The following history was adapted for internet viewing by Debbie Sterbinsky. Surnames have been underlined and typed in bold face font to assist with family research. Corrections to the document have not been made, if they were simply typographical errors. Otherwise it is typed here as I received it. Any notes inserted in italics are handwritten notes on the document. Page numbers have been inserted to reflect the page numbers of the original document.
Page 1/11
This history of the
Stanton Presbyterian Church was written
And given by
Averil Taylor at
The Stanton Centennial
June 1956
STANTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Built 1870
(Modeled after Church in Scotland)
The Stanton Presbyterian Church, as you see it today, was built in 1870.
The lot for the church and rental property on either side of the church and across the street was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Adams. Mrs. Adams was Grace Arlington Howell Stanton, the only daughter of Joseph B.Stanton and Lucy T. Stanton. Their purpose for giving the rental property was that the church and Mausoleum be maintained after their death, for they had no children.
The church building is modeled after a church that Mr. Adams saw and admired when traveling in Scotland and he brought the plan to be duplicated in his home town. Mr. and Mrs. Adams did not want to give the church building, for they said they wished each member to have a part in building the Church, but after all contributions were made, they gave the balance necessary for the completion of the edifice, thus being the largest contributors.
Before 1870, or for about forty years, the Presbyterians of Wesley (a town between Stanton and Covington which died after the railroad came to Stanton), and Mason had worshipped at a church called Emmaus, which was located between Stanton and Keeling. After the Presbyterian Churches were built in Stanton and Mason, that church was used by the Presbyterian Negroes, who had been the slaves of the families that were former members at Emmaus, and many of us remember that church as Greenlief (Greenleaf?). It stood until a few years ago.
(Handwritten notes inserted here) Lancelot Maclin, whose ancestors worshipped at Emmaus, tells that the pews from Emmaus were brought to the Stanton Presbyterian Church. Mr. Zubiate said that the pews are hand hewn.
Page 2/11
The grave of the first minister is behind the Church
The Reverend William Ingram was the first minister of the Stanton Presbyterian Church. We are told that he was very much loved, almost to the point of being idolized, not only by his own congregation but by all the people of the community. When Rev. Ingram died in 1875, the members of the church requested that he be buried behind the pulpit, which he had so faithfully filled.
The following are ministers who have filled this pulpit:
1: Rev. William Ingram………1870-1874
2: Rev. M. C. Hutton……………1878-1880
3: Rev. Sidenstricker……….. (for short time and then he went as missionary to China. He was
father of the noted writer, Pearl S. Buck.)
4: Dr. Gillespie of Brownsville filled vacancy
5: Dr. H.R. Raymond…………1881-1883
(Dr. Raymond was later president of the Mississippi Synodical College, Holly Springs, Mississippi.)
(Handwritten alongside of page):
These young ladies attended: Susan T. Bruhn, Elizabeth
R. Norwood, Martha Ragland, Frances R. McClanahan, Ella H. Ragland, Marjorie F. Simmons, Mable Mathis
Hawkins, Elizabeth M.Bridgewater, Averil C. Taylor,
Bessie Watson & her daughter, Martha ______, Franses Wright, Elizabeth Bridgewater
6: Rev. Richardson……………1884-1886
(The story is told that Dr. Richardson would not allow his young
son to go to church bare-footed and that one Sunday just as he
stood to preach he happened to look down and there sat the
boy with his feet blacked with polish to look like shoes.
Dr. Richardson’s daughter, Mary, was the wife of Dr. George G.
Ware of Stanton. Mary Richardson Ware was a good musician
and organist at the church. She gave many “concerts” in her
Home to raise funds for the benefit of the Stanton Presbyterian Church.)
The first organist was Jennie Ware (Mrs. A.J. Gibson) and after her death, Mrs. Mary Richardson Ware played the organ. For many years Miss Carrie Ware served as organist (she married Mr. Elmer F. Smith) and MissOcie Coppedge was organist. (Ocie married Will B. Cleveland of Cleveland, Ohio and was living away from Stanton many years but is now (1956) one of the most faithful members as she and her husband, FredBicklehaupt are making Stanton their home.
This is the second organ to be used here. I am told that the original developed organical troubles and was bought from the church by Mrs. Lucy Truss Coppedge, when this organ was put here. I remember Mrs. W.W.Ware (Aunt Mary Eliza Gracey as I called her) as organist and then Mrs. G. Farris Freeland (Aunt Mabel Coppedge Freeland) took Mrs. Ware’s place and Dr. Ware died and she moved to
Page 3/11
Covington. Then Mrs. Oscar Bledsoe and Miss Ruth Crawford were organists. Now Evelyn Webb Gaines is organist.
The antique carved chairs were put here by Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Adams at the time the church was built…there used to be a small bench between them where the minister sat for the Sacramental Service...and you should have seen the old Chandelier before modern lights were added. It hung from the high ceiling in the center of the church. (These chairs disappeared the year siding was put on the church)
After one of his visits to Stanton, for a friend of the Ware family, Mr. Barnutz of New York, who was in the furniture business, gave the pulpit chairs and collection plates as token of his admiration for this church.
Of all things in the church, my favorite is the old clock. When I was a child I would peep to see how long the minister prayed that “Sunday morning prayer” and later to know how much longer he would be preaching, and I’d have to sit so still between Daddy and “Mama Nash”!
This is the original Bible on the pulpit desk. Mr. Charles P. Fleming has just had it rebound as a gift to the church.
The silver Communion Service was bought for the church by the Ladies Aid Society…October 1, 1872, and the Communion cloth December 1894.
(Note: Mary Eliza Gracey Ware…left bequest of $9,000, to the deacons of the Stanton Presbyterian Church, to be invested by them and the income from the investment to be used by the church for missions.) (sidenotes – wife of Dr. W.W. Ware)
7: Reverend M.M. Millars…………served as minister May 1887 – March 1891.
8: Revered Houston R. Taylor……served the longest pastorate, 19 years: June 1892-1911
In October 1895 he and Frances Gibson, a member of this
Church were married. After Mr. Taylor retired from the
ministry he returned to make Stanton his home and is buried in
the Stanton Cemetery.
The Hebron Presbyterian Church was organized by Mr. Taylor while he was minister of the Stanton & Dancyville Churches and Hebron Church stands as a living memoria to him.
Mr. Taylor was living in the old Manse, which stood here on the Southeast corner of the church lot, at the time it burned. (I wish I could give you the date that it was destroyed by fire, but it was the night that Major Colhoun died of heart failure, on the scene of action when helping to save the Presbyterian Church on the
Page 4/11
west side of the Manse, and Tom Browne’s house on the North side.
Perhaps that old Manse building, which was here even before the days of the Presbyterian Church building, is or more interest to me than it will be to many of you because it was in that house that my Grandfather Joseph David Crafton taught his school. Soon after the Civil War, in which he served as Lt. (Co. A. Cavalry Bat.) Hampton Legion of South Carolina Confederate Service, being discharged 1865, and having married my Grandmother Carrie Middleton Ware of Stanton, he came to make this town his home and opened the first drugstore. (He had married June of 1862 and she had been living in South Carolina while he was in service.) Grandma was the daughter of George G. Ware and Jane Middleton Ware of Stanton.
Grandpa being one of the few college men of his day to locate in this new country and because of the urgent need of a school, he opened a private school in this old manse building on the church lot and operated it until his death, Dec. 26, 1876. I have heard many elderly people of Stanton and Dancyville tell how as children they watched from the windows of Mr. Crafton’s school as the huge stones were being hauled by oxen to build the Mausoleum on the same lot.
The second Manse stood where now James & Mary Alice Willis live. (Jimmy Veach lives there now 1997). It was the Burrow’s house which was used until sold to Gilliam F. Jones (an elder of the church) Sept. 15, 1945, and then the H. Morton Nash residence was bought as a manse but was only used a short time until destroyed by fire Nov. 13, 1947. The lot was sold to George N. Albright and May 20, 1951, the next manse was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Goodloe. We presently own no manse.
As minister of the Stanton Presbyterian Church, Mr. Houston R. Taylor was succeeded by the following ministers:
9: Reverend Albert Keller…………….Mr. Keller was from New Zealand. He was a much loved
minister and a Bible student, having come to the United States to study at the Dwight Moody Bible Institute. Averil joined the Presbyterian Church when Mr. Keller was minister. Mr. Keller left Stanton Church and accepted a church in St. Louis. Now, he and Mrs. Keller are living in New Zealand… as both of them from there. (Aukland, New Zealand)
Mr. Keller christened Eugene Calhoun Crafton, Jr. – October 5, 1923, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. W.W. Ware.
10. Rev. O.W. Wardlow………………………..
11. Rev. McIntosh………………………………..
12. Rev. L. N. Blackwelder………………October 1917 – 1920
(* Incorrect spelling – Burrough’s house ENH. The Burrough’s son, ‘Buck’ moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi and became a prosperous planter. The handsome iron fence at Stanton Cemetery was given by ‘Buck’.)
Page 5/11
Mr. Blackwelder’s wife, Ethel Freeland, is a sister of Miles Freeland and Farris Freeland of Stanton. She was a member of the Dancyville Presbyterian Church that Mr. Blackwelderserved at the same time he was in Stanton. Her home was Fayette Corner. Mr. Blackwelder resigned from the Stanton Church 1920 and became minister of a church in Mississippi. He is now retired and living there.
13. Rev. Albert Rhea………………………1921
14: Rev. Fleming…………………………….It so happens this Mr. Fleming was not related to Stanton’s
beloved Charlie P. Fleming, who was such a wonderful teacher of
the Adult Bible Class of the Stanton Presbyterian Church. If I am
any judge, our Mr. Fleming preaches better sermons!
15: Rev. W.D. Mathis*……………………Sept 1923-April 1936. Mr. Mathis was the minister when Gene, Jr.
*Joe Reeves Crafton joined the Presbyterian Church Sept. 29, 1929.
was christened by
Rev. Mathis April 3, 1927, at the church.
16: Rev. Morris Lemly…………………….May 10, 1936 – Jan 22, 1939
17: Rev. J.L. Perry…………………………..Feb 19, 1939 - Dec 31, 1942
18: Rev. George Kirker……………………May 9, 1943 – October, 1947 (who preached our sermon today)
(Several student ministers did summer supply work here…1948-1950)
(Rev. Norman and Rev. Dean Bailey (present today)………………………...
19: Rev. T. O. Hall……………………………March 9, 1951 – 1953
* Joe Reeves Crafton was made deacon in the church – Aug 5, 1951
20: Rev. William A. James ……………..1956
21: Rev. Wm. A. McWeeny…………… (Minister of Bolivar and Dancyville Churches at the same time)
Presently Rev. Elbert Williamson of Brownsville Church serves us once a month. 1956
**************************************************
THE FIRST ELDERS OF STANTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – 187
Mr. Nathan Adams
Capt. W.B. Maclin
Mr. W.C. Pyles
* Bobby Mathis, youngest child of Rev. and Mrs. Mathis, lives in Jackson, TN now (1997) and is with
Lambuth College.
Page 6/11
Dr. G.G. Ware
Dr. Ligon
Major Robert Maclin
A.J. Gibson
N.A. Flournoy
G.N. Albright (Mr. Albright was Supt. of Sunday School many years.)
Grandfather of Katherine Wagner
Wm. H. Maclin
Robert L. Maclin
ELDERS 1956 DEACONS 1956
Gilliam F. Jones Eugene C. Crafton
Chas. P. Fleming G. Farris Freeland
Miles Freeland James Gaines
Floyd Stuart David Stuart
Lofton Stuart Geo. Chamberlain (Geo. To replace
Ed Peeler Joe Crafton)
The history of no church can be complete without telling of
THE WORK BY THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH
(I’d like to read from the minutes of the first meeting, Feb. 14, 1871):
“At the call of the Pastor, the ladies of the Stanton Presbyterian Church and congregation, met on Tuesday evening the 14th day of February 1871, for the purpose of organizing the “LADIES AID SOCIETY’. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Pasto, who proposed the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted:
We the ladies of the Stanton Presbyterian Church and congregation, desirous to lend our aid to the Benevolent cause of our church, and to serve God with the labour of our hands, do form ourselves into a “Ladies Aid Society” ad adopt the following resolutions:…………”
The following names were then enrolled as members of the Society----
Mrs. Jane Ware
Mrs. Nash
Mrs. Gibson
Mrs.Maclin
Mrs. Nelson
Miss M. Maclin
Miss T. Maclin
Miss L. Maclin
Mrs. Ingram
Miss M. Collier
In accordance with resolution 8th, the following were elected officers:
Page 7/11
Mrs. Adams……President
Mrs. Nash……….Vice President
Mrs. Nelson……Treasurer
Mrs. Ingram…….Secretary
In conformity with resolution 7th, Miss Mary Maclin was elected a member of the committee in the purchase and sale of articles. The Society adjourned to meet next Tuesday evening at ½ past 3 o’clock.
***************************
The Society met according to adjournment and the following ladies were received as members of the society –
Mrs. Adams
Mrs. Martin
Miss Ada Green
Mrs. Crafton
Mrs. Fleece
Miss Rose Collier
The following committee was appointed to solicit subscription for a Bell.
Miss Ada Green
Miss Lucy Maclin
Miss Rose Collier grandmother of Catherine Calhoun, great
aunt of Catherine Cleveland
Mrs. Gibson
Also a committee was appointed to solicit work for the society consisting of
Mrs. Martin
Mrs. Nelson
Mrs. Nash
Mrs. Crafton
Mrs. Fleece
Miss T. Maclin
The statement of the Treasurer at the close of that first year, dated Jan 2, 1872, tells for the work they did:
“Jan. 2nd, 1872 – The following statement will furnish what the Society has done, during
the Year 1871-----“
Amount collected and paid for Bell…………………………………………….$154.50
A Box clothing sent to Columbia Seminary
containing: 14 – shirts
17 – pr. Drawers
16 – pr. Socks
7– cravats……..……………………………………………………..………...…50.00
Value-----Work done by Society………………………………………….………...…5.50
$209.50
3.20
$212.70
********************************
Page 8/11
October 1, 1872----------The Silver Communion Service was purchased by the Ladies Aid Society. “Oct. 1, 1872, Society met at Prs. Church. There was a full meeting of members. Mrs. G.G. Ware’s name was enrolled as a member of our Society. $21. 75 was appropriated for the purchase of a Communion Service.”
December 1894…………..”The Mutual Aid Society” (As the Ladies Aid Society had been reorganized and came to be known because of men being members) paid Mrs. McNeilly $6.50 and asked her to buy a linen Communion cloth.
************************************
“THE MUTUAL AID SOCIETY”
July 3, 1878:
“We, the undersigned, being deeply impressed with the solemn obligation resting upon each one to bear a part in the great work of the Church and being assured that more can be accomplished by concerted action than by individual effort, therefore, resolved, that we hereby organize ourselves into a Society to be known as THE MUTUAL AID SOCIETY. In adopting the following RULES & REGULATIONS, we, the members of this Society, understand them to be only intended as a guide to us, and in observing the SPIRIT of them we hope to stimulate each other to earnest effort to promote the cause of the BLESSED REDEEMER and by prayer and alms-deeds to bear some humble part in the great work of advancing the glory of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. And may the SPIRIT OF LIGHT direct and bless all our efforts:”
NAMES OF MEMBERS:
Rev. M.C. Hutton Mrs. Lucy McCall Miss Lucy Maclin
Mrs. M.C. Hutton Mrs. Lizzy Nelson Miss Emma Maclin
Mrs. Fanny A. Nash Mrs. L.B. Crowder Miss Minny Hawkins
Mrs. Sally Chaney Miss Jenny W. Gibson Miss Carry Ware
Mrs. N.D. Colhoun Miss Fanny Nash Gibson Miss Molly Collier
Mrs. Sterling Martin Miss Grace S. Gibson Miss Sally Hutton
Mrs. Mary E. Ware Miss Sally Chaney Miss Lucille Hutton
Mrs. Carry Crafton Miss Ting Maclin Miss Jessie Diley
Mrs. Lou Ware * Mrs. Rose Swain Jennie W. Gibson
And the following names of men…….MEMBERS:
Mr. H.M. Nash Mr. W.C. Pyles Mr. A.J. Gibson
Mr. N.D. Colhoun Dr. G.G. Ware Mr. Charles Colhoun
Mr. J.D. Colhoun Mr. H.B. Collier Mr. R.M. Crowder
Page 9/11
*After the death of Dr. Swain, Mrs. Swain married Mr. Truss. They had two daughters – Catherine who married Homer Colhoun (parents of Catherine Truss Colhoun) and Lucy who married C.W. Coppedge.
But the men soon lost interest or proved poor workers, so the organization resumed its work under its former name “THE LADIES AID SOCIETY” in April 1882 (or 1892 – can’t read).
Today, the organization “Auxiliary” (Women Auxiliary of the Church) embraces all the women of the church.
In more recent years, while Mrs. Eugene Calhoun Crafton was president of the Auxiliary, CIRCLE #2, composed of the young women of the church was formed and was called “THE ANNIE GILLIAM CIRCLE”. Mrs. Ed Peeler, Jr. is president of that group. (1970 – Today this is the only active group.) (Mrs. Elizabeth Sweet, Pres., Mrs. Virginia Pepper, V.P., The Officers of the Auxiliary…..1956:
Mrs. Ernest Coffey……….………………….President
Mrs. E.C. Crafton……………………………..Vice-President
Mrs. Floyd Stuart…………………………….Sec. & Treas.
Mrs. Fred Bicklehaupt…………………….Spiritual Life Leader
Mrs. John H.(?) Ware….…………………..Historian
Mrs. Ed Peeler, Jr………….…………………World Missions
Miss Ruth Crawford…….………………….Church Extension
Mrs. Don Ford……………….………………..Christian Education
Mrs. Lofton Stuart…………………………..Relief
Mrs. Francis Garnett……………………….Stewardship
Mrs. Geo. Chamberlain…………………..Gen Fund Agency
***************************
NOT ONLY THE CHURCH BELL BUT WEDDING BELLS HAVE RUNG AT THIS CHURCH
1. Grace Gibson and Thomas Browne married Dec. 27, 1888
2. Fannie Gibson and Rev. Houston R. Taylor married Oct. 25, 1895
3. Jennie Gibson and Frank R. Ogilvie married Dec. 24, 1895
(Grace, Fannie and Jennie Gibson were sisters.)
4. * - Lizzie Calhoun and Robert L. Maclin
5. Carrie Ware and Elmer Smith married July 31, 1901
6. 2* - Bettie Newman and John Brown married
7. Ocie Coppedge and Will. B. Cleveland married Feb. 18, 1904 (Their Cleveland
children & grandchildren are enthusiastic supporters of SPT, Inc.)
8. 2* - Addie Frank Newman and Bland Coppedge married April, 1905
9. 3* - Bessie Watson and Will Maclin married Oct. 24, 1908
10. Averil Crafton and Edmond Wilder Taylor married Jan. 25, 1927
11. Sally Ford and Lofton K. Stuart married April 25, 1946
12. Isabelle Nash and Sam Bobo married
13. Ann Pepper and
14. Elizabeth Pepper and
* - Lizzie Calhoun Maclin inherited “Calhoun Place” from her mother, Martha Jane Gibson Colhoun (wife of Nate Colhoun). Colhoun Place was given to Martha Jane by her uncle Nathan Adams
2* - Bettie and Addie Frank Newman were sisters. Their father was a contractor who built four homes
on Lafayette Street (Ware, Burrough, Middlebrook and Sledge), and Liberty Hall (home of Ed and
NancyNecaise) acrossfrom the Old School and Lodge which he also built.
3* - Mr. Maclin’s wedding suit came from L.E. Harris & Co., Stanton’s Clothing Store for men.
Page 10/11
STANTON MAUSOLEUM BUILT 1872
Many visitors have been attracted to Stanton by this little “Churchy looking Church” (as seen from the highway) and the STANTON-ADAMS MAUSOLEUM located on the church grounds.
After inheriting Joseph B. Stanton’s extensive holdings, Mr. Nathan Adams and his wife, Grace Arrington Howell Stanton Adams, decided that a fine Mausoleum should be erected as a lasting tribute to the founder of Stanton.
This magnificent Mausoleum was constructed by a Louisville, Ky. Contracting firm and portrays the finest of workmanship. It was placed on a splendid base of cement and many car-loads if brick to give support needed for the shaft and to make it everlasting.
The handsome shaft and doors of the finest marble were purchased by Mr. Adams in Italy for $10,000.00. The entire Mausoleum is a masterpiece of workmanship. Purchased Genoa, Italy – shipped to New Orleans and up Mississippi River to Memphis – by freight car out to Stanton and hauled on wagon drawn by oxen – to location on the lot. My grand-mother as a very small child watching the huge blacks unload as the school was by the Presbyterian Church. (You will notice that it was broken into several years ago by thieves believing Mrs. Adams had been buried wearing some of her many jewels. It has been terribly disfigured after having stood eighty-five years unharmed).
Mrs. Adams died in 1877 and Mr. Adams in 1881. They are buried in the Mausoleum, but for some reason nobody ever got around to moving the remains of Lucy T. Stanton, who died Oct 22, 1852 and Joseph B. Stanton, who died February 19, 1860, so today the founder of Stanton and his wife lie buried in unmarked graves in what was once the family graveyard near their mansion. (The mansion was later destroyed by fire after the death of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Adams, when it was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ware. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Beaty stands on the site today.
FROM HAYWOOD COUNTY RECORDS Book 5 --- page 643
Nathan Adams
To deed
ELDERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT STANTON
Filed June 28, 1877
At 1 o’clock P.M.
“For the consideration of Ten Dollars to me paid and the regard I have for the Presbyterian Church everywhere, I do hereby assign, quitclaim and convey unto G. G. Ware, W. C. Pyles, F. Sanders, and D.G. McBride, and to their successors in office as Elders of the Stanton T. Presbyterian Church forever, the lot of ground at Stanton Haywood County Tennessee on which there is now erected said Presbyterian Church building to wit: Bounded as follows: the North by Chaney’s lot, on the East by lot bought by my from Mr. North and the lot owned by Brown, on the South by the Louisville & Nashville
* Another director of U.P. Bank, Antonia Vaccara, was a native of a small town near Genoa, Italy
Page 11/11
Rail Road and on the West by L.V. Prices lot, beginning at Chaney’s S E Corner – Thense S 67 ½ degrees W 17 poles to Price Corner Thence S 24 (degrees?) E 20 poles to a stake 50 ft. from Rail Road Thence North 22 (degrees?) West 20.68 poles to the beginning containing 2.10 acres. To have and to hold the above descried lot for Church purposes Especially understood and agreed that that portion of said lot of land on which the Stanton & Adams or Mausoleum now Stands with twenty feet of ground on each side thereof from front to rear of the whole lot, shall be held sacred by and perpetually for the use and occupation of said monument, and the strip of ground so occupied by it shall never be used for any other purpose.
Witness my hand and seal at Stanton T. this 25th day of June 1877.
NATHAN ADAMS (seal)
Witness: C. Spencer
*******************************
From Book 9 pg. 189 Signed by:
A.G. Adams Executor
A.G. Adams and J.R. Gibson Nathan Adams dec’d
Executory of N. Adams
To deed
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH J.R. Gibson Executor
Nathan Adams dec’d
Witnessed by:
Filed May 30th, 1883 Thos. L. Martin
At 11:25 O’clock a.m. H. R. Raymond, Jr.
“For and in consideration of the sum of ninety dollars to us paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, we the executors of the WILL of the late Nathan Adams have this day bargained and sold and do hereby convey and quitclaim to H. M. Nash, George S. Ware, and A. W. T. McBride, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Stanton, Haywood County, Tennessee the following tract of land lying in the town of Stanton and County of Haywood, Beginning……etc….
(According to said Will being recorded in office of Register of Shelby County, Tennessee)
In trust for the only proper use in behalf and benefit of the said Presbyterian Church at Stanton….
*********************************
In December, 1968, the Sunday School Classes moved into the new Education Building which was built by Stanton Building and Supply Company – Thomas E. (Tommy) Beard drew the plans including the windows – louvers & pilasters in scale to match those in original Church Building. Once a month since the completion of building, we have followed the eleven o’clock church service with a Fellowship Dinner.