History of Sears Chapel - Coosa Co., AL ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tue, 13 Oct 1998 14:08:17 -0500 Contributed By Ronald D. Bridges Histories of Sears Chapel Methodist Church - Coosa Co., AL Sears Chapel is located about 2 miles north of Rockford, Coosa Co., AL on HWY 231. I. Sears Chapel Methodist Church by Mrs. J. S. McEwen in Alabama Christ Adv. on 4-1-1955. It was in 1860 that Mr. John A. Sears saw the need of a church on RFD 2, Rockford and set about organizing one. There were 12 charter members whose names are carved on a marble book in the J. K. McEwen cemetery plot - John A. Sears, Tabitha J. Sears, George W. McEwen, Mary C. McEwen, S. B. Waldrip, Elizabeth Waldrip, Tommie Sears, Tabitha Sears, Mrs. Hawkin Phillips, Miss Jo Buzbee, Wessley May and Mrs. Catherine May. The church grew and was one of the outstanding churches in Coosa County for many years. In recent years, however, so many of the members have moved away and many of the older members have gone on to their reward that there are very few to carry on the active work of the church. However these few are faithful to Christ and their "founding fathers." The first church building was a log structure which was used both as schoolhouse and church. It stood back of the present building about 50 yards. This latter structure was erected about 1895. However the vestibule and steeple bell and memorial windows were added about ten years later. Abut 1920 the church replaced the homemade pews (or benches) with opera chairs and five years ago a hardwood floor was put over the original pine, which makes the interior quite inviting. The hardwood floor, a new paint job inside and out, gas heaters, etc., were made possible by collections made at Home Comings which are held every year on the first Sunday in August. At this time many of the former members and friends come home. The cemetery has been planted with grass and a lawn mower purchased to keep the cemetery in first class shape the year round. This too, is the result of the Home Coming generosity. Among the grandchildren of the outstanding pioneer families, three have dedicated their lives to full time Christian service and are volunteers for the mission field while one is the wife of a pastor. Many others are ren- dering noble service where they now reside. The righteous influence of the pioneer members, the unselfish and untiring service of the many pastors who have served this church, can only be measured in eternity. About half of the 55 members are active. Services are held at 11 a. m. on the second Sunday and at 10 a. m. on the fourth Sunday. The following were outstanding members who reared large families and saw all of each family unite with this church: Mr. A. M. Waldrip, 8 child- ren; Mr. J. A. Miller, 7 children; Mr. G. W. McEwen, 10 children. Note: I, Ronald Davis Bridges, on 10 October 1998, visited the Sears Chapel Cemetery and copied down the inscription, that was chiseled on the open marble book, of the chartered members of Sears Chapel. The marble book is part of a complete chiseled piece of marble - podium and book. The book, opened to two pages, appears to rest on top of the podium. The artist, who chiseled the piece, did a very good job. Inscribed on the marble podium above the opened marble book: IN MEMORY OF THE CHARTER MEMBERS OF SEARS CHAPEL CHURCH 1860. On the left page of the opened marble book is inscribed: JOHN A. SEARS - FOUNDER, TABITHA J. SEARS, GEO. W. McEWEN, MARY C. McEWEN, S. B. WALDRIP, ELIZABETH WALDRIP. On the right page of the opened marble book is inscribed: TOMMIE SEARS, TABITHA SEARS, MRS. HAWKIN PHILLIPS, MISS JO BUZBEE, MRS. CATHERINE MAY. Inscribed on the marble podium below the opened marble book: THROUGH THE COURTESY OF J. K. McEWEN. During this visit, I recorded the information that was imprinted on two of the stained-glass windows of Sears Chapel. On one of the stained-glass windows - In memory of John A. and Tabitha Sears. On the other - In memory of Geo. W. McEwen and Mary C. McEwen. In the vestibule, a picture of John A. Sears, the founder of Sears Chapel, is displayed. On his picture it reads: Worshipful Master Weogufka Dec 1871 to Jun 1873. In the cemetery is a chiseled piece that depicts the crucified Christ, which is dedicated and has inscribed on it: "The Old Rugged Cross," to "your Son and our dead". II. History of Sears Chapel Church taken from the 100th Anniversary Program - August 7, 1960. The Sears Chapel Church was founded in May 1860, on the eve of the conflict which ripped the young United States apart. The church served as a pillar of spiritual strength for the families within its sphere of influence. John A. Sears, a millwright, founded the church in a log structure as the South and the Nation faced it’s first internal major crisis. After the war, the log building was converted to a school house and the present building erected. Steeped in tradition the community and it’s church is supported today by descendants of Sears and the George W. McEwen families. Residents of the community proudly point out that the Spaniard DeSoto camped with his men only a short distance north of the church on the banks of Hatchett Creek. Charter members are recorded in a marble book at the entrance of the neat church cemetery. They are John A. Sears, Tabitha J. Sears,(1) George W. McEwen, Mary C. McEwen,(2) S. B. Waldrip, Elizabeth S. Waldrip,(3) Martha T. Sears Waldrip,(4) Tabitha Sears Smith (Suttle),(5) Mrs. Hawkin Phillips, Joe Busby,(6) Wesley May(7) and Mrs. Catherine May. The book was donated by John K. McEwen. (1)John A. Sears (b. 12 Oct 1812 in NC & d. 13 Jan 1884 in Coosa Co., AL) married Tabitha Jane Buckner (b. 22 Dec 1808 in GA & d. 1 Jul 1893 in Coosa Co., AL) about 1833 in Talbot Co., GA. They are buried in Sears Chapel. (2)George Washington McEwen (b. 22 Oct 1828 in Gwinnett Co., GA & d. 30 Mar 1901 in Coosa Co., AL) married Mary Catherine Sears (b. 23 Jan 1834 in Talbot Co., GA & d. 15 Sep 1906 in Coosa Co., AL) on 29 Dec 1850 in Coosa Co., AL. They are both buried in Sears Chapel. She is the daughter of John A. Sears and Tabitha Jane (Buckner) Sears. (3)Her name on the marble book was spelt Elizabeth Waldrip. Verified by a visit by Ronald D. Bridges on 10 Oct 1998. Elizabeth Francis Sears (b. 14 Jan 1836 in GA & d. 14 Jun 1910 in Elmore Co., AL) married S. B. Waldrip (b. 1833 in GA & d. unknown in Elmore Co., AL) on 23 Oct 1853 in Coosa Co., AL. They are both buried in Cain's Chapel United Methodist Church, Holtville, Elmore Co., AL. She was the daughter of John A. Sears & Tabitha Jane (Buckner) Sears. (4) Her name on the marble book was spelt Tommie Sears. Martha Thomas Sears (b. 12 Oct 1845 in Lee Co., AL & d. 15 Feb 1939 in Goodwater, Coosa Co., AL) married Asa Melton Waldrip (b. 17 Oct 1843 in Oak Bowery, Chambers Co., AL & d. 8 Jun 1923 in Gannts Quarry, Talladega Co., AL) on 23 May 1865 in Coosa Co., AL. They are both buried in Sears Chapel. She was the daughter of John A. Sears & Tabitha Jane (Buckner) Sears. (5)Her name on the marble book was spelt Tabitha Sears. Tabitha Antonett Sears (b. 4 Nov 1847 in AL & d. 9 Mar 1899 in Coosa Co., AL) first married Guy Smith (b. Abt. 1846 in AL & d. unknown) on 2 May 1867 in Coosa Co., AL. Tabitha later married Sinclair M. Suttle (b. 30 Aug 1837 in AL & d. 13 Dec 1911 in Coosa Co., AL) on 23 Sep 1879 in Coosa Co. AL. She was the daughter of John A. Sears & Tabitha Jane (Buckner) Sears. Both Tabitha and Sinclair are buried in Sears Chapel. (6) Her name on the marble book was spelt Jo Buzbee. (7) Her name on marble book was spelt Wessley May. III. History of Sears Chapel United Methodist Church taken from August 6, 1995 Homecoming Program. Sears Chapel was founded in 1860 and was at first a log church. An article in Central Alabama Electric said John A. Sears (1812-1884) saw a need for a church on "RFD 2," Rockford, and organized it with a dozen charter members. Their names are engraved on a marble book in the John K. McEwen cemetery plot: John A. Sears, Tabitha J. Sears, George W. McEwen (who married a Sears daughter and fathered John K. McEwen), Mary C. McEwen, S. B. Waldrip, Elizabeth Waldrip, Tommie Sears, Tabitha Sears, Mrs. Hawkins Phillips, Miss Jo Buzbee, Wesley May(1) and Mrs. Catherine May. It was at first both church and school. The log structure was split pine 18 inches wide, hewn smooth and notched to be put together without nails. The pews, which had no backs, were supported on the same sort of 18-inch split pines. They, too, used no nails but used pegs. Three-inch wood strips were between the logs to form seals. There were no glass windows, only wooden shutters, which were opened to cool the church in the summer and closed to keep out the rain or the winter’s cold. The original building was about 50 yards behind the current structure, which was built in 1895. The vestibule and steeple bell and memorial windows were added about 10 years later. The stained glass windows were in memory of John and Tabitha Sears. The homemade pews were replaced with opera chairs in 1920. The steeple was built by Frank McEwen. Other than an occasional wedding or funeral and annual homecoming, the church is rarely used. Regular worship services are no longer at Sears Chapel.(1) Her name on marble book was spelt Wessley May. Verified by a visit by Ronald D. Bridges on 10 Oct 1998. Several Methodists church were built in Coosa County "one built in the later fifties between Hanover and Rockford, called Sears’ Chapel for John Sears, the noted Millwright. At each of these churches there is a cemetery. A large shaft marks the resting place of Sears, the leading spirit." (1) (1) Rev. George E. Brewer, History of Coosa County, Alabama (Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1987), p. 174. "The store building was built by the late J. K. McEwen, who also laid the first cement sidewalk in Coosa County. The McEwen cemetery near Rockford at Sears Chapel Methodist Church is one of the landmarks in the county. The memorial arch in the family plot weighs 15,000 pounds and is of white marble and designed by C. P. Falconi, the famous Italian marble sculptor." (1) (1) Newspaper Ledger - Enquirer East Alabama TODAY, 5 Sep 1974, page 4.