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History of Beech Park Baptist Church
In 1846, Winter Gap, now called Oliver Springs, had grown in population until it was felt that a regular church was needed. The Rev, Joshua Frost and other ministers of the Baptist faith net at shed over the spring referring to Sulfur Springs. There they organized a Baptist church. Within a short time a large log church building was erected on a lot donated by Moses Winter a few hundred feet to the east of the springs. This building served the Baptist church until 1905 when a frame building was erected across the street from the present day elementary school. This Baptist Church subsequently divided in June 1904 to form two churches the Oliver Springs First Baptist Church and Beech Park Baptist church. These were what you would call twin churches. In 1904 there were a series of important events that shaped the history of Oliver Springs. On May 20, 1904 Mr. B. H. Sprankle of Knoxville conveyed to the Trustees (not named) of Beech Park Baptist Church lots 134-136 and 173-175 in the West-end addition in Oliver Springs. It was said that Preacher Bill Fritts and Preacher Bill Brummette went to Knoxville and closed the deal with Mr. Sprankle on the church lots. They came back from Knoxville on a train and were so happy that they walked the half mile to the site of the church lots, knelt, and began praying. The praying became so loud and lasted so long that it disturbed that end of town. The deed was received at Kingston for registering on June 6, 1904. Registering fee was $1.50, donated by the register. On June 21, 1904 an organizational council met at Beech Park for the purpose of organizing and constituting a church. The organizational council was composed of the following: Rev. Bill Fritts, Rev. Bill Brummette, Rev. E. B. Booth, Rev. Henry C. Wilson, Rev. Nicholas Reynolds, and Brother T. W. Evans. Beech Park included a big spring, and large virgin trees. The park was enclosed with a fence. It was located about 100 feet northwest of the present church building, most of it was taken for right-of-way for highway 61. Beech Park's name came, as you can see, from the park and the beech trees.
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