History

Bible On the 6th of May 1824, a group of earnest Christians, feeling the need of a church, organized Swift Run Baptist. As past records show, this was the first Baptist Church in Greene County -- then a part of Orange County.

The ten charter members were Edward S. Shipp, Willis Huckstep, Aggie Huckstep, Mary Beazley, Fanny Durrette, Francis Durrette, Kitty Rucker, Nancy Mitchell, Nancy Wait, and Malinda Cox.

In 1846 Mrs. James Beazley deeded an acre of land to the Church for the amount of ten dollars ($10.00).

The original Church was built and used until 1887 when members joined together and raised funds a new building. Dr. Beazley was on the building committee at that time. The 'new' Church was built by Mr. James Harlow and is in use today, however significant remodeling has been through the years.

Swift Run was one of five churches in the area which included Spring Hill, Stanardsville, Ruckersville and Liberty.

Very little information can be found on the early pastors, but we believe that the following men served at Swift Run Baptist: Rev. Shipp; Rev. Wood; Rev. Farrer, Rev. Roy Temple; Rev. Tom Grimsley; and Rev. George Cook--1896

We have definite information about the following pastors:

Rev. A. J. Harlow of Orange, Virginia 1889-1906
Rev. Dofflemoyer 1906
Rev. Joe White ?
Rev. E. H. Burnette (He left and returned serving the year 1922) 1910-1920
Rev. F. C. Cabiness of Clover, Virginia 1923-1928
Rev. W. B. Ingram (Native of Georgia) 1928-1930
Rev. H. S. Cummings, Natural Bridge, Virginia 1931-1934
Rev. W. T. Hall 1934-1944
Rev. M. L. Ragland 1945-1953(?)
Rev. Charles Boyer 1953-1956
Rev. Bob Graver 1957-1959
Rev. Randall Marshall 1959-1962
Rev. Robert Glazebrook 1962-1964
Rev. John Forloines 1965-1968
Rev. Robert Woodson 1968-?
Rev. Bill Lumpkin, Jr.
Rev. Earl Clore
Rev. Mark Holder 1989-present

There are no records of the pastors during the early years. It seems they traveled by horseback or drove from their homes on Saturday before preaching days, to be in place for the service on Sunday. During Mr. Burnettes pastorate a parsonage was purchased two miles south of Ruckersville on what is now Route 29. The churches were equal owners, but Mrs. Eliza Early, a member Swift Run donated $500.00 making Swift Run the largest owner. After Mr. Burnette left, this parsonage was sold and one was built in Ruckersville.

Of the five churches in the area in 1956, Ruckersville went full time. After this, the parsonage at Ruckersville was sold and one was built on Rt. 33 near Quinque. Rev. Randall Marshall was the first to live in this parsonage. At this time Liberty withdrew from the area, leaving three churches; Spring Hill, Stanardsivlle and Swift Run. Spring Hill became full time as of July 1, 1970 and bought the parsonage. At this time Stanardsville and Swift Run became a two church field and built a beautiful new parsonage on land donated by Mr. Chester Eppard on Rt. 624. Rev. Woodson and family moved into the parsonage when it was completed June 8th, 1970.

Shortly after 1900 Ms. Sallie Walker left the church her property. $1,800.00 was set aside as a trust fund. In 1950, Mr. R.N. Stephens, a relative of a charter member, left the church a trust fund of $2,100.00. Previous to this he deeded the church five acres of land.

Swift Run has provided a Sunday School throughout the years. Members of Stanardsville Baptist attended classes at Swift Run as no Sunday School was held there. In the 1950 era the Swift Run Sunday School was becoming very weak, and may have disbanded, but for the untiring efforts of Mrs. E.D. Durrett, who also served as superintendent, teacher, organist, and treasurer during this time. Her efforts were rewarded, and the school again began to grow. Mrs. Durrett remained superintendent for many years and was followed by Delmar Shifflett. Bob Smith now serves as Sunday School superintendent..