In the mid-19th century, early area settlers labored in sawmills and over crops, including corn, potatoes and cotton. In 1869, the Rev. Elisha Blanton and nine others organized a Baptist church in a home near a sawmill north of nearby Bethel. Church member, and owner of the sawmill, C. Henry Lennon served after Blanton as pastor of the congregation. When Lennon relocated the sawmill c. 1875, the church followed, holding services in the home of E. Whittiker, near the Clearwater Cemetery (1.1 mi. E). The site is located 7 mi. N on FM 1448
