Reverend John Corbly Memorial Church

Introduction

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Established in the early 1770s, the former Goshen Baptist Church, is one of many historic churches in Greene County. Not only is this building itself historic, but the founding members of the church were the first congregation formed in the county. The congregation began meeting in member's homes and then later began meeting in this building in the 1860s. The first leader of the church was Reverend John Corbly.

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Backstory and Context

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"The Goshen Baptist Church was created sometime around the year 1771." The meetings were first held in homes around the area and were led by Reverend John Corbly.

Not much is known about the early life of the Reverend, but at 14 years old he sold himself into indentured slavery and made his journey from Europe to the Colonies. Once out of slavery he moved to Winchester Virginia. There he met and married his first wife Abigail. This is also where he met Baptist minister, Elder John Garrard, who became a good friend of Corbly, and ultimately led him to salvation and to the ministry. Eventually after a time in prison, Corbly and some others moved and founded Garrards Fort. Also, during this time Corbly met and married his second wife Elizabeth. Sadly, in May of 1782, Elizabeth and some of the Corbly children were attacked and killed by Native Americans. More of the Corbly family story can be found under the entry "Reverend John Corbly (1733-1803)"

In 1776, Corbly had formed a sizable congregation in the early times of Greene County. Many of the meetings were held in homes around the area until a log church was erected. The church that stands today was built in 1862. The bell tower was added sometime after that. A congregation still meets in this building.

After the terrible loss of his wife and some of his children, the Reverend still preached at Goshen Church and at a few others in the area. He married his third wife, Nancy, and "remained a public figure, and stayed active in local politics and was no doubt one of the most respected and well known citizens of the region."

"Corbly's legacy is still strong, he founded nearly 30 churches in Greene County and the surrounding areas, and his descendants still meet every year at the Corbly Memorial Baptist Church to celebrate the life and times of one of Greene Counties most significant historical figures."

Sources

Cumberledge, Matthew . Going Greene: Following the Footsteps of Faith, Greene Scene Community Magazine . May 19th 2020. Accessed February 22nd 2021. https://greenescenemagazine.com/going-greene-following-the-footsteps-of-faith/.

Cumberledge, Matthew. Going Greene: John Corbly- A Man of His Time, Greene Scene Community Magazine. December 10th 2019. Accessed February 22nd 2021. https://greenescenemagazine.com/john-corbly-a-man-of-his-time/.