Near Eldridge in Fayette County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

New River Baptist Church

Fayette County

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026

1. New River Baptist Church Marker

Inscription.
Located on the Byler Road, the origins of New River Baptist Church can be traced to a meeting held on March 25, 1826, at John Hellums' residence. John Canterbery, Nathan Roberts, and James Barnes also attended the meeting. During this meeting, the church constituted "according to the abstract of Principles and Rules of Decorum of the Cahaba Association” and did "hereby pronounce there a Church of Christ in Gospel order to be known and called by the name of New River Baptist Church.” An early pastor for New River, A. M. Reynolds, began his service in 1846 and continued until 1868.

(Reverse Side)
In 1872 the church moved to its present location, still beside the Byler Road, and reorganized in 1881. A split in the church caused the formation of New River Church of Christ. The Baptist Church congregation constructed the present building in 1955 just west of the old church using material from the old one. They added picnic tables in 1957 on the site of the old church. The congregation constructed and dedicated a fellowship hall in 1985 in honor of longtime member Claude Campbell. New construction of

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bathrooms, an entry hall a classroom, and paving of the parking area took place between 1996 and 1999.

Erected 2026 by Byler Road Tourism Alliance and Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1826.

Location. 33° 50.151′ N, 87° 39.455′ W. Marker is near Eldridge, Alabama, in Fayette County. It is on County Road 44 0.1 miles west of Selman Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3546 Co Rd 44, Eldridge AL 35554, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 7 miles of this marker, measured

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026

2. New River Baptist Church Marker

as the crow flies: Killingsworth Gin / Dry Creek Post Office (approx. ¾ mile away); Dublin Post Office (approx. 2.2 miles away); Tidwell Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); New Liberty Church and Cemetery / O'Possum Trot School (approx. 2.7 miles away); Dobbs, Alabama (approx. 3½ miles away); Berea Church of Christ (approx. 4.1 miles away); Camp Springs / The Junction (approx. 6.4 miles away); Handy Post Office (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eldridge.

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, September 5, 2026

3. New River Baptist Church & Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.