On June 1, 1839, 12 members of what is now First Baptist Church, Franklin, who resided in Burningtown, requested to be dismissed from First Baptist to form a constitution of a new church in Burningtown. These members were Thomas Welch, Jacob Shope, Hester Welch, Isabel Shope, Mary Mashburn, Elizabeth Barnes, Ann Clampitt, Sarah Clampitt, Mary Barnes, Elizabeth Hannah, Orpha Hannah, and Elizabeth Clampitt.

On June 15, 1839, these twelve members along with Esther Morgan, Elizabeth Rowland, and Winifred Lovingood met "at the meeting house on Burningtown Creek" for the purpose of organizing a church. Elders or members of the presbytery meeting with them were George F. Caler, Joshua Ammons, James Kimsey, and Joshua Hall. From this meeting, these 15 people became charter members of the newly constituted Burningtown Baptist Church. From there the group met as a church in private homes or at the schoolhouse for worship services. The first pastor was George F. Caler and the first deacons were Thomas Welch, and Jacob Siler.