Elba in Coffee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

First United Methodist Church

Earliest Church in Elba

Photographed by David J Gaines, April 1, 2012

1. First United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. A congregation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South existed in Elba even before Rev. Robert Shaw Rabb was assigned as the first minister to the Elba Circuit on December 15, 1853. This site was purchased in 1909 and the Church officially opened on February 12, 1911. Large panels of stained glass windows are a memorial to Confederate soldiers from Coffee County. The historic Church bell was cast on February 21, 1908 in Hillsboro, Ohio.

Erected 2007 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 February 1808.

Location. 31° 24.819′ N, 86° 4.036′ W. Marker is in Elba, Alabama, in Coffee County. It is on Davis Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elba AL 36323, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Elba Lodge #170 AF & AM (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Court Square (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Folsom Birthplace (about 500 feet away); Folsom Estate (about 500 feet away);

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City of Elba (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mulberry Heights School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Gravesite of Mrs. Alberta Martin, the "Last Link to Dixie" (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elba.

Photographed by David J Gaines, April 1, 2012

2. First United Methodist Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on May 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 7, 2012, by David J Gaines of Pinson, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.