Fort Davis in Macon County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church
Macon County
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 29, 2022
1. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church Marker
Inscription.
Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church is one of the oldest Black Missionary Baptist Churches in Macon County. The church was organized in 1860 under the leadership of Rev. M. Eley and the Tuskegee Baptist Association. Between 1860 and 1876, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church evolved out of the white congregation of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Fort Davis, Alabama. In 1912, Eliabeth became part of the Town Creek District Baptist Association. In 1922, the church burned and worship services were held in Fort Davis School. The church was rebuilt in this location in 1923. During the 1960s, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist served as a meeting place for Civil Rights Movement organizers to register black voters in the area and allow candidates' voices to be heard. Deacon Price Johnson (1903-1993) was part of the infamous U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study of 1932-1973 and is buried in the church cemetery. In 160 years (1860-2020), Elizabeth has had thirteen pastors. Rev. Steven Carson served as pastor when the cornerstone of the church was laid in October 1988. In 1995, the congregation remodeled the sanctuary, added the vestibule, and dedicated the fellowship hall addition. In 2020, the church added restrooms and enlarged the vestibule.
Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church is one of the oldest Black Missionary Baptist Churches in Macon County. The church was organized in 1860 under the leadership of Rev. M. Eley and the Tuskegee Baptist Association. Between 1860 and 1876, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church evolved out of the white congregation of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Fort Davis, Alabama. In 1912, Eliabeth became part of the Town Creek District Baptist Association. In 1922, the church burned and worship services were held in Fort Davis School. The church was rebuilt in this location in 1923. During the 1960s, Elizabeth Missionary Baptist served as a meeting place for Civil Rights Movement organizers to register black voters in the area and allow candidates' voices to be heard. Deacon Price Johnson (1903-1993) was part of the infamous U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study of 1932-1973 and is buried in the church cemetery. In 160 years (1860-2020), Elizabeth has had thirteen pastors. Rev. Steven Carson served as pastor when the cornerstone of the church was laid in October 1988. In 1995, the congregation remodeled the sanctuary, added the vestibule, and dedicated the fellowship hall addition. In 2020, the church added restrooms and enlarged the vestibule.
Erected 2021 by Alabama Historical Commission - Black Heritage
Location. 32° 14.855′ N, 85° 42.566′ W. Marker is in Fort Davis, Alabama, in Macon County. Marker is on U.S. 29, 0.1 miles north of County Route 2, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13895 US Highway 29 South, Fort Davis AL 36031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
