The Country Line Primitive Baptist Church was established in 1792, with the church building shown being built during the nineteenth century. The structure is typical of primitive Baptist churches of the time, with little ornamentation and separate doors for men and women. This church eventually split into two congregations due to a disagreement over missionary activity. Those favoring missionary work founded the Baptist church in Yanceyville.
The relationship between Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church and the Country Line Primitive Baptist Church is not understood. Both were established early in the history of Caswell County (Bush Arbor in 1792, and Country Line before 1806).
Reverend Barzillai Graves (1759-1827) was a co-founder of Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church, located in southern Caswell County (established before 1806). However, by 1812, Reverend Graves apparently was associated with the Country Line Primitive Baptist Church, which was built on Graves land near Yanceyville. He may have founded both churches. It is possible that Country Line Primitive Baptist Church once was called Graves Meeting House.
Also of interest is Elder John I. Stadler (1792-1860). He joined Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church in 1821, was ordained the next year, and was called as the pastor in 1834. However, eventually he became associated with the Country Line Primitive Baptist Church. Query whether there was a schism at Bush Arbor in the early 1800s that resulted in a portion of the church members leaving to create/join the Country Line church.
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Bush Arbor Primitive Baptist Church, located in southern Caswell County was established before 1806. There have been three known church buildings since the beginning. For several years the members heard their sermons from a bush arbor, hence the name Bush Arbor. The present church building was erected in 1948. There is a large cemetery still being used today with the oldest readable grave marker dated 1807. Many graves have only field rocks to mark them. Meetings are held each second Saturday and Sunday, also each fourth Sunday night
Pastors/Elders at Bush Arbor Church
Barzilla GRAVES 1806-1810
Richard MARTIN 1819-1834
John STADLER 1834-1860
F. L. OAKLEY 1863-1890
Y. I. CHANDLER 1890-1916
B. F. McKINNEY 1916-1928
W. C. KING 1929-1970
Bush Arbor Primitive Church was the first church that my grandparents attended and became members after their 1894 marriage. My Dad, who died last year, used to tell me stories about the all day camp meetings or associations that he attended as a child. The family all loaded down a wagon with 11 family members and enough food to feed the county (his words) spent entire days there learning about Christ, enjoying fellowship, good food, and seeing their friends.
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