Clay United Methodist Church

Present-day Clay United Methodist Church, which was formerly called Shiloh. Shiloh was the church my ancestors, George and Nancy Taylor, helped found when they came to the Chalkville area of Alabama following the War of 1812.

The three circuit riding brothers, William, Harris, and Isaac, came out of this Methodist Society.

Several of the descendants (Taylors and Selfs) are buried in this graveyard.

Granny Clark's Grave

Granny Clark grave at Cottondale Nature Garden. Louisa Taylor Clark was the daughter of Rev. Isaac Taylor and Hannah Hopper Taylor. She was born June 26, 1825 and died March 5, 1920.

The marker reads:

Louisa Clark

Wife of William Clark

1825-1920

Martha, William, and Isaac Taylor Graves at Taylor Memorial UMC

Martha, William, and Isaac Taylor Graves at Taylor Memorial UMC

William and Martha Taylor Graves

Originally posted on my blog "Musings of a Musical Preacher."

A few weeks ago, I described my ancestor's grave at Taylor Memorial UMC near Trussville, Alabama. He was one of a trio of brothers who were Methodist circuit riders, coming out of a Methodist Society in central Alabama starting in the 1820's, long before it was Alabama (it was the Mississippi Conference).

I wrote about how inspiring it is for me to consider that I am walking and driving on hallowed ground where they walked and rode on horseback to spread the gospel.

I included in the blog post my third great grandfather's grave marker. But my third great grand uncle's marker is even more stunning in its eloquent remembrance of his ministry. The words are below. I hope it blesses you as it blesses me.

Rev. William Taylor

Born August 3, 1799

Embraced religion at 21 years of age

Soon thereof, he commenced to prea

ch the immeasurable riches of Christ and continued to do so until his decease, which took place December 14, 1867

Next to him is buried my great, great, great grand aunt. This is how her marker reads:

Martha, wife of Rev. William Taylor

Born August 7, 1812

Died September 28, 1884

Sleep on loving mother sleep,
This marble shall thy memory keep.
But deeper in my heart is given
The hope that we shall meet in heaven.

Isaac Taylor Grave

This was originally posted on my blog "Musings of a Musical Preacher."

I recently had another opportunity to visit the grave of my great, great, great grandfather, the Rev. Isaac Taylor. He was a Methodist circuit rider and preacher during the 1820's during the early waves of Methodism in Alabama and Mississippi (it was one conference at that time). His body is buried in the graveyard of Taylor Memorial UMC near Trussville, Alabama. The church is named after his brother, Rev. William Taylor, the pastor who founded the church.

It is always a holy moment to stand at his grave, and I do so from time to time. Years ago, I had been praying about some of the difficulties we face in the United Methodist Church, wondering if we would face structural division in my lifetime. I stood at his grave weeping and a wave of peace came over me. It is as if the Spirit spoke, saying "Steve, you were ordained in the United Methodist Church. Your father was ordained in the Methodist Church. Your grandfathers were ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Taylor was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church. It doesn't matter what you call it. It will never matter how you organize it, for the fire of Wesleyan faith will keep burning." I recalled that during his ministry, the church divided over issues of slavery.

I began a long process of letting go and trusting God for the future. My ministry has been a journey of realizing that I am stepping into a larger picture of the Spirit's movement across many generations. This brings me great peace and a sense of context. It is not up to me to fix the larger issues. It is my calling to serve the gospel faithfully and trust God for the rest. The future belongs to God.

His grave stone reads:

In memory of

Rev. ISAAC TAYLOR

was born January 27th, 1802

died May 5th, 1871

He was a minister of the gospel 50 years

and died in the hope

& Consolation of the same.

---------------

"Blessed are the dead

who die in the Lord."

Taylor Chapel

Five Generations of Taylors

This is my grandfather, Rev. C.P. Hamby, Sr, among five generations of Taylors! The picture was taken in about 1920, just before Grannie Clark died.

Back Row L-R: Charles Pinkney Hamby, Sr. and his daughter, Willie Hamby Shelton

Front Row L-R: Louisa Taylor Clark (daughter of Isaac Taylor), Laura Frances Hamby (C.P's mother, Louisa Clark's daughter), Willie's oldest baby, Charles