Jan
Florence’s third-oldest African-American congregation was founded ca. 1876 with the help of the Congregationalists of New York, who also built a school for freedmen named the Carpenter School, but known locally as the Canaan School. The church met in a building on North Pine Street, but the school was located in southwest Florence. Pastors of […]
Jan
St. James Missionary Baptist Church established in 1873 is one of the oldest Baptist Churches in North Alabama. The initial location was formed from a strong spirited group of Deacons, Mothers, and Members worshipping God in various homes. As the congregation grew a more suitable place of worship was needed. After several different locations, the […]
Jan
The congregation now known as Mars Hill Church of Christ began meeting in Stoney Point in the 1860s. However, during the Civil War, Union soldiers captured the road between the Mars Hill and Stoney Point communities and harassed those traveling to worship. Travel conditions became so dangerous that the families of the Mars Hill community […]
Jan
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church is the oldest Missionary Baptist Church in Florence, Alabama. In 1859, a group of Christians began worshipping in a brush arbor on this site. John Portlock, Trustee for colored members of the Missionary Baptist Church, purchased the parcel of land at this site for fifteen dollars. The title deed was […]
Jan
Temple B’nai Israel, at this location, had its origin with the first Jewish settlers in Tuscumbia, AL, in the 1840s. These early settlers quickly became part of the community and were commercially successful. The 1870s and 1880s were periods of growth and prosperity in Sheffield, AL, when more Jewish families moved into the area. Among […]
Jan
In early 1840s about 14 African-American members from First Methodist formed own congregation “Church Springs” near South Court Street. In 1857, a nearby brick cow shed was converted for its use under Rev. Robin Lightfoot who became a martyr during the Civil War. Site of American Missionary School after Emancipation. Organized as St. Paul AME […]
Jan
Episcopal services in Florence began in 1824. Rev. Thomas Armstrong Cook organized Trinity Episcopal Church in 1836. The original building, on the northwest corner of College and Cedar Streets, was consecrated Feb. 23, 1845, by Bishop Nicholas Hamner Cobbs. It burned in 1893, and this building was constructed in 1894, using the tower bell from […]
Sep
First United Methodist Church Established September 8, 1822 in a log house on the west side of town by Revs. John Cox and John Kerr. Cox and wife, Frances Langley, had been affiliated with the Wesleys in England. Second meeting was in Farmer’s Cobbler Shop on West Mobile Street. The third house of worship was […]
Jan
First Presbyterian Church The Presbyterians organized the first church in Florence and purchased this property from the Cypress Land Company in 1818. A sanctuary was erected here in 1824. James L. Sloss, an early Alabama Territory missionary, was installed as the church’s first permanent pastor in 1830. Although the church buildings have undergone several major […]
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Northwest RC&D Council.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Research led by Nancy Gonce; research assistance and additional photography by Amy Privette.