Gum Orchard Baptist Church was constituted on June 30, 1865.  Preachers at that time were Reverend N. York and Reverent J. K. Rose.  Church records begin May 1, 1868.

Church Covenant:

 Having as we trust, been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ and to give ourselves up wholly to Him; we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other to walk together in Him with brotherly love to His glory as our common Lord.  And to the end that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, and that the glory of Christ may be manifested in the salvation of men.

 It is our solemn purpose, as God shall give us strength, to exercise a mutual care as members, one of another; to promote the growth of the whole body in Christian knowledge and true holiness, and to let our lights shine before the world, particularly to uphold the public worship of God and the ordinances of His house by a regular attendance therein.

 To search diligently the sacred scriptures; to train our children and those under our care with a view to the service of Christ and the enjoyment of Heaven; to contribute cheerfully of our property for the support of its poor; for the maintenance of a faithful ministry of the gospel among us; and for the spread of the gospel in all the earth.

 To exort, and if occasion require, to admonish one another in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted; to cheerfully submit to and conscientiously enforce the wholesome discipline of the church, keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace; and to endeavor by example and precept to teach transgressors the ways of God, whom we serve; remembering that as in baptism, we have been buried with Christ and raised again, so there is on us a special obligation henceforth to walk in newness of life.

 And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great shepherd of the sheep, make us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.

AMEN.

Done by order of the church, C. W. York, C. Comm.

Articles of Faith:

1. We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is a perfect rule of faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is one only living and true God, Maker, and Supreme ruler of heaven and earth; and that in the unity of the God-head there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in all divine perfections, executing distinct but harmonious offices in man's redemption.
3. We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from the holy and happy estate by which all mankind are now sinners by choice and not by constraint.
4. We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through the mediatorial office of the Son of God.
5. We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification.
6. We believe that the blessing of Salvation is made free to all by the Gospel.
7. We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be converted, and that the conversion consists in giving to the sinner a Holy disposition of mind, or a new heart.
8. We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties.
9. We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God according to which He regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners.
10. We believe that sactification is the process according to which by the will of God we are made partakers of His holiness.
11. We believe that such only are real believers as endure to the end.
12. We believe that a visible church is a congregation of baptized believers.
13. We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of a believer.