Boyd’s Creek Church of God – The Church Journey

June 10, 2020 –  http://mynetzone.com/

I had the privilege to visit Boyds Creek Church of God. The church is built on land that was once part of a large plantation in the Historical Boyd’s Creek area. The large plantation house called Wheatlands is still standing at the corner of Boyd’s Creek Highway, and Cedar Springs Valley Rd.  Next to the church stands a small white schoolhouse that once served grades 1-8 when schools in the county were segregated. It is one room with a cloakroom that served as a lunch room. The building has been upgraded and serves the youth in the church. [1]

Small white school house that once served grades 1-8

Today Boyds Creek Church of God is a multi-racial, multicultural, multi-ethnic diverse church. In Acts 17:26, “from one blood were the nations of the earth established” Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ we have the gift to be saved, making us brothers and sisters in Christ. They are a church body that first and foremost loves God.  They believe showing someone love is the first step to showing someone God, for God is love. [1]

Several wars were fought in this area as our country settled the frontier and later experienced the Civil war.  The county which the church resides is named for famed statesman John Sevier, who gained fame at the Alamo and was later the first governor of Tennessee. His childhood home is located not too far away on Gov. John Sevier Highway. What was once a section of the 18th-century Native American trail known as the Great Indian Warpath. In 1780, John Sevier followed the path across the French Broad River to engage and defeat a Cherokee force at the Battle of Boyd’s Creek, which took place at the future site of Wheatlands. [1]

Early settlers also followed the trail into the Boyd’s Creek area, among them Timothy Chandler, a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia, who moved his family to Boyd’s Creek in 1791 After Timothy Chandler died in 1819, his son, John Chandler, inherited the family’s Boyd’s Creek farm. The original Chandler farmhouse burned in 1823, and John Chandler built the present plantation house at the site to replace it.  The plantation called the Wheatlands is an antebellum plantation in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The plantation’s surviving structures, which include the plantation house, a storage shed, and smokehouse have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. [2]

During the Civil War Wheatlands was used as Winter Quarters for the Union by Tenth Regiment Cavalry out of Michigan and the 8th division from Western Pennsylvania. They ran raids into Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Newport. They sent troops to the Brabson Plantation and took over their Ferry and occupied Bartley Chandler’s home in Sevierville as a prison. [2]

When Southern slaves were emancipated during the American Civil War (1861–1865), Chandler started paying his freed slaves to remain at Wheatlands. Upon his death in 1875, Chandler left his former slaves a portion of land along the south side of Wheatlands known as Chandler Gap. The Chandler Gap community remained a predominantly African-American community well into the 20th century. [2]

Wheatlands plantation house: Photo from Wikipedia

MY JOURNEY:

Boyd’s Creek Church of God is located in a lush country setting of trees, and wild flowers nestled in rolling hills. The area holds a long history going back to plantation days. The current church was built in 1984 and has a brick exterior that should stand solid for many years. 

I walked around the grounds taking pictures. At the church entrance I sat on a wooden bench, and spent time in prayer and meditation. After my visit I drove 4 miles to the Tennessee river to have lunch by the peaceful flowing waters. It was a relaxing day with plenty of time to reflect on the issues of our world.

I enjoyed doing the research on the history of this church. The area which the church was established spans back when the early settlers moved into this area. Times were difficult in the early days with battles against Native Americans, and later they lived through a time of slavery resulting in bloody battles of the Civil War that eventually freed the slaves. The one thing that was a refuge during the unrest and conflicts was the Good News of Christ received in the church. It still remains that refuge today.  

Relaxing time by the Tennessee River

FINAL THOUGHTS:

We have been immensely blessed with the opportunity to live in United States of America, a country where we can freely serve God without government involvement. However, many of our brothers and sisters across the globe are persecuted daily for their faith. In many countries, believers are not able to gather regularly to study the word. When they do gather, there is often not an organized worship service like we are used to in America. Instead these believers gather in secret.

Everyone at some point will go through troubles, but you don’t have to go through them alone. My hope is that you take advantage of our freedoms in America, and find a local church to act as your refuge from the troubled world we live in. Churches stand as the place where people make spiritual connections. The church often fills a void in society no matter how you are treated in the world when you get to church you are seen as important. Please pray for our churches as they go back to live services. Pray that they may have safe and productive openings over the next several weeks.

FELLOWSHIP:

With the National emergency for the COVID-19 virus many churches are remaining closed to the public.  I spent time outside the church in meditation and prayer. 

DETAILS:   

Church Website: www.boydscreekchurchofgod.com (Note the website is currently being updated and may be unavailable)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoydsCreekChurchofGod/

Location: 1074 Cedar Springs Valley Rd, Sevierville, Tennessee

Date Visited: 2020 June 10. 

If you would like to learn more about this church, upcoming events, or listen to a sermon I encourage you to visit the church website listed above.

May our Lord continue to bless this church in Jesus name.

“ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – (Psalm 46:11)

Please Pray for all our churches as they continue to face challenges in the year 2020.

May this find you well and happy, God Bless

PICTURE GALLERY:  (Plantations photos are from Wikipedia)

REFERENCES:

1. Boyds Creek Church of God, “Boyds Creek Church of God History” (2020, May 21) Retrieved from http://boydscreekchurchofgod.com/
2. Wikipedia (2020, June 11) Wheatlands (Sevierville Tennessee) Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatlands_(Sevierville,_Tennessee)