Alabama Church Marks Two Centuries of Faith and Family

Faith Facts

• The Moulton Church of Christ in Alabama recently celebrated its 200th anniversary of gospel preaching and worship.
• Church records trace the congregation’s roots to the early 19th century Restoration Movement led by Barton W. Stone and evangelist Benjamin F. Hall.
• Five generations of the Hardin family continue to worship and serve together, preserving a legacy of faith and community leadership.

Two hundred years ago, evangelist Benjamin F. Hall planted a congregation of the Lord’s church in rural Moulton, Alabama. The congregation recently gathered to thank God for His faithfulness and to look forward with hope.

Church records credit Hall, influenced by Restoration Movement leader Barton W. Stone, with establishing the Moulton Church of Christ in 1826. Other historical sources mention Tolbert Fanning’s involvement in 1830 or a 1843 debate that brought twenty-two baptisms.

“I rejoice in such triumphs no little myself; but oh Lord, to Thee, and thy precious word, I am indebted for all that I have witnessed in Moulton,” the evangelist wrote of the church. “The brethren are strong in numbers, talent and influence, and I pray God they may be kept humble.”

Local deacon and historian Michael Strickland returned to his childhood congregation to teach its chronology and preach on the importance of remembrance. Two hundred ten members and guests attended the bicentennial worship service.

“Our mission, brothers and sisters, is to show the love of God to everyone,” Strickland told the congregation. “I want to suggest that God has been showing his love in this congregation for 200 years. And I pray he gives us 200 years more.”

Third-generation member Cindy Henry traveled from Hope Hull, Alabama, to celebrate with her family. Her grandfather and father served as elders, and her son Mitchell now serves as a deacon.

“This is still home in a lot of ways,” Henry said. “There’s new faces, but there’s still people that helped raise me.”

Her father, 88-year-old Clint Hardin, has worshiped at Moulton for most of his life. He recalls godly Sunday school teachers and parents who passed on their dedication to the word of God.

“We’ve had good preachers, and we’ve had good leadership,” Hardin said. “Really good leadership carried us through the problems I guess that all churches have.”

Young mother Ashley Nelson joined the church ten years ago through her husband Ross, whose grandfather once preached at Moulton. She now helps lead the children’s ministry known as the Sun Shiners.

“We have so many young kids now,” Nelson said. “We have a big, strong little kids group. And so, anytime we have an event, we usually have about 20 to 30 kids at those events.”

Through every season of growth and challenge, the Moulton Church of Christ has remained rooted in Scripture and committed to passing the faith to the next generation.

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