Anchors of Faith. Martha Dickson
Baptist Convention of America is one of the largest African American denominations. This body formed in 1988 when leaders of the National Baptist Convention of America, meeting in Dallas, voted to form this new convention with the goal of uniting all Missionary Baptist churches and organizations in the country for a wider ministry.
Roman Catholics. After the Civil War, black Roman Catholics mostly formed their own separate religious orders. Southern blacks seemed more at home with Protestant culture and, in general, affiliated with Protestant groups rather than the Catholic Church with its Latin rites and mostly urban outreach. Today, the African American Catholic community has increased nationally and is represented by the Subcommittee on African American affairs, which acts as the official voice in all matters of ministry. The National Black Catholic Congress and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops coordinate closely with this organization.
Today, black churches are among the most diverse as far as denominations are concerned.
There are churches of other denominations included in this book, such as Primitive Baptist and Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ. These, which are not as readily known in the South as the denominations above, are covered at the appropriate place in the text.
These early wooden churches, of varying denominations, are reminders of the indomitable religious spirit of the early settlers and of their will power and sheer physical strength. These churches are memorials of an enduring faith. Indeed, they are indelible “footprints on the sands of time” for succeeding generations.
Alabama
Autaugaville United Methodist Church
207 Autauga St. (off CR 21), Autaugaville, AL 36003
Autauga County
Organized as a church in 1822, Autaugaville’s Methodists erected this Greek Revival style church building in 1845. At that time, Autaugaville served the plantations and farms located on the rich bottom lands of the Alabama River. Greek Revival features include the in antis (recessed) portico with two box Tuscan columns and four pilasters. The double staircase leads to two doors. The church remains much as constructed and showcases a rare crown of thorns steeple. The church grounds include a small, ornate fence that encloses the cemetery.
The church continues an active ministry offering Sunday worship services.
Swift Presbyterian Church
23208 Swift Church Rd. (off Hwy. 20), Foley, AL 36535
Baldwin County
Located in a serene forest setting down a narrow road, this eclectically-styled historic church was built in an area known earlier as Sandy Creek, site of a logging operation. The logging company manager, Charles Swift and his wife, Susie Roberts Swift, were inspired by Mrs. Swift’s sister, Cornelia Miriam Roberts to build a church on a site in the pines that Miriam found especially spiritual. The sisters had attended Government Street Presbyterian Church in their native Mobile, so this church would be a Presbyterian one. Charles and Susie Swift donated both land and lumber to build the church. With additional help from family and friends, building began in 1905. Completed in 1907 and originally called “The Little Church in Piney Woods,” the church was formally organized by the Mobile Presbytery in 1910 with the name Swift Presbyterian Church, honoring its principal benefactors. This building has been recognized by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission.
Although a new, larger sanctuary has now been erected nearby, the original church building continues to serve as an alternate chapel.
Swedish Lutheran Zion Church
15875 4th Avenue, Silverhill, AL 36576
Baldwin County
This church was established in 1905, although the area east of Mobile Bay was developed by the Svea Land Company of Chicago beginning in 1896. Early settlers were Scandinavians, primarily Swedes, who had emigrated south from the American Midwest. The Swedish Baptist and Mission Covenant denominations formed churches before sixteen members of the Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Zion Church organized the current congregation. Swedish was used in the church school and for services until 1919. The devastating hurricane of 1906 caused widespread destruction and a mass exodus from the area. Perhaps this resulted in the church having visiting pastors (there were two other Swedish Lutheran churches in Alabama) and not building its own sanctuary until 1916. The church had its first permanent, resident pastor in 1919, when English replaced Swedish.
The architect, Victor Olson, was as member of the church; both men and women of the congregation did the actual construction. The interesting sanctuary reflects the latter period of the High Victorian Gothic style. Note the asymmetrical massing, pointed windows, cross-bracing in the gables, and small circular window above the entryway. The two demi-lune windows are classical rather than Gothic. The church has always been painted white. Interestingly, it was first lit by oil lamps, and it was served by outhouses until the 1950s. The church has been recognized by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission.
The church continues an active ministry in this small community.
Montgomery Hill Baptist Church
Danny Hall Rd. (CR 80 off Hwy. 59), Tensaw (Stockton), AL 36579
Baldwin County
The oldest surviving church building in Baldwin County, this church fellowship was established in 1840. The congregation’s country Greek Revival style church building was erected in 1854. The classical proportions, symmetry, low-pitched roof, and treatment of the gable end as a triangular pediment are characteristics of this neoclassical style. Continuing the pilaster motif along the church building’s sides is an unusual treatment, but it conforms to the high quality of this simple, but elegant, one-room sanctuary that features graining and paneling. The building retains the original slave gallery. A large cemetery is to the left of the church. The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission has placed a plaque at the church front.
Grace Episcopol Church
Louisville St., Clayton, AL 36016
Barbour County
Grace Episcopal was begun by the Reverend J. L. Gay as a mission station in 1844, shortly after the town was incorporated. In 1872, the Diocese of Alabama formally accepted the mission as Grace Church. CSA Major General Henry Delamar Clayton Sr. and his wife, Victoria, gave the lot. (General Clayton served as president of the University of Alabama, 1886-1889.) The simple, almost austere, country Gothic style building was begun in 1875 and completed in 1876. Gothic architectural elements include the very steep pitch of the roof and the pointed arches above the windows and door. The church has been recognized by the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, and the National Register of Historic Places.
Spring Hill United Methodist Church
2558 Springhill Rd. (near the intersection of CR 89 and CR 49), Comer (Midway), AL 36053
Barbour County
This striking Greek Revival church building with its prostyle portico composed of a strong pediment and Tuscan box columns is surrounded