The information below
is from documentation of papers in possession of Pam Moore, granddaughter of Walter Wade
and Audrey (Tompkins) Ezzell that she inherited from her grandparents.
This is about the Belgreen Baptist Church. I do not know who
wrote it.
Belgreen Methodist Church
The Belgreen Methodist Church was organized in 1806. Leaders in
the early church were Robert Terrell Ezzell, Reuben Hooper, James Ezzell and James L.
Thomson.
These young men all married Honeycutt sisters. They moved here
from Cleburn County after the close of the Civil War, the first of the coming in 1865.
The first church building was built about two miles north of Belgreen on the Frankfort
Road. It was a log cabin and was served by a circuit rider from Tuscumbia. At that time
Belgreen was in the Tennessee Conference.
The next building was a larger log cabin built on the plot of ground that was deeded for a
church and burying ground by Bob Ezzell. This is near the present location. Tents were
made and camp meetings were held there. In those days when in camp meeting was held. The
people came and stayed for the entire meeting. They would go home in the afternoon to feed
their stock and gather the eggs, and then they would return and spend the nights at the
camp meeting.
The third building was constructed about one-fourth mile from the present church in the
area back of where Jack Hamilton now lives and was built by James L. Thompson and his son,
Jim. This church was built when the courthouse was at Belgreen (the courthouse was at
Belgreen from 1875 until 1890) and was used until the present brick building was finished
in 1928. This building is near the old campground.
Some of the superintendents of the Sunday school include James L. Thompson, Charley Foot,
Pierce McDowell, John Petree, Mart Barber, Carl Barber, Austin Nelson, Carl R. Wood,
Gaither Ezzell, Miss Mattie Hester and now serving, J. O. LeMay, Jr.
Some of the ministers of this church are:
Rev. A. Whitten
L. S. Stancil
Theo Copeland
R. I. Walston
L. F. Rudisill
W. E. Gibson
Coats Hardin
J. L. Hill
J. W. Syeler
S. W. Brooks
E. D. Totherow
J. M. Be
J. W. Farrell
J. D. Taylor
J. A. Gann
L. F. Foust
L. P. Martin.
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