White Springs History
THE BIG HARPETH UNITED PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION was organized on the Big Harpeth River, north of Franklin, Tennessee with five churches:
White Springs Columbia Tennessee Elder Thomas Williamson
St. James Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee Elder Gilbert Thomas
Old Zion Pulaski, Tennessee Elder Peter Nelson
Providence Franklin, Tennessee Elder Jackson McGee
McNairy Hill Nas
hville, Tennessee Elder Alex Grant
The Association was formed under the leadership of Elder Thomas Williamson. Elder Williamson was born in North Carolina, February 15, 1795. He was brought to Tennessee as a slave and joined the “White Primitive Baptist Church”. He was called into the ministry in 1832 and was licensed by the White Presbytery. Traveling from plantation to plantation, in Maury, Giles, Williamson and Davidson counties, he was spreading the gospel. Under his leadership the above churches were established in 1866. Being inspired by God, these five great leaders assembled themselves together north of Franklin, on the banks of the Big Harpeth River. Singing God’s hymn praises, kneeling in prayer and asking God for guidance for they knew, “Those led by the spirit of God, they are the Sons of God”. Deciding to cooperate together, they were organized as the Colored Primitive Baptist Churches of Middle Tennessee. Having been led by the spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of faith, having been baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God and Angels most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. Preserving the twelve Articles of Faith from the white Primitive Baptist Church and electing Elder Thomas Williamson, Moderator on August 21, 1872, the Colored Primitive Baptist Churches of Middle convened in Spring Hill, Tennessee at the Spring Hill Primitive Baptist Church, now known as the St. Mark United Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Green Thomas was the pastor of the Spring Hill Church. Six years expired and nineteen churches were added to the association. They resolved and agreed to change the name of their organization to the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association. Elder Williamson served sixty one years in the ministry; twenty seven years as Moderator of the Association. He succumbed to the will of God in June 1893 at the age of 98. The Association often convened under tents, and rotated from church to church and as far as Chicago Illinois; St. Louis Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Columbia, Tennessee; Pulaski, Tennessee and Nashville, Tennessee. Sister Ophelia Dunlap and Elder Timothy Stratton approached Elder Harvey Butler for a stationary place to hold the association and finally the brethren consented. A lot was purchased at 2117 Hermosa Street and the tabernacle was established September 4, 1948. On May 5, 1968, Elder Timothy Stratton was called from labor to reward. Under the administration of Elder Harvey Butler, these auxiliaries were organized: Mothers, and Choirs. Under the administration of Elder Timothy Stratton the Ladies Auxiliary was established. In 1968, the mantel fell to Elder N. A. Mumphrey, Sr., the proud pastor of Bethlehem United Primitive Baptist Church. Organizations founded under the leadership of Elder Mumphrey were numerous and among them: Deacon’s Wives, Minister’s Wives, Association Union Training, and the Sunday School Mass Choir. Through his progressive leadership and his cooperative cabinet, the Association was led from conquest to victory. The Association had happily worshipped at 2117 Hermosa Street for 24 years. At that time the building began to deteriorate, although a large sum of money had been spent for its upkeep. Elder Mumphrey d began to look elsewhere for the betterment of the Association. A church was located at 522 Meridian Street in East Nashville. Immediately a call meeting was scheduled for October 26, 1974 at the McNairy Hill United Primitive Baptist Church. A motorcade was formed to travel to and from the 522 Meridian Street address for the purposes of observation. They found the establishment to be beautiful, both exterior and interior, and was modernly equipped with the facilities needed. They traveled back to McNairy Hill Church’s dining area for a luncheon prepared by the Mother’s Union. A motion was prevailed that they buy the building and was received and accepted. On July 18, 1985, Elder Mumprey was called from labor to reward. In September of 1985, Elder Herman Mosley was elected as Moderator and served until September 2003, at which time he was honored as Moderator Emeritus. Under Elder Mosley’s leadership, Bro. Emil Justian was the first white member to be licensed to preach at Providence. Influenced by Elder Mosley, Minister Justian was lead by God to start his own ministry. He was ordained at the Big Harpeth Association in September of 2004. Today Elder Justian is the proud pastor of Triple Cross U.P. B. Church. In September of 2003, Elder Ronnie J. Russell, Sr. was elected as the Moderator of the Big Harpeth United Primitive Baptist Association. He is the youngest Moderator to be elected, but he is also dynamic in his leadership. Under his leadership, numerous improvements have been made to the Tabernacle facilities. Elder Russell serves in various capacities in our local and national Primitive Baptist bodies. He is the Financial Secretary of the Tri-States Primitive Baptist Convention, has served on the Board of Auditors of the National Primitive Baptist Convention USA.
