Though early records of the Clear Springs General Baptist Church were lost in 1938, an old deed shows that a man named QUEAL gave land for a cemetery sometime in the 1880's.

A log building was erected nearby to be used for a church and school with the Rev. Benjamin C. EVANS, who died in 1897, as the first pastor of the church.

The log chuch house was eventually replaced by a wood-siding building, open to all denominations. However, only the General Baptist continued using the structure. Clear Springs hosted the Missouri Association a number of times when the meetings were held in a large tent.

In 1939 the wood structure was replaced by a cobbletstone building. It was modernized in 1988 with carpet, cushioned pews, two restrooms, a kitchen with a dining area, and classrooms.

About the same time, Clyde & Clozell KING, added acrage to the cemetery,easing a much-needed expansion. Interestingly, in contrast to today's church expenditures, the 1941 Church Record shows tha annual budget at $85.04. The church is located on PP Highway about one and one-half miles north of Highway 160 at Dawt.

From 1946-1953, Juanita MARTIN (church clerk) worked to restore as much of the old record as possible:

Emmaline EVANS,(wife of William EVANS, was admitted in 1925. She died 11 January 1988.

Lennie EVANS, (wife of Buel EVANS), was admitted in 1937 and was still attending servies in 1991.

Other early attending families included the:

MARTIN
KING
PENROD
SMITH
THOMPSON
TILLMANS
WARREN
BOATRIGHT
DAUGHTERTY
DAVIS
DEAN

The church clerks from 1939 were as follows:
THOMPSON, Homer, 1939-1940
KING, Clyde, 1940-1946 a nd 1955-1964
MARTIN, Juanita, 1946=1953
COPELAND, Sherman, 1953-1955
EVANS, Allie, 1964-1970 and 1985-1997
EVANS, Lennie, 1970-1985
EVANS, Michael, 1987-1991

From 29 September to 14 October 1945, Clear Springs held one of its most successful revivals with the Rev. Ernest HAMBLETON, Rev. Homer THOMPSON, and Rev. Lloyd NORTON conducting...

Since 1979 the Rev. Farris EVANS has been the pastor of Clear Springs General Baptist Church. He is the great-grandson of the church's first pastor, Rev. Benjamin C. EVANS. Farris EVANS can certainly claim to be a native son. He as 16 grandparents buried in Ozark County, scattered among the Pontiac, Faye, Sallee, James, and Clear Springs Cemeteries. He has 2 great-great-grandparents, 2 great grandparents, and the second wife of his great-grandfather KING buried on the Closell KING Place behind the tavern at Tecumseh near the boat dock. These five graves are marked only by field stones.

Farris EVANS and his wife, Irmadene (postmaster at Cauldfield in 1991), have four sons: Michael; John; Sammy; and David.

SOURCE: History of Ozark County 1841-1991, pgs. 158-159