HISTORY FACTS, May, 2008

   One of the first things that I had an interest in undertaking, even before I became the Church Historian, was to attempt to rewrite the only church history that we had (written in 1966) and present it in such a way that “new comers” could understand and appreciate our heritage. Since there where parts of the history that I would like to examine with my understanding of the events and since I was not at this church during any of the recorded history, I will certainly appreciate your input. I further think that this forum is a great place to begin such a project. This month we will examine some of the known facts about the events that led to a new church.

   Do you know why April 10, 1875 is an important date in the life of our church? If you do, then your are quite a scholar when it comes to the history of our church. As far as I can determine this is the first reference to a group of people that would eventually would become the church we have today. This reference comes from “the Minutes of the Mobile District Conference” which on the above date also indicated “At the 4 Mile Post” ( that’s us ) “there where 35 scholars with an average attendance of 25”. I found it rather interesting that those same minutes referred to “seven Sunday Schools” rather than churches. While this information is based on the church history written in 1966 an attempt will be made to locate those original minutes. The way I understand this history there seem to be six other schools in the Mobile District at that time(1875) and they are as follows: “ Grand Bay, Pleasant Valley, Toulminville, Portersville, Pine Grove and St. Elmo. Our “Sunday School” (the beginnings of our church) “met in the home of Mrs. Jane Brightling Sunday afternoons.” With “25charter members” our church received it’s first official name “the 4-Mile Post Church.” I will attempt to find the exact year this occurred. All quotes in this article are from History Spring Hill Avenue Methodist Church written by our Historian Etta L. Cogburn.

   Please let me know if you would like to more about our history in this forum.

                                    Church Historian,

                                           Charles Dupree