Alfred McCoy Wilhite
1824-1899
Alfred McCoy and Elizabeth Morris Wilhite
The Life of A. M. Wilhite
When Alfred McCoy Wilhite was born on April 10, 1824, in Morgan County, Alabama, his father, John Jariet Wilheit (1788-1841), was 36 and his mother, Mary (1793-1859), was 31. He married Elizabeth C Morris (1825-1901) on May 15, 1845, in Alabama. They had 11 children in 21 years. He died on July 7, 1899, in his hometown, having lived a long life of 75 years.
Alfred was a Christian. He was one of the earliest ministers and members of the Cedar Plains Christian Church, near Faulkville, in Morgan County, Alabama. Only heaven knows the extent of his labors for the sake of the Kingdom of Christ. His connection to the Christian faith in the early years of Alabama Restoration History tell much about his commitment to follow the Bible alone in faith and all biblical practices. We do know that he worked with other Christian ministers like Jesse T. Wood and others from that region of North Alabama.
He supported himself through by operating a logging and lumber mill. But, his passion was his work for the Lord, especially around the area of Cedar Plains, near Faulkville, Alabama.
He passed from this life July 7, 1899 at the age of 75 years, 2 months, 28 days. He and Elizabeth are buried in the old Cedar Plains Graveyard.
-Scott Harp, 01.06.2024
History of the Work In
Falkville, Cedar Plains
Cedar Plains is one of the historic churches of Morgan County, located five miles west of Falkville. It is probably the oldest Christian Church in the state with continuous service. Dr. A. C. Henry, pioneer preacher, was preaching there in 1874 and for several years afterward. At that time, the church was able to "furnish provisions for his family" and Brother William Wood proposed to teach his children at half price.
The early records were destroyed when the home of W. P. Wallace burned. This makes it difficult to state exact dates of early events. It is known that in the fall of 1837 William M. Hackworth, Thomas Wallace, Jane Wallace, Polly Hackworth, Ann Raley, Sallie A. Hackworth made their confessions and were immersed. Several members of the Wallace and Wood families were immersed in the years following.
In 1849 or 1850 a cedar log building was built by the Wallace, Hackworth, Raley, Lockart and J. T. Wood, Sr., families. Before there was a building, meetings were held in the dwellings. Early preachers were T. F. Randolph, G. M. Haley, and Tolbert Fanning. Jesse T. Wood, Sr., called the "Walking Bible," was licensed by Disciples of the Christian Church Union Meeting House of Buttahatchee on August 22, 1854. He married Mary Jane Wallace and they moved to the Cedar Plains community around 1861. He was pastor of the church for many years.
Other pastors and evangelists who preached in the log church were J. M. Pickens, Dr. Nick Wallace, Robert Gibson, and Dr. A. C. Henry. The membership was about twenty. For many years the log building was used as a school, young men and women coming from Lawrence and Cullman Counties. As many as forty or fifty would board for a school term. Professor Billie Windes and William Woods were among the teachers. Between 1880 and 1884, a frame building was erected about twenty feet north of the log building. Elders of the new church were W. P. Wallace, Frank Wallace, Joe Minter, and J. M. King.
T. B. Larimore preached at Cedar Plains in 1884 and was followed by A. M. Wilhite and Professor Billie Windes. In 1903 D. R. Piper came. He was followed by J. D. Jones, 1906; E. F. Corley, 1921; J. H. Hill, 1922; L. F. Abbott, 1925; J. H. Hill, 1934; J. H. Gardner, 1935; W. M. Goodwin, 1938; T. P. Sharp, 1939; J. H. Havener, 1941; Tommie V. Hatchett, 1945; W. O. Henderson, 1947; Paul E. Walker, 1952; Ray McCulloch, 1957; James H. Henderson, 1958, to the present. Throughout the years, preaching was at irregular intervals.
W. O. Henderson returned home in 1947 to pastor the Falkville Unity. Within two years Cedar Plains was renovated, pews replaced the school benches, and new pulpit furniture and communion table were dedicated to all the deceased of the church. In 1947 the Unity purchased a parsonage in Falkville. When this was sold in 1953, Cedar Plains banked its portion. They cooperated in the building of a new parsonage in 1958. When half the indebtedness was paid at the 1959 dedication, the Unity received a Certificate of Appreciation at the State Convention. On April 24, 1955, the building was destroyed by tornado. Work on a new building was begun in July, and most of the labor was volunteer. Contributions from other churches, clubs, women's groups and individuals, added to the money from insurance and the sale of the parsonage in 1953, enabled the church to be paid for when dedicated. W. O. Henderson returned from North Carolina for the dedication and homecoming. The pulpit Bible, hymn books, and piano were salvaged from the storm, reworked, and used. New pews were purchased. Services had been held temporarily in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Morris.
The Unity was organized in 1958 and James H. Henderson, son of W. O. Henderson who for forty years had been associated with Cedar Plains, became minister. Cedar Plains has about twenty-five members today, having suffered from the shift of population from rural to urban areas. Appreciation goes to R. G. Patterson, Mrs. Mammie Parker, Mrs. Ida Morris, Charlie England, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fitzgerald for laboring faithfully.
-George H. and Mildred B. Watson, History of the Christian Churches In The Alabama Area, pps. 184-186
History of the Work In Falkville, Cedar Plains
Cedar Plains is one of the historic churches of Morgan County, located five miles west of Falkville. It is probably the oldest Christian Church in the state with continuous service. Dr. A. C. Henry, pioneer preacher, was preaching there in 1874 and for several years afterward. At that time, the church was able to "furnish provisions for his family" and Brother William Wood proposed to teach his children at half price.
The early records were destroyed when the home of W. P. Wallace burned. This makes it difficult to state exact dates of early events. It is known that in the fall of 1837 William M. Hackworth, Thomas Wallace, Jane Wallace, Polly Hackworth, Ann Raley, Sallie A. Hackworth made their confessions and were immersed. Several members of the Wallace and Wood families were immersed in the years following.
In 1849 or 1850 a cedar log building was built by the Wallace, Hackworth, Raley, Lockart and J. T. Wood, Sr., families. Before there was a building, meetings were held in the dwellings. Early preachers were T. F. Randolph, G. M. Haley, and Tolbert Fanning. Jesse T. Wood, Sr., called the "Walking Bible," was licensed by Disciples of the Christian Church Union Meeting House of Buttahatchee on August 22, 1854. He married Mary Jane Wallace and they moved to the Cedar Plains community around 1861. He was pastor of the church for many years.
Other pastors and evangelists who preached in the log church were J. M. Pickens, Dr. Nick Wallace, Robert Gibson, and Dr. A. C. Henry. The membership was about twenty. For many years the log building was used as a school, young men and women coming from Lawrence and Cullman Counties. As many as forty or fifty would board for a school term. Professor Billie Windes and William Woods were among the teachers. Between 1880 and 1884, a frame building was erected about twenty feet north of the log building. Elders of the new church were W. P. Wallace, Frank Wallace, Joe Minter, and J. M. King.
T. B. Larimore preached at Cedar Plains in 1884 and was followed by A. M. Wilhite and Professor Billie Windes. In 1903 D. R. Piper came. He was followed by J. D. Jones, 1906; E. F. Corley, 1921; J. H. Hill, 1922; L. F. Abbott, 1925; J. H. Hill, 1934; J. H. Gardner, 1935; W. M. Goodwin, 1938; T. P. Sharp, 1939; J. H. Havener, 1941; Tommie V. Hatchett, 1945; W. O. Henderson, 1947; Paul E. Walker, 1952; Ray McCulloch, 1957; James H. Henderson, 1958, to the present. Throughout the years, preaching was at irregular intervals.
W. O. Henderson returned home in 1947 to pastor the Falkville Unity. Within two years Cedar Plains was renovated, pews replaced the school benches, and new pulpit furniture and communion table were dedicated to all the deceased of the church. In 1947 the Unity purchased a parsonage in Falkville. When this was sold in 1953, Cedar Plains banked its portion. They cooperated in the building of a new parsonage in 1958. When half the indebtedness was paid at the 1959 dedication, the Unity received a Certificate of Appreciation at the State Convention. On April 24, 1955, the building was destroyed by tornado. Work on a new building was begun in July, and most of the labor was volunteer. Contributions from other churches, clubs, women's groups and individuals, added to the money from insurance and the sale of the parsonage in 1953, enabled the church to be paid for when dedicated. W. O. Henderson returned from North Carolina for the dedication and homecoming. The pulpit Bible, hymn books, and piano were salvaged from the storm, reworked, and used. New pews were purchased. Services had been held temporarily in the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Morris.
The Unity was organized in 1958 and James H. Henderson, son of W. O. Henderson who for forty years had been associated with Cedar Plains, became minister. Cedar Plains has about twenty-five members today, having suffered from the shift of population from rural to urban areas. Appreciation goes to R. G. Patterson, Mrs. Mammie Parker, Mrs. Ida Morris, Charlie England, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fitzgerald for laboring faithfully.
-George H. and Mildred B. Watson, History of the Christian Churches In The Alabama Area, pps. 184-186
Memorial Resolutions For J. M. Pickens By The Leaders At Cedar Plains:
A. M. Wilhite, W. P. Wallace, and W. M. Wood
Gospel Advocate, April 29, 1881, page 265
Note The Final Entry Below Announcing The Passing Of A. M. Wilhite
The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama
Sunday, July 23, 1899, p.9
Directions To Grave
The Old Cedar Plains Cemetery is located in very rural Morgan County, Alabama. It is best to visit this cemetery in the winter time. It is in a heavily wooded area on top of a hill. So, be sure to attempt to visit with good shoes and some clothing you don't mind getting a bit dirty.
From Birmingham: Take I-65 north about 50 miles to Cullman, Exit 310, Hwy. 157 and turn left, heading towards Moulton. Travel 13.1 miles and turn right on Evergreen Rd. Go one mile and turn right on W. Lacon Rd. Go 1.1. miles and turn left on Cedar Plains Rd. Go about 6/10ths of a mile and on your left you will see a house set in the woods at the base of as small mountain. Turn in at their driveway and park on the right near the entrance. From there you will need to walk into the woods and head up a relatively steep mountain/hill to the grave yard. The cemetery is in the woods and unkept. Use the GPS location below to help you stay on track all the way to the grave.
From Athens on I-65: Take I-65 south and go about 29 miles to the Faulkville, Exit 322. Turn right heading into Faulkville on E. Pike Rd. Nearly a mile you will go and turn right on US-Hwy. 31 north. Go about .2 miles and turn left on Hwy. 55. (W. Pike Rd.) Turn left on Cedar Plains Road and drive 1 mile and on your right you will see a house set in the woods at the base of as small mountain. Turn in at their driveway and park on the right near the entrance. From there you will need to walk into the woods and head up a relatively steep mountain/hill to the grave yard. The cemetery is in the woods and unkept. Use the GPS location below to help you stay on track all the way to the grave.
GPS Location
34°21'28.2"N 86°59'55.8"W
34.357830, -86.998837
2004 Photo by C. Wayne Kilpatrick
Photos Taken February 5, 2015
Webpage produced January 6, 2024
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Special Recognition: C. Wayne Kilpatrick took me by to visit the Cedar Plains Cemetery in February 2015. I'm so thankful for Wayne. He has been my teacher and my friend without which I would have never produced this website.