Our Heritage
William Alley, an early settler in the area, established a school known as Alley's School House in 1829 with the help of other citizens. The school was used for worship and Sunday school by various denominations. Mr. Alley had helped establish the Clarkesville Methodist Church and it was always his desire to build an active Methodist church at the Alley School House, but he died before seeing his dream come true.
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In 1869 there was a union meeting during a revival in which many people were converted. There were two preachers present: James Jarrard, a Baptist, and Col. Garnet McMillan, a Methodist. At the close of the meeting those wishing to organize a church went forward to give their hand to the preachers. There were more Methodists than Baptists and in this manner decided to build a Methodist Church. Work began in 1870 with dedication in the latter part of that year. The charter members remembering the lifelong goal of William Alley in desiring a church for his community called their new church, Alley's Chapel. Dr. James P. Phillips gave an acre of land on 1871. Later, N. Ebbison gave an acre, and still later the church bought an acre.
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In 1909, the present white frame building was erected on the original lots three and one-half miles from Clarkesville on the Burton Highway. The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ramsey, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Purdy, James M. Brooks, John Kinsey, John Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. Jordan McAfee. The first pastors were: Rev. Gray, Rev. Lewis, Rev. Smith and Rev. Edwards.