Pine Flat Methodist Church

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In the spring of 1858, the present Pine Flat Methodist Church building was erected by t he men of the community with the help of their slaves. Virgin pine trees were felled and the timber sawed with a jig·saw at Bowen's Mill. The boards were then hand planed. The church lot was deeded by James and Martha Reynolds who lived near the site where t he first house was built in Butler County ; this home was erected by James K. Benson, government suveyor in 1815. On the fly-leaf of the pulpit bible is this inscription: "Presented to the Pine Flat Methodist Episcopal Church South by Mrs. Martha Reynolds in the early fifties (1852· 58)." This with a statement by an older church member is a confirmation that there had been a group of Methodist friends and relatives meeting, in the Wesleyan tradition, in homes and at the Pine Flat Academy, and later at a small chapel. In "Memories of a Circuit Rider " , a journal of the Rev. A.C. Ramsey, who served the Cedar Creek Circuit in 1831·1835·1837, he tells of preaching on a week day at "Dr Barges"., (John R, Barge) church, and that "Dr. Barge and wife, and Squire Benson and wife were in Ite congregation." "The church now standing, simple in design and construction, had a slave gallery extending across the front end. This gallery could be entered by stairs leading from the front porch. At morning services the slaves sat in the gallery and in the afternoon special services were held for the slaves who sat downstairs while the white people attending sat in the gallery. When the church was repaired in 1870 the slave gallery was removed. The pews, communion rail , table, half octagon-shaped pulpit, and doors all are constructed of heart pine and are put together with square nails or wooden pegs. At first the center pews were divided with a solid partition to separate the men from the women. The one odd small bench, in the style of a colonial deacons' bench, was one of three that were placed near the altar, and were used by those who came requesting the prayers of the congregation.