Ryans Creek Baptist Church was organized August 21, 1878 in the home of Sam Givens located across from Slick Rock Ford on Ryans Creek. The first pastor, Rev. C.A. Owens, served the church for eight years. Ryans Creek Church was fortunate to have a full time pastor since many churches were served by “circuit-ridin” preachers.
During early establishment, the congregation gathered on Saturday to worship the Lord and to conduct business. Sometimes the business was to settle problems among members and occasionally membership was withdrawn from people if they failed to “mend their fallen ways.” Church recessed during the day Saturday and resumed on Sunday. Foot washing was included in the services. Missionary programs were always supported by church and when women’s missions were established the women of the church became actively involved in the WMU.
People brought food from home and spread it on tables outside under shade trees when weather permitted. If necessary, temporary tables to serve the food could be built inside or outside by laying long planks across saw horses. The people transported food in baskets or any handy container they owned. Probably, most ladies prized and trusted as a food carrier a sturdy banana box with handle in each end and low sides. Such goodies as banana “puddin”, peas, beans, “taters”, fried apple pies, cakes, corn pones, and biscuits were among the many wonderful foods that have become a tradition with ladies at this church.
For many years at church, children took naps on pallets. The church windows were raised in hot times or to allow people outside to hear services when the building was full. For warmth, fires were built in a heater during cold weather, however, people did not go without long johns or flannel undies until spring. Revivals that included day and night services often lasted two weeks. Baptisms were in the creek even though it was sometimes cold. Usually, in summer after crops were “laid by” a singing school was conducted in effort to improve the quality of church singing.
The same great Love still abounds at Ryans Creek. The people that had a mind to work together for the Lord first started meeting in a private home, then moved to an old school house, next met in a log house, and in 1911 built a plank house that later burned. The congregation built a red brick building in 1948 and added Sunday School rooms as membership grew. The red brick building was remodeled and painted beige in the late 1990s. The new Life Center was dedicated in the fall of 2000.
Ryans Creek also has a van ministry for Sunday mornings and would love to pick up any kids who want to come. You can get on the pick-up list by calling the church at 287-1613, Tuesday through Friday from 8am-3pm.