Category: Churches

Built in 1882 and dedicated by J. B. Inman, who served it faithfully for two years.

J. F. Robertson built the church and has always been a staunch supporter of it. It is ever ready to assist in all our missionary enterprises. 

Photograph and text taken from Churches of Christ: A Historical, Biographical, and Pictorial History of Churches of Christ in the United States, Australasia, England and Canada by John T. Brown, M. A. Published by John P. Morton and Company Louisville, Kentucky, Copyright 1904.

John Thomas Brown was born one mile north of Alamo in 1869 (then Cageville, Gibson County.) Brown’s leather-bound, 683-page edition is considered the definitive work on the history of the Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the American Restoration Movement. The photograph and text above were taken from a copy of John T. Brown’s book that belonged to my great-grandfather, William Stephen Corbett.

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Contributed by Jeff Reece

The following information was found on microfilm borrowed from the Tennessee State Library and Archives. It may be from the Moore folder at the Crockett Co. Library in Alamo. It appears to be a notebook, belonging to James M. Moore. Spelling was left as found. Transcribed and contributed by Natalie Huntley.

Page 1 – Names of persons composeing a Bible Society Organized at Cox’ Chapel Nov. 4th 1877. Sunday school begins Feb 7 1892 

• Teachers: J. P. Tatum, J. R. Philips
• Members: Needham Moore, Robert J. Williams, P. M. Brogdon, Lewis C. Cox, James B. Tatum, John C. P. Tatum, Seth Taylor ………………. Decesed, James A. Cox, James B. Tatum Jr., James W. Porter, Newton M. James ……… Dead, Johny Dunlap

Page 2 – Cox’ Chapel 3rd Lords day Aprial 1888. The Elders appointed Bro. F. P. Drinkard Elder of said Church. Also Bro. L. C. Cox was appointed a Deacon of the Church.

Page 3 (continued from page 1) 
Members: Mary Cox ………………….Dead, Sophronia E. Moore, Amanda Harpole, Minnia Hamilton ………. Dead, Mary E. James, Laura Porter …………….. Dead, Mollie Porter

Page 4 – A record of members of Church at Cox’s Chapel who united with the Church at protreced? meeting embracing the 2nd & 3rd Lords day in Sep. 1893

Hugh Bell, J. Clarance Mitchell, J. C. Kilzer ………………. absent, J. Forest Rains, D. W. Holmes, M. G. Holmes, L. T. Holmes, Eddy H. Drinkard, M. H. Mobley, Maggie James…………… married John Moore, Nannie Reasons ……….. married John Curtis, Bob Call, John Whitley, Wilson Reasons, Coda Millard ……………. married Will Craddock, Nannie Bell ……………… married Jim Cox – 1897, Priest Permenter

Page 5 (continued from Page 4)

Jordan Kilzer 
Isaac Kilzer 
Minnie Drinkard ……….. married Wm. Hall Gadsden 
Maggie Cox 
Sallie Sims 
Maggie Sims …………… married Edgar Craig May 1899 
Mattie Drinkard 
Lilie Lewis ………………. married Walter Smith Oct 26 1901 
Josei Davis 
Mrs. Priest Permenter 
Jennie D. James ……… (there is a date on this line, of Sep. 16, 1894) 
Sophie Harris …………. married Delbert McLean Oct 18 1894 
Maggie Webb …………. withdrawn Aug 1895 married Geo. Netherly 
Hugh Bell ……………….. (name crossed out) 
Maud Tatum ……………. married John Stanfield 
Ell O. Cox ……………….. married Allison Cozart 
Lula Hefley …………….. married M. L. Dunlap 
Minnie Bell ……………… married Tom Ross 
Ann Bell ………………….. married Joe Blakemore 
Wm. Betts

Page 6 Continued list of Members names

Nancy Woodley ………. moved away 
Jack Woodley …………. moved away 
B. A. Craddock ………… By letter 
Lucy Craddock ………… By letter 
Fannie Sawyer ………… married Lum? Colvett Sep. 25 1897 
Henry Hefley 
Eugeni S. Reasons 
L. L. James 
Rosa E. Sims 
Mary W? Sims ………… married J. B. Millard Dec 31 1899 
Sallie W. Sims 
Melvina D. Sims

Page 7

List of Members 
Oct 12 – 1900

Elders: 
F. P. Drinkard …………. Died 1904 
B. A. Craddock

Deacons: 
J. L. Mobley …………… Died 1902 
J. F. Raines

Members: 
Mrs. P. J. Drinkard 
Mrs. L. C. Craddock 
Mrs. M. H. Mobley 
Mrs. Willie Raines 
M. L. James 
F. C. James 
Jas. A. Craddock 
Mrs. Virgie L. Craddock 
Mrs. L. L. James 
Mrs. Sophronia E. Moore

Page 8 (continued from page 7)

Moses T. Moore 
Mrs. S. E. Moore 
Hugh W. Bell 
Wilson Reasons 
Mrs. Nannie Cox 
Mrs. Lula Dunlap 
Wm. Betts 
Mrs. Eugenia T. Reasons 
Geo. F. Reasons 
Mrs. Bettie Lewis 
Mrs. Eliza Moore 
John James Sr. 
W. B. McLauthlin 
Cora D. Millard 
Miss Coda Millard ………….. married W. R. Craddock Nov. 22 1905 
Mrs. Mary Lewis …………….. Dead 
Rosa E. Sims 
Sallie W. Sims 
Melvina D. Sims

Page 9 (continued from page 8)

Mrs. Mary W. Millard 
Mrs. Sallie A. Craddock 
Mrs. Maggie Cates 
Ed. N.? Drinkard 
Priest Perminter 
Mrs. Priest Perminter 
Maggie Cox 
Jennie D. James 
Miss Maud Tatum ………….. married John Stanfield Sept. 1905 
Mrs. Sopha McLean 
Mrs. Ella Cozort 
Minnie Bell …………………… married Tom Rose (or Ross) 
Mrs. Ann Blakemore 
Mrs. Mary E. Cox 
Mrs. Leela Craig 
Mrs. Ella Coop 
Mrs. Sopha Yearwood 
Mrs. Ida Raines 
Mrs Mary Lewis ……………. (name crossed out) 
Mrs. Mattie Castleman

Page 10 (continued from page 9)

Mrs. M. E. Pittman 
Mrs. Nannie Cox

Organized July 23 1876

Page 11

A record of the names of Members of the Church at Cox’s Chapel. 
Organized July 23d 1876

Elders: 
Moses Cox ………………….. Died 
David H. James …………… Departed life Sept. 26 – 1900

Deacons: 
James A. Cox ………………. Withdrawn 10/12/1900 
James M. Moore ………….. Departed this life 13th Sep. 1876

Members: 
P. M. Brogdon 
Lewis C. Cox ……………….. Withdrawn 
John C. Porter …………….. Departed this life Nov. 10th 1891 
T. J. Beavers ………………. Absent without? letter 
John P. Tatum ……………… Gone astray 1888 
Needham Moore ………….. Departed this life Jan 28th 1884 
Jessee R. Phillips ………… Letter granted 1880

Page 12 (continued from page 11)

Rebecca R. Reeves ……… Letter granted 
Cathrine D. Reeves ………. Letter granted 
Mary Cox …………………….. Departed life Sep 2nd 1889 
Sophronia E. Moore ……… Departed life May 1905 
Minerva F. Cates ………….. Married Simmion Babb 
Sarah A. Dunlap …………… Married J. F. Craddock 1876 
Mary W. Brogdon 
L. T. Brogdon 
Martha P. Cox ………………. Dead 
Martha Cates ……………….. Departed this life 1883. Mar. 26 
Sarah E. Moore 
Sarah J. Tatum 
Nancy J. Phillips ………….. Letter granted 1880 
Eunicy James ………………. Married Bro. E. Pittman 1879 
Minnie Hamilton …………… Married C. C. Cox 1879 Died Feb 4th 1887 
Maggie R. Dunlap …………. Married M.? Jackson Letter granted Aug. 7th 1881 
John James

Page 13 (continued from page 12)

G. F. Reasons ……………… withdrawn June 15th 1879 Renewed his confession Aug. 19th 1879 
Wm. Laurence …………….. Died 1892 (or 1898?) 
M. A. Hammonds 
Sallie James ……………….. Departed life Mar. 26 1888 
Lucretia C. Craig …………. June 10th 1877 (date crossed out) 
Martha S. Cherry …………. ” ” ” Dead 
Elizabeth B. Dunlap …….. Gadsden 
Isaac L. Kinkade ………….. Departed this life 16th Jan 1879 
Nancy Cherry ……………… ” ” ” 15th Decm 1879 
John C. Tatum Sr. ………… ” ” ” 20 Oct. 1899 
Geo. W. Patrick …………… Departed this life Oct. 1880 
James B. Tatum ………….. Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
James Reasons ……………. ” ” ” ” ” 
James Moore …………….. Departed this life 1878 
James W. Porter ………… Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
Laura Porter ………………. Departed this life Mar. 6th 1885 
Mollie Porter ……………… Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
Mary E. Sewell …………… Married L. C. Cox 
John Hammond ………….. Departed this life Nov. 29th 1883

Page 14 (continued from page 13)

John B. Tatum 
William Reasons ………… Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
Jane Sollis …………………. Letter granted May 30th 1880 
Duncan Sollis …………….. Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
Seth Taylor 
Amanda Harpole ………… Married G.? W. Herndon 
Susan Moore ……………… Died 
J. T. C. W. Tatum ……… Died 
Milton Harris ……………. Died

Deacons, appointed by the Church 4th Lords day Mar 24th 1878 
Jessee B. Phillips …………} Letter granted 
John P. Tatum ………………} 
Mrs. Rachel Jackson

Members: 
N. B. McLaughlin 
Mrs. H?. A. McLaughlin 
Mrs. Bettie Cox ………….. By Letter Departed this life 7th Aug 1879 
Wm. T. Cox …………………. Letter granted

Page 15 (continued from page 14)

Mrs. S. B. Patrick ………… Withdrawn from July 31st 1887 
Mrs. M. M. Caruthers …… Gone with out letter 
Mrs. E. L. Davis ……………. Withdrawn 
Mr. Wm. F. Davis 
Mr. J. F. Porter 
Mr. E. D. Harris …………… Withdrawn 
Mr. W. S. Moore ………….. Withdrawn from June 15th 1879 
Mr. E. R. Pitman ……………. Departed this life Feb. 28th 1880 
Mr. J. H. Dunlap 
Mr. m. L? James 
Mr. H. N.? James ………….. Departed this life Decm 4th 1883 
Mr. J. D. Porter …………….. Withdrawn from June 15 1879 again united with Church July 21 1881 
Mr. J. H.? Reeves ………….. Withdrawn 
Mr. W. B. Weatherford ….. Dead 
Mrs. A. A. Weatherford 
M. Alice Cox …………………… Married David Fairless? 
Mattie A. James …………….. Married B. A. Craddock 
Mr. J. B. Smith ………………. Reclaimed 
Mr. S.? W. Reasons ………… Reclaimed 
Freeman Cherry ……………… Withdrawn from

Page 16 (continued from page 15)

Alice L. Tatum ……………….. Gone without letter 
Alex Williams …………………. ” ” ” 
Sallie Williams ……………….. ” ” ” 
John N Hamonds …………… Departed this life Nov. 9th 1883 
Lucy J. Hamonds …………… Married Wm. Tinsley 
Sarah Selph ………………….. Departed life 1889 
Z. T. James …………………… Departed this life 1880 
Laura Cherry …………………. Joined Baptists 
Mary L. James 
Bell Patrick …………………… Married Geo. Jinnett 
Nannie Sollis 
Lavina Cherry ………………… Joined Methodist 
J. W. Porter ………………….. Withdrawn from 30th Apr. 1884 
Ed. Howell ……………………… Departed this life Oct. 1880 
J. F. (or T.) Cherry ……….. Reclaimed – withdrawn from 
Susan E. Porter ……………… Departed this life May 27th 1886 
Sarah L. Dunlap …………….. Dead 
Sidny A. Selph ……………….. From Masons Grove C. Departed life Apl 5th 1885 
M. J.? Selph…………………… Departed life Aug. 31st 1882

Page 17 (continued from page 16)

Mattie Hamond 
Minnie Strayhorn 
A. T. Howell ………………….. Granted letter 1st Lords day Sep. 1882 
Isaac L. Cherry 
F. P. Drinkard ……………….. Appointed Elder 1886 
Jordan D. James …………… Withdrawn from 1883 
Mollie Raines ………………… Moved to Gadsden 
Lou Dunlap …………………….. Died 
M. F. Lealer Cox ……………. Married M. Craigs 
Bettie Lewis 
Eliza Moore 
Cora Hamond ………………… Died 
W. S. Moore ………………… Withdrawn from reclaimed Died 1883 
John B. Tatum ………………. Died 1882 
W. L. Duncan ……………….. Joined by letter 1883 
Julian A. Duncan …………….. ” ” ” 1883 
J. W. Willoughby ……………. Took membership Departed life 1888 
N. A. Willoughby ……………… ” ” 
Penina C. Cox …………………. ” ” Life Departed Aug 20th 1894 
Isaac B. Howell ………………. ” Letter granted Church 3rd Sun Sep? 1st

Page 18 (continued from page 17)

John M. Dunlap ………………. Departed this life Jan. 12th 1886 
Mrs. A. N. Vaughn 
George Clifford ……………… Dead 
D. M. Rich 
Nannie A. Cox ………………… Moved away 
Lewis M. Cox ………………….. Moved away 
Sallie F. Jackson ……………. Granted letter 19th Aug 1891 
John N. Hammond …………… Dead 
Willie Hammond 
Cora D. Millard 
B. J. Millard 
J. D. Cherry 
W. R. Dungan 
W. N. Gowan 
Mrs. F. C. Lovell 
Alice Cherry …………………… Moved to Dyer Co. 
Ellen Millard ………………….. Married J. B. Coop Dec 27 1893 
Jane Drinkard 
Sister A. G. Clifford 
Elizabeth Green …………….. Letter granted May 2nd 1886

Page 19 (continued from page 18)

W. L. Moore ……………………. Dead 
R. F. Brodgon 
L. J ( or Q?) Lovell …………. Membership Obion 
Sister A. R. Davis 
Mary Gilbert 
S. J. Gowan 
Martha A. P. Tatum ………….. Departed this life Feb. 5th 1886 
Moses T. Moore 
William Hefley …………………. Letter granted 4th Lords day Apl. 1889 
Mary Kidwell 
Geor. Ginnett ……………………. Withdrawn 
Willie James …………………….. Married J. __ Raines 
Mattie Moore …………………….. ” Carl Castleman 
Annie Lewis ………………………. Dead 
Sophie Moore …………………… Married Yearwood 
Sallie Davis ………………………. Letter granted Sep 1st 192 (192 is what is written) 
Sulie? McLeary ………………… Gadsden married E. E. Gilliland 
Charley Willoughby 
J. L. Mobley 
L. E. Selph ………………………… Moved away

Page 20 (continued from page 19)

John Moore ……………………….. Dead 
T. M. L. Dunlap …………………. Withdrawn Oct 12 1900 
Fred. C. James ………………….. Letter granted 1st L. Day Aug. 1895 
J. W. Millard ……………………. Died May 8th 1892 
J. W. Mangram …………………. Granted letter 19th Aug 1891 
Mrs. Phillips 
Bro. Kidwell ………………………. Dead 
Jennie Tatum …………………….. Dead 
Elizabeth Harpole 
Nannie Wagner 
M. E. Cherry 
Wm. McGlauhlin Jr. …………… Granted letter Nov. 23d 1890 
Carroll Jackson 
Ida Moore ………………………….. Married R. L. Raines 
Charley Porter 
Gorshon? Bryant 
John Smith ………………………… Letter granted 5th Lords day in Jan. 
Mary Moore ………………………. Married Willie? Lewis

Page 21 (continued from page 20)

Mrs. Daniel ………………………… Moved away 
Bony Drinkard ……………………… ” Gadsden 
Jennie D. James 
Sophie Harris …………………….. Married McLean 
Nancy Woodley 
Jack Woodley 
B. A. Craddock ……………………. By Letter 
Lucy Craddock ……………………… ” ” 
Ella O. Cox …………………………. United in Church married Cozort? 
Walter Patterson 
Bob? Call 
Clarance Mitchell

Page 22 
Sep. 18th 1878

Wm. R. Weatherford and Mrs. A. A. Weatherford >were baptised but have not united with the Church

Page 23

James M. Moore’s book

The oldest church in Coxville Community is the Cox’s Chapel Church of Christ. In the earliest days, the people gathered in their respective homes and read the Bible to the family members and the farm workers. Later some of the families went to Alamo, this being an all day trip by wagon or buggy. J. F. Brigance and his wife, Minerva Candace, in 1874, deeded one acre to the trustees of the Christian Church, namely, Needham Moore, D. H. James, and J. A. Cox. Also in 1874, P. W. Moore and his wife, Sarah Porter Howell Moore, deeded one acre to the church. That same year, Moses and Mary Cox deeded one acre to the church. 

A church was built within a few years, and the same building, remodeled, is still in use. It retains the original hand-made pews, and altar furnishings. In the cemetery behind the church lie many of the members from the earliest times. Many were already buried there before the church was built. 

Descendants from nearly all the first members still attend services. Among them are, Mrs. Kate Porter, Mrs. Mattie Moore, Mr. And Mrs. Rodney Coop, King Porter and family, Wayne Porter and family, Jimmy Porter and family, Reggie Cox, Mrs. Thelma Hopper, Mr. And Mrs. Mose F. Cox, Mr. And Mrs. Roy James, Miss Blanch Cox, Frank Drinkard and family, Mrs. Mattie Lou McCord, Mrs. C. C. James, and Charles Ira James and family. Others who attend are, Mr. And Mrs. J. Jackson, Mrs. Charley Baxter, Richard and Sandra, Mr. And Mrs. Nute Hudson, Mrs. Woods, Mr. And Mrs. Buddy Hudson and Loretta, Mr. And Mrs. Gilbert McMurtry, Dwayne Cox and family, Ernest White, Mrs. Larry McCord and children, and Leanne and Amy Bradley, daughters of James Bradley, who has served as pastor for many years. 

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This article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article on the communities of Coxville, Center and Salem, which was compiled and written by Mrs. C. C. James, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

The first land seems to have been given for Center Church by Carroll Jackson in 1835. A one-room log church was built. The pastor was Rev. Avery.

On May 1, 1845, John Scott deeded one acre to B. G. H. B. Avery, James Porter, D. Pennington, and Kinchen Carter. Trustees of the M. E. Church at Center, for “the sum of $1 in hand,” for the use of the M. E. Church forever.” On Jan. 9, 1874, John W. and Nancy Bailey deeded to Drewery Pennington, E. D. Screws, W. P. Follis, J. A. Follis, J. W. Bailey, John W. Bailey, Trustees of Senter [sic] Church for $45, a tract of land, touching James M. McDurmit, containing five acres, reserving one acre already deeded to Senter [sic] Church…”said lands to be used as a burying ground and house to be used by the Methodist Episcopal Church and the members thereof, according to the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed upon and adopted by the several conferences of said church, and further they shall permit duly authorized ministers of said church to expound the Holy Word of God therein.”

The present building is a pretty modern brick, with classrooms, and a large general purpose room with a kitchen. Attending now are members of the families bearing names, Reasons, Antwine, Jackson, Boyd, Lewis, Evans, Holyfield, Norville, Jones, James and Cox among others. 

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This article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article on the communities of Coxville, Center and Salem, which was compiled and written by Mrs. C. C. James, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

Since the congregation at Cairo does not keep a continuous written record, either in a style of minutes nor in the style of a directory, I shall attempt to relate a general amount of information as told me by dear friends of the brotherhood of Christ, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cooke.

The Church of Christ was established soon after the Civil War. It was first known as the Christian Church. After the Christian Church digressed, the name was changed to the Church of Christ.

According to Goodspeed’s writings the Cairo Church of Christ in its present location was built in 1872 by A. D. A. Wray, B. F. Cook, Ben Cook, W. L. Holman, and Mr. J. R. Efland. Stating further that this building was built with shop made nails.

Mr. Cooke recalls that in the beginning the building at Cairo was small about 30×50 feet. Most all timbers were hewn with a broad ax except the ceiling and it was rough sawed and dressed by Mr. Bill Holman as a young man there. The middle sills and floor joist were knotched instead of being nailed and it is said the huge beams of the ceiling extend the length of the building.

Not able to recall its charter members, Mr. Cooke said these names were registered in a bible which has been destroyed or is in hiding. Perhaps it would be safe to assume that these persons involved in it’s construction were present. A news clipping of an unknown newspaper listing an account of the death of Mrs. J. F. Robertson stated she first attended services at Alamo, later becoming a charter member of the Cairo Christian Church. This fact substantiates the information told Maxine Mayo by her grandmother, Mrs. Mary Ellen (Moore) Mayo, who was born in 1868 that she had attended as a child Sunday School services at the Cairo Christian Church. She told her that Mrs. Robertson was her teacher. This being the Mrs. Frank Robertson, who, along with her husband established the Christian Church at Crockett Mills.

Some of the first elders as recalled by Mr. and Mrs. Cooke were Smith Randle, Tom Burnett, Dick Finch and Jesse Ames. Then as they related some of the first preachers Bro. Thomas Elihue Scott from Obion was named, as was Bro. John Holland from Greenfield. He could not recall the order in which they had preached until the present, but a listing of past names follows the information related about Bro. Holland coming from Greenfield via his horse and buggy on his monthly Sunday to preach. It was probably in the mid-1920’s, along the time when the descendants of slavery stayed with the families. These negros or blacks were also worshiping in the church at that time. Another name recalled was Mrs. Byron Fewell, Paul Burke Fewell’s mother, for having made the unleavened bread back in the mid-1920’s. He said Mr. and Mrs. Fewell walked each Sunday from the Nance Community with this container – a wicker basket – of bread over their arms. From about that time Mrs. Florence Climer made this bread for many years.

Some men of renound were Brodie Hardeman, A. J. Freed, Dixon, R. E. Black, I. N. Lemons, who was an Evangelist from Texas. Others as listed by the Cookes were J. R. Stockard, D. D. Woody, Heflin, Insley, Hassell, Pasley, Clark Burns, Guy N. Woods, Cecil Doughty, Earnest Boone, James White, who was an Indian Missionary. Montague Culp, Joe Cooke Vandyke, Frank Vandyke, Jerry Burns, Phil Hefley, Paul Boone, Forries, Glen Phillips, Jimmy Colvett, Henry Booth, Sweat, Cullum, Sweeney, Charles Roland, O. D. Johns, Kelly Doyle, Johny Hardeman, Howard Parker, J. A. McNutt, John Parker, and the present John Rhenshaw from Memphis, who preaches each Sunday to the present congregation of approximately 115 people. Many more men have preached from time to time being sent from Freed-Hardeman College, but could not all be recalled to memory. 

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This article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article which was compiled and written by Carolyn C. Peal, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

On August 12, 1848, the tract of land (6.4) acres known now as Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Church was purchased from William A. Denwiddie, for the amount of $22.50, for a worship-school house and public burying ground, the location being Crockett County on the Crockett Mills and Eaton Road. After the land was purchased, a one-room log building was erected on what is now the north side of Bethesda Cemetery.

Bros. James McCaleb and H. N. Rose were two of the early pastors in the 1850’s.

In 1877 a one-room school building was constructed where the church now stands. The first school teacher in this building was Molly Taylor, followed by Mrs. Newell Dunagan McIlwain. The school was conducted here until about 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Odell McCaleb now reside in part of this frame building; it was moved to the farm that was known as the Bob and Kitty McCaleb place. There have been additions made to the building over the years. This approximately 97-year-old landmark is within sight of Bethesda Church.

In the late 1800’s a wood framed church building was erected across the valley near where the church manse is located today. There were nine charter members, Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Odle, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hay, Mrs. Rachel Strange, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cochran, Mr. Jim Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Mit Dunagan. Some of the early pastors were Bro. Jonathan Davis and Bro. John McIlwain.

In 1933 a modern brick building was constructed just south of the frame building, or about in the same place the 1904 school building stood. Bro. Raymond was pastor at that time.

In May of 1951, Sunday School rooms and a fellowship hall were added to the church. Bro. Carl Davis of Gadsden was pastor then. Loraine O. Jackson, Huron H. Hall, Warren White and Clarence Morton were on the building committee.

In July, 1955, another addition was made; classrooms were made of the previous fellowship hall, and a new fellowship hall and kitchen were added.

In 1960 Bro. William Cottrell, now president of Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee, was called as our pastor. In 1961 some land was given to the church from the Dr. Sherwood Byassee estate. Then in 1965 Hautie, Bertha and Effie Harber gave some land near where the manse was constructed.

In 1965, with Bro. L. E. Turner, Jr. as pastor, a new manse was constructed, $5,000 from Mrs. Mary Warren’s estate having been left for this purpose.

In 1966 a new organ and piano were purchased for the church; central heating and cooling were installed in 1967.

On April 28, 1969, Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Church voted to become a full-time pastorate, hiring Bro. Ronnie Pittenger as pastor.

In July of 1972 a complete remodeling program was carried out in the sanctuary; new pews, pulpit and lectern were included in this program and the sanctuary was completely carpeted. All of the pews and many other items were donated by families who were connected with the church. The balance of our building debt was paid in 1973.

Today we have approximately 80 people who attend the church, and Bro. Wayne Morgan is the pastor.

Thanksgiving service (with dinner on the ground) was observed during the entire history of the church until 1972.

Homecoming is an annual event, being held the first Sunday in June. Recently a trust fund for the upkeep of the cemetery was established, with $2,000 as a start.

Young men from this church who have become ministers during its history are John McIlwain, George McIlwain, Cleveland McIlwain, Oakley Woodside and O. E. White. All of these are now deceased except for O. E. White, who resides with a daughter in Val Pariso, Indiana.

Former elders of the church, now deceased, include Will Taylor, Jake Harber, J. M. Cochran, Jim Harris, George White, Charlie Smith, B. A. Harber, Fate Tillam, Austin E. Harber, J. A. White, Jerald White, Willie Weatherford, Huron H. Hall, Loraine O. Jackson, Marvin Hendrick and O. M. Bates.

Bethesda Church has been richly blessed. Many, many souls have been saved during the history of the church. We are looking forward to continued growth through Christ our Lord.

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This article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was compiled and written by Mrs. Robert Irvin and Mrs. Jerald White, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

During a multi-denominational revival held in a grove of beech trees in 1911, ninety-two conversions were made and it was decided by the leaders of the community that a church building was needed; however no one denomination could afford to build one. A meeting was called in order that a solution to the problem might be found; those attending were George F. Heath, a local Methodist minister; Charlie B. Baker, a Missionary Baptist; James E. Archer, a Freewill Baptist; W. T. Gilliland, a member of the Christian Church; and N. L. Archer, who had been converted but had not joined any church. When it appeared that a stalemate had been reached, that it would not be possible to have a church at all because the representative of each denomination wanted the church to be of his own persuasion, all five men finally decided that it would be better to have a church of any denomination than none at all. Bro. Heath was requested by the others to select a man to organize the church. Bro. Heath said “If I select a man, he will be a Methodist, it will be a Methodist church and will go into the Methodist Conference.” To that they all agreed, and Archer’s Chapel Methodist Church was organized and built on the site formerly occupied by the Moore Schoolhouse. 

This article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley.

This information was taken from an article on the community of Frog Jump, which was compiled and written by Maxine Mayo, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.