Chalk Hill Church 

Used by Permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission

Submitted by: Gloria B. Mayfield

Coordinator: Dolores I. Bishop

  Many memories are associated with the church building that sits in a grove if stately oak trees in the Chalk Hill Community. Descendants of early settlers still enjoy meeting there. The church is on Highway #1716 near the Volunteer Fire Department building. Across the highway is the cemetery.

  Early settlers brought their respective religious beliefs with them. It was tradition to go and hear the word preached. Many denominations were represented. The first school built about 1900, was used for religious services until the new church was built in 1921. The church that was built was a union church. Each denomination represented had use of the church building. It was agreed, by all, that the church would be used by the protestant faith.

  The land where the church was built was donated by two upright men of the community. Elisha Hamilton Pepper gave one acre and Chester Wilson gave about one acre. The Pepper family embraced the Primitive Baptist faith, while the Wilson family favored the Methodist convention.

  Lumber and shingles used for the building came from the local sawmill and shingles owned and operated by James Arthur Pepper. The men of the community built the church and furnished the materials needed. They gave freely of their time and labor. The head carpenter was Shaw Graham. Thomas J. Waits and W.P. Henry Wilson Worked tirelessly raising money to complete the building.

  Churches using the building through the years were: Methodist, Assembly of God, Primitive Baptist, Free Will Baptist, Church of Christ, Pentecost and Undenominational. Baptisms at local lakes and streams were common. Streams used were: Long Glade Lake, Lees Creek, C.E. Rogers Lake, and later Lake Cherokee.

  The church has been used for many social gatherings. There was Sacred Harp singing, Music Lessons, Singing Schools, Christmas Pageants, weddings and anniversaries.

  In 1939-40 a community playhouse was formed. Plays were “acted out” on the little platform in the church building. People of the community supported the efforts. Plays were ordered in and directed by Vivian Hinkle Barlow and Ollie Smith Freeman. Props were made and arranged by the older boys of the cast. White sheets were used for curtains and for dressing rooms. Some of the young actors and actresses were: Ottis Belew, Rayford Belew, Tate Belew, Arthur Watson, Robert Beall, Hazel Beall, Pauline Beall, Robbie Lynn Freeman, Virginia Freeman, Ruth Kelly, and Buddy Kelly. There were possibly others not remembered by me.

  The early homecomings were well attended. Gospel songs were sang by everyone. And there were some who sang Sacred Harp songs. Flodie Williams played the piano a lot for the singing. Dinner on the ground and concession stands on the grounds, with cold drinks and ice cream cones, were enjoyed by all.

  Mr. William Sharp loved to sing, and led most of the songs at one period of time. He was instrumental in entertaining the “Rusk County Singing Convention” at Chalk Hill, which later was in conjunction with the annual homecoming.

  The primitive Baptist Church was organized in the Chalk Hill Church building in 1952, although there had been services there since the early 1920’s. The Chalk Hill Primitive Baptist Church joined the Little Hope Association several years later. They were pleased to cast the Little Hope association in its One Hundredth Thirtieth Annual Session in 1980. The grounds were prepared to accommodate several motor homes and campers, R.V.s and tents for the people who came to spend several days for the meeting. Several states were represented.

  The church building is still used, and is kept with loving care.   By Virginia Freeman Selman