University of Virginia Library

COUNTY LINE CHURCH

This church, organized in 1784, is situated near the dividing
line between Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, the house of
worship being in Caroline about one-half mile from Chilesburg
and about three miles from the North Anna River. The site
of the original house of worship was about one mile from the
present house and nearer the Spotsylvania line. This congregation
was constituted by those who withdrew from Waller's church
at the time Waller's was excluded from the Association on account
of the Arminian tendencies of the pastor, Rev. John Waller.
When Mr. Waller was reinstated in the Association, County
Line church was received also.

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Probably no man of his time contributed more to the establishment
and growth of the Baptist church in Virginia than John
Waller. He was born in Spotsylvania in 1741 and was noted in
his early life for his recklessness and profanity. His nicknames
were "Swearing Jack" and "Devil's Adjutant." He was one of
the jury that punished Rev. Lewis Craig for preaching. He was
remarkably converted in 1767 and was baptized by Rev. James
Read. A church was constituted and committed to his pastoral
care in 1769, subsequently becoming known as "Waller's church,"
and being one of nine which he planted within the Goshen
Association. He removed to Abbeville, S. C., in 1793 and died
there in 1802.

William Edmund Waller, brother of John, was the first pastor
of County Line church. He removed to Kentucky in 1784 and
was succeeded by Absalom Waller.

In 1841 the old church property near the Caroline-Spotsylvania
line was sold to the Rehoboth Methodist church and County
Line moved to its present location. The church house was
rebuilt in 1894 on the opposite of the road in a grove of fifteen
acres. The site across the road was taken for a cemetery.

The following pastors have served this congregation: John
Waller, Wm. Edmund Waller, 1784; A. M. Lewis, 1829; J. A.
Billingsley, 1831; W. R. Powell, 1837; J. M. Roane, 1866; L. W.
Allen, 1866; C. B. Dickenson, 1872; J. L. Lawless, 1881; J. T.
Dickenson, 1886; T. R. Corr, 1890; E. G. Baptist, 1894; J. S.
Ryland, 1896; E. W. Robinson, 1924.

The following Clerks have served County Line: Fleming Terrell,
1829; Thomas D. Smith, 1831; Genett Anderson, 1833; John K.
Luck, 1842; W. D. Waller, 1866; A. G. Smith, 1886. Captain
Cornelius T. Smith, who represented Caroline in the Legislature,
and who served the county as treasurer for many years, has been
very active in this church and for many years moderator of the
Association of which the church is a part.