Leighton in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

History of Leighton United Methodist Church

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 19, 2020

1. History of Leighton United Methodist Church Marker (side 1)

Inscription.
Side 1
The region's rich history of Methodism predates the creation of Colbert County. Local Methodists helped raise $10,000 to persuade the Tennessee Methodist Conference to build LaGrange College (4 miles SW), which opened in 1830. In 1837, William Leigh donated an acre lot on County Line Rd. in Leighton for construction of a brick building to be used as a meeting place by local denominations and the Masons.

By 1902, under the leadership of Rev. J.A. Brock, and with a membership of 168, the congregation of Leighton Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected to build a new church on this lot. The building committee consisted of Thos. Lile, Claude King, F.R. King, J.H. Hall, D.L. Spangler, and J.A. Lindsey. Architects J.B. Carr & Co. of Birmingham designed the 400-seat sanctuary, which featured an elevated choir alcove, Sabbath school rooms, and a pastor's study. Construction began in May 1903. The marble cornerstone (donated by a Georgia firm) was laid on Sept. 14, 1903. The church was completed at a basic cost of $6,200. The Ladies Aid Society raised additional funds to purchase curved cathedral

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pews that matched the altar. Congregants purchased stained glass windows as memorials. The first service was held on March 20, 1904. Sponsored by Leighton United Methodist Church and Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation. (Continued on other side)

Side 2

(Continued from other side) Surnames of early church families included: Brock, Rand, Delony, Irwin, Lowe, Lile, Cribbs, Connell, Gilchrist, Madding, Kumpe, Windham, Munro, Fennel, Preuit, King, Vinson, Jones, Hall, Means, Goodwin, Ricks, Hubbard, Smith, Henry, Scruggs, Stoves, Morris, Doan, Higdon, Felton, Moore, Spangler, Madden, Lindsey, Kimbell, Davis, Heflin, Hampton, Harned, Wallace, McCormack, Gargis, and Stansell.

A fellowship hall was added in 1939 during the pastorate of Rev. Marvin Heflin. George H. Gibbens placed the beautiful wooden carvings above the altar in 1966. The Emmitt King home next door was given as a parsonage and later became the church's family life center. Mildred Fennel Preuit donated a lot for the next parsonage.

The name of the church was changed to Leighton Methodist Church in 1939 and to Leighton United Methodist Church

History of Leighton United Methodist Church Marker (side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 19, 2020

2. History of Leighton United Methodist Church Marker (side 2)

in 1968. The centennial celebration, held on June 22, 2003, was a great event with ringing of the old bell, worship, and lunch.

Sponsored by Leighton United Methodist Church and Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation.

Erected 2019 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 20, 1904.

Location. 34° 41.96′ N, 87° 31.748′ W. Marker is in Leighton, Alabama, in Colbert County. It is on Main Street 0.1 miles south of 1st Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8655 Main St, Leighton AL 35646, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Marker and Leighton United Methodist Church. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 19, 2020

3. Marker and Leighton United Methodist Church.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Frank R. King (1859-1939) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of Leighton (approx. ¼ mile away); Alabama's Historic Byler Road (approx. ¼ mile away); Leighton Training School (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Leigh (approx. 0.9 miles away); LaGrange College (approx. 2.7 miles away); LaGrange Military Academy (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker also named LaGrange College (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leighton.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 982 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.