Pine Flat Church celebrates 165 years
Published 7:00 am Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Pine Flat Methodist Church building celebrates its 165 year at the Homecoming Memorial celebration on Oct. 1.
Pine Flat Methodist Church celebrates its Homecoming Memorial with a sermon and hymnals in the historic building at last year’s 164 celebration.
Pine Flat Methodist Church celebrates its Homecoming Memorial with a sermon and hymnals in the historic building at last year’s 164 celebration.
Attendees enjoy the community dinner at the Pine Flat Methodist Church during its Homecoming Memorial at last year’s 164 celebration.
Previous church members and families of ancestors buried at the historical Pine Flat Cemetery journey from all over to attend the Homecoming Memorial at last year’s Pine Flat Methodist Church 164 celebration.
The Pine Flat Methodist Church’s historical cemetery draws in families every year for the Homecoming Memorial celebrations and reunions.
Reverend Dan Rhodes journeys back to the historical Pine Flat Methodist Church to speak at the 165 Homecoming celebration.
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The Pine Flat Methodist Church, built in 1858, is located near the first settlements of Butler County. This year the congregation will celebrate the building’s 165th year at the church’s Homecoming Memorial celebration on Oct. 1 at 11:00 a.m.
The church is still in great shape and is kept alive by the Pine Flat Cemetery Association who celebrate the Homecoming every year on the first Sunday of October, and has been since 1968.
Harry Poole, a trustee of the Pine Flat Cemetery Association, took on the role of caretaker for the church from his mother, Mae Poole, who was said to have a deep love for the church. He explained that it is a wonderful reunion every year of those that have family history in the church and who value the beloved site.
“The homecoming celebrates and honors the history of the people buried in the Pine Flat cemetery,” Poole said. “It’s a very warm greeting and just great to see everyone again.”
The celebration will resemble a church service with worship, prayer, and hymnals along with a sermon from guest speaker Reverend Dan Rhodes. Afterwards, attendees will enjoy dinner on the pavilion and entertainment from the New Vision quartet singing group.
Rhodes is a Tallapoosa native with a masters in divinity who served 44 years as a pastor in the United Methodist Church. Rhodes said he has always appreciated his friends from Pine Flat and he is excited to once again make the journey down to the historical church.
“When I came to Butler County and met all of the people in the area, I knew that I was where God wanted me to be,” Rhodes said. “I was loved and appreciated by the people of all five churches that I was pastor over. Most of the folks I knew have already gone to their reward. I am returning to Pine Flat after 51 years because I will never forget their kindness to me and my family.”
Marilyn Watson, a trustee of the Pine Flat Cemetery Association, said it is a true homecoming for her and all the guests who attend every year.
“We always have a good speaker, very good music, and we get to fellowship together with people we have not seen in a long time,” Watson said. “It is very special to us.”
The Pine Flat Methodist Church is located on Alabama Highway 10, west of Greenville. All are welcome to attend the event.
