Lincoln United Methodist first began in 1841 (in the Lincoln community known as Patton's Chapel). The Rev. Dr. Patton, who was pastor of the Munford Circuit (Methodist) saw the need for a chapel or church in this area just north of Lincoln. With the help of the people of that section, they built a chapel. Mr. T. J. Brewer (grandfather of Mrs. Mamie Baugh, Mrs. Ida Hall and Chas Love) donated the land on which the first church was built. Mr. Abner Clark (great-grandfather of the above named) was also a pillar of the early church.
This church remained in the Patton's Chapel Community until 1886, when it was moved to Lincoln. Soon after, a church was built on the present site of the Lincoln United Methodist Church. It is believed that the land (or a large part of it) was donated by Judge J. C. Wilson. One the Memorial windows was given in his memory.
At the last Quarterly Conference on January 16, 1886, the following trustees were elected: T. J. Brewer, John Glazner, and B. Schmidt (grandfather of Mrs. Alma Coggins). At this time, Rec. C. L. Dobbs was pastor of the Talladega Circuit and Rev. Aaron West was the Presiding Elder. According to our records, the 3rd Quarterly Conference of 1886 lists Lincoln as a church and notes that the next Quarterly Conference will be held at the Lincoln Church. The first Sunday School Superintendent was J. C. Wilson.
The Following year (1887) the 1st Quarterly Conference which met on February 19th lists John Wesley Crawford (father of Mrs. Mary Henderson), Abel H. Crawford and members of their families as new members.
Before the Conference of May 14, 1887, a missionary society was organized. According to records, held by Mrs. T. L. McDonald, this was among the first of the societies in Alabama.
The 3rd Quarterly Conference report of july 23, 1887, records that "the lumber is now secured and that we proceed to raise the money for purpose of building on the church lot at Lincoln."
It is a generally accepted fact that the munger mentioned above was donated by Messrs. John and Jim Lanier, early members, who owned a small saw mill on the LCk 4 rd. It is said that most of the original church building was built by "free labor" and when finished it was valued at one thousand dollars.
On OCtober 8, 1887, a resolution was adopted authorizing the trustees to sell the Parsonage at Eastoaboga and apply the proceeds on the building of another at Lincoln. Mr B. Schmidt offered the follow resolution in 1890: "resolved that the stewards be authorized to lay an assessment of fifty cents upon each member of the church and collect it with the "Quarterage" for the Parsonage.' The Resolution was approved.
In 1888, it is recorded that "the prayer meeting at Lincoln is very well attended, particularly so by the young people." The support of the ministry was often listed at $150, sometimes lede per quarter. The Talladega Circuit at that time embraced four churches" Owen's Springs (eastaboga), Cold water, Bethel, Lincoln.
Rev. J. H. L. Davis records in 1887 that the Sunday School at Lincoln "is growing in attendance and interest and the work is moving steadily forward. " These good reports continue through the years. Much of this credit was given to the dedicated leadership of such men as J.C. Wilson, A. H. Crawford, A. J. Mosely, T. A> Carpenter, Sam Carpenter, Paul Pruitt, Jenkins Moselely, Rajmond Martin, W. E. Price, L. W. Henderson, W. C. Sullivan, Horace Lidewell, Jr., J. D. Hubbard, and others.
Names of staunch members through the years began to appear on the Roll near the tirhn of the century: "Colvin, Montogemery, Cerpenter, Burns, Hart, Noell, Castleberry, Davis, Hardin, Dill, Patterson, Sawyer, Cox".
During the 1st quarter of the century these additional names appreaded on the our records" "Dickinson, Meharg, Sharp, Watson Moseley, Love, Hackney, Hutton, Sullican, England, Graham, Allred". man other names could be listed up to the present date, but that would include the entire church roll.
The Main auditorium of the church stands as it was first built. An addition was made in 1910 or 1912, when the alcove was added for the altar and the upper room was build for a children's department. This was done throughout he leadership of Linda harrison Wilson (Mrs. J.H. Wilson). No history would be completer without naming Mrs. Birdie H. Davis and Mrs. kate Y. Love as the first teachers in the new department.
In 1943, a need was seen for more Sunday School rooms and Fellowship Hall. A committee headed by A. J. Moseley, during the pastorate of Rev. L. W. Young, raise the first money to apply on this project. The drive for money continued through the pastorate of Rev. S. D. Lnakford. A pep meeting was held while Dr. T. L. McDonald was pastor, at which time Bishop Purcell spoke to the group on the proposed building project. At the next quarter conference, Dr. Gus W. Colvin was elected as Finance Chairman, A. J. Moseley was named Treasurer and Robert Watson, Sr. was named Chairman of the Building Committee. Dr. Colvin said in a letter written tot he membership, "Once in a lifetime, if we are so fortunate, we have the opportunity of doing something really fine, something which ill endure through the years and which ill give us the deep satisfaction of a job well done/ Such an opportunity is ours now, and we invite you to share it with us." The work was begun use arrest and pursued to a finish.
S pecial Quarterly Conference on June 13, 1954, during the pastorate of Rev. R. F. Mxwell, was called to consider a new parsonage. A motion was mdd by Raymon Martin, seconded by Carl Graham, Jr. to build a new parsonage at an estimated cost of $7,500 plus "free labor". The trustees were named as a building committee by a motion made by W. D. Patterson and seconded by W. H. Dickinson. Geo. Brooks was named as financial secretary.
Both of the Projects, the Church and the Parsonage were completed and dedicated on November 30, 1958, by the late Bishop Bachman G. Hodge.
A hist of the Lincoln United Methodist Church would not be complete without mentioning the inspiration which has come form music in our worship services. In the early years onf the church, Mrs. Inez Schmidt was the organist. Then came Mrs. Angie Burns, Mrs. W. C. Madden, and Mrs. Dorothy Donahoo. Mrs. Louise SUllican was named the organist in 1945 and she serviced int his capacity for 25 years. Presently Mrs. Molly Steed is the organist and Mrs. Wilda Graham is the pianist.
Dr. R. D. Pitts says, "In 1841, God moved a handful of devout men and women to begin a significant journey through history by establishing our Church. Each step onft he journey was to provide spiritual comfort and challenge for the under sally needy lives of persons. We and our forbears in this place have tried to keep put he pace. We are forever humbled by the fact that our human frailties have sometimes caused us to stumble and at others time to be lured front he path to diversionary interests. God' spirit has repeatedly brought us back to the path and strengthened us for our journey of ministry.
The more significant impact of our ministry in terms of comfort and challenged lives cannot be measured. However, some of out steps can be measured. Int he past year we can point to re-establishment of our children's department and nursery; the creation of a young adult Sunday School class, increased financial support for the whole chur h, enlargement of worship attendance and extensive painting of the interior of our Church building. Still our journey is not complete. May God show us the way. May he strengthen our steps as we journey into the future."
Lincoln United Methodist Church has rich heritage of spiritual growth, Church loyalty, and devotion to God. MAY IT EVER BE SO!----
Submitted: Mary C. Henderson, and Lula N. Hackney]