Why there are so many Baptists Churches here.

   As more settlers moved into the area, the need for established churches increased dramatically. These initial churches were often mere brush arbors or crude log structures that were later replaced by frame and eventually brick buildings. The Presbyterian and Methodist faiths were the two strongest denominations in the area until the early-nineteenth century when many throughout the county were converted to the Baptist faith. The reason for the surge of Baptist conversion in the region was not because of any great theological debate. Instead, Presbyterian and Methodist ministers were required to receive ·theological training and become ordained in their respective faiths. Baptists, on the other hand, merely had to "feel the call", seize their Bible, and go into the wilderness to preach the Gospel. Thus, in a land where there was a grave demand for preachers, educational credentials became a secondary requirement. This, in turn, quickly led to an overwhelming majority of Baptists in Cleveland County, a trend that continues to this day.