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

First Baptist Church of Rogersville

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, July 1, 2025

1. First Baptist Church of Rogersville Marker

Inscription. Joshua James, accompanied by members of his family, arrived by flatboat five miles south of here at Lamb's Ferry in 1820. Reverend James was an itinerant minister sponsored by the Baptist Church of Boston, Massachusetts. Their home, located north of the ferry, served as an early place of worship, as well as a schoolhouse. The teacher was Joshua's 15-year-old daughter-in-law, Esther James. While away on a preaching mission, their log cabin was destroyed by fire. The James family then moved to Rodgersville (original spelling), where the only organized religious function at that time was a brush arbor service at Liberty Cemetery. This was a cause of concern that was shared with the Boston Baptist Church. On October 15, 1841, for the sum of one dollar, a one-acre lot, located approximately 175 yards east of this location, was deeded to trustees Washington Gilbert and Joshua Stamps on behalf of the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. The town's first completely wood-framed church building was constructed there the following year. The town's first schoolhouse was located beside the church. Joshua James Jr. and Esther's daughter,

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Sarah (Sallie), became a teacher in 1845. Joshua James died on an unknown date and is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave in Liberty Cemetery.
(Continued on other side)

Reverse Side
(Continued from other side)
Beginning circa 1865, the Baptist Church building accommodated Methodist, Presbyterian and Church of Christ congregations for approximately 25 years. In August, 1905, Lauderdale County Missionary of the Baptist Mission Board, Rev. R. E. Paulk, assisted Rev. R. H. Tandy with an on-site tent revival. The small wooden building was demolished and a one-room frame structure was built at the same location. In 1906, the Rogersville Baptist Church organized, joining the Lauderdale County Baptist Association. In 1947, the church building was again replaced, this time with a westward-facing building. The First Baptist Church of Rogersville was incorporated on July 6, 1958. Upon the advice of the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, TN. the congregation purchased a larger tract of property at this location. Meetings were held in the basement until Easter Sunday of 1960, when the first service was held in the more modern building.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, July 1, 2025

2. First Baptist Church of Rogersville Marker

For 12 years, classes for youth met in the Warmack home place, which was located across the street from the sanctuary. The first service in the current sanctuary was held on October 18, 1992. There is no known recorded list of all ordained Baptist ministers who served the church during its first 90 years. However, 17 men have pastored the church from 1931 through 2021.

Erected 2021 by East Lauderdale Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 34° 49.596′ N, 87° 17.509′ W. Marker is in Rogersville, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is at the intersection of College Street and Patton St, on the right when traveling east on College Street. Marker is in front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 College St, Rogersville AL 35652, 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,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia.

Photographed by Deborah Spencer, July 1, 2025

3. First Baptist Church of Rogersville Marker

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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lauderdale County High School 1912 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lamb’s Ferry Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heritage Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rogersville Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (approx. ¼ mile away); Liberty Church / Liberty Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); East End High School (approx. 1.2 miles away); Return of a Native (approx. 1.4 miles away); Camp Drake Boy Scout Camp / Joe Wheeler State Park Negro Area (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rogersville.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Deborah Spencer of Huntsville, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.