 | A history of Caroline county, Virginia |  |
ROUND OAK BAPTIST CHURCH
Mrs. Robert Gordon, of "Santee',' relates that John Battaile,
of "Belle Park" had one son who wanted to go to Africa as a
missionary. In order to keep the son at home Mr. Battaile
volunteered to build him a church on the estate and thus gratify
his desire to do missionary work among the negroes. The chapel
was erected and the work flourished until there were many white
persons interested in and connected with it. Grace Episcopal
church nearby engaged the services of one Rev. Mr. Walls, who
was considered an "high churchman," and on this account many
white persons adhered to the mission. These constituted Round
Oak Baptist church about 1840. Lawrence Battaile became the
first pastor of this church and was succeeded in turn by the Rev.
Messrs. Trice, James D. Coleman, A. B. Dunaway, A. B. Loving
and J. W. Reynolds. The last named has served the church
for thirty-three years.
Round Oak church, prior to the Civil War and for some time
afterward, had a large colored membership and it is probable
that this church has done more for the negroes than any other
church in the county. For many years Round Oak co-operated
with Liberty church in employing R. H. W. Buckner to preach
for the colored people. It is interesting to note that the church
at its regular monthly meetings always appointed four of the
officers to attend the Buckner meetings.
Robert Jesse, Richard Pittman, K. Rowe, Wm. Farish, Hyter
Farish, Joseph Skinner, Henry Skinner were among the charter
members.
The clerks of Round Oak have been as follows: ——
Marshall, W. H. Farish, James Rowe, James M. Dillard, Arthur
Skinner and W. H. Purks. Thus it will be seen that this church
has had only six pastors and six clerks in its long history.
The present deacons of Round Oak are: W. H. Purks, Wm.
Hayden, J. B. Flippo and James M. Dillard.
Among the leading families in the church may be named
the Yates, Purks, Flippo, Skinner, Sale, Cash, Denson, Dillard,
Thomas, Brown and Jones families.
John Goodwin organized the first Sunday school in Round
Oak church and drafted the rules for the government of the
same.
The main building was erected in 1852 at a cost of $2,250
and the wings were added in 1915 at a cost of $4,000. The
cornerstone was laid by the Masonic Lodge at Fredericksburg.
The splendid brick structure, although erected at low cost, is
one of the best in the county. The church is located at Corbin,
in the northern end of the county and is only a few hundred
yards from Grace church.
| A history of Caroline county, Virginia | |