Cedar Plains Christian Church

THE HISTORY OF CEDAR PLAINS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

I am pleased this week to share a story from the “The Heritage of Morgan County, Alabama” which was published by the Morgan County Genealogy Society. The story is titled “Cedar Pains Christian Church” and was written by Pernie Morris and submitted by the Committee. (Cedar Plains Christian Church)- Cedar Plains is one of the historic churches of Morgan County, located five miles west of Falkville. It is probably the oldest Christian Church in the state of Alabama with continuous service. Dr. A.C. Henry, pioneer preacher, preached there in 1874 and several years afterward. The church was able to “furnish provisions for him and his family” and Brother William Wood proposed to teach his children for half price.

Early records were destroyed when the home of W.P. Wallace burned, making it difficult to state exact dates of early events. It is known that in the fall of 1839, William M. Hackworth, Thomas Wallace, Jane Wallace, Polly Hackworth, Ann Raley and Sallie A. Hackworth made their confessions and were immersed. In 1849 or 1850, a log building was built, for the use of church and school. Before there was a building, meetings were here in the dwelling.

One of the early preachers was Jessie T. Wood Sr., alled the “Walking Bible.” The land for the church was given by J. T. and Mary Jane Wood. Between 1880 and 1884, a frame building was erected about twenty feet north of the log building. (W. O. Henderson returned home in 1947.) The Falkville Christian Unity was formed of Falkville, Piney Grove and Cedar Plains Christian Churches. They bought a house in Falkville for a parsonage.

On April 24, 1955, the church building was destroyed by a tornado. Work on a new building began in July. Most of the labor was voluntary. Money from insurance, sale of the parsonage and contributions enabled the church to be paid for when dedicated 10/14/56. Since then, many improvements have been made. Brother Jim Henderson is currently pastor. (A picture is included with this story of Cedar Plains Christian Church of a group of people gathered at the church. The following is a list of names that were submitted to me with the picture and they are from left to right first row, Jessie Wood, Perry Patterson, Orval Early, Jim King, Charles Summerford, Walter Morris and 2nd row, Sallie Patterson, Annie King, Sallie King, Henry Morris, Effie Orr, Burl Orr, Tom Woods, Blan Sandlin and 3rd row, Mollie Inman, Sallie Inman, Guy Patterson, Berta Vest, Ella Sherrill, Sallie Gibson, Randolph Sandlin and Floyd Powell.The number 2 person on the 1st row and the number 4 person on the 2nd row are not named.

A Special “Thanks” goes out this week to Frances Rowe of Massey for sharing a 1930’s area and community quilt with some of the residents who pieced part of the quilt for Thursey Inman Penn, wife of David Walker Penn. Their children were Roy, Sallie Bet and Clarence Penn. Sallie Bet married James David Hardwick and operated the Massey switchboard. Roy Penn married Glennie McCaig of the Lebanon community. Also special thanks to Rhona Summerford for her Penn genealogy research at the archieves. Each contributer embroided her name in the corner of her square. Hattie Mae Hardin had dated hers, 1934. As individuals who love old quilts and family quilts and as a community, we appreciate the quilters, those who preserved the quilt and those who sold and bought it and then shared it as a treasure.

A group from Corinth West Baptist spent the week at the Baptist Church in Fulton, Kentucky on a mission trip. Brother Glenn Miller was the evangelist for their revival. Taylor and Jessie Emerson, Patricia Echols, Shanda and Tim Garner, Carson and Bryant Garner helped with the Bible School and with repairs. Dennis Trimble is president of the West Cullman Baptist Association and was the leader for the Mission trip. Several members from other West Cullman Baptist Churches also participated.