History of Valley View Baptist Church
In June 1939, a small group of men from the community gathered to build a brush harbor on the land of George and Carl Kirk, located about two miles below Teas. This shelter, constructed from pine boughs and trees, served as a temporary but vital space for worship. The seats were rough wooden planks, and the pulpit was made from simple boards, with the ground serving as the floor. As the people gathered for services, Roy Redding, a young preacher, went door-to-door, inviting members of the surrounding communities, including Teas, Sugar Grove, and Stoney Battery, to attend the revival. He also brought along a collection of used clothes for those in need. The revival, which took place in July 1939, was a transformative event. The brush harbor was filled to capacity every night, with people spilling outside to hear the preaching. The services were a resounding success, with many finding faith, including several individuals who had been involved in illegal activities. One local sheriff famously remarked that Roy Redding had done more to rid the area of bootleggers than the entire county law enforcement. Following the revival, a large baptism was held in the nearby river, where Roy Redding and young preacher James Powell baptized 22 people, including Mr. Alexander Kirk, a 75-year-old man who had to be carried into the water in a chair. Local photographers captured the moment, and the images were published in the *Marion Democrat* on July 11, 1939. As the revival ended, the community felt a strong desire to continue gathering for worship. Mrs. Deamie Nelson suggested starting a Sunday School, and Roy Redding organized a union Sunday School. Each Sunday evening, people from nearby hollows would walk to the brush harbor for services. The services were scheduled in the evening to accommodate those who attended other churches, and people traveled by foot, car, and truck to join the growing congregation. As winter approached, the need for a warmer place of worship became apparent. Jasper Nelson, a local resident, offered a small two-room house just up the road. The congregation removed the partition between the rooms, creating a larger space for services. They built rough benches and a makeshift pulpit. The community held a farewell picnic at the brush harbor before moving into the house, where the church continued to grow. In 1940, the church was officially organized as Quebec Baptist Church in the little house where services had been held. The name was chosen due to the proximity to Quebec Knob, though some later questioned the origin of the name. Reverend Gus Martin and Reverend Mahathy assisted in the church’s organization, with Gus Martin becoming its first pastor. Other key figures included Jasper Nelson, the first Sunday School Superintendent, Georgia McCarter, the first church clerk, and Maude Davis, the first Sunday School secretary. The first revival at Quebec Baptist Church took place in 1940, with evangelist Craig Lowe leading the services. During this revival, a local moonshiner named Milton Ford was saved and, in a powerful act of repentance, destroyed his still. He was later baptized and became one of the church’s first deacons. The first baptismal service, which followed the revival, saw several people immersed in the river, marking a new chapter in the church’s history. By 1941, the congregation had outgrown the small house and began looking for a more permanent place to meet. The church moved to the old Valley View Schoolhouse, located about a mile down the road. The school had ceased operations, and the church hoped to purchase the building, but plans fell through. It was at this location that the church formally changed its name to Valley View Baptist Church. In the midst of World War II, many young men from the community were drafted, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Among them were Preston H. Martin, Jr., who was killed in action on July 31, 1943, and Cecil L. Ford, who died on March 23, 1945. Despite these hardships, the church continued to grow. In 1944, the congregation moved again—this time to a house owned by Charlie Gore, located near the original church site. A significant milestone occurred in May 1945, when George and Carl Kirk donated land to the church for the construction of a permanent building. The deed, signed by the Kirk family and church trustees, stipulated that the land be used solely for church purposes. With a combination of hard work, faith, and community support, the church began construction on its new building. The men of the community, including Preston Martin, George Kirk, and Milton Ford, helped cut logs from government land to build the church. The church was largely constructed by the volunteers, with some materials donated or repurposed. Bill Thomas, who worked at the Lincoln Furniture Factory in Marion, provided scrap plywood and theater seats for the new church. The church was finally completed and dedicated in the fall of 1945, marking a new beginning for the congregation. In 1946, the church purchased an organ, which was played by Lillie Owens, Valley View’s first pianist. The church’s first piano was purchased in 1949, and it was used until 1972, when it was replaced with a new one. Over the years, the church continued to grow, hosting its first Christmas program in 1940 and its first Bible school in 1941. Weekly cottage prayer meetings were held in homes across the community, and the congregation remained deeply committed to worship, prayer, and service. As the years went on, the church building and ministry expanded. In 1962, Valley View Baptist Church officially became a Missionary Baptist church, and a new Baptist Sunday School was organized. In the following decades, the church underwent several changes in leadership and continued to serve the community. In 1998, the congregation voted to expand the church to accommodate its growing membership. The church borrowed funds to finance the construction, and in 1999, a new sanctuary was completed. The old sanctuary was remodeled into classrooms and a nursery, ensuring…
