The Big Hatchie Baptist Association formed in 1828 at Big Black Creek Baptist Church near Denmark, Tennessee. The Big Hatchie Baptist Association was the result of the Forked Deer Baptist Association dismissing thirteen churches for the reason the association had grown too large. By 1830, records show there were about 28 churches in the Big Hatchie Baptist Association across Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Hardin, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Shelby, and Tipton Counties. In 1857, churches east of the Hatchie River withdrew from the Big Hatchie Association. This included churches in Hardeman, McNairy, and Hardin counties. Also, the Big Hatchie Baptist Association took an active part in the West Tennessee Baptist Convention and the organization of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1874, while in 1875 the Association took the lead in supporting the proposal that Union University be established in Jackson, Tennessee. In 1891, another major division took place. The churches in Fayette, Hardeman, and Shelby counties withdrew to form the Memphis Baptist Association. In 1924, Madison County withdrew to form the Madison-Chester Baptist Association. 1928 was the centennial marker for the Big Hatchie claiming 26 churches over Haywood, Lauderdale, and Tipton counties. In 1967, 10 Haywood county churches left the Big Hatchie Association, after which the Association consisted of Lauderdale, Tipton, and part of Haywood counties.