Stubblefield Church

Stubblefield Church

Records indicate that Civil War veteran Wyatt M. Stubblefield bought land in this area from J.D. Poole in August 1872, and the community later took on his name. At that same time, the New Ivie Missionary Baptist Church, a group that grew out of the Old Ivie Board Baptist Church, began meeting in the local schoolhouse. Early members of New Ivie included church clerk Mrs. W.M. Campbell, as well as L.A. and Cornelia Ainsworth, James Helton, the Rev. T.D. and Ann Suttles, and the Rev. W.L and Sarah Gates. Suttles served as presbyter and moderator, and Gates as pastor.

After meeting for some time in the schoolhouse, the congregation built a wooden church structure a few hundred yards east of the school. This sanctuary burned, as did the second. Church members erected their third sanctuary in 1926.

In 1934, the Stubblefield Church, as it was then called, began holding annual homecomings. The first honored the church's oldest member, "Uncle" Billy Campbell, brother of the Rev. John Campbell, who conducted area revivals. During the 1930s-40s, two couples--Edd and Irene Lenderman and Hiram and Maggie Lenderman--contributed much to keeping the church active. Edd and Irene gave the congregation almost 12 acres of land to grow cotton to sell for the preacher's salary. During the lean times of the Depression era, church members also saved butter and egg money to send for missionary offerings.

The community's population declined during World War II, and the church discontinued regular services during the 1950s. Still, descendants of the initial members and leaders continue to meet annually at the Stubblefield homecomings, held each may to honor the faith and dedication of the early residents.

(2003)