Celebrating Black History Month. On October 23, 1996, Rev. Sanford Boggs and local photographer Doug Chadwick visited Wilson Chapel Methodist Church at Brownsburg, three miles northeast of Marlinton. The church was started in 1905 on land deeded to the congregation by Joseph Wilson. The building was originally an old school which was moved to the present site. The church is no longer active.
This photograph was taken as Rev. Boggs steps away from the pulpit of his old home church where he pastored for many years. Behind him, on the wall, is a hand-written list of family members who attended Wilson Chapel over the years:
Madison and Agnes Boggs. Willie and Mable Boggs. Rosie Williams. Sanford and Lutica Boggs. Arabella and Henry Jackson. Ralph and Verna Boggs. Josephine and John Jackson. Carl and Ruth Boggs. Mary and Earl Evans. Ethyle and Homer Stewart. Bill and Edythe Boggs. Clara and Charles Wilson. Glenna Jefferson. Cecil and Willie Ann Boggs. Lock and Edna Boggs. Dale and Lorraine Boggs. Gale and Ethyle Boggs. Mary Joy and Billie Martin. Grady and Jane Boggs. Ed and Cora Boggs. Lorraine and Oliver Tyson. John and Jane Boggs. Bassett Boggs.
(The Douglas B. Chadwick Collection, Courtesy of Deborah Clearman and the Doug Chadwick Estate; ID: PHP010068)
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If you have historical records or photographs to be scanned for the county Historical Archive contact Preservation Officer B. J. Gudmundsson at 304-799-3989 or email info@pocahontaspreservation.org Prints of photographs are available.