Posts by MaryCarol
Meridian Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Photos –click on one
Annual July PICNICS 1946 – 1968
1986 Tennessee HOMECOMING & Picnic
100th Meridian Picnic Celebration 2007 – lots of photos #1 and #2 show old tree
2009 – the Giant 270 year old tree is lost by Mother Nature.
History of Meridian Church
Written by Gene and Wylodean Rogers for Homecoming 1986 Church History Book
Most of this Church history was taken from their book on Richard DREWRY pub 1976
Meridian church located six miles east of Greenfield Tennessee in the 15th district of Weakley County, Tennessee. This church was organized in 1826 by the reverend Cullin Green CRIBBS, who remained pastor until 1853.
Meridian is one of the oldest churches in Weakley County and the main auditorium of the present building is also one of the oldest church buildings in Weakley County. The construction of this building began in 1872 and was finished in 1873. Square nails were used to erect the building. Two of the carpenters that helped build this church in 1872 were Thomas Addison OVERTON (1831-1903) and Horace GALLOWAY. The boss of the crew was a Mr. CHANDLER.
This old building is in excellent condition today, both inside and out. In the last 35 years several additions have been made to the building. Tradition has it that church services at Meridian were first held under the large old oak tree in the church yard and then under brush arbors. After that, log buildings were erected to have services in. Harve DREWRY told more than once, he well remembered the building that was in use when the present building was started in 1872, (he was 9 years old at the time) and it was called a shelter. This shelter was larger than most log church buildings and it consisted of a roof made of hand riven (split) wood shingles. This roof was supported by rows of wood poles set in the ground. The sides were open except for a wood paling fence about waist high around the outside to keep the livestock out of the building. Most of the livestock ran outside until about 1915. This shelter was much cooler in the hot summer months than a log building would be and church services were discontinued during the winter months. The open sided shelter could better accommodate the overflow crowds during revivals and camp meetings as those sitting and standing outside could still see and hear the preacher.
It has been said that log cabins were built on the church grounds for some of the people to stay in that had traveled a long distance to attend the camp meetings. The old records show that some of these meetings lasted as long as 12 or 13 days. Brother C. G. CRIBBS, who organized the Meridian Church and was the pastor for the next 27 years lived in northeast Gibson County, near Camp Ground C. P. Church, some 12 miles south of Meridian. Brother CRIBBS started preaching at Meridian only three years after Weakley and Gibson Counties were organized in 1823. No doubt his travels to and from Meridian were difficult much of the time as the roads were only trails in those days. We presume he rode a horse most of the time and he had to ford the South Fork of the Obion River for quite a while before other methods of crossing the river were available. In about 1829 or 1830 Shadrach Madison (a free man of color) started operating a ferry at shades crossing and in December of 1833 a bridge was built across the river and that should have made traveling a little better.
The pioneers that settled in the wilderness of West Tennessee near the Meridian areas had in most cases come here from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, middle and east Tennessee. That part of the country had been settled for quite some time and was reasonably well developed and those who could afford it could live fairly comfortable, but for many this was not the case. These developed areas were becoming crowded and the price of land was quite high for the quality of land available. The top soil was fast becoming badly depleted and fertilizer was hard to come by at that time. The federal government purchased West Tennessee from the Chickasaw Indians on October 19, 1818 and opened it up for settlement about two years later. Many of the poor people and some of the wealthy people could not resist coming to the wilderness of West Tennessee as it appeared to be the land of milk and honey for both the rich and the poor alike.
The price of the better land in West Tennessee was from one to three dollars per acre. If you didn’t have any money and had plenty of grit you could lease a good tract of land from some owner that in many cases didn’t even live here. Many of these leases were for five years with an option to buy at a set price. The settler could keep all that he could make off the land provided he would build the necessary buildings for a farmstead (log house and barn, etc) and clear a certain amount of land for farming. This would make the land more valuable for later sale if the settler didn’t exercise his option to buy the land himself. Another method of getting some land was to settle on some poor land that still belonged to the government, (these people were called squatters) and enter a claim for an occupant grant. Some of the poorest and wettest land was granted in the 1840’s for as low as 12 cents per acre.
Despite the many hardships of trying to tame the new frontier and having to live in a very crude way for the next several years these settlers soon wanted a public place to worship God. They selected a site on a hill, near a spring and they called this place of worship Meridian. Meridian Church got its name because it was built on or near a Meridian line. This same line also ran through the town of Dresden, Tennessee. In the early days the basis for the Meridian lines for this country was Washington, D. C., but in order to be able to measure longitude around the globe more accurately a convention was held in 1884 with many nations attending and they decided to make Greenwich, England the basis (starting point) for the world. This did away with the old meridian lines established by each nation or continent.
Many of the early settlers of the area had some connection with Meridian Church, cemetery or school,(the school was located some 75 yards from the church). To name all of the different families that attended Meridian Church in the early years would be impossible, but some of the names mentioned in the old church records are as follows; GALEY, MCCARTER, JOHNSON, HARROL, DREWRY, DUNLAP, RAY, DUDLEY, GROOMS, DAVIDSON, FEATHERSTONE, PERRY, BODKINS, CURLEE, STROUD, REDDICK, STOUT, RICHEE, ROBERSON, MOSELEY, OVERTON, TAYLOR, ELAM, WHICKER and SMITHSON. descendants of many of these early settlers are still attending Meridian Church today.
The church played a very important part in the lives of the people of the area. In the early days there was not nearly as many places to go and things to do as there is today, so for that reason the church was not only a place for christians to worship but also a social meeting place at the same time. Probably as a rule the people back in the old days were no better or worse than they are today and most want to take part in the worship services, but some went just to have somewhere to go. During revival meetings several people would be outside while the services were going on. Sometime during the alter call some of the elders or some interested persons would go outside and try to convince some of the sinners to come in the church and give their life to Christ. Once in a while this would work and many tears of joy were shed.
The old church record books show that the elders met on Saturday before the fourth Sunday each month and more often if the need arose to discuss the needs of the church. Much of their time in the session meetings were focused on trying to keep their flock in line, but many decisions were made. These included such things as building a church house, buying a stove, having the church property surveyed, selling a few dollars worth of timber, erecting a fence to keep the cemetery from encroaching on the church yard and clearing more land for cemetery use.
The old records show that the elders tried hard to keep a tight rein on its members. More often than not, one or more members would be ordered to appear before the session for some ungodly act that had taken place recently or sometimes these elders would go and talk to them. Most often the church trials would be for such offences as getting drunk, cursing, adultery, fighting or mistreating family members. The elders would lay the facts on the line and most of the time the accused would beg for forgiveness and promise to do better, but if they did not the elders would kick them out of the church.
The Meridian Church appears to have been a squatter on government land from the time it was organized in 1826 until August 1, 1848, when a land grant was issued to James B. Galey by the state of Tennessee. We don’t know when the cemetery was put into use as a burying ground as many of the early graves are not marked at all or only have a sand rock marker. The oldest legible marker is dated February 23, 1841, the grave of Tempey Eliza, consort of Ellis W. SCATES. Another one that was legible years ago was on the grave of W. M. SMITHSON and dated 1838. On the 29th day of April, 1848, James B. GALEY entered a claim for a grant on ten acres of land bearing survey date of the 9th day of March, 1848. This land was located in range 1, section 5 in the 13th surveyors district. This places the land on the West side of the Meridian line that was in use at that time. The state of Tennessee issued a grant for this land on the 1st of August, 1848 to James B. GALEY.
This was only three months and two days after the claim was entered. This is by far the shortest amount of time lapse that we have encountered. In many cases after the entry claim was made it was from two years to over twenty years before the land grant was issued. The only cost for this land was a charge by the entry taker for the paper work involved and the cost of having the land surveyed. On November 2, 1847, the law was changed to eliminate the charge of 12 cents per acre that had been in effect for several years before that time. The land that was being granted for 12 cents per acre or no charge was considered to be poor land at the time, either hilly or wet land. Claims for the better land had been entered many years before. On September 19, 1860 James B. GALEY deeded to the elders of the Meridian Church the last ten acre tract mentioned above that had been granted to him by the State of Tennessee (grant number 6450). A rectangular plot 33 poles by 48 poles. The church paying only the entry fees and cost of survey, this may have been paid by the church when the entry was made. Why he waited 12 years before deeding it to the church we don’t know. In 1874 the elders appointed a committee to look after the title papers granted by the State of Tennessee for the land upon which the church now stands.
This leaves the impression that the church received the land grant but apparently that is not the case. A short time later the committee reported that it had located the deed to the church property (grant is not mentioned). In 1959 Atlas and Louise Summers gave a plot of land to the church, for this we are indeed grateful. This land is located on the south-side of the church near the Old Meridian School site and is used for drive way and parking area. We also hope to soon procure a small lot where the Old Meridian School was located.
In 1872, some 12 years after the elders of Meridian Church got title to the church property, they decided to build a better place to worship. The decision to build a new church building was made at the session meeting in March of 1872. The elders present for this meeting were william MCCARTER, P. S. DUNLAP, J. E. DUNLAP, J, M. GALEY, M. G. PERRY, R. C. DREWRY, W. T. DAVIDSON, W. B. JOHNSON and Bennett RAY. On motion made, the following persons be appointed, a committee to try and secure means and build a church at this place, Meridian. to wit: W. B. JOHNSON, P. S. DUNLAP, Bennett RAY, J. M. DREWRY AND T. S. PERRY. The committee being vested with authority to superintend and build such a church as they may in their judgement
see fit. On April 26, 1873 the elders gave the building committee authority to sell the old church shelter. This was a roof with open sides that they had been using to worship under. Apparently the new church building was about complete at this time. The cost of the new building or the sale price of the old shelter is not mentioned.
Throughout the 173 years of interesting history that made the Meridian Church has endured, many changes in the life style of it’s people have taken place and many rough times have been overcome. It was organized as a place to worship God in 1826 in the Cumberland Presbyterian faith and it still remains so today. Its location has remained at the same place. How many other churches in Weakley County have a record like that?
Meridian Church was born in the wilderness of West Tennessee at a time when our adventurous forefathers were eating more deer and bear meat than pork or beef. Most of this area was covered in fine timber but there was no market for it in the early days, except for the timber used in the farm buildings. The logs were cut and burned to clear a place so crops could be grown. Most everybody did some farming for a long time after this country was settled as there were no factories. Even people with other ccupations such as black-smithing or preaching did some farming to aid in making a living. The second preacher at Meridian was also a county surveyor. This was W. H. MCKLUSKEY. He lived in the Meridian area and the marriage records show that he tied the knot for many couples.
Since the church was organized 173 years ago, several epidemics of deadly diseases have hit the people, killing many people in a few months. A couple of these diseases were smallpox and yellow fever. The church has endured many wars and a lot of the veterans of these wars are buried in the meridian cemetery. Probably the Civil War disrupted the lives of the people most of all as many lives were lost and the people of this area were badly divided and furnished men for both north and south. This created hate among neighbors and of course had to be a severe problem in the churches as well.
Times have changed greatly since 1826. Most people today are working in factories or some other business besides farming. For a long time the fastest way to travel was by horse. In the last few years we have sent people to the moon traveling about eighteen thousand miles per hour. We also have all kinds of modern conveniences to make life better. The Meridian Church has also received its share of improvements. The cemetery is also being maintained in good condition. A picnic and homecoming has been held on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July from 1908 up until today with the exception of the period from 1981 through 1994. During that 14 year period just a homecoming was held. The proceeds go for the upkeep of the cemetery. We now have a perpetual care fund to help maintain the cemetery. Through the years many distinguished speakers have spoken at the Meridian Picnic. The present pastor, brother Eddie Holmes, came to Meridian in December of 2001 replacing brother Keith Pence who moved on to greener pastures . It is our desire that enough young and old alike will see fit to worship God at Meridian so that it may live another 173 years.
Web Design & Graphics by MaryCarol
New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
located East of Sharon on Tennessee Highway 89
New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church
The church was organized in 1849. The buiding standing today was built in 1893 and is one of the oldest landmarks in Weakley County.
The church first came into being from a campground meeting. The meetings were held in crude brush arbors and were called the Jones’ Camp Meeting Grounds after Israel Jones.
The meetings would sometimes last for weeks. This form of worship continued until 1849. William C. Jones gave the land for the church in 1850. The carpenters who built the first structure boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Charley Kilgore; Joe Miller and Bill Mangrum did the painting.
Little is known of the church for the next 20 years. The first accurate records available began in 1874. There was mention of former slaves attending church with their masters. The elders recorded in 1874 were George Somers, my GGG grandfather, D. M. Hilliard, A. N. Mowery, John Bland, John Jim Roberts, James Alexander Harkey, J.A.Nooner, E.E. Hornbeak, S. V. Poynter, Milton Vaughn Roberts, Andrew Jackson Somers, (son of George Somers) John Camp Chandler, Tom Wash, Frank Harkey and Norman Mitchell.
Records show 192 members registered from 1874 until 1893. The first ministers were Rev. O. E. Kerr and Rev. H. C. Johnson. The salary at that time ws $60.00 a year.
The church continued to grow and on March 11, 1983, the church Session met for the purpose of making plans to build a new building. Hiliary Jones, R. S. Roberts, Norman Mitchell, Lizzie Wash and Betty Roberts were named to a committee. The present structure as you see it today is the result of their planning.
The committee reported $1,000 on hand at the beginning of the building program, including $100.00 received from Jim Wash from the sale of the old building. They were instructed by the Session to allow only first-class materials to be used throughout the structure.
Nothing but the best can be found in this building from the ground to the cupola. Hilary Jones, son of William C. Jones, was the architect. The building was completed on November 4, 1893 at the cost of $1,800.00. A dedication service was held by Rev. H.R. Reed.
The first Sunday school was mentioned in the minutes of January 4, 1896. Mr. Jim Thompson is credited with being one of the first in the organization of the Sunday school. He served as superintendent for several years. Others who served in the Sunday school during this time were Alice Roberts, Mrs. Dump Nooner and Irene Stoker.
In June of 1900, a committee composed of J. A. Harkey and Lizzie Wash was appointed to serve as a working connection between the church and Bethel College.
The first mention of Children’s Day program was in June of 1901.
Around the turn of the century, some of the church leaders mentioned in the minutes were Foster Brooks, O. T. Brown, Junion Stoker, Jim Hilliard, Wes Wash, Charlie Thompson and Len Chandler.
During the history of the church, the elder with the longest term of service was J. A. Nooner serving as clerk of the session for many years. He served as a church officer for 53 years from 1874 until 1927. He also carved the pulpit used in the church since it was built.
Some of the great ministers through the history of the church were Revs. Allen Foust, O.E. Gardner, W. H. McClesky and R. H. Jackson
The first organist was Irene Stoker.
The church held its centennial in 1949. Many people were present for this all-day occasion.
The New Salem Cemetery, adjoining the church, is also a landmark. It has been used as a burying ground for the community since 1885. John Camp Chandler was the first person buried there on December 7, 1885. Many of the church pioneers are buried there.
Markers for others including Israel Jones, dating back to 1800 have been moved to this place.
(The Somers Cemetery is also located in the New Salem Community area. It is located on land owned by George Somers, born 1812 and died 1879. He and his wife Elizabeth, born 1814 and died 1885 are buried in the Somers Cemetery. There are a total of 15 buried in the Somers Cemetery. This cemetery is on the original 50 acre land grand of 1849.)
The church’s session appointed certain ladies of the church to collect money for the upkeep. Onie Wash, Guyrene Wash, Clara Chandler, and Fannie Somers served in this capacity for many years.
The cemetery now has an endowment for perpetual care, which was initiated in 1950 by Mr. and Mrs. Carman Speight, lifetime residents of the community from pioneer families. Ruth Speight’s ancestors, George Somers and Andrew Jackson Somers were among the early leaders of the church. The endowment is now managed by their daughter, Frances Speight Clark and grandson John Carman Clark.
Through the years many young students from Bethel College have been trained in the New Salem Church. The late Rev. Howard Hayworth served the church as pastor from 1977 until his death in 1985. Russell Chandler, grandson of J. C. Chandler, one of the pioneer elders, served the church as deacon, elder and session clerk from 1935 until his death in 1987.
The elders in 1989 were Guin Chandler and John Carman Clark. Gwin was the superintendent of the Sunday school and also served as teacher and officer for more than 60 years.
The present minister is Rev. Kermit Travis, whose ancestors were pioneer settlers in the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pierpoint have been regular members for more than 40 years. They took pride in the care of the churchgrounds and cemetery.
On October 28, 1989, the Isaac Dawson Chapter of the Tennessee Society, Daughters of the American Colonists presented a historical plaque to the New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Thomas C. Holmes, Jr.,Flowery Branch, Ga., National Chairman Historical Landmarks and Memorials Committe, NSDAC made the presentation of the marker. Guin A. Chandler, Great, Great grandson of J.C. Chandler, an elder in 1874 gave the acceptance of the marker.
Transcribed and submitted by Judy Johnson
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield
The Church after 1920 + 1950’s
The History of First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, TN
| The First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) In Greenfield, Tennessee is located at exactly the same location of the first Church in the community that is now the City of Greenfield. In 1837, a group of residents built a small log cabin and used it for a Church, school, and community center. It was called The Church Of Ebenezer meaning “Stone Of Help.” In 1868, three years after the War Between The States, Mr. Joseph Henry WARD gave the Ebenezer Church one acre of land. On this property, a larger building of hand-hewn boards with a cypress timber roof was erected. Most of the labor and materials were donated by the men of the Church. In 1870, the Ebenezer Church joined Hopewell Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It would still be another 10 years before any other churches were organized in Greenfield: thus, the community continued to gather here for worship. By 1897, the Church had grown so large that the old frame building was dismantled and a two-story brick building was erected on the same site. In 1912, the Church dissolved its relationship with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and joined the West Tennessee Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. On a Sunday morning in February, 1917, the brick building and all its contents and records were destroyed by fire. By the Spring of 1918, construction on the present building had begun. The first service was held in the new Sanctuary on the 5th Sunday in February, 1920. The present building, with its impressive stained-glass windows and exceptional architectural design, was dedicated on June 24, 1923. Since that time, our Church has affectionately been known as “the Church on the Hill.” In 1924, the Wicks pipe organ was installed. Since that time, the organ has been updated, and the building itself has witnessed many improvements and has been exceptionally well maintained. In the Spring of 1991, the building underwent a major redecoration effort, which included paint, carpet, pew pads and light fixtures. In 1993, the Fellowship Hall was redecorated, and in 1994, the Sunday School rooms were redecorated as well. First Presbyterian Church is a community of faith focused around worship and service with varied activities including: Sunday School classes for all ages; Kirk Kids for young children; Jr. & Sr. High Presbyterian Youth Fellowship; three Presbyterian Women’s Circle groups; Children’s Choir and Adult Choir; Bible Studies; 20 & 30 Something’s group; Deacon’s Fund for the needy; Fellowship Dinners, and a radio ministry of 60-second devotionals aired Monday through Friday mornings and afternoons. Today, as it has been for 162 years (1999), the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield continue to worship and serve God on the very same site as the original log cabin. On Sunday, June 28, 1998, the congregation celebrated the 75 th Anniversary of its present building. Truly, we may lift up our hearts by remembering the words of those who dedicated “The Church on the Hill” on June 24, 1923.Source Unknown Submitted by Joe Stout |
| OFFICERS – 1923 THE SESSIONReverend Robert McInturff ModeratorA.C. Akin J.T. Akin E.J. Baker N.M. Barnett W.A. Barton E.N.J. Brock M.A. Capps W.A. Coats J.A. Cooper H.O. Elam P.D. Harris – Clerk W.J. Hatcher H.F. Hudson R.D. Johns S.L. Lett W.E. McAdams Robert McUmber William Orr J.B. Reed E.M. Shannon W.T. Smith | TRUSTEES E.N.J. Brock W.J. Hatcher J.B. ReedSUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS Dr. H.F. Hudson – Superintendent P.D. Harris – Assistant E.M. Shannon – Secretary & TreasurerCHURCH PIANISTS Mrs. W.T. Smith Mrs. S.L. MaidenCHOIR DIRECTORS Mrs. W.A. Barton Mrs. J.B. ReedMISSION SOCIETY Mrs. H.L. Goolsby – President Mrs. Harry McAdams – Secretary & TreasurerBUILDING COMMITTEE A.J. Barton – Chairman E.N.J. Brock P.D. Harris W.E. McAdams J.W. Perry E.M.Shannon |
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THOMPSON CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
Thompson Creek Baptist Church, Como, Tennessee
The History of Thompson Creek Baptist Church
as written in “History and Families of Weakley County, Tennessee
On the third Saturday in August 1831, a few members met in the home of Brother Angus Alexander. This place being in Weakley County, TN.
At this meeting letters were called for and read, and fellowship was declared for each other.
A Covenant was called for which met the approval of members and presbyter.
A Confession was read and approved.The right hand of fellowship was given after which the Charge was delivered by Brother Samuel McCowan and a church was constituted.
The assembly resolved that the church be called Thompson Creek Baptist Church and they would meet each second Saturday afternoon and second Sunday morning. Brother McCowan was elected as pastor. There were 12 members, one of which was a slave of Brother Alexander.
The congregation continued to meet in the Alexander home until they eventually built a one-room church building to worship in.
In 1947, the church building was remodeled and Sunday School rooms added to it. Sunday night, Dec. 18, 1960, the church building burned.
A plot of ground was bought from Mr. John Lovelace in Como, just across the Weakley and Henry County line to build on.
The location of the old building was on the old Paris and Dresden Road. After the church building burned and until the new one was completed, the congregation met in the Central School building.
Brother A. W. Porter of Greenfield, TN was the pastor at the time.
On Sunday morning, Aug. 13, 1961, the first service was held in the new building. On that day, five people presented themselves for membership-two by baptism and three by letter.
There have been three known preachers licensed and sent out from this church. Brother J. Robert Paschal, Brother Thomas Aaron Winchester and Brother Michael J. Simmons.
Brother Don Malone is the pastor at present. He has served the church as pastor longer than any other preacher. This time being 20 years.
Written by Mrs. Mildred Winchester, Church Clerk (now deceased). Since Mr. Winchester wrote this history in 1989, Rev. Malone still being the pastor will have served the church 29 years in December of 1998.
Submitted by Jenwyl
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PLEASANT GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church
History & 1986 Tennessee Homecoming
1986 Tennessee Homecoming at the church photos
History of pleasant Grove Baptist Church & Cemetery
The land that is now within the 16th District of Weakley County, TN began to be settled after the Jackson Purchase of the land west of the Tennessee River in 1819. This land was a part of Gibson and Carroll County prior to 1837 when the S. Fork of the Obion River became the line making the 16th District then in Weakley County.
One of the earliest settlers was Elisha Fly, Jr. William Rogers Capps, Henry Capps and John Whitsett Cochran who were married to 3 of Elisha Fly’s daughters. They were Lucy, Anna and Rebecca. The Cherokee Indian heritage comes from the wife of Elisha Fly, Jr. thought to be named Rebecca Reed. From this name this general area has been referred to as “Flytown.”
Soon Flytown was beginning to thrive since there were more and better roads, not to mention the river traffic. It reached such proportions as a blacksmith shop, a millinery shop, a cooper, Goodlow School where children were taught the “Three-R’s” in a one-room log schoolhouse. The building was also used for the Missionary Baptist congregation to worship before they built their new church building. Goodlow School was located on Capps land that once was part of the Elisha Fly land.
Descendants of these early settlers Calton Travis Capps and wife Sarah Martha “Mattie” Cook Capps gave by deed land to the Missionary Baptist Church on Feb. 21, 1894, and on April 11, 1894 James Maneese Cochran deeded land to the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist church for the sum of $5.
During that year of 1894 the original church building was built. Over the years many additions and improvements have been made.
The following is from the Homecoming and book compiled in 1986 on the history of the church;
The people of Stafford Store first met for preaching in the old Goodlow School House, which was located west of the present church site on the Hubble property. Then C. T. Capps and J. M. Cochran gave the land the church presently sits on to build a church house to worship in.
At first, there was only one room and a wood stove for heat. Presently, there is a large auditorium with carpet, central heat and air, padded pews, a baptistery, a grand piano, Seven Sunday School rooms, three bathrooms, and a fellowship hall with complete kitchen facilities. The church is covered with brick and the parking lot is paved. The church owns a bus, fondly called “Old John”. There are currently 386 members.
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Pastors of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church
1923 C. C. Bullington (resigned Sept. 1923)
November 18, 1923 Jim Dunning
October 1924 L. R. Riley
October 1925 Ed Crocker
November 1927 Bart Arnel
February 5, 1928 ….. Ellie Hue Martin
October 1928 R. H. Hampton
March 1930 O. H. Joyner
September 1932 …Raymond Hampton (resigned April 1941)
May 11, 1941 O. H. Joyner
September 26, 1941 W. H. Hopper
October 1944 T. L. Glisson
February 1945 Clyde McCord (resigned September 7, 1945)
September 1945 ……T. L. Glisson
October 1948 Raymond Hampton
September 1950 J. T. Powers
September 1951 Arthur Greener
July 1953 Dennis Beal
September 1960 Vance Rushing
March 1966 Jack McClain
October 1967 Jerry Gallimore
October 1968 Alton Prather
November 1, 1970 Dennis Beal (resigned August 13, 1989)
December 17, 1989 Charles Rushing (October 21, 1990)
October 4, 1992 Claude Prince (resigned July 30, 1995)
September 17, 1995 Bobby Robertson (resigned March 4,2001)
September 2, 2001 Richard Allen
October 2004 ……Don Bowlin
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History of Pleasant Grove Cemetery
In 1969 one acre of ground-was purchased from James T. Hughes. This was the beginning of Pleasant Grove Cemetery. It was only a few months later that Mrs. Ivy Stafford was put to rest, being the first in the church cemetery. Time passed and others came to rest at Pleasant Grove; In the early cemetery joining Mrs. Ivy was Mr. Luther Stafford, Mr. Jack Crocker, Mrs. Frances Holt, Mr. Mike Holt and Mr. Gaither Luker. For several years the church had the responsibility and upkeep of Pleasant Grove Cemetery. In 1971 another 1 1/2 acres was purchased, from George Bridgewater, to extend the church cemetery. As time passed, it became evident that there was a great amount of money involved in taking the best care of the cemetery. Shortly thereafter, Pleasant Grove Church allowed the cemetery to be put in a perpetual care program. This meant that the cemetery upkeep would continue without interruption with funds provided through the purchasing of plots. A designated chairman & committee were appointed to carry out the required duties of the newly adapted program.
submitted by Joe Stout
Charlie Griffin & Wife were prominent in the Pleasant Grove Church
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MT. PELIA BAPTIST CHURCH
A History of Mount Pelia Baptist Church established 1829
by Douglas Ryan and Craig Peevyhouse
The loss of early records make it impossible to accurately give the exact date of the organization of the church, but from research made, it has been fairly well determined that the church was established either in 1829 or near that date.
Following is a short historical sketch of the church made from available records.
Perhaps the Mount Pelia Baptist church was organized due to the efforts of Bro. James P. EDWARDS, a missonary of TroyTennessee, who’s field of labor was Weakley and Obion counties.
In 1837 at the meeting of the Baptist State Convention of West Tennessee at Paris, his church at Republican Grove reported that there had been 23 additions, and that much good had been done since Bro. EDWARDS accepted the pastorate of the church. Brother SPANN, Moses T. was also a missonary for Obion and Weakley counties.
The first mention of the Mount Pelia Church that we find is at the West Tennessee Baptist Convention held at Spring Hill Baptist Church in 1855,When it named David WAGSTER, pastor of Mount Pelia, M.F. Union, Thompson’s Creek, and Troy.
In the proceedings of the 22nd anniversary of the West Tennessee Baptist Convention held with the Bluff Spring church, Gibson county, Tennessee, September 15, 1856, Bro David WAGSTER represented the Mount Pelia church.
We find that on motion of Elder D. WAGSTER, resolved that a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the request of the Beulah Association, Brethren J.B. DUNCAN, M. FLY and Wm. CALDWELL were appointed to said committee.
The special committee on request from Beulah Association made their report, which was received and adopted, via report of special committee. The special committee appointed on the petition from Beulah Association have had the subject under consideration, and we ask leave to present the following report: The petition for aid from this convention, to the amount of $36.00 in support of a missonary who is employed by the board of that association, independent of this convention, and in no way accountable to it or under it’s control, We therefore report against the prayer of the all of which is respectfully
submitted. — John B. DUNCAN, Chairman. (Copied as written, ????)
Mount Pelia’s pastor, David WAGSTER, reported that Dresden, Troy, Dyersburg, Huntingdon, Jackson, and Trenton are destitute of Baptist preaching and that there is only one Baptist preacher in Obion County.
Mount Pelia had contributed $5.00 to the convention. Elder WAGSTER was the Vice-president of this convention.
Minutes of the 38th session of the Western United Baptist Association and held with the church at Bird’s Creek, commencing on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1860. W.H. MCGOWAN, pastor of Mount Pelia church, messenger W. CRITTENDON. Total members was 47. Following is the report of the church Church M.D.,2 Baptized, 10,
received by letter,2; received by examination, 1; dismissed by letter, 3; died, 1; net members, 47; contributions $2.00. W. CRITTENDON was appointed to the board for Missionaries.
At the 44th annual session of the Western District United Baptist Association, held with the church at Bethlehem inOctober 1886, Mount Pelia sent no messengers, but a letter, they had baptized 16, received by letter ?? reported 1 dead, a total of 50 members. They contributed $1.50. At this meeting the Mount Pelia church presented a letter requesting that they be dismissed from this association. It was resolved that said church have a letter of dismissal.
It is not known what the first building was, it is assumed to be a log building.
Mount Pelia Church was destroyed by a storm, somewhere around the turn of the century(1900). This was a frame building.
In 1941, a new building was built on the original lot. We are unable to find any record of when the original lot was given or purchased, this being the south part of the present property.
In 1957, the church purchased a lot approximately one acre of land, this being the north side of the present property.
The present auditorium was built in 1965. The building that was built in 1939 was torn down and the present educational building was erected in 1969.
In 1940, pastor, Bro. Warren HILL , under the direction of the church, began pastoring on a half time basis. Preaching services were conducted on the first and third Sundays in each month. Until this time, the church had services once a month, when weather permitted.
In 1946, the church bought a pastors home. In 1960, the church built a new parsonage on ground donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold WAGGENER. The church then sold the old parsonage.
The church bell was bought from T.H. Hall and company for $6.30 in 1866. In February, 1869 a committee was appointed to sell the bell, and with the proceeds pay off the demands against the church. In June of 1869, the church recinded their act in regard to selling the bell and a committee was appointed to put up the bell. The following committee was appointed. Wm. WAGSTER, Abia CRITTENDON, B.W. STOVALL and Joel HATCHETT.
PASTORS
Some of the early pastors were, David HALLIBERTEN, S.T. JONES, W.A. DYSON, J.H. DAVID, David WAGSTER, W.H. MCGOWAN, Columbus HALL, Morgan BEECHUM, Will MOUNT, W.B. CLIFTON, Charley BELL, N. PENICK, B.F. SMITH, Alton WAGGNER, M.E. WOOLDREDGE, W.A. Butler, Roy Keathley, C.A. MORRISON.
NOVEMBER 20, 1921, BRO. T.A. Duncan was ordained and called to pastor Mount Pelia Church. Bro. DUNCAN was a member of the church. Other pastors were, J.L. ROBERTSON, John R. CLARK, J.D. YATES, E.J. Blackford, J.B. Andrews, Warren HILL, Harry HARP, Bruce WILLS, Marvin MILLER, Noel EDWARDS, Kermit BRANN, Jerry SPENCER, Gerald BLANE, J.P. SELPH, Cayce PENTECOST, John HARRISON, J.W. ABNEY, R.L. DODSON, Ray MORGAN, Bill WILLIAMS, Donald DOSTER, John FIELDS, Craig PEEVYHOUSE.
Men Ordained to the ministry by Mount Pelia Church
T.A. DUNCAN, Roy BUTLER, Leonards,BOWERS Kent COOK, R.C. Ryan, Noel EDWARDS, Don COOPER.
Some of the early members of Mount Pelia Church were, the ALEXANDERS, HALLS, CRITTENDONS, DUNCANS, WAGSTERS, COLLIERS and BELLS.
At the writing of this document there were a few members that have been members for over 50 years. They are Miss Janette PRUITT, Mrs Irene TANSIL, Mrs Blanche COLLIER, Douglas RYAN, Mrs Lubye COLEMAN was a member at Mount Pelia for almost 70 years before her death. Mrs. Lizzy HALEY was the oldest member until her demise. She was close to 100 years old.
EXCERPTS FROM CHURCH MINUTES
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met Saturday June, 1st, 1907 . After preaching by Bro. B.F. SMITH, the Church met in conference, withdrew fellowship from Bro. SUTHELAND for taking the Lord’s name in vain. New business, Committee for rebuilding church. W.A. PARRISH, Walter ALEXANDER, Blake CRITTENDON, Oscar
COLLIER, Carl POYNER. There being no other business, conference adjourned.
B.F. SMITH, Moderator, C.B. POYNER, C.C.
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Feb. 7, 1909
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Saturday before the first Sunday in Feb.1909.
Bro. Butler confessed his rongs (their spelling) to the church. A motion was made and seconded to forgive him. Church forgave him.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church of Christ met on Saturday before the first Sunday in September, 1909. Preaching by our pastor, Bro. Alton WAGGENER. Church sends 1.00 for ministers funds, $5.00 for orphans home, $6.00 for Associations missions, $5.00 for home missions. C.B. POYNER C.C.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Saturday before the first Sunday in November, 1909-Committee of two, Bro, John SHILEY & Carl POYNER was appointed to wait on Sister Lillie T. LINSON for dancing. C.B. Poyner C.C.
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Mount Pelia Baptist Church met on Satterday(their spelling) before the first Sunday in Feb. 1913. On the account of funeral services of little Leslie CAUDELL, there was no other services on Saturday. C.B. POYNER C.C.
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Thursday August 14, 1913
Mount Pelia Baptist Church met near the waters edge near Mr. BLAKES to attend to the audience of baptisms, as our pasture(their spelling) was unable to do the baptisms, Bro. L.D. SUMMERS was authorized bu the Church to do the baptizing.
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Feb. 6, 1915
On account of bad roads and sickness, there was no services Saturday nor Sunday.
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Dec. 5, 1925
New business was by motion and second to draw the months of the year off on strips of paper and members of the church to draw the months they take care of the pastor_____twelve members drew to take care of our pastor.
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July 16, 1944
Our protracted meeting was in progress from July 16 to July 22, with night services – Our pastor was assisted in the meeting by Bro. James SHIRLEY our associational Missionary. Bro. SHIRLEY preached some fine and inspiring sermons during the meeting. There wer
(their spelling) (43) forty three to come into fellowship with the church. (24) twenty four by baptism, namely, ThelmaCARNELL, Jean LITTRELL, Nell MILES, Clyde BROCK Miles, Buddie GAMMOONS, Margaret SMITH, Elwanda WADE, Bill WADE, Mrs. Lula WADE, Mary Evelyn MURRY, R.C. MURRY, Leon HAZLEWOOD, Marshall HAZLEWOOD, Shirley VAUGHN, Allie VAUGHN, Loyd VAUGHN, Mrs. Lucile OSEMAN, Halbert THOMAS, Mrs. Margaret THOMAS, Mrs. Jewel THOMAS, Robert THOMAS Jr., Benton OSEMAN, and Donald HILLARD. (19) Nonteen by letter or prospective letter, Namely Mamie THOMAS, Martha Thomas, William Eugene THOMAS, Mr. Robert THOMAS Sr, Mrs Robert THOMAS, Mr. James TURNER, Mrs James TURNER, all from Alamo Church.
Submitted by Joe Stout
Web Design & Graphics by MaryCarol
CORINTH BAPTIST CHURCH
Corinth Baptist Church, Sharon, Tennessee
Corinth Baptist Church was organized just after the civil War in the late 1860’s. It is one of the oldest churches in the area. Graves Fonville and H. C. Roberts donated approximately two acres of land for the building of the church in March, 1869.
During the summers from 1880 to 1900, members built brush arbors and placed straw on the ground for revival meetings. They would hold Sunday School from spring to late fall and close out for the winter. One of the first preachers to serve the church was Rev. Holliburton.
The first Corinth Church building stood on the same spot from 1869 to 1905. The second church building was hit by a tornado two different times. The second time around, in 1944, the tornado completely destroyed the church. The present building was built at that time.
On August 1, 1884, land for the Corinth Cemetery was purchased from S. T. Witherington and his wife for $25.00. It is said the first person buried in the cemetery was the child of Mr. Monroe, a workman helping to build the Illinois Central Railroad through Sharon. While preaching in a revival meeting in the early 1930’s Rev. Oscar Phillips collapsed in the pulpit and was DOA at the hospital.
The baptising picture of Corinth Baptist Church is at the Middle Fork of the Obion River at the Illinois Central Railroad trestle. The date is about 1908. Almost all the congregation appears to have been there, so there must have been a wagon road that was passable, for surely those dressed up ladies and gentlemen couldn’t have walked down the tracks from Sharon!
As a child I attended Corinth Church with my family. When I was in the 5th grade I persusaded Mother to let me attend First Baptist Church in Sharon where my friends attended. Then my brother wanted to go to First Baptist in Sharon. Eventually we all ended up attending Sharon First Baptist Church.
I can remember Corinth having their Homecomings. We would have lunch at the church and afterwards, there would be an afternoon congregational singing. This is something my Mother really enjoyed.
Also I remember after church on Easter Sunday, there would be a big Easter Egg Hunt. It was always great fun with all of us kids running around like crazy and with our new Easter outfits on.
As a child I can remember my grandmother telling me about attending Corinth Baptist Church. She said in her day they would have dances, roll up the carpet and “swing Josie.” Well, that didn’t suit so well with the church, as Baptist don’t believe in dancing. (At least they didn’t at that time) Well, my grandmother and her brother had to go before the church, repent and promise not to dance again. My grandmother said her brother Valva Adams danced all the way to the hen house and back every day. But there were no more “swing Josie ” parties.
Many of my relatives are buried at Corinth Cemetery. Some are George Adams, my great grandfather, Buford Adams, My grandmother’s brother, James Alexander ( Jim ) Hunt, my great grandfather, Paul and Evie Lener Hunt, my grandparents, their two babies, Nola Hunt Hardman, Will Hardman, Billy Hardman, Dan Jackson,my GG grandfather; Tony Jackson,my GG grandfather’s brother. Cora Parham, her father was brother to George Adams, J.N. (Slim) Parham, John Parham and my parents, Eather and Audrey M. Hunt. Some day my husband and I will be buried there.
Submitted by Judy Johnson.
Web Design & Graphics by MaryCarol
MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH
Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church – established 1824
Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church was Established June 19, 1824. It is one of the oldest, if not the oldest church in Weakley county that is still active and holding regular weekly worship services. This church has met regularly since 1824 and is still meeting today in Martin, TN.
The original Church covenant states the following:
On Saturday preceding the third Lord’s Day in June (6/19/1824), We, the members on Mud Creek, Weakley County, Tennessee, met and entered into the following covenant, to wit; For as much as Almighty God by His Grace has been pleased, as we hope, to call us out of darkness into his marvelous light and we all have been regularly baptized on a profession of our faith in Christ Jesus, and have given ourselves to the Lord and to each other in a gospel church way to be governed and guided by a proper discipline (as we believe) to the Word of God; We therefore in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by His assistance, covenant and agree to keep up the discipline of the church we are members of in the most brotherly love and affections toward each other while we endeavor punctually to observe the following rules: In brotherly love to pray for each other, to watch over one another, and if need be, in the most tender and affectionate manner, to reprove each other if we discover anything amiss in a brother taking the directions given by our Lord in the 18th Chapter of Matthew; and not to be whispering and backbiting. We also agree, if not Providentially hindered, to attend our church meeting and observe the Lord’s Day, and not to absent ourselves from the communion of the Lord’s Supper without a lawful excuse; and not to
neglect the defraying of the expenses of the church, and not depart from the fellowship of the church without a regular dismission.
These things we covenant and agree to observe and keep sacred in the most Holy Name of, and by the assistance of the Holy Trinity.
Submitted by Dave Scarbrough.
Web Design & Graphics by MaryCarol
Mary MURPHY COVILLAUD -PHOTO
Meriam Marjory “Mary” MURPHY COVILLAUD
Charles Julian COVILLAUD
Married Dec 25, 1848 at Sutter’s Fort, Sacramento, Calif
Charles Covillaud owned the land that became Marysville, Calif
Marysville, California was named after Mary Murphy COVILLAUD
| This treasured photo of Mary and Charles with two of their chldren Courtesy of Charlotte Couillaud and the Couillaud family of France.- Thank you, Charlotte. She told me that the name was really Couillaud but when Charles came to America, somehow it was changed to Covillaud. |
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