On the 4th Saturday in July 1844, Prospect Baptist Church sent a group of men to extend an arm of that church in this community. Included in that group were: Thomas F. Carter, Washington Ballard, George M. Clark, and Isaac Minton. They met at Mark S. Miller’s house on the cedar fork at Paint Rock Road in Roane County. After a sermon by Bro. Thomas F. Carter, Jesse Underwood, Polly Underwood, Elijah Underwood, Margaret Underwood
On the 4th Saturday in October 1844, the church met in the new meeting house. In November of the same year, Prospect granted the church the power to act as an arm of that church and to do business for herself. The church adopted the Rules of Decorum and Abstract of Faith. They agreed unanimously to name the meeting house “Cedar Fork.”
The first Sacrament was held in August 1845 and the first deacons were ordained the same day. Elijah Underwood and Isaac Minton became Cedar Fork’s first deacons. Cedar Fork officially became a constituted church the 4th Saturday in August 1859.
There were no church meetings in September, October, November, or December of 1863 due to raids made by the rebels. In March of 1865, the church resolved to declare a non-fellowship against all aides and helpers of the rebellion. But, in June of 1866, that resolution was reconsidered, and after some debate, agreed to use the Bible alone for her rule of action.
The church agreed to build a new church house in 1888. The new church house was completed in 1890. There were 99 members on the church book at that time. By 1915, there were 140 members’ names listed. In 1976, there were 376 members on the church roll.
In 1924, the church building was moved to some better ground nearby. This was done to stop the creek from flooding the church yard. Then, an addition was built to the church.
In December 1950, the church voted to have full-time preaching. Rev. Jewell Watson was pastor at the time.
Cedar Fork’s first Vacation Bible School was held in May 1953. Sister Allie Howard was elected the first principal. In October 1954, the church voted to have Sunday services instead of Saturday night services.
The WMU (Women’s Missionary Union), the GA’s (Girls Auxiliary), the Sunbeams, and the RA’s (Royal Ambasadors) were organized in March 1955. The YWA’s (Young Women’s Auxiliary) was started in 1956.
The church voted to build a parsonage in September 1955. Bros. Mercus and Tom Allison gave the land for the parsonage. It was remodeled and more built on to it in November 1966.
In May 1956, Training Union was organized at Cedar Fork. Brother Jim McGinnis was elected the first Director. A library for the church was started in December 1957.
In May 1960, the church purchased the Parker property for a future church building and cemetery. It bought 4.6 acres, one mile from the present church for $1,500.00. A building fund was started. In November 1960, the foundation for the new church was poured. On November 28, 1962, we held our first services in the new building. The new building was dedicated, being debt-free, on October 29, 1967. Brother Virgil Turbyfill was the pastor. In July 1965, a shed was built for the church to be used for Homecoming dinners, Vacation Bible School, and other occasions for serving refreshments.