In November 1881, heirs of John
F. McMurray sold ten acres of land in the Halfway Community to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South for $30. The land was formerly the site of
the Coushatta Academy and Campground. The old Camp Shed was used
for revivals and services were held in the Academy building. The
church was called Coushatta Academy at that date. Rev. J.W. Hearn
was the pastor at that time.
In 1887, a parsonage was built
on the property. In March 1888, the circuit horse was sold for $60 to apply
to the parsonage and furnishings. The church was built by the men
of the church. The furniture was made of pine and put together with
square nails. The hickory framework was pegged together. Construction
on the church was completed by the spring of 1888. The church was
dedicated in the name of Wesley. At some point, it became known as
Wesley Chapel. The first church membership record was begun in 1892
by Rev. Lewis Reed. Green Mangham donated half an acre of land next
to the parsonage for the pastor to use as a garden. But by the next
year, the parsonage wasn’t being used. It was finally sold in 1903
and moved from the property.
Around 1913, Sunday School classes
were held at the Carroll School.
A tornado knocked the church
from its foundation in 1933. Though it was repaired, the church was
torn down and rebuilt in 1942 by Guy WImberly and Loftin Greer. In
1951, funds from a Box Supper were used to build the cemetery. A
Turkey Dinner in 1952 raised money to install sheet rock and floor tile.
After the church burned down
on August 27, 1985, it was rebuilt by May of 1986.
Source: Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, Helen
M. Price & Katherine P. Fowler |
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