What We Believe
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15)
A copy of the Snowville Baptist Church constitution will be given to anyone who desires one. The following are some of our basic church beliefs:
1. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. We believe in the Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Matthew 3:16-17).
3. We believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14).
4. We believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood and died for our sins and that He is the only way of salvation (for all men (John 14:6; Hebrews 9:12).
5. We believe Jesus Christ arose from the grave on the third day (Mark 16:6).
6. We believe that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and that He will come again (Acts 1:11).
7. We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. That each individual must be born again (John 3:3)
8. We believe every born again believer should declare their faith by being baptized (immersed in water) but that baptism does not have any merit in a persons salvation. (Acts 8:36-37; Acts 16:31-33).
9. We believe in the eternal security of those born again (1 John 5:13
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Our History
Members of the Snowville community who were interested in Christian worship and in starting a church began holding worship services in various homes in 1898.
In 1904, Snowville Baptist Church, originally named Hiwassee Baptist Church was organized and forty-seven charter members were enrolled. This meeting was held in the tent erected on the schoolhouse lot of Wilson’s Grove in the Simpkinstown area of Pulaski County. (At this time, this community was in the Hiwassee voting district, thus explaining the naming of the church as Hiwassee Baptist Church.)
Dora Ridpath
Lum Ridpath
Lizzie Holliday
Iva Graham
Jeff Ridpath
Minnie Adkins
Daisy Graves
C.W. Teel
Harriet Teel
Lucindy McGuire
J.M. Dishon
Lena Dishon
Charlie Dishon
Lula Dishon
Lala Linkous
Iva Akers
William Wilson
C.W. Simpkins
F.M. Fagg
Edith Graham
Myrtle Graham
Luanna Graham
Lafayette Graham
John Hedge
Joe Roop
Mary Graham
Mallie Graham
Lethias Graham
Cynthia Burton
Tabby Wilson
Eualala Simpkins
Malinda Ridpath
C.W. Stone – First Pastor
W.J. Hubbard – 1916-1918
B.P. Poff – approximately 2 years
R.K. Johnson – 1919-1920
Reverend Hancock – 1932, Temporary pastor
J.L. Cochran – 1933
(The following served for brief periods and
no dates arerecorded:)
Reverend Goff
Reverend Elbert Yeatts
Reverend Ailiff
Reverend Pettrey
Rev. C.W. Stone accepted the call to serve as the first pastor. He was instrumental in organizing the church. Mr. C.W. Teel was elected clerk and treasurer. Mr. William Wilson and Mr. J.M. Dishon were chosen to serve as deacons. Mr. R.G. Ridpath and Mr. J.M. Dishon were appointed to a building committee.
This was the beginning of Snowville (Hiwassee) Baptist Church. Over the years the following pastors have served:
Mintie Akees
Emma Dalton
Pearl Teel
Mat Bandy
Tildy Bandy
Nelson Roop
Mrs. Nelson Roop
David Roop
Mandy Leslie
Jessie Teel
Rosa Graham
R.G. Ridpath
Ollie Simpkins
Louie Simpkins
Miriam Flinchum
Emery Riggs – 1946-1957
E.C. McDaniel – 1957-1959
Sammy Shoaf – 1959-1962
Robert Marshall – 1962-1964
James McKittrick – 1965-1968
Delton Agnor – 1968-1972
Tommy Mills – 1972-1974
Billy Hale – 1975-1977
Grayson McNeill - 1978-1983
James Crewe – 1984-1990
Michael Conn – 1990 – 1994
Neil Wood – 1994 –2019
1905
We give thanks to God for the more one hundred twenty-one years that the dedicated Christian members of Snowville Baptist Church held firm in the Word of God and pray for His continued blessing on us as we strive to do His will. May God bless our endeavors as we continue to serve Him.
