CHURCH HISTORY
Flint Valley History
As we turn the pages of history recorded by Mother Eudora McKivan, we find that Flint Valley U.P.B. Church began its origin in 1875. Mother Eudora wrote from 1875 to 1939. At first they worshipped under a brush arbor on the rear part of the Henry and Parthenia Alley farm. The first members were Caroline Thomas, Sister Lucy Johnson and Brother Henry Smith. Under Elder Eli Gant, the organizer and pastor, four members were added: Bro. Lee Alley, Bro. Sam Alderson, Bro. Thomas Harlan, and Sis. Rachel Alley.
Imagine their song and prayer “…Our God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come”, Through the Christian spirit of Sis. Parthenia Gant alley, a little plot of ground she inherited from her mother, Sis. Mary Gant was given for the purpose for a permanent church. On this spot a little frame church was built. From the verse in Isaiah that said, “I will set my face like a flint because God will help, “we get the first name Flint. David said, through the valley I fear no evil for thou art with me, “and from this verse we get our last name Valley. The two names together give us our Church name Flint Valley.
After the death of Elder Eli Gant, Elder C.D. Duncan was called to pastor, Elder C.D. Dunson ordained five deacons, Brother Lee Alderson, Thomas Harlin, Sam Pierson, and Joseph Johnson. Elder Dunson died in 1906. Elder Tom Peeler was elected pastor. He served from 1906 to 1914. After he resigned in good fellowship, he died July 15, 1921. Then Elder Alex Harlan was elected pastor. He served from 1914 to 1931. During his pastorage he ordained two sons in the gospel, Elder Alex Stratton and Elder Willie Harlan, and two deacon brothers, Albert Alley and Timothy Stratton.
Later Brother Timothy Stratton was called to the ministry; he was ordained by Elder Harlan. Elder Alex Harlan pastored three churches, Flint Valley, St. Eli, and Central Baptist. On September 21, 1931, Elder Alex Harlan died. In 1932 the church called Elder Timothy Stratton to pastor. He ordained four deacons, Bro. Matthias Alley, Bro. Mayes Lee, William Bill” Lee, and Edward Taylor. Later Brothers Joe Williams, Ernest Bailey, Bernard Myers, and Lollie Jones joined the church as deacons.
In 1959 the little frame church was torn down and a new block church was started. The bid was awarded to Reverend Raymond Lockridge. Due to finance problems, the wall stood for four years before work was started again. In 1963, work began again under the supervision of Mr. James Caldwell who volunteered his services. The third Sunday in May of 1963, the church was ready for occupancy. The third Sunday in April 1966, the debt on the church was liquidated. In 1965 Elder Timothy Stratton was elected Vice Moderator of the Big Harpeth U. P.B. Association of Churches. While serving as Vice- Moderator he pastored four churches; Morgan Chapel, Flint Valley, Mt. Teama, and Old Zion. On May 5, 1968 the master suddenly called Elder Timothy Stratton home.
On Sunday December 1, 1968, Elder William Stratton was called to pastor. He ordained three ministers; Bro. Harold Shannon, Robert Stevenson, and Robert T. Armstrong. Elder William Stratton served eighteen years. He resigned in good fellowship with the church on the first Sunday in February, 1986. Elder James A. Mitchell was called to pastor the first Sunday in May, 1986. We, the member of Flint Valley U.P.B. Church were blessed with many accomplishments while under the Christian leadership of Elder Mitchell. He served for 16 years.
Under Elder Mitchell’s pastorage Three Mothers were added Sister Rena Upton, Sister Turoy Rogers, and Sister Wells, and Mother Ethel Webster later joined: worshiped was increased from twice monthly to every Sunday, except 5th, two deacons were added, Brother James Upton, and Brother Dewitt Whitaker. Elder Mitchell resigned in Good fellowship with the church on the third Sunday in December of 2002.
After the resignation of Elder Mitchell, through the leadership of God, the deacon, mothers, and trustees continued to oversee the spiritual and financial affairs of the church.
On the first Sunday in December of 2002, Flint Valley moved out of the church so construction could began with the rebuilding of our church. And for the next twelve month, by the aide of the Holy Ghost, under the leadership of the Deacons, Mothers, and Trustees, the congregation worshiped at the Fairview Park Center. During this period that the church was without a pastor, 18 ministers were invited in to preach before the church called Elder Chazen Frazier-Brown, to pastor. And on the first Sunday in December 2003, the congregation moved back into the renovated edifice.
Elder Brown accepted the pastorate of the Flint Valley U.P.B. Church the first Sunday in January, 2004. Elder Brown was installed and the charge was given to the church on the fourth Sunday by Elder John T. Gassaway, Vice-Moderator of the Big Harpeth U.P.B. Association and pastor of McNairy Hill U.P.B. Church.
Preparations were begun for church dedication services for the third Sunday in April 2004, the annual homecoming day.