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

NameWhen ReceivedHow ReceivedBy Whom ReceivedDate of Death or Disposal
Adams, J.C.Oct.,1908By transferJ.W. Hamner
Adams, Willie L.Oct.,1908By transferJ.W. Hamner
Bates, Elizabeth1887By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith 1897
Bates, LillyAug.,1887By certificateChas. D.JordanDropped from roll by order of church conference,189-
Caffey, HarietteSep.14,1897By certificateG.W. HintonAug.1902- joined Baptist Church
Caver, A.Z.Oct. 27,1907By certificateR.J. Mills
Caver, Allula BelleMarch 13,1911On professionJ.W. Killow
Caver, Annie LouAug. 28, 1919VowsD.L. Folsom
Caver, DavidMay 1892CertificateJ.E. McCannDeparted in the faith 1895
Caver, Etta H.Aug. 5,1916D.L. Folsom
Caver, FrankNov.9,1902By certificateG.K. Williams
Caver, George W.Aug. 28,1919VowsD.L. FolsomDied 1925
Caver, Jettie PearlAug. 28,1907On professionR.J. Mills
Caver, JosephSep. 7,1909On professionJ.W. HamnerBy certificate Sep.1930
Caver, MarySep. 7,1909On professionJ.W. Hamner
Caver, PeggyMay 1892CertificateJ.E. McCannMoved off without certification
Caver, Vera AvisJul. 22,1917Vows & baptism(SEE: Vera Smith)
Caver, WilliamMarch 13,1911By transferJ.W. Killow
Cox, AlvaSep.24,1888On professionChas. D.JordanDeparted in peace Nov. 1895
Cox, Julia A.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanBy certificate Jan. 18,1913
Cox, Luther F.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanDropped from roll by order of church conference,189-
Cox, Noah W.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith Oct. 9, 1907
Cox,NorahJan. 29,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted this life in the faith 1908
Daniels, Thos. N.Aug. 5,1916D.L. Folsom
Davis, MattieSep. 11,1888On professionChas. D.JordanWithdrawn 1893
Dawson, F.D.certificateJune 1918
Dawson, KittieSep.1897On professionG.W. HintonBy certificate June 1918
Dawson, S.D.March 13,1911By transferJ.W. KillowDropped 1913
Deramus, R.S.Nov., 1887By certificateChas. D.JordanDied April 1926
Falkner, ClaudSep. 26,1888On professionChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith Oct. 12,1897
Frith, E.R.Apr. 12,1891By certificateW. BandcroftBy certificate 1896
Frith, G.A.Apr. 12,1891By certificateW. BandcroftBy certificate 1896
Frith, Ida L.Apr. 12,1891By certificateW BandcroftBy certificate 1896
Frith, J.P.Apr. 12,1891By certificateW. BandcroftBy certificate 1896
Frith, N.O.July 1892On professionJ.E. McCann
Frith, Samuel B.July 1892On professionJ.E. McCannBy certificate
Golson, John F.March 11,1888On professionChas. D.JordanBy certificate Nov.,1892
Graham, GeromaSep. 15,1897On professionG.W. HintonDeparted in the faith Sep. 1898
Higginbottom, MaggieSep.11,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith 1890
Hunter, L.A.Mar. 14,1897ReinstatedG.W. HintonDeparted in the faith July 25, 1897
Langford, AnnieOn professionChas. D.Jordan
Langford, B.B.Aug.,1887By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted this life June 10th,1907(01?)
Langford, SarahAug. 14,1887Chas. D.Jordan“Lost sight of”
Marona, Julia L.Oct. 22,1916By certificate
Marona, MattieJuly 1892On professionJ.E. McCannBy certificate 19-
Maroney, Mrs. D.L.March 13,1911By transferJ.W. KillowBy certificate 1921
Marooney, Julia L.By certificate 1921
Marooney, MaudeMarch 13,1911On professionJ.W. Killow
Matthews, Bell J.Nov., 1887By certificateChas. D.JordanWithdrawn
McNeill, O.C.Aug. 11,1889By certificateF.P. CulverBy certificate 1891
Moore, MissouriMay 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanTransferred …A.D. 1887
Moore, William D.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanTransferred …A.D. 1887
Nichoels, Josephine E.Aug. 11,1889By certificateF.P. CulverDropped from roll 1893
Nicheols, Thos. J.Aug. 11,1889By certificateF.P. CulverDropped from roll 1893
Nunn, CharleyOn professionW. BanderoftBy certificate Sep.20, 1913
Nunn, FannieSep.11,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith Sep. 22,1897
Nunn, Ira C.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanDropped from roll by order of church conference,189-
Nunn, Newton J.1888ReinstatedChas. D.Jordan
Nunn, WilliamSep.1898On professionJ.A. GrovesTransferred Sep.22,1905
Ousley, Mrs. M.L.Oct. 1908By certificateJ.W. Hamner
Ousley, Miss PearlOct. 1908By certificateJ.W. Hamner
Parker, IdaSep.26, 1888By certificateChas. D.JordanBy certificate Mar. 13,1892
Patillo, MinnieSep. 24,1888On professionChas. D.JordanBy certificate 1901
Paul, Elza B.Sep.12,1897By certificateG.W. HintonJoined the Alabama Conference
Ray, Mrs. BessieSep. 23,1927By letterI.F. Bilbro
Ray, DelmasSep. 26,1920VowsW.L. Connor
Ray, Dora LeeJul. 22,1917Vows & baptismD.L. FolsomBy certificate Oct 28,1923
Ray, Matthew C.Aug. 28,1919VowsD.L. Folsom
Ray, Sidney K.Mar. 27,1921VowsW.L. Connor
Roy, Eddie LeeMay 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.Jordan(died or transferred) Fwb. 10, 1889
Roy, Edna BelleJul. 1892On professionJ.E. McCann
Roy, George R.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.Jordan(died or transferred) Fwb. 10, 1889
Roy, Jas. Marvin1895On professionA.H. MooreDied Nov. 12,1925
Roy, John E.Aug. 13,1903On professionR.C. Williams
Roy, John H.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanDied in the faith Sep. 4,1923
Roy, Joseph M.Sep.2,1902G.K. WilliamsDied Feb. 5,1919
Roy, Nancy E.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.Jordan(died or transferred) Fwb. 10, 1889
Roy, Nancy J.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanDied Mar. 24,1930
Roy, Nannie R.Nov.11,1900On professionG.K. Williams
Roy, Rosa L.Aug. 13,1903On professionG.K. Williams
Roy, Temperance C.May 9th, 1886By certificateChas. D.JordanTransferred from Mt. Zion then…? “Died in the faith, 1:00a.m.,January 28,1902
Roy, Temperance E.Sep. 26,1888On professionChas. D.Jordan
Roy, Walter M.Sept.,1887On professionChas. D.Jordan
Sanderson, Miss CallieAug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Sanderson, Miss JessieAug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Sanderson, Miss LeolaAug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Sanderson, Miss RubyAug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Sanderson, Mr.S.A.Aug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Sanderson, Mrs. S.A.Aug. 1924By letterI.F. BilbroBy certificate Oct. 27,1930
Scarbrough, B.B.Dead
Scarbrough, Mrs. B.B.March 13,1911By transferJ.W. KillowM. Selma (moved to Selma?)
Smith, Vera A. CaverBy certificate 1921
Stoudenmire, S.E.Sept.,1887By certificateChas. D.JordanDead
Taylor, Ida M.Aug. 11,1889By profession A.H. MooreBy certificate Nov. 16,1894
Vassar, PollyannSep.11,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith 1905
Vinson, James HowellMarch 13,1911On professionJ.W. Killow
Vinson, Fay1919By certificate
Vinson, MaryNov., 1887By certificateChas. D.Jordan
Vinson, Paul1919By certificate
Watkins, John C.Mar. 23,1924By letterI.F. BilbroDied June 12,1926
Watkins, Mary E.Aug. 5,1916D.L. Folsom
Watkins, Mrs. S.C.
Watkins, Temperance E.Sep. 26,1888On profession
Willis, Anna GraceOct. 22,1916By certificate
Willis, Annie LouMarch 13,1911On professionJ.W. Killow
Willis, ElijahMarch 11,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith January 18, 1897
Willis, ElizabethMar. 1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith Feb. 6,1897
Willis, EttaSep. 7,1909On professionJ.W. HamnerWithdrawn 1913
Willis, George M.Nov., 1887On professionChas. D.JordanBy certificate Oct. 28,1924
Willis, Henryetta1895On professionA.H. MooreDeparted in the faith 1905
Willis, James M.Jan.,1888By certificateChas. D.JordanDied 3-28-1917
Willis, Jesse AlphonzoMarch 13,1911By certificate Oct. 28,1923
Willis, KittieSep.15,1897On professionG.W. Hinton
Willis, Lillie BellOct. 7,1897On professionG.W. HintonBy certification 1898
Willis, Mattie R.July 1892On professionJ.E. McCann
Willis, M.N.Nov., 1887On professionChas. D.JordanDeparted in the faith March 12, 1896
Willis, MaryNov., 1887By certificateChas. D.Jordan
Willis, RebeccaJan.7,1888By certificateChas. D.Jordan
Willis, SamanthaNov., 1887By certificateChas. D.JordanBy letter Nov. 1898
Willis, Susan S.Oct.,1908By transferJ.W. HamnerBy certificate Oct. 28,1923
Willis, Wesley EdwinMarch 13,1911On professionJ.W. KillowBy certificate Oct. 28,1923
Wilson, AddieJuly 1887Chas. D.JordanBy certificate May 1892

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