Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Historic Mt. Moriah Celebrates 176th Anniversary

by M. A. B. Carmichael

Historic Mt. Moriah Fellowship Baptist Church will celebrate the 176th anniversary of its 1828 founding with Homecoming on Sunday, October 10, 2004 . Dr. William H. Yeldell will be the speaker at the only service of the year for this "little church that would not die". James Donald Carmichael, M. D., of Birmingham will preside. The church is located on the county line of Butler and Wilcox Counties just off of Butler Springs Road (County Road 7) between Forest Home and Pine Apple, on Mt. Moriah Road . The congregation will sit in Butler County while Dr. Yeldell will preach to them from Wilcox County , just feet away from each other.

All with connections to the church or community or those with interest are invited to attend the service and stay for dinner on the grounds.

Speaker:

The speaker for Homecoming this year is Dr. William H. Yeldell, pastor of the Mandarin Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida

Dr. Yeldell's roots are deep in Butler County with ancestors living in Butler County since the 1820's, right after Alabama became a state. His great-great grandparents were Robert and Frances (Powers) Yeldell who, in 1858, built the beautiful home now called "Dellmont". His great grandfather, William James, was born there and married Mary Jane Atkins, born on The Ridge. After their marriage they lived at "Dellmont" where all of their children were born, among them Dr. Yeldell's grandfather, Robert Oliver Yeldell who moved to Catherine , Alabama about 1918 after his marriage to Dora Watson.

Dr. Yeldell was born in Jacksonville , Florida . He received a B. A. in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Florida State University which he attended with a Football Athletic Scholarship. He Received his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Doctorate of Missiology from Covenant International School of Missionary Evangelism.

For Dr. Yeldell, there have been a variedy to mission trips that have included Gallop, New Mexico ; Valencia , Venezuela ; Malawi , Africa , and to Israel . He has spoken to and lead various state and local denomination conferences and seminars in Florida .

Dr. Yeldell has been Pastor of the Mandarin Baptist Church since 1984. Prior to that he served as First Director of the Singles Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville from 1976-1984. In 1971 he served the Springdale Baptist Church of Ft. Worth Texas as their Education and Youth Director.

Dr. Yeldell is married to the former Linda G. Bailey. They have three children, William Gary, Jennifer Elizabeth, and Robert Eric. The end of this July, 2004, they became first time grandparents.

When Dr. Yeldell preaches his sermon, a large number of the congregation will be his distant kin. The county line of Butler and Wilcox runs through the church. The pulpit of the tiny church is in Wilcox County while the congregation sits in Butler County .

Special Music:

Special music will be provided by Skip Adell, soloist.

Organist

Organist will be Mary Ann Ezell of Pine Apple who will play the century old pump organ for the congregation to sing.

Song Leader:

Song leader for the 176th anniversary celebration will be Nell Luckie (Mrs. J. Pat Luckie).

Ushers:

Ushers this year will be Timothy H. Steen of Pine Apple and Lawrence A. Knight, III of Montgomery.

Memorials:

Barge, Daniel Bythewood Jr. age 82, died July 1, 2004 in Nashville , TN. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Stevens Barge. He is survived by his wife, Alice Ann Vaughan Barge; his children, Marianne and Bob Wightman, Nancy and Scott Summers, Dan and Susan Barge, III, Betty and Wilson Primm, Sally and Greg Hawley, Tom Barge; 7 grandchildren and 9 step grandchildren. Mr. Barge was a member of Belle Meade United Methodist Church . He founded the firm of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon and was former President of the American Society of Civil Engineers. His honors include being named Engineer of the year by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, Distinguished Alumnus of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame and he was honored by the Tennessee Engineering Center . He was a member of numerous technical and professional engineering organizations, had served as President of the Kiwanis Club of Nashville , the Cumberland Club and was a member of Hillwood Country Club. Funeral services were Belle Meade United Methodist Church with interment in Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens . Active Pallbearers were grandsons and nephews.

Cox, Margaret Lee Yeldell, age 92, died April 23, 2003 in Dallas , Texas . She was born in Mexia , Texas , daughter of Alice Luckie and John Charles Yeldell, one of Mexia's pioneering families. She attended the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University where she was a Chi Omega and SMU "Beauty" in 1929. After she and her family moved to Dallas in 1949, she became a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and was very involved in working with her children and their activities. In 1959 the family returned to Mexia where she was involved with the First United Methodist Church of Mexia, the Mexia Garden Club, La Belle Maison Club, and bridge clubs. She was an astute business woman, a skilled bridge player, and an avid traveler who traveled to many places including Alaska , Machu Pichu, the Amazon, and the Passion Play in Oberammergau , Germany .

She is survived by her two sons, Barton Lee Cox, Jr., and wife Erika of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; John Yeldell Cox and wife Susan of Dallas; grand-daughter Julie Cox Greenly and husband Tom of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; granddaughter Leslie Ryan Cox and Lauren Elizabeth Cox of Dallas; three great-grandchildren, Tyler Thomas Greenly, Margaret Madison Greenly and Megan Caroline Greenly of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The funeral was at First United Methodist Church of Mexia with burial in Mexia Cemetery .

Crowe, Aline Norred Melton, age 76, died December 29, 2003 at Niceville , Florida . She was born in Pine Apple, daughter of John Burke and Merle Rikard Norred and was educated at Moore Academy .

After the death of her first husband, Bruner Melton, she returned to college and obtained a teaching degree from Montevallo College , Montevallo , Alabama . Following her teaching career, she married W. Schmidt Crowe and lived the remainder of her life in Valparaiso , Florida . She was a founding member of Bluewater Baptist Church of Niceville, Florida.

Mrs. Crowe is survived by her husband, W. S. (Schmidt) Crowe; 3 sons, Michael, Johnny, and Frank (Carolyn) Melton; her sister, Juliet Norred Brunson (Jim) of Jacksonville , FL ; her brother Frank Rikard Norred (Nell) of Hayneville , AL and an uncle, William S. Norred ( Doris ) of Pine Apple; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The funeral was held at Friendship Baptist Church in Pine Apple with Dr. Haywood Day, Pastor of Bluewater Baptist Church of Nicevile, FL and Rev. Willie Crawford of Pine Apple officiating. She was buried in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery .

Pall bearers were David Arne, Larry Mobley, Keith Norred, Roger Norred, Harold Grimes, and Melvin Stanford.

Donald, Vivian Frazer, age 88, died October 20, 2003 in Sevierville , TN. A native of Alabama , she was the daughter of the late John William Frazer, an eminent Methodist minister and granddaughter of the late John Stanley Frazer, for whom Frazer Memorial Methodist Church in Montgomery , Alabama was named. She was a graduate of Converse College in Spartanburg , South Caroline where she was member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Later, she taught thirty three years in the Alabama school system;

Mrs. Donald was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William J. Donald (a pioneer in Alabama public health who was Associate State Health Officer) and by her step-son Joe Paul Donald. Survivors include: daughters Sara Donald and husband Robert Jenkins of Gatlinburg, Lucy Donald Causby and husband Glenn Causby of Sylva, NC; grandson, William Wesley Causby of Sylva, NC; step-children, William J. Donald of Tuscaloosa, AL and Jane Donald Smith of Fairhope, AL, and their descendents; brother, Frank Betts Frazer of Mobile, AL; sister Nancy Frazer Luckett of S. Salem, NY.

Her funeral services were at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with interment in Mt. Moriah Cemetery .

Jackson, Dr. James Lamar, age 86, died in Evergreen , AL Feb. 22, 2004 at his residence. He is a native of Alabama whose father was a Baptist pastor in the state. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama , received a Master of Theology degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a D. D. from Samford university, Birmingham . Dr. Jackson served churches in Indiana , Southern Pines, NC, and Birmingham where he served the Ensley Baptist Church from 1948-1957 and Southside Baptist Church 1957-1980. He preached twice at Mt. Moriah Fellowship Church 's Homecomings and annual service, first in 1964 and then again in 1984.

Dr. Jackson served in many capacities as part of the Birmingham Baptist Association. With the Alabama Baptist State Convention, he served as a member of the Board of Directors, on the Management Board of the Schocco Springs Baptist Assembly, on the Executive Board of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and served as Chairman of three successive Future Program Planning Committees which recommended the creation of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission; he was a member of the Special Committee which led to the founding of Mobile College and in many other capacities.

He was an author with articles published in many Reviews, Quarterlies, Commentaries, and The Alabama Baptist. His prayers and sermons were broadcast in Alabama , America and abroad over The Voice of America.

He also served as President of the Greater Birmingham Ministers Association, as a Director of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts of America, as a member of the inter-racial committee of the Council of Social Agencies, among others. He was a member of the Evergreen Baptist Church and the Evergreen Rotary Club.

He is survived by is wife, Carolyn Cumbie Jackson of Evergreen/Andalusia, AL; a son James Lamar Jackson, Jr., Denver, CO; daughters Mary Helen Dixon (Mrs. Joseph M. Dixon, Jr.), Birmingham; Dr. Betty Lou Land (Mrs. J. Phillip), Rock Hill, SC; Rev. Sarah Jackson Shelton (Mrs. Lloyd C. Shelton), Birmingham; brother, John Phillips Jackson, Panama City, FL; Sister, Sophie Jackson Garrett, Jackson, AL and 8 grandchildren.

Services were at the Evergreen Baptist Church . Interment was in Bellville Baptist Church Cemetery .

Strother, Louise Robins, age 73, died February 25, 2004 at Selma . She was the daughter of Louise Donald Robins and William Gregg Robins. She was a graduate of the University of Montevallo , an accomplished pianist and gifted artist. She was an avid conservationist, active in the management of her family's timber business, and in her young widowhood, continued her education in forestry as well as art at Auburn University . Mrs. Strother was a national officer of Daughters of Founders and Patriots, and a member of Daughters of American Revolution, Daughters of American Colonists, and United Daughters of the Confederacy. Mrs. Strother enjoyed her family, the arts, the outdoors, and traveling.

Mrs. Strother was preceded in death by her husband, James Bethea Strother. Survivors include her daughters, Louise Strother McEvoy of Camden , Robins Strother McMurtire of Huntsville , AL ; sister, Grace Robins Schulte of Birmingham ; grandchildren, Arnold Strother Holt, Sarah Robins McMurtire, James Donald McEvoy, James Thompson McMurtire; niece, Grace Schulte Adamson; great nephews, Andrew, Gregg, and Jonathan Higgins; and numerous cousins.

Graveside services were at New Live Oak Cemetery with the Rector Huey Gardner, son of her close friend, officiating.

Traweek, Addie age 104, a lifelong resident of Butler County who was known by everyone as "Babe", and was Butler County 's oldest resident, passed away May 21, 2004 in Georgiana. She was one of 10 children born to Robert and Marsha Traweek. She owned a seamstress shop in the downtown area many years ago before closing it. She then began working in Montgomery for the Singer Sewing Company. She lived quietly in her home until she was 100 when she moved to the Georgiana Nursing Home. She maintained her good spirits until the end. Funeral services were held in Georgiana with Rev. Allen Stephenson and Handy Williams officiating. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery . Survivors include his sister, Gertha Sowell of Georgiana, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Watson, William Hinote age 73, who died July 14, 2004 , was a lifelong resident of Greenville and owner of Watson's Home Furnishings which he co-founded with his father about 50 years ago. He was a graduate of Greenville High School where he played football. He earned all the requisite badges for Eagle Scout and served in the military as Lieutenant and served as a tank commander. He attended Auburn University , was a member of the Woodland Heights Methodist Church and Chaired its Board, and was instrumental in the arts in Greenville .

Survivors include his wife, Myralyn Watson of Greenville ; two daughters, Clare Watson of Montgomery and Traweek Watson of Atlanta ; his son, William Watson (Courtney) of Montgomery ; his mother-in-law, Effie Traweek of Greenville ; and his granddaughter, Hannah Watson.

Pallbearers were David Scott, Bill Harden, Joseph Rossamonna, William Poole, John Ward, Allen Ward and Jon Morgan. Honorary pallbearers were the men of Woodland Heights Methodist Church .

Funeral services were at Woodland Heights Methodist Church with interment in Magnolia Cemetery .

Committee

The committee for the October 2004 Homecoming include Hal and Virinia Grimes, Caroline Steen, Julian Steen, Don and Mary Charles Donald of Pine Apple; Myralyn Watson of Greenville; Steve and Barbara Davison, and Pat and Nell Luckie of Monterey; Lawrence and Lynn Knight of Montgomery; Jerry and Earline Wood of Equality, Alabama; Hugh and Bobbie Dudley, and Michael and Robbie Dudley Klemm of Huntsville; James and Martha Lampkin of Daphne; Robert Steen of Grove Hill; Grace Schulte, Red and Phoebe Robinson, Tom and Lynn Donald, Gray and Jane Till, and Donald and Mary Alice Carmichael of Birmingham; and Margaret Donald van Schaack of Middleburg, Virginia.

History, long ago and recent

This small historic church was formed 176 years ago, on May 3,1828 by a dozen people, a preacher, (Kedar Hawthorn) six men, (Thomas Trowel, Eliza Brown, George W. Nolen, all part of the Presbytery; Leonard Scott, Dabney Palmer, and Joel Bagget); four women (Martha Hawthorn; Lucinda Scott; Clarissa Palmer, and Jane Baggett), and one slave, Sawney, who was the property of Dabney Palmer. All were of equal status within the church. At the time of its founding in 1828 James Monroe was President of the

United States

and it was four years before the last of the Alabama lands belonging to the Creek and Cherokee nations were deeded by them to the

United States

. The grounds of the church and nearby hillside had been occupied long before the church was formed. Less than a mile from the church building is a well defined Indian mound and Indian artifacts, beads, projectile points, and a glazed pipe bowl from the 1700's have been found nearby. At least 200 to 250 years after the mound had been built, a local farmer would park his tractor on top of that mound so that on cold mornings when his tractor would not start, he could use the steep slope of this truncated mound to "jump start" his tractor. A cave, known locally as "The Panther Cave" is nearby. Some years prior to 1828 the name of an early explorer and the date of his visit was carved deep in the interior of the cavern. Springs dot the hillsides of this area surrounding the church.

When this little church was formed, Alabama had been a state for a scant 9 years. There were parts of our state that still were listed as "Indian Lands" on the maps, land west of here, just before the Mississippi border, and to the east, near Georgia, This area was in transition. It had been part of the "wild west" of our country. Only 25 years before it was formed, the Louisiana Purchase extended our country across the Mississippi to the Pacific.

This spot, across the Butler/Wilcox county border, was a good place to settle, with water nearby, hills sloping gently to the prairie lands below. It was developing into the farms and plantations from which the tales and legends of "the old south" came.

The early Records of Mt. Moriah Fellowship Church show that some of the congregation lacked self control and were somewhat undisciplined. Others of the congregation were trying diligently to raise the level of lawfulness and respect among the members. Without nearby law enforcement (the Sheriff was 25 miles away, over wagon trails and small sections of the Old Federal Road ) the Church tried to fill the gap and tried to "nip in the bud" any minor infraction before it got out of hand.

One of the first orders of business of the new church was the establishment of "Rules of Decorum" delineating "our duty according to directions of the gospel to conduct all our business in decency and order", creating the format for the monthly conference and stating the rules on how individuals should conduct themselves. It allowed no male member to be absent from the conventions except by permission of the Moderator and if a white male member was absent, that person would then have to appear before the next Convention and explain why they were not present or risk being expelled from the church.

In the early years of the church almost every monthly Convention had a list of new members, joining either "by experience", by letter, or by voucher and there was an occasional baptism of a new believer. The new members were fairly evenly divided between white members and those who, the Record indicates, were the property of others. All were brothers and sisters in the church in life; in death, they were buried in the same cemetery.

In the second year of its existence, 175 years ago, the church faced its first challenge of how to deal with an errant member who happened to be "Bro. Sawney", perhaps the very Sawney who was a founder of the church and who was the "property of Dabney Palmer". For almost six months a decision was delayed because Bro. Sawney did not appear at the monthly Conference to answer the charge against him. Finally, he was dismissed for adultery, but in short order, before he was dismissed, another case proceeded quickly through the membership when the church "took up the case of Sister Mary Danviss and expelled her for marrying a second husband whilst her first husband was living". Brother Sawney was soon restored to fellowship, following intervention by Dabney Palmer, his owner. Discipline was meted out from time to time to those individuals who were stealing pigs and chickens, who spoke ill of others, who spread rumors, and who used their wagons for business on the Sabbath.

150 years ago [1854]

One hundred fifty year ago, 1854, Mt. Moriah Fellowship Church was a bit more than a quarter of a century old. Millard Fillmore was the President of the U.S. The successful war with Mexico had been concluded a half dozen years before, surprizingly leaving a permanent mark in the small village just east of the Mt. Moriah where some of its members lived: this little village was renamed "Monterey" in honor of one of the successful battles.

One of the members who lived in Monterey, a beloved physician, Dr. Daniel Bythewood, who was a fairly recent newlywed, found himself subject of scrutiny and possible discipline by Mt. Moriah Fellowship Baptist Church. Taken directly from the original records of the church and using the spelling of February 1854, we learn: "From a sircumstance of Dr. D. Bythwood having had a dancing party in his home & having partook in the dance, he was seen & an interview had with [him] on the subject ... which he says from his having been brought up to look on dancing as a harmless amusement and from embracing toleration by his parents in his raising &c he considered there was no harm or guilt in it but in so doing if he had trangressed a Rule of the church, or embarassed the feelings of the bretheren he was sorry for so doing &c. which statement being considered satisfactory the case is dismissed."

The dismissal of the case against Dr. Bythwood was not the end of the matter, for the next month the church again spoke on this subject: "By motion we take up the subject as to the proprity of church Members dancing or tolerating of it in any way. After some deliberation on the matter and interchange of views on the same:

Resolved: that we as church condemn the practice in every way and we will not consent to tolerate or allow our children to participate in the practice."

By the time the 19th century closed, the records of the little church were indicating that services and conferences were becoming more routine. The Records were not kept with the same diligence, infractions were rarely mentioned, and entries became more erratic as the 20th century began.

By the middle of the 20th century, much of the old community had dwindled, many homes were no longer occupied, and the little church shriveled in its membership.