0
0
Photos By Ericka Lane, Special to The NavCo Chronicle
Kirvin Baptist Church, for many years, has dreamed of a new space to replace the building they have utilized for more than 50 years. Soon, those dreams will become a reality.
In the meantime, the falling down church building must be cleared away to make room for the new church home. Crews with KDT Construction began the tear down process on Monday morning and continued into the evening. By 7 p.m., what once stood as a home for countless Vacation Bible School programs, Sunday morning sermons, baptisms, and so many more events.
THE HISTORY OF KIRVIN
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2021
The Kirvin Community originated in the Woodland Community, a community founded in 1848 by Alabama pioneers. The Woodland Community was transplanted a few miles south, now Kirvin, and all that remains is the Woodland Cemetery. According to the Historical marker at the cemetery, it states, ‘This cemetery was opened with burial of Capt. John L. Wortham (1841-62), who died in Galveston while in Confederate Army in the Civil War. Col. Luther R. (“Dick”) Wortham (1820-74), a merchant and planter who came from Kentucky, gave land around the grave for a cemetery, Woodland College, and a Baptist church. In 1906, Woodland College building was given to the people of nearby Shiloh for their school. This cemetery with over 1,000 graves – burial place of many local leaders – marks center of the historic community.’
The Baptist Church remains there and serves as shelter, if necessary.
Photographed By James Hulse, February 25, 2021
A church was organized in 1854 and a school before 1857. In 1903 the school had an enrollment of twenty-nine.
The early post office was named Bonner for the first postmaster, W. E. Bonner. The community had a general store, cotton gins, blacksmith shops, gristmills, and three churches.
Land for a cemetery was donated by L. R. Wortham, who also owned the general store. The cemetery was named Woodland Cemetery, and the earliest grave was laid in 1862. Woodland College for Boys was established in 1863 on land donated by Wortham.Â
AND NOW
Members of Kirvin Baptist Church have collected donations over the last decade and still need more to complete the project. If you are interested in helping this community and church family, you are asked to contact the church directly or on Facebook.
Church services will be held at the Kirvin Methodist Church building until the new church is completed.
About Author
