History of Rutledge Methodist Church, Evergreen Community, Alabama

By Larry E. Caver, Jr.

There are many long forgotten churches that once thrived in the early days of Autauga County’s history; churches which existed in the wildwoods adjacent to newly developing farms and communities. One such church was the Rutledge Methodist Church located in the Evergreen Community. The church was located on property presently owned by Vasser and Ann Caver of County Road 40 West in Autauga County.

There is not a lot of known evidence to document the history of Rutledge Church. However, church membership rolls have survived covering what appears to be the entire life span of the church. These rolls were updated at various times to include information on church members such as transfer dates to other churches or dates of death. These rolls contain some very valuable information for the individual researching family history on one of the families who attended Rutledge Church.

Rutledge Methodist Church started in 1886 with at least twelve members: Noah W. Cox, Luther F. Cox, Julia A. Cox, William D. & Missouri Moore, Ira C. Nunn, Eddie Lee Roy, George R. Roy, John H. Roy, Nancy E. Roy, Nancy J. Roy, and Temperance C. Roy. Charles D. Jordan served as the church’s first pastor. During the years of 1887 & 1888 many more neighboring families joined the Church. The church membership was made up of several old Autauga County families. The list of surnames include: Caver, Cox, Dawson, Frith, Langford, Nunn, Ray, Roy, Sanderson and Watkins, and Willis.

Rutledge Church thrived in the Billingsley-Plantersville Circuit of the Methodist Church from 1886 until 1931. In February 1930 the church lost its original sanctuary to fire. After the loss of its sanctuary, Rutledge Church met briefly at the Evergreen Baptist Church. Sometime in 1931 the members of Rutledge were transferred to other area Methodist Churches.

Rutledge Methodist Church Membership Roll