Lovewood Baptist Church Began In 1800's

 

Gravestone Oldest Record

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by Jody Richter, staff writer, The Graceville News, July 18,1996

 

            The oldest record from Lovewood Freewill Baptist Church is available only through gravestone records. The oldest grave in the Lovewood Cemetery is that of Barbara Schupe from 1870.

 

            There is a written history of the church in the possession of members Mr. and Mrs. John Amerison. This history, written by Chester Pelt, describes the church membership in several Freewill Baptist Associations.

 

            It was first associated with the Liberty Freewill Baptist Association which was organized in 1888. Lovewood church later joined the Salem Freewill Baptist Association in 1897.

 

            The property where the church now sits is on Lovewood Road. Early records indicate that the property was deeded to John Underwood from the U.S. Patent Office in 1859. There is no indication of when Mr. Underwood sold the property but it was sold by N.T. Eldridge to W. C. O'Neal in 1898.  O'Neal then sold the property to William R. Hayes in 1900.  It was deeded to Lovewood Freewill Baptist Church on June 13, 1914.

 

            The name for the church and the road that runs beside it comes from the combined names of the first co-pastors of the facility, Mr. Lem Love and a Mr. Wood. The historical record indicates that these two men and their families moved near Cottondale to establish just such a church.

 

            The Love-Wood Church eventually evolved into simply the Lovewood Church. Lovewood Road was later named for the church.

 

            There is a  historical documentation that there was a school held on the site of the present day church in or near 1888. There is no indication as to weather it was a church run school or whether all area children attended.

 

            Wayne Love, a descendent of Lem Love, indicates that more information about the church is available at the Love Memorial Library in Dothan, reference number 277.61.

 

            The present pastor at the church is Rev. Henry Matthews who preaches to a small but faithful congregation.

 

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This is the Permission to use email from the Graceville News.  Whit Gainey

 

The Graceville News wrote:

 Whit Gainey wrote:

  Sharon

  I spoke with you Friday about the article on Lovewood Church which

  appeared in the Graceville News a couple of years ago. I am a volunteer

  gathering info to help the Jackson County GenWeb Project. This article

  appears to be in line with the aim for information on area churches.

  This is to request permission for using the article and also other

  articles on area churches which may also be suitable.

  Thank you

 

  Whit Gainey

  1038 Jackson Place Road

  Cottondale, FL 32431

 

 Mr. Gainey,

 You have the permission of The Graceville News to use the article on

 Lovewood Church. If we can be of other assistance, please let us know.

 Sharon Taylor

 Editor

 The Graceville News