Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Church Spring Church and School

circa 1840-1895

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2020

1. Church Spring Church and School Marker

Inscription. About 1840, African- Americans began holding religious services in a brick cow shed overlooking the town spring near this site. It was purchased in 1857 by the local Methodists for this congregation, with Robin Lightfoot, a slave, as its pastor. In 1879 it was organized as St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church. Children of slaves and freemen were taught there in early years. In 1866, the Freedmen's Bureau established a school for the children of African-Americans, probably at this location.

Erected by Florence Historical Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 34° 47.716′ N, 87° 40.432′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on Veterans Drive east of South Pine Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, 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,

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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.

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 walking distance of this marker: Church Spring and School (within shouting distance of this marker); The Singing River Sculpture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Constellium (about 400 feet away); The Rolling Stones in the Shoals in 1969 (about 500 feet away); John McKinley Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court (about 500 feet away); The American Legion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lauderdale County (approx. ¼ mile away); Dr. Hicks Boulevard (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2020

2. Church Spring Church and School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.