with the name Swift Presbyterian Church, honoring its principal benefactors. This building has been recognized by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission.
Although a new, larger sanctuary has now been erected nearby, the original church building continues to serve as an alternate chapel.
Swedish Lutheran Zion Church
15875 4th Avenue, Silverhill, AL 36576
Baldwin County
This church was established in 1905, although the area east of Mobile Bay was developed by the Svea Land Company of Chicago beginning in 1896. Early settlers were Scandinavians, primarily Swedes, who had emigrated south from the American Midwest. The Swedish Baptist and Mission Covenant denominations formed churches before sixteen members of the Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Zion Church organized the current congregation. Swedish was used in the church school and for services until 1919. The devastating hurricane of 1906 caused widespread destruction and a mass exodus from the area. Perhaps this resulted in the church having visiting pastors (there were two other Swedish Lutheran churches in Alabama) and not building its own sanctuary until 1916. The church had its first permanent, resident pastor in 1919, when English replaced Swedish.
The architect, Victor Olson, was as member of the church; both men and women of the congregation did the actual construction. The interesting sanctuary reflects the latter period of the High Victorian Gothic style. Note the asymmetrical massing, pointed windows, cross-bracing in the gables, and small circular window above the entryway. The two demi-lune windows are classical rather than Gothic. The church has always been painted white. Interestingly, it was first lit by oil lamps, and it was served by outhouses until the 1950s. The church has been recognized by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission.
The church continues an active ministry in this small community.
Montgomery Hill Baptist Church
Danny Hall Rd. (CR 80 off Hwy. 59), Tensaw (Stockton), AL 36579
Baldwin County
The oldest surviving church building in Baldwin County, this church fellowship was established in 1840. The congregation’s country Greek Revival style church building was erected in 1854. The classical proportions, symmetry, low-pitched roof, and treatment of the gable end as a triangular pediment are characteristics of this neoclassical style. Continuing the pilaster motif along the church building’s sides is an unusual treatment, but it conforms to the high quality of this simple, but elegant, one-room sanctuary that features graining and paneling. The building retains the original slave gallery. A large cemetery is to the left of the church. The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission has placed a plaque at the church front.
Grace Episcopol Church
Louisville St., Clayton, AL 36016
Barbour County
Grace Episcopal was begun by the Reverend J. L. Gay as a mission station in 1844, shortly after the town was incorporated. In 1872, the Diocese of Alabama formally accepted the mission as Grace Church. CSA Major General Henry Delamar Clayton Sr. and his wife, Victoria, gave the lot. (General Clayton served as president of the University of Alabama, 1886-1889.) The simple, almost austere, country Gothic style building was begun in 1875 and completed in 1876. Gothic architectural elements include the very steep pitch of the roof and the pointed arches above the windows and door. The church has been recognized by the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, and the National Register of Historic Places.
Spring Hill United Methodist Church
2558 Springhill Rd. (near the intersection of CR 89 and CR 49), Comer (Midway), AL 36053
Barbour County
This striking Greek Revival church building with its prostyle portico composed of a strong pediment and Tuscan box columns is surrounded by spacious grounds, which are encircled by a low cement wall. Built by lumber baron John Fletcher Comer in 1841, the church originally had a slave gallery entered by exterior stairs that were removed about 1890. The church’s membership in 1872 probably reflects the results of the Civil War; of the 104 members, 72 were women and only 32 were men. Two-room Sunday school space was added to the left of the church in 1954. A cemetery with elaborate tombstones is located to the right of the church; several graves are located on the left of the church as well. To a large degree, a trust from the Comer family business, Avondale Mills, maintains the church building and cemetery.
Services are held on two Sundays a month.
Mount Zion Baptist Church
Mt. Zion Church Rd. (three miles southwest of Louisville just off Hwy. 51), Louisville, AL 36048
Barbour County
Mount Zion Baptist Church was established in 1845. With the exception of the overlapping steeple caps clad in metal shingles, the building is representative of Southern vernacular. Originally, the area between the two towers, currently enclosed, may have been open. After receiving extensive damage in a major storm in the 2000s, the church underwent renovation and repairs.
The church has added educational space and continues an active ministry as a participating member of the Barbour Baptist Association.
Woodstock United Methodist Church
73 Strickland Dr., Woodstock, AL 35188
Bibb County
Woodstock was organized December 1886 as a Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Land was deeded to build a church in 1893, and the present church building was completed that year. The imposing Victorian Gothic style building, constructed of heart pine with square nails, has been little changed. It retains its pointed door and windows and its original, elaborate steeple, as well as original interior features of wainscoting, wooden pews, chancel rail, and light fixtures. The church is included in the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Woodstock United Methodist Church is dedicated to being fruitful in God’s service.
Green Pond Presbyterian Church
65 Presbyterian Church Rd. (off Eastern Valley Rd.), Green Pond, AL 35074
Bibb County
This church was established
