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Rural Southwest Alabama: Attractions

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Clark Chapel United Methodist Church at Gainesville, AL (ca. 1867)

Black Heritage, Churches and Cemeteries | Gainesville in Sumter County  

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The Clark Chapel United Methodist Church was founded by freed slaves in 1867, only two years after the end of the Civil War. This is one of the oldest independent black congregations in Alabama and the South. The small wood building that is shown is believed to be the original church constructed by the congregation. It still has its original pews.

This church is located at the intersection of W Spruce and State Streets in Gainesville (Google Street View).

Photographs taken October 2013.

Sources: 1) Gainesville, Alabama Tour Guide; 2) Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area Tour, publisher: ahc.stqry.app

Tags: alabama, black belt, black heritage, chapel, church, gainesville, methodist, sumter county

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About This Website

Welcome to rural southwest Alabama. This website is dedicated to twelve counties located in rural southwest Alabama which includes a large portion of Alabama’s Black Belt area. This region is known for its rich and diverse heritage, historic homes and churches, and natural beauty. This website contains details about historic and interesting places that you will find in this area of Alabama.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE HOMES INCLUDED ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARE DRIVE BY ONLY.

We hope that you enjoy this website.

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Dedicated to the memory of Stacy Milstead Henson (1978-2008) & Inez “Sis” Watts (1924-2007).

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