Continuing a tradition of river baptisms
Sarah Atkins
mnjreporter@gmail.com
River baptisms have been an Appalachian tradition for generations, but as baptism in church buildings has become more and more common, this tradition may seem to be obsolete.
However, both Mitchell Baptist Church and Grassy Creek Baptist Church have recently done baptisms in the North Toe River and in Grassy Creek.
Mitchell Baptist Church hosted a baptism at Riverside Park. Grassy Greek Baptist Church has baptized at least 20 people over a span of several Sundays this summer, many of which were not planned in advance.
According to the Rev. Nathan Silver of Grassy Creek Baptist Church, there is heavy symbolic significance in the flowing nature of rivers and creeks regarding baptisms.
“The flow of the river gives the feeling of sins washing downstream and being lost,” Silver said.
It is unlikely that the Appalachian tradition of river baptisms will ever be lost, as being baptized in a river has symbolic meaning in the lives of Christians around the world.
Some churches and believers prefer to do river baptisms because it is more symbolic of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River.
Despite the symbolism behind being baptized in a river, the original popularity of river baptism in Appalachia was likely also due to churches not having built-in baptism pools in their churches. Though they did not have built-in pools, Appalachian churches did have natural sources of water nearby.
According to The Appalachian Memory Keepers, it was not uncommon for river baptisms to be held in the winter season. Luckily, there were also few accounts of people becoming sick after being dunked in the cold waters.
River baptisms are much less common now, especially with the option of having baptism services indoors.
Silver said he is an advocate for river baptisms in part because he feels they have become less common in recent years. He does however believe there has been a resurgence of river baptisms in the area recently, especially in Mitchell and Yancey counties.
Grassy Creek Baptist Church has been around for roughly 200 years, and river baptisms have been a part of the church’s tradition since its early years.
Silver said that the first of their recent river baptisms was the only one planned ahead of time. The church held a 10-minute service before walking down to the creek and allowing the baptisms of five people to speak as a service in and of itself.
In addition to the tradition of river baptisms in Appalachia, churches around the world utilize the resources they have to recognize commitments to faith through outdoor baptisms. Coastal churches may baptize people in the ocean, some churches may baptize individuals in lakes and ponds.
According to Silver, people can feel called to be baptized at any point in their faith. He said that Grassy Creek has been keeping towels in the church in case anyone feels called to be baptized that Sunday in the creek.
Most of those who have been baptized at Grassy Creek have entered the water in their Sunday best, professing their faith exactly as they are.