Dale County AlArchives News.....Browns Church Community 1983
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Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 April 25, 2004, 1:17 pm

Southern Star
 Katty Korner Echoes
       By Lois Galloway     
     BROWNS CHURCH COMMUNITY

  On the afternoon of April 27, 1983, Mrs. Willodean (Barefield) Hughes from 
Headland and Mrs. Mary Ella (Galloway) Adkins, Asbury, came by our house for a 
short visit before making their way to another destination. Willodean had 
expressed her desire to, once again, view the resting places of her 
grandparents: Dempsey and Nancy Barefield and Jeff and Emma Weatherington in a 
small cemetery nearby. Willodean is the daughter of Ms. Lonie (Weatherington) 
Barefield who presently resides at Oakview Manor. Upon invitation I joined them.
  Lying about halfway between Browns Church and Bertha Communities  on  the 
Albert Galloway Road is the cemetery known as Dykes' Cemetery. It is situated 
on a Hill overlooking a carpet of greenery, sloping down to the road below on 
one side, and the rolling green hills with wild blooms peeping through on the 
other. This cemetery is located less than a. hundred yards from the old 
homeplace of Uncle Jim and Aunt Kizzie Snell. So picturesque is the view that 
surrounds the cemetery, that one might prefer to gaze down the slopes rather 
than to give a second glance to the fenced-in tombstone markers which are 
practically hidden by briars and thistle. One marker dating back to the early 
1800's was that of a Mr. Richardson, who was born in Henry County in the year 
1816. Fascination of olden-times, hand-hewn lettering, etc., of historical 
nature practically electrifies the searches made in relation to dates, styles, 
and ingenuity. Too, after that first visit for me to Dykes' Cemetery, the 
feeling is strong that there will be more.

 Katty Korner Echoes
By Lois Galloway
"Heritage Sunday" April 24, 1983, was no less than beautiful, inspiring, 
worshipful, meaningful, and spiritually uplifting. Speaking to a full house at 
Browns United Methodist Church in the 11:00 a.m. service, Mr. Creel Richardson 
unfolded some of the historical data that Browns had long been waiting for. He 
took the congregation back through the years when W.E. Preston, who is believed 
to have recorded some of the history of this area, made reference to "Browns 
Church on the older Franklin /Daleville Road, a brush harbor about 1824 on the 
east side of the river from Ward's Bridge, founded by the Browns, Snells, Judys 
(Judah's)? Enfingers, and Barneses From all indications the brush harbor 
erected at the time is Browns Church as we know it today and probably was named 
for the five Brown brothers who migrated to this area from South Carolina: 
Henry, Jack, Jacob, Peter and Lewis Brown.
  Beginning with maps of name and boundry changes of many years ago, Mr. 
Richardson delighted those descendents of the Brown ancestry who were present, 
as well as the many visitors and adult students of history, while he explained 
his findings in a near annalistic presentation. No doubt, without the benefit 
of his expertise and background of experience so much progress could not have 
been made toward the writing of Browns Church history. The people of the 
community are indebted to Mr. Richardson for his invaluable contribution toward 
the establishment of its heritage.
  After dinner several exciting testimonials were rendered by some of the older 
members who related some of the events which they remembered from 
childhood. "Aunt" Tempie Dell (Brown) Strickland remembered "protracted
meetings" and "grove services" as they were called then, when shouting seemed 
to come so easy among the little Methodist congregation.  Mr. Meticus Snell 
also recalled some of the services, the preaching and praying that stood out to 
him. Then following the testimonials, Mrs. Frances Snell brought the 
congregation through the annals of Methodism. Climaxing the event for the day, 
was a most appropriate and usual, one of the most inspiring messages of all 
times by Pastor Phil Craddock. How beautiful was the presence of God Throughout 
the day! our Thanks to everyone for their contribution on making it so.
   
     From the Newspaper files of H.S.
     Scan and submitted by CGT.


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