Beltline Church of Christ

Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama

CHURCH HISTORY
From "the ole cotton fields back home" these words from an old song are true. But, this is really when the thought of a congregation on the west side of Decatur had its beginning.

Mrs. Pearl Kelly and Mrs. Cora Sneed were chopping cotton together that day less than two miles north from where the Beltline church is located today.

Mr. R. E. Sneed ask William Kelly to help him with some farm chore so Mrs. Cora Sneed came over to the Kelly's to work in william's place chopping cotton. Here these two Christian ladies discussed the possibility of starting a congregation in this community. So they bought a handful of penny post cards and mailed them to several families on the west side of town notifying them of their plans and inviting them to come to the Kelly's home the 2nd Sunday of July 1931 in the afternoon.

The Kellys lived about a stone's throw east of Steve Armstrong's Yamaha dealership on the new Moulton Highway and the Beltline. The first meeting at the Kelly's home included some of the following: the William Kellys, the John Cagles, the Charlie Cagles, Pink Sutton, the R. E. Sneeds, the Jewel Harvells, and the Ed Garretts. Visitors from Grant Street were Bro. Gurney Tucker, Bro. Hendon, Bro. Greer, Bro. Flowers and Bro. Sam Burns (grandfather of our Sarah Paden). I'm sure there were others but Mrs. Pearl could only think of these families.

This first meeting was under a big oak tree in the Kelly's yard. The church was established here and continued through the Summer and early Fall.

As Fall settled upon the city, the rains and cold weather came. This forced the congregation inside. The meeting place moved to the Sneed's home. That good family simply emptied out a large room upstairs - so this is where they met through the winter.

During the next Summer the men of the church cleared out a nice place under some big oak trees in Moulton Heights. They built a brush arbor and the services were conducted there that Summer. This location is south of the Old Moulton Rd. and Pine Street which dead ends on Old Moulton Rd.

Brother Oscar Norton conducted a meeting under the brush arbor for the church that Summer, 1932. Bro. Norton has a daughter, Elsie Norton, who lives in Decatur now. She worships with the church at Grant Street. I can remember that meeting very well. Oil lamps and gas lanterns furnished the lights at night services.
n the Fall of 1933, Nov. 15th, Bro. R. E. Sneed passed away. He was a good man and one of their good leaders. He worked hard in getting the men and boys to participate in the services. All of them went along with him but Marlin and Leonard Cagle. Finally, he told them he was going to call on them next Sunday. During that week, Brother Sneed died and was buried. So the next Sunday one of the men said that Brother Sneed's last request was that these two boys take part in the next service. Neither of them refused.

With one of their leaders gone, one would think the congregation would fall apart, but not this one. That Fall they rented Ed Poff's old store building there in Moulton Heights at the corner of Old Moulton Rd. and Pine St, on the west side of Pine St. It was an old, dilapidated building but served the purpose until late 1934. It was sold and the church moved up on West Moulton St. where the Dairy Queen is now located.

It, too, was an old run down store building. We remember this place for its dampness. It leaked so bad when it rained the ladies had to use their umbrellas. While meeting here, I remember Brother Pink Sutton coming to worship in a buggy. He would give all the kids a penny to put in the collection plate.

I also remember a family who lived on 11th Ave. S.W. that had two daughters almost grown and they were mentally handicapped. Brother Andrew Cagle was passing the Lord's Supper around. When he came to these two girls, one of them took the whole piece of bread, broke it in half and gave her sister the other half. (The ladies of the church made the bread at that time.) Brother Andrew stood there for a second or two, then he grabbed one of the pieces, put it back in the plate and continued on. I thought (as a kid), what will he do with the one glass of the fruit of the vine? But when he got to them he just bypassed them.

With the water leaks getting worse, the church moved next door and upstairs over the Baker Sheats General Store. Discouragement set in because this was not a good place to have worship services. Also, there were some families living upstairs.

By this time Brother Walden Wear had become one of the church leaders. With support and backing of the members, Brother Wear bought the Winton store building on West Moulton St. and 11th Ave. S.W., just a stones throw from where we had been meeting.

This little building was 30'x40', a simple rectangle with several windows, two front doors and no classrooms. During the winter of 1935 the faithful Christians would come to every service and sit on pews made from stove wood blocks with 2"x6" or 2"x8" laid across them. Not a chance of going to sleep. You might fall off. The best I remember there were no cushions on these pews either.

At this location, the church employed their first minister, Brother Charles Bailey from Texas. This was a joint effort with the Austinville church. He would work with Westside for two weeks and then work with the Austinville church two weeks.
This was May 18, 1940.

We lived down on the Old Trinity Road at that time - farming. The house we lived in was located where the chicken processing plant is now located in the Industrial Park on McEntire Lane. We had a well for our water supply, an outhouse (double seater) and the whole nine yards, so I guess Brother Bailey as a young man right out of school found this to be pretty rough.

During the two weeks at Austinville Brother Bailey lived with the E.V. Wallace's on the corner of Cedar and Cleveland Streets. I understand they had indoor plumbing.

Brother Bailey baptized me during the summer of 1940.

While located at Moulton St. & 11th Ave. S.W. some businessmen built a sale barn where you sold and bought horses, mules and cattle. The mules and horses braying could be disturbing during worship, but the flies were the worse culprits.

By now in 1941-42 the little congregation appointed two elders, Brother Luke Cagle and Brother Andrew Cagle. Some months after this the Ralph Webb family (wife and son) came to Decatur from the Tri-Cities area. He was an insurance agent. He was a very energetic and enthusiastic Christian. He played a major role in our first planned church building. He encouraged the elders to build a new building.

In 1943, the church bought a corner lot from the City of Decatur for $450.00. This lot was located on Memorial Dr. N.W. and then Patterson St. N.W.

I remember one Sunday afternoon, our elders and several men of the church met with the elders of the Grant Street congregation to discuss with them our plans and, too, see if they would be willing to help us financially. We met in Brother Sandlin's home on 3rd Ave. N.W. I remember this meeting very well. As the meeting was about to conclude, Brother Flowers, one of the Grant St. elders, said, "You folks are not able to build a church building. Besides that, we have plenty of room for you at Grant St." Brother Webb let out a big horse laugh and said, "Brother Flowers, I've raised more money than that to build a football field." So we did.

Mr. Leroy Dietz was given the contract to build the church building in late 1942-43. We moved into this building in 1943. It was a frame building with asbestos siding, two classrooms, baptistry and restrooms. The cost was approximately $6,500.00.

While this building was under construction, we met a few months on Memorial Dr. N.W., in the old Joe Wheeler Elementary School. It has now been a Pentecostal church for some time.

Foy Short was our first minister at Memorial Dr. N.W. His parents were missionaries in Africa. He was born and reared there. He came to the States to get his college training at Abilene Christian. Foy was with us from July 1944 to July 1946. He married and moved back to Africa.

Don Healy was our minister from August 1946 until September 1947. While here his wife died during childbirth. The baby girl lived and we got to meet her this past Summer. Brother Short and Brother Healey taught at Athens Bible School.

The church borrowed $4,500.00 in 1947 from Brother Murray Dodd to build an annex to our building - 5 classrooms, 2 rooms in the basement and 3 rooms floor level with auditorium. We have grown to about 130 members now.

Brother T.A. Thompson and family came to us from the Austinville congregation in the Fall of 1947 on October 1st.

We borrowed money from Bro. and Sister O.N. Williams (one of our families) to build a preacher's home just behind the church building.

In 1953 or '54 Brother L.R. Brooks was appointed an elder to work along with Bro. Luke and Brother Andrew. Brother Thompson preached and worked with us for about ten (10) years. During his years, we really grew, both spiritually and numerically. He was one of the finest men I have ever known.

During this time (1957) Rufus Campbell, Millard Cagle, Willard Street and Hollis Lynn were appointed deacons. We had reached attendance of 200 or 250 during this 10 years.

Brother Thompson's only daughter, Zerah, worships with us now. She is married to Talmadge Wallace.

Joe Poston preached for us from April 1958 until October 1958.

Bob McAnally preached for us from the Fall of 1958 until August 1961. Bob is a native of Decatur, AL but he came to us from Michigan. He worked with us through the building program on Memorial Drive S.W. He is a fine Christian gentleman and did a great job for the church here. He left us in August 1961.

During Bob's work with us Brother Millard Cagle was appointed an Elder, July 1961. Lowell Tuten, Gene Page, Charles Smith, O.N. Williams, Dyke McLemore and Buddy Cagle were appointed Deacons in July 1961.

The church bought a good part of a city block on Memorial Drive S.W. and 1st St. S.W. for the location of our new building. We gave $15,000.00 for these lots, paid $1,000.00 down and paid it out by the month. We really ventured out on faith at this time. The land and the building cost approximately $120,000.00 as listed below.

The building, lots, and pews $111,000.00 Painting $3,000.00 Equipment $5,000.00 Miscellaneous $1,000.00.

We, the members, did all the painting, plumbing and the heating and cooling system. Brother Emmitt Birdwell really did a great job in leading us through the plumbing and H/A system. The auditorium was a quarter circle (beautiful), would seat 500 people, 15 classrooms, office and two nurseries.

Two loans were secured a $45,000.00 note from First Federal Savings & Loan Co. and sold $25,000.00 in Broadway Bonds. The former was retired at $439.00 per month, the latter at $200.00 per month. In 1960 the membership had grown to 260 members. The Sunday a.m. average was 290 in attendance, Sunday p.m. 190 and Wednesday night 175 in attendance. The contribution averaged $400.00 per Sunday.

Brother George Marshall and family came to us in November 1961. During the five (5) years George worked with us our Sunday School attendance increased from 180 to 310. The Sunday morning worship service increased from 250 to 450. The Sunday evening from 200 to 310. Wednesday night Bible Study increased about 25%. The Lord blessed us tremendously during this period. It seems everyone had a mind to work. To God we gave the glory. George and family left us on November 13, 1966. Also, during these five years we had 500 responses. Thirty-two (32)% were baptisms, 45% restorations and 41% placed membership.

Also, while Brother Marshall was with us, September 1964, the following men were appointed Deacons: Ernie Spivey, Ernest Taylor, Howard Morris, Troy Welch, B.G. Ryan, George Truitt and Carlos Webb.

Elmer Lusk and family came to us on December 9, 1966. Elmer came to us from the Eastside congregation in Columbia, TN. In December of 1966, additional elders and deacons were appointed. Elders were Howard Morris, Ernest Taylor and Troy Welch. Deacons were Charles Birdwell, Coleman Ledlow, John Redford, and Carol Simpson. The elders during Brother Lusk's work were Andrew Cagle, L.R. Brooks, Millard Cagle, Howard Morris, Ernest Taylor and Troy Welch.

Brother Morris resigned on June 4, 1967. They moved back to Florence, AL.

Brother Lusk did a great work at Memorial Drive and he was well thought of and appreciated by the church. He and his family left us on August 8, 1971. They went back to the Eastside congregation in Columbia, TN. At this time these were the only two congregations he had worked with. One of Elmer's hobbies was repairing and refinishing antique furniture.

Brother Curtis Sampley and family came to us on August 27, 1971 and continued with us until September 27, 1981. He helped us through two building programs, the education building and the auditorium.

On October 12, 1969 the church bought 10 acres of land out on the Beltline Rd. and Kathy Lane S.W. and took option on an addition 5 acres. We bought the land from Decatur Land Co. owned by Roy Fite and Clay Callahan. They gave the church two of the ten acres and gave us another acre when we exercised the option on the five acres. The land cost $132,000.00. The first stage of a three stage building program was begun in 1972.

The first stage was the educational building, which we used as an auditorium for about 8 years. We could seat 1,000 people in this building. The auditorium was surrounded with classrooms, offices and restrooms. This building was also built to the State of Alabama specifications so we could house a Bible School in the future. This building was financed by a bond program. It cost approximately $750,000.00. We sold $131,000.00 in bonds for ten years. Several members of the church loaned the church over $100,000.00 interest free for several years. This certainly was a great help.

The first service was conducted in this building May 27, 1973. Brother V.P. Black was our speaker at the dedication of the building on June 3, 1973.

In August of 1979 construction was begun on our current auditorium. It is supposed to seat 1,200 people. This building was also financed through a bond program, which was for $400,000.00. The cost was approximately $800,000.00. Furniture and equipment ran it close to $1,000,000.00. We occupied the auditorium on October 19, 1980.

Tom Holland was our guest speaker for our dedication. The first wedding in this new building was Frank Barker and Robin Solley. This is the second building program while Brother Sampley was with us.

Curtis and his family left us on September 27, 1981. He went to International Bible College in Florence, AL as one of the staff members there. He did a great job for the church at Beltline. He was loved by the church. We grew both spiritually and numerically during the ten (10) years the Sampleys were with us. Brother Sampley is currently working with Southern Christian University in Montgomery, AL and living in Ft. Deposit.

Brother Charles Boddy began work with Beltline on October 4, 1981 and worked with us until August 19, 1984. He was an excellent preacher. From Beltline Brother Boddy went to Germantown, TN. He is currently with the Dalraida congregation in Montgomery, AL.

Brother Gordon McWhorter came to us on July 7th, 1985 from the Madison congregation in Madison, AL. He was an excellent young preacher. He taught and converted many young couples while with us. We probably had our largest attendance while Gordon was with us. Quite frequently we would have 700 - 750 in attendance. Gordon grew up in adjoining Lawrence County. The McWhorter families in Lawrence County have been and are great pillars of the church. Gordon was an energetic young man. He left us August 21, 1988 and went to the Landmark congregation in Montgomery, AL.

Dan Winkler and family came to us from the Huntingdon, TN area on October 6, 1988. Dan worked with us for several years until April 17, 1994 and went to Crieve Hall in Nashville, TN. He is an excellent gospel preacher. It seems as though Beltline is a stepping stone to greener fields (?) for so many of our ministers. I suppose that is a good compliment.

During Dan's work with us we built the Activity Center. About June of 1989 we started planning how to finance the third phase of the three phase building. This building consisted of all our offices, work rooms, benevolent area, fellowship area, Fireside Room, the activity center and several classrooms. Woodward Construction Co. of Hartselle, AL was the contractor. This building was financed by pledges made by the members of the Beltline church over a three (3) year period. It took a little longer and a lot of people continued to give on a monthly basis until the debt was retired. This saved us thousands of dollars in interest. It is a much used facility.

We occupied this building on January 1, 1990 with a cost of over one million. Brother Granville Graves was very instrumental in putting this pledge plan in action. We appreciate Granville very much for his efforts and abilities for the cause of Christ.

Dwight Sowle and family worked with us most of the time Dan Winkler was with us as our Youth Director. The Sowles moved back to Nashville, TN and are now in Tyler, TX.

Brother Bruce White and wife, Judy, came to us from the Guntersville, AL church on August 1, 1994. Bruce is really doing an excellent work since coming to us. He is a real "people person". They have been well received by the Beltline church and also the community.

The church is enjoying a period of peace, calm and unity and a great spirit of cooperation. We thank our God for that and give Him all the praise and glory. I would like to think that the Beltline church is stronger spiritually now than ever before. So many people have a mind to work. So many ministries are working so efficiently.

The church is doing more mission work than in the history of the congregation, both locally and in foreign fields. We feel like we have one of the greatest mission works in the brotherhood going on in Haiti with the Joe Worndle family as our missionaries.

Our benevolent program is second to none, well known in our area for its work. There was probably $75,000.00 to $80,000.00 that went through the benevolent program last year.

Our medical team is going to Haiti this year. They alternate between Haiti and Guyana. We have a group of personal workers that go to Guyana and work with the medical team. Also, we have a group of brethren (8 or 10) who go and build church buildings. They went last year and built a church building for Brother Bruce House who graduated from International Bible College at Florence, AL.

We have a wonderful youth program. Randy Owens worked with us as an Associate Minister from March 1, 1995 until September 18, 1996. Randy is a local boy, reared here in the Austinville area. He did us a great job while here. He moved to East Cullman in Cullman, AL as their minister.

David Farris and family came to us in February 1997 from the Smyrna congregation in Smyrna, TN. We are happy to have David, Kim and children with us.

Child care is another ministry that is doing a good work with Agape, helping people locally, and supporting children at Childhaven in Cullman, AL and the Potters Children’s Home in Kentucky. We also have 156 children in Adventureland. This started out as Thursday School. It now has progressed to 5 days per week.

We have an effective Jail & Prison ministry. This group teaches and converts over a hundred people each year. They go into the Morgan County Jail and the Limestone Correctional Facility. Charles Baggett, one of our members, is the Chaplain at Limestone and doing a great work among the inmates. Along with this work is our correspondence course work which is effective. Lee and Lora Lee Brewer are in charge of these courses.

In the early part of 1997, we began thinking of beginning a local work among the Hispanics. We began communicating with Brother Justo Dorantes and his wife, Svetlana. These discussions all came together about the first of August 1997. They moved to Decatur shortly thereafter. Justo was born and reared in the Yucatan, Peninsula on the southern tip of Mexico.

The work got off to a good start and they have converted about 12 people to Christ thus far. They are doing a good job. Their verage attendance is 20 to 25 per Sunday. We are so glad. God has blessed our congregation with their abilities and talent.

Also, we took part with other local congregations in the city (Austinville, Grant St. and Moulton Heights) in beginning a new congregation in Courtland, Alabama among the black population there. Moulton Heights church and Harold Gilmore have the oversight of this new work.

Brother Larry Williams is the minister in Courtland. He is a graduate of International Bible College in Florence, AL, class of 1982. They are meeting and worshipping in Courtland for their regular services. They have about 18 members and average about 25 each Sunday. We are really excited about this new work also.

These are just a few of our 30 ministries. Most are doing well.
The following is a list of preachers that have preached for this congregation:
Oscar Norton - 1931-32 and many other times
Robert Farrish - 1932
Farrish Smith - 1933
Brother Neill - 5/1/36
Brother Morrow - 7/5/36
Brother Hill - 2/7/37
Brother Carlisle - 9/4/38
Brother Hood - 10/2/38
Walden Wear - 1938-'39
Howard Parker - 7/23/39, 8/27/39, 11/19/39
Quinton McKay - many times 1939-'43
Brother Mann - 12/31/39
Brother Morgan - 10/5/41
Brother Praytor - 10/18/42
Alvin Holt conducted a meeting in 1943
The following preachers conducted meetings for us:
1944 - Lindsey Allen
August 1946 - Rufus Underwood
Spring 1958 - Ira Douthit
Summer 1958 - Gus Nichols
1959 - Charles R. Brewer
1960-'61 - No Record
June 3-10, 1962 - Gentry Stults
October 6-13, 1963 - Howard Norton
June 2-9, 1963 - Virgil Bradford
June 7-14, 1964 - Charles Coil
October 11-16, 1964 - Bob Clardy
June 21-27, 1965 - Bob McAnally
October 18-24, 1965 - W.C. Quillen
June 6-13, 1966 - Joe Hazelbaker
October 3-9, 1966 - Bob Brooks
June 4-11, 1967 - Gentry Stults
June 2-8, 1968 - Curtis Ramey
June 1-8, 1969 - Charles Coil (65 responses)
June 8-14, 1970 - Jack Wilhelm
June 7-14, 1971 - Joe Hazelbaker
June 4-11, 1972 - Lamar Matthews
June 4-10, 1973 - C. Bruce White
June 2-8, 1974 - Gentry Stults
June 1-8, 1975 - Charles Coil
June 6-13, 1976 - Jerry Jenkins
June 5-12, 1977 - C. Bruce White
Jun 4-11, 1978 - William "Bill" Cline
June 3-10, 1979 - Jack Wilhelm
June 2-8, 1980 - Gentry Stults
June 7-14, 1981 - Elmer Lusk
June 6-13, 1982 - Jack Wilhelm
June 5-12, 1983 - Wayne Kilpatrick
June 3-10, 1984 - Doug Parsons
June 2-9, 1985 - Paul Tarrence
November 17-20, 1985 - Jim Bill McInteer
March 2-5, 1986 - Steve Flatt
June 1-6, 1986 - Bob McAnally
October 3-5, 1986 - Willard Alls
March 1987 - James Jones
June 7-14, 1987 - Dennis Jones
October 4-7, 1987 - W.T. Allison
November 1987 - Hugo McCord
March 1988 - William Woodson
June 5-9, 1988 - Bill Thrasher
October 16-19, 1988 - Jim Bill McInteer
June 4-7, 1989 - Dan Jenkins
June 3-8, 1990 - W. T. Allison
February 9-10, 1991 - Jim Bill McInteer
June 2-9, 1991 - Gary Bradley
September 20-22, 1991 - Jule & Judy Miller
October 25-26, 1991 - Bill McDonald (Grief Recovery)
June 7-10, 1992 - James Watkins
November 21, 1992 - Milton Sewell
March 16, 1993 - Harold Gilmore
April 25-28, 1993 - Dewayne Spivey
September 19, 1993 - Willard Collins
December 5, 1993 - Jim Bill McInteer
We had special Sundays in 1994 and 1995:
January 9, 1994 - Wendell Winkler
March 24, 1994 - Mike Cagle
August 14, 1994 - C. Bruce White
September 25, 1994 - Herschel McFarlen
January 15, 1995 - Dennis Jones - Neighbor Day
March 1, 1995 - Randy Owens - Welcome Sunday
March 19, 1995 - August Ruff - Visitor Sunday
April 22, 1995 - Bill McDonald - Grief Recovery
July 16, 1995 - Harold Hazelip
August 27, 1995 - Joe Worndle - Mission Sunday
October 8, 1995 - Jack Evans - Harvest Sunday
Our special Sundays in 1996 were as follows:
March 10, 1996 - "Spring Thing"
May 8-12, 1996 - C. Bruce White
June 30, 1996 - "Glory To God Contribution" - $54,646.27
November 10, 1996 - Family Reunion Sunday - 776 in worship
November 17, 1996 - Childhaven Thanksgiving Appeal - $12,000.00
December 15, 1996 - Childhaven Christmas Party - 25-30 children with 5 to 6 gifts each
1997 brought our gospel meeting with Bill Thrasher conducted June 22-25. Brother Willard Tate was with us for a special weekend, "Habits of a Loving Heart" November 7-8.

At the time of the writing the church seems to be doing well. We are enjoying peace and unity. So many people have a mind to work. Brother Bruce White is doing a great job as our minister. Brother David Farris has been with us for a short time, but we are so pleased to have him as our Youth Director. He is a very spiritual man. This is what our children need. We are looking forward to a long working relationship with David and his family.

We currently have twenty-seven (27) deacons. All of these good men serve over their respective ministries. They do a great work and do untold leg work behind the scenes in support of the elders. Currently we have eight (8) elders. It is a real privilege to work with this group of good men, Chuck Elliott, Bill Jordan, Hollis Lynn, David Smith, Ernie Spivey, Bud Surles, Franklin Wallace. We meet each Sunday evening from 4:00 until 5:50 to try to stay abreast of all the good things that are happening. Too, we spend whatever time is necessary and when necessary to care for and oversee this flock of God's wonderful people.

God has been good to us and we give Him the glory and praise for all the good that this church has been able to accomplish down through the years. Many good elders and church members of years gone by have sacrificed and made our path much easier for us. They will always be in our memories. May our Father in heaven help us to lead and guide this good church in the Bible way that He will be pleased with the church and we as its leadership. May He continue to open up many doors of opportunities to this church. To God be all the glory and praise.

I trust all the facts and information are as near to right as possible as I tried to gather them together.
Yours in Him,

L.E. "Buddy" Cagle