Canaan Baptist Church was organized in 1871 by Rev. Green Berry Talbot, Jr. (18231885) and about twentyfive others. The first church building was built on the road from Summerville to Jersey near Jolley Creek. Around this time H. M. Lucas was a member. His wife was Elizabeth Harcrow Lucas and after her death, Josephine Webb Lucas.
Green Talbot was still pastor in 1883. His wife was Mary Ellender Brawner (18251885). One of the members at this time was J. H. Mitchell. By 1885 T. I. Pirtle was pastor. He had felt impressed to be a pastor in 1874 while living in Bradley County. He was pastor at Canaan for two years. Some of the members from 18851890 were William T. Duncan (wives – 1] Amanda Cornelia Craven and 2] Mattie Parker), W. C. Ramos, Adoniran Judson Talbot (wife Sallie R. Ricks), William Milton Talbot (wife – Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ann Craven), Joe H. Rowland and wife, Agnes Abernathy Rowland, James P. Rowland (Joe H. Rowland’s brother) and J. A. Bowen. In 1890 Canaan Baptist Church of the Summerville Post Office in the Judson Baptist Association Minutes showed three received by baptism, one dismissed by letter, one excluded, one restored, and two dead, with total members being 44. They had one licentiate and met the second Sunday of the month. Lawrence O. Miers was the pastor. His wife was Sarah T. Mosely Miers.
The 37th Session of the Judson Baptist Association met at the Canaan Baptist Church. The messengers to that meeting were G. T. Sikes, William Talbot (son of Green and Mary Talbot), and W. T. Mulligan. In 1892 the messengers were W. A. Ford and William Talbot.
In 1892 the church was relocated to a site two miles south of Harrell. This building was destroyed by fire in about 1900. The Moro Masonic Lodge #235, F&AM shared these two original structures with the church. The church was relocated to Harrell in 1907 upon the arrival of the Chicago Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad to the area where it has remained until the present.
Some of the later members were L. J. Daniels, J. H. Rowland, and Bot Turner.
William Thomas Wilson was ordained for the gospel of ministry Sunday at the Canaan Baptist Church at Harrell by means of an invited presbytery. Mr. Wilson was licensed on Dec. 2, 1945. Ottis Reddin, Hampton, who baptized Mr. Wilson at Harrell some years ago, preached the ordination sermon.
The plaque on the wall of the Church says: “Canaan Baptist Church was established to the glory of God and has survived these past one hundred and thirty-three years through his guidance and the faithfulness and perseverance of many good people, many of whose names are remembered only by him. To those this plaque is dedicated.” 2004 Sources: plaque on outside wall of church; minutes of the Judson Association, 29th Session, October 1883, 31st session, October 1885, 32nd session October 1886, 33rd Session October 1887, 34th Session October 1888, 35th Session October 1889; 39th Session, 82nd session 1936; “Ordination 1946” Newspaper article, Remembering Calhoun County, posted by Tommy Carter, findagrave; 1880 and 1900 Censuses; Calhoun County Marriage Records
