The story behind Williams Chapel

Williams Chapel on Tennille Road in Brundidge is the oldest Methodist church in Pike County and, perhaps, has one of the most storied benefactors, in a rural Alabama church.

In the year 1826, the log house of Jonathan Williams, on Tennille Road in Brundidge, was the scene of the organization of Williams

Chapel Church, said Judy Carter, church member.

Robert Lee Williams, a great grandson of Jonathan Williams, was born in Pike County. After a series of “difficulties “in Alabama, Williams “went West.” He became chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, governor of Oklahoma, Federal District judge, justice of the United State Court of Appeals and also acquired a large personal fortune.

Under the terms of the will of Robert Williams, the bulk of the large estate was bequeathed to Williams Chapel and to the Robert L. Williams Library in Durant, Oklahoma.

He had given substantial support to Williams Chapel during his lifetime. He enclosed the church and cemetery with a steel fence, improved the cemetery and erected monuments, planted pecan trees in the expectation that the pecan crop would pay for the charity work of the church.

His other area of support included paint and repair of the church, insurances and donations to the pastor’s salary.

Under the terms of his will, an endowment was set up for the pastor’s salary and the church was bricked. In reality, the frame structure was enclosed with a handsome brick exterior.

Williams Chapel will celebrate 200 years of faithful service on Sunday with an 11.m. worship service, “dinner on the ground’ and, at 2 p.m. the chapel’s 25-year time capsule will be opened.

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