Biographical and Historical Note

Lufty Baptist Church was founded in 1836 in Smokemont, N.C. near the Ocanaluftee river from which it takes its name. Although the church is still standing, the town of Smokemont no longer exists. In its place is the Smokemont campground, a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the nearby town of Cherokee.

From 1836 to 1882 the church met in the home of Dr. John Mingus. In 1882, the first building was built. In 1907, this building was torn down in order to make room for a new building, which still stands today. Throughout its history, the church went by several names, including: Lufty Baptist Church, the Church at Shoals Creek, and the United Church of Christ at Tennessee River. The church had an active membership as late as 1939.

Collection Overview

This collection consists of one reel of microfilm containing a single volume of minutes from Lufty Baptist Church. This volume also contains the Articles of Faith and Articles of Decorum from when the church was founded in 1836. Later versions of these articles can also be found in this volume under the name "Duties of Church Members" as well as "Rules of Decorum" and "Bylaws." The minutes deal with the period from 1836 to 1895, giving an account of the church's meetings as recorded by the church clerk. These meetings were generally held on the Saturday preceding the fourth Sunday of the month and often dealt with obtaining contributions for church projects as well as ensuring adherence to the rules. Membership lists for 1874, 1886, 1894, and 1895 can also be found in this volume. These minutes suggest that the church devoted a great deal of energy to ensuring proper conduct.

Collection Inventory

• Minutes (1836-1895) (One volume of minutes.)

Summary Information

Repository

Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives

Creator

Lufty Baptist Church (Smokemont, N.C.).

Title

Lufty Baptist Church (Smokemont, N.C.) records,

ID

CRMF135

Date

1836-1895

Extent

1.0 microfilm reel(s)  35 mm; positive

Microform [Reel]

1

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives 2014

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for researchers. 

Copyright Notice

Use of unpublished manuscripts is protected by provisions of copyright law and by laws against libel and invasion of privacy. No material from a manuscript collection may be published without prior written permission from the holder of the copyright. The Library claims only physical ownership of most manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections & Archives (archives@wfu.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections. 

Preferred Citation Note

Lufty Baptist Church (Smokemont, N.C.) records, CRMF135, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

• Lufty Baptist Church (Smokemont, N.C.).

Geographic Name(s)

• Swain County (N.C.)--Church history--Sources

Subject(s)

• Baptists--North Carolina--Swain County--History--Sources
• Church records and registers--North Carolina--Smokemont
• Church records and registers--North Carolina--Swain County

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