HISTORY OF THE
WATER VALLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Williamsport, Tennessee
The history of the Water Valley Church of Christ dates back further than when the Church building was actually built. Sometime later, it was known as Alexander Methodist Church. The members of the Church of Christ did not at this time have a building to meet in so they took turns at having prayer meetings and preaching in t
heir homes. As time passed, a little conflict arose in the Methodist Church and one of the members, Mr. Pigg, left there and about one mile further down the road, right in the heart of Water Valley, on the bank of Leipers Creek, he gave an acre of land and on this land was to be built another church, and it was to be known as a Union Church. This was in December of 1881. By November of 1882, the building was completed, and the deed was filed November 7, 1882. This building was two stories high, the upper room was to be used as a school building and the lower story used for all religious groups. Three trustees were appointed to oversee this building and divide the time of each denomination so as not to conflict with each other. Each of the trustees must always appoint someone to take his place in event of death. In the beginning, the only ones that we have a record of using this Church building were that Presbyterians, whose first preacher was Mr. (Bob) Whitaker. The Nazarenes, whose first preacher was Mr. McGowan, also used the church. Later the members of the Church of Christ started using it and we believe that Brothers Will Morton and Newt Derryberry may have been the first preachers. Brother F. Sowell, who at the time lived in Columbia, is known to have been there for the dedication of the building and preached his first sermon there. He preached there from time to time for many years to come and came to be known as one of our oldest and most faithful gospel preachers throughout this part of the country. Dr. Ward held meetings there for six consecutive years. These three used the Church building every third Sunday. We do not know how long this arrangement continued, but we do know that the Presbyterians stopped using it and that in 1906, the Nazarenes bought a half interest in the Baptist Church and it still stands and is known as the Akins Chapel Baptist and Akins Chapel Nazarene Church. Arrangements are made between these two denominations so as not to conflict with each other. Each has preaching two Sundays out of the month. This left only the Church of Christ using the building for many, many years. At this time, the crowds were few in number and some our oldest faithful members were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Sewell, Mr. Dodson Blackburn, Mr. Will Houser, Mr. Bob Pigg, Mrs. Annie Pope, Mrs. Mattie Head, Mr. Tom Maize and Mr. Tom Ritchie. Finally, the day came when the school room upstairs was abandoned and a school building was built close by. It was used as only a Church building from then on. We only had preaching once a month, Sunday school on other Sundays. About 1930, two brothers came along from Bon Aqua, Tennessee. They were Leonard and Granville Tyler. They held our meetings for several years with Granville doing the preaching and Leonard leading the singing. Our crowds began to increase. Attendance came up for a few years. But as time passed, some repairs must be made in order to keep using the building. The trustees were contacted and about 1931, the members of the Church of Christ asked permission to tear down the second story and make necessary repairs to make a good one story building since they were the only ones using it. This they were allowed to do. So work began, with people in the community giving of their time and efforts. Several donations were also given by different people. This work was under the leadership of Mr. E. Dodson. The second story was torn down and a good one story building made from it. Hardwood floors were put in, a porch added to the front and two storage rooms on each side of the porch. It was painted inside and out and wired for electric lights. Gas heat was installed later. Time moved on. Most of our oldest faithful members had passed on, others came to take their place. Mr. Clarence Sudberry, who has done lots of good work throughout the country, helped us out in various ways. We had one young man in our own community, W. Jenkins, who wanted to be a preacher, and for several years he did a good work here, but later he moved to Nashville. Our crowds decreased from time to time and this writer can recall many, many times when Mr. Bruce Gray (her father) was the only man at the worship on Sunday morning to read, lead prayer and wait on the table. Older folks that I know say it happened many times before I can remember. But in later years, we have been very fortunate in securing some regular preachers and having preaching every Sunday morning and night. We have had several boys from Freed-Hardeman and David Lipscomb who have helped us out wonderfully. Then in February of 1958, Brother James Williams came to us from Columbia Riverside congregation and although he had not been preaching for very long, he was an able worker and he did much for the Church here. Our young people’s class began to increase and he always found work for them to do. At this time, all our classes met in the one room, in different corners. He asked why we could not have Sunday school rooms built. So this began to be a dream that we must make come true. Finally we did! In 1959, two new Sunday school rooms were added, and another paint job inside and out and before the year ended, the building was air-conditioned. We have two young men of our congregation (brothers) Freddie and L. G. White who for several years wer responsible for our Church yard being mowed and our grounds and building kept neat and clean. We believe that we have one of the largest groups of young folks who are able and willing at all times to take part in services here at Water Valley of any rural congregation anywhere. During the year 1961, we had two of our young men, Freddie White and James Grayland Huey who entered David Lipscomb College, Nashville, to study Bible and have since made talks during the absence of our regular minister. At the time of this writing in June of 1962, we have as our regular minister, Brother Dorris Hubbell of Spring Hill, Tennessee, who with his wife, Maggie Sudberry Hubbell are doing a good work here. Plans are underway at this time to add another Sunday school room, paint the interior and seats, and also to move the Church building farther from the creek bank and turn it so that it will face the road. New signs have been put up in front of the building and at points leading into Water Valley giving the name Water Valley Church of Christ, time of services and ministers name. Before I close this history, I would like to mention the names of a few people who have been a great help in writing this, as this dates back to times before I was born. Arch Ladd, who is now 84 years old and a member of the Goshen Methodist Church can recall when both the Methodist Church and the Church of Christ was built, even though he was only a small boy - four years old. Mrs. Lettie Blackburn, who is 83, can remember back and recall some of our oldest preachers and members, also, Mr. Sam Sewell, whose memory dates back quite a few years, deserve mention. Had it not been for a few of the older folks, this history could not have been written. The above information has been gained by Wilburn M. Fox, assisted mainly by Mrs. James Huey. (Water Valley congregation) Santa Fe, Tennessee
HISTORY OF THE WATER VALLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST
1962-1974
Several years ago, I was asked by Brother W. M. Fox, of Columbia, to write the history of the Water Valley Church of Christ, as best I could. At that time (1962) he was writing a history of all congregations of the Church of Christ in Maury County (50). I finished my writing in June of 1962, and nothing has been added since that time, until now. In January of 1964, Brother Charles W. Anderson, with his wife, June, and small daughter Connie Kay of Nashville, came to work with us. He labored with us from that time until September of 1970. At that time, plans were under way to add another room to the Church building and to have other repairs made. But, as I have already stated, the building did not belong to the Church, so Brother Anderson begged and pleaded that the congregation buy or build a Church building of our own. He and several others worked hard toward this! Due to legal entanglements to get the title cleared, they were not able to buy the building that we were using. They also tried buying property in order to build a new building in the same vicinity. This they were not able to do either. Next, they tried to purchase the old abandoned Water Valley School building, but were defeated in this also. However, a Building fund had been started and each first Sunday’s contribution was placed in it. The faithful members of the Water Valley Church of Christ were determined that some means would be found for the Lord’s Church to have its own building in that community, in spite of all the obstacles they had faced. The Building Fund was growing steadily, and so were the spirit and interest among the members. About this time, the Anderson Family left us to go to work with another congregation; and Brother Grady Gardner and his wife, Hester, of Franklin, came to work with us. Brother Gardner was a veteran of the United States Air Force and had also done missionary work in foreign fields for a number of years. He had come home to Middle Tennessee to retire and teach school. We feel very fortunate to have him with us now. As a last resort to find land on which to build a Church building, Sister Bruce gray (this writers mother), who is one of the long time faithful members of this congregation, offered to give two acres of ground, which was mostly a hillside of rocks and cedar trees, but was the best she had. Her offer was gratefully accepted, and legal procedures were started at once. This was arranged and the title recorded in January of 1972. Work began with bulldozers clearing the grounds, uprooting trees, and moving rocks during the summer of 1972. In July of 1972, the foundation was poured for the building, but the work was slow. Then in April of 1973, actual construction was begun. Finally, with lots of help and encouragement be determined members of the Church, especially the tremendous amount of time and labor and materials given by the men, as well as cooperation of the contractors and carpenters, the building was completed barely in time for the beginning of the Gospel Meeting on the fourth Sunday in July - July 22, 1973. The preaching for this first gospel meeting was done by Brother Oliver Pantall, of Columbia. He did not accept any money for his labor, in order to help on our debt. So, our dreams became a reality, with the new building, at a cost of $50,000. Quite a number of donations, large and small, have been given, both by individuals and other sister congregations. At this time, we have reached the half-way mark of $25,000. Brother Grady Gardner continues to work with us and, of course, as our regular minister, was the first to preach in our new building. He is doing a wonderful job. On Mother’s Day of 1968, Brother William Tankersley and wife, Elaine, of Columbia, came to work with us also. Brother Tankersley has continued to serve since that time as our regular and very capable song director. We are very thankful for his efforts and ability and the good work he has done here. Worship services at Water valley begin each Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M. and Evening services at 6:00 P.M., with preaching at both services by Bro. Gardner. On Sunday mornings, the Adult Sunday school is taught by Brother Jerry Dukes, who recently moved to this community from Nashville with his family. His has a most interesting class! Among our other Sunday school teachers are Brother Robert Griffin, who works with the teenagers, and Sister Betty Shouse and Sister Shirley Oakley, who teach the smaller children’s classes. Wednesday night Bible study is conducted each week by Brother Gardner at 7:00 P.M., with Sister Pearl Kinzer teaching a class for the young people. We continue to give our first Sunday contribution to our building fund and our fifth Sunday contribution to the Tennessee Orphan’s Home at Spring Hill. On Sunday, January 27, 1974, we had the formal dedication of the new meeting house of the Water valley Church of Christ, at Santa Fe, Tennessee, along with an “Open House” from 1:30 to 2:30 P.M., then at 2:30 P.M. we hosted the regular Maury County Fourth Sunday Singing. Such a large crowd shared the happy occasion with us that we had to add chairs down the aisles and around the walls! Brother Charles Anderson was back with us as the main speaker for the Dedication service. Brother Johnny Jenkins, of Nashville, grandson of our Sister Hensley Jenkins, also spoke; and others who formerly preached or worked with this congregation were recognized. A plaque to hang in the new building was presented in honor of Sister Bruce Gray, who donated the land. It was indeed a thrilling occasion, but also one of humble pride and thanksgiving, as we shared with each and every one our lovely new meeting house - which we all realize has been provided for our use by the grace of the Almighty God! Submitted by Mrs. James Huey - Jan. 2, 1974
