Tuscumbia Shed Church
Colbert County Alabama; Tuscumbia Alabama; church; African American Church; African American History; Tuscumbia Shed Church
This church was located close to what is now downtown Tuscumbia. The original buildings were cotton gins sheds. It has been said that these cotton gin sheds were used as a church as far back as the year 1870. The church served as a place of worship for African Americans of all Christian denominations. This was in part due African American parishioners not having churches to call their own. The location of the church was originallyon a hill that now serves as the Basden Bus Company parking lot.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
Arthur Graves interview by Sam Keiser. November 11, 2015
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 35
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
November 30, 2015
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
High Street Church of Christ
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia Alabama; Church; African American Church; African American History; High Street Church of Christ
Former members of the Church of Christ in the Ricks community originally founded the High Street Church of Christ. The congregation first met in the home of one of its members to worship. The congregation continued to grow and moved to the Art Fellows Hall and then to Trenholm High School. Between 1921 and 1922 the congregation put together plans to create their own church building on Ninth and High Streets. The High Street Church of Christ can still be found at this location today.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 39
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
November 30, 2015
Zion First Baptist Missionary Church
Colbert County, Alabama; Cherokee, Alabama; Zion Missionary Church; African American History; African American Church
Zion Church used to be an white Baptist church prior to the Civil War. During the war, the church was used as a hospital by Union troops. After the Civil War, the white parishioners no longer wanted to use the church as it had become defiled. Because of this the church was then sold to an African American congregation that used to meet across the railroad tracks. The original building is still intact though there have been several additions since it was first built. The color of the bricks can be used as indicators to identify the additions. The darker colored bricks indicate the additions to the church. The church can be found off Lee Hwy in Cherokee, Alabama.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
Arthur Graves interview by Sam Keiser. November 11, 2015
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
November 30, 2015
text, picture
Lesley Temple CME Church
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; African American Church; Lesley Temple CME Church; African American History
Lesley Temple CME church is a Methodist church first formed in 1880 under Pastor Lesley. The church was first located at a site called Gin Hill on what used to be Highway 43. The church was rebuilt in 1927. Because building paper which was placed on the outside of the building the church garnered the nickname “Black Paper Church.” The church is now located on High Street in Tuscumbia, Alabama. As of 2015, the church will be celebrating its 135th anniversary.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 39
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
November 30, 2015
text
Church of Christ
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; African American history; African American Church; African American History
The church is located near Lagrange College and the home of Abraham Ricks. The church no longer holds regular services. A former slave, Parson George Ricks, established the church. After gaining his freedom, Parson Ricks took work as a cotton picker. He worked this job until he could afford land. After reaching this goal he built his church on 300 acres of land. The building only has one room and served as a school as well.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
McWilliams, John L. Tuscumbia. Charleston, S.C., South Carolina: Arcadia Pub. 2012. 66-67
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
December 1, 2015
text
First Baptist Church of Tuscumbia
Colbert County, Alabama; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Churches; African American Church; African American History
The First Baptist Church of Tuscumbia was originally formed by a small group of African American worshipers. The church was established in 1866 shortly after the Civil War under the guidance of Elder W.E. Northcross. The church members did not have an official church building to meet at so they were forced to constantly relocate their meetings. The members of the church were able to eventually buy property on Eleventh and High Streets. The building the congregation built would also serve as the site of a school for African American youth. The building, which was made of brick, was completed in 1892. Membership in the church grew so rapidly that the First Baptist Church in Tuscumbia became the largest congregation of African Americans in Colbert County.
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 35-37
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
December 1, 2015
text
First Baptist Missionary Church
Colbert County, Alabama; Sheffield Alabama; African American Church; Church; African American History
First Baptist Missionary Church was originally founded in 1886. The first church consisted of two wooden buildings. These buildings would later be destroyed in a fire. The congregation was then forced to use the Masonic Hall as their new meeting place. Eventually, the City of Sheffield donated two lots for the use of the congregation. A new building for the congregation was planned. Taking note of the earlier fire, the congregation decided that the new building would be made of brick. The church building would last until 1965 when a new building was constructed for the congregation. The ground was officially broken two years later in 1967. The church can be found on 1103 Sterling Blvd, Sheffield, AL 35660
Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama
Colbert County Heritage Book Committee (Colbert County, Ala.). 1999. The Heritage of Colbert County, Alabama. Clanton, AL: Heritage Pub. Consultants. 70
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
text
Leon Vandiver Oral History Recording
Montgomery; Alabama; Trenholm Court; African American; black; education; Alabama State University; Booker T. Washington High School; church; segregation; food; marching band; oral history
Oral interview of Leon Vandiver recorded by Keith S. Hebert in December 2016 for the Montgomery County Historical Society as part of their Alabama Bicentennial commemorations. The interview was conducted at Vandiver's home in Montgomery, Alabama. To listen to the full interview, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-319206458/vandiver-leon-2016" target="_blank">click here to access the Soundcloud file.</a>
Keith S. Hebert
To listen to the full interview, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-319206458/vandiver-leon-2016" target="_blank">click here to access the Soundcloud file.</a>
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
2016
1953-2016
Montgomery County Historical Society
MP3; audio recording
English
Oral History
2005.36.127: Kate to Unknown, 1859 June 19
Cousin; Henry; Church; Rain; Illness; Sunday; Brother; Sadness; Eufaula; Alabama; Carrie; Affection; Death; Sally; Brother
A letter from Kate to Unknown, concerning the state of the family and family friends. Cousin Henry, Sally, and Carrie are mentioned. Kate continuously mentions her sadness at the recipient's absence. 3 handwritten pages
Kate
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
Bartow History Museum
Auburn University
1859 June 19
Erik Haeuser
Auburn University
Bartow History Museum
JPEG
English
Manuscript