Posts tagged ‘Alabama Black Belt History’
Valley Creek Presbyterian Church: History and Families Pt. I
PART I. EARLY HISTORY, PIONEER FAMILIES AND CEMETERY: Part I of a three-part series offering a brief history of Valley Creek Presbyterian Church, it’s families, events and impact in the greater Dallas County community.
(Valley Grande, Dallas County, Alabama) “One of the most picturesque spots that teems with historical interest…”(5), Valley Creek Presbyterian Church is located 5 miles north-west of Selma on the hills between Range Line and Summerfield roads. Valley Creek Presbyterian is considered the “Mother Church” of all Presbyterian Churches in the Selma area as well as in Dallas County.
The history of Valley Creek Presbyterian Church is diverse and includes contributions from Scotch-Irish pioneers and the enslaved people they brought into the state, who both helped to build the community in Dallas County.
While much is said about the Scotch-Irish settlers, and the stately brick church, few records remain concerning the enslaved people who contributed to Valley Creek Presbyterian. Enslaved people attended services, unseen, gathering in the basement of the church. After Emancipation, the former slaves went on to establish churches throughout Dallas County. Churches offered not only a place to worship but were a stabilizing influence that helped Blacks to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of slavery. Churches were looked to as a “safe haven” that offered support, offered places for meeting, prepared members for leadership roles, provided education, offered material assistance, and much more. Black Churches also played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement.
This article will discuss the families and events important to the founding of Valley Creek Presbyterian Church; including how slavery impacted the development of the church. It will also include reflections of my own family history in Valley Creek.
The Early History of Valley Creek Presbyterian Church
Valley Creek Presbyterian Church is the oldest Presbyterian congregation established in Alabama. Eight Scotch-Irish families from Mecklenburg and York County, North Carolina are considered founders of the church. Travelling by wagon train from North Carolina, these pioneer families brought the religious practices of their homeland into Alabama. Along the long journey, the settlers stopped to engage in worship on every Sabbath. Upon arrival in the new territory, these families sought to create a church even before their own homes were completed. The first church service held among these settlers was held in 1816, under the expansive branches of an oak tree. A preacher named James Sloss conducted service and is credited with organizing the church. Sloss later became a pastor at Valley Creek Presbyterian in 1822.
In 1818, Reverend Francis Porter, who migrated from Long Cane Church, Abbeville, South Carolina, became the first pastor, teaching school along with conducting ministerial duties. Early meetings were now held in a primitive log structure. A sermon book from “back home” was used to lead the service. The church had no musical instruments except for a tuning fork, whose tone was used to guide the singing of hymns (3).
Pioneer Families of Valley Creek Presbyterian Church
The founders of Valley Creek Presbyterian belonged to a group of eight Scotch-Irish families that migrated to the Alabama frontier together. By the 1850’s, Valley Creek Presbyterian had 56 members, of which 5 were “colored” people (no records exist to record their names). (7)
Scotch-Irish families who trace their lineage to the founding congregation of Valley Creek Presbyterian include:
Arriving in Dallas County in 1816 from Rocky River Church in Cabarrus, County, North Carolina are – William Morrison, Robert C. Morrison, James McEwen Morrison and Enoch Morgan. In spring the men built temporary homes and began to plant crops, preparing for the arrival of additional family members.
Arriving in 1817 from North Carolina were – Robert, John and Carson Morrison (brothers of William Morrison), Christopher Osborne, Deacon John Taggart (gifted in singing and prayer), Benjamin A. Glass (who arrived as a single man, with no family) and Major James Russell (a veteran of the War of 1812). Major James Russell is credited with naming the area “Pleasant Valley”.
Additional families arriving in 1818 include – Pickens, Blair Goldsby, Calhoun, Kenan, McIlwain, King, Blevins, Glass, Swift, Lewis, Irvin, Douglas, Marshall (from Virginia), Taggart, McCurdy, Phillips, Moore, Johnson, Boggs, Gilmer, Rountree, Alexander among many others.
The first Ruling Elders of the church were: William Morrison, David Russell, and Enoch Morgan. William Morgan also served as the first superintendent of the Sabbath School.
Life was difficult for the early pioneer families. They faced drought, crop failure, disease and had to learn new skills in order to survive. A shared sense of community, and faith, provided strength to persist.
Valley Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Soon after the church was organized a plot of ground was cleared for a cemetery. The acquisition of the burial ground was inspired by a tragic loss. David Russell, a charter member of the church, and his wife Jeanette Morrison (daughter of 1816 pioneer William Morrison), suffered the loss of a child (name unknown). When the child died, a burial plot had not been secured. Russell found a beautiful site for the burial of his child, which was then obtained for the Valley Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. The land was part of the estate of Benjamin A. Glass, an Elder in the church, and contained 2 acres of land. Later 2 acres of more land was added to the cemetery. A brick wall once partially surrounded the cemetery but since has crumbled away.
Valley Creek Presbyterian Cemetery is located about ¼ mile northwest of the church.The earliest graves are unmarked. Grave stones began being placed in the cemetery around 1823. Six generations of the Russell family are buried in the Valley Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.
Location: Valley Creek Church Road, off State Hwy 22 North.
When you come out of Selma on State Hwy 22 North right outside the city limits to the left is Valley Creek Church Road. Turn left on that road and go about four miles, The cemetery is on the right on a hill and you really have to watch for it or you will pass it.
Valley Creek Cemetery Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2696312/valley-creek-cemetery
Valley Creek Presbyterian 1820-1857: The Towering Pulpit and Camp Meetings
At an unknown date, the log church burned to the ground. The second church was built in 1826, to replace the log structure. The second church was a simple frame building painted white. The odd style of the pulpit generated great interest. The pulpit was an imposing structure that stood high from the floor; 3-4 steps had to be climbed to access it. On either side of the pulpit were doors leading outside, where the congregation entered. The rear seats of the church were reserved for seating of enslaved people.
A large “brush arbor” was constructed nearby to hold camp meetings and outdoor gatherings. A brush arbor is built in a cleared area of land and consists of vertical poles driven into the ground; additional poles are laid across the top and then covered with branches or hay to create shelter. A brush arbor is open on all sides with no walls. Logs were used for seating.
The first camp meeting was held in the summer of 1828, and lasted for 2 weeks. Audiences from all over the state attended the camp meetings.Visitors camped on church grounds, sleeping in tents, during this time. Camp meetings offered a time of celebration and worship, and attracted new members. During camp meetings, meals were shared by the congregation and eaten outdoors “picnic” style on tables made of wooden planks arranged under the pine trees. Camp meetings were held until 1845, and after that conference style meetings were offered instead. Outdoor meals remained a popular tradition of the church and continued well into the early 1900’s.
In 1840, Valley Creek Presbyterian Church expanded to include a church Deacon. Members from Valley Creek Presbyterian also branched out and help to found neighboring churches in the area such as Pigsah and Mount Pleasant. Valley Creek affectionately became known as the “Mother Church”. Also established in the 1840’s was a Presbyterian school where students were taught the Bible and subjects such as spelling, arithmetic, astronomy and history. The popularity of the church, combined with camp meetings and its school, led to rapid growth in its membership.
— In Our Hearts, September 2023.
Quoted Sources:
1 – “Pioneer Church Has Served for a Full 134 Years”. Published: The Selma Times Journal (Selma, Alabama). May 9, 1954. Page 11. Retrieved: newspapers.com
2 – Peacock, Mrs. Ida McIlwain. “Pioneers of Dallas County”. Published: The Selma Times Journal (Selma, Alabama). Dec 24, 1908. Page 24. Retrieved Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-valley-creek-pre/112225021/
3 – Batte, Katherine Shipman. “History of the Valley Creek Presbyterian Church”. Published: Hulle Printing Works (Selma, Alabama). 1908. Retrieved LDS Genealogy: https://ldsgenealogy.com/AL/History-of-the-Valley-Creek-Presbyterian-Church-Selma-Alabama.htm
7 – “History of Valley Creek Church”. Published: The Selma Times Journal (Selma, Alabama). Dec 20, 1896. Pages 5. Retrieved Newspapers.com
Fort Family Harrall’s X Road Precinct 1880 – Dallas County, Ala
Harrall’s X Road Precinct – 1880 Census – Dallas County, Ala
Harrall’s X Road or Cross Road later became the town of Harrell. Harrell is located 10 miles west of Selma off Highwy 80 and Highway 45. In 1895, it had a post office but no railroad service. For more information on the history of Harrell and it’s founding family, visit Harrell Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/HARRELL/2010-06/1276289653
In 1880, the population of Dallas County was recorded as: 48,433; population in 1890, 49,350.
White, 8,016; colored, 41,334. Land prices range from $3 to $25 an acre.
(http://genealogytrails.com/ala/dallas/history.htm
Harrall’s X Road or Cross Road later became the town of Harrell. Harrell is located 10 miles west of Selma off Highwy 80 and Highway 45. In 1895, it had a post office but no railroad service. For more information on the history of Harrell and it’s founding family, visit Harrell Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/HARRELL/2010-06/1276289653
In 1880, the population of Dallas County was rec
Monk Fort |
Laborer | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1856 | Alabama | Self (Head) |
| Julia A. Fort (surname Wadkins/Watkins) | Laborer | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1857 | Alabama | Wife |
| William Fort | Monk, Julia A. |
Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1877 | Alabama | Son |
| Elijah Fort (this may be Elliot Fort b. July 1879) | Monk, Julia A. |
Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1879 | Alabama | Son |
| Name: | Monk Fort |
|---|---|
| Age: | 24 |
| Birth Year: | abt 1856 |
| Birthplace: | Alabama |
| Home in 1880: | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama |
| Race: | Mulatto |
| Gender: | Male |
| Relation to Head of House: | Self (Head) |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse’s Name: | Julia A. Fort (Both parents born in Georgia) |
| Father’s Birthplace: | Alabama |
| Mother’s Birthplace: | Virginia |
| Neighbors: | See FORT Family Below |
| Occupation: | Laborer |
**** ALSO LISTED ON THE SAME PAGE… ****
| Julia Fort | Keeping House | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1824 | Parents from Virginia | Self (Head) |
| James Fort | Laborer | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1856 | Alabama | Son of Julia |
| Lizzie Fort | At School | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1861 | Alabama | Daughter of Julia |
| Homer Fort | Lizzie | Harrles Cross Roads, Dallas, Alabama | abt 1879 | Alabama | Grandson |
In Our Hearts: A Family Tribute & Scrapbook 