This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Kierce, Bulger, Martin, Faulkner, Hughes, Allen, Bennett, Gable, Railey, Steward, Edmonds, Vandiver, Parker, Faulkner, Mitchell, Holley, Lloyd, Lassiter Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/RS.2ADI/1499 Message Board Post: I am looking for information on persons buried at Florala Bapist Church. Supposedly my ggg-grandfather Wilson J. Kierce is buried there according to a 1917 Newspaper article (see below). If anyone has any first hand knowledge of the history of this church and whether or not anyone is buried there, please contact me. I am planning a trip there in March. I have his confederate grave marker and I need to find out where he is buried. Thanks! Florala News-Democrat Thursday, June 21, 1917 History of the Baptist Church What is known as the First Baptist Church, Florala, was organized in 1862, over in Florida near the forks of the creek, where Clear Springs School house now stands. The organization was effected by Bro. G.W. Kierce, the first pastor, who now lives at Andalusia. Bro. Kierce was then missionary for this Association, and served the church once a month for several years. About 1864 the place of worship was moved to a round-pole school house near where the Iris Theatre now stands. In this school house our fellow townsman, Mr. J. E. Hughes, lived the first year of his marriage. In 1869 Rev. Wilson Kierce, father of Rev. G.W. Kierce, came here with wagon and oxen, and together with Brother J.E. Hughes, D.C. Allen and others of the community, cut and hauled logs and erected a log building on the present site. Rev. Kierce requested that he be buried under the shade of the trees by the church, and there his body rests today. The following men have served as pastors, the approximate time being opposite the name of each: Rev. GW Kierce several years; Revs. F.L. Lloyd and J.B. Lassiter, each of whom supplied some years; Rev. Wilson Kierce began pastorate in 1870 and served several years; Rev. P.D. Bulger taught school and pastored the church several years. Bro. Bulger was succeeded by Rev. Mitchell, who served two or three years; Rev. EA Holley, time not known; Rev. Wiley F Martin, several years; Rev. W.F. Faulkner, one year; Rev. J.F. Gable, two years, Rev. S.H. Bennett, two years; Rev. B.S. Railey, five years; Rev. E.M. Steward, three months; Dr. J.S. Edmonds, eighteen months; Rev. J.F. Vandiver, three years; Rev. D.R. Parker, eighteen months, Rev. T.V. Shoemaker, the present pastor, one year.