James O'Kelly
1738-1826

James O'Kelly Of Durham, North Carolina

   James O’Kelly 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'Kelly 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’Kelly 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’Kelly 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’Kelly 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’Kellys & 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'Kelly was with Haggard and officially joined the Christians at Cane Ridge at that time.

   James O’Kelly’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'Kelly movement also went in other directions. In 1856 the Christian Churches under O'Kelly 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'Kelly 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.

	Sign In Church Yard

Directions To James O’Kelly’s Grave and Church

It has been some years since I visited the grave of James O'Kelly. When I visited, the little cemetery was in a terrible condition. However, I have come to understand that the cemetery has received a facelift with fencing. It now sits in the middle of a new subdivision in Durham, North Carolina. Heading 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'Kelly cemetery beside the trail on your right. The small cemetery is surrounded by a black iron fence. The O'Kelly monument is clearly seen from the trail.

GPS Location Of Grave
N 35° 51.871 W 078° 57.271

To the Church

Head back out of Upchurch Farm Rd. to the highway and turn right. Go .8 miles and the O’Kelly Christian Church is on the right.

Special Thanks to William Boyd for updated instructions on the location of James O'Kelly 's Grave (09/2007.)

UPDATE! - In May, 2008 Ancil Jenkins sent me a link to a location reporting preservation and notoriety being brought to the old cemetery where James O'Kelly is buried. I have added the link below to show pictures of a special dedication in the cemetery below.