On a recent trip out in the areas on the West side of the Alabama River where the counties of Monroe, Wilcox, and Clarke all run together I went into an area that is almost like a no man’s land so to speak. The reason I say that is part of it belongs to Monroe County and is cut off by the river with no way to access it but, to come around through Clarke County, or go up and cross the river and come through Wilcox County. The areas of Clarke are remote and distant, and the areas in Wilcox are the same way.
On this trip I wound up in Lower Peach Tree. Basically, Lower Peach Tree is an intersection of Wilcox County roads 35 and 1, with a convenience store most noticeably on the corner. I approached from the West coming into the intersection. Turning left and traveling North for only a short distance I found an old white church standing tall and stately beside a cemetery.
This was yet one more historic old Methodist Church with a strong long history in the Southland. Upon closer examination I found a small sign on the side of the church sign stating that it was listed as one of the Blackbelt Treasures. There was a number to call to get a recording on the history of the church.
Below is MY INTERPETATION of what was given on that recording.
Peachtree Methodist Church and Cemetery.
The earliest church building was a log hewn building dating to their early 1820s. This was shortly after lower Peachtree was settled and Alabama became a state.
Around 1825 the Asbury Chapel or Church was built in the vicinity of Asbury Cemetery. Asbury Cemetery is now known by most as lower Peachtree Cemetery. Both the church and cemetery were named in honor of Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury.
In 1832 the Alabama conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. Preaching places within the bounds of the Mobile district included lower Peachtree.
The circuit preachers were John Laney and Gerald Whittington and the church continued in that circuit until 1846.
The church continued to be called Asbury Church by the local congregation. The first preacher appointed full time to the lower Peachtree circuit was Reverend Andrew J Hill in 1846.
The new site for the Lower Peachtree Methodist Church South occurred in 1873. At this time the Northrup family donated the land on which the present church is located. Construction of the current building was completed in 1874. The church remained active through the 1900s. This was in spite of the terrible tornado that hit lower Peachtree in 1913. That tornado left 28 dead and many others injured and much of the buildings in town demolished. Most of the persons killed by the storm are buried in the lower Peachtree cemetery.
In February 1986 a meeting was held, the closing of the church was considered. The result of the meeting was continuous service on each 5th Sunday.
There were less than 20 members on role. After that it was stated that services usually have over 20 persons present counting active members and visitors. The annual homecoming is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in May.
I am not sure of the date of that recording. I am not sure when or if they have any kind of service at this church anymore. From the unkept appearance it is no longer in use but that is just an assumption. At any rate it is in need of sprucing back up.
As I stood and looked at this beautiful old building and the surrounding property, I could only imagine the good times that had been experienced there by those in generations past. I could imagine the folks in the beginning coming on horseback and on wagons. In later years in buggies and finer carriages possibly. Then in times after that cars coming with some horses and mules still tied to the side. Finally just cars and pickups.
I could picture in my mind young people laughing and running. I could picture diners on the ground with piles of food. Ha ha I could almost smell the fried chicken and I got hungry and had to leave.
It saddens me every time I see one of these old churches that sits empty and no appearance of every being rejuvenated. Sitting out in a very rural area with no viable population close by. As sad as it sounds it appears that this one will not last for another generation to enjoy.
I so hope I am wrong.
I think the community of Methodist Episcopalians who formed the original congregation are the same who moved in covered wagons to a very large acreage on the Rio Grande River in 1857 and built their first protestant church with a true cultural collaboration.
Interesting point.