Moulton in Lawrence County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, April 9, 2022

1. Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1871 former slaves constructed one of the first churches and schools for African Americans in Moulton. The Colored Methodist purchased most of the materials used for the building. Mr. and Mrs Isaac Nabors Owen gave land for the Colored Baptist and Colored Methodist Church and School Moulton. The congregations worshipped together until 1874. The church is named in honor of Rev. Andrew Smith, a former pastor.

Erected 2009 by Lawrence County Historiacal Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 34° 28.45′ N, 87° 16.991′ W. Marker is in Moulton, Alabama, in Lawrence County. It is on Byler Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2735 Byler Rd, Moulton AL 35650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

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.

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: The Hot Spot (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeman Tabernacle Church (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Moulton Negro High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gallagher Hill/Science Hill

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(approx. half a mile away); General Leroy Pope Walker (approx. half a mile away); Judge Thomas M. Peters (approx. 0.6 miles away); Moulton Church of Christ (approx. 0.6 miles away); Peerson/McKelvey Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moulton.

Additional commentary.
1. About the CME Church
While the CME Church originally stood for the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, the historically-Black denomination has rebranded itself the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Some congregations have kept their historical names even if the larger denomination has not.

— Submitted July 5, 2022.

Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 3, 2022

2. Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church

Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, April 9, 2022

3. Smith Chapel C.M.E. Church cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2022, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 728 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.