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CHINA GROVE METHODIST CHURCH
China Grove Methodist Church is located at 10 China Grove Rd. Take 585N and you will see it on the right near the Marion County line. The property was deeded in 1836, construction started in 1854 and the Church was finished in 1861 for a cost of $100. It originally had a slave gallery. Although it no longer serves as an active church, it's lovingly maintained by Tylertown United Methodist Church and is listed on the National Historic Register. It is built of heart pine and has 80 feet long sills. The large framing timbers in the attic are secured with notches and hand-crafted techniques without the use of a single nail. Wooden pegs and square nails were used in the construction of the pews. It was proceeded by a large church that was built in 1822. The China Grove Methodist Church was accepted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and the period if significance is listed as 1850-1874. |
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THESE EPITAPHS WERE COPIED FROM HEADSTONES IN THE CHINA GROVE METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY:
1. Gone to be an angel!
2. Weep not father and mother for me, For I am waiting in heaven for thee.
3. We have parted, but not forever, But we have said our last farewell, til we meet you dearest Luke, Where there is no farewell.
4. Sleep on dear father, And take thy rest, God called you home. He thought it best.
5. Remember friend, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you will be, Prepare for death, and follow me.
6. Death is but a path That must be trod, If man is ever to pass to God.
7. He was faithful and true to his trust.
China Grove Cemetery Website
1. Gone to be an angel!
2. Weep not father and mother for me, For I am waiting in heaven for thee.
3. We have parted, but not forever, But we have said our last farewell, til we meet you dearest Luke, Where there is no farewell.
4. Sleep on dear father, And take thy rest, God called you home. He thought it best.
5. Remember friend, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you will be, Prepare for death, and follow me.
6. Death is but a path That must be trod, If man is ever to pass to God.
7. He was faithful and true to his trust.
China Grove Cemetery Website
June - 2021
A drive has begun to maintain historic China Grove Methodist Church after the 2020 pandemic forced cancellation of the annual homecoming. A portion of the collection at the annual homecoming has traditionally helped fund upkeep and repair of the church. A center of Methodism in the area, the church was founded in October 1836 when the Methodists purchased a site from a Baptist congregation. Almost 20 years later, the Methodists built the present church building in 1854. By the early 20th century, China Grove had been bypassed by the railroad in favor of sites such as Tylertown, Knoxo and Kokomo and the population of China Grove and surrounding area began to decline, causing regular services to discontinue. Although regular services are no longer conducted there, the annual homecoming was held yearly until 2020. At least four churches are derived from China Grove including Tylertown Methodist, St. James Methodist, Kokomo Methodist and Brandon Bay Methodist. China Grove and its adjoining cemetery represent many founding families of the area, especially the eastern side of Walthall County, which was once a part of Marion County prior to Walthall’s formation from Marion and Pike County. The cemetery is the final resting place of Joseph H. Packwood, Rev. N.B. Raiford, Benjamin Lampton and Mary Conerly Lampton. Families such as Ball, Collins, Elley, Foil, Ginn, Holmes, Lewis, Luter, Magee, Pittman, Toney, Yarborough and Youngblood are also represented.
Donations may be sent to China Grove Church Fund, 565 Stallings Bridge Road, Tylertown, MS, 39667
A drive has begun to maintain historic China Grove Methodist Church after the 2020 pandemic forced cancellation of the annual homecoming. A portion of the collection at the annual homecoming has traditionally helped fund upkeep and repair of the church. A center of Methodism in the area, the church was founded in October 1836 when the Methodists purchased a site from a Baptist congregation. Almost 20 years later, the Methodists built the present church building in 1854. By the early 20th century, China Grove had been bypassed by the railroad in favor of sites such as Tylertown, Knoxo and Kokomo and the population of China Grove and surrounding area began to decline, causing regular services to discontinue. Although regular services are no longer conducted there, the annual homecoming was held yearly until 2020. At least four churches are derived from China Grove including Tylertown Methodist, St. James Methodist, Kokomo Methodist and Brandon Bay Methodist. China Grove and its adjoining cemetery represent many founding families of the area, especially the eastern side of Walthall County, which was once a part of Marion County prior to Walthall’s formation from Marion and Pike County. The cemetery is the final resting place of Joseph H. Packwood, Rev. N.B. Raiford, Benjamin Lampton and Mary Conerly Lampton. Families such as Ball, Collins, Elley, Foil, Ginn, Holmes, Lewis, Luter, Magee, Pittman, Toney, Yarborough and Youngblood are also represented.
Donations may be sent to China Grove Church Fund, 565 Stallings Bridge Road, Tylertown, MS, 39667
