On July 17, 2024 Elder Tim Stepp was the Storyteller at the monthly meeting of the Huntingdon TN Historical Society. Elder Stepp spoke on the history of the Hollow Rock Primitive Baptist Church that is located on Broad Street (Highway 70) in Bruceton, Tennessee. The history of the Hollow Rock Primitive Baptist Church largely comes from the minutes of the church that have been taken since 1822.
The Hollow Rock Primitive Baptist Church was founded in October of 1822 and a church was constituted in July of 1823. Prior to July of 1823, the congregants met in their homes. When the church was constituted, there were approximately 45 members. The State of Tennessee has recognized the church as a historical building and there is a marker on the grounds of the church. It was erected by the Tennessee Historical Commission.
In 1823, Captain Green, Cornelius Cane, Samuel McGowan, and Jacob Browen formed a presbytery and established the church.
The church has celebrated communion and foot washing services twice a year, in May and in October. The May celebration has historically brought thousands of people to the celebration where, after the church service, lunch and fellowship was served on the lawn of the church. People came from all over to attend the service. The land which the church stands on was originally deeded to it by the L&N Railroad around 1923. The current main structure was built around the 1900’s when the original church burned. The current building has gone through some changes. It has been bricked and a Fellowship Hall added.
On Saturday, October 15, 2022 the Hollow Rock Primitive Baptist Church celebrated 200 years of continuous service.
Primitive Baptist Churches were important founding institutions of the State of Tennessee. Also important to its’ founding were Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian religions. Primitive Baptist Churches can be found all the way from East Tennessee to West Tennessee, so important was this church, and other churches, to the communities in Tennessee.
The History of Carroll County, Tennessee 