Handle, WV 1879
Page 322
There was organized October 20, 1794, on Short creek, Virginia, a church called the Regular Baptist of Short creek. ( It is thought by many that there was no Baptist Church on Short creek, but we have found in possession of Mrs. Smioth, who lives near St John's Church, an original paper containing substantially what we have set forth in the commencement of this article. In the minutes of the Baptist Association held at the Cross Creek Church, August 30, 1816, we find among the reports of the churches represented there, "Short creek Virginia" with forty-three members, John Pritchard, pastor and N. Evans, Joseph Hedges and George C. Young as delegates - "See Life Alexander Campbell, volume 1, page 469 note")……..This church at its regular meeting at Wheeling, held June 4, 1803, at the request or John Pritchard, John Edgington, John Mafers, John Dorsey, George Wheatly, Nancy Gist, Martha Pritchard and Elizabeth Pritchard, voted unanimously that the above named brethren and sisters, together with such others in their neighborhood of the same faith and gospel order, who are in good standing in their respective churches, be constituted a church etc. and called the Regular Baptist Church of Cross creek.
Thus the Baptist church of Cross creek was constituted with the above named persons as its original members. A good frame house was built near Saunders Mill.
Rev. John Pritchard was their first regular pastor. He officiated for a number of years, and was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Headington, who preached a few years. Rev. John Long next preached for several years. Rev. J. Speery next preached some two years. Sometime about 1844, Rev,. Griffith preached for the church. He advocated the missionary cause, and other progressive ideas. The preaching of Mr. Griffith created a division in the church, which, becoming irreconcilable, the followers of Mr. Griffith withdrew from the church, formed a new organization and about 1800 built another church about a mile further up the creek.
This new church was called Ebenezer, as stated at the head of this article. The secession of the members that organized the new church so weakened the old one that their regular meetings presently ceased and no regular church now exists though the building and ground still belongs to the Baptist denomination.
For a few years, the new organization formed by the seceding members, sometimes held its meetings at the old church, sometimes in a school house, and sometimes at private houses, till 1850, when they built a comfortable frame house, and called it Ebenezer church.
The original members of the new church were John Headington, David Hardsock, Mary Hardsock and Letitia Cornelius.
It was dedicated in August or September 1850. Dedication sermon by the Rev. Irving, of Steubenville, Ohio, assisted by Rev. William Ellis and Rev. John Thomas. The following ministers have since officiated as pastors:
