In 1808, a number of Presbyterian and Episcopalian pioneers had moved from North Carolina and Virginia into the Tennessee River Valley and adjoining areas of Tennessee, some of them founding a community in Warren county, which became known as Old Philadelphia. The Philadelphia congregation was between Viola and Morrison, TN. In 1808, the only religious denominations were Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists. They were a religious people, but without a preacher. This proved to be a blessing of great magnitude. Having no "reverend" to guide them and expound the Scriptures "as he saw it", they turned directly to the Bible itself for their guide. As they studied together without the usual denominational coloring, accepting the word of God at face value, they saw their denominational differences fade away until none was left. They had become united in the one faith, and they had learned - contrary to former belief and practice - that baptism was for the remission of sins and that it was a burial; and they began to practice it under that manner and for that purpose. By 1810, these people were worshipping as one body - much different from the denominations they had once been a part, subscribing now to "no creed", wearing no distinctive, calling themselves Christians only - the church of Christ. This group of Christians came into existence not later than 1810, and much too early to have come under the influence of either Campbell or Stone. Campbell preached his first sermon at Washington, PA, July 15, 1810; and Stone broke with the Presbyterians, June 18, 1804; so it would appear that the Reformation began all over about the same time. There is nothing to indicate that the pioneers of Old Philadelphia from North Carolina and Virginia had any knowledge of the work being done in Ohio and Kentucky by Stone or by Campbell in Pennsylvania. There is no escaping the conclusion that, had both Campbell and Stone whiled their time away as sectarians, there would still be a church of Christ - widely spread as a result of the Restoration Movement in Warren County TN, and the Old Philadelphia congregation. A post road from Knoxville to New Orleans was opened in 1805 and some six years later, when the territory of Alabama, then largely occupied by Cherokee Indians, was opened to white settlers, a considerable number of the members of the church at Old Philadelphia moved some 60 miles south into northern Alabama into the section that is now Jackson county. Some of these people located near the post road and built a community. This was in 1811. It was there they saw a unique relationship between themselves and the ancient city of Antioch; so they gave the name "Antioch" to their new home to emphasize that the disciples "were first called Christians at Antioch". Among these were William J. Price, baptized in 1811 at Old Philadelphia, TN, and his wife and a slave named Moses. They selected a home site near a spring they found by following a game trail and named the place Rocky Springs. W. J. Price was a prominent leader in the church until his death. A community grew up around the home of William J. Price on the post road to Rocky Springs. A post office was established there, along with an Indian Trading Post, a tavern, and stables for changing stage coach horses. On June 12, 1847, the congregation moved into a new building at Rocky Springs, abandoning the old one at Antioch. At that time there were 82 members, including 6 "colored". A brother W. J. Hughes was an important figure in the church for several years. He was born in Old Philadelphia in 1818, and moved with his parents to Antioch in 1820. When both of his parents died in 1831, he was taken to be raised by his uncle, William Price. Among the records is an item dated February 12, 1827, Jackson County, AL. It authorized James Anderson to preach the Word of Truth and with the approbation of the congregation at Antioch, of which he was a member. It is signed by the elders, Elisha M. Price, William King, and Andrew Russell. In June 1851, according to a still extant copy of the minutes, the congregation consisted of 130 members of whom 26 were "colored". Brothers Joel B. Arendale and Thomas A. Hill were appointed deacons. Brothers George Cloud and W.J. James were appointed bishops. Elisha and William J. Price came from Ireland and settled in Asheville, NC. Elisha was the eldest, being born in 1770. He died in 1876, two days after he reached his 106th birthday. In those days, travel was slow and people would travel as far as 75 miles to attend "protracted meetings". Two services were held daily - morning and afternoon (none at night). Some would bring lunch and spend the day. Many from distant places would "pitch camp" near the meeting place and spend several days there. Sermons lasted from one and a half to two hours. Such meetings were usually held once each year and almost always resulted in many conversions. The Civil War was disastrous to the church here. A letter written in 1861 stated that there were 10 widows with 35 children who were destitute in the winter and that the building was burned by the Union Army. Many of the members were scattered. Some returned in 1865 and resumed worship and began to rebuild, but their apparent poverty following the war prevented them from finishing their building program until about 1870, after which the church began to grow rapidly. By 1875, the building was outgrown and a larger one was built due to much needed repair. A still larger one was built later on. The present building was erected in 1912 and additions have been made since then. Among those who have held evangelistic meetings there are B. W. Stone, W. J. Shepherd, David Lipscomb, and many others. It was W. J. Price who deeded the property to the Rocky Springs church for the building and cemetery, which is now the Rocky Springs Cemetery where he is buried. As a point of information for those who mistakenly suggest that the church of Christ was founded by Alexander Campbell, it may be shown that the Old Philadelphia Church of Christ came into existence not later that 1810; that Rocky Springs (Antioch) Church of Christ began in 1811; that Alexander Campbell arrived in America on September 29, 1809, and did not preach his first sermon until July 15, 1810 at Washington, PA; and that Campbell did not cease to work within the framework of the Baptist Church until 1827; thus, congregations of the church of Christ were in existence in America for at least 17 years before Campbell laid aside his denominational ties. It is believed that the Rocky Springs church of Christ is the oldest continuous New Testament church in America. It has been in continuous existence for 188 years (1811-1999) and is still worshipping according to the New Testament pattern. ---from the records of Harold Blazer.

Elisha and William were born in Russell County, Virginia to Richard Franklin Price and Lucy Estill (family bible). His 5th great-grandfather was born in Wales (1606) married Susan Tracy born in Stanway, England (1606). William and Elisha's grandfather was John Sawyer Price born (Mar 11, 1740) in Richmond, Wise, Virginia married Unity Claiborne born (1730) in Romancoke, King William, Virginia. William's sister is named after Lucy as she is Lucy Claiborne Price. -- Patsy Holtz, 46500400.