A primitive church pew that includes the initials of two lovebirds has been returned to them.
Jerry Killion, of Monett, owned the historic item from Rocky Branch Baptist Church. Two initials –– BR + IN –– were carved into the 4-foot long pew that is constructed by 2 x 6 boards with 1 x 8s and 1 x 10s.
The initials belonged to Bill and Imogene Randall of Houston. There were on the backside of the top rail.
“This pew had been at my parents’ home and my grandfather’s farm before coming to my home,” he said. “It was now time that it made a full circle back to BR + IN. Billy and Imogene Norris Randall can now sit on this old and somewhat uncomfortable bench while on their front porch.”
The Randalls live on Holder Drive.
Rocky Branch Baptist Church was organized Aug. 18, 1914. The first services were on Aug. 30 at the Rocky Branch School House with Elder William Baker delivering the sermon.
The last business meeting and services were in 1957.
The trustees as of Oct. 3, 1957, were B.T. Wilson, Green Flowers, Herbert Flowers, Sam Gann, Robert Miller Jr. and Abe West. Robert Miller is the only surviving trustee.
Imogene Randall’s grandfather is Green Flowers, and it is probably he may have helped in the construction of the church pews.
BR + IN