The following information was compiled by Frances Shelton and her daughter, Lynn Harris in 1975 on history of Tate Chapel Church.  We appreciate permission to post this part of history used, and to Silvetta Parsons for sending the parts that she copied. Transcribed by James E. Gholson 10/07/03.

History of Tate Chapel Church

     March 14, 1859 James G. Shaw and Mary Shaw sold land to William J. Tate for $26.00 for 26 acres.  James G. Shaw was the designated buyer to buy land from the Government for “a bit an acre” (12 cents an acre).  William J. Tate had been holding this land thru the squatters act.  James Shaw rode horse back to Shawneetown to purchase land.  Upon his return William Tate purchased the land from Shaw.  He built his log cabin in the woods in back of the cemetery near a pond.  William Gillespie Tate, son of William J. Tate, is said to have set under the pine tree and read for hours at a time, each day.  He died at age 18 (1864) and is the first person buried at Tates Chapel, buried near the pine tree where he would set and read.  Shortly after Gillespie’s death, a young confederate soldier was passing through the area and died.  He was buried near Gillespie, at the time of their burials; it was a private family cemetery.

     Tates Chapel originated after a split in Union Chapel.  Union Chapel was located across the county line in Hamilton County, close to the Carter home place.  Some remember this as being Union Chapel; others think it might be Good Hope Church, since it was near Good Hope Cemetery.  Union Chapel/Good Hope was donated by John V. Tate.   In the land records, pertaining to John V. Tate’s holdings, he set aside “one acre of ground to be used as the Good Hope Meeting House and burial ground.”  The Union Chapel/Good Hope congregation split over a rift about the civil war, since most members originated from Tennessee & the South.  Rev. William J. Tate (a son of John V. Tate) helped establish the first church which would become known as Tates Chapel.  This was started as a one room log cabin with wooden benches for seats.  William J. Tate is believed to have been the first minister at Tates Chapel, and it is recorded that he preached for free.  Tates Chapel was first referred to as the Methodist Episcopal South, and Union Chapel/Good Hope was called the Methodist Episcopal North.

     The first Tates Chapel was built in about the center of where the cemetery now is.  The school was located near the church.  Later the school was moved to where the present church sits.  The school was called Possum Flat because there were always possums underneath it.  After the school burned down, it was rebuilt on the possum Flat Road, and when the school consolidated with the Galatia school, the old school was made into a private residence.

     Tates Chapel moved to where it presently sits, around 1908.  This is when the first registry of ministers & members is dated.  In 1912, one of the first pictures was taken holding flags.

     William J. and Mary Tate sold the cemetery and the first church to the Trustees of Southern Methodist Episcopal Church Sept. 19, 1892 for $5.00 on Jan 6, 1911.  Andrew A. Jackson sold land to Tates Chapel Methodist South for $140.00 to be used as a place of residence for use & occupancy of the preachers.  This is the land where the parsonage sat, and where the church now sits.  After being paid for the land, Andrew A. Jackson is said to have given the money back to the church.  He also donated the land for Possum Flat School.  The parsonage was built around 1911.  During the early 1900’s most people walked to church, some as far as 3 or 4 miles.  There would be a road full of people walking to the church.  Later this changed to horse and buggy.

     The first addition was added to the church in the early 1930’s.  Up until this time there were two entrees into the church.  An old coal stove was set up at the front of the church.  Later the two entries were moved into one and the stove was moved to the back.  This was before the church had electricity.  For night services, lanterns were hung along the walls to provide light.

     In 1952 Andrew J. Jackson donated the new cemetery.  This is located west of the other cemetery, and across the road.

     The second addition to this church was added in 1972.  This included the kitchen and class rooms, directly in back of the church.  Up until the second addition was added, the young people’s class was held in the choir, and the children’s classes were held at tables at the front of the church near the podium.  The parsonage was torn down about this time.  It had not been used for some time.  In 1981 a red carpet was purchased by the Tates Chapel Quilters, and the entire front of the church was covered.  Up until this time a gray runner ran down the aisle and split off around the alter.  The rest of the floor was solid wood.

     The third addition was added 1984.  Bath rooms were built at the front of the church, plus an extension at the front.  Before this time the only bathrooms available were the outhouses off the East side of the church

     Air conditioning and new aluminum siding were added in 1987.  Before this on hot days the windows were opened wide, for the cool morning breeze.  Stained glass windows were added in April 1987, each window dedicated to individual families.  Seat cushions were added in May 1990.  Until this time the seats were solid wood, cushions were provided for some of the older members.

     The fourth addition was dug in July 1994.  A large room was built onto the back of the church, at the East side of the class rooms.  This room is to be used for church gatherings.  The kitchen will be moved to this area.

     A new steeple was placed on the church April 11, 1995.  The old steeple had deteriorated.