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Dr. A.B. MOORE  [photo]
Walter L. RANDOLPH  [photo]
James A. BRANYON  [photo]
Dr. W.F. PRICE  [photo]
W.S. THOMPSON  [photo]
Judge Clyde C. CARGILE  [photo]
George B. COTTON  [photo]

COMMITTEES

PROGRAM	Blanch WHITNEY [Blanche WHITLEY], Judge Clyde C. CARGILE
RECEPTION	Jimmy BRANYON, Rubin NEWTON, Mrs. S.P. DEAVOURS, Mrs. STRAHAN
DECORATING	Billie Joe SIMPSON, Ann LOWERY, DeLoris LOWERY
SERVING	Cleveland Home Demonstration Club

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PROGRAM

Saturday, July 20, 1957

WELCOMING ADDRESS	11:00 - 11:30 A.M.	Judge Clyde C. CARGILE
DEVOTIONAL		Dr. W.F. PRICE
HISTORY, Byler Road & Zion Church	11:30 - 12:30	Dr. A.B. MOORE
RIBBON CUTTING	12:30 - 1:00 P.M.
LUNCH SERVED	1:00 - 2:30 P.M.
SOCIAL	2:30 - 6:00 P.M.
EARLY HISTORY	7:00 P.M.	W.S. THOMPSON

PROGRAM

Sunday, July 21, 1957

Morning will be devoted to tours of the antiques
ADDRESS	2:00 P.M.	Walter L. RANDOLPH

AUNT SYNTHIA COTTON  [photo]

Born January 25, 1812 - Died July 28, 1916
Aunt Synthia and her two brothers came by foot from north of the Tennessee River, down the Cherokee Trail (Byler Road) and settled in Fayette County.  She was a life-long member of the Zion Church.  Died at the age of 104.

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ZION CENTENNIAL AND BYLER ROAD RE-DEDICATION

It appears from reading "History [of] Methodism in Alabama" that Zion and two other Methodist Churches in what is now Fayette County, were established in the 1830's.  Zion was at one time, before and after the Civil War, a very large church.  Many old time camp meetings were held there.  It seemed to be an active church after the turn of the 19th century; probably about 1915.

On March 1, 1861 Samuel D. BLANKENSHIP deeded three aces to seven trustees: William L. HARVEY, Charles PALMER, Thomas J. JOHNSON, E. COLE, J.W. WHITSON, J.W. ELLIS and Daniel FOWLER.  When it ceased to be a church, it was to go back [to the family].

In August 1941 the Zion Church and Cemetery Association was organized with the following trustees: George B. COTTON, E.H. SAWYER, T.S. JOHNSON, Curtis M. SIMPSON, S.L. EDMONSON, Fannie WELLBURN and Robert LOWERY.  A building was erected on the land for a custodian to look after and help care for the property and cemetery.  Buck FELTMAN, who contributed to the erection of the building, as well as others, was given the custody of the property to serve a period of ten years from date October 30, 1947.

At the annual meeting of the members of the Association (anyone who contributes to the Association in any way is considered a member), the following was adopted:

1.	The trustees shall be the governing body.  A majority vote rules.
2.	In case of death or resignation of a trustee, the Association shall elect a new trustee.
3.	The Association shall meet at least once a year at which time or meeting it shall transact any business or make any improvement for the betterment of the Association or property.
4.	Any contract signed by a majority of the trustees shall be binding, provided it has been or will be approved by the Association.
5.	Any funds donated to or derived from sale of property of the Association shall be deposited in bank to credit of the Association.

The Old Byler Road or Turn Pike which was constructed in the 1820's was the first state road built and extended from Courtland on the Tennessee River to Tuscaloosa on the Warrior, thereby connecting the two rivers.  The Cherokee Indians still claimed a good part of the territory through which it extended.  Many carriages rolled over it out of Northern Alabama for $1.00 after Tuscaloosa became the capitol in 1826.

At or near where the present Zion Cemetery now is was a camping ground where the stage coaches and travelers could spend the night and rest their horses.

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