Tallapoosa County AlArchives Church Records.....The Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, Jackson's Gap, Alabama Copyright Date 1989
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Sandra S. Wilson earlwilson1@charter.net March 30, 2004, 7:48 pm

The following historical information of the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, 
Jackson's Gap, Alabama was researched by Mrs. Mary Milner Bailey (now 
deceased) of Alexander City and Jackson's Gap, Alabama, in 1989. The 
information was submitted and compiled by Sandra S. Wilson, Tohopeka Chapter 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Alexander City, Alabama, and was 
included in the compilation, "Some Pioneers of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, 
1991.

According to the original land gift made by William M. Milner to the members 
of the Church of Christ at Peckerwood [Jackson's Gap, Alabama], the church was 
organized ca. 1892. This handwritten document, dated October 12, 1892, made by 
William M. Milner, his wife, Rose Ann (Stagner) Milner, and their heirs, had 
one stipulation "...in case, it ceases to be used by the Church of Christ, it 
is to revert back to the said William M. Milner, his heirs, or assigns."

The first church built on the site, served the community for some twenty 
years, and played a major role in the spiritual life and growth of the 
community.

Some of the earliest members of the church were the families of Mr. William M. 
Milner, Mr. H.D. (Dan) Jackson, Mr. Lee B. Baker, Mr. A.B. Vickers, Mr. Tom 
Yarbrough, Mr. Bennie Crouch, Mr. J.P. Howard, and Mr. Ozzie Milam. To date, 
1989, the membership of the church is made up of the direct descendants of the 
above mentioned families. In fact, they are all related to one another. This 
is truly a family church, with a very rich heritage.

In 1913, the original church was torn down to make way for a new house of 
worship. Although William M. Milner died June 23, 1912, his two sons, James 
Thomas (Mr. Jim) and T.W. (Twigg) carried on in his footsteps. They were 
instrumental in the building of the new church, as were all the other members, 
who raised funds, donated their time and talents, to fulfill this labor of 
love.

Also, about this time (1913), the Church of Christ played a great role in the 
organization of a school for the Peckerwood community. Although there is no 
visible evidence of a school house, it was located just over the hill from the 
church (toward Bay Pines), on the left side of the road. Some of the first 
teachers were Robert Graves, Sr., Mattie Hancock, Vallie Hancock, and Gertrude 
Fuller. This information was supplied by Mrs. Inda (Milner)Gibson of Jackson's 
Gap, Alabama. Brother Will Gurganus in a letter written to Brother James 
Thomas Milner stated that he would honor the contract to the church and the 
school if he was needed.

In recent years, the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ has undergone renovation 
and been refurbished. It stands in its oritinal location, and is still serving 
the Peckerwood community in its usual tradition.

The following document was copied in its entirety from the personal papers of 
William M. Milner. The original handwritten document [was] in the possession 
of his great-granddaughter, Mrs. Mary (Milner) Bailey, in 1989.

THE STATE OF ALABAMA, TALLAPOOSA COUNTY: Know all men by these presents, that 
we, William M. Milner and wife, Rose Ann (Stagner) Milner, for and in 
consideration of five dollars, to us in hand paid by the members of the Church 
of Christ, worshipping at this place, the receipt whereof we do acknowledge, 
do hereby give, grant, bargain, sell, enfeoff, and confirm unto the said 
members of the Church of Christ, their heirs, and assigns, the following 
described land lying in the County of Tallapoosa, State of Alabama to wit: Two 
acres in the corner of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 29, Township 22, 
Range 22, containing two acres, beginning at the corner and running North to 
the Walker's Ferry Road, and hence West along the road 120 yards, hence South 
to the line and hence East to the starting point.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforegranted premises to the said members of the 
Church of Christ, heirs, and assigns forever to hold, so long as the church is 
used for the Church of Christ. In case, it ceases to be used by the Church of 
Christ, it is to revert back to the said William M. Milner, his heirs, or 
assigns. We so hereby covenant with the said members of the Chruch of Christ 
their heirs, and assigns; and that we are lawfully seized in fee of the 
aforegranted premises; that they are free from all incumbrances; that we have 
a good right to sell and convey the same to the said members, their heirs, and 
assigns; that we will hereby warrant and covenant to defend the title of the 
said premises to the said members of the Church of Christ their heirs and 
assigns, forever against their lawful claims and demands of all persons. In 
witness whereof the said William M. Milner and Rose Ann (Stagner) Milner have 
hereunto set our hands and seal this 12th day of October 1892.

JUDGE AND MRS. ALBERT HOOTEN LAND GIFT: State of Alabama, Tallapoosa County
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That in consideration of the sum of _____and 
no/100 dollars, and other good and valuable considerations to Albert Hooten 
and wife Grace M. Hooten, in hand paid by Pleasant Grove Church of Christ the 
receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged we do remise, release, quit claim and 
convey to the said Pleasant Grove Church of Christ. All our right, title, 
interest and claim in or to the following described real estate to wit.

Commencing at the South East Corner of the North East 1/4 of Section 29, 
Township 22 North, Range 22 East, thence run North 2[degrees] 30' West a 
distance of 100 feet to a point, this being the point of beginning of land 
here intended to be conveyed; thence run West a distance of 742 feet to a 
point on side of said county road; thence run South 2[degrees] 30 feet East a 
distance of 343 feet to a point; thence run West a distance of 165 feet to the 
point of beginning.

Said tract of land being located in the South East 1/4 of the North East 1/3 
of Section 29 and in the South West 1/4 of the North West 1/4 of Section 28, 
Township 22 North, Range 22 East, Tallapoosa County, Alabama, and contains 3.8 
acres more or less.

SITUATED IN TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA--TO HAVE AND TO HOLD, to the said 
Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, its heirs and assigns forever. GIVEN UNDER 
our hands and seal, this 29th day of January, A.D. 1976. EXECUTED IN THE 
PRESENCE OF: Charles R. Adair, Jr. [Seals], Albert Hooten, Grace Hooten.

OFFICERS OF THE PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST:
Elders--Mr. H.D. (Dan)Jackson, born 14 January 1858; Mr. T.W. (Twigg) Milner, 
born January 30, 1872. Mr. T.W. (Twigg) Milner died February 4, 1940, and Mr. 
H.D. (Dan) Jackson died January 24, 1945. No elders have been ordained since 
their deaths.

Deacons--Mrs. Marion O. Vickers, born August 30, 1902; Mr. Mitchell F. Milner, 
born February 21, 1900. Mr. Marion O. Vickers died March 29, 1965, and Mr. 
Mitchell F. Milner died December 29, 1983. No deacons have been ordained since 
their deaths. Mr. Martin O. Vickers is buried at Jackson's Gap Baptist 
Cemetery, Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

The qualifications for a person to be ordained as an elder or a deacon is 
found in Titus 1:5-9.

Treasurer--Mr. Lorenzo Grant, Assistant Treasurers--Mr. Joe Neal Gibson. Mr. 
Mynard C. Pemberton served as an assistant until his death on June 21, 1980.
Secretary--Mr. Frank Vickers.
Worship Services, Sunday morning 10:30 a.m.; Sunday night 6:00 p.m.; Wednesday 
night 6:00 p.m.
Communion is every Sunday; church music is acappella.
Song Leaders--Mr. Lee B. Baker served until 1922; Mr. T.W. (Twigg) Milner 
served until 1940. Since 1940 the men of the church take turns leading the 
singing. Annual Homecoming is held the second Sunday in June.
The Annual Revival begins the second Sunday in June and continues through 
Saturday of that week.
Women of the Church--The role of the women in the church is found in 1 
Corinthians, 14:34-35.

PREACHERS AT PLEASANT GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST--Brother Campbell, Brother Will 
Gurganus, Brother Y.O. Moore, Brother Miles E. Busby, Brother Edgar Busby, 
Brother Cecil Abercrombie, Brother Harry Cobb, Brother Waylon Masters, Brother 
Reese Hughes, Brother Vic Hunt, Brother Marion Carter, Brother Ray McManus, 
Brother George Kirby, Brother Dana Chandler, Brother Sonny Riggins, Brother 
Miles Crouch, Brother Rufus Williams, Brother Curtis Smith, Brother Marty 
Livingston, Brother Curtis Melton, Brother Terry Price, Brother Bruce Kessler, 
Brother W.L. Vickers, Brother Billy Prince, Jr., Brother J.P. Herron, Brother 
Douglas Farmer, Brother Byron Hanson, Brother Foy Mitchell, Brother Charlie 
Shelton, and Brother Donald Davis.



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