Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Abandoned country store draws churches, community together

  • June 5, 2022
  • Carolyn Tomlin
  • Featured, Latest News, Tennessee
This country restaurant is bringing nearby churches and the community together.
(Photo courtesy of Carolyn Tomlin/The Baptist Paper)

Abandoned country store draws churches, community together

When two senior adult men decided to open an abandoned country store, formerly the J.B. Warren & Son Grocery, as a church-related community restaurant in July 2021, some were surprised.

After all, Turk Warren, age 98, and Ray Ellington, 86, had never owned or managed a restaurant.

But this didn’t stop the two entrepreneurs from a new venture.

The name, the Fork Restaurant, comes from the phrase, “Keep your fork, the best is yet to come,” the men said.

Some 10 miles east of Brownsville, Tennessee, the restaurant is thriving. Instead of selling cheese and bologna sandwiches as first planned, the Fork is now a full-fledged establishment open six days a week.

Owners Ray Ellington (left) and Turk Warren (right) brought life back into a rural community by opening a restaurant. (Photo courtesy of Carolyn Tomlin/The Baptist Paper

The menu changes daily and includes breakfast biscuits, sandwiches, omelets and more. Lunch includes sandwiches, burgers and “stuffed taters.” Friday night is catfish dinner, and Saturday night is steak. Sunday’s buffet always includes chicken and dressing.

Bringing people back

But it’s more than delicious food that brings people back to the Fork. It has become a gathering place in the rural community.

One thing Warren and Ellington hoped would happen has been accomplished: The restaurant is bringing churches and the community together. With Woodland Baptist Church just down the road, many members enjoy Sunday lunch together. Union Grove United Methodist also is nearby and Zion Baptist is only a few miles away. And people who attend other churches from across Haywood County come to enjoy the Fork.

Ellington shared a story of a couple from California who planned to move back to Brownsville in a few months. Looking for a restaurant that offered good Southern food, someone recommended the old Warren county store. The man, who grew up in the area, said, “Yes, I know where it’s located, but that store has been closed for years.”

“Imagine his surprise to find the country store open and turned into a thriving restaurant,” Ellington laughed.

“When people come in, it’s also a time to share my faith and invite them to church,” Ellington added.

Large tables provide space for neighbors to gather, laugh, talk and get to know one another. And before they eat, someone usually asks the blessing.

“The food is delicious, but communicating with our friends and neighbors — well, we haven’t had this in our community for a long time — if ever,” one customer said.

Farmers in the community drift in about noon, enjoy a hearty meal and take box lunches back to those working in the fields. One farmer was overheard saying, “The Fork provides a place to relax, rest a bit and enjoy a healthy meal. If the restaurant wasn’t close by, we would eat a cold sandwich brought from home. It’s too far to drive into Brownsville for lunch.”

‘We’re grateful’

“Besides, being in the fields, we are dusty and tired,” the farmer added. “We’re grateful for this place nearby. God is good. He provides.”

Because the Friday night catfish dinner and the Saturday night steak are so popular, Chef Allen Phillips advises people to arrive early. It’s not unusual to sell out of both.

Misty Walls, Phillips’ daughter, serves customers with a smile and makes suggestions from the menu.

“We can seat approximately 70 people,” she said, adding, “church and civic groups frequent the restaurant throughout the week.”

Renewal of former ties

Randall Kellough, pastor of Woodland Baptist, appreciates the way the community has responded to the Fork.

“Many are the stories of days gone by of old country stores in the rural communities, how they served as the gathering spot. The Fork Restaurant is a renewal of the former ties.

“It fosters chances to sit and talk as families, and members from different churches frequent the tables,” Kellough said. “It is a gathering for prayer on Saturday every other month, with a hope that the Lord will rekindle the old virtues of righteousness.”

 

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Teen’s faithful example continues to lead others to Christ
    Teen’s faithful example continues to lead others to Christ
    March 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Evangelism gives life to dying KY church that dwindled to 9 members
    Evangelism gives life to dying KY church that dwindled to 9 members
    March 27, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Artificial intelligence and Baptist associations
    Artificial intelligence and Baptist associations
    March 27, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Teen’s faithful example continues to lead others to Christ

The example of faith left by 15-year-old Aleya Brooks continues to impact her middle Tennessee community. Brooks died March 4 from injuries sustained from a

Evangelism gives life to dying KY church that dwindled to 9 members

Williams Memorial Baptist Church Ravenna, Kentucky, was down to nine members following COVID–19’s devastating surge. The doors weren’t yet closed, but the sound of creaking

a computer keyboard with a green logo on it

Artificial intelligence and Baptist associations

Artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT are growing rapidly. The creators themselves are surprised by the fast-growing interest in this resource. Part of their surprise

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for April 2

Jesus Died for Me John 19:16–19, 28–30, 38–42 There is a small community in southern Mississippi by the name of It — yes, It. There

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel