Historical background:

Under a long leaf pine, back in 1887, Rudy Thomas Clegg began blazing the trail for this church today.  With a small group of boys and girls, he organized a Sunday church school; under the true and tried banner and flag of Jesus Christ.  Clegg kept the faith as our forefather Abraham in the days of long ago, he told others of the things that rested on his heart and mind.  Namely, Jordan Taylor, John Evans, Ben Thomas, Peter Brown and William Lee.

They became interested in a place of worship, began teaching and preaching under the tree.  In the fall of 1897, the cold months forced them to seek shelter.  These six men put their heads together and moved into the Shanty of Jordan Taylor for services and sometimes in the home of Ben and Mary Thomas.

The great leader of this few in number R.T. Clegg kept call to the A.M.E. Zion Church to come over in Macedonia and help them.  His cry was heard by P.E. Maddock; and the Reverend C.C. McNeil became their first pastors.  These men and their wives put their shoulders the wheel and pushed hard for one year with Reverend McNeil.  Then came Reverend T.M. Stitt under his leadership their white friends, Mr. W.B. Hicks, E.R. Burt gave them a lot for the church.  Mr. R.N. Page gave the old Bathmoore Church between what we call Jeff’s Fish Pond and Pope’s Variety Store, which at that time the path led to now Biscoe Cemetery.

While the church was constructed services were held under a Brush Arbor, with the help of other white friends; these men did not rest until they were able to enter the church in 1899, still under the leadership of Reverend T.M. Stitt, who serviced for four years.  This church got her name from Bishop J.W. Hood.  The church grew under these great leaders.  The stewardess, Mary Thomas, as a Lydia; Bettie Clegg, as a Martha worked and gave their co-workers Dinah Brown, Amy Evans, Alice Lee and Sylvania Bennett and Reverend Burnett, the third pastor encouragement.  They prayed, talked and worked together, still encouraged by R.T. Clegg who always seemed to know what to say and how to say it.  When the church was on their shoulders, they were at ease.  Since they left us, one by one, we too have learned what conflicts they encountered.  We have been tossed and driven like a ship battered by an angry wave. 

The church changed the wooden structure to a stone building; Reverend E.H. Kemp, the pastor at that time labored with them for six years.  During the twelve years, Reverend M.C. Gibson lead them, they started planning this building in 1941.  What troubles they saw, what conflicts had they felt. 

We’ve come through many hardships, coming so slow we finally stood still, so still it looked as if we were still forever.  Just two founders were living during these years of stillness; unable to lead us any longer because of ill health.  They left us in 1949, just three months apart.  Namely Mary Thomas and R.T. Clegg.  God said, “Be still and know that I am God”, here we stood marking time and talking to our Father in Heaven to lead us out.  Our P.E. Asbury took pity on us and felt our care and came to help us.  “To obey is better than sacrifice”.  This man, Reverend D.M. Parker worked faithfully and hard, two years later we entered this building, September 1952.  Many leaders and have pastors have passed these doors, delivering the word of GOD for the people of GOD.

Reverend C.M. McCallum, J.A. Lucas, Ellis Strang, James Bowden, W.E. Stewart, W.B.F. Blackman, Charles Ford, W.E. Clapp, W.D. Brower, G.E. Monroe, W.E. Kearns, Ira Kearns, Author Christian, John Scarboro, Gerald Tillman, James Boone, Linda Person, John Sharp, Charles Ingram, A.C. Winfield, Keith Ellerbe, Reverend Miller, and our present, the Reverend Tracy D. Asbury. 

Donations for the GARDEN of LOVE and HONOR

The members of Hood Chapel are working to keep this historical church which houses memories of LOVE and HONOR standing as a beacon of hope, a storehouse of prayers and supplications to the LORD, thy GOD.  It has been strengthen by the sacrifices of church members, family members and friends of the community.

Now, it is our time to pick up the cross and keep this house of worship ALIVE and WELL.  With your pledge and donation, Hood Chapel will have renovations from every angle of the building in time for our 120^th Anniversary.

Remember, only what you do for CHRIST will last.  We look forward to your participation and prayers and hope that you’ll make plans to join us in 2017 for the unveiling of the facilities and the Garden of LOVE and HONOR.

May God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless you and keep you,

Hood Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church