Near Durham in Chatham County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
O'Kelly Chapel
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023
1. O'Kelly Chapel Marker
O'Kelly's Essay on Negro Slavery, published in 1789, was one of the earliest anti-slavery tracts by an American clergyman. An early proponent of ecumenicalism, O'Kelly was a Methodist preacher until 1792 when in a dispute over the authority of bishops he led several ministers and their congregations in organizing an independent conference of the Republican Methodist Church. Two years later the secessionists took the name “Christian.” In 1856 the Christian Churches formed the Southern Christian Convention which in 1931 joined with the Congregational Church to form the Congregational Christian Church. In 1957 the denomination merged with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to establish the United Church of Christ.
James O'Kelly was born in Ireland or Virginia prior to 1741. He moved with his family to a home near here about 1797. He died October 16, 1826 and is buried in a family cemetery nearby.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion
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Location. 35° 51.934′ N, 78° 56.671′ W. Marker is near Durham, North Carolina, in Chatham County. Marker is at the intersection of State Road 751 and O'Kelly Chapel Road, on the right when traveling south on State Road 751. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9245 NC-751, Durham NC 27713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. O'Kelly Chapel Christian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Rural Credit Union (approx. 4 miles away); The "South Garden" (approx. 4.6 miles away); Barbee Cemetery (approx. 4.6 miles away); Christopher "Old Kit" Barbee (approx. 4.7 miles away); Last Shots (approx. 4.8 miles away); Louis E. Austin (approx. 5.2 miles away); Shiloh Leaders (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durham.
Regarding O'Kelly Chapel. Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the chapel:
… Because of his differences with other church leaders concerning church government and administration, O'Kelly left the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1794 to found a movement which became known as the Christian Church. He moved tonortheastern Chatham County in 1797, purchased a small farm, and established the first Christian Church in the South. O'Kelly continued to lead his church and preach throughout northeastern Chatham County until his death in 1826.Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 20232. O'Kelly Chapel Marker
Several different worship structures have occupied the site of James O'Kelly's first Christian Church. According to local church tradition, the present chapel, the fourth structure to occupy the site, was constructed during the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. During the early years of the twentieth century the church had an active membership comprised of families from northeastern Chatham County and the southern section of nearby Orange and Durham counties.…
Also see . . .
1. O'Kelly's Chapel (PDF). National Register nomination for the church property, which was listed in 1985. (National Archives) (Submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Essay on Negro Slavery. Rev. James O'kelly's anti-slavery treatise, presented in 1789 in support of forming a republican-centered congregational church. (Internet Archive) (Submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023
3. O'Kelly Chapel
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
