Days Long Gone: Sandy Creek Baptist Church

Excitement was in the air and families were dressed in their Sunday’s Best! The time period was the late 1800s, post slavery. The purpose was not only to attend church, but to also fellowship with kinfolks, neighbors, and get a taste of Big Mama’s cooking.

I am talking about the Sandy Creek Baptist Church. This church was located on Ditney Ridge in Trigg County, KY and comprised of members living in both Trigg County, KY and Tobaccoport, TN. Now for those families that lived on Ditney Ridge Rd., the church was not but a walk away. For those families that lived in Tobaccoport, TN the trip needed a little more planning and effort. Papa had to make sure the buggy was travel ready, and mama had to make sure the picnic baskets were filled to the brim with good food. Mama might have packed an extra change of clothes for the children, because you know there was no playing in church clothes. You would get a whipping  for  sure!!!! They were ready to travel to church.

Church was not only the place for spiritual growth, but for a well deserved escape from the harsh realities of life and racism in the South during post slavery. Church was the long drink of water at the end of a hard long week and a breath of fresh air. This was the place where they could be “free”! This was their family reunion, library, social club, newspaper, gossip hot line, and fashion show. The place where help was granted if needed. The families looked forward to Sundays at the Sandy Creek Baptist Church. The place of my ancestors.

 My 2X great grandpatents home was at the top of                                                                                                                                the hill and the Sandy Creek Baptist Church was

                                                                                                                         located at the bottom of the hill to the right.