Near Harvest in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
(organized 1808)
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
1. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church Marker
The Western Conference, Oct. 1-7, 1808 in Williamson County, Tenn., sent James Gwinn to the "great bend" of the Tenn. River. Gwinn organized at the home of Richard and Betsy Ford, the first Methodist Society of the six in the Flint Circuit. This circuit, among others, was served for many years by circuit riders. First building was started in 1815. Building and 2½ acres of land deeded to church trustees in 1824 by the Fords. Present sanctuary, begun in 1870 on original foundation, has undergone several renovations and minor alterations.
Erected 1979 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1808.
Location. 34° 50.463′ N, 86° 43.853′ W. Marker is near Harvest, Alabama, in Madison County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ford's Chapel Drive and Autumn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of the Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church, next to the church entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 280 Ford Chapel Drive, Harvest AL 35749, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
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Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church. Church website homepage (Submitted on May 15, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, August 24, 2011
2. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church Marker
Due to damage sustained during the 27 April 2011 tornado, the marker has been moved to a new site next to the church entrance. The bare dirt spot in the foreground is where the "present sanctuary" seen in the following pictures used to be.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, August 24, 2011
3. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church Marker
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
4. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
This is the 'present sanctuary' discussed in the marker, but is no longer used as the church sanctuary.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
5. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
6. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
7. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
Overall view of the church from the Southwest. Current sanctuary building is on the right in this image.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, August 24, 2011
8. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
Note that the steeple seen in photo 7 was taken by the storm.
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, May 1, 2010
9. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
The church sign is located at the intersection of Ford Chapel Road (on the left) and Ford Chapel Drive (behind the sign in this image).
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, August 24, 2011
10. Ford's Chapel United Methodist Church
This gravel area is where the small grove of trees and the marker used to be located, in front of the old church building.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,946 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 8. submitted on August 25, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 9. submitted on May 15, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 10. submitted on August 25, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
