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James O'Kelley
1738-1826

James O'Kelley Of Durham, North Carolina
James O’Kelley was a follower of
Wesleyism - or Methodism. On Dec. 25, 1784 John Wesley sent a letter to the
American (Methodist) churches giving them their independence from the England churches and direction. With it however was an
appointment of Francis Asbury as head of the American Methodist Church. Francis Asbury was a
most difficult person to follow. His methods were harsh. It was "his way or
no way!" One point of difficulty O'Kelley had with Asbury was his control
over "Circuit Riders" of which he was one. Asbury told the traveling
preachers where they could and could not preach. He scheduled them the way he
wanted. On one occasion O’Kelley put forth legislation so
that if a preacher was assigned to a certain location he didn’t want to go he
could apply for another place. Asbury completely rejected it. In response O’Kelley
developed the view that it was not acceptable to God for one man set over the churches. On Dec. 25th,
1792 the day of Asbury’s appointment he walked out of the Methodist conference
with about 1/2 of those in attendance. O’Kelley and his followers kept the
Methodist name for another 5 or 6 years calling themselves, “The Republican
Methodists.” “Republican” meant “freedom," hence
"Free" Methodists. They were free to pursue Bible truths.
On August 4, 1794 - Rice Haggard, another preacher in the area,
attended a conference at “Old Lebanon,”
in Surry County, Va. There he suggested they get rid of the
denominational name and be called simply, “Christians.” - Back to the Bible.
With it the establishment of the first “Christian” church in America near
Flavana, Virginia. This marked the coming together of three groups into
Christian unity: The Smiths, O’Kelleys & Jones. Later, in 1804, this same
Rice Haggard would move to Kentucky and suggest the same thing to another man
there, Barton Stone. According to Barton W. Stone, in
the Christian Messenger, 1826-1827, O'Kelley was with Haggard and
officially joined the Christians at Cane Ridge at that time.
James O’Kelley’s theology was very close to N.T. Christianity. He
believed in partaking the Lord’s Supper on the 1st day of the week. He taught
that the collection was a free-will offering. He believed in Singing, Preaching,
Praying, admonishing the saints. He failed at baptism. He didn’t believe
immersion was necessary, that sprinkling would suffice. He was never immersed.
In 1789 he wrote Essays On Negro Slavery, which was one of the earliest
anti-slavery tracts written by a clergyman.
Note the historical development that took place
through his influences. Many under his influence moved to Kentucky, Georgia,
Tennessee and other places and found many in the Restoration Movement with whom
they could unite. In Georgia, one such group was the small band of at Skull
Shoals in Oconee County. In the 1840s, after being influenced through the
Restoration Movement, they became known as Antioch. One of its early converts
was Nathan Smith. However, the O'Kelley movement also went in other directions. In
1856 the Christian Churches under O'Kelley formed the Southern Christian
Convention. In 1931 it merged with the Congregational Church to
form the Congregational Christian Church. In 1957 the denomination merged with
the Evangelical and Reformed Church to establish the United Church of Christ.
James O'Kelley was one of our nation's first to unshackle himself from
denominational error, and actively pursue the church we read of in the New
Testament. All this was done years before the influence of Barton Stone or Alexander
Campbell was felt on the American Frontier.
Directions
To James O’Kelley’s Grave and Church
Head east from Greensboro, N.C. on I-85/I-40
until it splits. Continue on I-40 toward Raleigh 16 miles and take Exit 274
(Hwy. 751 / Jordan Lake Exit) and turn right. Go south about 2.0 miles and
turn right into the Colvard Farms sub-division. Follow the main road into the
sub-division about a mile (an estimated distance from memory) take a left onto a
road called Crimson Oak. Follow Crimson Oak until you come to the place where a
"Nature Trail" crosses the road. (Just before a sharp turn to the left). This is
a nice paved neighborhood walking trail. Take the trail to the left and you will
soon come to the O'Kelley cemetery beside the trail on your right. The small
cemetery is surrounded by a black iron fence. The O'Kelley monument is clearly
seen from the trail.
To the
Church
Head
back out of Upchurch Farm Rd. to the highway and turn right. Go .8 miles and the
O’Kelley Christian Church is on the right.
Special Thanks to William Boyd for updated
instructions on the location of James O'Kelley's Grave (09/2007.)
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