[2][3][4] In the late 18th century disagreements about the worship style at Thyatira Presbyterian Church culminated in the splitting of its congregation.

Thirty families, including five of Thyatira's elders—Thomas King, John Barr, William Bell, Abraham Lowrance, and Thomas Gillespie, Jr. (son of Thomas Gillespie, Sr.)—left the church.

Joseph D. Kilpatrick of Poplar Tent Presbytery, accepted the call to lead the new congregation.

Four years later, in 1811, land was deeded by one of the ruling elders, John Barr, to "Back Creek Meeting House" and the congregation built a little log house of worship on the land.

S. C. Alexander (1830–1907) delivered the dedication of the third church building in an address at Thyatira on March 21, 1857.