This historic African-American congregation was founded by Reverend J. J. Davis on 2 June 1878. It’s one of the oldest Black churches in Jefferson County still in existence. I’m unsure when the present structure was built. I believe it’s now associated with the Missionary Baptists.
What is the history of the 2 steeples?
Concerning Harts Grove Church; when it was established in 1878, my great Grandfather, Col. Rev. James Stapleton (a white man) preached the first sermon, as they did not have an ordained black minister. The land to build the church was donated by Moses Hart, a former slave. My Great Grandfather wrote the will for and attended the funeral of Moses Hart in the 1880s. I have that information from his diary. T. J. Dickson, a white man, kept the records for Harts Grove when it was established, as none of the black members could read or write…or at least were not able to keep the records. The story of Rev. James Stapleton preaching the first sermon is read annually at the church’s anniversary celebration, but I knew nothing of this history until 2017. Fay S. Burnett