James William Grant
1856-1936
The Life Of J.W. Grant
Willie Grant was born in 1856. He was an educator and gospel preacher. After the Nashville Bible School, now Lipscomb University, was founded in 1891, he became connected with the school the following year. For a number of years he taught in the Mathematics department. While in the school a number of students who came to be well-known preachers, including Jesse P. Sewell and R.H. Boll. When not teaching, he was preaching throughout the area. He founded a number of congregations including the Walnut Street church in Dixon, Tennessee between 1881 and 1885. His preaching took him to many places throughout the southeast, sometimes in longer-termed "protracted" meetings baptizing many. Some of the young men he baptized became highly respected gospel preachers including C.E.W. Dorris in 1889, and also Guy N. Woods and his brother George E. Woods in August, 1926.
Upon his departure from Nashville Bible School (now Lipscomb University), he moved back to his home area of Bridgeport, Alabama in 1906. Being an educator, he desired to begin a school there. As the area was a convergence of three states, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, the name of the school was called Alatenga Bible College. The school continued for several years. Later, when the school closed, he and his wife returned to the Nashville area.
During the last years of his life, Brother and Sister Grant lived at the Home for Young Women, established by the Central Church of Christ in Nashville, at the insistence of A. M. Burton.
The Gospel Advocate recorded his obituary upon his death writing, "J. W. Grant, nearly eighty-one years of age and a veteran gospel preacher, passed on Friday night, April 3, in Nashville. Brother Grant had been feeble for some time. He is survived by his aged wife. Funeral services were conducted Sunday morning at Central Church, and the body was shipped to Bridgeport, Alabama, for burial. Brother Grant at one time taught in the old Nashville Bible School. He founded, and for several years operated, what was known as the Alentenga (Alatenga, sdh) Bible College at Bridgeport, Alabama. He preached extensively and established many churches." (Gospel Advocate, April 5, 1936, page 353)
-Scott Harp, web editor
The Reformation Of Tennessee
by J.W. Grant
Directions To The Grave Of J.W. and Carrie Grant
Willie and Carrie Grant are buried in the old cemetery at Rocky Springs, near Bridgeport, Alabama. Rocky Springs church of Christ is the oldest church of Christ in the state, the claims of which go back to 1807. The cemetery across the street have people buried there who were some of the original church members. The Rocky Springs church of Christ and cemetery is located on Hwy 72, just southwest of South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, in the Alabama town of Bridgeport. In Southern Tennessee on I-40, take the Hwy. 72 exit at South Pittsburgh. Heading west on Hwy 72 (Also known as the old Cherokee, "Trail Of Tears") Just after crossing the Alabama line you will enter the city limits of Bridgeport. Continue past the exit for Bridgeport, and begin looking to your right for a sign, advertising Rocky Springs, the oldest Church of Christ in Alabama. Turn right and the church building will be on your left. The cemetery is on the right. Enter the cemetery and travel up the hill. The drive will bear to the right, then to the left. Just as you bear left, the the Grant plot will be on your right.
GPS Location of the Grave
34°57'25.7"N 85°45'05.0"W
or D.d. 34.957126, -85.751399
Carrie
1856-1943
Willie
1855-1936
The Reformation Of Tennessee
by J.W. Grant
