Welcome Valley History
This is the official record of the original minutes and records of the church as published in the Heritage of Polk County Historical Society Book 1839-1997.
On Sunday night October 1, 1945, the Council from other Sister Churches met for the purpose of organizing an old fashion Missionary Baptist Church. Motion was made and seconded that Bro. Charlie George act as Moderator. Motion was made and seconded Bro. Omar Plank act as Clerk. Call was given for charter members, eight members came forth by letter: Bro. Burke Shelton, Bro. Walter Shelton, Mrs. Essie Shelton, Mrs. Ora Shelton, Eugene Shelton, Louise Shelton, Meda Shelton, and Mattie Sue Shelton.
The name for the church was selected as Welcome Valley Baptist Church. Those set for Council was: Bro. Kyle Shaw, Bro. William Moorehouse, Bro. Arthur Wilson. Question was asked by Bro. George (Mod.) Motion was made by and seconded that Bro. Walter Shelton be church clerk. The question was approved by the Brethren seated in Council and was declared a Baptist Church. Bro. Kyle Shaw gave the charge and opportunity was given for membership. These came forth for baptism: Perry Cross, Margaret Bishop, and Ruth Pinkey.
These are the actual minutes for the establishment of Welcome Valley as a Church. The Church met in Walter Shelton's yard before moving to a tent that was destroyed by a storm. The Church then met in a house across the road from its present location. On March 14, 1948 in conference the church met to decide to dedicate the Church the first Sunday in May 1948. On June 4, and June 8 of 1955 the Church voted to buy land and move the church across the road to near where the present church stands. The old church stood at this location for many years. On February 3, 1993 the Pastor, Rev. Earl Gentry and Deacon, Walter McDonald Jr. met with Hiwassee Land Company about getting land to build a new church. On May 16, 1993 the Church accepted the offer of Hiwassee Land Company and a new church was built. The Church moved into the new building on Wednesday, January 11, 1995 after the evening service. The first service was Sunday, January 15, 1995 in the new building. Dedication of the new Church was Sunday, May 5, 1995 and we burned the note on July 21, 1996. With God's help we now owe nothing on the Church.
Our Current pastor is Reverend David Bowers. He has been faithfully leading us since July 2004. Deacons who are currently serving under Rev. David Bowers are Burch Godfrey, Larry Ellis, Joe Akins and Wayne Jones.
We at Welcome Valley Baptist are thankful to God that we are still Considered an "old-fashioned" Church. After all, the Bible says "Seek ye out the old paths and walk therein." We are still seeing souls saved, and that is what it is all about, preaching and teaching salvation through God's Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
