Near Midway in Barbour County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery
Barbour County
Photographed By James L.Whitman, December 12, 2020
1. Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery Marker
Inscription.
Ramah Baptist Church and Cemetery. Barbour County. Constructed in the 1840s and constituted in 1852, Ramah Baptist Church is in the community formerly known as both Ramah and Vaughn. Records show that the land for both the church and cemetery was given by Solomon G. and Francis T. Burke in 1857. This congregation was ruled with strict and rigid discipline that could lead to the exclusion of members who fell short of the exacting standards of the church. The interior arrangement reflects the strict attitude of the church leadership, as does the use of separate entrances. The two doors on either side of the church allowed men and women to enter separately. The division of the central pews with a wooden bar was also intended to separate men and women.
In 1869, 171 African-American members of Ramah Baptist Church voted to be dismissed from the congregation. Ramah Baptist Church helped construct the Nero Baptist Church for these former African-American members. The cemetery located behind the church is a continuation of the community's history. The oldest headstone dates from February 23. 1821. Five Confederate soldiers are buried here. Four of these were the Weaver brothers who were all killed in battle. In 1963 a group of 25 people formed the Ramah Church Memorial Association to preserve the church and cemetery. The first officers elected at that time were: President George H. Adams, First Vice President Ollie L. Johnson, Sr., Second Vice President John Robert Gary. Secretary Mrs. Jessie E. Cobb, and Treasurer Ms. Katie Mae Taylor. An annual church service, dinner on the grounds and business meeting is held each fourth Sunday in June for the family and friends of former members. The church is important for its religious history and architectural significance. The building is an excellent example of a rural, one-room church that retains a high degree of historic integrity.
Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage December 15, 2011
. . This historical marker was erected in 2018 by Ramah Church Memorial Association. It is Near Midway in Barbour County Alabama
Constructed in the 1840s and constituted in 1852, Ramah Baptist
Church is in the community formerly known as both Ramah and
Vaughn. Records show that the land for both the church and
cemetery was given by Solomon G. and Francis T. Burke in 1857.
This congregation was ruled with strict and rigid discipline that
could lead to the exclusion of members who fell short of the
exacting standards of the church. The interior arrangement
reflects the strict attitude of the church leadership, as does the
use of separate entrances. The two doors on either side of
the church allowed men and women to enter separately. The
division of the central pews with a wooden bar was also
intended to separate men and women.
In 1869, 171 African-American members of Ramah Baptist Church voted
to be dismissed from the congregation. Ramah Baptist Church helped
construct
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the Nero Baptist Church for these former African-American
members. The cemetery located behind the church is a continuation
of the community's history. The oldest headstone dates from
February 23. 1821. Five Confederate soldiers are buried here. Four
of these were the Weaver brothers who were all killed in battle.
In 1963 a group of 25 people formed the Ramah Church Memorial
Association to preserve the church and cemetery. The first officers
elected at that time were: President George H. Adams, First Vice
President Ollie L. Johnson, Sr., Second Vice President John Robert
Gary. Secretary Mrs. Jessie E. Cobb, and Treasurer Ms. Katie Mae
Taylor. An annual church service, dinner on the grounds and
business meeting is held each fourth Sunday in June for the family
and friends of former members. The church is important for its
religious history and architectural significance. The building is an
excellent example of a rural, one-room church that retains a high
degree of historic integrity.
Listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage December
Photographed By James L.Whitman, December 12, 2020
2. Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery Marker
15, 2011
Erected 2018 by Ramah Church Memorial Association.
Location. 32° 6.348′ N, 85° 23.885′ W. Marker is near Midway, Alabama, in Barbour County. Marker is on Springhill Road (County Road 89), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Midway AL 36053, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By James L.Whitman, September 11, 2021
3. Ramah Baptist Church & Cemetery Marker
Photographed By James L.Whitman, December 27, 2020
4. Ramah Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2020, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. This page has been viewed 451 times since then and 116 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2020, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 3. submitted on September 13, 2021, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. 4. submitted on January 12, 2021, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
Constructed in the 1840s and constituted in 1852, Ramah Baptist
Church is in the community formerly known as both Ramah and
Vaughn. Records show that the land for both the church and
cemetery was given by Solomon G. and Francis T. Burke in 1857.
This congregation was ruled with strict and rigid discipline that
could lead to the exclusion of members who fell short of the
exacting standards of the church. The interior arrangement
reflects the strict attitude of the church leadership, as does the
use of separate entrances. The two doors on either side of
the church allowed men and women to enter separately. The
division of the central pews with a wooden bar was also
intended to separate men and women.
