Historic Places - Jackson's Ramblings

The Old Scotland Presbyterian Church was built in 1837 according to the National Historic Registry.

The community of Old Scotland in Monroe County was settled by families from Georgia and the Carolinas among other areas, many of whose families were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Historians say that the Old Scotland community got its name because of the area’s close resemblance to the native country of those that settled there.

The Old Scotland Presbyterian Church was originally made of logs. That structure was replaced in 1837 by the wooden frame building is now standing.

As early as the 1920s, most of the residents had moved to Franklin, Monroeville, and other communities in the local area. Because of this fact the church to discontinued regular services.

Now there is one service a year held there as a memorial service held. There is a Facebook page that can be checked for the dates. https://www.facebook.com/OldScotlandPresbyterianChurch

At the time of this writing the 200^th anniversary service will be held April 23, 2023.

The church’s cemetery has graves of several Civil War soldiers. This church is listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

The church is located approximately 2.25 miles from County Rd 42 (Ridge Road) not far from the community of Tunnel Springs Alabama. Coordinates 31.66772, -87.27354

The cemetery holds the graves of those with the last names of Mcmillan, Davison, Dennis, Dunn, English, Falkenberry, Fountain, Jackson, McCorvey, Nettles, Rumbley, Simmons, Smith, Stevens, and Wiggins.

Here is a YouTube drone video taken in 2016.

https://youtu.be/ZVNEBOSH1Rw

The beautiful old Philadelphia Baptist is located at the small community of Tunnel springs Alabama. A community located on Hwy 21 North of Peterman Al. Tunnel Springs is a small town that was located the L&N Railroad and has a railroad tunnel that is not far from the church. The town has pretty much dried up now there are some residents still there but no stores or postoffice are open any more.

Philadelphia Baptist Church

Philadelphia Baptist Church as founded in 1840. It was located at the site of what is now Antioch Baptist located on Co Rd 42 a few miles away closer to the community known as Pine Orchard.

Philadelphia started out with a congregation that consisted of both black and white people. Both races worshipped together and were buried in the same cemetery. This remained until 1870. At that time the congregation split and the black’s remained at what is not Antioch and the white people moved to what I the present site of Philadelphia Baptist Church.

The present building which contains two towers and a belfry was originally built for a whopping sum of $3,000. It was finished in the early 1900’s. Around 1913.

The first recorded pastor of the church when it was in the original location was the Rev. John McWilliams. He came to Monroe County from North Carolina in 1827. He remained pastor till 1870.

The building standing today is the original building. It has had several renovations with carpet flooring ect. being changed on the inside. Other than painting and the steps and entrance ways the outride is basically unchanged.

Below is a video of Mr Allen Ramer a long time member of Philadelphia Baptist Church telling about the rich history of this beautiful church.