Cypress United Methodist Church was organized in 1831 as the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Charter members were: James Emerson, William Emerson, John Emerson, Robert Emerson, Benjamin Emerson, Susan Emerson Laman and Daniel Laman.
The church was placed on the Cageville Circuit in the Madison and Haywood Conference. The first building was a log house 20′ x 30′ and it remained the main building till 1871 when a plain frame 35′ x 56′ was built.
The following deed gives the transaction that occurred at that time.
Deed For Property for Cypress ME Church
A. C. McMillan to James Emmerson, filed Dec 12, 1871 at 2 O’clock P M. This indenture made and entered into this the 27th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy Between A. C. McMillan of the county of Haywood and State of Tenessee of the one part and James Emmison, J. C. Bowls, WM. Emmison, Dan’l Layman and A C McMillan church trustees for the M E Church South at Cypress on the Cageville circuit Memphis Conference of the county of Madison and Haywood State aforesaid of the other part Witness that the said A. C. McMillan for and in consideration of the sum of thirty dollars to him in hand paid or secured to be paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath this day bargained sold and by these present doth bargain sell and convey unto the said James Emmison, J C Bowls, Wm Emmison, Daniel Layman, and A C McMillan said church Trustees as before said or their successors in office so appointed by the said church hereafter a certain parcel and lot of said land taken from the north east corner of the tract of land upon which the said A C McMillan now resides and upon which the said M E Church now stands Butted and bounded as follows to wit – Beginning at the stake in J. C. Bowles SB line the north east corner of the original tract runs South 17 poles to a stake with gum pointers thence West 18 3/8 poles to a stake in the field thence North 17 poles to a stake in the Lane and in said J. c. Bowles, SB line thence East 182 7/8 poles to the beginning containing two (2) acres more or less together with all and singular the here detaments and appurtenances these unto belonging or on anywise appertaining to the only properuse benefit and belong of them the aforesaid church trustees and their successors forever and the said A. D. McMillan doth further agree and bind himself to the warrant and will defend the right title claim and interest in and to the above deed be a piece or lot of land to the above named James Emmison, J. C. Bowles, Wm. Emmison, Daniel Layman and A. C. McMillan and their successors so appointed by the aforesaid ME church South against the lawful claims or claims of any and all persons whatsoever In Witness whereoff the said A. C. McMillan hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal.
A C McMillam (seal)
Contributed by Margaret N. Nichol