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Around 1890 a group of local
sharecroppers gathered in Chappells to form a Community
Church. Their names are somewhat fuzzy now but their purpose
lives today. They did not read, write or own any
property. The landowner of that time gave them permission to
form a church, at the very location it is on today. The first
Church was built of brush and twigs to protect the faithful from the
wind and sunlight. Around 1915 the bad weather prevented them
from having service. The offspring of the original founders
decided they wanted a real Church and bought the existing property
of one acre. The cost was $1 and was paid through a loan at
the Exchange Bank of Newberry in February 1915. (Note: This $1 is
the way it is written but I suspect that it was more $100).
Four years later the loan was paid off. The Church Committee
at that time was Abe Cohens, John Watts, Frank Pitts and Milledge
Snow, the first Deacons of the Church. Since that time Church
Deacons have been Author Williams, Charlie Watts, Ralph Henderson,
Rogers Leaks Sr., Dorroh Watts, W. C. Watts, Ollie Suber, Sam C.
Williams, Johnny Leaks, and Marvin
Farrow
by Johnny Leaks as taken from
the African American Cemetery Book by Edith Greisser
The church supports
a
cemetery..
"Morgan Scurry, former
slave of Dr. Drury Scurry, born near Chappells Depot, was the son of
Tom and Frances Scurry who were bought from Col. Cooper of Laurens
County. 'In our neighborhood black folks had their own church
made of poles and brush. The seats were made of small logs
sawed off the rough plank' On December 23, 1937, Morgan
Scurry, Minister died at 70+ years of age. The informant for
his death certificate was Jannie Scurry. It was recorded his
father was Tom Cooper and his mother was Frances Cooper, burial was
at Calvary Church Cemetery with Williams & Pratt Funeral Home
assisting." (Library of Congress; Slave Narratives; March 25,
1937 Vol. 14 part 4 page
155) |
