The first settlements in what is now Gallatin county took place on Eagle Creek in the winter and spring of 1800. Among them were several Baptist families and a Baptist preacher by the name of Williams Bledsoe. Bledsoe, and occasionally others, preached among these pioneers in their cabins until early in 1804.

In April of this year at a meeting held at the home of Bro. Preston Hampton, Ten Mile Baptist church was constituted with the following members:

Eld. William Bledsoe and wife,
Col. Joseph Spencer and wife
Edward Spencer and wife
Preston Hampton and wife
James Richardson and wife
Barnet Spencer and wife
John Spencer
Solomon and wife (colored)
Thirteen whites and two colored.

After Garnet closed his work the church does not seem to have had a pastor for several years. In 1806 the church became a member of the North Bend Association, which had been constituted in 1803.

For many years Ten Mile was the home of all the Baptists for many miles around, and enjoyed many gracious revivals. As she was a member of the North Bend Association, to which a number of ministers belonged, their visits were frequent. Absolum Graves, Robert Kirtley, Christopher Wilson, and likely the memorable John Taylor used to visit the remotest bounds of the Association, and Lillard would return those visits to churches in Boone and Campbell Counties [Kenton County didn’t exist until 1840]. Often meetings would be held at settlers’ houses, at a distance from the churches, and thus life and fraternal relations would be kept up. The writer has heard Lillard tell of some of these happy meetings. Sisters would shout, and a general handshaking and relation of Christian experience would be kept up until a late hour, and sometimes after the congregation was dismissed the preachers and older church members would remain in religious conversation till after midnight. But very few of these people were wealthy. They often came miles through the almost unbroken forests on foot to attend preaching.

Settlements grew rapidly, and each year brought many new comers from Virginia and the central part of Kentucky. Numbers of these were Baptists. Poplar Grove Church, in Owen county, was constituted with 12 members on the second Saturday in May, 1827, some of whom had been members of Ten Mile. Tobias Wilhoit became their first pastor and served the church three years.

Joseph Crouch became the next pastor and continued to serve the church 19 years. He died April 30, 1849. Curing his ministry of nineteen years in Kentucky he baptized 1,192. He was born near Petersburg, Virginia, March 27, 1794. In his childhood his parents moved to Green county, East Tennessee, where he was brought up. He professed religion at the age of fifteen. A year later, he commenced going forward in public prayer. At the age of nineteen he was married to Miss Anna Lada, and at the age of twenty he was ordained to the ministry. He was pastor of several churches in Tennessee and baptized 391 persons. He raised a large family in Owen county whose descendents of staunch Baptists and among the best citizens of Poplar Grove neighborhood.

Ten Mile, under the wise guidance of Lillard, remained calm. An organization of Reformers was made on Sugar Creek, to which some Baptists went, but no division of Ten Mile church ever occurred. Neither was any division made in the Association. At Poplar Grove Church some controversy arose; and Mr. Crouch, the pastor, put two queries to the church: 1^st Is salvation of God or of man? Answer: of God. 2^nd Is Baptism regeneration? Answer: Baptism is not regeneration.

After this Campbell’s work seems to have had but little effect among the Baptists in Ten Mile Association. Lillard from Ten Mile, Crouch from Poplar Grove, and Robert Kirtley, with other ministers of less note, held the Baptists of Northern Kentucky in the old doctrines of the Bible and the so-called reformers generally failed to reform.

Robert Elliston, James Landrum, and William Hendrix had some years previously been elected deacons, and Bro. John M. Merrill, clerk.

Ten Mile was justly regarded as the mother of neighboring churches, with two ordained preachers, both in the prime of life and full of zeal. Roe still retained all his Methodist fire, and would often become so wrought upon as to preach all over the house in which services were held. We have no account of when he died.

Beginning with the May meeting in 1842 occurred the most marked revival of churches of the association had yet realized. Congregations had filled the new house from 1840, and now began at Ten Mile one of the most wonderful revivals known before or since. Elder Lillard, the main mover in the work, was assisted by Joseph Crouch, P. H. Todd, John Roe, and Likely others. It was the custom in those days for all of the ministers present to take turns in preaching, as the case might demand and no one in particular to do all of the preaching. The greatest interest was likely in June. The crowds in attendance were so large, the meeting house would not accommodate them. Seats were prepared in a grove of sugar trees near the church, and here the day meetings were held. On one occasion at these services 36 persons were received for baptism. At the close of the protracted meeting about 200 were baptized. Others were received at church meetings afterwards until winter. Among those received in this revival we mention John Ringo and wife, Jonas Elliston and wife, Joseph Turley and wife, T. J. Turley, Edward Spencer, James Turley, Samuel Turley, William Clements and wife, M. J. William and wife, Dr. W. L. Richards, J. D. Elliston, Clayton Skiwin and wife, Newton Elliston, Joseph Elliston, William Green, E. J. Green, Milton Connelly, Thos. M. Lillard, and a host of others, many of them leading citizens

Nearly all of these have passed away. James Turley, Sister Mary Elliston, Sister America Turley, Sister Elizabeth Spencer and one or two more yet remain.

Ten Mile at this time (1842) numbered about 400 members. The revival continued to spread throughout the bounds of Ten Mile Association and others. Poplar Grove received nearly 200. At the Association, the letters from the churches reported an increase of 7532 by baptism, 46 by relation, and 20 restored. The Association increased from 472 the year previous, to 1,296 members.

In the years that followed churches were organized at Oakland, Warsaw, Concord, Vine Run, Pleasant Home, Glencoe and other points, each drawing more or less from Ten Mile until in a few years he membership had dwindled to about 200. From 1842 to 1852, the church enjoyed several happy revivals and received many useful members, among whom we mention Henry Crouch, John Crouch, Hiram Elliston, James Spencer, Taylor Spencer and many excellent sisters, some of whom remain with us.

In 1854, Elder Lillard, now about 72 years of age, gave up the care of Ten Mile and all other churches and retired from active ministerial work. At this request, the church called Eld. C. M. Riley as assistant pastor. Lillard, however, continued to preach as his strength permitted until January 30, 1861. He went to his rest full of days, riches and honor, aged 78 years, 2 months and 12 days. The aged soldier of the cross was carried to the house he had helped erect and where he had preached so long and after appropriate funeral services was laid to rest just back of the church, where a neat slab marks his grave. His faithful first wife had preceded him years before.

In 1859, Elder James M. Lillard, previously mentioned, paid a visit to the home of his childhood and held meeting at Ten Mile, Concord, and New Bethel. In all of these meetings great good was done. Several brethren and sisters united with these churches, some of whom still remain. Elder Lillard again visited Kentucky shortly after his father’s death and had some good meetings.

At the close of this year the church fell into some confusion over the call of a pastor. A majority voted to continue the present pastor, but quite a number of the old members and some of the new ones voted to call Bro. Crumpton. The result was that neither brother would serve, and the church was several months without a pastor. In May, 1870, the church called Elder T. M. Gray, of Glencoe, who served the church about two years. The church then called Elder H. M. Harrigan, of Indiana, who served two years.

Bro. Samuel Turley had been elected as clerk of the church some years before, and Robert Elliston and Dr. C. F. Violett, deacons. Up till this time, the church records say little about who were deacons. Bro. James Landrum and William Hendrix had served in this capacity, but as much of the minutes are illegible, no definite time of their election is found. At the close of Bro. Harrington’s second year, the church called Elder L. Johnson, who continued to serve the church about five years. On his resignation, the church called Elder Frank Baker, who continued to preach for them until the close of 1881.

We will now go back over the pastoral work of these last brethren and note some items of interest. Several excellent meetings were held by them resulting in additions to the church by baptism or letter of excellent members. An arm of the church had been extended to Elliston Station, in 1876, and also to Glencoe about the same time. In April 1877, Elder L. H. Salin held a meeting at Glencoe which resulted in about 20 professions of conversion. The following members were received at Ten Mile in the May meeting by experience and baptism. Frank Williams, Dave Castleman, Daw Perry, and Sisters Bettie Williams, Jennie Castleman, and Mollie Carleton. In January 1878, the Baptist Church at Glencoe was organized and the above persons, with a number of others, went into the organization. Ten Mile passed an act to help them build a house of worship, the members contributing liberally to that end.

F. T. Violett served as clerk several years, and after him Bro. W. O. Thomas. Bro. U. C. Allphin, Tine Lindsay, and others became members by letter. The church passed an act in 1880 to "become auxiliary to the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky in every respect." She has never rescinded this act. Though never contributing largely to the mission work, is in sympathy with every good movement. Bro Baker having resigned, the church called in January 1882, L. Johnson as pastor, who served for two years.

In May 1882, William Dean, who had been an active member of the church fifty years passed away. He was a good man and the church mourned his death. In November 1882, Alfred Landrum was received by experience and baptism. He was in a few years elected deacon, James Landrum and William Hendrix, two of the best and worthy old brethren, were called home previous to this. They were deacons. In January 1885, the church called Elder G. W. Hill as pastor, who continued to serve the church until 1890.

A number of the old members died in a few years. Milton Connelly, Samuel Turley and several faithful sisters. Perhaps the loss of Robert Elliston, known as "Uncle Bobby," was more deeply felt by the church than that of anyone else. He had served the church as deacon more than thirty years. He was a man of great force of character, quiet and peaceful in all his words and ways. He had strong common sense, and was a valuable disciplinarian in the church, possessing a salutary influence among the young people, his worth was felt and acknowledged by all. With all due respect for others, his place has never been entirely filled in the church. He died April 30, 1881. His son, J. D. Elliston, also a deacon, and much like his father, died in 1884. They were united in life, and in death were not divided.

After Bro. Bagby, the church called Elder John Fisher, who served them only a few months. Dr. S. M. Adams, of Big Bone, Boone County, was called to serve the church in January 1891, and Bro. C. C. Violett, having resigned as clerk, the church chose Bro. Henry McMillam to fill the place.

In September 1891, Bro. Swindler, of Covington, assisted the pastor in a meeting resulting in quite an ingathering, and again in October 1892, the same ministers were with the church in two weeks of happy services. Again in October 1894, a meeting of two weeks resulted in more than twenty additions to the church.

In July the church chose Bren. Alford Landrum and David Ringo to the office of Deacon. At the close of 1894 Bro. Adams resigned and the church called Elder Wm. McMillan pastor. In October, 1895 the pastor and Bro. Crouch, of Ludlow, Ky., held a meeting which resulted in the best revival the church had enjoyed for several years. Twenty-five were received for baptism, among them Elijah Hogan, J. L. Hendrix and wife, Joseph Keffer, J. W. Lucas. H. M. Richards, S. C. Turley, Cam White, J. A. Turley and others. In October, 1896 the church was again blessed with several additions, among whom were Edward Groves and Phil Clayton. These revivals greatly strengthened the church; but many of the good old members passed away: John Ringo, W. P. Elliston, Newton Elliston, James Elliston, Neddie Spencer and many good old sisters.

In October 1895m Sister Artie Turley, the daughter of the old pastor, David Lillard, was called home. A few weeks afterward her husband, T. J. Turley, followed her to part no more. Bro. Turley had frequently served as clerk and was a member of great usefulness to the church.

At the close of 1896, Bro. McMillan declined to serve the church longer, and after some delay, the church unanimously called Elder Thomas. H. Coleman of Georgetown, Ky., to serve the church. Bro. Coleman accepted.

In May, 1897, Bro. Elijah Hogan, Sr., one of the old and highly esteemed citizens, was received by experience and baptism, but in one month passed away. In October of this year Bro. Coleman held a protracted meeting with the church resulting in the addition of ten or twelve members, among which we name B. F. Furnish, a prominent citizen, Joseph Scott, John Chapman, C. S. Turley, and several others. At the close of the year Bro. Coleman resigned, and in December the church called Elder L. Johnson, who accepted in January, 1898.

In October of this year Bro. J. S. Gatton, of Eminence, Ky., and the pastor held a two weeks’ meeting, in which several were received, M. J. Jones, a highly esteemed citizen among them, who passed away in May, 1900.

In October 1899, Bro. R. C. Hubbard, of Ghent, helped the pastor in a successful meeting resulting in ten or twelve additions, among them, Wm. McKinley, Paul McNeely, Joseph Hendrix, Jr. Stanley Gibson, James Lillard, and others.

L. Johnson continued as pastor for 1900, and J. L. Hendrix was elected trustee and treasurer.

In January, 1899, Bro. Ralf Bright, who had been a member more than forty years, passed away, and left by will a donation to the church of one hundred dollars, a part of which was used to purchase a set of pulpit chairs, the center one of which bears a silver tablet engraved with his name.

In October, 1900, a meeting of several days was held by the pastor and Elder J. A. Lee, of Covington, during which about twenty-five persons united with the church. Quite a number of these were excellent young men – James Lillard, Stanley Gibson, William McKneely, Paul McKneely, and others, with a number of young ladies and some heads of families.

Several excellent members died or were dismissed by letter near this date. Daniel Ringo died January, 1897. Ralf Bright died January, 1899. David Ringo, one of the deacons of the church, took his letter together with his wife, in November, 1901, and moved to Poplar Grove. In September, 1900, Bro. Henry McMillan, who had served the church as clerk for several years, resigned, and soon afterwards, with his wife, took letters and moved to Williamstown. Bro. Albert Carleton was elected clerk in his place.

In April, 1901, the church lost Bro. Willie Spencer, and one week later his mother, Sister Kate Spencer, son and wife of Bro. James Spencer, one of the deacons. Sister Sarah Carleton, the mother of the church clerk, passed away about this time, and Sister Susan Violett, wife of the venerable deacon, Dr. C. F. Violett, died, 1899.

Bro. Henry Crouch, one of the oldest and most faithful members, failed in health, no more able to be with the people he loved. He lingered in great pain in February, 1902, when he went to rest.. He was a good man and liberal in all church expenses. The church still feels the loss she has sustained.

There have been more than one thousand members received by experience and baptism by the church. About twenty-five deacons have been chosen and served the church.

The ladies of the church and the neighborhood, several years ago, organized a Ladies Mission Society, of which Mrs. B. F. Furnish was elected President. The Society has continued to meet weekly, and have regular contributions raised and spent for various good purposes quite a neat sum of money. The Society still continues to flourish and prosper, and is an important branch of our church work.

Sixteen ministers have served the church as pastor, two of whom have occupied more than one-half the time – Elder David Lillard and the present pastor. [43 and 14 years, respectively.]

Four members are still with us who have been members fifty years or more – Dr. C. C. Violett, Sisters America Turley, Aunt Mary Elliston, and Sister Betsy Spencer, all worth soldiers of the Master’s cause.

The church has sent out but few ministers, but those few have proven themselves mighty men of God. The only one living is Bro. J. F. Williams, of Versailles, Kentucky, whose worth is everywhere recognized.