Editor's Note: The following article was written by Jakalyn Jackson for the 100th anniversary of Sinking Valley Baptist Church located in Cannon, Kentucky.
By: Jakalyn Jackson
As we approach the dawning of a new century and the 100th Anniversary of Sinking Valley Baptist Church, we the people must take the time to appreciate our past and strive to preserve one of our nations greatest freedoms, the freedom of religion. For this freedom, I lovingly dedicate this church history to the people of Sinking Valley, our ancestors and the Cannon Community.
Sinking Valley Baptist Church is located at Cannon, Kentucky, five miles North of Barbourville on Highway 11 on Dancy Branch. The first Baptist Church service in the community was held in a small one room log school located on the farm of Isaac Jones called Mt. Carmel. In 1886, this building became so dilapidated that it was torn down and the residents of the community decided to build a new school down in a valley. The students of Mt. Carmel elected to name the new school "Sinking Valley". When the church was built, it was decided that is should be named Sinking Valley, the same as the school. in 1894, George M. and Susan Jones Jackson donated land to build a new church. This land was to remain church property as long as a church stood on the grounds (Deed Book U page 156, Knox County Courthouse). The first minister was Joe Blackburn from Barbourville. He stayed with the Jackson family and helped build the new building. George M. Jackson donated the first church bell). It had been ordered from Louisville, Kentucky in the early 1800's. The bell was destroyed by fire.
This wooden structure stood until approximately 1955 when Jack Lyons, a minister, introduced the idea for a new church. The board of directors were as follows: Mr. & Mrs. W. J. McCarthy, Mr. & Mrs. Clinton Jackson, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Gander, Miss Eula Jackson, Mr. Bill Garland and Mr. Andy Wilson. This new concrete block building contained all new church furniture and hardwood flooring, it was completely destroyed by fire Sunday night, February 10th, 1967.
In May of 1968, work got under way toward the building of another church. This work was done mainly by neighborhood carpenters. The first service held in the new auditorium was September 1, 1968 with Troy Fields as the pastor.
The first funeral service held in the new church was Mrs. Rebecca Bingham Epperson on September 9th, 1968.
The church parsonage located in front of the present church building was completed in the fall of 1968. Reverend Troy Fields and his family moved into it on December 1, 1968.
New class rooms and bathrooms were added to the church in 1983. Through the help of dedicated people, several new additions and a shelter house has been built in recent years.
Some ministers of Sinking Valley Baptist church have been as follows:
Joe Blackburn
Rafe Mays
Roy Leddington
Elijah Hubbard
Thomas Gray
Miles Tye
Will Epperson
Gene Ore
George Harris
Amos Combs
Jim Clark
Jack Lyons
Jerry Lowery
John Holloway 1957-60
Ray Carter 1960-63
Jim Holden 1963-65
T.D. Hooker 1965-67
Jim Prichard 1967-68
Troy Fields 1968-69
Ellis Smith 1969-74
John Hash 1974-76
Vernon Morris 1976-78
Earl Hammons 1978-80
Don Owens 1980
Vernon Morris 1984-85
Billy Argerpolis 1986-87
Vernon Morris 1987-94
Listed below are some of the very early members of Sinking Valley Baptist Church when it was first organized, I am sure there are many who are not listed, but these are some of the dedicated people who laid the foundation for which Sinking Valley Baptist Church still stands today.
Henry and Lizzie Cannon
Annie Cannon Tuttle
Sam and Mary Lawson
Lloyd Chadwell
John and Eliza Doss
Matt Jackson
Noah and Anna Garland
James Harve and Mahala Jackson
Bud Hurst and wife
Eddley Lawson and wife
Henry and Mary Gibson
Joe Fortney
Roy and Susie Leddington
Newton and Lizzie Chadwell Willis
Nora Doss Willis
Hiriam and Ethel Overbay
Ernest and Leona Jackson
Joe Frank Willis
Jim Brooks
Herbert Smith
Tom and Kitty Brooks
Mary Mills Jones
Dee and Lucy Tuttle Jackson
Frankie Jackson
Cleveland and Artie Mills
Wilse and Jenny Garland
Ike Garland and wife
Dan and Nary Jane Ridnor
Sie and Molly Barley
Tom and Sally Lockard
John Lockard
John and Ellen Gibson
Harve and Mag Harris Garland
Sarah Chadwell Gross
Whorton and Flora Stamper
Members who joined at a later time were:
Asa Jackson
Susan and Margaret Kelly
Nettie Willis
Rev. George and Mable Harris
Patton Hurst
Elva Hurst
Marvin Jackson
Ada Jackson
Eula Jackson
Reed and Alice Jackson
I would like to give special thanks to my Aunt Dorothy Jackson Mills who the Lord has blessed with a wonderful memory for historical facts and details. Without her most of the information contained in this Church History would be lost forever.
-Jakalyn Jackson