Church and Family History Research Assistance for Warren County, Virginia

CHURCHES:

UPPER SOUTH RIVER (REGULAR)

The first Baptist Church constituted at South River was of the Separate order. Several members belonging to different churches of the Regular order had their residences intermixed with those of the Separates. The Regular brethren were constituted into a church at the South River Church meeting house in the year 1782. Minutes of the Ketocton Association show that this church joined the Association in 1786. It is now known as South River Church, in Browntown.

LOWER SOUTH RIVER (HAPPY CREEK)

Happy Creek Church, in Front Royal, was organized in 1783, with 64 members, and united with the Ketocton Association. It was originally called Lower South River Church, because it was located near the south branch of the Shenandoah River). Elders James Ireland (a native of Scotland), William Marshall, and John Taylor were instrumental in the establishment of this church.

Elder James Ireland was the first pastor. Elder William Marshall (uncle to Chief Justice John Marshall), was next; then Elder John Taylor. Other pastors have included Elders Benjamin Dawson, Thomas Buck Jr., John Clark, Charles H. Waters, W. T. Eaton, T. S. Dalton, A. L. Harrison (chosen in 1912). The records of Happy Creek Church prior to 1838 were destroyed by fire many years ago.

WATERLICK

Waterlick Church was organized on April 15, 1787. The members to be constituted met at the home of Brother Charles Buck where they sat to hear experiences related, from whence they proceeded to the River singing a hymn as they went along, where, after an exhortation by Bro. John Parker, and a short discourse by Elder John Price, the ordinance of baptism was administered to several, and from whence they went to the Waterlick meeting house (which had been constructed for the sake of convenience of some of the members of South River Church who lived on the north side of the South River), and the church was organized in the presence of a very large audience, viz., Thomas Buck, Charles Buck, John Buck, John Parker, Donald Holmes, Negro Joseph, Negro Daniel, Isabella Richardson, Miriam Buck, Mary Buck, Nancy Buck, Martha Leith, Sarah Richardson, Elizabeth Parker, Jean Williams, and Negro Jeanny. Waterlick Church united with the Ketocton Association the same year.

Elder John Price was the first pastor. He was followed by Elders James Ireland, who served until his death in 1806. He was followed by Elder Samuel O'Herndon.

Waterlick Church meeting house was (as late as 1947) located near Buckton Station on the Manassas Gap Railway.

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