Mt. Vernon Register-News

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July 4, 2010

Ashley church closing doors for final time

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ASHLEY — After 148 years of being a part of the community, the doors of the Ashley Baptist Church will be closing on July 11.

“Sadly, the congregation has become so very small, it is with deep regrets the church is going to close,” member Imogene Daniels said. “We invite everyone to come and worship with us on this fateful day.”

The pastor of the church, Ken Qualls, said he had many memories associated with the church.

“We have had many good times with friends from all walks of life,” Qualls said. “Among those friends who have visited us are Grammy Award winners Cecil Blackwood and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Mark Blackwood and Blackwood Voices, John Lanier and Steve Warren from The Masters V, J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, and Vegas Vacation.”

Church records are incomplete, Daniels stated, but compiled information on the church is based on a former history of Washington County book, published in 1897.

 The book has an “Ecclesiastic Section” edited by the Rev. H.W. Carner, who lists himself as the pastor of Ashley Baptist Church for the time.

“He says that the church was organized on the second Sunday in May, 1863, and that it was duly constituted on June 28 of that year by a council from Du Quoin, Richview, Horse Prairie and Mt. Pleasant,” Daniels states. “The congregation had no building until 1866, when the present building was dedicated on June 10 of that year. It has undergone many changes during its long history, but it is still serviceable and in good taste.”

Many church records are incomplete, after the church building was damaged by a fire in 1885. Renovations have happened over the years, Daniels said.

“In 1947, the foundation was raised and the two separate doors in the front were enclosed and a large single door was placed in the center of the building,” Daniels said. “There was a high steeple for many years, but it was removed in 1959, when it was considered unsafe. A new wing, which contains three classrooms, was completed and dedicated in early 1972.”

And, although hundreds of people have worshipped in the building, the congregation has dwindled, forcing the church to discontinue services.

“... People have worshipped in this building, having fond memories of Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, revivals, picnics and many other activities,” Daniels said.

 “Many pastors have ministered to the needs of the community.”

The final services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 11.

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