Uniontown in Perry County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Church of the Holy Cross
Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013
1. Church of the Holy Cross Marker
May 1844 - Episcopalians in Uniontown and Marengo County united to form Union Parish. The parish was admitted to the Diocese of Alabama on May 2, 1845. After the donation of this site in 1847, ladies of the congregation diligently worked to raise sufficient funds for the construction of the first church. Although incomplete for many years, services were first held here in January 1848 for the black and white communicants. In 1853 Union Parish divided and the Marengo County parishioners formed St. Michaels Parish in Faunsdale. In 1863 Church of the Holy Cross was consecrated by Bishop R.H. Wilmer. In 1900 the frame building was replaced by a brick church through the generosity of Mrs. Maria Price Davidson as a memorial to her late husband, Alexander C. Davidson.
Architect Edwin H. Oliver of New Orleans designed the Church of the Holy Cross, reputedly inspired by a 10th-century chapel in Amiens, France. The church is regarded as a rare example in the Deep South of the Arts and Crafts style as expressed in religious architecture. The church follows a cruciform plan with a bellcote at the juncture of the cross gables. The lateral walls are reinforced by small buttresses, while shed and gable dormers enliven the roof line. Stained glass windows memorialize prominent parish families. The triple-arched chancel window above
this page online
Erected 2004 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1848.
Location. 32° 27.078′ N, 87° 31.013′ W. Marker is in Uniontown, Alabama, in Perry County. It is at the intersection of Franklin Street and Old Greensboro Road, on the left when traveling east on Franklin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5097 US-80, Uniontown AL 36786, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. 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 New Spain, 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Colored Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Green Gables (approx. one mile away); New Hope Cemetery (approx. 3.6 miles away); St. Michael's Cemetery (approx. 5.4 miles away); St. Michael's Episcopal Churchyard (approx. 5½ miles away); Paulling Place Cemetery (approx. 6.2 miles away); Freetown (approx. 9.2 miles away); Newbern Presbyterian Church (approx. 9.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Uniontown.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013
2. Church of the Holy Cross Marker (reverse)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, November 8, 2013
3. Church of the Holy Cross
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 829 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
